THIS IS MY CITY | Kara-Joy Rickard's Auckland

Kara-Joy Rickard is one half of Auckland radio station George FM 's drive program and a great friend of ours. She lives in Auckland with her two children and her husband, and we love the guide that she shared with us. Our last Auckland guide was from almost two years ago, by Sherie Muijs (see her guide to Berlin here). It's nice to have a little update, full of bakeries and cakeries, shopping spots and places to explore. This is Auckland, by Kara-Joy.

 Te Henga | Source

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THIS IS MY CITY | Michelle's Perth

Perth is one of those cities that can instantly get stuck in your head, what with its fantastic weather, its sunny outlook and its vibrant, creative energy. And there was only one person we could turn to for a guide to this most coastal of Australian cities - Michelle. We love Michelle's understated, refined blog A Minute Away from Snowing and at Benah we are such fans of her elegant aesthetic. We knew that her tips for her home town would be perfect. Here is Perth, by Michelle.

Photos | Michelle Lau A Minute Away From Snowing | Featuring Benah Large Zip Pouch

one. Best thing about Perth? The endless summers, the bluest of blue skies, the fact that eternal stretches of unspoilt beaches can be as easy to find as a cup of good coffee in this city, and the way people are here for the downtime than the climb up the corporate ladder.

two. Worst thing about Perth? Our non-existent winters – peonies seem to be an endangered species in Perth, and my coats and boots invariably gather dust every year, because it just doesn't get cold enough! The isolation can also be frustrating - Europe is always two plane trips and a good 20 hours away. Once it took me nearly two days to get from Perth to New York City!

three. Favourite secret spot? Sitting by the window sill at Daily Planet watching the sun go down, and the world go by along Beaufort Street. Ordering the soy chai tea has become an essential part of my rare me-time.

  Soy Chai | Daily Planet

four. Favourite everyone-knows-it-but-it's-still-good spot? Moore and Moore in Fremantle. It's a kooky cafe by day and an arts space by night. Everyone who knows what's good for them will order the avocado on 7 grain toast and sit in the sun-drenched courtyard until the sun goes down. I was also so lucky to be married there, so dropping in for brunch or a coffee these days is my favourite, nostalgic thing to do in Freo.

five. What is your newest discovery in Perth? What about somewhere you've been going forever but can't quite give up? I recently stumbled across The Sweet Remedy - a new corner bakery- whilst wandering aimlessly on my lunch break in Leederville. They've just opened (you can still smell the fresh paint!) and the homemade Panniers are one of the greatest things I've ever eaten. The shopkeepers are also so impossibly lovely - happy to chat for hours if you stay long enough. I plan to return just for the strawberries & cream cupcakes. As for somewhere I've been forever and a day... Sparrow in Highgate. It's the best Indonesian in town and one of the cheapest meals you can get in Perth! The lovely owner there always rounds down your change if you're a regular. It's the little things.

 By the river | East Perth

six. Where is the best place for.... morning coffee/pick-me-up? meal with friends? romantic rendez-vous? late night drink? even later-night boogie? I live across the road from Bossman, so grabbing a morning coffee to wake me up on a lazy Saturday is often the best - and essential - part of my day. For brunch with friends, I can't go past the boiled eggs and buttered soldiers down the road at Mary Street Bakery. There's something really nostalgic about dipping toast soldiers into runny eggs. Date nights with my husband are best spent at this cute, blink-and-you'll-miss-it spaghetti bar called Francoforte. After spending some time in Italy a few months ago, we were delighted to find a place that made us feel like we were dining at a cosy friend's place, devouring the ultimate in comfort food. The guy - Julian - who runs the tiny kitchen isn't a trained chef or anything like that; he was simply taught by his mum at home. I love knowing things like that. As for the rest of the evening, I'm usually in bed by 10pm. I'm such a homebody at heart!

seven. Where are Perth's style spots? Where is the best shopping? I've kept this a secret for so long! But... Adam Heath has my sartorial heart forever. It looks like some sort of intimidating place where lavish ladies who like to lunch shop but it's so unpretentious and beautifully merchandised - I love it equally for window shopping and bargain hunting. I always scour the sales racks first, as it's always laden with Carven, Dries, 3.1 Phillip Lim on any given day. My most recent purchase was a pair of Frame Denim jeans and a Nina Ricci skirt at 70% off.

eight. What is something you can get/read/experience/eat that you can only do in Perth? The Secret Cake Club is something that has always intrigued me. The wait lists are always a mile long but I hope to attend one day! The rules are simple: turn up to a secret location every 4-6 weeks bearing your freshly baked goods, before spending the next two glorious hours swapping baking tips and making new friends. It's kind of like a book club, except that you're swapping books with cake. It's probably the only place in the world where you can have your cake - and be able to eat it too.

nine. You can tell a lot about a city from their airport. Describe Perth's. The past few years have seen more change for our airports than the past thirty, put together. Although it's still very much a work in progress, it's undeniable that real and exciting things are happening and that change - a good change - is coming. There's such an energy in Perth at the moment.

ten. How would your describe Perth to someone who has never been there before? Like a breath of fresh air - quite literally. Here, the days are dreamy and nights are filled with the brightest stars. All you have to do is look a little closer. The one thing living in Perth all my life has taught me is gratitude in finding beauty in ordinary things.

You can read all of our travel guides here.

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THIS IS MY CITY | Adriana's Melbourne

We love the guide that Adriana Giuffrida, the creative brains behind jewellery label Poms, put together for Melbourne. When we asked her to do one she admitted that sometimes she misses living in Sydney... Adriana, sometimes we dream of moving to Melbourne! Korean BBQ, watermelon granita and the best art in Australia. What more could you possibly want? This is Melbourne, by Adriana.

Melbourne CBD

one. Best thing about Melbourne? I think the best thing about Melbourne is being able to head into the CBD and wander around aimlessly and be able to eat amazing food, check out some wonderful galleries, and shop to your hearts content.

two. Worst thing about Melbourne? Battling the ever changing weather conditions when trying to do the above!

three. Favourite secret spot? My new favourite secret spot is Kobo in the CBD in Hardware Lane. Its an amazing KBBQ (Korean BBQ place) that has Korean BBQ tacos! Sounds crazy, tastes amazing! 

Cookie

four. Favourite everyone-knows-it-but-it's-still-good spot? COOKIE! In Curtain House on Swanston Street. It is a Melbourne Institution, and it never fails. Best food, best drinks, best building. Its just the best.

five. What is your newest discovery in Melbourne? Supernormal Canteen on Flinders Lane.

Emporium

six. Where is the best place for.... morning coffee? meal with friends? romantic rendez-vous? late night drink? even later-night boogie? For a morning coffee, I keep it local and head to Oli & Ari in Brighton, or Pantry. Don’t judge, but I think the best new meal spot is the food court at Emporium. The European at the top of Spring Street is also amazing, and then you can get a mouth watering ice cream from the Grocer next door for a sweet treat. Cumulus is also great, and Supernormal which has just opened on Flinders Lane, for some more Andrew McConnell amazingness. Also Pelligrinis for a watermelon granita on a hot day, or Cellar Bar for a killer cotoletta and tiramisu! For a late night drink, you can’t beat Toff in Town's bubble cup cocktails.

Pellegrini's Bar

seven. Where are Melbourne's style spots? Where is the best shopping? Curtain House on Swanston street houses my two fave spots, Pet Shop Girls and Someday. These guys have the best in local and international fashion going on and its not your run of the mill stuff. Marais is also good for your higher end wares. I also love going to Savers on Sydney road, which is an amazing supermarket sized op shop. Also Camberwell Market on a Sunday morning is great, get there early though, cause the bargains get snapped up, its not as secret as it used to be.

eight. What is something you can get/read/experience/eat that you can only do in your Melbourne? Heide Museum of Modern Art Gallery in Heidelberg is really quite special. John and Sunday Reed purchased the block in 1935, and opened their home to like minded individuals such a Sidney Nolan, Albert Tucker and Joy Hester among others, and the Heide Circle was born. Now the old homestead houses exhibitions of incredible modern art, and the gardens and grounds are also spectacular, and they also have a Cafe Vue, for a yummy mid gallery feast.

Heide Museum of Art

nine. You can tell a lot about a city from their airport. Describe yours. Hmm… I can’t say our airport speaks as highly as it could of our incredible city, but enjoying a lil treat from another Cafe Vue situated at the International gate is pretty good!

ten. How would you describe Melbourne to someone who has never been there before? yum yum!

You can read our previous this is my city guides here.

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IN RESIDENCE | Caroline de Maigret

Model-turned-music producer and contemporary Chanel muse, Caroline de Maigret has gracefully returned to fashion’s consciousness since her reappearance on Chanel’s runway in 2011. She is the granddaughter of Prince Michel Poniatowski and daughter of Count Bertrand de Maigret, and since beginning her modeling career in 1994 she has launched a rock music label called Bonus Tracks Records with her partner and a publishing company called Yarock Editions. Her apartment in France is the epitome of undressed glamour and effortless chic, much like Caroline’s example of androgynous edge and feminine allure herself. 

Images via the Coveteur 

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IN RESIDENCE | Penelope Seidler

In 1967, Penelope Seidler and her husband, the legendary late Harry Seidler, moved into the house they had collaboratively designed. The Killara House, where Penelope has lived for over forty years, is situated on what is now called the Harry Seidler Reserve. The house is a monument to Seidler’s revolutionary architectural style, and a testament to the pair’s renowned artistic taste.

The house is built on what Penelope calls an ‘architect’s block’; it’s “steeply sloping, surrounded by trees, a creek at one end, a bush reserve at another and no immediate neighbours” being exactly what they wanted. It has a split plan over four half-levels while the machined palette remains quite visceral and expresses the fundamental structure of the house.

The house remains virtually unchanged since the 1960s with wet-look quartzite stone floors and Tasmanian oak ceilings. Also untouched is the vast collection of art that the pair shared, on display throughout the massive house. Today, the house is on the NSW State Heritage Register and is becoming a pop culture icon in itself, just as its namesake Harry Seidler indeed is!

Interestingly though, Penelope had this to say: “Funnily enough I find people like the house a lot better now than they did when it was first built. They thought it was all too stark and found the concrete too confronting. I think it’s beautiful. There’s a medieval quality to the masonry walls, and the texture of timber all around, it’s like my castle. Harry liked things tough; he always said this house was indestructible, and he’s absolutely right.”

Photographs by Max Dupain and plans via the State Library of NSW. 

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THIS IS MY CITY | Sherie's Auckland

Sherie is a shirtmaker and designer from Auckland who has her own label. We love the relaxed elegance and luxurious practicality of her designs and we love the natural, simplistic guide to Auckland that she put together - it's got us a little bit homesick! This is Auckland, by Sherie.

pictures by Sherie Muijs unless specified

Sherie setting up a brunch party in Auckland

one. Best thing about Auckland? Is that you are never far from the sea. In less than 30 minutes at any given moment, you can escape the chaos of the city to find vast landscapes and endless horizons. 

two. Worst thing about Auckland? Its four seasons in one day is an ongoing frustration amongst most. One needs to be prepared for rain, hail and shine ev-ery-day. 

three. Favourite secret spot? Pah Homestead, nestled not far from where I grew up. 

four. Favourite everyone-knows-it-but-it's-still-good spot? The Botanical Gardens, most commonly visited by tourists or high-school photography students, but I still love it all the same. 

At Karikari with friends

five. What is your newest discovery in Auckland? What about somewhere you've been going forever but can't quite give up? Thanks to a friend, earlier this year I discovered the Hillary Trail at Karikari Beach. After a decent trek along the beach and then hike up endless hills, you reach the most outstanding view. Never far from Auckland is there a bush walk to discover or waterfall to find. 

six. Where is the best place for.... morning coffee/pick-me-up? meal with friends? romantic rendez-vous? late night drink? even later-night boogie? Supreme Coffee on Douglas Street offers the best selection of coffees. My personal favourite is a filtered Yirgacheffe. My pick for somewhere to go for a meal with friends is Sunday Painters. I recently had my first meal there with the girls and imagine it will be the first of many. There are numerous reasons to want to go back, but the most compelling of them all are the bowl of hand-cut fries with caper mayonnaise! This restaurant is as equally fitting for a meal with girlfriends as it is for a romantic rendezvous. I also recently celebrated a milestone with my husband there with a bottle of champagne (and a side of fries of course). Following that, a late night drink at The Golden Dawn will top off any great night. 

Coffee Supreme - source

seven. Where are Auckland's style spots? Where is the best shopping? Fabric and Scotties Boutique downtown house some of my utmost favorite designers -- Comme des Garcons, Dries van Noten, A.P.C, Isabel Marant and Margaret Howell. And while in the city, Auckland’s Britomart precinct is a fairly new development, where you are spoilt for choice when it comes to New Zealand designers and great bars and restaurants. 

eight. What is something you can get/read/experience/eat that you can only do in Auckland? Catch the ferry over to Waiheke Island, hire a scooter and explore the island. If you have the time, hire a bach for a weekend, visit their local markets, taste a local brew or two and unwind with yoga or a pottery class perhaps. 

nine. You can tell a lot about a city from their airport. Describe Auckland's. A work in progress… 

ten. How would your describe Auckland to someone who has never been there before? Incredibly diverse, a city of cities. 

Waiheke beach - source

Benah's This Is My City guides:

Elise's Paris

Estelle's Melbourne

Hannah-Rose's Hong Kong
Katerina's Mexico 

Dee's New York

Tiffany's Berlin 

Dee's Sydney 

Talisa and Rohan's Tokyo 

Jessica's London

Georgia's Paris

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THIS IS MY CITY | Dee's Sydney

 Sydney is our home, and even though it can be flashy and silly and so expensive at times, we love it, because it's just so beautiful. Sydney may be our city, but it's Dee's city too. Dee is the fashion editor of Shop Til You Drop, and the kind of Sydney girl who always light ups the room with a big smile. She lives by the beach, like all Sydney girls ought to if they possibly can, and she's sharing some of her favourite places in our city here. This is Sydney, by Dee.

 Sydney Harbour Bridge - source

one. Best thing about your city? Working in the city but living by the beach. 

two. Worst thing about your city? Everything is so expensive. 

three. Favourite secret spot? Down south in the National Park where you can whale watch from the cliff tops and gaze at the ocean while the big southerlies blow in. I grew up around here so visits are always accompanied by a sense of nostalgia. The Cape Solander cliffs are especially magical. 

Bondi to Bronte walk - source

four. Favourite everyone-knows-it-but-it's-still-good spot? The Bondi to Bronte coastal walk is pretty special. No matter how many times I do it I’m always amazed at how beautiful the view is. Or even better is walking it in the other direction and finishing up at North Bondi during sunset for drinks and aranchini at NBI. 

five. What is your newest discovery in your city? What about somewhere you've been going since forever but can't quite give up? I’ve recently discovered the Farmers Markets and like to spending Saturday morning there just wandering around, drinking coffee, buying fresh flowers and stocking up on fruit and veggies for the week. I head to Bondi as it’s closest to me but Eveleigh and Kings Cross are also great. An old favourite is the Four In Hand in Paddington, which I discovered years ago when living right across the road. The steak and fries on the bar menu are insanely good and combined with good company and a cider make for the perfect lazy Sunday afternoon. 

 Bang Bang cafe - source

six. Where is the best place for.... morning coffee? meal with friends? romantic rendez-vous? late night drink? even later-night boogie? My favourite morning coffees are those that accompany poached eggs and crispy pancetta during a relaxed weekend breakfast at Bang Bang in Surry Hills. For a meal with friends, you can’t beat a BYO bottle of red and as much pasta and pizza as you can eat (usually with change from a $20) at Bar Reggio in Darlinghurst or Phamish around the corner is great too. I think that Sydney is such a picturesque city that a picnic is the perfect romantic rendezvous - Sydney Picnic Co can whip something up if there’s no time to DIY and the view from the Botanic Gardens is lovely. I always enjoy a nightcap at Eau-De-Vie in Darlinghurst. And finally, for one last boogie and the opportunity to embarrass yourself amongst friends in what will surely become a night to remember, you must hire a room at Ding Dong Dang karaoke bar on Randle St in Surry Hills. It's always very fun and funny! 

seven. Where are the city's style spots? Where is the best shopping? You're bound to find someone worthy of a street style snap in either Surry Hills, Paddington or Bondi. For shopping, the Corner Shop always has something that I will fall in love with. I usually drop into the Strand Arcade store as it is close to my office. Lover, also a favourite, have recently opened their first boutique in there too which means another beautiful store to visit. Otherwise Glenmore Road in Paddington is always great for checking out all your favourite Australian designers (plus Acne!). 

eight. What is something you can get/read/experience/eat that you can only do in your city? See something interesting and inspiring at the MCA down at The Rocks and then jump on the ferry and head across the harbour to Taronga Zoo. Those giraffes have the best view of the city! 

Giraffes at Taronga zoo - source

nine. You can tell a lot about a city from their airport. Describe yours. All I seem to be able to find there are cheesy souvenir shops, newsagencies, McDonalds and Duty Free stores. Maybe it’s like Sydney in that there are lots of cool places to eat and fun things to do but you need to be with someone in the know to show you around? 

ten. How would you describe your city to someone who has never been there before? It’s fun - whether you choose to be busy and do lots or just lie on the beach and do nothing at all, you’re sure to have a good time.

Benah's This Is My City guides:

Elise's Paris

Estelle's Melbourne

Hannah-Rose's Hong Kong
Katerina's Mexico 

Dee's New York

Tiffany's Berlin

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THIS IS MY CITY | Estelle's Melbourne

Good old Melbourne. City of artists and culture (and food!) and museums and fashion (and really really good food!) and coffee and laneways (and excellent, mouth-watering food!). We've always loved Melbourne's creative instincts and vibrancy, and only wish we got to spend more time there. One lucky girl who lives in Melbourne is Estelle Dévé, talented jewellery designer and lovely thing with excellent taste. Her molten creations are both futuristic and archaeological, informed by art and history and literature and culture. We knew she would be the perfect person to put together a Melbourne guide for us, and her picks have us dreaming of a little mini-break to the Victorian capital. This is Melbourne, by Estelle.

Melbourne - sourcehttp://lipmag.com/culture/melbourne-a-quick-guide-to-the-cbd/

one. Best thing about Melbourne? This is going to sound cheesy, but.. my boyfriend and the close group of friends I've made along the years. I feel like I could be in the most amazing place, if they weren't around, it wouldn't be worth it. Fun is meant to be shared! That, and the fact that I can find the best Asian, Spanish, Greek and Italian food within any 20 minutes tram ride. 

two. Worst thing about Melbourne? The weather (9 months a year of rain and cold anyone?), and the cuteness overload: if I have to see another knitted tea cosy, pair of clogs or fawn ceramic collection I might have to just give up on life altogether.. 

three. Favourite secret spot? "Shanghai 1930" 959 Whitehorse road, Box Hill.  It's a bit of a trek but best Chinese food ever! My amazing friend Jade (stylist extraordinaire!) took me there for the first time a few weeks ago and were definitely going back soon! Try the Jellyfish, it's amazing! 

four. Favourite everyone-knows-it-but-it's-still-good spot? "Movida", 164 Flinders street, Melbourne. Mom is half Spanish and I've been brought up on Spanish food so this is little a little taste of home. A Melbourne institution: it's in-cre-dible! & "Chin chin" at 125 Flinders Lane, Melbourne. Asian fusion at its best: great food and even more amazing cocktails. Be prepared to wait though, there's no bookings and a never ending flow of hungry people waiting around. 

 Movida - source

five. What is your newest discovery in Melbourne? After all those years, I've finally taken the time (read: been dragged by my friends) to rent a private Karaoke room in the CBD. I have blurry memories of singing 90s R'N'B favourite on top of my lungs, dancing on tables and rolling myself on the floor with laughter. We have nothing like this in France and I have to admit: it is a lot of fun. My favourite so far has been "K-Box" 52 LaTrobe street, Melbourne. What about somewhere you've been going since forever but can't quite give up? "Mixed Business", 486 Queens Parade, Clifton Hill Breakfast is easily my favourite meal of the day and even though I've been there hundreds of times, this place is always going to be my favourite. Try the Potato and Rosemary rosti with poached eggs. It's a winning combo. While you're waiting for a table, check out the florist next door, they always have the most amazing things.. 

six. Where is the best place for.... morning coffee? meal with friends? romantic rendez-vous? late night drink? even later-night boogie? There's plenty of good coffee in Melbourne and I find it hard to to pick a favourite. However, if I feel like something different I'll go get amazing green tea and Japanese breakfast at "Cibi" 45 Keele street, Collingwood. Or I'll get the perfect hot chocolate at "Monsieur Truffe", 351 Lygon street, Brunswick East, round the corner from my house. For a meal with friends I like "Gorski and Jones" 304 Smith street, Collingwood. Modern Australian cuisine to share, and a great selection of wine. Definitely one of my all time favourite. Don't forget to try the Kingfish carpaccio! And when my bank account says no, we'll all meet for Char-grilled chicken Pho at "Meekong" 241 Swanston street, Melbourne. The legend says that Bill Clinton had 8 bowls in one sitting there! I'm personally happy with just the one: it's tasty, filling and for $9.50 you won't find better.  For romance you can't go past "Matteos" 533 Brunswick street, Fitzroy north. A pretty fancy looking place, white tablecloth, chandeliers and all.. and still the only place I know where you can get both amazing sashimi, a mind blowing cheese plate and a great bottle of wine, all on the same night. The boyfriend and I went there for our anniversary and we had an amazing night. "Cutler and co" 55-57 Gertrude st, Fitzroy. Did anyone say cocktails and dessert? For dancing.... At the risk of sounding pretty old, I don't think I've truly enjoyed a night out in a club for a while.. I feel like Melbourne is more of a house/street party city anyway.. Put a disco ball in your living room, some 90s hip hop and I'm all yours! 

 Cibi - source

seven. Where are Melbourne's style spots? Where is the best shopping? There again, I tend to shop a lot more when I'm away on holidays or in a different city, so I probably wouldn't be the best a recommending stores in Melbourne. I do A LOT of online shopping (to fulfill my Dries Van Noten addiction) or buy stuff from Acne as it's just easy.. However when I find a little bit of spare time, I try to check out Incu and Green With Envy. They've both been supporters of my label for years and are carrying a plethora of brands I enjoy. 

eight. What is something you can get/read/experience/eat that you can only do in your Melbourne? Go to Fritz gelato and have the best hot cross bun ice cream you could ever dream of.

 nine. You can tell a lot about a city from their airport. Describe yours. All you need to know is: Cafe Vue lunch boxes at the International terminal. Best. Plane food. Ever "Cafe Vue", Tullamarine Airport, Terminal 2.

ten. How would you describe Melbourne to someone who has never been there before? 4-seasons-in-one-day-food-capital-city.

Melbourne's charm - Tuula

Benah's This Is My City guides:

Elise's Paris

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