Ocean Swims & Crystal Mules: Life's Waves & Ways

East coast living, finding your way, and making something special from what's left behind - from salty ocean swims to Bubble and Squeak.

Cheap Eats make Bubble & Squeak

Cook smart, eat twice: we’ve mastered the art of delicious leftovers.

James, back from wine tasting, zero sips, maximum sensory overload. Colour, legs, nose dives – Chef Husband's a pro at judging a drop without the actual drop. Claimed you can 'taste' with your eyes and nose. Fine by me.

He used those same senses to knock up a late night Bubble & Squeak from yesterday's Bangers and Mash leftovers. Proof? Clean plates and a happy Doza under the table. Guess you don't need a palate to know good stuff when you see (and smell) it.

If you missed last week’s Bangers & Mash recipe that made this Bubble & Squeak possible, click here

Crying In My Swimming Goggles

"Jack left for WA. It's hard. My dad always said, 'salt water and a bottle of rum, that'll fix you.” So, as usual, I went for an ocean swim and found a thousand paddlers holding hands.

SO Jack packed one bag, got on a plane and flew to Western Australia. One-way ticket, big dreams, bigger void.

I cried in my goggles but I kept swimming.

Rounding the island, back to The Point, and I knew I couldn't face the beach, not yet. Dramatic! I know.

I found Kevin, I knew he'd be up for a longer swim so together we swam laps around the Worlds Biggest Paddle Out, a sea of souls coming together on boards off South Cronulla Beach.

Blakey Johnston, local legend leading the charge, breaking records and raising funds for youth mental health. Over a thousand paddlers, pure, unadulterated good vibes. Breathing to my left as we swam anti-clockwise, I saw mates together, kids and families all holding hands coming together for a good cause.

I tried to soak up the good vibes and shake off the sadness but it didn’t cut the mustard.

Tears and laps with Kevin, around the Worlds Biggest Paddle Out. Image: St George & Sutherland Shire Leader.

Bobbie’s For Happy Hour

Double Bay life is pretty nice!

Three of us hit Bobbie's for Friday afternoon drinks. Neil Perry's NY-style cocktail bar, think underground speakeasy vibes: pinks, corals, forest green, powder blue – a feast for the eyes shifting from sunlight to mood lighting.

We kicked off with complimentary Adonis (we’re celebrating a Birthday) and Golden Hour nibbles: Italian olives - plump and delicious with salted cashews. My Sbagliato Romano? Refreshing - Campari, Aperol, davo plum, dry vermouth, blood orange syrup, Prosecco, I ate the orange wedge.

Next visit I’ll order a Tuxedo No. 3 Martini and I’ll settle in and stay for DJ set. Who’s with me?

Oh, and Baker Bleu sandwiches and Bay Street finds – Hannah Artwear for those beautiful hand-block printed designs.

Yes, Double Bay life is still pretty nice!

My Anderson Mules and the Power of Time

My JW Anderson crystal mules live by my bed, basically slippers. They're my most-worn shoes, ever.

J W Anderson mules at Titanique the Musical

And speaking of Anderson – he just dropped a bomb on the fashion world. After 11 years as creative director at Loewe he's moving on. Back in 2015, he told Pop Magazine, “I have huge faith in people... that they will buy something that is interesting. I'm not here to serve up what people want.” And he meant it – think car dress F/W22 and the Puzzle bag I covet.

Susie Lau, (@susiebubble) the OG British blogger/journo who writes about fash-un hit the nail on the head: good things take time. Anderson didn't rush; he took 11 years to build something that mattered. In our instant-everything world, that's a refreshing thought.

While this is my 10th Substack, I know that good things take time, and I'd love for you to share what you like about these editions and what you would like to hear more of.

Go on, please send me a message, I’d be chuffed.

Lisa

PS I wish we still used coins, like money coins, I always felt rich having coins in my pockets.