High Tea with a retro twist

This Sunday at Benedict House get retro ready for a high tea with a difference...

Dress inspired by Safari Suits & 70’s, Abba, blow away hair, flairs, platforms, Star Wars, and Cat Stevens. Dress up or ‘hat up’ according to the theme. Participate in quiz on fashions, food, trends and arts on the theme – light hearted fun with giveaways and prizes

Carrie Fisher stars in Star Wars. The ABBA look in the 70's

The classic safari suit. 70's tragic glam rockers Slade

Traditional high tea food, served with traditional etiquette. Four savoury, three sweets, glass of sparkling, tablecloths and tiered plates. 22nd March $25 per person 3pm-5pm

And if the seventies aren't your thing, then fear not, the next one goes glam...
26th April - Deco Delilah
Jazz, Chanel, Marlene Dietrich, Schiaparelli, Tamara de Lempicka, Sonia Delaunay.

The work of Tamara de Lempicka; Coco Chanel (sigh); Marlene Dietrich; Elsa Schiaparelli... smoking optional!

Sounds like fun! Hope you have a divine weekend,

Love Nina x

Canberra tour: Nina style!

Hi Nina,
We are from Sydney and are coming to Canberra to see the Degas exhibition and I was wondering if you could let me know anywhere else we must go to (on a Sunday) with 3 girls (ages 7 – 13). places to stay overnight – bookshops – places to eat – shops - other places we must visit/see – LOVE to hear your top picks, Thank you. I appreciate it! - Louise

1. For the first time audiences in Australia have the opportunity to see an exhibition devoted to one of the most significant and admired French artists of the nineteenth century, Edgar Degas. In it's world tour, The National Gallery of Australia in Canberra will be it's only Australian exhibition and it's surely not to be missed.

2. After the Gallery, you could check out the new National Portrait Gallery next door which is already established as a must visit. (Above right).

3. A wander from there through reconciliation place, enjoy the vistas and end up at Old Parliament House, enjoy the beautiful architecture, gardens and stop in at the Ginger Room for coffee and cake.

4. If you're heading into the city (civic), the new North Quarter of the Canberra Centre and nearby Garema Place are good for a browse and a choice of great places to eat, but one of Canberra's institutions is Gus' Cafe, and you can get a pretty great hot chocolate at Koko Black.

5. Some of my favourite shops are on Lonsdale st in Braddon, a must visit if you need some retail therapy. Check out the Hive Gallery, Little Owl, Unit Concepts, Bourgeois Pig and Pink Inc. Oooh yeah!

6. Could be nice to head over to Manuka (pron: Maah-nicka) for a wander around the block. Lots of great little shops and arcades, and a perfect bookstore, Paperchain. Loads of restaurants to choose from here too, my fave right now, Mecca Bah.

7. Ready to collapse yet? 2 gorgeous new hotels have landed in Canberra and both are beautifully designed, Hotel Realm in Barton, and Diamant Hotel in Acton. Both have restaurants and fab spas etc, although you may be swayed by the high tea put on by Du Jour restaurant (with a gorgeous courtayard) at the Diamant.

This Sunday afternoon though, I'll be at Canberra's Thoroughbred Park to judge the Preview day Junior Fashions on the Field. Maybe I'll see you there?

If you have any other suggestions for Louise and her family, please leave a comment below, and have a fabulous weekend!

Love Nina x

Need some style: Knead Patisserie

Can I tell you how excited I am about discovering this fabulous new(ish) beauty at Belconnen Markets this week? Knead Patisserie, a wonderful french style boutique bakery, is a stand-out antidote to the crush of the fruit and vege hall mayhem. Owned and run by Thomas Moore, brainchild behind Grazing in Gundaroo, and formerly of Sage restaurant.

The service is sweet and old fashioned indicating staff have a passion for their products - well who can blame them really? So far I have tried 2 of their tartlets and 2 types of friands, and let me tell you, it's quite the religious experience!

Absolutely gorgeous and well worth the only slightly boutique price tags, stop in for a coffee and a sweet treat or load up with their soon-to-be-famous breads... hmmmmmm. I just found an excuse to do the grocery shopping honey...

Diamant Hotel: Design love

Looking for somewhere chic and fab for your stylish international guests to stay while they live it up in Canberra? Look no further, now we have gorgeous modern boutique Diamant Hotel. Designed by SJB Interiors, the new 73 room hotel is a modern extension to the historical Acton Hotel and such, is a fascinating blend of old and new - I am in love.

ps: may I please take home all of the lobby furniture right now?

Perrier Jouet Bar

The suites and rooms

Even if you're not staying in the hotel, you really must check out the restaurants here too.

Du Jour cafe

Parlour Wine Room

Flint Dining Room (the interior is also gorgeous)

The Diamant Hotel is at the New Acton East precinct on Edinburgh Ave Canberra City. Very pretty indeed.

An ode to Silo: bakery heavenliness

Silo, my Silo how I do love thee...
If you are what you eat
and I love a good tart,
then what does that make me?

and it's my birthday so let me eat cake!

Silo Bakery, Giles St Kingston.

Lanterne Rooms

Canberra has a cool new dining venue run by one of the city’s most dynamic restaurant teams. Lanterne Rooms is the latest venture for Chris Hansen and Josiah Li, the same pair who are behind The Chairman & Yip in Civic and Cape Cod at Deakin.

In a space which could be described as Hong Kong warehouse meets Queenslander style, the restaurant features some very beautiful Vietnamese lanterns and sliding louvred wall panels, able to create private areas for patrons.

Asian influences are abound with the reeded ceiling and heavy timber elements in the interior. What a beautiful space for a unique dining experience.

French-trained Malaysian chef Jeffrey Shim presents mostly European style dishes with Asian influences. Have a look at this review for a taste of what is on offer.

Lanterne Rooms is at the Campbell Shops 3 Blamey Pl, Campbell ACT Contact 02 6249 6889 to make your booking.