Something of a personal challenge: Wardrobe Refashion

I, Ninaribena, pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of "new" manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 2 months, commencing March 1st. I pledge that I shall refashion, renovate or recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovated, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog [and here on Canberra's Got Style], so that others may share the joy that thy thriftiness brings!

Signed Ninaribena

And these are the rules

Lines Through Light: Stephen Proctor

As part of the glass art boom in Canberra right now, Canberra Museum and Gallery are hosting an exhibition of amazing works by master glass artist Stephen Proctor: Lines Through Light. Quietly breathtaking...

Turn of the Tide; Singular Journey;

Seeds of Light

Lines Through Light will be at the Canberra Museum and Gallery (corner of London Circuit and Civic Square in the City) until 8th June 2008.

Fashion in the City: Ruby and Rogue

Ruby and Rogue is a small independent fashion boutique stocking mainly Australian designers, including local Canberran designers (including Yumi Holder). Oozing with old world charm and glamour, have a look for something to make your day.

Director Karen Smith has hand picked an eclectic mix of stand-out labels including Farage suitwear, Billion Dollar Babes, Rebecca Thompson, Lover, Skin and Threads, Fluer Wood, Maiocchi, LADY, Stephanie Conley, Laurence Pasquier, POL, Seven for All Mankind jeans and Paige Premium Denim jeans.

Gorgeous accessories galore... handmade jewellery, bags, corsets and dresses from local designers and these beautiful leather T-bar shoes from Vincenza - made in Brazil.

Mixed throughout are some handpicked vintage items including secretary dresses, prom dresses and even disco dresses!

oooh lovely... Ruby and Rogue is in the Garema Centre, Civic. Ph 6262 7677.

Hot Architecture: Organic Style

Here's more design gold, this time in the hills of Fadden, designed in 1993 by Shane Blue and Rachael Bourne, it takes the greatest advantage of stunning views across the Tuggeranong Valley.

 

The construction of timber, glass and corrugated iron blends into the surrounding native landscape. The energy efficient architecture takes full advantage of the seasons and is the winner of the Royal Australian Institute of Architect's Canberra medallion for housing in 1996.

More information is on the Canberra House website. Gorgeous.

Chill out at: The Knightsbridge Penthouse

Weekend before last I had the opportunity to show of our gorgeous city to my parents visiting from Perth. We were after a 'nice' place to meet my brother's new girlfriend, so after discovering they would put on a nice cheese platter and a have a very good drinks menu, I thought the Knightsbridge Penthouse would perfect for a chilled out afternoon drink.

With a lovely eclectic mix of furniture, it is both modern and elegant - vintage mixes with opulence and a deconstructed wall feature brings the sense of history to the building.

Still retaining my favourite part of the fitout from it's days as the death-themed "Mortis" bar, the stranded fibre-optic 'hairy' light feature is still a big hit. And I can thoroughly recommend the mocktail "I'm Driving", because...well...I was driving - how very responsible!

I was so engrossed with our conversations too that I never got to check out the rear courtyard, I'll just have to go back to see it... well I don't think I really need an excuse!

Check out the Knightsbridge Penthouse, Mort Street Braddon.

Styling Kids: Chi-Koo Kids

On my must see list after discovering the cutest little t-shirts (received at Xmas) are stocked in Canberra at Chi-Koo Kids in Mawson, how excited was I to find that they stock all-Australian top design labels BIG by Fiona Scanlan, Willow and Finn, Dirty Laundry and Monstar Kids to name just a few.

Everything is sumptuous, top quality and perfect for best dressing your styling kids.

The winter range is gorgeous, tweeds, velvets and absolutely beautiful merino knits perfect for cosy layering. They also stock accessories, shoes, ribbons, wraps, night lights and more.

Have a chat with director Sharon Ratcliffe and you will quickly see she has quite the eye for putting great combinations together and the passion for mini fashion which has regular customers coming back again and again.

Chi-Koo Kids is at the Mawson Shops, Mawson Place.

I covet: Norman and Quaine

During my time working at Cite I became completely enamoured with the Norman and Quaine collection. Australian made and designed...allow me to introduce some dear friends of mine...

Grace and Lulu

Chandra and Oliver

Aren't they darling? Get yours at Cite, Pirie St Fyshwick.

Hot Shop: The Style Emporium

A fabulous 'yummy mummy' gal pal of mine let me in on her favourite shopping destination at the charming Ginninderra Village, Gold Creek. The Style Emporium, for homewares, accessories and gifts of style and purpose, is quite the discovery for the stylish mum around town.

The show-stopper for me is the amazing vintage wallpaper tree collage from the Netherlands, and the many absolutely GORGEOUS little girls dresses (ohhh, pining for a little girl now!!!).

Nevermind...mummy shall have all the pretty horses...and birds.

LOVING the perspex lettering, made to order - and up to your imagination!

Good to know- before attempting any crazy cake-making stunts - hire a cake tin already shaped like the fire engine!!!

and I need to finish off with with this little gem, I'm always looking for ways to form the minds of my little blossoms...a book: "This little Piggy Went To Prada" fits the Manolo's perfectly!

Ninaribena: in the Garden

Those who know me or have ever visited Casa Ribena will know only too well that I have a gardening BLACK thumb of death, but I must admit that I have recently been having way to much fun getting my hands dirty and ordering builder men around my yard to replace the rubble and have some landscaping done.

Expanses of pebble have replaced lawn (er weeds), but slices of lush garden and timber boardwalks add visual interest.
A series of decks have improved access to useful parts of the yard and will help divide the chillout zone from the future soccer pitch!

And be rest assured that all plants in my garden shall thrive on total neglect!

Hmmm happy summers day under the 'pagoda' pass me my cocktail Jeeves...

Jaimi Kark: The Interview Collection

Another fashion truimph- a collaboration between emerging designer Jaimi Kark and mentor Susan Taylor of fashion boutique Department of the Exterior - The Interview Collection is currently showing at Craft ACT.

Largely monochromatic, the garments are designed to be interchangeable, to be interpreted by the wearer. Cosy felted wools and fine voiles mix and embrace the wearer through their layers and adjustment mechanisms which act as figurative restraints.

I love the clever interpretations of closures around the body, unexpected, interesting.

Jaimi Kark: The Interview Collection will be on display at Craft ACT until March 20, 2008.

Her collection will be on the racks at Department of the Exterior soon.