Ruby & Sol – curious collectibles

Ruby & Sol has closed down  – however Sherry is starting up again online at ShopVintage.co.nz with beautiful handmade homewares.

62 Williamson Avenue, Grey Lynn, Auckland Tel. 09-378 0357 Open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday

If you were one of the many who discovered Sherry Roberts’ shop Ruby & Sol in Richmond Rd in February this year, you will be thrilled to know that she is back, this time in the front of a lovely villa in Williamson Ave.

People were so enthusiastic about her first foray into the retro retail market, Sherry decided to keep on collecting and has filled two rooms with wonderful bits and pieces.

“Having a shop with such a loose genre allows me the freedom to collect, play and display and sell anything that appeals to me. I’m not stuck in any particular era although I don’t think anything in here has ever worn a bar code. The recycling aspect of this business appeals to me too.”

You will find furniture, lamps, crockery, glassware, clocks, paintings, photography, mirrors, beautiful little girls dresses, toys, linen, jewelry, handbags, shoes, silk sarongs and scarves.

Just because it was practical and useful didn’t mean it wasn’t beautiful.” Case in point: check out Sherry’s amazing collection of retro kitchenware and aprons.

Sherry is also happy to hunt down that special item that you know is out there somewhere and you just don’t have the time to search for it.

This is most definitely one of the loveliest shops we have ever found, anywhere. And it is refreshingly reasonably priced too. Another excellent reason to visit – you will actually be able to afford something.

The problem you will be faced with of course is narrowing your choice of item down to the very one you like the most. Happy shopping!

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Brown Sugar Kitchen update

267 Ponsonby Rd, Ponsonby, Auckland
Tel. 09-360 0593

They’ve changed their name. Not quite sure why. But now they’re called Sugar Brown’s Bakehouse. Hmm. Well, whatever they’re called, we have discovered a little secret. Go at five to five on a Saturday (and possibly other days too) and cakes are all two for one.

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La Cigale french market

69 St Georges Bay Rd, Parnell, Auckland. Tel. 09-366 9361 www.lacigale.co.nz
Saturdays from 8am. Wednesday mini-market 12 – 6:30pm

Our first reaction when we got here was why have we not been coming here forever? The market was bursting with deliciousness. First stop was coffee and then a wander around. Strawberries were $5 for a huge punnet. Too many to eat all in one go so they’re now in the freezer.

The fresh produce down the back was far too exciting to photograph at the time. Bunches of fresh herbs, fresh garlic… fresh everything! Red currants, organic avocados for 70c (!), okra, artichokes, marrows, beautiful lettuce, sweet red peppers – oh I could go on. It felt like being in the market at Aix. Oh how we miss Aix in summertime.

Inside there was more. An absolute fount of cheeses (sorry if that’s not english) – but there were a lot. All at room temperature. All waiting to be tasted. Oh my.

Just before we left we grabbed a packet of Lebanese bread for $2. I think it was the same guys who do Takapuna market. Anyway – this is THE best lebanese bread we’ve had in a very long time. We had it filled with salad for our lunch that afternoon. It was absolutely perfect.

The organic box has been cancelled. La Cigale is our new weekly Saturday morning ritual. And this time we’re getting two packets of the Lebanese bread. Just the thought of what brilliant pizza bases they’ll make is enough to get us very excited indeed.

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