autumn : in surry hills

photos by luisa brimble
Surry Hills is south-east of the CBD, an inner-city suburb with a fabulous personality. It’s the perfect place to wander; passed dilapidated terraces, bustling cafes and beer-stained pubs.
Tucked behind the main streets are quiet alleys decorated with pot plants and green. Perhaps the most famous is McElhone Place, commonly referred to as “Cat Alley”. Lined with terraces, awnings with scalloped edging, pretty little windows, this alley attracts the local community of cats who weave in and out of pink bougainvillea. Fairy lights hang from above and between the aged steps and doorways are park benches, ever-green succulents and an abundance of herbs, ready-to-pick. As you walk further in you hear classical from the left and jazz from the right, cigarette smoke blends with just-brewed coffee and a local closes his front door, nodding as he leaves.
It’s the stuff of stories, this jigsaw piece of the city – a life-size terrarium.
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Luisa and I started our day at Bourke St, Bakery – the iconic boulangerie. After coffee and pear pastries we walked Crowne and Bourke St, stopping in front of ivy walls and stable doors for photos.
If you walk further up Bourke St, towards Redfern, I recommend stopping at St. Jude for lunch. Otherwise you could walk back to Devonshire St and into the rather quaint The Book Kitchen. That’s where we met up with Gaby and her blossoming belly to talk baby names, pre-natal yoga and our latest read, The Way of the Happy Woman. If you can get past the hippy title you’ll find gentle and beautiful wisdom in this book. Written as a seasonal guide, author Sara Avant Stover offers simple yet profound tips for a wholesome, healthy and happy lifestyle.
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I’m wearing indus oversized cardigan c/o Lilya, top by kissincussin (a few seasons ago), pants by Secret South from StyleMilk, alera ballerina shoes c/o Lilya, mala beads* from the ashram, ingenue bag c/o Elf, anywhere sunglasses by Karen Walker (found for a steal on ebay!).
*mala beads are meditation garlands used by Buddhists, Hindus and yogis. They are often used for chanting or meditation but can also be worn as gentle reminders – of a good intention or sankalpa (positive affirmation). Malas always feature 108 beads – a spiritually significant number. When I wear mine I’m more aware of my breath – a simple blessing. 
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Showing 36 comments
  • summerplayshouse.com
    Reply

    Autumn there reminds me of spring here in California! I see those same flowers on my daily walks- the Bouganvilla, the plumeria and geranium!
    Beautiful pictures and looks like it was a beautiful day! I like the idea of the mala beads. I think I will look into them. Best Wishes for a lovely week!

  • Preeti Dubey
    Reply

    Beautiful pictures Jodi. lovely colors and contrasts. loved your printed top and bag. Do you always wear the mala ? I have seen people wearing mala generally while praying.

    • Jodi
      Reply

      yes, it is used when praying or chanting but it can also be worn as a piece of jewellery…x

  • hennablossom
    Reply

    Loving all of the colors. I'm intrigued by mala beads. I'm going to have to dig more into that as soon and I send off this comment. I think I could use a "gentle reminder" of my good intentions right now. So interesting how something physical can affect our awareness and simple experience of being.

  • Pink Ronnie
    Reply

    Beautiful photos, Jodi & Luisa. Your season features are such a joy to read.
    Ronnie xo

  • Belinda
    Reply

    Love recommendations to explore.
    Look at beautiful Gaby and beautiful you. Hearts. X

  • Belinda
    Reply

    Eek, pressed send before I finished. I have been wearing mala beads for the last year. Every time I look at them, I feel centered and I am reminded of the present moment. X

  • olgadossa.com
    Reply

    So happy to see that you are reading one of my all time favourite books. I have had her book for over a year now and I still refer to it all the time!

  • Vanessa
    Reply

    So much to inspire… Can't stop staring at that pretty window against the blank canvas and thanks for the book tip. x

  • poppy and posie
    Reply

    You look like a pretty French woman walking around in France!! Amazing photos 🙂

  • Milina
    Reply

    Beautiful photos. I absolutely love your style.

  • Ellen Arthur
    Reply

    Oh looks like so much fun!! Xx

  • bumblebeesandgardenpeas
    Reply

    Such beautiful photos. What a magical place. Love your cardi!

  • Viksterbean
    Reply

    Love this! Autumn in the Surrey Hills (UK) would look and feel decidedly colder. x

  • CP and KW
    Reply

    beautiful photos. adore that blouse and the flats.
    kw ladies in navy

  • Kelly Rae
    Reply

    You are so incredibly beautiful. Also adore your bag from Elf

  • Renee
    Reply

    I am looking forward to reading this book. I read the forward and intro on Amazon and see that it reflects many ideas that I am already interested in.

  • Lil Muse Lily
    Reply

    oh what a beautiful post filled with most of my favorite colors. looks like a lovely day

  • Karina
    Reply

    Beautiful photos. I need to get someone to follow me around taking photos, seriously. I rarely step in front of the camera, but am reminded ever so often that when your children get older what they really want to see is pictures of their parents. You have some beautiful ones. xx

  • Jade Waterfield
    Reply

    What lovely pictures! I wish the weather outside my door was as nice as this.

    -Jade
    gracious-silhouettes.blogspot.co.uk

  • Bella Mills
    Reply

    Ahh the Book Kitchen. My husband used to be one of their head chefs. I remember driving him to work on winter mornings at 5am. it was still very dark but peaceful for the city. On our days off, we'd ride our vintage bicycles into the city from our Redfern apartment and enjoy coffee and portuguese tarts from Bourke Street Bakery before exploring the shady streets of Surry Hills.
    Thank you for the trip down memory lane Jodi.
    Bella @ Sea and Salt xx

  • Ariad
    Reply

    Beautiful pics!

  • Smykolandia
    Reply

    flat heeled shoes more comfortable… For me too. Beatiful pics. Winter is still with us.

  • Maxabella
    Reply

    Oh you beautiful thing. Does it suck hugely being so stylish and glam? I loved every second of this post. x

  • Kate
    Reply

    I remember "The Way of the Happy Woman" sparked so many ideas for me, I wrote about it once too on the blog I believe. Such a great read. Wishing I could grab brunch and talk baby with all of you lovely ladies! Luisa's photos are pure magic, and you look oh so chic. Love! x

  • ellerampling
    Reply

    Autumn, my favourite time of year. This post excites me for whats to come…

  • Sarah Humphreys
    Reply

    So pretty! Ordered it. I trust your taste in books. x

  • Polly (nice kind of blue)
    Reply

    Love the colours in these, so rich and vibrant. Such a pretty lady in a pretty place.

  • one claire day
    Reply

    Gorgeous! Love a bloggy meet-up.

    I managed to sneak into Bourke St for a ginger brulee tart while I was in Sydney – an all time fave! x

    • Jodi
      Reply

      the ginger brulee tart changed my tastebuds – forever! x

  • Steph @ this brown wren
    Reply

    Couldn't you just buy everything ever made by Elf?! Such a vibrant, delicious post. Beautiful places, beautiful fashion, beautiful book (LOVE this one), beautiful lady…beautiful everything ) xx

  • Nell
    Reply

    You look so beautiful here Jodi. So happy. And I love your outfit. Seriously stylish Mama x

  • look see (naomi)
    Reply

    Beautiful! xx

  • jay
    Reply

    Oh my old 'pre kids' stomping ground, so beautiful to see you there stirring up old memories. I salivated thinking about Bourke Street Bakery and smiled at the fairytale imaginings I would have in Cat Alley, looks like you had a wonderful day. xx

  • - eco bird by danii -
    Reply

    Everything in this post is so beautiful, the photography, flowers, colours, prints, textures. Love it! x
    http://ecobirdstyle.blogspot.com.au/

  • Gaby
    Reply

    Such a yummy lunch, yummy company too. See you soon! x

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