Gentlefolk | The Weekend Edition | What's on in Brisbane

Lounge in luxury with silk sleepwear from Maison Essentiele

20 Feb 2020

When it comes to sleeping attire, comfort is king. Sure, pretty has its place but generally, if there's a choice – it's the old faithful band tee you inherited from an ex with holes under the arms that trumps pretty every time. What if we told you there was a way you could have both? Maison Essentiele has created a collection of luxurious sustainable sleepwear that will have you looking but more importantly feeling fabulous while you snooze. more

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Primp your pooch with custom bridal dog wear from Sebastian Says

20 Feb 2020

If your big day is on the horizon but you just can't fathom not having your best mate and pupper pal by your side when you say "I do", we have some paw-some news – Melbourne-based dog outfitters Sebastian Says has dropped a ridiculously cute collection of custom bridal threads for your four-legged friend. Yes, really. more

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Dream-day dreaming – find your ideal wedding venue at Brisbane Powerhouse

13 Feb 2020

Planning your dream wedding takes a lot of work – and finding the right venue is one of the most difficult aspects. When it comes to choosing an ideal wedding venue in our great city, quite a few factors can dictate when and where you wed. Location, style and guest capacity are key deciding factors (aside from a small detail we call budget, of course), but you also don't want to choose a stock-standard venue. That's where Brisbane Powerhouse comes in. Combining traditional with contemporary, the iconic repurposed tram power station isn't just a place to hang riverside while enjoying weekend entertainment – it also offers a variety of unique and inspiring spaces for couples to tie the knot. more

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Wear your heart on your sleeve with a Helping Hands bracelet to support Australian bushfire aid efforts

13 Feb 2020

The fires that raged throughout much of December and January were beyond devastating but even now as the embers begin to die down, the true impact on the land, animals and people is just beginning to be felt. The James Street Initiative is joining forces with Brisbane artisans Blue & Grae to release a limited-edition run of unisex leather bracelets to provide a little helping hand to those people and animals impacted by the Australian bushfire crisis. 100-percent of the proceeds will be donated to charities assisting communities and wildlife in recovery efforts. more

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Stronger together – local makers converge at Fortitude Valley’s Forge Forward

10 Feb 2020

There's a movement brewing in the heart of The Valley, one that is championing local endeavour and uniting makers under a banner of mutual support and empowerment. This wellspring of energy can be found on Ann Street, where more and more shop spaces are becoming occupied by co-working studios, multidisciplinary hubs and boutique retail. Forge Forward is the newest name in the game – a forward-thinking incubator of upcoming, emerging and established retail and art that is all about growth, guidance and creativity. more

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Brisbane’s best head-scratching, brain-busting Escape Room experiences

06 Feb 2020

If you want to figure out which one of your friends would be best to have around in a crisis situation, Escape Rooms are the business. Whilst the thought of being locked in a confined space and trying to figure a way out in a limited amount of time may incite panic in some, we can assure you that the whole experience is actually a heap of fun. By gathering clues, solving puzzles and cracking codes, you and a team of fellow sleuths must work together to break free from your confinement. Many Escape Rooms in Brisbane have a range of games for groups of two to six to twelve players – enough to include your whole friendship circle. So, ready to test your wits? Use this list of Brisbane-based escape rooms to help inform your choice. more

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Embark on an adventure with an Empty Esky to support fire-affected businesses

06 Feb 2020

The fires that ravaged our beautiful country at the start of this year were beyond devastating but for some, the hurt is just beginning. Many of the towns and businesses affected rely on tourism during the peak times to get them through the quieter times of year so they need your help now more than ever. Empty Esky is a national movement of foodies and adventures on a mission to support small businesses affected by the Australian fires. more

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Get revved up at Cannon Hill’s virtual raceway VR Motorsports

30 Jan 2020

It's one thing to tune in to the Formula 1 or the live coverage at Bathurst and imagine yourself with hands on the steering wheel, taking corners at high speeds – it's another to actually do it. Let's face it – you're not Vin Diesel and you don't own a ten-second car, but VR Motorsports in Cannon Hill gives you the chance to indulge your need for speed. From go-karts to V8s, these virtual-reality machines will give you a realistic racing experience without the risk of a 20-car pile-up. more

The Locals Next week: A BRISBANE LOCAL

I've been brought up with the ideology of finding a way to function, even if you have to hack out some new path ... ~ Vivien Goldman more

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Sustainable staples – Byron Bay’s The Bare Road drops its latest collection of wardrobe essentials

30 Jan 2020

Known for its sustainably made basics and functional staples, Byron Bay fashion label The Bare Road has teased a versatile and comfortable new series of wardrobe essentials that will have you yearning for autumn's cool change. more

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Hummm your way to glowing skin with a new two-step routine

30 Jan 2020

Do you remember when a cleanser, toner and moisturiser constituted a skincare routine? These days, we're conditioned to believe we need a complex 26-step regime of lotions and potions to treat every possible skin condition from pores to premature ageing. If you're feeling overwhelmed or are suffering from product fatigue, there's a new Australian skincare label that is pioneering a nifty two-step routine that is right up your alley. more

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Stow your stuff in a stylish (and sustainable) bag from Simétrie

23 Jan 2020

It was a case of once you know, you know for Melbourne's Simone Agius. Working in the industry, Simone became increasingly dissatisfied with fast fashion and the devastating impact our fashion choices were having on makers as well as the environment and set out to source an alternative. She sought to strike more of a balance between aesthetics and ethics and so began the Simétrie story. If you appreciate minimalist design, sustainable materials and honest production, read on. more

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Practice Studio showcases the best of considered fashion and sustainable making

16 Jan 2020

Australian consumers are making the shift to slow fashion in greater numbers, opting for handcrafted and sustainably crafted garments instead of mass-manufactured pieces from large conglomerates. The tricky aspect of slow fashion is discovering these artisan makers, many of whom are independent or small-scale operators. Fortitude Valley's Practice Studio is a unique resource for both designer and buyer – one part store and one part workroom, it aims to bridge the gap between emerging makers and those seeking consciously made clothing. more

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Seven energy-saving tips to help your power bill (and the planet) this summer

16 Jan 2020

Nothing says summer like a huge power bill. In an attempt to beat the heat we often find ourselves pumping the air conditioning and spending more time indoors on our electrical devices. Wish you could stop your costs rising like the mercury on your thermostat? Us too, but it can be tough to know where to start. To help you keep your cool (physically and financially) we’ve done our research and put together seven tips for conserving energy on hot days. Plus as an added bonus, your reduced energy consumption will also benefit the environment. more

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The most effective ways you can support bushfire relief efforts

16 Jan 2020

Our country is on fire. Every day our feeds are flooded with the news of conditions worsening and fires spreading and sadly, at this stage, there is no end in sight. Lives have tragically been lost. Homes have been lost. Acres upon acres of land has been destroyed. Millions of wildlife have perished. We are in a state of emergency. Australia's incredible firefighters and volunteers are working around the clock to help manage this crisis and – especially for those of us not directly affected – it's easy to feel helpless when you're not on the front line. One thing that is very apparent is that the affected communities and fire services need our support – but where should you start? There are a number of incredible charities and organisations that are focusing their resources on bushfire relief, assisting firefighters, refugees and wildlife by means of shelter, financial… more

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Five simple ways to transform your bathroom into your happy place

14 Jan 2020

Controversial opinion – the bathroom is the most important room in the house. It’s the place where we get ready for some of life’s biggest moments … and when haven’t our showers been there for us after a long, hard day? Unfortunately we don’t always treat our bathrooms with the TLC they deserve and renovations take up a lot of time and money. Our friends at Spotlight get this. While you might think of it as your crafternoon destination, it’s also the perfect spot to find everything you need for a mini bathroom makeover. Here's five tips to get you started. more

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Happy campers – tips for a trip everyone will enjoy

13 Jan 2020

Camping holidays with your nearest and dearest make for some of the most fun times that can be had outdoors. Ideally, camping trips would be all kumbayas and not much else, but we’re not all built to rough it in the great outdoors. Luckily, Anaconda has the tools you need to take your mini-break to the next level so nothing gets in the way of your happy holiday. Here, we’ve hand-picked five items to add to your pre-camping shopping list. more

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Shop for a good cause – a list of labels that are donating to the Bushfire Disaster Appeal

09 Jan 2020

The ongoing catastrophic Australian bushfires have left us all feeling helpless, but the overwhelming number of generous individuals and businesses stepping up to support the victims and our firefighters – whether it be by donating funds, spreading awareness, volunteer efforts or fundraising – is nothing short of an amazing feat. Through tough times such as these, our Aussie spirit of kindness and generosity never ceases to prevail. Here is a list of homegrown brands and labels that are donating part (or all) of their sales profits to the Bushfire Disaster Appeal and related charities. more

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Are you going my way? DiDi launches innovative carpooling service in Brisbane

09 Jan 2020

Once upon a time, if you wanted to go somewhere and didn't fancy driving, you dialled a 13-number on your landline and then sat idly waiting for an undetermined amount of time for your ride to arrive – it could be five minutes, it could be 45-minutes, nobody knew! Thankfully, things have changed and we're pretty spoilt for choice when it comes to getting from point A to point B quickly and cost effectively, but just when you thought you had it all figured out, along comes DiDi Share to change the game, again. more

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Enjoy room-ready plants straight to your door with The Plant People

09 Jan 2020

Plant murder – it's a crime that many of us have unwittingly committed with either too much love or not nearly enough. But, in our defence, household varieties can be notoriously tricky creatures. Whilst some thrive on neglect, others are needier than your overly obsessed ex and even the slightest deviation can result in imminent death. It's a tough gig this plant parent thing but lucky for you, The Plant People are here to help. more

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Five meaningful (and eco-friendly) gifts for the toddlers in your life

18 Dec 2019

For tiny humans, toddlers sure take up a lot of room in your heart and home. As they grow, so too does the stuff. It multiplies with every holiday or occasion that passes and before long, the room that was once your living room resembles a kindergarten with a sea of brightly coloured plastic all vying for your little one's attention. If you're keen to cap the tyranny of toys and would prefer to invest in quality pieces that will help them grow, play and learn (and won't end up in landfill), we've round up five meaningful and eco-friendly gifts for the little people in your life. more