THE ARCHIES!

The Archibald has been announced! You were waiting on the edge of your seats weren’t you? Me too. Even though each time I feel like it comes around quicker than the paint’s had to dry. Very much like tax time. Nevertheless, it’s a welcome headline in the newspaper. Arts and Culture section. Which I’m sure […]

COFFEE IN (SKATE) CULTURE

When I was nineteen I moved to Canberra for uni, and made the decision that I was going to be cool.  I’d thought about being cool before this, but I was in high school, and it’s hard to change your identity to be cool when everyone already knows you aren’t. But as nobody knew me […]

agua de sapo

FIKA: FEBRUARY EDITION

We’re taking stimulus from Central America this Febrary Fika. They make good food, good music, and good coffee. In my mind that more than qualifies them to expert fika status. EAT Arepas! I’ve been going to town on this Colombian staple. My Colombian friends say they live off a diet of coffee and arepas, and […]

book and coffee

COFFEE AND CULTURE: LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY

My mum recommended me this book, saying she thought it was the best one her bookclub read all year. She needed to insert that caveat as to not offend me and the book I gave her for her birthday. Which I notice is creeping ever down in her book pile, its ears’ mockingly un-dogged. Lessons […]

FIKA: SUMMER EDITION

In January, fika really just self-actualises. Those hours that throughout the year were spirited away by ear specialist appointments, school drop offs, key indication officers and efficiency consultant meetings, are now gaping holes in your diary, what with the ear specialist on holiday in Mallorca, school out for summer, and the key indication officers efficiency […]

FIKA: JULY EDITION

This edition we’ve got good warm feelings from both cosy winter treats, and Indian inspired culture. Warming you from the inside and outside. DRINK Tis the season to be jolly with a warm mug of mulled wine while sitting around the fireplace/fire pit with a bowl of the below in hand. EAT Sticky date pudding. […]

FIKA IN INDONESIA

We’re doing a deep dive into Indo coffee culture next month, but I got overly enthusiastic about it so it’s spilled over into this month’s fika. What you gonna do. I’m intrigued by the incongruity of Indonesian culture – intense cities and lackadaisical beaches. I was watching a show the other day (Love on The […]

FIKA: MAY EDITION

FIKA: MAY EDITION Do you know who does fika well? Italy. Do you know what they call fika in Italy? Tutto il giorno. Which means ‘all day’. This isn’t true, but I imagine that they don’t need a specific word for taking a moment of your day to enjoy and take in the surrounding beauty, […]

FIKA: FESTIVAL EDITION!

April is the month of public holidays. The month of which immersing oneself into the minutiae of time management, reviewing of pay slips, improving schedule efficiency, dissecting interstate migration patterns and corresponding financial fluctuations brings joy and exhilaration to millions of Australians across the land as they find the perfect combination of maximum time off, […]

SELF PROPHETIC CHAIRS

I went to a dumpling bar the other week, and other than I like dumplings (and bao buns), the chairs were the winning factor in choosing this restaurant over the ramen bar next to it, or the Mexican joint a few stalls down. This is big. I really like dumplings, but I am existentially enraptured […]

FIKA FOR MY FAVOURITE SEASON

I know not all of us are summer people, and I used to be one of those. But now I’m not not a summer person, January is my favourite. Yes it’s hot and sticky and blah blah I don’t want to hear it because think of those loooong afternoons! There’s no errands to run, just […]

A VERY CHRISTMAS FIKA TO YOU!

I love traditions. I have new ones every year.  Part of their charm is the promise of a more meaningful season, a chance to slow down and enjoy the moments of the seasons: the first kiss of sunburn, ashflakes falling from a nearby bushfire, each one unique in its own way, and enjoy them with […]