Dining Out: A. Baker, New Acton precinct, Canberra

A. Baker has received a lot of negative press since opening in the New Acton dining precinct in late 2013, and I must confess that my first experience dining there was not ideal. From reading every available review I could find, the majority of people weighing in seemed to feel like the food was impressive, but that the service was severely lacking. I have to concede that this mirrors my own first dining experience with A. Baker in late 2013.

However on Monday last week my friend was visiting from Sydney and had not yet tried A. Baker; so I found myself returning and giving Canberra's latest problem child of dining a second chance.

And I am so pleased that I did.

Daily Outfit: Never Pay Retail

It amazes me sometimes just how little I actually buy first hand or full-price. I never pay retail. Well, at least not often.

Daily Outfit: Life with a restricted wardrobe

About 12 months ago now I decided to place some serious restrictions on my personal wardrobe and style. This was a decision that I made for multiple reasons, from the fact that I spend five days a week in an office environment through to the fact that I’ve always admired the restraint of Bloggers like Alicia, Lucinda and Nadia; but have never had the wherewithal to commit to just one colour.

The restriction that has affected me the most by far is culling all but three colours from my wardrobe.

Daily Outfit: vintage Hardy Amies tie

This Hardy Amies tie was one of the very first accessories that I ever purchased second-hand. I bought it back in High School, during my senior years, when my pique at living in a small country town surrounded by homophobic rednecks had started to channel itself into dressing, well, in hindsight, rather like some sort of alternative news reader. It was not a good look, all mismatched slacks and shirts with polyester ties; but though I didn't know it at the time, this necktie was a sound investment.

Daily Outfit: Navy and orange feature

I'm featuring this navy and orange necktie that I bought vintage from Etsy, as I literally built today's ensemble around the desire to wear the tie. I love the colours orange and navy together, and with white, they comprise the trio of colours I am limiting my wardrobe to. My holy trinity, if you will.

Daily Outfit: Work to dinner outfit change

I had to make a quick outfit change between work and dinner tonight, which got me thinking about just how versatile my wardrobe is or isn’t.

For example, the burnt-orange chinos I wore today. Statistically speaking, I think you would find that most people view chinos as a fairly casual garment. As I have mentioned before I have a sort of mullet aesthetic to dressing myself: business up top (shirt and tie) party below (jeans, chinos or shorts).

Dining Out: Penny University, Kingston, Canberra

There have been a raft of new restaurants opening up across Canberra in the past twelve-months; and living as I do now in the wilds of Belconnen, I wasn't even aware that half of them existed.

This was the case with Penny University. I discovered it through reviews on Tara and Rachi's Blogs, and then fatefully a dear friend visited this weekend and the opportunity to check it out presented. I did not, however, foresee that I would be at Penny University twice in under 24-hours!