It’s time for the second instalment in our new “My Canberra” series. If you missed the first one, starring Chief Minister Katy Gallagher’s fave things of the Capital, you can catch up here.

But today, it’s all about Barb Fisher and her selection of our city’s best bits.

The lovely Barb is owner of new local online store kitt – it’s a gorgeous, curated range of products for home, life, and body.

Barb ditched a career in Human Resources seven years ago, deciding to finally follow her passion and study Interior Design at the Canberra Institute of Technology. This lead to a job at Cite Office Design (now Zenith Interiors), running the Fyshwick showroom and indulging her desire to be surrounded by beautiful designer furniture.

She’s now combining her love of all things fabulous with her role as mum to five-year old Isobel, with kitt affording her the best of both worlds.

She spent her childhood in Kambah and has lived Inner South, Inner North and now calls “The Creek” home…so she knows her way around town! So, what are her picks of the best things to experience?

Favourite Place to Eat

Pulp Kitchen at the Ainslie shops is one of our most loved haunts.  Gorgeous European style food, always a little unexpected and always totally delicious.  The atmosphere is casual and buzzing, it’s always a happy place to be.

Favourite Places to Drink

Until recently, I would have easily have said Debacle in Braddon.  We still enjoy it there, but lately have been tempted over to Tilley’s at Lyneham for the huge outdoor area which is lovely and leafy when the sun is out, while a bit gritty and bohemian on the inside.

A Bite To Eat at the Chifley shops is another favourite, with its unique (for Canberra) retro styling and great live music.  Edgar’s Inn at Ainslie, also for it’s casual and relaxed pub type atmosphere, or Gryphons at the Griffith Shops – seriously the best bowl of fries I’ve had in Canberra!

Best Coffee

Not a coffee drinker!  I know, everyone tells me that makes me weirdly unsocial.

I am a hot chocolate lover however – and the best hot choc I have found is (oddly) at Cafe Fontaine, upstairs in the Canberra Centre.  They melt little buttons of choc right into the glass of milk.  Awesome!

It also happens to be right next to Country Road, and some times I need a pick me up after the the shock of how much money I’ve spent there kicks in. Cream (North Quarter) also makes their hot chocolate the same way, but it’s too loud there to have a conversation.

Favourite Places to shop

Toy Haus in Fyshwick.  A beautiful range of toys and gifts and the owner is always ready to help you find the perfect present when you have no idea what an 8 year old boy is wishing for.

The Style Emporium, Gold Creek –  a lovely little shop filled with small gifts, kids clothing, stationary items and a load of interesting baking goodies.

Fink Design, Queanbeyan – not many people know they have a little seconds shop attached to their factory in Queanbeyan, you can buy awesomely priced Fink goodies at drastically reduced prices.

Designcraft, Hume – for gorgeous designer furniture, rugs, lighting and homewares.  Or even just a stroll about for inspiration.

Bison – as owner Brian Tunks says – made in Canberra, sold around the world.  A gorgeous array of ceramics and homewares at their lovely and light Piallago showroom.   I dare you not to want to buy something in every colour!

Chifley Supermarket –  I love this little local supermarket.  The shelves are stocked with interesting products, more gourmet than you’d ever expect a little suburban shop to be.  I can spent yonks perusing the shelves, so many items you’ll never find in Woolies or Coles.  It’s the place I discovered Country Valley Milk – and now I won’t drink anything else.  Try it people!  Creamy and lovely, even the skim variety.  This is how real milk should taste.  Oh, and try and walk past the bakery counter on the way back out the door… Good luck with that.

Favourite Book Store

Beyond Q at the Curtin Shops.  Books, cafe, live music.  What more do you need?

“Must do” Canberra experience

As someone very much into architecture and interior design, I think some of the most interesting places in Canberra are those that reflect our past and where we have come from.  Calthorpes’ House on Mugga Way is amazing, especially considering most of the interior was bought out of a catalogue!

The other two must see historic sites are Lanyon Homestead and Mugga Mugga cottage.

What activity/event/place that is still “under the radar” should people know about?

One thing I’m very keen to do is visit the ‘Grand Visions – Centenary of the Capital Plan‘ exhibition. Not only does it explore the Walter Burley Griffin plan for Canberra (obviously the winning entry), but also the other entries submitted.  Imagine what Canberra could have looked like if someone else had won!  Little Venice anyone?

It’s showing until 27 June 2012 in the Presiding Officers’ Gallery at Parliament House.

Best activity for kids

Being the bush capital, surely it has to be all the parkland and open spaces.  Kambah Adventure Playground is a cracker, along with the Cotter playground.

Best way to spend a weekend

If the weather is good, in the morning we might head to Lake Burley Griffin for the little one to have a spin around on her scooter, or for me to go for a run.  Then lunch somewhere nice.  Public has been a great lunch destination lately, or Pod Food out at Piallago.

Afternoons are for relaxing or catching up odd jobs or with friends.  If we’re really lucky, it’s date night – and maybe tapas and a Pizookie at Tongue & Groove followed up with two tickets to the Premium Lounge at Dendy!

Don’t forget, if you want to share “Your Canberra” just drop me a line at amanda@hercanberra.com.au!