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Every Day is Earth Day!
From recycled goods to environmentally-friendly groceries, secondhand books to low-carbon-emission luxuries, benefit your community every day at these businesses!
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Julia’s 5-star review: I'm a big fan of handmade soaps, but I have to admit that after discovering Anders some years ago, we haven't bought soap anywhere else! The scent and feel is just lovely; never drying, never harsh. I've used it on my hair in a pinch, and even chucked a soap-end into the washing machine when I was out of detergent and needed clean clothes NOW -- they came out smelling great and looking fine! My favourites are the citrus blend (have to buy an extra for Mom when she visits, or it will disappear from my cabinet!), rosemary verbena and Viking soaps. We always have at least one of those on hand. The lotions are also very nice, and the quality is hard to beat for the price. Why pay a lot for some generic-smelling, hard-to-spell-ingredient-laden stuff from a big-name chain store when you can buy better made right here in North Carolina? -
Julia’s 5-star review: If you're in downtown Raleigh and want to explore the local art scene, Artspace is a must! Formerly a livery and later an early Ford dealership, the building is now a collection of artists' studios, art education space and rotating exhibit galleries. You can visit the studios of established local artists like Anna Podris and Keith Norval to admire their work and see the effort that goes in to making a good painting, but paintings are just part of the art on show; prints, sculptures in a variety of mediums, woodworking, jewelry, photography, fiber art and more are also present for your enjoyment. In addition to being an art haven, Artspace is also a beautiful example of what can happen when art and old buildings mix! Rather than being chopped up into cramped offices or demolished and turned into tacky condos, the historic building housing Artspace has been reborn into total functionality and the space arrange to allow the architectural details and airiness to shine from gallery to studio. Conveniently located within walking distance of the Moore Square bus station, lots of parking and numerous restaurants, Artspace is the perfect destination for any visit to Raleigh's downtown! -
Julia’s 5-star review: If you're at all creative, Askew-Taylor is a cave of wonders. Need inkjet paper for mixed-media transfers? They have it. Fifteen shades of art markers? Right there. A dozen weights of watercolour paper? Done. Mold-making compound and pouring resin? On the shelf in several sizes. Balsa wood and sandpaper and silkscreening ink and canvas-making materials and calligraphy ink and model train supplies and papermaking kits and clay suitable for sculpting dolls and sheets of copper and printing brayers? Hope you brought a big bag, because you will find it all and so much more. Located in an old house off Glenwood Aveune, A-T is an established local business where you'll find genuinely warm, helpful customer service that's as old-fashioned as the vintage flooring in the upstairs rooms. Prices are comparable to most brick and mortar establishments, but the business sets itself apart by bringing a personal touch to every transaction and by making customers feel appreciated - something the vast majority of chains stores have let fall by the wayside. Sure, the stairwell makes you wonder if there's a weight limit and parking can be a hassle, but if you're looking for quality supplies in both the general arts and niche categories plus staff who know their inventory and customers, there's nowhere you'd be better off shopping. -
Julia’s 5-star review: Having finally come to terms with the idea that older skin might mean it was time for new - and potentially higher quality (and possibly spendy!) - face products, I braved the horror of Crabtree and headed to Lush, on the recommendations of several ladies my age who boast enviable skin. I know the store has a near-cult following, but it was my first time in there and I suppose I looked a little overcome (despite the small size, the shop is PACKED with lovely things!) because I was approached at once by the charming and very helpful Emma, who asked if I was familiar with the company's products and, when I said I wasn't, inquired as to what had brought me in that day. I mentioned a specific cleanser, which she pointed out and explained the qualities of before asking what concerns I had regarding my skin in case another cleanser might be more appropriate. Turned out that my sources did not fail me, and I was on the right path to enviable 35+-years-old skin! After testing out the cleanser via a brief but relaxing hand scrub/massage, I was shown the Wall O'Moisturizers (as I like to call it) and the clerk described the aspects of each and suggested three she felt might be the most suitable. I went with the Skin's Shangri-La, which upon application felt like silk and smelled like heaven! I decided to purchase the cleanser and was offered a generous sample of the moisturizer, since multiple applications usually show any flaws or benefits in such a product, and then on my way to the register, danger - makeup, something I didn't even know Lush carried at all. My eye went to the rich purple lipcolour, but Emma - so far two for two on product recommendations - suggested a bold, poppy red - yikes! I tried it on, then waffled and wavered (and bless her, she was patient, funny and helpful the whole time) and finally thought what the heck, I'll break out of my comfort zone! Wouldn't you know it - when I pick up my husband from work, the man who never notices makeup compliments my new lipcolour straight away! It doubles as the best blush ever, too. As for the cleanser and moisturizer, two weeks in and my skin is AMAZING. No winter dryness, more even texture, and soft as can be! I felt that the Lush staff knew their products well, and that they seemed happy to be there and genuinely interested in matching customers with products, which is a far cry from other shops. The customer service was almost more impressive than the products, and the combination of both makes me want to become a long-term customer from here on out! -
Julia’s 5-star review: I'd decided the night before that the spouse was in dire need of a massage and called Natural Body early the next day in the hope that they'd have an appointment available. The time I'd wanted was booked, but the receptionist was quick to offer a spot that was close and would work just as well. She also asked if I wanted to book for a particular type of massage, outlining my choices -- very helpful! I booked him for a one-hour deep tissue massage with Karen, and then had to invent a quick cover story to get him down there while keeping it a surprise. When we arrived, the staff were friendly and efficient and the waiting area was very relaxing, with a selection of teas and seriously comfortable chairs. I found myself wishing I'd booked a spot for me, too! On my way out I browsed the retail area, which has a lot of really nice bath and body products from a lot of different lines, including some great things for men, and a wide selection of Archipelago candles, which I adore. I, er, may have bought myself an early Christmas gift or two! I don't think I've ever seen the spouse look as relaxed as he did after that massage! He said he felt 'like a million bucks', and that Karen worked out all his tension but still provided a relaxing massage on top of that. Definitely an experience to repeat! And next time, I'm going to get in on that relaxation action, too. -
Julia’s 5-star review: Phenomenal -- seriously a haven for the tea lover, and obviously run by someone with a genuine passion for tea! I stopped in here one afternoon because I had yet to get my husband a present for our anniversary, and recalled Erin W mentioning it as the place to go for tea. I wasn't expecting anything mind-blowing, honestly, but I thought I might be able to pick up some Keemun or Nilgiri, two of his favourites that aren't readily available in most shops. Was I in for a surprise! Not only did they have those teas on their Massive Wall of Leafy Tastiness, they had more than one variety of each! My brain shut off as I surveyed the plentiful options, but fortunately the young lady behind the counter must have been used to that response because she pressed a sample cup of the day's tea into my hand, pulled out the bins for each tea I mentioned for comparison and assured me that they have sample packs available. Much easier to make a decision that way! Along with the desired teas, I also bought some of the East Frisian Broken Blend, which is now my go-to morning tea, and while my husband wasn't able to try the teas when I gave them to him (surprise! tornado!), once he did we went back to the shop so he could have a few moments in Paradise himself. In addition to teas, Tin Roof also carries a wide variety of tea-brewing and storing supplies for many different styles and budgets as well as honeys, cupcakes and truffles, plus you can order a brewed cup of any of their teas to enjoy right away, which is a nice touch. Forget the big-name, high-pressure chain tea shops; come enjoy a truly well-chosen selection of fine teas sold by people who really love and understand the beauty of tea! -
Julia’s 5-star review: The newest Triangle Whole Foods is BIG. Enormous! And it's stocked full of fantastic goods. The produce section was full of seasonal and not-that-seasonal fruits and vegetables of all sorts, with a very strong focus on organics. Prices? Well, I bought two bundles of organic beets at WF for less than I saw as priced the day before at Harris Teeter! The bulk section is sort of oddly arranged, with large tubs of cereal grains and dried fruits on tables in addition to the usual wall dispensers. One issue -- these bins are at perfect small-child-hand-height, and little kids do love raisins. There was also what appeared to be a demonstration area, which should prove interesting. The bath and body section had bulk bath salts available as well as the usual shampoos/lotions/vitamin selections, and there was a demo of a lotion candle they carry -- coolest thing I've seen all week! It's like a solid lotion with a wick, and when it's lit it burns at a lower temperature than traditional candles so you can just dip in a finger and smooth it up. Sandalwood Rose lotion candle, you're calling my name! Latta eggs and Maple View milks are available in the dairy/undairy aisle, which features very different doors from the usual cold cases, and are supposedly extra-'green' or something. I didn't check the details, being too giddy at sighting the Maple View buttermilk (hey, pancakes for dinner rules!). The bakery and cheese departments offered a very wide selection, and the beer department had a number of small brewery and local selections from the lightest IPA to the darkest porter. Is it crowded right now? You better believe it! Parking is much more plentiful and easier than at the Wade Ave location, and the store itself seems to have more products to offer and not just a larger amount of the same products. The hot bar in particular is bigger, and there's a case where you can buy pre-decorated cakes for birthdays and similar events. All in all, it's a great expansion for Raleigh Whole Foods fans! -
Julia’s 4-star review: The taproom is not fancy. It is not elegant. It is not trendy. You won't find small-batch bourbon mini-milkshakes infused with bacon grease and local corn husks or whatever concoction is fashionable with 'mixologists' at the moment. Here, all you'll find is good beer made well, and plenty of it. Along with their standard beers on tap, including Bad Penny and Blanco Diablo, Big Boss also features seasonal and specialty beers such as their autumn offering, Harvest Time, and the amazing Big Operator, laced with hints of raspberry. Also available are games like ping-pong and darts -- always the best things to mix with alcohol -- and two TVs behind the bar. Seating is limited inside, with a few tables in the main bar area and a handful more scattered in small rooms off the main. The outdoor patio features a few picnic-style tables and a low wall that's convenient for sitting as well, which is especially nice in good weather. For me, the only downsides to the taproom are the sometimes-high noise level (I'm a little hard of hearing) and the staircase. Bad knee + heels + stairs + beers = not the most fun combination for me, though I'm told it amuses my friends! Is it dive-y looking? Indeed! But don't let the warehouse look put you off -- Big Boss is the place to come when you like quality beers in a friendly space, and welcoming, beer-loving bartenders. No trends or pretenses here; just beer. -
Julia’s 4-star review: Bought a Groupon for The Body Shop a while back, and with the holidays coming (and the expiration date looming!) I decided it was time to stop in and do some shopping! As luck would have it, I came in on a day with a seriously sweet promotion of buy 3, get 3 free -- crazy, right? The store was well-stocked with a lot of goods which made the choosing difficult, so I turned to an employee (a tall blond fellow whose name escapes me) to help me maximize the Groupon + sale goodness; everything I bought was heading down to the Helping Hand mission, so I needed to get as much bang for the buck as I could. He helped me work out a good item-matching strategy, and not long after, I left loaded down with lotions, soaps and shower gels on their way to make other people's Christmas bright! While they no longer carry a lot of the products I adored at The Body Shop of my youth and seem more focused on 'treatment' style skincare (age-defying and whatnot) than in the past, a lot of the classics remain (Satsuma anything, body butter, peppermint foot lotion) and the corporate commitment to offering sustainable goods sourced in ways that benefit the producing communities is a respectable thing. This particular store is always neat, clean and inviting whenever I stop in, and the staff helpful without being overbearing. One thing I would like to see is either more price stickers or price signs for every product -- I had to ask the prices of the different lotions and sizes of shower gel more than once, as I'd forgotten which was which while comparing -- but overall, I like the scents here better than those at the headache-inducing Bath & Body Works and find the products a pretty good value for the price -- especially with sales like they have! -
Julia’s 4-star review: Fun, family-friendly and free! The museum is a great place to go when you're downtown and wanting to do something interesting that has the benefit of being educational as well. From the flora and fauna of North Carolina to dinosaur bones and gemstones to a fascinating butterfly enclosure, the museum has a little bit of everything North Carolina has to offer! My only complaint is that the exhibits are definitely geared toward younger kids; the teenage/adult science enthusiast won't find much of the information presented to be particularly compelling, but the beauty, scope and detail of the exhibits do make up for some of that. Plus, who doesn't love a towering dinosaur skeleton? The museum regularly has special ticketed events, but generally all their regular features can be accessed for free. The higher floors of the building also offer excellent views of downtown Raleigh. Parking is available on the street and in many nearby pay parking lots and decks, or you can take the bus and skip the downtown traffic altogether! The history museum is located next door, so make time to fit in both for a great NC experience. -
Julia’s 4-star review: From antique furniture to hand-dyed wools, you'll find it here! The Raleigh flea market is divided into four sections, more or less -- there's the antique-y side, the yard sale side, the random retail/yard sale-ish middle bit and the established shops flanking it by both parking lots. Dive into the antique section to find anything from Space Age Sixties serving dishes to Victorian dressers to a vintage bracelet adorned with gold and silver charms for the princely sum of $1 (true story -- and yes, I still have the bracelet!), with everything in between. Prices vary from please-take-my-money-now cheap to you-have-to-be-(expletive deleted)-joking expensive, but most dealers are open to polite haggling. If you're looking to redecorate or score some cool finds for your collection, this is the place for you! One tip: the market opens at 9 but the dealers don't always set up before then (sometimes as late as 10!); come a little later if you don't want to wait around while everyone's parked in the area and unloading. The yard sale side and odd retail-ish tents have what you might expect: a mishmash of used goods of all calibers and some cheap imported stuff. This area is being redone as part of the 2011 State Fair preparations, so who knows what it will be like afterward? Inside the buildings at either end near the parking lots are established, year-round shops. Here you can find funnel cakes even when the fair's not in town, handmade fudge of all flavours, small-batch roasted coffee and beyond! I personally recommend a visit to Lone Star Mercantile, where you can find wools hand-dyed by the owner herself, gorgeous fabrics in prints reproduced from the Victorian era, primitive antiques, patterns and so many other lovelies. Other shops offer furniture, formalwear, vintage goods, everything you'd need for the kitchen -- the list goes on! While the market is closed from the last week of September into November for the State Fair, a visit any other time of the year is great fun. Bring you family, bring your dog, and bring your wallet, because who knows what you might find! -
Raleigh, NC, United States
Julia’s 4-star review: It's easy to walk past the large set of doors leading into Videri, but that unassuming front hides a wonderland of deliciousness - from bean to bar, Videri does it all themselves! Are their flavours limited? Limited, but not limiting; there is detail in the flavour combinations. Are their chocolates kind of spendy? They are certainly a few dollars above what you might find at the grocery store, but worth every penny; the rich lushness of the chocolate fills the palate with every bite, making a little very satisfying. You can also tour the small factory (no Oompa Loompas here, though) and see how the process takes place, sample different chocolates and talk about the chocolate-making process with staff, surrounded all the while by the industrial-chic interior and tempting perfume of chocolate. Videri is more than a shop or a bar of chocolate - it's an experience! -
Julia’s 5-star review: Glorious. Absolutely glorious. One thing I notice about the food at Queen of Sheba is that it's never exactly the same. I don't mean that the cooking is uneven -- far from it! -- but that some days, the kik alicha will be a little more buttery, the injera will be a touch nuttier, the cabbage slightly sweeter. This is, in my estimation, the sign of fresh ingredients and preparation. Their vegetarian and vegan selections are plentiful, and every omnivore I've brought there has praised the yedoro tibbs to the skies. The yemisir azefah, a mustardy salad of lentils, is not to be missed if you enjoy flavour. The tea, both hot and cold, is a symphony of sugar-touched spices and I swear that drinking it helps me fight off any touch of cold or flu! Then there is the owner herself, the true gem of the place! Coming to her restaurant is like being welcomed into someone's home, and her skill in the kitchen is only amplified by her warmth and friendliness. Queen of Sheba is an excellent place for a meal where you can linger, relax, enjoy the company of your dining companions and delight in subtle, expertly prepared food. -
Julia’s 5-star review: Music still rocks, sweet tea is still delicious, mac and cheese is still the side to get, and service is still on the ball. More or less the same as every time I've gone before. So why the extra star now? MORE vegetarian options! Yes. MORE. Unlike most meat-centric restaurants where options are ever-declining, The Pig knows how to treat its non-meat-eating fans. The spouse and I split the tempeh sandwich and the country fried tofu plate and almost ended up in a food coma. Every bite was a 'How can this taste so good?!' moment. The pickles are too sweet for my taste, but their hushpuppies are The. Best. Hushpuppies. that I have ever had in North Carolina. Seriously, NC; this is how you do 'em. The staff may not bow and scrape when you enter but I prefer the casual, friendly manner in which they do engage; I feel comfortable asking the counter staff detailed questions or trading gentle jokes about not eating meat at a barbecue restaurant. It's not that much more expensive than most places are these days, and for what we ordered it was a lot less than a lower-quality, less satisfying meal would cost at the more famous, similarly-named 'The P--'. And top tip: Taps are coming! Draft beers will be yours for the enjoyment, with an emphasis (as always there) on local offerings. For food that leaves off the meat but packs on all the flavour in true Southern style, I'm sticking with The Pig. -
Julia’s 4-star review: Don't come here expecting trend-of-the-hour food despite the hip location, because the Spotted Dog is all about simple foods done right! The menu offers a variety of dishes for omnivores, vegetarians and vegans alike from hearty appetizers and filling salads to generously-portioned sandwiches, pasta dishes, chimichangas and many variations on the theme of burger. The black-eyed pea cakes are sublime, and the vegetarian barbecue sandwich would go from wonderful to divine if only the slaw had more vinegar! The Spotted Dog also offers a refreshing selection of beers as well as other drinks to accompany your meal, and the location allows for some wonderful views of Carrboro. Good menu, good prices, good location, good times! -
Julia’s 4-star review: An absolutely charming little shop in historical downtown Mebane that mixes funky with fun! You'll find a mix of antiques both decorative and functional interspersed with handmade items, kitschy Christmas ornaments (like half a grilled cheese sandwich), jewelry, vintage negligees, and creepy doll heads (decoration only, alas; I wanted those!). The small shop is beautiful, with high windows and a shabby-chic vibe going on; the price points offer something for any budget, and the mix of styles yields something for every taste. The resident cat is as cute as can be, and his servants - I mean, the shop owner and clerk - are as friendly, funny and helpful as anyone might want. It's a bit of a haul from my Raleigh residence, but you can bet that I'll stop in to pet the cat and admire the fresh finds whenever I find myself in the neighbourhood!
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Julia’s 3-star review: Now located off of 70 in Mebane and not off Fifth St. downtown anymore, Fifth Street Books is books as far as the eye can see, all used, all very well priced. Despite the labyrinthine layout, what looks like a reader's wonderland inside a warehouse doesn't actually have the widest selection (no doubt influenced by the selection of books people bring in to trade), with the emphasis on fiction, children's books and religious readings. The majority of cookbooks were diet/fear-of-food types of things, and aside from the plentiful Star Trek tie-ins the science fiction section was smaller than what the spouse and I have on our personal shelves. This is not to say that good books can't be found - to the contrary; I've left empty-handed maybe twice, but you will work to find those books (unless popular fiction, kids' books or religious material are what you're after). It's a bare-bones setup inside the warehouse, with wooden board shelves, concrete floors and a few chairs for sitting should the mood take you; the staff are friendly, but I will admit I was put off by the religious radio station playing last time we were there. I wouldn't deem it a must-hit destination to build a day trip around, but it's definitely worth stopping in for a search if you're in the area! -
Julia’s 4-star review: The spouse and I had supper at Laughing Seed the last time we were in Asheville. It was a cold, drizzly night and the atmosphere inside couldn't have been more welcoming! Our table had a lovely view of the city and while it was crowded, the service was still efficient without being interrupting. I had the rosemary cider seitan with mashed parsnips and truffles that was so good I have no recollection whatsoever of my husband's meal, though I'm sure I tried it as well. The seitan was perfectly cooked and the parsnips -- not usually a favourite of mine -- were silky in texture and a perfect mix of autumnal flavours on the palate. The only downside was dessert; we ordered a slice of vegan peanut butter pie and the crust was made with raw sugar granules that were so large it was like chewing sand. As a baker myself, that little detail make me feel that whoever made it was either lazy or new at the game; a quick blitz in the blender/food processor/VitaMix would have rendered those extra-large crystals into finer particles and given the resulting product a better texture. The filling was delicious, but the crust was absolutely vile. We ate the inside and left the sand-crunch crust behind. Overall, Laughing Seed is a good choice for either casual dining or a romantic evening out and offers something for everyone (with the possible exception of people who are so obsessed with having meat at every meal that they probably crumble bacon on their Corn Flakes in the morning), with a lot of accommodation for very restrictive diets like 'raw foods'. The location is wonderful, the food is prepared in a manner that brings out the flavours of the ingredients instead of swamping them in sauces and too many spices, and the atmosphere is great -- but skip the pie and head down to Chocolate Fetish around the corner for dessert. -
Julia’s 4-star review: Forget overpriced frou-frou cupcakes or other trendy takes on traditional sweets - Winkler Bakery is where it's at! Located in gorgeous Old Salem, they offer an array of breads and classic baked goods like pound cake, apple or cherry strudel, sweet rolls and Moravian specialties like sugar cake and super-thin cookies. You can also buy proper stone-ground grits there, something I find irritatingly difficult to get in the Triangle! The bakery offers demonstrations of old-fashioned baking techniques in addition to the nostalgic deliciousness; stop in for a step back into time and pick up something tasty to enjoy while you stroll Old Salem or kick back in the little park nearby! -
Julia’s 5-star review: Oh, Ward's. . .you convince me to keep visiting Gainesville almost as much as my mother does! The perfect mix of old-school family grocery and new-age hippie food paradise, if you like to cook from scratch Ward's has almost everything you need. This is not the place to load up on heat-n-eat convenience foods, so Hot Pocket fans might want to stick to Publix. If you're looking for a wide selection of bulk goods, vegan ingredients, local eggs and milk (and cheese! and tempeh!), inexpensive fresh produce, excellent beer and wine selections and a classic butcher shop-style meat department, welcome! You've come to the right place. I do believe that anyone complaining about prices here must have never set foot into a Whole Foods or Fresh Market. On our way back home to Raleigh, we loaded up the car with food at a fraction of the prices of similar goods back home -- I even checked the sale prices of things with my phone while I was shopping, and Ward's regular prices beat them all! The discount produce carts offer perfectly good but not perfectly gorgeous produce at ridiculously low prices, and if I hadn't been facing a long drive home in record-high heat, I'd have gladly loaded up on strawberries, eggplant, herbs and other kitchen must-haves and had a whole meal for less than some people spend on their morning coffee. There's also a friendly environment and a commitment to customers that you don't often see in chain stores. Some of the same faces were present behind the registers that were there when we lived in Gainesville almost eight years ago, and customers were still being greeted by name like they were guests in a home instead of customers in a shop. Ward's strives to create a macro market in a micro space, and in my opinion they succeed admirably. -
Julia’s 4-star review: Satchel's is one of the reasons I don't absolutely loathe the occasional return to Gainesville. The salad alone can make a fine meal, but the pizza takes it a step further into the territory of the sublime. I don't mind a wait to get to the joy of sinking my teeth into one of their delicious pies -- if anything, the anticipation makes it even more rewarding. Bring cash, be prepared to enjoy the company of your friends/family if there's a wait, and think of the upcoming tastiness. Sure, nothing is perfect for everyone, but Satchel's is pretty darn close for me! -
Julia’s 5-star review: Fantastic. Not just a great cause being supported here, but great items at *real* thrift store prices! I've noticed that some thrift stores (*cough*Goodwill*cough*) have confused themselves with a cross between an upscale boutique and the county dump and are gladly selling damaged or worn goods at high prices, but not Books, Bikes & Beyond - the things I found were all nice and very fairly priced. So the vintage slip I found needs some small repairs; it was $2, and any of the vintage shops I've worked in would have sold one in that condition at many times the price! The lady at the counter was friendly, helpful and more than glad to talk about what BB&B supports and how the shop is run - books are free all the time, for one thing! - and her warm personality definitely made a great experience even better. I almost don't want to review this place because I want all the thrift goodness for myself, but for the greater good I'm going to bite the bullet and tell you all - if you like thrift stores, this needs to be on your list! -
Julia’s 4-star review: Books. Lots of books. Book new and used. Books you have, and books you want, and books you see that you didn't know you wanted but now you do. A bookshop cat. Lovely views from the upstairs. Could I ask for a wider selection of cooking and history books? Of course, but that's always the case when you already own nearly 5k cookbooks (for real, yo); even Amazon can't satisfy me there. Chop Suey offers all the wonderful little experiences that don't come via downloading something to a Kindle, and they combine those with very fair prices and helpful staff. Books: Go here, and make them part of your life today. -
Julia’s 5-star review: This Southern gal hereby declares this to be the most delicious coconut cream pie ever made that did not originate in her family's kitchen. Seriously. Good. Perfectly creamy pie, just enough coconut, not at all overwhelmingly sweet, and a crust that reminded me of ANZAC biscuits which was a lovely departure from the typical crusts one finds with such pies. If for no other reason, go there and experience this pie! Proper Pie Co's interior is lovely, made bright with large windows and pleasant with charming retro-style decor. Offering pies savory and sweet with a smile, along with traditional Aus/NZ sweets like Lamington (which are lovely; try one), this adorable shop would be a regular destination for me if only I lived closer! It's definitely on our list of Reasons to Move to Richmond - that's just how good they do it. -
Julia’s 5-star review: If what you seek are creative handmade perfumes, with knowledge and passion and beauty in every scent, then congratulations ladies and gentlemen; you need look no further -- you've found the perfect place. Sweet Anthem's perfumes aren't your typical perfume counter offerings; these scents whisper in a come-hither sort of way, wafting up to remind you that the good thing you're smelling is you, instead of knocking out perfect strangers from several feet away. I can't even begin to describe the perfumes, since they each reshape themselves depending on your body chemistry, so you'll have to smell that for yourselves! Just know that they are splendid. Meredith herself puts in the same effort toward customer service as she does in creating her perfumes and it shows -- she is a warm, genuinely joyful person, and working with her is always a pleasure. This holiday season (and the rest of the year!) forget smelling like everyone else in bland celebrity fragrances like Kim Kardashian's 'Quickie Divorce', or dated scents like Dior's 'Classy Retirement Home Floral', and give the gift of lovingly handmade perfumes from Sweet Anthem!
