This show includes a variety of fine jewellery, silversmithing, and enamelwork (from 35 graduates), and the majority of the pieces are for sale. I sauntered through with a jewellery afficionado far more experienced than moi, and found many items most interesting.

Sadly I could not take a price list with me, and was more focussed on the works than on note-taking. Here’s my (incomplete) list of people/pieces to look out for:

Priscilla Daffen – stunning and thought provoking work, especially the tiara
Helen Mouratidis – beautifully textured rings
Josephine Gaetani
Deeana Michela – hauntingly delightful fob pendants
Tom Malchi – artifacts inspired by ancient civilisations
? – cameos
? – medal ribbon

I apologise profusely for the vagueness – will attempt to return this week and tidy this list up. Not being able to remember names and titles of works is most irritating…

Visit the exhibition blog, and watch the slideshow. Photography is by the immensely talented and perceptive Terrence Bogue

Check out the Northcote Leader’s article (11/11/09) – but ignore the opening date. Mint opened to the public on November 13, and closes on November 21. Find it at the rear of Northcote Town Hall, in Studio 1.

This emporium is one of my favourite new places – especially as it is attached to The Soda Tree, the most beautiful 1950s Australian cafe fitout EVER. Find them both at 966-70 Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, Montrose. Swing by for a milkshake/ lime spider, and a delightful shopping experience.

My new sunglasses and bar stool

At Kelly’s Bar & Kitchen. Pals, $5 pints, burgers, good times. Then I sauntered off to the Ladies, and found these…

Tijuanas tell you this is the Ladies Room – didn’t see the Gents door LP, I’m guessing Englebert Humperdinck, James Last, or some mariachi/latin superstud

Wood veneer hallway – with more vinyl. The rest of the venue is, well, homestead/Olinda style, so this wall o’ kitsch made me feel right at home…

Working in airconditioned comfort today, but somehow my mind drifted to the local milk bar. On days like this, a much younger me would wonder if I should buy the lemonade icy pole AND the 25 cent bag of mixed lollies, or keep some pocket money for “next time”. The tinkling bell on the door, the hum of the fridges, and the bright orange stack of soft drink crates are as unforgettable as the loveable Greek proprietors.

This William Street milk bar was snapped by Mark Strizic in the early-mid 60s. I’ve no idea if it’s still there…

Photo featured in Graeme Kennedy’s Melbourne.

This fabulous pic was taken by Brian McArdle, and features in Graeme Kennedy’s Melbourne (published 1967). I DO remember SSW supermarkets with two-tone lino floors, but it’s been a long time since I went shopping in my bathing costume…

With temperatures hovering around 30 until Friday, why not reach for the Heinz recipe book?

On looking more closely, recipes include tomato banana salad, haddock cream, and sandwich pie. Hmmm…

Photography by Chaloner Woods.

Chaloner Woods was a studio operating between 1940-1970, mainly working on fashion and advertising spreads. Clients included Good Housekeeping, Harrods, and Vanity Fair. Beautiful pics of modish housewives, elegant streetscapes, apres ski parties, and fabby footwear. See more of their work here.

Last night’s backyard cinerama was a great success. Pals, tunes, good bbq, and great times. I made these salads, which were most popular…

Beetroot, Carrot & Sesame Salad (for 4-6, or 6-8 as one of 2 salads)

500g peeled beetroots
1 large peeled carrot (I used 3 average size)
2 tblsp toasted sesame seeds (I forgot them, but was still fabulous)

dressing:
zest and juice of 2 large lemons
2 tblsp toasted sesame oil (I like Spiral)
1/2 tsp salt (I like Maldon flakes)
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 heaped tsp sugar (I used dark muscovado)

Grate vegetables, place dressing ingredients in jar and shake to combine. Stir well, add seeds, cover and refrigerate.

Peanut Rice Salad (serves 6-8)

1 cup each jasmine and wild rice (I used all brown rice and it was fabulous)
2 cups unsalted roasted peanuts

dressing:
3cm ginger, grated
4 cloves garlic, grated or crushed (I use a Japanese ginger grater, for a smooth paste result)
4 tblsp soy sauce (I like Spiral Tamari)
2 tblsp peanut oil
1 tblsp sesame oil

Cook rice/s, drain and cool. Grind 1 cup of peanuts in mortar and pestle until look like fine breadcrumbs.
Combine dressing ingredients, pour over cold rice. Add ground peanuts, stir well. Fold in whole peanuts.

Recipes adapted from Julie Le Clerc’s Simple Cafe Food

We watched two films:

The Mysterious Geographical Explorations Of Jasper Morello (the first voyage: Jasper Morello and the lost airship) – a beauteous but tragic tale of misfortune, greed, iron dirigibles, and steam powered computers, presented in dark silhouette style (think Indonesian shadow puppets, but noir)

Yojimbo – one of Kurosawa’s archetypal dramas. Masterless samurai on crusade to clean up a small town. Influenced by John Ford, remade by Sergio Leone-Clint Eastwood as the Fistfull of Dollars trilogy (and Walter Hill as Last Man Standing). Always fabulous…

Read the Gothia Gazette for all your Jasper Morello requirements.

See the trailer for Yojimbo here.

This gorgeous cafe opened a week ago (aprox), and is well worth a visit. Brilliant coffee from St. Ali beans, friendly service, cakeforks, sweet vintage china, good breakfast and lunch options…Coffee is clearly the focus here, which makes moi very happy. Find them at 923 High Street, Thornbury.

For those who came in late, El Joyero used to be a jewellers, and can be found near the strange High Street-Plenty Road intersection. Look out for records, books, and other things for sale within…and check their myspace for gigs and film nites.

I’ll certainly be back for breakfast or lunch or something very soon. Today’s spend: double shot latte $3, iced cupcake $2.50.

Thanks to the awesome and feisty Colleen Dick, I am now a cartoon character with realistic fluffy hair and, thanks to my dear departed grandfather, a fondness for racing and betting…

Colleen (aka tixrus) is, amongst other things a musician, enthusiastic vegetable gardener, and old school ubergeek. She also makes a damn fine pirate.