With her finger firmly on the pulse of what's happening in Western Australia, we always turn to our Perth-based contributor, Kate Miles, for the latest in what's happening in WA.
Here, she shares what she’s loving this month from some Perth must-visits to the must-have boilersuit. Ready to be inspired? Go to www.wearingittoday.net
Reading – Ottolenghi Simple
I was excited to try this cookbook after flicking through it at the bookshop and already picturing what I was cooking for dinner that night without any trepidation. I am definitely not a chef’s cook, simply a home cook, and I love to cook fresh produce that’s in season. The recipes are distinctly Ottolenghi, with an abundance of beautiful plates of vegetables topped with herbs and yoghurt. Despite the vegetable dishes taking centre stage, the meat and fish chapters are equally as inspiring. I’ve only made it through a handful of recipes over the last couple of weeks with my aim being to make a new dish every week. So far in our house, the slow-cooked lamb shoulder, asparagus with butter, almonds and capers and oven roasted potato wedges with oregano and feta have been a hit. Buy Simple
Eating - Sal's Pasta Deli
Sal’s Pasta Deli in Cottesloe opened a couple of months ago and is the ultimate one-stop shop for all of your Italian kitchen needs. Sal’s stocks ready-made meals such as lasagna and bolognese for us busy mums as well as fresh homemade pasta and sauces, and only the best fresh Italian products from mozzarella, prosciutto, schnitzel and olive oil. The fresh pasta, which is made on site every day, walks out the door and the gluten-free variety is the best I have ever tasted.
Drinking - Wines of While
Wines of While in Northbridge is a neighbourhood bar and bottle shop serving natural, organically farmed wines and yummy Mediterranean style food. I sipped on the French rose from La Paonnerie and ate the most delicious slow-cooked cannellini beans sprinkled with lemon zest on their signature sourdough bread with the chewiest crust. Oh my. It would have to be the best thing I have eaten this year. I have been trying to hunt down the recipe to make at home with no luck. We also munched on the pork terrine, again scrumptious and the cheese plate, which is served with the homemade knackebrot – a crisp Norwegian flatbread, accented with sesame and nigella seeds. This place doesn’t take bookings and is always humming so be prepared to wait for a table. Highly recommend just for the beans and the bread! Visit Wines of While
Trending - Boiler Suits
The boiler suit is back and cooler than ever. Wear now with sandals and when it cools down with trainers – the perfect mum uniform. I am lusting after this one from Isabel Marant Etoile.
Wearing – Xirena
LA-based label Xirena is my new favourite go-to in my everyday casual wardrobe. The brand has easy to wear pieces made from the softest cotton in relaxed silhouettes, perfect for our Australian coastal lifestyle. I have adored my Drue Dress in the softest pink, as well as the ‘Channing Shirt’ which is a must have – although be warned this shirt style is addictive with numbers steadily growing in my closet.
Shopping – Ooh La La
Ooh La La Boutique sits nestled next to its sister coffee shop Ooh Coffee in North Fremantle’s bustling Queen Victoria Street. The owner Jessie makes the pilgrimage twice a year to New York and Sydney to buy for the store, whilst focusing on sustainably produced independent collections. Ooh La La stocks some of my favourite brands Bassike, Lucy Folk, Lee Mathews, Faithfull the Brand, Valet Studio as well as some super cute homewares. This is a must visit if you live in Perth or are just visiting. Can’t get there? Don’t worry, they have an online store and ship Australia wide. Shop Ooh La La
Going - The Goods Shed
The Goods Shed in Claremont becomes and underwater wonder-world with this reef themed installation knitted and crocheted by Indonesian installation artist Mulyana. I took my three-year-old boy Freddie to this free exhibition and he loved it! The craftsmanship and attention to detail of these crochet pieces are absolutely incredible. I cannot imagine how much time it took to create it all. There is a cute little cafe attached to the Goods Shed where you can sit and have a coffee and/or babycino afterwards, which may have been used as a bribery tool so Freddie didn’t touch any of the artworks. It runs until the end of May. Visit The Goods Shed