Across the Border: Potts Point: Retailers: My Little Monkey

I don't have any children, but a few of my friends do and two of them both gave birth in the past month. I was very pleased they had little girls (Finn and Emerald), because it meant I could go shopping for miniature dresses. 

I normally would go to Plum Interiors, on Macleay Street, Potts Point, because they have a really cute range of little frocks with matching hats and handbags.

But about two months ago, a new baby and children's wear shop opened up on Orwell Street, just up the road, and I always like to support new businesses.

My Little Monkey has clothing and toys for babies and children, aged from about zero to five. The labels are mostly from France and the US and they are quite stylish. There are also wooden counting blocks, felt mushrooms, wraps and bibs, and of course, knitted monkeys with long arms and legs.

I absolutely adore this purple SILK swimsuit (above left), but I was worried summer would be over before Emerald or Finn could fit into it. Instead I purchased a couple of romper suits made from 100 per cent cotton, which the woman behind the counter happily gift wrapped for free.

If you have children, there is a play section in one corner where you can leave them while you look around:

But my favourite thing in the shop was a fabulous three-storey dolls' house with swimming pool and rooftop entertaining area:

It costs about $300 for the house alone and then you need to buy all the furnishings and residents, which adds up to about $1,000 for the lot.

The house is made by a Swedish company called Lundby and the attention to detail is incredible.

It's very different to the basic wooden dolls' house I had as a child, which looked a bit like this:

It never really fired my imagination or held my interest for very long.

But even as an adult, this Lundby house makes me want to start playing with dolls again, which is kinda weird. Perhaps the only solution is to buy it for Finn or Emerald and then just go and visit them lots. If you want to see the dolls' house it's in the front window of My Little Monkey. 

You might be pleased to notice that the woman of the house, the mother I guess, is relaxing on a sun lounge by the swimming pool, while the father is up on the rooftop barbecuing some sausages for their Australia Day party.

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My Little Monkey

3/115 Macleay Street (enter via Orwell Street)

Potts Point NSW 2011

02 8964 6191

facebook.com/mylittlemonkeypottspoint

Darlinghurst Blog: Animal Life: Minky the Street Cat

Feeling restless one recent steamy Darlinghurst night, I decided to go on an evening slink around the neighbourhood; to wander the backstreets, tire myself out with the Burton Street hill and hopefully come across something interesting. It didn't take long.

Pasted up on a telegraph pole on Farrell Avenue was a letter to the 'residents and carers of our dear street cat'. 

Minky the street cat - a fine looking feline - is apparently Farrell Avenue's own version of Ralf, (except that Royston Street's Ralf does have an 'owner' and his own Facebook account).

So I was saddened to read about Minky the Street Cat's recent brush with an unleashed, aggressive dog.

The letter read:

"Minky was badly mauled by a nasty Staffordshire bull terrier (which was NOT on a leash) last Saturday (5/1/13) in the park where she sleeps.

"She would have died but for our quick attention to her plight.

"Our wonderful Rose Bay vet saved her life that night. To date she has not incurred any infection. Her 'will to live' was undiminished despite some horrible injuries. She has had two surgical procedures to get her back on her wobbly feet.

"I know many of you have been worried about her welfare for a long time and I hope it will be better safeguarded in future. 

"With the more recent proliferation of dogs in the vicinity (especially of unleashed aggressive dogs) she needs to be protected henceforth.

"If you want any further information about her, please feel free to give me a call on 0417 294 014, Darryl."

Awwww, poor little Minky! 

But good on Darryl for taking her to the vet and ensuring she was OK. 

I wonder now what they will do to introduce her back to the little park on Farrell Avenue. 

I might take her a little care package, with an assortment of Ralf's favourite Dines, and leave it at the foot of the telegraph pole.

Long live Minky!

Darlinghurst Blog: Lost and Found: Lost Tot

"LOST. Have you seen my cat, Tot? He was last seen in front of my home in Berwick Lane, Darlinghurst, 11am, Sunday the 23rd of December 2012. 

"He is grey all over with a white chest and socks. Needs medication as he is 19-years-old. 

"Wasn't wearing collar as he is an indoor cat.

"REWARD if returned. Please call if you have seen Tot. 

"Dearly missed and fretted after. Owner heartbroken. Call 0405 178 509."

Oh, poor Tot. And poor Tot's owner. I feel so sorry for them. I would be devastated if Ralf ever disappeared. Please keep an eye out for Tot!

Across the Border: Kings Cross: Retailers: Exciting New Shop

The Kings Cross Centre promised an 'exciting new shop' would be opening soon in the old GNC Live Well site. The sign was up for weeks and I had my fingers crossed there would be a new frock shop in the hood, or just anything that deserved the title 'exciting'.

But as it turns out, it was a false promise and a couple of weeks ago, the area had another one of these shops:

Another crap, over-priced convenience store. Seriously. That is not exciting. I'm so annoyed by the centre's big lie, but I suspect this Quick & Easy will be as unpopular as the one that moved into the old Kookaburra Kiosk site on Burton Street. It recently closed down.

Happy New Year!