We welcome the Organic Bread Bar to Paddington with open arms. Not only because we love their organic coffee and delicious bread made fresh in the on-site bakery, but because of the chilled out charm of the owners and the set up that sees the early morning coffee crowd sipping lattes in the live bakery, while the bakers get to it. Organic Bread Bar prides itself on using traditional ingredients that are  baked in 50 year old German machines imported from the owners home town in Stuttgart, Germany. They also have some amazing treats such as scons, pain au chocolat and rustic bacon & egg roles. WHAT: Organic Bread Bar WHERE: 356 South Dowling St, Paddington WHEN: 7am - 4pm, Monday - Sunday

Holly had a blog about flowers. Not content limiting her horticultural addiction to the www's, she has opened a pop-up florist in Manly's Sugarmill Fine Surf Emporium. Coffee, fashion, local art and flowers. Your girlfriend is going to love it. Also, Holly looks toats babe. WHAT: Flower Drum Pop-Up Florist WHEN: Saturdays, weekly WHERE: Sugarmill Fine Surf Emporium, 2/1329 Pittwater Rd, Narrabeen HOW MUCH: Arrangements start at $10

So you've gone to all that trouble securing a lunch date at The Armchair Collective, The Boat House at Palm Beach's non-identical twin located a few beaches south in Mona Vale, only to discover that no, your date won't sit and chat. While you wait for your beef burger with house-made pickles, Swiss cheese and mustard aioli, or your char grilled Balmain bug salad with coriander and lime dressing, they're off fawning over homewares. Mint-green covered armchairs and burnt-orange striped lamp shades to be exact. There are blown-glass vases, beachy cushions and tea sets by the dozen. Vintage bar stools sit by serving platters and beside baskets of blankets and woven rugs, it'll be a wonder if they make it back to your table in time for lunch at all. However we have a hunch that they will, because if they get too swept up in the whirlwind of glossy-magazine standard domesticity, they might miss out on a hearty Ploughman's Lunch of shaved leg ham, stuffed zucchini flowers, heirloom tomatoes, aged cheddar and shaved fennel salad. Or the milkshakes that come thick and syrupy in giant glass milk bottles. You'll both stay seated for a bucket of thick, fluffy, hand-cut chips with harissa mayonnaise, and a glass of wine, because you're out of the city and no one cares a damn. Breakfast shows its face in the form of thick-cut miche toast spread with labne, leg ham, a poached egg and cherry tomatoes that burst at the slightest nudge of a fork. A bowl of fruit salad with figs and berries comes with a side of drippy honeycomb and the coffee is spot on. This is Mona Vale, and there is white sand and a cool sea waiting only a quick dash away. Armchairs and burgers? We could get used to this. The Armchair Collective 9a Darley St East, Mona Vale www.thearmchair.com.au (02) 9999 2871 Open: Mon-Fri 10am - 6pm Sat-Sun 10.30am - 4,30pm Sophie McComas www.twitter.com/sophmccomas

  I must say, this festival was hands down incredible.   From the music, to the festival grounds, to the dread locked hippies and NYE costume parade- Peats Ridge Sustainable Music Festival really was one of the best imaginable ways to end a phenomenal year.   Matt Grant has been organising this festival since 2004 and it still remains the only festival in the world that's run on 100% renewable energy (click here to read our interview with him). It's about time more festivals followed in their footsteps. And more people like us support them: do it, you won't regret it. Promise.   Festival highlights:   *Sleep Makes Waves: This is a really unique band with an awesome mostly non- vocal sound. They absolutely ripped the head off the tent they were playing in and it went from 20% to 80% capacity in about 5 minutes. Impressive. Stay tuned for an upcoming interview with the boys from the band!   *Ball Park Music: This is a six piece indie rock band from Brisbane. Discovering this band over this 3 day bliss out absolutely floored me. These guys make your skin tingle when they play. I also think there's something in their music that heightens the serotonin in your body. Seriously. I went mental when they played.   *NYE Costume Parade: Everyone looked bloody amazing and really got into the spirit of things. There's something about dressing up that makes everyone a thousand times more amped for a pending party. If you plan to go next year, make sure you've packed something suitably outrageous to get you in the mood.   *Gotye: His set was from 11.30pm until midnight, on either side of the new year countdown. On top of the fact that it was always going to ground breakingly awesome (purely because of the time slot) this man can really play. And sing. And rev a crowd up. 'Somebody that I used to Know' played right as the clock struck midnight. The crowd was paralytic. I am in awe of this musician, he gives a good name to what an artist should be. I also very much enjoy that he chose to play at Peats Ridge, particularly to encourage and support all the wonderful things these guys are doing.   I don't know what it was about this festival, maybe its the energy efficient air, or maybe it's the relaxed limbo these events put you into, but this one in particular was overflowing love and kisses. Even the food vendors with 10 minute coffee line waits were all smiles... Now that's telling you something..   Be there next year. Or miss out on the single best way to spend New Years in Australia. [gallery]     Emily Eskell emilyeskell@gmail.com

  I'll bet my little sister that you've never eaten anything that tastes so intensely of hazelnut than the hazelnut torte at Woolloomooloo's new bakery, Flour and Stone. The cake, sold in small whole versions or by the slice, is dense and rich but not too sweet, it's like a Nutella cake on steroids, smothered in chocolate icing and topped with roasted whole hazelnuts, and it's your afternoon tea wet dream. There are fresh flowers up on the bench where you can sit and dunk your soft and chewy chocolate chip cookie in a cup of tea from local producers, Rabbit Hole or a cup of coffee from super-roasters Alchemy. Their gingerbread cookies, which come iced in swoon-worthy shapes like clouds, hot-air balloons, snow-capped mountains, ice cream cones and unicorns are worth staying for too, as is the fine apple tart - caramelised apples sliced paper thin and fanned out on a buttery crust. Sandwiches are available, but sell out quick so don't wait around until 2pm to grab your lunch. Bring us back a slice of that torte, too. Cheers! WHAT Flour and Stone Bakery WHERE 53 Riley St, Woolloomooloo, (02) 8068 8818 www.flourandstone.com.au   Sophie McComas www.twitter.com/sophmccomas    

The first time I saw Amazing Face by Zoe Foster I was in a Bondi bookshop-café. I basically army crawled through the macchiato-sipping, skins-wearing yummy mummies to grab this book before they realised my ploy. I then scrambled to check out every page on pimples and blackheads (business first, people) before my boyfriend finished his coffee. Final verdict (on the book and my stealth mission): Amazing.* If you’re a chick with a penchant for primping (and you have a massive girl-crush on Cosmo dating expert Zoe Foster) you can pick up a copy of the book and meet the author at the Pitt Street Mall Sportsgirl, tomorrow night. Zoe will be sharing her tips on the best beauty trends this summer. During the Q&A, you could even ‘get your colours done’ a la Bridget Jones’ Mum, and ask Zoe to pick out a shade of lippy for you. If everyone asks for that, we’ll soon have a rainbow of pretty-coloured pouts across Sydney. It’ll be a beautiful summer, indeed. Zoe Foster Beauty Workshop WHERE Sportsgirl, Pitt St Mall, Sydney WHEN Thursday, 10th of November, 5pm - 6.30pm. HOW MUCH FREE! * Disclaimer: I will willingly follow the advice of anyone who refers to her readers as ‘Gorgeous Rascals’.Leesa Hamiltontwitter.com/LeesaHamilton

This is a flea market for all of those hoarders out there who've been stashing away a box of treasureful fabrics, buttons and anything a little on the crafty side - it's time to have a Spring clean and share the love.Sewers, vintage collectors, costume makers, project hounds and general creative types will be amassing at Studio 203/267-271 Cleveland Street, Redfern (***Changed from Redfern Town Hall***) on Saturday 12th November to buy and sell fabrics and sewing accessories of all sorts. Fabric-a-brac had huge success in New Zealand and Brisbane and so now, finally, it's Sydney's turn!If you'd like to display the hidden gems of your sewing cupboard you can hire a whole table or share with a pal/friendly crafty stranger for the day and the trestles are being booked up so get in quick. There'll also be music, tea, coffee and a whole lot of tasty treats to keep you going as you peruse the aisles of modern and vintage wares.All proceeds will be going towards the Sacred Heart Hospice and fabric donations are being collected for a stall that will be dedicated to raising funds for the hospice on the day. So really, what better way to give back to the community and spend a lovely lazy Saturday than trawling for the perfect bargain.What: Fabric-a-brac SydneyWhen: Saturday 12th NovemberWhere: Studio 203/267-271 Cleveland Street, RedfernHow Much: Free! But to all those wanting a trestle - $30 for the whole thing and $15 to shareLink: http://fabricabracworld.wordpress.com/ or check out their Facebook: http://on.fb.me/oT9JNULiz de Fegely: liz_defegely@hotmail.com

The 2012 Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide winners were announced last night; here are some highlights.Sepia wins Vittoria Coffee Restaurant of the Year Peter Gilmore of Quay wins Citibank Chef of the Year Bilson’s, est., Marque, Quay and Sepia score 3 chef’s hats Porteno wins Plumm Wine Glasses Best New Restaurant Over 950 restaurants, small bars, cafes, pubs and other venues reviewed and rated around Sydney and NSW (100 of those being new additions this year, including an expanded bar section to accommodate Sydney's fast-growing small bar scene), the guide is a celebration of this region's dynamic food culture. A focus on sustainability, local ingredients and produce has been cited as a shift in the dining scene, and it's one we hope to see remain.Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Guide, on sale TODAY for $29.95 at newsagents and book stores or online HERE. You can also grab the AGFG app at the iTunes store for free.Sophie McComassoph_mccomas@hotmail.com

DER GELBE STERN (THE YELLOW STAR) CABARETLast two nights of Alexis Fishman's provocative caberet performance as Erika Starr, the darling of the Berlin cabaret scene.It's on as part of Berlin Sydney, a tribute to the decadent and explosively creative Berlin of the 1920s that is taking over the city throughout the next few months.The Reginald Theatre's been transformed into an underground bar for the show which promises to be excessive, daring and as risque as the original.WHAT: The Reginald at The Seymour Centre, University of Sydney WHEN: Fri 8pm, Sat 7pm & 9:30pm Bookings: Call 02 9114 1555 or HERE (Tickets start at $23) SLOW BLOW HOT N SEXY PARTY  Low motion party vibes tonight in the GoodGod Danceteria. Secret guests, lasers and unnecessary smoke machines ahoy. With Soft War, Dj Jungle Snake and some ULTRA SPESH GUESTS.  WHAT: Slow Blow Hot N Sexy Party WHERE: GoodGod Small Club, Liverpool St, CBD WHEN: Tonight! (Friday 12th Aug) HOW MUCH: $10 on the door | link DIRT FARMER EP LAUNCH  Melbourne hobo-folk troupe raid the Oxford Arts for their Johnny Marble EP launch. Simmering away nicely on FBI and triple j, catch the gents before they explode and gush all over the joint like a Cadbury Cream Egg in a pressure cooker. But seriously, listen to THIS - nice right? WHAT: Dirt Farmer EP launch WHERE: Oxford Arts Factory WHEN: Saturday 12th August HOW MUCH: Free DIY SKITTLE VODKA You will need 1 x 175ml bottle of vodka, 5 glass bottles, 5 empty water bottles, a large bag of skittles, and coffee filter papers. Divide the skittles into  colours (around 60 of each colour), divide the vodka evenly between the water bottles and add each colour of skittles to each bottle. Close and shake all the bottles for a while, and leave to dissolve overnight. Strain the infused vodka through the coffee filters into separate jugs, then pour the filtered vodka into your clean glass bottles. Voila! Drink the rainbow. WHERE: here

Food and good writing are great procrastination obsessions. Well they seem to occupy my mind most of the day...Luckily, in its shiny new first edition, biannual literary mag Seizure brings both of these to the table. And I assure you, you'll be devouring this smattering of delicious stories and recipes in one long sitting.With an aesthetic reminiscient of a retro cover of Vogue Living, these pages are thankfully free of Donna Hay or any Masterchef cast-off. Instead this impressive line-up of local writers has created a literary degustation feast from entre through to dessert. Amongst recipes from a goldmine of sources (BlackStar Pastry, Stockmarket and Jah Bar to name a few) there is some beautiful and honest writing. From Sam Twyford-Moore's candid vocation of battling with bipolar amidst his quest to bake a kangaroo pie to Andy Kissane's sweet poetry about a loaf of bread.Mark Jensen of Red Lantern fame gives us the educational run down on seasonal produce, while Sunil Badami reveals the secrets of Dan Hong's magical ramen, THE CHRONIC, which Sydneysiders are more than happy to queue for at Gumshara in Chinatown.Anya Poukchanski's intimate struggle through her ritualistic preparations of a roast duck may confront a few, but I am still hoping to master - despite the slightest twinge of carnivorous guilt - Cafe Mint's Apple Cider Duck Tagine which follows on p. 75.Each writer tackles the business of food in all of its forms and uses making us approach the stuff in a somewhat more thoughtful way to that which we are steadily growing accustomed to amongst glossy magazines and celebrity chefs.Playful, colourful, witty and scrumptious this is something that will look pretty on the coffee table but won't stick there for too long - there's far too much to digest.The next edition of Seizure is currently in the works to be released with a Sci Fi bent. SEIZURE: A Journal for New Writing (Issue 1: Food)Available at all good bookstores (see here) and online @ www.seizureonline.com/Liz de Fegelyliz_defegely@hotmail.com

Grammy Award winning, American musician/songwriter/producer, Danger Mouse, will be releasing Rome on May 17. In collaboration with composer Daniele Luppi, the new album features guest vocals of Jack White (of Raconteurs/White Stripes/Dead Weather) and Norah Jones.The whole album is pretty special with stand out tracks like current singles 'Two Against One', 'Black' along with 'The Gambling Priest' and 'Season's Trees'. Sydneysiders will have the opportunity to hear these tunes in a public space this weekend at a temporary coffee shop propped up in a Surry Hills laneway. This is restricted to the first 50 people that check-in using Facebook Places of Foursquare. Further deets below.However, if you're unable to make it or simply miss out on being one of the 50, you can check out the album in its entirity below. Don't thank us, thank NPR. The first 50 people to check in via Facebook Places or Foursquare on Friday May 13, Saturday May 14 and Sunday May 15 between 9am - 11am at The Winery Laneway (at 285A Crown Street, Surry Hills) will receive a free cup of Republica coffee to enjoy whilst listening to the Rome album streaming in full.DAN

The Erskineville Tiny Stadiums Festival ain't your average high-brow art exhibition. Run for two weeks from the 2nd until the 15th of May, emerging artists from all over Australia will invade the streets, parks, pubs and shops of this little inner-west suburb with their talent, messing around with the relationship between art and the public space using video, performance, music and live art.During the festival, grab a coffee and wander around the streets counting how many artworks you can stumble upon without even trying, they are everywhere. The 'Gigloo' a giant, handmade inflatable igloo is one of the main attractions of the Live Art Weekend (14th -15th May), not to mention a short film celebrating Sydney's most controversial bird, the dirty, dirty Ibis. A cool-sounding 'zine cart' will also be in attendance, a mobile cart assisting writers and artists experiment with text and images in print format. Talk directly to the artists at 'The Experts Project' in the Erskineville town hall and learn exactly what makes them tick. The best thing about the festival is that it's free, free as an Ibis. Tiny Stadiums Festival2-15 May, Erskineville VillageA full program of events can found HEREBy Sophie McComas