A Christmas Picnic

I love being around people who get into the Christmas spirit and was delighted when I got my friend Aggie's invite to her annual Christmas Picnic.

We'd spoken about it during the week and thought we had all the big issues covered (big issues = wardrobe).  Waking up that morning, however, I had to totally rethink, well, everything.  The skies had really opened up and the weather Gods were sending down bucketloads of rain rather than sunshine - hmmppff just a little bit mean guys.  Unsure if they were intentionally messing with our tiny little minds, or if they'd had a big night and mucked up their seasons.  Anyhoo it would take more than a little (OK lot of) rain to deter me and I simply swapped my thongs for my boots, my sunscreen for my umbrella, and off I choofed.

Couldn't contain my excitement when I saw the slabs of butter and let out a little squeal of delight (in my mind I thought it was on the inside, however when one of the kids near me jumped, I suspect it was audible).  Oh mon dieu.

Aggie's little helper.



What a spread!  Even though the day may have been a little miserable I don't think anyone really noticed as all eyes were on the fabulous dishes Aggie had prepared.  Amazing colours that just made me smile....and want to dig in.



Now I'm not really a meringue girl at all, or at least that's what I thought.  However these bad boys smashed over the stewed fruit with a dollop of creme fraiche on top were truly my favourite dish of the day.

Showing absolutely zero willpower I had to go back for seconds.

And the food just went on and on...these mini cupcakes disappeared by the handful!


 
As full as I was I still managed to fit in a delicious little Christmas Angel for dinner.  Well it would be plain rude not to. x

Paris to Provence

Last Saturday 3 little "Frenchies" took off to Como House for the Paris to Provence Festival Francais de Melbourne.

We were there in the blink of an eye and had a Mumm and baguette in our hot little hands by 10.30am.  Oh my, if only every Saturday started this way.

Fuelled up we were ready to explore.

It didn't take us long to run into some very colourful characters who certainly added to the festival vibe.

Hmm someone had been into the butter big time.  No judgement here though as I've been known to have baguette on my butter rather than the other way round.

What a lovely kind face you have Monsieur.

These two were hilarious and couldn't work out why everyone had gatecrashed their home.  They definitely had their "tude-ometer" cranked up and had everyone in fits of laughter.

Whichever way you turned there was red, white & blue as far as the eye could see.  J'adore.

In reality I know it's not quite Paris, but it was fabulous to pretend for a few hours.

A wonderful day...without the jetlag. x

A Step Back in Time...

Friday 5.30pm - the work week is done & dusted and it's time to play.

Following extensive research (OK Aggie & I ventured out one lunchtime for a cheeky pinot) we found the cutest little place for drinkie poos on a Friday night - Romeo Lane.

 

Strewth someone's eager...Aggie wait up!!

 

It was definitely wine o'clock and the ladies were ready to kick up their heels.

 

 

Apparently in the mid-1800s Crossley Street was at the epicentre of the CBD’s red light district.  Ooh what a racy little place.

 

You really do feel like you've stepped back in time and I loved everything at Romeo Lane from the bartender's suspenders to the swing music. 

 

Beautiful glassware that could have doubled as a weapon...talk about heavy.  God help anyone who got clocked on the head with one of these champagne flutes as they'd be out cold for a week.

 

Not that we'd ever use our glasses as weapons.  Apart from the fact we wouldn't want to run the risk of spilling a drop, well we're lovers not fighters.  It's just how we roll.

 

 

We practically swooned over these delicious little nibbles.  Oysters with passionfruit if you please, and don't even get me started on the cheese.

 

Oh my, we'd certainly found our happy place and we were in no rush to leave.

 

Oh Romeo, Romeo, you're as cute as a button, and you tick all my boxes.

 

Until next time...x

 

 

 



Let the Birthday Celebrations Begin...

There are two types of people in this world when it comes to birthdays.  Those that close their eyes and pretend it's not happening or those that get the maximum mileage out of it.  I fall into the latter as I love, love, love birthdays!

Every year I draw out the celebrations for as long as I think I can get away with it.  My PB to date is 6 weeks which was a stellar effort if I do say so myself. Yep I'm a typical Scorpio - 100% committed to the job at hand or I don't even go there.

Today I was heading to the countryside to kick off the celebrations with two of the most important ladies in my life...my mum and sister.  Along for the ride, and of course a fabulous lunch, was Madam G who proved she's one hardcore chick. This had nothing to do with the lunch, rather the fact  we were going to be in the car for over an hour on a 34 degree day & my A/C was kaput. She was well & truly prepared (I suspect she was a Girl Guide as a youngster) as she was packing bottles of water, deodorant, and very cool clothing.

Kyneton here we come!

Walking into Annie Smithers Bistrot with an opening line of "Hello we don't have a booking but will you please feed us anyway?" we were welcomed with open arms and told "Certainly let's find you a table."

We were off to a cracking start and walking through to the restaurant I knew we were in for a truly great dining experience.

 

  

Loved the Scandanavian tables and all the fresh flowers.

The confit free range duck leg, brined & smoked duck breast was a definite winner, but I loved the hapuka which melted in my mouth.  Delish.

Panna cotta with lemon sorbet was a lovely way to finish our meal.  I'm a sucker for anything citrus.

What an absolutely wonderful day!

But wait there's more.  Delicious treats with coffee...oh my...if I had any room left in my belly I'd stay for dinner.

Michelle & Tim you've created something really special and we couldn't have been made to feel more welcome if you'd done cartwheels in your veggie patch.  Passionate people, local produce, dishes made with love.

The birthday bar has been set!  Will I be able to maintain this standard for the whole week?  I like to think so.

Even the sight of my tangerine coloured feet when I got home didn't deter my high spirits.  At first I thought I'd gone a little OTT with the fake tan, but I worked out my car must have been hotter than I thought as my tangerine tootsies were merely the result of the colour coming off my shoes. x

Maddox Cafe

Time to "leave the hood" & venture over the other side of town today for brunch.

Destination was Brunswick and strolling down Sydney Road my friend and I were spoilt for choice.

Maddox was the winner on the day as we couldn't resist these cute little red stools (not only do I love red, but they matched our outfits perfectly).  With bums on seats we settled in for a chat (my friend Aggie & I are fabulous & tend to solve the big issues over a latte) and to check out the menu.  Hmmm decisions, decisions.

 

After much ooh-ing and aah-ing we both decided on the poached eggs with sides of mushrooms (beautifully seasoned) and goat's cheese.

 

Oh Chef you absolutely delivered big time.  These eggs were not only delicious, but with the addition of a few pretty little herbs, well I was on a food porn high...truly gorgeous.

Didn't have time for a second Maddhouse coffee, which was really good by the way, as the sun disappeared & we hiked it home before we froze our butts off.

Ah Melbourne, perfect at 10.30am, freakin freezing at 11.30am. x
 

The Hunt Is On...

Mission: find somewhere fabulous for birthday drinks.

Nailed it in record time.  Gosh I'm good.

Stay tuned x

Local Birds

One of my favourite weekly rituals is to head to Local Birds at lunchtime for a salad.  Every dish is absolutely delicious, however I find it hard to go past the roast pumpkin, barley, rocket, goats cheese & caramelised onion salad.  Practically drooling on my keyboard as I'm typing this.

I give myself the double thumbs up as not only do I nourish my bod with a lovely healthy meal, but I also get a great belly workout from the lovely Mme Sally & Narelle.  These chicks have a wicked sense of humour and have me in stitches every single visit...all this at no extra charge.

Everything about this place is pretty and just makes me smile.

How gorgeous are these flowers?
 

As you can see from this shot Madam S is a little shy and really needs to come out of her shell...cough splutter.

If you look really, really hard you'll see a black spot behind the coffee machine...this is Madam N's head.  Head down / tail up, as after all someone has to get the job done while others tend to the needs of the adoring crowds.

Ladies as much as I jest, you truly are two of the loveliest, funniest, and hardworking chicks I've met and you deserve every great customer that comes your way.  For those of you working in the Melbourne CBD do yourself a favour and head to The Causeway.  Local Birds isn't hard to find...just follow the laughter.

Love your work ladies. x

Sunshine & Bensimons

After a hearty breakfast of Middle Eastern eggs, great conversation & many giggles at Cru in Kew..

My Bensimons & I were fuelled up & ready to take on this gorgeous 27 degree day.

Ah springtime in Melbourne...

Life's good. x

A Mini Break...Destination...

Sydney!







Room 1503 at The Westin was home for the next 2 nights and Aggie (travel buddy extraordinaire) & I were just a little excited (finishing work at lunchtime generally has that effect).

We were off to a cracking start with a delicious little treat from Lorraine's Patisserie to get the party started... Marscarpone Cake filled with crisp coconut dacquoise & sliced strawberries.  Mmmm.

We even stumbled across Le Pain Quotidien in the Rocks.

Ah memories of Paris came rushing back as we tucked into a latte as big as our head.  This was our No 1 go to for our petit dejeuner.

Brunch at the Grounds of Alexandria - this place was HUGE! 

 

Yep even a petting pen...aw.

Off to the STC to see Hugo Weaving in MacBeth...just a few little distractions on the way.

   

Sunday brunch in Bronte...

 Friendly staff, delicious food...Aggie & I were happy little campers indeed.

 

I love my eggs, but I think the perfectly seasoned tomatoes were the hero of today's dish.

 

 

It may look like we drank a lot of coffee...we did.  The hunt was on for a good coffee and we gave it our best shot.  Can't say we nailed it, but rest assured the hunt will continue on our next trip (I think we're just totally spoilt in Melbourne as we have the best coffee / baristas in the world - big call but true).

 

Wow...where did the weekend go?  All too soon it's time to catch our flight home. 

Thanks so much for turning on the gorgeous weather for us Sydney....much appreciated. x