Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/94641
Why did you open the store? I practiced as a lawyer for 12 years in a really demanding industry that required a lot of me both professionally and personally, especially as I spent a lot of the year travelling around the country for work. My husband, Stephen and I decided that it was time address the imbalance between professional and personal and try something entirely different. This is when the concept for the store was born – combining my two absolute passions – baking and decorating – into one lovely store and hope like hell that people would come along for the ride. What makes Sidney Loves Audrey unique? I'd like to think that the whole concept behind Sidney Loves Audrey is unique – that is , welcoming customers into what is essentially a lounge room setting where they are warmly welcomed; are able to browse (and hopefully buy) quirky, handmade, and vintage- inspired treasures; and at the same time enjoy delectable organic coffee, tea and cold drinks and delicious home-style treats baked right here on the premises by me. What are your favourite items in store and why? My handcrafted and made locally. Who would have thought that there was so much talent in Perth! What also makes it really special is to meet the designers and producers in person and to hear their personal stories and motivations for embarking much more passionate about the products I sell and so proud to say to customers "that's made by a local girl/guy!". What do you love most about your new job? I love baking for a job and spending hours searching the internet for exciting locally made and handcrafted brands! What brands do you love and why do you love them? Oh my goodness, that is so very hard. But, I am really attracted to brands that have a story behind them. The most recent one that I have come across is Trunk & Orderly (gotta love that name for starters) and it's quasi local because, although it is made in Ballarat, Victoria, half of the designing couple is a North Perth local. The couple discovered by chance that some machinery used to make old school lunch boxes and suitcases was up for sale and decided to jump in and purchase it. They are now reinvigorate the art of trunk making and selling to those who love good old fashioned quality and design. I also love the fact that they have recently agreed to stock Sidney Loves Audrey with their awesome cases. How long have you been baking and what is your favourite thing to bake and why? Approximately 20 years (God that makes me sound really old!). I have always baked as my way of relaxing and at times of high stress at my old jobs yummy new recipes and trying them out. The latest was an incredibly decadent 'Italian Christmas cake' (not sure why it was called that except that strangely enough it did taste quite festive). Anyway, the recipe called for copious amounts of dark chocolate, whole pecans and hazelnuts that I had to process together forming a 'meal'. This in combination with some What is the long term plan for you and the store? The idea behind the store is for it to be busy enough to pay the bills but not so busy that I can't essentially run it on my own (with the exception of the fabulous volunteer help of my mum, sister and husband) So for as long as I'm able to do that, the store will (hopefully) have a long future. SHEILA SPRING 2012 25