A MINI GUIDE // HOBART, TASMANIA

Hooley Dooley. Sorry for the inexpiable lapse in communication folks...it's been a relentlessly chaotic (& prodigious) start to the new year! 

In honour of my recent travels, I thought I'd kick things off with a mini-guide to Hobart, Tasmania. Just a 50 minute flight from the mainland, Australia's island state capital city is a quaint, cultural blend of painterly landscapes, locavore-friendly eateries & early settler architecture. And it's fair to say my (close-second) favourite city. The closet archaeologist & neophyte farmer within me could easily call Tasmania home...

Just outside the CBD, landlubbers will be charmed by the cobbled bluestone streets & rambling Georgian cottages of Battery Point. Buccaneers & salty sea dogs alike will similarly be captivated by the nearby barnacle clad pylons of heritage listed Salamanca Wharf. 

There's plenty of goodness for hungry sightseers looking for homegrown nosh & alcoholic elixirs too! Where are your favourite hangs in Hobart?

Places I visited & liked :

Providore by Ethos - Hobart CBD

Lark Distillery - Hobart CBD

Cascade Brewery & Gardens - South Hobart

Pigeon Hole Cafe - West Hobart

Jackman & McRoss Bakery - Battery Point

Bahr's Sweets & Milkbar - Battery Point

Pollen Tea Room - Battery Point

Kathmandu Nepalese Cuisine - Battery Point

Moorilla Winery | MONA - Museum of Old & New Art - Berriedale 

Bruny Island Cheese Co - Salamanca Arts Centre

Pilgrim Coffee - Hobart CBD

Franklin - Hobart CBD

P.S - Looking for a place to stay? See 'The Barn'. Swooooon.

Image : Otis & Otto | Providore by Ethos, Hobart

STUDIO KO // MOROCCO

Like remnants of an ancient citadel, Villas 'E' & 'K' by Studio KO architects Karl Fournier & Olivier Marty blend seamlessly into the rugged foothills of Morocco's Atlas Mountains.

A hybrid of modernist & monolithic details, both lodges are covered in locally sourced Ouriko stone, characteristic of the regional architecture & desert complexion. Just one of the many amaaaaaazing discoveries on my radar since I began manifesting our trip to Morocco.

Morocco. Oh. Yes. Please.

Image: Studio KO

DREAM RETREAT // DUNEDIN, NEW ZEALAND

Nestled in the halcyon surroundings of Dunedin, NZ Gemma Cagnacci & Andrew Meehan's humble cabin offers a glimpse at life free from the vast surfeit of stuff & inessential objects we've become accustomed to. Their modest, uncomplicated retreat is punctuated by deeply personal mementos & natural materials concordant with the idyllic landscape. 

Gemma has a wonderfully cultivated eye for detail & shares many of her design inspirations & photographic essays via her highly popular design journal / blog Line x Shape x Colour. To see more of their dreamy Dunedin retreat . . . click here.

Images: Gemma Cagnacci / Line x Shape x Colour

KINFOLK AUSTRALIA // SYDNEY WORKSHOP

Recently I visited the idyllic coastal retreat of Dickebusch, Patonga as part of a very special two-day Kinfolk workshop. Gathering just outside Sydney, we met with organic chef & cookbook author Jane Grover at Eveleigh Farmers Market who guided us through the markets local & delicious seasonal offerings. 

Following our mouthwateringly good organic breakfast by Kylie Kwong, we then made our way to the NSW Central Coast for a weekend of foraging, kneading, weaving & preserving. During the four masterclasses, we were endlessly spoilt by Sarah Glover & her blissfully yummy treats . . . sooo gooood!   

Gastronomy aside, the weekend was made undeniably special by the people involved. Placing faces to the names of so many "online" friends was affirmation of a truly lovely weekend. 

Photography: Jonathan Wherrett      

A VISIT TO SHOP FREDA // MARFA, TEXAS

In assembling the mass-anthology of our honeymoon ephemera & miscellany, I feel especially nostalgic when I reminisce over the Marfa landscape. 

As with others curious enough to embark on this seemingly obscure pilgrimage, I felt profoundly moved by Marfa's sprawling, outdoor art installations & the progressive mindset of it's pocket-sized community. Along our journey, I had the pleasure of meeting local inspiration - Susannah Lipsey, owner & curator of Shop Freda. 

Within the cosy confines of Freda, Susannah exhibits a thoughtfully curated mix of objects, crafts & talismans. Be it for novelty or functionality, each item is expertly sourced according to her meticulous eye for quality & innovative design. Freda is unquestionably one of the most inspiring retail spaces, I have EVER frequented! 

And you can now visit too...online. Yay!!!

Images: OTIS & OTTO // A Visual Guide

A MINI GUIDE // SAN FRANCISCO

San Francisco. A city of diversity, fog & rainbows. It was nice to be back.

We spent a good chunk of our time hovering around Judah Street in Ocean Beach, admiring the pastel painted architecture & weaving through it's eclectic community of coffee houses, shops & restaurants. Heaven!

Outside OB, we roamed the city's many vibrant districts including the Castro, Mission & Haight enjoying the diverse selection of arts, culture & amazing food! A quick list of SF must sees: 

Food / Drink: 

Outerlands

Sightglass Coffee 

Pizzeria Delfina

NOPA 

Tartine Bakery

Judahlicious (Vegan)

Gracias Madre (Vegan Mexican)

Bi-Rite Market (Ice Creamery) - Worth lining up around the block for!

Retail:

General Store

Gravel & Gold

Mollusk Surf Shop

Little Paper Planes Shop

Muji Soma

Images: OTIS & OTTO // A Visual Guide

NEXT STOP, MARFA TEXAS

Around 3 years ago I was happily plowing through a fresh stack of magazines on holiday in Perth when I came across a small travel piece on the far West Texas community of Marfa...

Since reading that first article, I've kept a curious eye on Marfa happenings & wondered how I might visit this cosmic little hub before "it" gets too BIG (which according to Google Maps is approx 24,400 km's away from where I live...)

WELL, thanks to my lovely husband, we have managed to wrangle a few days on our honeymoon to drop in & say hello!

First stop...El Cosmico & our classic 1950's Vagabond trailer.

Images: Janna Gould Photography

CALIFORNIA DREAMING + GENERAL STORE

In preparation for our next USA trip, I'm compiling an epic list of new spaces to visit & old favourites that need re-visiting. Top of my retail list is...General Store (Venice Beach & San Francisco). 

Both stores are expertly curated with an interesting selection of vintage wares & hand made goods from local artisans. Plus the interior fit outs look amaaazing!? 

It's going to be difficult to leave without a plant purchase...dang customs restrictions!

Any other places I should be visiting?

Images: General Store Blog

HOW TO FIND 'OLD' NEW YORK

Heading to The Big Apple? Want to see 'OLD' New York? 

Waddle your way around with this cute pocket guide in tow. Available online from Present & Correct. Make sure you peep their Brooklyn Guide too! 

OVER WEST // A QUICK YARRAVILLE GUIDE

Today I revisited village life in my old neighbourhood - Yarraville. Although it's a little more populated by trendy 20 somethings, 'The Ville' is still a charming little nook of the West, dotted with cute cafés & anchored by the good looks of the 'Sun Theatre'

If you make it over this side of the West Gate Bridge, be sure to visit...

1. Sun Theatre / Bookshop - For lovers of books, film & art deco architecture

2. Wee Jeanie / Corner Shop - All things yummy 

3. Haus Frau Bakery & Cafe - Masters of pastry making. Especially mini things!

4. The Village Idiom - Purveyors of kitsch treasure

5. PLUMP Organic Grocery - Suppliers of organic & biodynamic goodness

Images : Sun Theatre via Google, NicMason / Flickr // Wee Jeanie via Broadsheet

KOSKELA + DICKEBUSCH GETAWAY

Pelicans. Paradise. Patonga. 

Central Coast NSW Accommodation Dickebusch . . . enquiries via Koskela

Just loooooovely. 

Images: Koskela

DREAMING OF MARFA // TEXAS

Acapulco Chairs. Film. Honey. Sun. Trailers.

Sign me up! 

1. Via The New York Times Travel
2. Via Cinemarfa
3. 4. & 5. Via El Cosmico

VENUS BAY

Read. Red Wine. Records. Relax.

Images: Otis & Otto