BENAH LOVES | Shortgrain

photos: Benah

A couple of weeks ago now team Benah converged upon Shortgrain for a relaxed Christmas lunch full of warm spices and drinking coconuts - a happy juxtaposition on a dreary day (where is summer, seriously?). The seasonal menu changes daily and we were lucky to enough to get some gems - the green curry, smooth and tasty, a glorious chicken in plum sauce and a shredded salad with squid and a sweet chilli sauce. We love the relaxed atmosphere there, perched up on a high table we worked our way through the food and some tasty dairy-free caramel custard desserts and chatted about everything and nothing. It's been a big year for Benah, and we loved celebrating everything that has happened while still looking forward to next year. We hope you had lovely Christmas celebrations at your offices, and are gearing up for some more this weekend with friends and family.

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WANDERLUST | With Alice

In our fifth and final wanderlust series we're chronicling the travels of our great friend Alice. Alice is a set, costume and production designer working with the Sydney Theatre Company (at the moment she's working on the acclaimed Gross und Klein starring national treasure Cate Blanchett!) as well as the best creatives in theatre and film. We love her wandering spirit, which has seen her sent abroad for work and for pleasure, across time zones and hemispheres and also to her family's farm in new south wales. We, too, love travelling long distances to far flung places to discover the new and to the locations that are close to our heart to reconnect with everything that means something us. Travel should always be equal parts of both these things, we think, and Alice has the perfect mix of that.  We're so excited that she's sharing her travelling stories and pictures with us all.  

All photos by Alice Babidge

one. favourite holiday destination


My job rarely allows for time off so I haven't had a real holiday in years, I'm not even sure I would know what to do anymore.... Fortunately, I often find myself abroad and away from home with work so that has become my version of a holiday. In the last little while I've spent time in New York, London, Paris (and a train ride of towns between) and a brief stint in Germany. BUT if I lived a different life I would be struggling to choose between the English countryside (I have an unnatural love of Somerset) and my family's farm on the south coast of NSW. Pastoral. Private. Green. Both loud and quiet. Never mind the season. In both instances.

two.  dream place you haven't been yet


Reykjavik. Iceland in general. All over. I have friends who live there and regularly send photos of their lives and adventures. The massive expanses of space seems crazy to me. The landscape is simultaneously magical and some of the most achingly real that I have ever seen. Plus I'm gagging to spend some time with those Northern Lights. Closer to home, it's a little embarrassing I have never investigated the Northern Territory.

three. five essential items


one. Sunglasses. My favourite Celine's protect me from the sun, early mornings, windy days and provide just the right amount of comfort, darkness and privacy for plane, train, bus, car or beach sleeping.


two. A novel. Preferably one I've read before for ease and familiarity while holidaying; Little Women, Franny and Zooey, and Roald Dahl's Boy. In reality, it's a stack of scripts and a notepad.


three. Hats. Summer or winter. My panama keeps my pale skin out of the sun and my seriously battered Margiela felt protects me from the wind and rain - I have a strange phobia of umbrellas.


four. My iPhone/iPad. Deeply tragic. The most helpful and annoying thing I own. A source of music, visual documentation and navigation along with its unreal ability for all and sundry to find me.


five. A really big bag. I never travel light. I wish I was different but I've come to accept this tragic reality. I like to be prepared for any and all things and I panic that the one thing I don't have is the one thing I will need. Especially when it comes to carry on and long days out. I never want to be left in the lurch so I pack accordingly or buy along the way. Either way, storage is super important.

four. best travel companion


My best friend Claire. We spent two of the funniest days of my life in London this year - the combination of ignoring all work, trying to buy her a wedding dress and the addition of brand new accents almost sent me over the edge. We are the perfect, ever encouraging balance of hysterical, annoying and hopeless, can drink margarita's until we fall and almost, after all these years know when to leave each other alone.

five. travel playlist


Mood dependent, today it would be:

Tea Lights - Lower Dens
Palaces of Montezuma - Grinderman
Far Near - Jamie XX
Dirty Rain - Ryan Adams
Two Hearts - Bruce Springsteen
Get It Together - Beastie Boys

BUT if I'm lucky, my friend Benedict will have made one for me...

And that's it! If you haven't already seen them, you can see our earlier wanderlust series with Anna, Giselle, Linlee and Natalie here. Now it is most definitely time for a holiday!

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CHRISTMAS GIFTING | three

In the mood for natural fibres this Summer? So are we. This Christmas go for classic shades of fawn, navy and tan (with a few stripes and a bright orange thrown in for good measure) and you can't go wrong. Here is Hannah-Rose, blogger at Capture the Castle's Benah Christmas gift guide. She has all fingers and toes crossed for some of these to materialise on the 25th!

one. Lena Tote in Fawn/Tan - $440

The ideal gift for the girl with lots to carry. Imagine this on a Sunday, a bunch of peonies poking out of a corner, the papers, a baguette and a bottle of cordial, heading off to a park for an early morning picnic. These dreams could become reality on the 26th, the 27th, the 28th, the 29th... Provided that this has a nice red bow wrapped around it at Christmas-time..

two. Lola Canvas Clutch in Stripe/Leather - $320

We've already talked about the Lola in Pistachio, but the Lola in Canvas Stripe is all kinds of amazing too. The intrepid traveller will love its capacious interior perfect for filling up with tickets and passports and all of that stuff, and by evening it's ready for a night out. What a hard-working little clutch bag!

three. Ryder Sandals in Navy Blue - $285

We've always thought navy blue was a much more interesting take on black. It has a little more depth to it. So for the girl with a little more depth to her, think about offering a pair of our classic Ryder sandals in navy blue. These are a summer must have. Email info@thebenah.com for more information.

four. Future Past Fringe Silk Scarf - $120 email info@thebenah.com to purchase

This little whisper of a scarf combines that luxuriously soft feeling of silk/cotton blend, the graphic summertime shapes of the Aztec-inspired pattern, all lines and triangles and diamonds, and the glamour of a trailing fringe, blowing in the wind. 

five. Classic Cotton Canvas Tote in Orange - $119

Orange is probably the world's most underrated colour. The poor things languishes behind other neon brights, a pretty wallflower overshadowed by the much-adored Red and the universally flattering Pink. But we love Orange. We love it's Summery-fizz, it's undying optimism, it's warm weather depth. This tote bag is an ideal gift for all the Orange-lovers out there - we know you exist!



And that's it! We hope we've helped you nail down your gifts and wishlists this season. Happy Holidays!

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CHRISTMAS GIFTING | two

Still haven't found the perfect gift? Don't worry, if Brenda's picks didn't finalise your wish-list, check out one of our favourite bloggers Talisa of Badlands and her Benah wishlist, all in shades of beautiful pistachio greens, ivories and timeless navy blue. There's still one more gift guide to go. Hopefully by then we'll have all your Christmas wishlists wrapped up in a big red bow.

one. Lola Leather Clutch in Pistachio - $350

This clutch is a beauty. We love the softly, softly pale green colour, the mix of leather and suede and the handy card pockets on the interior. And trust us, this colour is going to be everywhere this season. We're sold out, but our good friends at My Chameleon have Lola in all her glory. And if you're happy to wait, email info@thebenah.com because we're going to have more next season!

two. Alex Leather Ipad Wallet in Pistachio - $190

In that same glorious mint green shade as the Lola clutch, the Alex Leather Ipad Wallet is a regular multi-tasker. The perfect gift for techno-philes and wide-eyed travelles alike. We've only got the one, so get in quick...

Edit: SOLD. Merry Christmas to the lucky recipient!

three. Karma Silk Scarf in Envy - $190

This Christmas you should give a scarf as a gift. Why? Because you can tie them in a million ways - trust us, we've tried them all. As a headscarf or a turban, a necklace or a sling, a wrap-around or a kerchief, a sarong or a bag accessory... They're all good! And this Karma scarf, in beautifully soft silk and featuring this season's signature graphic Aztec-inspired print, will slot beautifully into anyone's wardrobe, right alongside chambray shirts, breton tops and tapered slacks.

four. Ryder Sandals in Ivory - $285

 Sandals. Are. The. Best. Things. Ever. Who could fail to smile opening a pair of pristine ivory Ryder sandals come Christmas morn?

five. Kodi Cuff in Navy Blue - $120

 

There's something about that Kodi lock. It's fantastic on the Lola clutch and the Kodi bags and belts, and it's even better on the Kodi cuff, a big, brash, brushed gold hunk of metal that sits atop a lovely bit of leather, part classic sophistication, part ghetto-fabulous. Next season we're going to do this much-loved style in some new colours, including navy blue. To get on the list for one of these now email info@thebenah.com

We shot all of these on location at Ampersand Cafe Bookstore on Oxford Street in Paddington. The pale green bookshelves and lilac walls were the natural backdrop for all these greens and blues. Now all we can think about are white Christmases, with fireplaces, home-made Chai tea and our Pistachio Lola clutch, chilling out on a wicker stool.

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CHRISTMAS GIFTING | one

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! We secretly kind of love the madness of the festive season, and revel in its ridiculousness, but only just a little bit. Here are the good things about Christmas - pine needles, cherries, tinsel, felt, red and green, whiskey cakes, family and friends. Here are the bad things about Christmas - midnight closes at retail jobs, rancid puddings, eating too much. Buying presents can be tricky, but it's a cinch if you take a look at our Christmas gift guide. There's something for everyone, and we've split it up into three sections, starting with our Creative Director Brenda. 

one. Alex Leather Ipad Wallet in Black - $190

Our unisex Ipad wallet is a winner, favoured by street-style stars and bloggers-about-town, the perfect protective case for today's it-gadget that doubles up as a travel wallet and as an evening bag. What a little multi tasker!

two. Orion Belt with Medium Buckle in Tan - $110

 

Butter-y caramel leather, brushed gold hardware and that perfect - yet so elusive, as all perfect things should be - not-too-wide, not-too-small width... This belt is pretty fantastic, and a lovely stocking filler alongside a nice book and a few bottles of nail polish.

three. Destiny Print Canvas Tote in Red - $149

A summer-time staple, we never head to the beach without ours. Perfect for the beach bums among us.

 four. Kodi Mini Chain Bag in Red (just one left!) - $450

Hey there! Imagine our surprise when, while cleaning up the office we found a mystery little Kodi bag, hiding away behind countless copies of the Travel Almanac... A special Christmas treat, the colour of strawberries and paper hats and Mr Claus' fur-trimmed jacket, we've only got one left, the perfect something for the perfect someone. Or a little present for yourself!

five. Trinity Scarf in Silk, black - available for pre-order for next season (the gift that keeps on giving!) email info@thebenah.com to lock one down

One of our most popular scarf styles, we're getting the Trinity back on the market just in time for summer. This edition with a black border and delicious colour palette of raspberry reds and rich purples is the epitome of casual cool.

All photos shot on location in the beautiful Poho, where there were bunches and bunches of peonies, and mini Christmas trees and blooming hyacinths. A bunch of something beautiful, wapped in brown paper and tied up with grosgrain ribbon is the perfect gift itself, and we wouldn't mind it if some miraculously appeared under our tree. Follow Poho on facebook to get major flower-lust here.

Check back on the blog for part two of our gift guide later this week! 

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THINGS WE LOVE IN | December

We loved hearing from Hannah-Rose last month about her favourite things for November, so we thought we'd try it out again. This month, our dear friend (and Graphic Designer, Illustrator and blogger at Badlands) Talisa shares her top ten things she loves in December.

I haven't stopped listening to the retro-synth soundtrack since I saw the film. Ryan Gosling does mysterious incredibly well and makes me wish I had a driving jacket. Also I love the reference to 80's film, lots of neon and Lynch-esque scenes and the bright pink type they used for the credits. 

Film still from Drive

The botanical ingredients and packaging make these products a favourite. 

I use the facewash, moisturiser and exfoliator.

Images from Aesop

"They look at me, they think I'm alright…. It's nothing mysterious" 

Jack Nicholson, Maria Schneider and a Road trip. What more could you ask for? 

Still from The Passenger, 1975, Michelangelo Antonioni

For the delightful fragrances, scent descriptions and minimal packaging. 

My favourites are Gypsy Water and Bal D'Afrique.

"Gypsy Water is a glamorization of the Romany lifestyle, based on a fascination for the myth. The scent of fresh soil, deep forests and campfires illustrates the dream of a free, colorful lifestyle close to nature."

Images from Visual Journal

One of my favourites, Cy was a truly amazing American painter and sculptor. 

Cy Twombly

I love reading my end of year horoscope and Susan Miller for Russh Magazine is probably my favourite. I don't know how much of it I believe but the art direction of the shoot alone makes me happy. 

Planning my first European holiday is so exciting. I love Sofia Coppola's guide to Paris and have already filled our little guidebook with countless post-its. Now if only I could afford a Sofia x LV bag! 

I love the articles, interviews and photoshoots. I missed out on the first issue when it launched last year and was so happy when I found myself a copy on ebay a few months ago. The article on Phoebe Philo is my favourite, they couldn't have chose a better gentlewoman to cover the debut issue.

badlands and TFS

I couldn't pick just one book these are a few of my favourites to re-read come summertime. 

The Great Gatsby, Bonjour Tristesse, Lolita, Norwegian Wood, 

Anna Karenina, Less Than Zero, Jane Eyre and The Virgin Suicides.

Rohan and I usually take a picnic basket and our books down to Beare Park where 

you can relax and read by the harbour.

badlands

There is nothing like a beautiful bunch of flowers and the scent of your favourite candle burning. 

I love it when I'm relaxing and working. 

badlands


 Check out our previous lists from November, October and September.

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