The Ruck Rover Guide to Not Being the Worst at Father's Day

Each year, without fail, I forget Father's Day, earning myself the title of Worst Daughter Ever (it doesn't help that my sister always remembers and gives really good presents).  This year will be different though, this year I'm prepared.  I'm also generous enough to share.  I'm about to reveal "The Ruck Rover Guide to NOT Being the Worst at Fathers Day!"

Shara Porter Octopus Wallet - $55

First of all remember this date: 1st September 2013.  It is a Sunday but keep in mind that if everything goes wrong at the last minute we will be open from 11am to 5pm!

Secondly, the gift.  This needn't be difficult, Dads have a reputation for being impossible to buy for but it's just not true! Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Red Collar Project Gustav Anchor Socks - $12

Don't overlook a classic.  Though much maligned as a boring gift there's just no arguing with the fact that socks are a practical AND fun present.  I mean, do you know anyone that doesn't like the feeling of wearing a brand new pair of socks?  I didn't think so.  Red Collar Project obviously agree.  Not only are their anchor socks super fun, your dad will have the perfect socks for any nautical themed ensemble he was planning!  If you feel anchors aren't quite his thing we also have some father friendly stripes.

Red Collar Project Gustav Stripe Socks - $12

Whimsy & Ink Hip Flask

Whimsy & Ink Camera Hip Flask - $39

 The Modern Drunkard Magazine has described an engraved hip flask as the best present one can give but I don't think they've ever seen a camera themed hip flask!  Why have a boring, engraved flask when you can have this one?  Allow your dad to display his love of cameras and booze at the same time!



Polaroid
If he loves cameras, consider some Polaroid Film or this super fun Polaroid 300 camera!

Polaroid 300 camera (choose black or blue!) - $99.95

Or this nifty Nancy & Betty notebook for his photo-taking / bird watching / novel writing ideas!

Nancy & Betty Polaroid Notebook - $8

Shara Porter 

Sadly wallets are often relegated to the same fate as socks.  A boring yet staple "dad" gift.  Shara Porter are fighting the good fight though, providing us with high quality, leather wallets from the US.  Availible in black and brown and screen printed with images of super manly things like a dinosaur and an octopus and a truck! You can even carry the nautical theme on with an anchor wallet!

Shara Porter Anchor Wallet - $55

Shara Porter Brontosaurus Wallet - $55

Shara Porter Pick-Up Truck Wallet - $55

Or just choose him some cool new threads!

Lenko T-Rex Sweater - $99

Red Collar Project Check Bow Tie - $35

Heavy Rotation Nervous Robot Men's Tee - $50

Duck and Cover Men's Jeans - $90

Warrior Basketball Sneakers - $79

Finally, the card.  People sometimes think that cards don't matter but that's nonsense.  That's like having a cake without icing.  Sure, you'd still eat the cake and maybe you'd enjoy it but there would still be something very important and delicious missing.  Luckily for you, we got this.

Rifle Paper Co

Rifle Paper Co Father's Day Shirt Card - $7

Rifle Paper Co make the BEST cards, seriously have a look at the range and try not to love them all!  They have got some very fun Father's Day cards to choose from.  It's going to be tough to choose though, my dad wears a lot of shirts so it seems like the Father's Day Shirt card would be perfect BUT the Worlds Greatest Dad card comes with an official gold seal of excellence! 

World's Greatest Dad card - $7

Hopefully this little guide made things a bit easier for you.  I'm just counting down to Father's Day (September 1st, in case you had already forgotten) aka the day I become Not the Worst Daughter Ever!

For any more advice or to have something held for you give us a buzz on 9228 3502 or come in and say 'help'!

The Merry Window

Right now I'm gazing out at William St through a delightful scene of thylacines, icecreams, planets, wattle and a T-rex. Why? Because they are part of a charming painted window art display by Simon Sieradzki: our artist collaborator in the City of Perth Windows of the City celebrations!

All over Perth you'll notice art and innovative decorations filling the windows of shops and businesses from today until September 15.

For Ruck Rover, Sieradzki has created simply beautiful paintings on plywood that have the comforting charm of vintage children's book illustrations; with gentle pastel colours and imaginative subjects, his art dabbles in adventure and delight. Maybe you've heard Simon's music (as Airport City Shuffle and under his own name)? It's lo-fi, personal, memorable and charming. And so is his visual art!

Make sure you wander past our William St and Francis St windows to check it out.

Plus you get to be involved! Tell Perth Now if ours is your favourite before September 13 and you can win $5000 to shop with all over the City of Perth. Wee! Plus you help us with a chance of winning most popular display!

The winner will be announced September 15.

Salesperson Required!

We are looking for someone new to join our team!

We have an opening for a casual salesperson to work Saturdays and Sundays from 11am to 5pm. The position is for 12 hours a week, with an extra shift during the week here there. There is a bit of flexibility with hours, but applicants will need to be available all weekend to be considered.

Whilst it is primarily a sales position, if you have any other skills that would be of assistance to us, like graphic design, advertising design or product photography, we'd love to hear about it.

Fashion retail experience and knowledge about Polaroid and their products would be a plus, but are not essential. What is essential is that you are friendly and reliable!

Please send resumes to info@ruckrover.com.au or 242 William St, Northbridge WA 6003.

Lenko Animal Sweaters are Back!

I know what you're thinking. You're thinking your winter wardrobe is suffering from its lack of appliqued dinosaurs. Let us solve that problem for you.

Yup, Lenko sweaters are back! In the past, we've had otters, daschunds, and hedgehogs. But 2013 is all about the foxes, french bulldogs, and dinos. I think this dinosaur is a T-rex, but I am embarrassingly unclear on what a velociraptor looks like. Is this a velociraptor?

They're basically the same thing, right?

So, the details. These sweaters are designed to be worn by girls or guys, and we stock them in sizes XS to XL. They are beautifully fleecy inside, and the animals are hand appliqued, with buttons for eyes. And Lenko are from Melbourne, so you know they're are gonna be warm. They need to be. Have you been to St Kilda in winter??

Foxes. The spirit animal of warmness.

If you'd like one, they'll be in-store in June. They're pretty popular, so shoot us an email if you'd like us to save you one!

Winter Warmers for the Ladies

Holy Moly, it's cold out there today. Well, not Canada cold, but definitely perth-at-the-start-of-winter cold, you know? The sort of day that should be spent under a doona with a cup of cinnamon and orange tea.

Having only achieved 50% of that (the tea, not the doona), makes me feel as if I need to warm up a little. So let's take a look at these, shall we? Maybe they'll make us feel all rugged up.

Dainty June Softer Than Starlight Tee

I can personally attest to this Tee's softness, actually: I have one at home. I tried it on when it came in, and couldn't take it off. It's like wearing a PJ top in public. With a breast pocket. And creative lining (stripey!).

Gorjess Duffle Coat

We loaned this coat out to the Perth College Charity Fashion Show, and my did the girls look good in this! I didn't realize until I saw it worn, just how sixties it looked. Wear with some tall boots and heavy eyeliner, ladies. 

Louche Gianni Cardi

I like to talk about this cardi's colours in terms of food. Salmon, caramel, cream, licorice. Not a great combo on a plate, maybe, but on apparel. Yum. This cardi is great for skirts and dresses -- it's cropped, so it doesn't cut off your twirling capabilities.

Dear Creatures Mayflower Dress

Champagne bubbles and Peter Pan collars! Such a middle-of-the-night dreamland dress. It's lined, and feels amazingly silky. A must with tights.

Feeling Fruity?

As winter winds her way into town, curling her cold wispy fingers through the night air, tending our gardens with replenishing showers and tickling our noses with frosty sniffles... we at Ruck Rover are ready. If you are missing summer already, or perhaps are suffering wintery ills, we'd like to offer you a care package and a nice dose of Vitamin C.

Behold our fruity festival of frocks, tops, bibs and bobs! Is there a tastier way to fend off colds and flu than with a summery fun fruit basket?

At the first sign of impending immuno-failure, remember: An apple a day keeps the doctor away...

Sandy Apples Skirt - $85

 

 

Emily and Fin Jessica Apples Dress - $99

 

Sture and Lisa Apples Bib - $16

 

Sandy Apple Red Flower Brooch - $15

I wonder if that's also true of pineapples?

Emily and Fin Sophie Dress - $99

Emily and Fin Ava Pineapples Top - $59

They say citrus is in season and full of Vitamin C

Emily and Fin Poppy Lemon Dress - $99

 If you can't decide perhaps mix a fruit salad?

Emily and Fin Alice Fruit Dress - $89

 For any further info on styles, other fabrics in these, or how we can fruit up your wardrobe this winter, please don't hesitate to contact us! 

A Very Aussie Mother's Day

Community Service Announcement: It's Mother's Day next Sunday! If that threw you into a panic don't worry, we've got you covered. We'll be more than happy to help you find something to go with that super-warm hug you're planning to give your mum. Have a look at these treats (and try to resist getting them for yourself!)

Leif
Does your mum like native flora as much as my mum does? Is love for sustainable Aussie plants a Mum thing? Or just a cool-person thing? I'm not sure, but these Leif products make the most of it: There's a lovely smokey hand balm made from kakadu plum, body washes made from Wild Rosella and moisturizers smelling of  Desert Lime!

Finding Frida Brooches
Speaking of lovely Aussie flora, these brooches would go with the above quite nicely. A customer came in once and said some of them look a little like beautifully presented fossils -- and some of the plants do have that effect! But it's not just Aloe and Mistletoe framed in black or white, you can get kookaburras and butterflies too.

Sarmarie Coasters
Made in WA by local artist Sarmarie (who was also our Mini Art Mart artist for April), these abstract coasters are full of colour. I actually bought some for my mum. I hope she likes them.
They come in themed sets of Sun, Earth, Space and Water.

Togetherness
And while we're talking colour, you're sure to kick a goal with these beautiful brooches by Togetherness. Hand-crafted and stitched by Melbourne artist Esther Sandler, the casings are unique laser-cut perspex with embroidered cross-stitched geo designs. Beautiful.

Rifle
Don't forget to browse our range of cards too for the best way to say thanks!

Rifle Thank You Postcard

We hope you have a lovely Mother's Day! Giver her a hug from us.

Finger Bang Pop-Up Nail Salon

Now that we've settled into our fresher year on William St, come let us introduce you to our 'hood with OnWilliam's Northbridge O-Day!

Next Sunday (April the 21st) the festival vibe will hit Northbridge, with over 100 things to do, collect, watch, try on and eat! Ruck Rover is most definitely getting into the spirit, hosting a Pop-Nail Salon in-store that'll brighten up your fingers while you keep one eye on our sneaky sale.

Jessie Mitchell runs Finger Bang, a nail salon that jazzes up your fingers with pineapples, watermelons and sugar skulls (and a whole lot more) for $35! You might remember her rocking the Illuminite Night Market in Northbridge a while back. She's pretty good at what she does, and we're very excited to have her.

If you're not into nail art (what?!), it'll still be worth your while to come in and take a look around: Ruck Rover will be having some specials on the day, and we'll be open an hour earlier than usual (10am till 5pm)!

So come down and get your digits ready for one of the O-Day after-parties (Gosh, we can even help you pick an outfit). We can't wait to show you our street!

Christmas Gift Guide: For the Ladies

Oooh err, do we have some delightful things in for the ladies in your life this year.

First up has to be these luscious new body products from Australian label Leif. They feature pure essential oils and natural botanical extracts, the hero being the unique and diverse flora that we enjoy in Australia. Lemon myrtle, lillypilly, kakadu plum, eucalyptus and macadamia nut all get to star in these beautifully packaged products.

 

 

They smell delicious and are fantastic on your skin. On offer are body cleansers, body butters, hand wash and hand balm. And don't miss the Body Duo - in a pretty box you'll find a matching body balm and cleanser for just $39.95 - that's a saving of $7.95 when you buy them in the kit rather than separately. And did I mention how NICE they look? Who wouldn't want to unwrap one of these, I say!

Little Little Odd Forest bags are always exciting. Featuring gorgeous fabrics, all different but all delightful, and a few different shapes and sizes, there seems to be a bag amongst their range to suit everybody. A bright and colourful clutch for your cousin, a large tote for your sister with the new baby, a satchel for yourself or a floral handbag for your mother.

The latest range of necklaces from Melbourne label Iggy and Lou Lou are worth getting excited about. Featuring upcycled porcelain from the designer's own collection that has been made into a pendant and hung on a sterling silver chain, these are something a bit special. Prices are $83 for the small and $135 for the large.

We still carry Iggy and Lou Lou's classic, all-the-time, petites range as well, if anchors, love hearts, cameras or animals are more to your gal's taste. See their full range here.

These hand painted, wooden flower earrings from Pannikin are also a bit darling, aren't they? They'll set you back just $34 and come packaged in a cardboard gift box.

And as always we have frocks galore in store. We can help you find a style and fit that's just right, but rest assured that your lovely lass will be able to exchange it if it is not quite perfect.

Christmas Gift Guide: A Very Manly Christmas

Don't know what to get the boys this year? Well by now you should know that we have the best range of tees around. Take a peek at some of our latest arrivals! There are so many that the hardest part will be narrowing it down to just one (or two). Most of our men's tees go for $50 and are produced in limited runs, featuring the work of some super talented contemporary artists.

A Polaroid camera would never go astray. Make sure you get some film as well because it will be a hit on Christmas day. It's an ideal present, really. Your fella will get to unwrap something awesome, and then have the perfect excuse to play with it, documenting the day as it goes. Brilliant!

Choose from the new Polaroid 300 series, above, which produces business card sized snaps (cameras $99.95 and film $19.95 for a pack of 10 shots) or a working, second hand camera with the classic large format photos ($135-$150 depending on the model and $32 for a pack of 8 shots.)

These socks are from the very stylish Swedes and one pair will set you back just $12. Choose from anchors, stripes or spots!

Or perhaps a belt will keep him in order?

Let's face it, every man needs at least one bow tie in their collection. These are $35 and are pre-tied with an adjustable collar, which makes life a little easier.

 

Merry Christmas, fellas!