prairie girl musings

Tag: Sydney

  • 7 Things I Learnt at MBFWA

    7 Things I Learnt at MBFWA

    I caught the tail end of MBFWA (I’m too lazy to type out the whole name…) and MBFWE (Weekend Edition). For me, fashion weeks are a time to gain insight into the industry and take notes from top bloggers and creatives. And so, I thought I would share some of the things I’ve learnt in Sydney this week(end).

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    1. Be nice. Australians are a friendly bunch and it’s refreshing to see photographers and media helping each other out rather than being overly competitive with one another. That said, the media riser can be chaotic.
    2. Successful blogging, vlogging, YouTubing, etc. is hard work and it can take years of consistent, quality content to gain a real following.
    3. On that note, consistency is key. If you follow me on any social media, you’ll know I struggle with this one. Food, fashion, landscape, I want to do it all.
    4. Collaborate often with creatives you admire. It’s a fun way to create new content and support one another. Everybody wins.
    5. Fashion week can be accessible and authentic. I like that Sydney included a fashion weekend as part of their event. Fashion weeks, by definition, are pretty exclusive, but there’s no reason why we can’t all get involved and appreciate the creativity that’s poured into each event.
    6. Rather than trying to attend every single show, reach out to designers you admire and get tickets to their shows. Often times, these are off-site and much smaller.
    7. Be confident. It’s natural to feel a little insecure when you’re surrounded by gorgeous models and journalists from The New York Times and Vogue Australia, but remember you’re here for a reason. Enjoy yourself and make real connections.

    That’s all for today, folks. Next up, I’ll be sharing my favourite trends from the runways to the streets.

  • How To Spend a Day in Surry Hills

    How To Spend a Day in Surry Hills

    You’ll never be wanting for things to do in Sydney. There are plenty of incredible beaches, jaw dropping sights and excellent cuisine. If you’re looking to experience a more local side of Sydney, I suggest spending a day in Surry Hills. One of the city’s hippest neighbourhoods, Surry Hills is only a short walk from Central Station. On my most recent visit, it was my first stop when given a day to roam Sydney.

    Coffee is free flowing in Sydney, but in my experience, it can be hit or miss. Surry Hills has an abundance of quality cafés and I suggest you get your morning fix at Artificer Coffee. The bare bones shop isn’t the place to grab a bite to eat, but the coffee speaks for itself.

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    After an early morning espresso, you’ll likely be craving something a little more substantial. Hit up either Le Monde café, Chez Sun or Reuben Hills, all three serve enticing breakfast options ranging from açai bowls and smoothies to eggs benedict.

    Le Monde is a local favourite, and it’s easy to see why with its assortment of delicious breakfast options (how can you possibly choose only one?) and top notch coffee. The zucchini and haloumi fritters served with a poached egg caught my eye immediately!

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    Photo via The Urban List

    Chez Sun is a pretty terrace café that will have you reaching for your phone (gotta Instagram that lovely interior, am I right?)

    Reuben Hills is a coffee roastery, so you can expect excellent coffee to complement your meal.

    After breakfast, be sure to check out a few of the many stylish shops that line Crown Street. My favourite was The Standard Store, which features covetable Australian, European and US brands. The gorgeous window displays are also worth mentioning!

    Workshopped classifies Australian design and garners  local and international attention by supporting young emerging designers. Find innovative furniture, lighting, homewares and jewellery.

    Photo via The Design Files
    Photo via The Design Files

    Although Sydney is the sunshine capital of the world (or at least that’s what I’ve heard…) there are occasionally rainy days. On those days, Golden Age Cinema and Bar has your back. This 1940s cinema is housed in the former headquarters of Paramount Pictures and has retained its art deco features.

    Stay tuned for my updated Sydney guide.

  • {Mini} Sydney City Guide

    {Mini} Sydney City Guide

    I first visited Sydney’s stunning shores in 2009 while studying abroad in Auckland. We stayed at a raucous hostel in Kings Cross where each guest was offered daily pub crawl tickets and matching t-shirts. Needless to say, my recent trips have been a tad more civilized!

    One thing I’ve discovered about Sydney is its appeal to the both adventurer and the urbanite. It’s a fantastically picturesque city (stunning beaches with the Blue Mountains in the distance, what more could a girl want?) but with all the trappings of an urban playground.

    This guide focuses primarily on central Sydney and Bondi Beach. There’s so much to experience in Sydney, even in a few short days, you won’t be disappointed!
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    See/
    Sydney Opera House: You cannot visit Sydney without venturing to the iconic Opera House. This architectural gem has some of the best acoustics in the world! I was fortunate to see the symphony here with my mom and sister during my second trip to Sydney.
    Darling Harbour: Located on the western end of Sydney’s CBD, Darling Harbour is a beautiful pedestrian precinct.
    The Royal Botanic Gardens: Located in the heart of Sydney, the garden opened in 1816 and is a testament to the state’s diverse floral and fauna.

    Activities/
    Vicious Cycle: Get your sweat on at this high-energy spin studio in Bondi Beach.
    Art Gallery NSW: A beautiful building for the state art gallery’s collection of Indigenous Australian, contemporary and international art. Be sure to check out their Art After Hours series, the gallery stays open until 10pm!
    Ramsgate Organic Foodies Market
    Bondi Farmers Market

    Coffee/
    Kafeine: Great caffeine can solve all your problems, and Kafeine is no exception!
    Gusto Espresso Bar: The best way to start the day is at Gusto, one of the oldest establishments in Bondi Beach. Grab a coffee to go, or sit in and sample their noteworthy breakfast rolls.
    Gertrude and Alice Café Bookstore: A bookworm’s dream, this quirky bookstore is absolutely charming.

    Breakfast/
    Porch and Parlour: A trendy café that serves delicious breakfast and casual lunch. A favourite among vegetarians.
    bills Bondi: A popular hang out among the surfer babes and creatives of Bondi Beach.
    Ruby’s Diner: Healthy, organic all-day dining in a sleek setting.


    Lunch/
    The Fine Food Store Who knew a simple toastie could taste THIS good? Do yourself a favour and sit outside and watch the world go by, it’s utterly relaxing.
    Henley’s Wholefoods: With three locations, Henley’s serves up healthy, organic dishes (often paleo, if you’re so inclined) in a bright, welcoming environment.
    Two & Twelve: Craving American-style BBQ? Two & Twelve’s pork belly will melt in your mouth.

    Dinner/
    Drake Eatery: Seasonal, locally-sourced fare in a relaxed setting.
    Pompei’s: On the hunt for traditional Italian fare? Look no further than Pompei’s!
    Mamasan: Chinese, Tawainese, and Japanese tapas with some delicious cocktails to top it all off.

    Drink/
    Bulletin Place: This place is super cozy, and they have a cocktail made with rhubarb – my favourite ingredient!
    Grandma’s Bar: Homemade ginger beer? I’m sold!
    The Baxter Inn: If you like whisky, this bar has the best selection!

    Stay/
    Hotel Harry: A hotel of contrasts with impressive modern rooms impress and a speakeasy feel.
    QT Sydney: Edgy and excellent customer service

    Thanks for reading!