ricco the rhinoceros and pals

If you have crept around the corner you may have noticed one of the new stockists we have...'basic shapes'. Melbourne based design team producing growth charts with a vintage feel. Measured in feet, watch the little ones grow and learn about Kendra the Koala and Carmel the Cow plus others. Available in yellow, orange, blue and lime they'll make a lovely addition to any childs bedroom.

Still working on some photos from our holiday, the last stop before leaving was L.A and a highlight was the Peterson Museum, a.k.a, big hall of cars! It was actually fabulous, we saw the Grease Lighting car, the Batmobile, heaps of amazing Presidential cars, the awesome fishbowl AMC Pacer from Wayne's World, crazy concept cars, the entire collection of HotWheels plus much more. Thought I'd share two picks from the day...  ok so the second one isn't really a car but what an (great) idea...The top image was only made as a concept at the time they wanted to suggest how an atomic-powered vehicle might be packaged if the technology existed. There was to be one centrally located wheel, although at low altitudes it was able to hover over land or water! A "protective curtain of energy" around the car would have reportedly made collisions impossible. They say that since the capability to manufacture a small nuclear reactor did not exist at the time it was not to make it on the road. Wow.

We took a walk from Santa Monica to Venice Beach, watched out for the high cut swimsuit clad lifesavers...non to be seen however there was some great shots of surfers.

Why don't our coffee shops look like this?

But by far the most exciting thing is the new addition to our shop, pop in and do step around the corner, we have put all the new goodies around there! Plus for those avid readers the FOURTH, thats right 4th issue of Chopped has finally landed! And more excitingly those who have enjoyed it so much will find that the boys behind it have decided to go quarterly with the publication! Even better!

We're back!

So we're back open and want you all to pop through the door and see the new area in the shop!

To sweeten the deal we have some super new products too! 

We have new brooches made from vintage swap cards and resin, for the bird lovers! Made by Prudence and Horatio, here in Melbourne.

In the last post we made comment about a new stockist of handmade soaps, well to pamper yourselves during the colder months we have got them in! There are some beautiful floral fragrances, an Australian bush a Goats Milk for those with sensitive skin and a loofah for the gardners.  

We also have received the delivery of beautiful Rebound Books, so time for the novel, inspired drawings or perhaps recipes. Any other ideas?

So when it gets this cold what does one do? In our case we decided to get busy and renovate the shop, adding some more space and new shelves. 

We're super excited to unveil the space early next week, we have also had some new deliveries, coloured swallow brooches, new ceramics from South Australia, we're expecting a delivery of Rebound Books, to fill with winter tales! And soon to be added to the store is a new maker of natural soaps so be sure to pop in.

Next weekend, the store will be closed, (June Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st). We're sorry for any inconvience this may cause, come see us during the week for winter purchases!

a little story goes a long way

We can't speak highly enough of the people behind the label Dick and Dora. From across the Tasman come beautiful, acrylic brooches, necklaces and timber beads. They have been with us from the start, we have just had a delivery of work including some special new pieces and a few updates too.

Above are the 'Birds on a wire' brooches, in a 'smoke' mirror finish and below are the 'Dizzy Bird' brooches with the addition of timber and mirror also.

And a newbie, the 'All about birds' brooch is a welcome friend.

First stop from San Francisco, our hire car and "cabin" at Big Sur Camp Site. It was such a beautiful spot right next to the creek, we missed out on the gorgeous shingled A-Frame cabins, they looked so cosy at night with fires going. 

On the road to Las Vegas....lots of desert and then this.....

On the way to El Mirage dry lake, found another great sign! Didn't dare try the 'good food.'

Casino watching, we walked down the strip and found the flamingos at the Flamingo Casino and the gondola at the Venetian....

Next stop lovely Palm Springs, even the tourist information centre is a fabulous modernist building! The picture below is the foyer of the Del Marcos which is where we ended up staying. It was lots of fun, small place with a heated salt pool for lounging about.

This is the view from our room, the mountain behind really looked like a movie prop. And palms everywhere for Palm Springs of course!

...some little things...

Hello again, slowed down on the old postings, trying to catch up on all the work that was neglected while we were away....better now!

The in house illustrator has come up with some swell gift tags to top off your pressies- all hand drawn therefore, one-off. Pop in and grab yours quick!

Issue #4 of Chopped Magazine should be hitting shelves soon and we'll be sure to keep you up to date, we have just received another delivery of Issue #1 for those who missed it. Perfect place to start your collection.... 

Kindling Cards have also just sent a beautiful selection of cards including 2 brand new designs. We some some fabulous handmade 'Puff' necklaces made from vintage fabrics, a lovely addition to the winter wardrobe. 

a brunswick hello

Ok, ok lots of photos from overseas but you may be asking what is actually going on at the local Boroughs...your boroughs in Brunswick well and our answer would be WINTER STOCK! Yep thats right the local favorite 'Otto and Spike' have delivered a fabulous range to keep heads, necks and fingers warm this winter. And just to indulge my holiday spirit I'll let you know that these guys are responsible for keeping us tucked in and warm all over America on our trip. Their scarves turned into wraps over heads and keeping ears warm up the Empire State Building in fact!

Some styles have returned from last winter as they were such winners and there are some great new additions we will predict a return from next winter perhaps....Pop in some great colours and these are going fast! 

next stop San Francisco

So another flight back to the West Coast, and some amazing views of snow capped mountains and we landed in San Francisco. We stayed downtown, the hotel provided muffins and coffee (which was decent!) every morning in the lobby which was great. We walked up some gigantic hills and back down, caught the cable car and of course walked the Golden Gate Bridge. There was some fabulous signage here as well, check out the images below.

The bird below was from a shop called Monument, a gorgeous store filled with 20th Century goodies, the bird was the pick.

On the first Sunday of the month there is a big market at a place called Alameda, at this stage of the trip we were still feeling like nothing was too much of a challenge, we had worked out all the public transport pretty well and decided, with muffin and coffee to set out early on the Sunday we were in SF to find this market. We left with no actual address and got a train, and two buses and directions from the two drivers and a Fireman out to a disused Army base to find the BIGGEST, and BEST market ever. Well worth the effort, it was a beautiful day and there was great veggie food for us too! Bliss. I took some photos for the memories as Coburg Trash and Treasure will sadly never live up to this.

Below is the first purchase of the day, more to come which included a suitcase to carry the loot!

Great big letters.

There were tables full of wooden block sets, type writer letters, clock faces, plastic and brass numbers and letters.

The good fat men above x 3.

The blue bike above made it home, in a large bike box, and now has fat white walls and speedo and is proving to be a great cruiser! Circa 1948, they don't build them like that any more.

Great television and small cooker for a very small person.

We couldn't resist this diner for dinner, with a side of fries and cherry soda...Above their front window they had a line of vintage cereal boxes, (RIP Seinfeld, which seems to be on 24/7).

New York streets, ahh, what great signage for a travel agent on the pale cream wall, and the sight of the water tanks on buildings.

Walking along Madison Ave, steam stacks were all along the street, as were the Monster trucks, below, is a shop front we lusted after, check out the size of their fabulous, arched window! 

On our trip to the ferry we found 'The Sphere' which stood in the plaza of the World Trade Centre for 3 decades. It was conceived by artist Fritz Koenig as a symbol of world peace. You can see it was damaged during the events of September 11, 2002 but was kept and placed there on March 11, 2002 as a temporary memorial to all those who lost their lives. There is also an eternal flame that was ignited on September 11, 2002 in honor of those lost.

This was quite an amazing piece to see, as the World Trade Center sight is still wrapped and under construction, yet to see the size of the area and to think of what had once stood there, had collapsed around this sculpture it really stands as an icon of their hope and spirit.

Brooklyn is sweet, so long as you get off the correct subway stop....Could Brunswick have a sign like this?

Skating in Central Park, we walked around and sat by the small lake and ate bagels while watching some little remote boats sail around- so cute.

I know, I know but how could I resist this photo opportunity? Walking though Central Park too.

Looking uptown from The Empire State building, you can just make out Central Park, so many fabulous shops down there!
What an estimated $190 million could buy you, the Flatiron Building, they say we'll have to wait another 10 or so years until the Italian company that bought it earlier this year turn it into a hotel, for the lucky few hey.
And who could deny you a photo of the Chrysler Building, another great piece of architecture. The corners of the 31st floor are replicas of the 1929 Chrysler radiator cap and on the 61st floor you can see the replica eagles from their 1929 hood ornament. What a tribute. Still more to come.

**i've met someone that looks just like you**

Time to introduce one of the fabulous ladies that not only took care of Five Boroughs while the owners were lazing by the pool in Palm Springs.....but who has also created a stunning range of jewels! Made locally in Brunswick from sterling silver, some have been treated so they are black, some polished and others are soft and matt in finish. Ready for your wearing pleasure!

so good they named in twice

New York, New York, our first stop. We navigate our way at midnight into Manhattan on the subway and find our very cosy (real estate/new york terms) hotel. Heated room and happiness for some sleep.

This is the view from one of the windows, looking down on the what we soon find out is a fabulous Japanese restaurant.

We purchased the 'city saver' booklet (great savings) and see SO much amazing art, after strolling through Central Park and giggling when we see squirrels....so cute! 

Make some quick present purchases.....

See some more sights, caught the ferry out, named, 'Miss New York' to the BIG lady. Looked for the image we have in our mural, looking back up Manhattan.  We went up the Empire State building, which was a great way to see the city, long lines to get through the airport security, city saver tickets paid off here again!

Such great signage, neons and diners. Pretzels and bagels on just about every corner. Horns honking all through the night, yellow cabs and dunk-able donuts YAY we went to New York!

pennies, dimes and nickle

Well, the lack of posts are about to change as we share some super pictures from our fabulous trip to America. Right not we are waiting at LAX to fly on home. Not looking forward to the epic flight but excited for the Melbourne coffee! The bags are heavier than we left and we took loads of snaps.
From New York over to San Francisco a drive down the number 1, across to Las Vegas and into Los Angeles- all in a month. Be sure to stop by again and check out some fun pictures.

print, sew, stuff

We have been in full swing production of our 'Holly Daze' range, producing three new Limited Edition cushion ranges which are in store now, as well as some new bags we have printed, sewn and are now ready for you to fill with your goodies.

More screen printed cards for a 'Happy Birthday', shouting out a big 'Thank You' or perhaps if you're attending a few wedding's like us- well we have sorted out the 'Congratulations' for you!

Forget Knitting- Wear the Jewels!

If you caught 'The Age' magazine yesterday and saw the delicious spread of jewellery you might be wondering 'where oh where' you can get your hands on Lisa Kearns gorgeous bracelets, you've found us and them, we also stock knitting needle rings by Lisa too,  and have other local jewelers who re-use, re-make and re-house so if your rambling around East Brunswick and thinking about adding to the jewellery box at home or need a smart gift, be sure to drop by and have a look. 

For your viewing pleasure

For those who haven't made it by yet- this weekend will be your last chance to see work by Kyle de Kuijer and Eduardo de Luca. 

The response has been great so far, some happy people out there with styln' pictures already purchased! But there are still a few with no red dots waiting for their new owner to come by so mark it in your diaries people! 

Show closes Sunday 1st March!

influences from the 1950's

We warmly welcome a new, super cute label- 'Peta Pledger'. A Melbourne based delight, who is best known for creating made-to-measure garments for those who desire to adorn one offs, and "to inject some 50s breeziness and glamour to the everyday."

Well, we can offer you the start of this wholesome feeling with a gorgeous selection of vintage, lucite brooches,in the form of swallows, bow ties, little scotty dogs and sweet, sweethearts pins.

Pop by and start the glamour.

February exhibition

We at Five Boroughs are proud to inform you of our first of many to come... 'Artist showcase'

For the entire month of February we will be displaying a collection of illustrations by Kyle de Kuijer along with a sculptural piece by Eduardo De Luca.

Eduardo has created a rotating 1m high ferris wheel, while Kyle's work consists of fifteen artworks on paper, all mounted in recycled frames. 

Here is a sneak preview... so be sure to drop into the store to see them up close, and pick your favorite.

and then there were three

Don't expect to fill your shelves fast with these little beauties as you can only expect three per year. But the hard work is starting to pay off for the 'Chopped' crew with sharper photo shoots, quality colour and in this issue an account of the magazines very first Rod & Custom car show held in October last year.

Stories on early Australian hot rodders, including a feature on a '32 Ford Roadster. Coverage on the 60th annual Speedweek at Bonneville, a continuation on 'U.S.A & Australia from the vault' offering rare, fabulous snaps of a bygone era. You guessed it another pin up centre fold and even a DIY project for those desiring a skull shaped shifter.

We still have the first two issues on offer also but be sure to pop in soon as they have almost sold out now!

And to change the subject....

For those who have also been suffering in the nights like us...in a state of confusion in regards to what you need on your bed, how about a pure cotton, Melbourne made throw rug? In stunning colours, royal blue, golden yellow, lawn green, organic white, and a brilliant pink. They made a lovely rug on the end of the couch for those snuggy nights or just add a beautiful splash of colour. Perfect gift for an expecting friend perhaps...and not only Melbourne made but right here in Brunswick East! Love the local!

Hello, we are back from our well enjoyed summer break and have reopened the store as of today. (Tuesday 13th Jan) 

Back to our usual trading hours, so drop in to see what is new........