THIS SUNDAY - to MARKit ... Fed square et al

Its cold out side... but when you think of all the flurry of energy and creative brain space that is happening in Melbourne town at the moment, you cant help but feel the warm inner glow!

So much activity .. its like friction.. rub those bark and wood pieces together and Fire will be yours! Well this Sunday that fire may burn a hole in your pocket!

Can you believe it.. the State of Design Festival is not even upon us yet, and Federation Square is to play host to not one but TWO design markets this coming Sunday..

In the CARPARK are of Federation Square - you will find all sorts of incredible DESIGN focused stalls, some more established labels that others - look out for NEST and Melbourne's own KeepCUP to name just a few - there is a promise of many new Stall holders this year... so worth heading down..

Beware.. there are CROWDS at these things... and you may want to be aware - not all stall holders have EFTPOS or Credit card.

The inaugural MARK it ( reference to decorative and illustrative design) market in the Atrium will bring some new player to the already successful market precinct with local design favourites such as Beci Orpin, our own tour hotspot Corky St Claire ( look out for their special signage made just for the event!) and my own personal BLine will be made for these great little note books!

OH and f course there will also be the Arts Centre Sunday Market - up on the Lawn area on St Kilda road - due to the Hamer Hall renovations..

Wave if you see us!.. we love show and tell....

Fiona

Leonard St.- New Melbourne city store

Fantastic to see that Leonard St. has opened a new store in the city-289 Flinders Lane. Melbourne designer, Amanda McCarthy, represents the fourth generation of her family to operate a fashion business in Flinders Lane. I couldn't resist a look the other day...a stunning collection of colourful winter jackets, print silk pieces, statement knits...suffice to say I did not come out of there empty handed!

Katherine

Choosing a coffee and a charity....

The other day whilst I was exploring, for me, a somewhat unfamiliar area of the city-the west end of Bourke Street.... I stumbled across a new cafe, Kinfolk, a non for profit business that supports international development projects.This was intriguing to me so I went in to find out more.
Delightfully welcomed in for a coffee, I was shown the current selection of four local & international charities, creatively displayed on chalkboards and using photos, the likes of an anti-traficking program in Ghana, a Malawian development project 'Pump it'and Melbourne based charity, Urban Seed.

After purchasing my coffee I was shown a big jar of coffee beans on the counter, asked to take out a bean and place in one of four jars, each labeled with a selected project. My small coffee donation in contribution to others....
Kinfolk Cafe is situated within 'Donkey Wheel House' a 'new dynamic social space' for artists, philanthropic organizations....well worth a visit.

Katherine