DOMINIQUE PORTET WINERY
There's nothing more romantic than a day spent ankle-deep in a vineyard, sipping on some of our state's finest. At Dominique Portet, this rural fantasy is only one hour away. Nestled deep within the Yarra...
WHAT TO DO THIS VALENTINE’S DAY
Ah, Valentine's Day, It’s awfully romantic strolling through the city and observing lovers juggling red roses, chocolates, dinner reservations and of course, their valentine. Whether you are single...
MELBOURNE’S BIKE FEST
If there’s one thing that truly sets Melbourne apart, it’s our love for bikes. We’re pedal-pushing, gear-flicking, hill-coasting speed demons and proud of it. This year sees a return of the annual...
MELBOURNE’S SUSTAINABLE LIVING FESTIVAL
Climate change, saving the environment and making green choices seem hard when living in the big city. But Melbourne is taking the initiative to recruit a number of artists, events, workshops and activities in...
11TH-17TH FEBRUARY
Monday 11th Torafu Architects Exhibition Forget boring brick buildings and simple structures. Since 2004, Koichi Suzuno and Shinya Kamuro, have been putting a whole new spin on the term...
A NOSEGAY OL’ TIME AT SPRING STREET’S POP-UP POSY SHOP
Gertrude Street's Mr Lincoln Florist may have closed its doors recently but owner Sarah Nolan has by no means dropped off the scene. Along with old friend Poppy Lane, the better half of Pop And...
ASTA
After winning the Triple J Unearthed High competition in 2012, 19 year old singer/songwriter Asta has taken flight from her hometown in Hobart, to show off her talents on the mainland. After playing at one...
SHOPHOUSE RAMEN POP-UP RESTAURANT
Lately the pop-up store phenomenon has been moving from the world of fashion into food. Taking notes from designer flash sales and exclusive temporary stores and market stalls, Market Lane have set up a...
JANET WONG’S MINI WONDERLAND
If you've ever nodded off at the office and dreamed about being somewhere far, far away, you're not alone. But why spend such a personal retreat in the confines of your workplace, when you could be lost...
4TH – 10TH FEBRUARY
Monday 4th Gusto! A Culinary History of Victoria Curious about Victoria’s cooking history? The State Library of Victoria exhibits some of its best kept cooking secrets open to the public. Witness...
QUALITY OVER QUANTITY; MELBOURNE’S INDIE PUBLISHERS
There are people who dedicate their careers to shining a little bit of light on the works of creatives who might otherwise go unnoticed. These people are publishers. Most people view publishers as capital...
THE PAPER KITES’ CHRISTINA LACY
Since being 'unearthed' by Triple J, the Paper Kites have had a whirlwind of success. Recently having toured with the likes of UK indie favourites, Bombay Bicycle Club and headlining one of Melbourne’s...
TO DO LIST: 28TH JANUARY – 2ND FEBRUARY
Monday 28th Hotbox Yoga Using infrared rays and thermal energy, Hotbox Yoga is excellent for your health and fitness. Hotbox Yoga is guaranteed to relieve stress and get that heart rate pumping. Ditch...
MELBOURNE’S SO FRENCHY SO CHIC
Some of France's finest musicians and cultural tid-bits graced the gardens of Werribee Mansion for the 2013 instalment of So Frenchy So Chic. Many of the artists were flown from negative temperatures...
HEIDE AND SEEK: MELBOURNE’S MOST BEAUTIFUL DAY TRIP DESTINATION
Just a short 30 minute drive from Melbourne’s CBD, Bulleen is home to the stunning Heide Museum of Modern Art and the popular Café Vue. If you’re looking to get out of the city for a day and appreciate...
PRIMAVERA GELATO AND SPRING ST GROCER
Spring Street's Grocer is the opening act of John Brisbane's and Con Christopoulos' budding community centralised around the finer sensibilities of "old world Europe". The first cast member in this piece...
SCREENWISE’S DENISE ROBERTS
Denise Roberts is an iconic Australian actress. Best known for her roles in Home and Away, Headland, Packed to the Rafters and numerous others, Denise has graced our television screens for...
THE BRUNSWICK MESS HALL
The Brunswick Mess Hall opened last Wednesday night (16th of Jan) with a bang. Brunswick's first beer hall is a welcome new addition to Sydney Road's night life. The huge space has a communal feel and aims...
21ST – 27TH JANUARY
Monday 21st Pop Up Patch Pay a visit to these luscious vegetable lots, or better yet, start up your own. Experienced staff are available to help you get started, leaving you no excuse to not acquire...
ACT A LADY
Have you ever toyed with the idea of gender bending; put on a pair of men's jeans, slicked your hair back, perhaps bound your chest out of curiosity? I have. Mind you I was always a tall, drama nerd and had to...
HANNAH DUPREE AND HER ARTISAN TEA
Storm in a Teacup is celebrating its first anniversary with Smith st after snuggling into the street-scape a year ago. "I wanted to start a business good for people, both health-wise and spiritually,"...
THE POP UP PATCH’S MAT PEMBER
The boys from The Little Veggie Patch Co, who have successfully helped countless Melbournians in setting up veggie patches at home, have brought a Pop Up Patch garden to the CBD. Mat Pember and Fabian...
BERNARD CALEO OF GRAPHIC NOVELS! MELBOURNE!
Photo by Anna Brown Bernard Caleo is, in the largest of understatements, a comic book enthusiast. Along with This Is Roller Derby director, Daniel Hayward, he has recently released a feature length...
THE 25TH ANNUAL MELBOURNE MIDSUMMA FESTIVAL
It’s the middle of Melbourne summer and between you and me, there’s a little bit of magic in the air. That’s because the City of Melbourne is hosting its 25th year of the annual queer festival,...
FED SQUARE LIVE
During these glorious warmer months, Melbourne is abuzz with a multitude of events and entertainment. Fed Square Live returns in 2013 with a stellar line up. Presented by their major partner The Push, as...
SUMMER TEA PARTY MUST HAVES
Tea parties have been all the rage since your great-great grandmother’s grandmother could knit a doily. And we at Couturing wholly agree. Tea parties are a must for this summer so we’ve collected some...
TO DO LIST: 13TH – 17TH JANUARY
Monday 14th Take More Photos And I don’t mean with your iPhone. Dust off that digital or even buy a cheap disposable and take it out for a test drive. Go for a walk, meet up with friends and shoot...
BY JOSEPHINE’S JOSEPHINE
An exciting new French patisserie shop has just been piped into Sydney Road's busy network of multicultural specialist stores. By Josephine offers family-recipe macarons and other tasty morsels encased in...
CANDICE BREITZ’S THE CHARACTER AT ACMI
Internationally renowned, South African born and Berlin-based artist, Candice Breitz, is currently exhibiting her first major solo show at ACMI. 'The Character' opened December 2012 and will be running until...
ROCKY ROAD RECIPE
It's your cheat day, your treat day! The day you allow yourself to let go a little, but you want to do it right, don't get overwhelmed in the confectionary aisle and end up choosing a macadamia and honey...
WHAT TO WATCH
Because you can't spend the whole day swimming, tanning, shopping or playing footy in the park, every now and then the holiday season calls for you to have a quiet one. This 'quiet one' will forever and always...
SUPER FOODS FOR SUMMER
We hear the experts talking about 'super foods', but which ones are actually super? Here are some of our favourite super foods that will help give you a healthy start in 2013. Chia Seeds These little...
TO-DO LIST: 7TH – 13TH JANUARY
Monday 7th Jeff Wall at NGV Dubbed the 'modern storyteller', the National Gallery of Victoria is currently exhibiting images by influential photographer Jeff Wall. Location: National Gallery of...
OATMEAL, SULTANA AND PISTACHIO BISCUITS RECIPE
Christmas wrapped up nicely and the new year has ticked over without a hitch. People are heading back to work and some of us are still partying. Here is a recipe for an all occasions biscuit; whether you...
SO FRENCHY SO CHIC
The mere mention of summer festivals can make some of the strongest of us squirm. Hideous memories arise. Visions of entering a portable toilet on the last leg of its four day sun-soaked marathon, of not...
NEW YEAR’S DAY HANGOVERS, ARE OVER
New Year's Day is often spent restlessly trying to sleep off the effects of a big night out or nursing a thumping headache. The first day of the new year doesn’t necessarily have to be spent with the...
31ST DECEMBER – 6TH JANUARY
Monday 31st New Years Eve! Couturing has picked the best New Year's Eve celebrations around Melbourne to help you get wild. Whether you're celebrating at a festival, at an event or even a house...
NEW YEAR’S EVE!
Whether you’re skulking the streets for a midnight kiss or toasting at home in domestic bliss, Couturing has got your NYE covered. We’ve highlighted some of our favourite parties to bring in 2013 and...
CYCLE CHIC
Chitra, head designer from Chitra's Closet with her bike and puppy (Image courtesy of Business Chic) Riding your bike to work or uni is not only cost effective, good for your legs and environmentally...
SHARON THURIN’S SLIM SECRETS
Last week Couturing chatted with the founder of Slim Secrets, Sharon Thurin. Thurin has watched her hobby of helping people curb their unhealthy snacking habits, turn into a globally recognised brand. We found...
‘OVERSTAY’, YOUR WELCOME AT THE OLSEN
You're invited to play a game, one that you have a very good chance at winning. One that I have played myself, and can testify is perhaps more addictive than angry birds and one hundred percent more...
‘FIGHT FREE’ WITH (F)EMPOWER
In the wake of the Meagher tragedy, Victorian women have been talking. They’ve been swapping stories, sharing tips and learning a few deadly moves as they do so. Now, I don’t mean that we’re seeing a...
KEEP YOUR COOL IN A COMMUNITY POOL
It’s forty degrees out and fifty degrees in. You have spent the last hour sitting in the bathtub, scrolling through your Facebook homepage. It’s been 30 minutes since you’ve heard anything...
26TH-30TH DECEMBER
Monday 24th Christmas Eve - Avoid going anywhere! I trust that you have not saved your shopping till the eleventh hour and therefore have the day to slowly toil away in the kitchen and watch Love...
JAMIE OLIVER’S TROPICAL TREATS AND CELEBRITY EATS
Last Friday I woke to the drizzling rain that graces Melbourne every other day, I braved the first sign of cold I had felt in a few weeks since summer had hit, and I marched myself down to Federation Square...
CHRISTMAS CRAFT
You have done all your last minute shopping and now the time has come for Craftmas! This weekend is all about wrapping presents and writing well wishes. Add that little extra special 'personal' touch to your...
SIMPLE SUMMER SALADS
In the warmer months we tend to change our eating habits, and salads are always at the top of the list. We've chosen, made and tasted, three simple summer salads that will leave you feeling fresh, light and...
CHRISTMAS SPIRITS
The festive season revolves as much around merry drinks as it does children's day time movies and tinsel. This week we ventured out in search of some cheer infused cocktails. We've narrowed them down to...
BY DAY AND BY NIGHT
What do some of Melbourne's leading restaurants have in common with our favourite DC comic characters? No, they're not fighting off crime with their spatulas or turning potato sacks into capes. Across the...
MGPO’S ‘WHITE OUT’ CHRISTMAS
The Melbourne GPO is famous for its elite style and sophistication, and this year’s Christmas decorations are proof of that. While we cannot experience a white Christmas ourselves, MGPO have collaborated...
17TH – 24TH DECEMBER
Monday 17th Tees: Exposing Melbourne’s T-shirt Culture Got love for a classic tee? How about a FREE exhibition featuring Melbourne’s influential t-shirt culture. Including Eddie Zammit's personal...
MAN-DATE-ORY CHOICES WHEN SUGGESTING A FIRST DATE
It's summer! The time to socialise more, party more, and make friends that you'd like to listen to Marvin Gaye with if you catch my drift. Whether it's a summer fling or whether the candle burns longer...
MICHELLE LUCKMAN’S LUCKY POPS
Melbourne is the city of diverse culture, exuberant flavours and of course, wild weather. Michelle Luckman is the face behind Melbourne’s fresh new business Lucky Pops. Luckman breaks away from such typical...
COUTURING AND CLOUD 9
There is exciting news we have been waiting to share with you all! Couturing most recently partnered with fabulous premium frozen yoghurt brand CLOUD 9 on a wonderful new initiative. Can you...
HOOP LOVE – WORLD HULA HOOP DAY
The sensuality of the modern Australian woman is undoubtedly anchored by her strength. We can open our own jam jars and look good while we do it. Even if we haven't built up the minimal muscle to do so yet, we...
ROGER FEDERER FOR MOET & CHANDON
Moët & Chandon is synonymous with celebration and success. Being the ambassador for life’s exquisite and most triumphant moments for nearly 270 years, it is the brand that has befriended glamour and...
SUZUKI NIGHT MARKET LIVE ENTERTAINMENT
One of Melbourne’s summer traditions is the annual Suzuki Night Market, held every Wednesday evening during the warmer months, finishing up on the 27th of February 2013. This iconic Melbourne market is not...
10TH – 16TH DECEMBER
Monday 10th Christmas in the City Whilst Melbourne's CBD is bursting with Christmas festivities and decorations, why not take a wander around and check them out, who doesn’t love a giant novelty candy...
THE DESIGN FILES’ OPEN HOUSE
Lucy Feagins, the design guru and brain behind The Design Files, took Couturing on a walk through their beautifully fitted out Windsor home. The Design Files filled the space with colourful goods, furniture...
THE BIG DESIGN MARKET DECEMBER 7/8/9.
If you didn't know about it, or couldn't make it there yesterday you still have two full days to make the most of The Big Design Market. 'Fashion and accessories, homewares and textiles, lifestyle and...
THE WINDSOR WORKSHOP’S CHRISTMAS MARKET, DECEMBER 8TH.
The people at the Windsor Workshop have gutted an old Patersons Cake shop and put everything back together using craft glue, glitter, fabric and creativity. A bunch of photographers, artists, designers and the...
THE SILLY SEASON AND SECRET SANTAS
December marks the beginning of the silly season, work breakups, parties and Christmas. This frenzy of events often catches us off guard and leaves us with a list of names of people we have to buy for and have...
WHAT’S COOLER THAN BEING COOL? ICE COLD DRIP
When its Forty degrees outside who can be bothered adding to the heat with hot coffee? No-one! But if you need something to get you through the day, why not take the chilled option? Cold coffee is going to get...
DEB AND LUCAS OF MISTER NICE GUY’S
Melbourne welcomes a 1950/s oasis with delicious baked goods and exquisite cupcakes, located in both Ascot Vale and Prahran. Owners Deb and Lucas, take much pride in their work, from friendly helpful service...
3RD – 9TH DECEMBER
Monday 3rd Mike Maka- Cycles The last night to catch acclaimed artist Mike Maka displaying his unique artwork in Melbourne before returning to Brazil. A mixture of detailed animals and...
MELBOURNE’S HOSTS WITH THE MOST
A trend will come. A trend will go. However the 'trend' of lining up for a restaurant will be around long after you finally get into Mamasita. There's no waiting this one out. Although lauded as being a recent...
CHRIS LUCAS’ BABY
This week I met with Chris Lucas, the man who gave us the double chin (Chin Chin) and Go Go Bar, whom has just welcomed a new member to his family, Baby Pizza, located in Richmond. Q: Where does...
MELBOURNE’S BEST PIZZERIAS
I consider myself somewhat of a connoisseur of pizza, and find conventional take-away pizzerias to be pretty oily and tasteless, so I've decided to sort out the best from the rest and have compiled a list of...
HOLA LOS HERMANOS!
Melbourne's newest installation to the Mexican food craze is Los Hermanos, an authentic Mexican taqueria with an injection of Brunswick edge. Los Hermanos opened last Monday, after what some have called...
26TH-2ND DECEMBER
Monday 26th I, Animal A Zoo experience unlike any other, being a kid, you’ve always dreamed of what happens at the Zoo after dark. Now comes an exclusive mature audience event, which features a journey...
EASY TIGER
This week I met with the girls from Melbourne DJ duo, Easy Tiger. They’ve been making a name for themselves across Melbourne, playing alongside the likes of Ruby Rose and showcasing their talent at massive...
THE OVOLO; EXPERTS IN ‘EFFORTLESS LIVING’
Perhaps you're sitting at home this Saturday morning and wishing that instead of eating Weet-Bix and doing your laundry, you were waking up somewhere else, somewhere fresh and exciting, amongst the action with...
SUMMER MUFFINS, HAPPENED SO FAST
The warm weather is kicking in and so to are the endless barbecues and picnics of summertime. More often than not meat, salads, beer, wine, bread, cheese, fruit and other delicious nibbles make their way into...
BOND: DRINKS AND DESTINATIONS
Martini, shaken, not stirred. James Bond has become just as famous for his drink choice as well as the bevy of beauties hanging of his arm, but with the release of Skyfall today, Bond seems to have...
19TH – 25TH NOVEMBER
Monday 19th Nobody Denim Warehouse Sale This sale runs from Friday the 16th until the 2nd December. Purchase jeans and other getup super cheap, I’d recommend going sooner rather than later, as they say...
LE PETIT GATEAU’S PIERRICK BOYER
This week I met with Pierrick Boyer, head pastry chef for The RACV club and their boutique cake shop, Le Petit Gateau. I discovered that Pierrick is not just your typical French cake enthusiast, he has worked...
THE RIPE’S ‘OPEN AIR’ ROOFTOP EXHIBITION
Atop The Evelyn, the sun beamed on brighter ideas of the artists whose work was presented for the first OPEN AIR alternative art exhibition. A BBQ at the bottom of the stairs and a bar at the top, what...
HERE’S CHEERS TO MORE BEERS
Tired of walking in to overly trendi-fied lane way bars and being met with a bemused look of condescension when you ask what beers are on tap? Then proceed to pay $10 for a bottle of Stella while you stand...
MELBOURNE MUSIC WEEK
Melbourne Music Week (MMW), is about to take the city by storm, so listen carefully when I say this is not to be missed. This week will include a flurry of films, concerts, workshops, industry events, and a...
FROZEN YOGHURT FAVOURITES AROUND MELBOURNE
Melbourne’s weather is finally starting to pick up with Summer just around the corner, and it's usually around this time of the year that we start to hit panic mode about how much we have neglected our...
MONDAY 12TH – SUNDAY 18TH, ALBUMS, EXHIBITIONS AND GETTING CRAFTY
Your To Do List for the week. 12th Monday: New Albums To brighten up that dull dreaded Monday, here’s three album releases that'll soothe you into the week. Flume- Flume...
GUY’S NIGHT IN OR OUT
The month of November sees Melbourne men proudly sprouting moustache’s in a bid to raise awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and men's mental health. Wear your mo’s loud and proud...
MELBOURNE DANCE HUB’S NATHAN THORNEYCROFT
Couturing catches up with Nathan Thorneycroft, artistic director of the Melbourne Dance Hub, and Victorian State Salsa Champion, to discuss how enjoyable and rewarding it can be to test physical and mental...
ARE YOU MAN ENOUGH?
Hola hombres! It's men's week and it's about time we had a little talk. There's been a lot of chat circulating over the past say…ten years about the media's effect on the male psyche. The idea is that the...
MEN’S HEALTH
As Movember is now upon us, here at Couturing, we took the liberty to give a shout out to all the males out there and dedicate this week to you! Women aren’t the only ones who get to have all the...
DUDE FOOD DESTINATIONS
Hearty, minimal fuss, carb and protein-loaded dishes, typically accompanied by pints of beer. Welcome to the world of dude food. Think parmas, burgers, cheesy pizzas, and a good old-fashioned steak with fries....
THE TABLE FOR JLP TEQUILA’S DAY OF THE DEAD FESTIVAL
This last week Couturing attended the intimate cocktail and dinner degustation hosted by The Table Restaurant in St Kilda, in celebration of JLP Tequila's Day of the Dead Festival. Mexican born...
PHARMA-SUIT ME UP
As we approach the #BestSeasonEver, many are opting to go on cleanses, diets, health routines and joining the gym in order to achieve that perfect summer look. I, for one, have been speaking of joining a...
MARKETS, MUSICALS AND SPRING RACING; MELBOURNE 5 NOV – 11 NOV
Monday 5 November: Visit the Australian Centre for the Moving Image at Federation Square. New films are showing all the time so check out the ACMI website for session times, current exhibitions and special...
THE BLACK TORO FOR JLPS DAY OF THE DEAD FESTIVAL
Energy was high at the Black Toro in Glen Waverly this week, celebrating The Day of the Dead Festival or “Dia de los Muertos”, if I may. The Black Toro went all out with creating an authentic ambience,...
JAMIE OLIVER’S MINISTRY OF FOOD: A FLAVOURSOME EDUCATION
Teriyaki glazed salmon and crisp cucumber and peanut salad served on a bed of white fluffy rice. That was my lunch. A far cry from my usual lunchtime mission to consume as many carbohydrates as my half-hour...
CALLING ALL GLUTTONS, FOOD JUST GOT SEXY
Hot Asian Buns, Massive Wieners, Phat Brats, lovingly prepared balls… Turned on? You should be. Melbourne’s new string of specialty eateries are not just being cheeky with their words for the fun of it,...
FILMS, CHEEKY MID-WEEKIES AND DERBY DAY; MELBOURNE 29 OCT – 4 NOV
Monday: Movie buffs, this is your night! Go to Cinema Nova and check out the new Woody Allen film, To Rome With Love. Featuring Alec Baldwin, Penélope Cruz, Ellen Page, Jesse Eisenberg and Allen’s first...
MINISCAPES
As Melbourne’s population becomes more and more dense, living spaces become cramped and we continue to 'pave paradise to put up a parking lot' (thanks Joni). We all find it hard to create a 'natural'...
RAVEN CLAWS, RINGS AND PRETTY LITTLE THINGS
The unique jewellery by designer Julia DeVille are currently being showcased at e.g.etal on Flinders Lane. Her new collection is nothing short of breathtaking, and will be available to view until Saturday...
GIRLS NIGHT IN; PRETTY IN PINK
Australia will be tickled pink this October to be participating in the Cancer Council’s National Breast Cancer Awareness month. For the whole month of October, women throughout Australia will be raising...
BENJAMIN LAW’S GAYSIA
Benjamin Law's first book, The Family Law, went into detail about his large eccentric family. This debut novel was shortlisted soon after its release in 2010 for Book of the Year at the Australian Book...
TONIC HOUSE ROOFTOP LAUNCH
Tis another Sunday eve where I snuggle up into my bed and reflect on the week that was. The highlight being The Greatest Show on Earth's latest venue launch, the Tonic House Rooftop! My memory is a...
YOU’LL BE A YOGI YET
The abundance of yoga studios is a sure sign that everyone has fallen in love with the benefits of this physical, mental and spiritual discipline. Whether you are looking to tone up your figure, prepare your...
HE SAYS SHE SAYS; FINE FOOD AND FABULOUS DESIGN
The smooth sounds of double bass and slick keyboard thrust together and lingered in the air, as we were welcomed into a fresh, urban restaurant, Camberwell's latest, He Says She Says. With an eclectic mix of...