Flying Solo

Waking up this morning to a beautiful blue sky I couldn't wait to get outside and start my day.

As I had no play date & was flying solo I thought I'd keep it local and head to From on High which is a hop, skip & a jump from my place.
 

A popular little café indeed with friendly service, and a lovely chilled out vibe.

Egyptian Eggs was today's special and I gave myself a little pat on the back for my choice.  The eggs were cooked to perfection and nicely complemented by the chorizo and spicy beans (not too spicy whereby I'd breathe fire at the next table, but just a nice little kick).

The Madam sitting next to me had come in for a coffee only, however when I placed my order she changed her mind.  Good decision as she would have had food envy when she saw mine...think she could tell from the look in my eye I wasn't going to share.

Kickin back with my Gravity latte in hand (the coffee is always good here), catching snippets of conversation from the neighbouring tables, pondering the big issues (which movie to see this afternoon), well it doesn't get much better.

Thanks for an excellent start to my day "Frommies" & catch you soon. x

A High Tea in Armadale...Fancy

Anyone who knows me knows I absolutely love birthdays - just another excuse to celebrate and do something special really.  I drag mine out for as long as possible and have been known to celebrate for not only weeks, but to stretch it out for over a month.  It's just who I am and how I roll.

Anyway the birthday celebration today was not for me, but was for the lovely Madam T.

Now there's 3 of us in this "birthday crew" and generally we go out to dinner, however today was something a little different.  A High Tea at Mossgreen in Armadale if you please ...hmmm very fancy indeed.



Such a lovely light, open space, music playing softly in the background, being waited on by the fabulous and funny "Pete" (actually I don't know what our waiter's name was, but he looked like a Pete to me) well it all made for quite the ladies day out.

The Wedgewood Butterfly Bloom fine bone china is just so pretty & feminine that I almost wanted to curtsey at the table before being seated!  Spesh.
 

 

Please note Madam T's pinkie tucked away in the above shot.  Trust me it was sky high several times...in such fancy surrounds how could the pinkie not make an appearance?  It's all I'm sayin.

 

Savoury "winner" of the day for me - the petite pie, however the waldorf chicken sandwich came a close second.

 

 

 

 

The salted caramel éclair was to die for (seriously!), however...

 

 

...special mention must go to the lemon tart as it was absolutely delicious and stood to attention like a little toy soldier waiting to charge...right into my mouth.  Yummo!

 

 

 

Thanks ladies for such a fun and indulgent day and please count me in for the next "pinkie raising" high tea outing.  You're fabulous. x

A Touch of Italy in Hawksburn

After a pilates class on a Saturday morning it's a given that Madam J and I will head to Hawksburn for brekky, or a coffee at the very least.  It's only fair, as after all we have worked hard for an hour so very well deserved I say.

 

We'd seen this coffee machine as we'd walked past Officine Zero the week before and vowed we'd have to come back to check it out - this was one serious unit!

Marco, one of the owners who was our barista on the day, is typically Italian, very passionate about his coffee and chocolate, and loves a chat.

 

 

Do yourself a favour and try the Slitti "hot chocolate on a stick" - I bought one for a friend (I'm very kind), but ended up polishing it off myself (absolutely no willpower whatsoever).  Having no milk at home didn't stop me as I just sucked it off the stick...yep all class!

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

It's always nice to meet a passionate person, and one can tell when something is made with love.  My latte certainly was. x

A Rainy Sunday

Thank goodness I'd organised brekky with a couple of friends this morning or I might have pulled the doona over my head and not surfaced.  Brrr it looked cold outside and about to bucket down. 

Slowly getting ready to head outside & brave the cold, not feeling too enthused at all, I let out a little yippee as I remembered I'd bought a new beanie.  Yay it was finally cold enough to take it out for a test run.  A new item of clothing is always an immediate mood shifter for me (I'm such a girl), so I gloved & booted up, whacked the beanie on (oh my I was very pleased with my purchase...thank you Witchery) and with brolley in hand, practically skipped off to Chapel Street.  This little lady was feeling good.



Today's choice was Lucky Penny

Now generally if I head to Chapel Street I stick to the Windsor end, however I'm glad I ventured a little further this morning.  This little gem only opened last month but already it seems to have quite the following. 

From the moment we arrived we felt the love.  The staff were genuinely friendly and the service was great - attentive, but not intrusive.  I'm glad we got there early as by the time we were leaving it was absolutely chockers, however the staff were totally chilled and took it in their stride.
 

 

 

 

My poached eggs with smashed avocado, chilli oil, sour cream and rocket and mint salad absolutely hit the spot.  These eggs tasted as delicious as they looked and I was one happy little Vegemite.

 

Note to self:  Be mindful when dipping into the chilli oil to avoid talking while doing so as I wasn't paying attention and it truly took my breath away.  I take full responsibility for making my own eyes water, but just go easy...it's all I'm sayin. 

 

      

 

Mmm coffee was so good I had to have two.

 

Thanks Lucky Penny...I'll be back. x

Back In My Hood...

I love Sunday mornings.  It generally starts with me waking up with hunger pains, followed by a quick "Starvin Marvin...hungry?" text to my friend who lives a hop, skip & a jump away.  Madam G (her name isn't Marvin, although it is quite catchy) never disappoints and usually responds quickly with a "You betcha...meet you on the corner".
 

We're very good and always like to include some exercise, and unless it's raining buckets we tend to walk to our location "choice of the day", which in my simple little mind justifies a big brekky.  We live in Prahran, are spoilt for choice, and the hardest decision on a Sunday is what we feel like eating which generally determines which direction we head.  Today we'd decided on "Two Dudes Kitchen".

 I love this place.  The staff are super friendly, the coffee's awesome (this is how they describe it on their website & I can't argue) & I've never arrived & not been greeted with a smile.  Moustache Dude was there in fine form with a big smile on his dial, however Hat Dude was nowhere to be seen.  To be honest I'm not sure I have ever seen him.  Although maybe he is there incognito...minus the hat?

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Hooroo dudes, I'm all fuelled up & ready to hunt down some almond meal as I'm going to make something fabulous this afternoon.  Thank goodness the sun was shining & it was a gorgeous winter's day as the hunt turned into a bigger outing than expected.  Who would have thought almond meal could be that hard to find...thanks Thomas Dux for coming through with the goods.

As I'm still having withdrawals from drinking coffees as big as my head, I had to grab a roadie on the way home.  Please don't judge...let me just dream I'm still in Paris!

 I love my weekends. x