About
Samantha Gelfand
The youngest of three, Samantha learnt how to be precocious and strong-minded at a young age, marching forward into the adult world of her older sisters with all the poise that red lipstick and peep toes with socks can afford.
Though she’d really like to be flitting around New York or Paris simply being incredibly svelte, she is currently studying Arts-Engineering. Although the orderliness of Engineering appeals to Samantha and her mild case of OCD, her appreciation for aesthetics and design, fashion and really fabulous coffee shows that her inner arts wanker (yes, we all have one) is well and truly alive and buzzing.
She satisfies her craving for cultural sophistication by practicing her newfound photography skills, attending arts and crafts parties, baking and listening to AM radio (much to the amusement of her friends who cannot believe she doesn’t know or care who the latest pop star is). She likes a good glass of wine, the occasional art exhibition, quirky blogs and anything remotely related to politics.
Often not good with secrets (she just gets so excited), Samantha is here to spill the beans on everything she loves about Melbourne.
You can email Samantha at samantha@therealmelbourne.com
Erica Lick
Born in Canada, Erica was shipped over to the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne at the tender age of 3. A bookworm of a child, she was encouraged to ‘come out of her shell’ through dance, eventually leading to her ditching high school to study classical ballet in the iconic Melbourne suburb of St Kilda. Some say that it was here she discovered her warped, stalkerish, but enduring love for the eccentric and beautiful city that is her home.
After changing her mind about being a dancer and partying through the remainder of high school, Erica started utilising her God-given skill of eating and drinking to excess. By way of a career, she’s been an industry virtuoso. She’s been a backup dancer, sold clothing, impersonated Elmo in shopping centres, worked with hand tools, had a stint selling commercial television advertising space, dipped her toes in recruitment, and has worked in an advertising agency, specialising in employment media.
Outside of the Monday to Friday routine, Erica immerses herself in food, drink, music, and fellow human/animal company in and around Melbourne. Take her to a dingy country pub for beer and chips, a swanky bar for cocktails and canapés, or a five-star restaurant – she’ll be comfortable in all of them.