Autumn is here and along with the cooler weather come burgundy-coloured leafs and a never-ending drizzle. Why not, then, pick up your umbrella, take a stroll down the street and come have a look at our beautiful new collection? We dare say it might even cheer you up!
The Cathedral Dress comes in black, olive and this lovely tone of blue. Its fabric is incredibly soft, as it is made of a mix of cotton and cupro, very comfy! Like all garments at Since Grey, it is super versatile and can be dressed up or down, and worn all year round! Match it up with tights, boots and a heavier jacket in cold weather or an easy-chic pair of flats in the warmer months and you are ready to go!
And since Melbournians know their layers, why not shimmer things up with our Glitter Top? Indulge your skin in this gentle mix of silk and cotton, whether going out to a party or to a bistro with friends. These new additions to your wardrobe are sure to make life a lot more fun!
Now that the holidays are officially over, it’s time for us to unwind and relax at home (or by the pool). And something that is rather a Summer tradition in this beautiful country of ours is the good ol’ Australian barbie! Every family has its favourite recipes, but how about stir things up a little by serving your guests polenta fries instead of what we’ve all eaten so many times?
We have recently come across a recipe that left us wondering why, oh why, we don’t eat polenta more often,and we think a new tradition might be on the way!
Polenta Fries
Ingredients:
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 quart chicken stock
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 1/4 cups dry polenta
- 3 ounces Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 quart vegetable oil for frying
In a large saucepan, combine milk, chicken stock, and butter; bring to rolling boil. Slowly whisk in polenta. Turn down heat to medium-low, and continue cooking and stirring until polenta pulls from edge of pan. Mix in cheese and parsley, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Spread polenta evenly over a cookie sheet, and refrigerate until cold. Transfer polenta to cutting board and cut into cut 3/4 by 3/4 by 3 1/2 inch sticks. Heat oil in deep-fryer to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C). Fry polenta sticks in batches until crispy. Place on dry paper towels to drain.
And why not enjoy these chips on Dawn Tan’s Burger Plate and Happy Fries Cup special set for Douglas & Hope, in stock at Since Grey? A self-confessed foodie, this talented Melbourne artist has a spark for all things pretty and delicious, and her latest work is not only useful in the kitchen or dining table, but can also be invited into your lounge and proudly displayed to your friends as the fun work of art it is!
Sometimes our busy lives in the city call for a break. When that happens we can either head off to the bush or bring nature over to us. Thinking about this post-modern dilemma, the clever folks at Gumboot Art & Gardens created beautiful terrariums to give our homes and offices a breath of fresh air and a somewhat exotic atmosphere.
There are two kinds of vegetation to choose from: Tropical and Succulents. Each comes in three different sizes that enable you to display them in that special place you’ve always wanted to fill.
Despite looking as though they belonged in a botanical garden, the Bespoke Terrariums are easy-breezy to look after and just need to be watered once every couple of weeks.
We are loving their company here at Since Grey and cannot even remember how the shop looked like before they came around!
It is no secret that we are passionate about all things pretty here at Since Grey, especially when they are locally made and feature stunning natural elements. That’s why we are very happy to introduce to you below the designer behind the newest jewellery label in store, Miss Isadora Filković!
Isadora, when did you start making jewellery?
As a child, I was given by my mother many colourful glass beads, as well as nylon thread and tools to get crafty with. I remember making necklaces and bracelets for everyone at home; even my grandma joined in the fun. Years went by and my childhood hobby eventually fell into hibernation until my early 20s. At the time, I was gifted a diversity of new beads and tools by my boyfriend’s mum – a marvellous Brazilian fine jewellery designer. She taught me new techniques and I found myself re-inspired to make jewellery again.
What is the inspiration behind your creations?
I have always been deeply fond of nature and minerals. I still remember how magical it felt to see pyrite in its natural habitat for the first time, during a school field trip back in Brazil. My jewellery is inspired by this feeling and the wanderlust to travel across the universe on a hunt for new colours and expressions of interstellar nature.
What elements and stones does your jewellery present?
I use sterling silver, as I find it to be reliable and versatile to work with. My chain of choice is called Cartier, which looks very delicate despite being incredibly strong. The stones vary between raw semiprecious minerals like agate, turquoise and amazonite, plus an assortment of carefully cut jasper, faceted morganite, jade and even pink tourmaline. One of the most fascinating aspects of minerals is that each rock is unique, which makes each one my pieces one of a kind as well.
Where do these stones come from?
Whenever I travel I find myself ‘harvesting’ these jewels at local markets and shops, and these wanderings and discoveries are amongst the most fun parts of my job as jewellery designer!
What’s in store for your label in 2012?
I have been collecting quite a few strange and beautiful rocks and fossils, which I will transform into statement rings as well as studs. I also plan on using pearls more often, of all shapes and sizes. They are such delicate pieces of wonder and an enormous joy to play with! There is a lot of work ahead and many creations (and butterflies!) on the horizon, which is just another reason why I cannot wait for next year!
When the sky is blue and the temperatures are high, it’s time for us to ride our bicycles around town! And our favourite Spring pastime gets even better when we have the privilege of living in a city filled with parks and bike trails, where there is plenty of space to play and exercise on two wheels.
One of the best rides in Melbourne is the Capital City Trail.
The Capital City Trail has around 30km of car-free paths around the city and it takes you past landmarks such as the Zoo, the Aquarium, the Docklands and the Royal Botanic Gardens. It’s up to you whether to do it in sections or ride the loop in one go.
We personally like our bikes to look cool and laid back, as we do in the Sea Shanty Shorts. They are made of a beautiful mix of cotton and cupro, very nice for warm weather and just the right length for riding comfortably!
We all know that bike riding is great for our health. But we think that the scenic views do wonders for our hearts too, whether we enjoy it solo or with friends!
We can’t believe the year is almost over already, it’s been only an eye blink since 2010 and before we know it, we’ll be strolling happily into 2012. To avoid the rush and the crowds that will soon take over the streets, our elves suggest planning the festivities ahead of time, and these clever little creatures have prepared a creative gift list to help you bring joy to those you love!
Reversible Coney Island Jacket (AU$ 265)
Perfect for that friend who needs to brighten up her wardrobe!
Silk Zipper Pants (AU$ 246)
Instant chic when paired up with a lace blouse.
Italian Aniline Leather Shopper (AU$ 265)
Butter-soft leather, great for those who love accessories that last for ages.
Sterling Silver and Chohua Jasper Necklace by Isadora Filkovic (AU$ 154)
Sterling Silver and Turquoise Necklace by Isadora Filkovic (AU$ 176)
Specially made for that creative friend who seems to have everything already!
Only Midge Belt (AU$ 51)
Because we all need a great leather belt, non?
Bird on a Wire Earrings (AU$ 29)
youngeve Brooche (AU$ 29)
Her quirky side will love these!
And in case you are still unsure, come by the shop whenever you would like!
Our little elves are great at helping us find what we are looking for!
Whenever the rain takes the day off and the sun comes by, our hearts start longing for bike rides, sunsets with loved ones and the sweetest delights. These higher temperatures are well overdue and we have begun the celebration by decorating our shop with ice cream cones and trying out frozen treats!
Have you heard of Earl Grey sorbet? Join in the fun with this quick recipe and start your weekend a day early:
(Makes 1.250l)
Ingredients:
- 1 litre boiling water
- 250g caster sugar
- 4 tsp Earl Grey tea or 4 Earl Grey tea bags
- 100ml lemon juice
- 1 small egg white
Pour the water, sugar and tea into a bowl. Stir and steep for five minutes. Strain then stir in the lemon juice, allow to cool and chill in the fridge for an hour. Freeze in an ice cream maker*; halfway through, add the egg white and churn until frozen.
Now all you have to do is to ready the spoons for action!
* If you don’t have an ice cream maker, stir every 30 minutes until frozen.
Last month, Melbourne-based photographer Vincent Long worked on a Spring shoot for Australian online magazine Biscuit.
Amongst the photos of the picnic-themed feature, you will find beautiful girls wearing a few of our favourite garments from Since Grey, like the Carnival Dress, the Lemonade Shirt and the Calliope Dress!
How adorable is the model jumping rope? It makes us wish for more golden afternoons covered in lemon meringue pies and raspberry sorbet, yum!
Special thanks to talented stylist Anthony Jarvis , photographer Vincent Long, hair and makeup artist Alana Armao, beautiful models Jessica Vanek and Anna Furze and the Biscuit Magazine team!
Here at Since Grey we have been longing for sunny days, filled with golden hours to spend with friends and family doing all the things that we love! The weather, however, keeps changing its mind and the cold and the rain insist on creeping back in. The good news is that our Piped Dress is ready for the challenge, so that in times like these we can walk out of the house confident that we look beautiful and ready for any adventure!
Made of a mix of cotton and modal, the Piped Dress has an amazing structure and has been carefully tailored to flatter any figure. Its A-line skirt provides us with a feminine silhouette while the V-neck naturally draws the attention to our face.
Its neutral palette makes it easy to match it up with bright colours as well as other neutral tones, so that we can wear it with our favourite accessories! For an afternoon stroll we can pair it up with cute flats and for a dinner party, why not style it up with a lace bolero and mid-heels?
The unexpected pockets along the pipe detailing are perfect for those who, like many of us, wish that every dress had pockets, while the hidden pleats on the back of the skirt pop out as we walk to make sure that we leave a great last impression!
That special time of the year has finally arrived! We are talking about Spring Carnival, horse races, picnics and happy days out and about. We are ready to soak up the sun and everything that the city has to offer, and why not start by wearing something that is not only comfortable but full of character as well?
Our Carnival Dress comes in two beautiful colours and we have decorated its soft silk fabric with everything Spring!
We can wear it for a special brunch with the family, a night out with the girls and even a garden wedding. All we have to do is play with our imagination and we are ready to go!
