The Local Lust List: what we’re loving right now

Posted on 1 October, 2014

We love supporting local businesses here at HerCanberra. From the small independents to the larger centres which employ a multitude of Canberrans, every dollar that you spend locally helps our economy.

We see so many ‘must have’ lists that are choc full of items from overseas companies or interstate online retailers, so we have set out to create a regular ‘local’ lust list…the things that we love that you can find in your own backyard. Rather than clicking to buy, get out and discover the amazing things that our city has to offer.

This is what we’re lusting after this month…

Bespoke Bridal

Attention, brides-to-be! Based in Canberra, Three Sunbeams offers bespoke & unique bridal accessories including handmade silk flowers, bridal lace combs, wedding headpieces, bridal veils, sashes and bridal garters. Each piece is hand-made from scratch using traditional millinery methods and carefully sourced materials such as French and English lace, Swarovski crystal and pearls, seed beads, silk and bridal tulle.

The Hattie bridal headpiece ($265) is truly beautiful with a combination of imported English lace, rhinestone, flowers and vintage French netting. The best part is, each piece is one-of-a-kind so you know you will have a unique adornment for your special day.

Peruse their gorgeous range at www.threesunbeams.com.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XjhzytWz6z0/VCpLSh0SDEI/AAAAAAAAJUE/t7ua6QdZjq4/s144-c-o/Three%252520Sunbeams.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/108454826374315674707/LocalLustList#6064742629895179330″ caption=”Three Sunbeams’ Hattie: Bridal Floral lace and rhinestone headpiece $265.00″ type=”image” alt=”Three Sunbeams.jpg” pe2_single_image_size=”w614″ pe2_img_align=”center” pe2_caption=”1″ ]

A piece of art for your neck

I love a good trans-seasonal scarf at this time of year and this silk scarf ($58) from Canberra- based textile business Caitlin Elizabeth Textile Design just screams ‘Spring’! This 100% silk crepe de chine scarf measuring 110x110cm was hand-painted to create a watercolour-like effect on the fabric.

Owner Caitlin Jolly started her business earlier this year with the support of the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme. Her products consist of hand dyed and painted silk and cotton scarves, all of which are one-off designs. Caitlin currently sells her creations through local Canberra markets (Old Bus Depot Markets, Handmade Market this weekend (10am to 4pm Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 October) and online through Etsy.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8OdV6r_2prE/VCpLSBpfZlI/AAAAAAAAJUM/eXG5XUFvte8/s144-c-o/Caitlin%252520Elizabeth%252520Textile%252520Design.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/108454826374315674707/LocalLustList#6064742621259982418″ caption=”Caitlin Elizabeth Textile Design Red and Yellow painted silk scarf $58″ type=”image” alt=”Caitlin Elizabeth Textile Design.jpg” pe2_single_image_size=”w614″ pe2_img_align=”center” pe2_caption=”1″ ]

Divine & Delicious

If you are a lover of sweet-treats, look no further than the local Divine & Delicious who specialise in the baking of delicious handmade cakes, slices and biscuits out of their café in Fairbairn. All of their products are made by hand and baked fresh daily using real butter and eggs, resulting in a deliciously moist and quality cake every time.

Every Sunday at the Old Bus Depot Markets, Divine & Delicious have a fantastic selection of handmade gluten free cakes, biscuits & slices on show. If you’re a biscuit lover, these Craisin and Pistachio Shortbreads are a must. Go on, treat yourself.

Get your Sunday fix at the Markets, or pop out to the Divine & Delicious café at 1/20 Amberley Ave Fairbairn.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KMYz-b0rehg/VCpLSDU1JvI/AAAAAAAAJUA/YPuEx2Mto28/s144-c-o/Divine%252520and%252520Delicious.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/108454826374315674707/LocalLustList#6064742621710198514″ caption=”Divine & Delicious Craisin and Pistachio Shortbread” type=”image” alt=”Divine and Delicious.jpg” pe2_single_image_size=”w614″ pe2_img_align=”center” pe2_caption=”1″ ]

Show your Canberra love

Blogger and illustrator Wita Puspita creates delightful postcards, stationery, custom illustrations and paper goods that she sells through her Etsy Shop. I love this playful postcard of Canberra ($4).

This Canberra Illustration Postcard is perfect to send to friends abroad or to give as a keepsake of our lovely Capital. It features the Skywhale, the hot air balloon festival, Parliament House, Black Mountain, Telstra Tower, the Lake Burley Griffin fountain and Floriade. You can’t get much more ‘Canberra’ than that!

Buy it online at Etsy or The Maker’s Hub at Macquarie.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-8uaLuftlvpc/VCpLTp_XLzI/AAAAAAAAJUQ/Fc1qc-RcIng/s144-c-o/Wita%252520Puspita.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/108454826374315674707/LocalLustList#6064742649269006130″ caption=”Wita Puspita Colourful Canberra Postcard $4″ type=”image” alt=”Wita Puspita.jpg” pe2_single_image_size=”w614″ pe2_img_align=”center” pe2_caption=”1″ ]

TuTu Cute

Canberra-based fashion label Z & Co. strives to create unique clothing and accessories for the little princess in your life. I don’t know a little girl who wouldn’t be totally enamoured with this homemade tutu skirt (who am I kidding, I kind of want one too!) This piece comes in a variety of colours and can be customised, too.

Prices start from $45 – buy them online at www.zandcoaustralia.com

[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8vHi4edLZMk/VCpLURiur4I/AAAAAAAAJUc/B8YPnXHU91c/s144-c-o/Z%252520%252526%252520Co..jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/108454826374315674707/LocalLustList#6064742659886329730″ caption=”Z & Co. Luscious tutu Skirt. Prices starting from $45″ type=”image” alt=”Z & Co..jpg” pe2_single_image_size=”w614″ pe2_img_align=”center” pe2_caption=”1″ ]

Naturally handsome

Canberran natural skincare range Ash & Clay offers a range for babies, men and women, with no chemicals, preservatives or animal testing. The delightful range includes facial serums, cleansers, volcanic ash scrubs, dry-mix face scrubs and baby healing balms.

I just love this Man Bag for the bloke that isn’t afraid of a good grooming! It includes a lovely gentle shaving serum to help with a smooth shave. He can then follow up with a skin serum in the invigorating scent of Hemp and Pine.

Don’t get jealous now, Ash and Clay have beautiful products for women too. Find them at www.ashandclay.bigcartel.com or the Old Bus Depot Markets every second Sunday.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Kfd_SgFRqfw/VCpLQy4-p-I/AAAAAAAAJVg/Eq1JQVY9gIE/s144-c-o/Ash%252520%252526%252520Clay.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/108454826374315674707/LocalLustList#6064742600118544354″ caption=”Ash & Clay Man Bag – Shaving set $60″ type=”image” alt=”Ash & Clay.jpg” pe2_single_image_size=”w614″ pe2_img_align=”center” pe2_caption=”1″ ]

Get the (Audrey) Blues

When a designer really understands her customer it is reflected in the fit and comfort of her garments. Hannah Parris, the women behind label Audrey Blue, is one such designer. Audrey Blue creates affordable, eco-friendly, ethical clothing designed to suit you, your body shape and your lifestyle.

Designed specifically for hourglass body shapes, this soft trans-seasonal organic and fairtrade LBD ($100) will see you through from the office to the bar. The inclusion of a hint of spandex in the fabric gives the dress just the right amount of slinkiness to show off your curves in all the right places.

Shop online at www.audreyblue.com

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aLvAhLRwuG4/VCpLQEcx8MI/AAAAAAAAJTg/oGLnQdUG1wg/s144-c-o/AudreyBlue-80.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/108454826374315674707/LocalLustList#6064742587652239554″ caption=”Audrey Blue Black Cowl Neck Dress – Hourglass$100.00″ type=”image” alt=”AudreyBlue-80.jpg” pe2_single_image_size=”w614″ pe2_img_align=”center” pe2_caption=”1″ ]

Oh honey…

The initial concept for Canberra Urban Honey was born from a simple observation: the number of bees in Canberra’s urban areas has declined in recent years. Awareness and concern for the bees has grown within the wider community with many people asking “What can we do to help?”

Canberra Urban Honey aims to re-populate Canberra with honeybees and was Australia’s first agricultural crowd funded project, with overwhelming support from the community. Now, Canberra Urban Honey is a self-sustaining small business, continuing to strive for a sustainable city and support the development of bee friendly environments.

This Tuggeranong Honey ($11.99) is a light coloured honey with a gentle sweet aroma. The flavours are soft, delicate and sweet with a soft mellow finish. I picked up a jar at the Chifley Grocer and couldn’t wait to tuck in.

Buy one at canberraurbanhoney.com or at Chifley Grocer, 20-22 Chifley Pl, Chifley.

[pe2-image src=”http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Vd428uSqDZE/VCpLTRHuuoI/AAAAAAAAJUY/lREI2sDKO5U/s144-c-o/Tuggeranong-honey-front-500×410.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/108454826374315674707/LocalLustList#6064742642593217154″ caption=”Canberra Urban Honey Tuggeranong Honey $11.99″ type=”image” alt=”Tuggeranong-honey-front-500×410.jpg” pe2_single_image_size=”w614″ pe2_img_align=”center” pe2_caption=”1″ ]

Extend the olive branch

Canberra-based Australian womenswear label, Andie Meredith, releases seasonal collections offering timeless, feminine clothing and accessories that are constructed using signature print fabrics and a selection of high quality natural fibres.

I first spied this label at Manuka boutique Bodhi Leaf (although I’ve been told that her collection is out of stock) and instantly adored the fabrics and silhouettes of Andie’s garments. But Assemblage Project have recently picked up the label with plenty of skirts, t-shirts, leggings and more in stock. The Olive Tree Dress ($299.00) is easy to wear, trans-seasonal and flattering, prefect as we edge towards the warmer weather. Simply adding a statement necklace and fabulous clutch would take you from day to night.

Check out Andie’s collections on Facebook.

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Upper Crust

I was absolutely over the moon when I found out that Autolyse Sourdough was being stocked at my local supermarket. After popping into their Braddon store a few times, I was hooked on the Wholemeal Sourdough loaf, with its golden crust and a soft, sweet crumb…not to mention their weekend specials, like this Olive and Thyme Sourdough (can you tell I really, really love bread?) Autolyse provide hand-made breads and pastries, baked fresh all day from the best ingredients. The clincher is that they are 100% all natural with no preservatives.

Pop in to Shop Five, 21 Lonsdale Street Braddon ACT to sample their full menu or you may be lucky enough to have their sourdoughs available at your local (they have been spied at the Chapman IGA and supermarkets in Red Hill and Griffith, to name just a few.)

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nN5diAjCc5o/VCppwESBGYI/AAAAAAAAJWg/MFYboNCIFaU/s144-c-o/auto.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/108454826374315674707/LocalLustList#6064776122711742850″ caption=”Olive and Thyme Sourdough from Autolyse” type=”image” alt=”auto.jpg” pe2_single_image_size=”w614″ pe2_img_align=”center” pe2_caption=”1″ ]

Get ready for Summer

It’s October already! I know! Which means Summer is on my mind… When I saw this Beach Bag – Indigo and Coconut ($54.95) from White Apple Gifts in Yarralumla, I couldn’t help but think of the coast…the contrast of yellow and blue just sings of sun, sea and sand…

Such a soft, comfortable and stylish design, it will look stunning with swimwear and casual short and pants. A must have this summer!

[pe2-image src=”http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OuvSCCbqRNI/VCpMcEWdOYI/AAAAAAAAJUw/kRTHy3lhkiI/s144-c-o/beach.jpg” href=”https://picasaweb.google.com/108454826374315674707/LocalLustList#6064743893295774082″ caption=”Beach Bag – Indigo and Coconut –  from White Apple Gifts $54.95″ type=”image” alt=”beach.jpg” pe2_single_image_size=”w614″ pe2_img_align=”center” pe2_caption=”1″ ]

Have something YOU think we should be lusting after? Email us at hello@hercanberra.com.au