Did I fly interstate for content? Technically yes.
A quick fling with Melbourne: She came, she spritzed, she gyoza’d.
Last week I went on a *very* quick trip to Melbourne for work. So quick I blinked and missed it. So quick I didn’t even get to attempt the list of bakeries I was hoping to. Justice for the long lost carbs.
The trip started much, much earlier as I got to the airport 2 hours before my flight - in fact 5 minutes too early to even manually check in. Some may call me crazy, I like to consider myself strategic, highly intelligent and humble (a triple threat). I’d prefer to be far too early, than even a little stressed on the way. Are you the same or do you like to live life on the edge?
Checked in to the Standard X in Fitzroy. On previous trips I’ve only stayed in the CBD so I really loved this location. The lobby was filled with people co-working in the attached cafe and I don’t blame them, it was giving the vibe a chic co-working membership for the price of a coffee and a croissant. It looked like it belonged in a magazine editorial about creative types who do meaningful things before their incredibly chic, morning black coffee. oh and they probably live in NYC or Copenhagen.
Time to freshen up, featuring a quick spritz of Ficifolia’s Rose Street. When I think of Melbourne, Ficifolia is always the first to come to mind. I’ve been such a fan of theirs for the longest time and have recently been able to create IG content for them (pinch me). They are a female founded, Australian fragrance brand, with delicious scents inspired by Melbourne, and more recently Sydney.
Then, it was time to pack my bag and head out!
Content shoot location: Annotate Lab
Vibe: casually cool. Assistant: adorable. 10/10 would recommend
SUCH a lovely space to create. If I lived in Melbourne, it would be a go-to. But if I had the $$$ I would open a similar space in Sydney. I feel like there is such an opportunity for more good studio spaces, that aren’t just a white wall and replica toga sofa. Then in the evenings it could be a space for creatives to have a wine and yap (networking in a not so networking way). Maybe it’s an sign I need to make more creative friends in Sydney or maybe it’s just the underlying jealousy that everything is actually way cooler in Melbourne.
Apart from one delicious vietnamese bakery that I revisited twice, with dare I say one of the best bánh mì I have ever had, Chotto Motto was the only other food spot on the trip. Delicious! You can never really go wrong with gyoza and edamame, but charred corn with a thai basil aioli? A religious experience. Does it count as a solo date if you are traveling solo and have to eat? But writing notes for an upcoming substack with my headphones in (Addison Rare would be proud), definitely gave me main character energy. Whether the main character ever actually finishes writing the newsletter remains unclear.
Wrapping up the night working from bed, but not just any bed… a plush, perfectly tucked hotel bed. Peak luxury for someone whose calendar’s been very chaotic lately, both personally and professionally (hard launches coming soon!) Is this the secret to productivity? Or just an excuse to avoid real chairs and good posture?
Until next time xx