Remember the old beachside suburb of Harbord? It used to be tattered king gees, hippy skirts and bleached blonde hair. A place you went for a swim & surf, then outer there with a burger with the works and a pine lime splice. Nothing old about it now.

The suburb and beach of Harbord were officially renamed Freshwater on 12 January 2008for the stream of freshwater that used to run down to the beach. Whatever – it’s all fresh.

Jump in the car and head north – its only 5 minutes drive from Manly or 17 kilometres north of the CBD. If you need more than this beautiful beach, a stunning ocean pool and Pilu Café & Sardinian restaurant, there is nearby Lawrence Street. It’s the nearby shopping strip, a wonderful mix of northern beaches old world casual and smart urban slick. Cool clothes shops stylishly blend beach with city.

Check out Vince fashions in 23Albert, Camilla and Marc in Splice, visit Kivari, Ginger & Rose, Fresh Fox, and oggle the chic surf wear at The Apparel Collective. The kids get catered for too with fun stuff at Lila + Huxley.

Food shops are a mix of the old and the very new. The new Mrs Jones the Baker looks every bit like a London, Yottam Ottoleigh store, while Freshwater Bakehouse like a lamington seller from your youth. Then a great combination - burgers and booze at JB & sons. Stowaway is an uber cool bar, so very, take me back there in a moment, New York. Its adjoining flower shop ‘Down the Garden Path – Botanical Studio’ is tiny and gorgeous. Freshie chickens selling the classic barbie chook and fabulous salads is about as casual as it gets and always full, while the fish and chips at Deep Seafood are described by a local as the best on the planet…

Coffee shops aplenty, Cruise Espresso, Bent Fork and Albert & Moore. So sit and take in this lovely village - girls in bikinis, guys with boards and lots of the local demographic – young, modern families.

I am loving the idea of a group of talented creatives getting together and opening shop. Lawerence Street Makers combine 4 different artists with great style, so many things in their store I just need to own.

Freshwater House is one of my favourite styling shops – cool and casual home decorations all arranged by colour under the talented eye of owner, Mae.

If it’s home style you are after try two more of my favourites in the area. Apostle Bird, difficult to find at 367 Pittwater Road but worth it for cool American Vintage – industrial to rockabilly. Then Vintage Wares, a group of 16 clever folk, at 414 Pittwater Road. It’s a combination of grandma’s cupboard, photographs, lamps, artwork and fun things.

Just get down there.