When I was in Grade 3, I was always hanging out for Fridays. Not because it meant the weekend was about to begin, but because of the joys that lay ahead in our Friday afternoon “free time” period. There was much anticipation for 2pm, when lessons finished and we partnered up, or got into small groups, ready for play time!  Then Mr. Scott, our teacher, would go around the room asking each group of excited children which toy or game they wanted for the afternoon. I can remember being particularly fond of a box full of plastic connector toys!

Just because we’re all grown up now doesn’t mean we can’t use Fridays for playtime anymore. Pigeonhole staffers embrace our inner child with a weekly game of dress-up, AKA Friday I’m in Love! This week’s cute pair of pigeons – Celeste and Joel – were more than happy to play with us…

Celeste

Top: Cream blouse, Pigeonhole Vintage, $45; Wool and fur jacket, Pigeonhole Vintage, $165

Skirt: Leather skirt, Pigeonhole Vintage, $70

Accessories: Black shoes, Pigeonhole Vintage, $55; Head scarf, Pigeonhole Vintage, $29

Joel

Top: Orange button up shirt, Pigeonhole Vintage, $45; Jacket, Pigeonhole Vintage, $60

Bottom: Pigeonhole basic black jeans, $90

Accessories: Shoes, Pigeonhole Vintage, $75; Limedrop brooch, $40

Dads. Aren’t they just the greatest? For starters, you’ve gotta hand it to them for raising you… and on top of that they manage to be generally skilled at fixing things AND sharing their knowledge of the world! So when Father’s Day rolls around on the first Sunday of September each year, you’re given a chance to show your appreciation and love for your pop. There is one thing I find problematic about Father’s day every year: buying a present for your Dad can be a difficult task. I always feel like a gift to my own Dad has to be useful. Therefore it must be either A. Practical or B. Consumable (Let’s face it, it’s just not as simple as buying for your mum!)

So today we will try to remedy the troubles of Dad-buying, by giving you the fool-proof Pigeonhole Guide to Father’s Day (you can thank us later!) Let’s go…

1. Show your dad you care by waking him up with a steaming cup of his favourite Joe! But don’t use any ordinary mug from the cupboard: surprise your dad with one of Rob Brandt’s awesome Jailhouse Cup/Saucer sets. Their rustic, nostalgic feel is sure to put a smile on Pa’s face in the morning!

Rob Brandt Jailhouse Cup & Saucer set (Coffee $33, Espresso $28)

2. I don’t know any Dads who don’t like music! So for the “gadget” component of your gift, why not get him some sweet MP3 accessories (this idea applies only to people with technologically hip Dads!) We stock all sorts of cool headphones, but I’m going to opt for the nifty Idea Label Card Speaker. This mini amplifying system simply plugs into the headphone jack of an MP3 player, to give you some big sound! This neat little speaker box is rechargeable too, and the design is pretty sweet.

Idea Label Card Speaker ($90)

3. No Father’s Day present would be complete without a card. Luckily, we’ve got a huge range of impressive and unique greetings cards, so you won’t be stuck with a last minute, clichéd Hallmark from the local newsagent’s. Remind Dad of his favourite hobby with this cute Night Owl Paper Goods Card. Printed on thin wood, the scene of owls hitting hole in ones on the green is just too perfect!

Night Owl Paper Goods, Lazy Owl Golfers Wood Card ($8.50)

4. And finally, to satisfy Dad’s sweet tooth, end the day by slipping him one of Bobby Von Baker’s special Father’s Day cakiepops. With only twelve of each flavour being produced, if you get your hands on one of the Apple and Cinnamon or Butterscotch flavoured cakiepops, your Pa will surely be pleased to be gifted with such a rare treat! Plus, we all know they’re the most delicious thing going.

Cakiepops, $3 a pop, available Bon Marche Arcade store from 10.30am Thursday.

You’ve got ’til Sunday to get your act together! And remember, no matter what present you decide on, make sure you let your Dad know you think he’s a great guy!

x Ellery

It’s that time of year again!

Apple and Cinnamon and Butterscotch cakiepops will be at the Bon Marche store this Thursday at 10:30am! Both flavours are popular seasonal flavours (taking out two of four the flavours in this year’s NOSTALGIA.)

So get down to the store and grab yourself and your dad a nice little treat for this Sunday.

(P.S. I’m only making 12 of each, so get to it!)

bobby von baker

A few weeks ago, we were graced with the presence of one lovely competition winner, Imogen Castledine. She spent the day at our offices, experiencing what it’s like to be a Pigeon on a busy Friday afternoon, scheduling and writing blogs, styling, modelling and editing. So what was it like to be a Pigeon for a day? Here’s Imogen to tell you all ’bout it…

Ah, Pigeonhole. What can I say?

Having spent the best part of my morning dreading an afternoon of not-knowing-what’s-going-on-but-maintaining-an-air-of-confidence-regardless, I showed up on the Pigeonhole doorstep, and got ushered in with open wings. After a whirlwind tour of the head office, scoping the lay of the land and meeting various industrious pigeons, I sat down with two gorgeous ladies, Martina and Ellery, for a very businesslike editorial meeting, sorting out the all important blog business for the following week.

I was then handed over to Tom, the dapper photographer, who had the great honour of having to pander to my stylistic whims. Working towards a strict 3:00 pm deadline, I was led upstairs into vintage heaven to choose outfits for both my elegant models and myself! With so much choice it was nearly impossible to make final outfit decisions, but after many costume changes it was time to head out for the shoot. If there is some divine being who wields power over the weather, we most definitely have them to thank for the blue skies and blazing sunshine that day.

After a quick discussion of location, we stepped out into the glorious light and sauntered through the city centre, dressed to the nines! Unsuspecting city-goers stood awestruck in the face of such vintage flair – if people were ready for black and gold military-style jumpsuits in the 80s, I see no reason why they shouldn’t be so now! We accepted their stares as signs of appreciation tinged with jealousy.

There was a great deal of fun to be had jumping precariously between the stepping stones in and around the Perth Cultural Centre, and after much laughter and posing, it was time to head back the office. I bade farewell to my trusty models, Declan and Xanthea, and also to the extraordinary jumpsuit – I hope it goes to a good, loving home. It’s the best thing I have ever worn.

We needed just one additional picture of myself, so Tom and I headed out to find another location… and I got to discover the interesting combination of excitement and fear that accompanies posing in the middle of an intersection. ‘Composure!’ was the catch-cry of that little adventure.

When no more photos could possibly be taken, we took our favourite snaps to the talented Matt, who worked his graphic design and computer magic and brought the blog to life.

Just as I was under the impression that my work was done, Ellery mentioned, with a secretive gleam in her eye, that there was one more thing… and that turned out to be $50 store credit at Bon Marche Pigeonhole. Glory of glories. The perfect end to my wonderful day as an honorary pigeon!

Huge thankyou-s and all my love to everyone in the Pigeonhole crew who made my stay a memorable one! Never before have I met so many fabulous people in one place.

Over and out. Imogen x

If you’ve made the journey to our new Shafto Lane Shop 9, you will have had the pleasure of meeting the little shop Pigeon who nests there 5 days a week- Leah!

This girl is fairly new to the Pigeonhole family, but she fits right in! Although she was born and bred in Perth, Leah’s parents were born in England so she grew up loving Bovril, not Vegemite. She likes to spend her days appreciating and loving the people that make her most happy, and enjoying the simple things in life. Now, there are two ways for you to get to know this lovely lady even better:

Option A: Visit her at Pigeonhole Shop 9 on Shafto Lane, Monday-Friday and have a chat face to face.

Option B: Read on, to find out all about Leah, as she answers our sweet questionnaire…

Describe yourself in a couple of words… Stubborn, bubbly and complicated.

Favourite Pigeonhole product? A long khaki green cape-like coat from Bon Marche. My all-time favourite product though would have to be a wooden bird necklace I bought from Johann nearly 3 years ago at the Bon Marche store!

Favourite era of fashion? The swinging 60’s and my mum’s fashion when she was my age. She was a Mod in London wearing stovepipes, winkle pickers (pointy flats/heels) and sporting a classic chestnut brown bob. I only wish she had kept all her clothes!

Favourite animal? Staffordshire Bull terrier and Weddle seals, especially when they are pups because they are all white and fluffy.

Favourite movie? True Romance, Hook and The Assassin.

Favourite book? Frankenstein, Dracula and The Rupert Bear Collection.

Favourite ice cream flavor? Passionfruit frozen yoghurt.

Best pick-me-up song? Anything by Nina Simone, New Order or The Jam. At the moment I love singing the 60’s song “Yellow Polka Dot Bikini” at the top of my lungs.

Do you have any unusual skills/talents? It’s not a skill but I like to eat cans of sweet corn and new potatoes on their own… they are soooo tasty! Oh and I used to be able to Irish dance!

Pet peeve? Auto correct on computers: they correct words that don’t need to be corrected and replace them with completely the wrong thing! Sheesh! Oh, and when you open the fridge door and half the fridge falls out (yes, I should clean my fridge out and stop complaining but who has time for these things?!)

Perth’s best kept secret is… I am kind of a hobbit so I don’t really know, let me see… ooooh, the underground men that live in the sewers! Super nice people they are, all chatty and such with their wide brimmed hats and pipes and not so bad looking either. And yet they say we have a shortage of good-looking men in Perth!

Favourite place in Perth? At the moment it’s the back streets of Nedlands. My man and I love cycling through them, it reminds us of Europe. Also Greens and Co for a game of pool and a pot of peppermint tea for two and anywhere we can go for a dance.

Fondest childhood memory? It was when I was about 5 or 6 my mum and I had a fight. She basically said that if I didn’t like it at home I could leave, and thinking that she actually wanted me to leave I grabbed my favourite Dino backpack, packed my favourite pink cardigan (for the cold nights), my beloved teddy bears Pinky and Polar (for the company) and went to head out the door, making sure my mum could see me.  She chuckled and asked where I was going. In the most grown-up voice I could muster I replied, “You said I should leave so I’m going away!” She jumped out of her chair, ran over and said, “You silly girl, of course I don’t want you to go, I love you!” At this point I think I was in tears, now it just makes me laugh at how brave I thought I was!

Favourite childhood outfit? Overalls, a white lace top, my pink cardigan and sandals teamed with socks. I was also very lucky to be showered with dresses and shoes from my family in England, my favourite of which was a blue tartan dress with a big silky blue sash and white lace trim.

One day I’d like to… Be living in a really old house with floor to ceiling windows, a bed with white sheets in the middle of the room, a room full of books, magazines, records, CDs and lots of cushions and Persian rugs. Oh, and travel to Pompeii with my boyfriend.

When I say pigeon, you think… Yum! Nah, just kidding- I love pigeons, but certainly not in that way! Honestly, I think about Johann in his Pigeon tower, sitting in his office (which is shaped like the head of a pigeon). He would be sitting in his pigeon chair stroking his own pet pigeon called Mr Cooalot. He would then send out his mail with hundreds of pigeons yelling, “Fly my pigeons, FLY!”