Also it’s not ‘top 10′ cause I thought the length of the entry was getting out of hand! 7 will suffice

!One – Cite

I picked Cite as the top place to shop because it’s affordable, accessible (being open in 3 locations) and has a variety of items to suit different people and different styles. Everything in the store hits you with a bang. I don’t think I’ve come across a store that was so ready to be so unique and out-there. A lot of the items are really pushing cutting edge fashion boundaries.

The chain has moved in fast and set up fronts in Whitford city, Carousel and now there’s one in Karrinyup shopping centre. Carrying a mix of skate and surf as well as fashion labels, Cite picks the best and edgiest each brand has to offer. They carry minkpink, something, little lady from (a venture by oneteaspoon), insight (including their latest, dopamine), oneteaspoon, Zoo York, Stussy, Local Celebrity as well as jewellery by Disney Couture, shoes by nike and adidas, watches by nikon and police and a bunch of other trendy accessories. A definite must visit!

!Two – Pigeonhole

Next on the list is my fave barrack st store. Johann, the store manager has got to be one of the most friendly and easy to talk to store managers ever. Never failing to make friends with a customer, he never lets the small store become cramped or awkward. Hand-picking everything in the store from Australian and international designers, everything is new and different and unique. A lot of things you’ll find have a way of getting to Pigeonhole first and then filtering out to other stockists – because Johann is actually the distributor for a lot of those items.

If you need that finishing touch on an outfit – say a brooch or a necklace or earrings, I’d definitely recommend this store. It’s also a go-to for unique gifts. While the clothing is a little on the pricey side, pigeonhole does tend to have sales that literally blow you away and you can find things reduced by up to 60%. Located in the Bon Marche Arcade on Barrack st, and also on Shafto lane.

!Three – Harry Highpants

Highpants I think was the store that got me into it all – hunting down small boutiques and checking out local culture. I chanced upon it when I was walking up william st just browsing.

Harry is just great. They stock not just cool brands, but cool clothes. Take insight for example. I think we’ll all admit that some insight stuff is pretty run of the mill. Harry picks out the best in each collection and stocks that. It’s great! They also have a bunch of clothes toward the back of the store that are second-hand, but totally retro/vintage and more importantly affordable. It’s like a version of retro vinnies that’s actually cool.

The store is mostly about clothes – stocking insight, my pet square, Swedish jeans, other random brands  – but they also stock books, cameras, and jewelery. The jewelery is notable – small wooden brooches, necklaces sporting teapots or miniature muffins, delicious stuff.

!Four – Atlas Divine

The ultimate in shopping experience – decadent and suave, lush and dramatic. Atlas Divine certainly makes a statement with its amazing decor, vintage wallpaper and furniture all decked out. What about the contents though? Atlas stocks a variety of designer clothes for both men and women and while I can’t say I was too impressed, what got me were the jeans, shoes and jewellery. An amazing array of women’s and men’s shoes – heels like you wouldn’t believe. They also stock Disney Couture – and did so long before Cite was ever on the scene – and Cheap monday jeans. Cheap mondays are just THE brand jeans to have. In my opinion they trump all other brands ( it must be the tag !)

Anyway it’s somewhere you have to go once, just to get the experience. It’s on the leederville strip anyway so on the way to a bunch of other fabulous boutiques.

!Five – The Basement

What’s that? If you haven’t been to the basement in Myers in the city, you must have been living under a rock. It’s a massive section occupying half of the bottom floor of Myers and catering to both men and women. The decor is uncharacteristic of Myers, dark and dimly lit and the clothes catering to younger age groups (14-30?) with smaller wallets. Not to say that things are cheap!

Stocking for women Pilgrim, Kenji, Riders, Bauhaus, French Kitty, Tokito, Miss Shop, Purr, Bluejuice, Golf Punk, Bardot, Ed Hardy as well as a bunch of other designers ( hard to keep track) there’s definitely a wide variety to choose from and it’s all deliciously subject to Myers’ wonderful sales.

!Six – Fi and Co.

Fi and Co. is a cute little store on William st that stocks all sorts – mainly in shoes and clothes. This was one of the first places that I saw Minkpink sold in Perth. Everything is definitely affordable (no ridiculous price tags a la subway DC or wheels and doll baby) and very individual. It’s a small independent boutique and worth the visit. One of the most notable products are definitely the shoes – an array of shoes, all different, all super duper cute! A definite visit, it’s part of the william st collective along with Keith and lottie, Harry highpants and Lalaorange. That leads me on to the next store!

!Seven – lalaorange

Lalaorange is faar away – it’s not a store you’d happen to chance upon, walking around Perth. It’s on william st on the same side as harry but further up, much further up. It’s also very small.

But it’s worth finding! As you’ll see by reading their blog, lala orange is filled with dreamy shopkeepers who are up to date with things fashion-wise, but also have a sense of humor. The store is small and narrow but it’s got the stuff. A collection of vintage designer clothing for men and women, as well as delightful jewelery and accessories. One of the blog posts mentions their new collection of Tilly Bloom jewelery – which you can see on their online store – and it’s absolutely delightful (though reminiscent of things I’ve seen on etsy – for less).

When I walked in I pretty much squealed with delight – oh my what a store! I want to buy it ALL – and then browsed through the wares on display. The store caters to a variety of interests – not only do they sell the standard clothes and accessories, they also sell umbrellas, stationary, door stops, lamps, cameras (yes lomographers jump for joy), scents, lip balms and MORE. Johann the store owner – who by the way is a delight to talk to, manages to engage in friendly conversation with everyone who walks in the door – has traveled all over and hence the items in the store are sourced from all over. Definitely a place to shop if you want something unique (yes and don’t we all).

Pigeonhole definitely deserves a visit! Pop on over and say hi to Johann, he works very hard. Maybe bring him some (soy)milk and cookies.

Pigeonhole is located in the bon marche arcade,
80 Barrack Street
pigeonhole.com.au

Firstly let’s have a look at the adorable Hello Saferide.
Honestly you couldn’t much sweeter even if you tried really, really hard. Her voice is candy and the music is just lovely
Have a listen to The best Night of your Life (mp3) and you’ll have to agree my friend

And as for the Shout Out Louds – I only realised they were swedish this afternoon (imagine my surprise!). These are on high rotation on triple J at the moment so you’ll probably end up hearing them at some point. Upbeat music, with a few sad ones thrown in. I’m in a happy mood at the moment so I think you should check out Normandie (mp3).

Probably not the most eloquent entry. I’ve been napping all afternoon so you’ll have to excuse me.

So it’s no wonder that Jens Lekman often gets compared to Morrisey.
Your beat kicks back like death is truly a strange song, but comforting all the same. Being reminded that our lives are small fleeting phenomena makes all worries and problems seem trivial. I felt instilled with a strange sense of peace upon listening to this song.

Here, see what you think.

Your Beat Kicks back Like Death – Jens Lekman (mp3)

whistle along if you’re not immortal.

Can’t ever get enough of those bright colours, and happy tinkly jangly chords.
Billie the Vision & the Dancers, apart from being a mouthful, is a fine exemplar of this genre. Though they do dig a bit deeper. Their music touches on a few issues (in a happy singsong way of course), and throughout the albums we follow the romantic exploits of a fellow who falls for a girl called Lilly, and then falls in love with Jessica.

“At first impression, Billie the Vision might seem as yet another pop band with no apparent worries. But if you were to dig a little deeper, you would soon discover that they’re not always about expressing joy, happiness and dancing. What is more, their music actually manages to transcend generation gaps. Billie, moreover, is not a person per se, but rather represents the inherent quality the band wants to encourage their listeners to find within themselves. Billie is about not being afraid of being naive, pretentious or corny, to be proud of what you are…”
- Billie the Vision & the Dancers at last.fm

Anyway check them out. Either here or at last.fm.
The whole album “I was so unpopular in school and now they’re buying me this beautiful bicycle” is free to download.
Because all tracks on last.fm are controlled by the artists, yes this does rank the band alongside The Flashbulb (ie. they uploaded all the music and allowed people to download it). Free albums for the win, don’t forget to support the band if you like.

Summercat – Billie the Vision & the Dancers  (mp3)

Come on Baby – Billie the Vision & the Dancers (mp3)