First, a couple of things that I forgot to mention in yesterday's round-up.
I've been checking libraries and book stores for information on Istanbul...
there's not much out there. Perhaps I should turn this blog into a travel
blog when I'm away. Remembering that there's a shop in Pitt Street that sells
travel maps I called in on my way home. Success, a folding map showing the streets and must see landmarks of Istanbul (printed in Canada!). The kind of map that the Sydney Visitors Centre gives away for free. Imagine then my shock horror when I was asked to pay $24.95. I needed comfort food after that, and fast. Just across the road from Mapworld is a cute and colourful Cupcakes Shop....I didn't hesitate to indulge.
These irrestible temptations got me thinking about all things designer
We must be demanding them and be willing to pay otherwise they wouldn't be popping up in our suburbs.
Designer Dogs - groomed to perfection
Coco - shot at Dogue, Grooming and Accessories) Oxford Street, Bondi Junction
When you belong to the owner of the shop a girl has just got to look beautiful
Designer Fish - plump and perfectly presented
Costis - Queen Street, Woollahra
Designer Meat - perfect on the eye, perfection on the palate
Victor Churchill Butchery and Cookery School, Queen Street, Woollahra
Designer Fruit and Vegetables - Organically grown and picked at their best
About Life, Oxford Street, Bondi Junction
Time for a glass of 'designer' wine - a Spanish import and more of those delicious Pappadams from Marrikville; I'll be back for more.
There's more graffiti in this town than I thought. On today's cross city bus trip to one of my favourite 'foodie' haunts, Marrikville, I noticed it everywhere. Some done as purposeful art, some as spontaneous graffiti to give vent to "the message" the artist wanted to get across.
But let's move on to Marrikville, home to a fascinating and endearing, multi - cultural society and a plethora of yummy (clean and well stocked) Vietnamese butcher's shops. I head here once a week to buy meat, and stock up on Meat, Chinese herbs, Vegetable oils and exotic spices. Today's take home shopping basket included Pure Sesame Oil, egg free Wonton Skins (Wrappers), gluten free Garlic Pappadams, 400g jars of pickled garlic and pickled ginger, meat for the week for $21.55 which includes a lamb backstrap that was cut to order. Cumin Powder, Star Anise, Fennell Seeds, Dried Sweet Basil Seeds, Saffron Threads, Vanilla Pods, Cumin Powder, Coriander Powder, Sweet Paprika and Oregano from Turkey (think old spice route). The fish shops are equally as good as the meat shops - I can vouch for the Tuna.
The all kinds of everything shops that sell imports from China are irresistible.
I came home with 10 pairs of brightly patterned bamboo chopsticks ($2.50),a chopping board for half what I'd have to pay for it on my side of town, a garlic press and a black cotton long sleeved skivvy.
For lunch on the run I treated myself to a $3.50 Pork Roll over flowing with 'the lot' from the Pork Roll "hole in the wall" shop. Flowers are well priced and fabrics are at bargain basement prices.
Off to fry a few garlic pappadams.....
