love a mini-break

I have just returned from a fantastic mini-break in Canberra. Yes, you read that right - Canberra. Most people would ask why Canberra? 

Well, let me tell you what I discovered... 

East Hotel 

Canberra's newest 4.5 star hotel, located in between Kingston and Manuka which is a hot spot for anyone that likes (needs) good food, very good coffee and great service. East Hotel can provide all of this on site at their restaurant OX Eatery and Incredible Bar - so you need not leave the hotel... 

Husbo had booked somewhere for a dinner date (more on that later), so we started the evening with a drink downstairs at Incredible Bar. With a name like that, we were expecting something special! They stock a huge range of spirits that decorate the amber-lit bar area, specialising in Gin and Scotch Whisky/Whiskey but there are plenty of wines by the glass, traditional cocktails and local/imported beers. 

With one G&T under our belt and some warm olives to stave off hunger pains, we threw on our winter coats and walked in complete darkness through the neighbourhood streets to Canberra's Best Restaurant for 2012 Aubergine. With the best seats in the house we kicked off proceedings with a beer for him and a bubbles for me, a lovely sparkling Rose by Lerida Estate. 

We enjoyed 3 beautiful courses of perfectly balanced, creative food that was matched with wines recommended by charismatic sommelier, Josh. We both agreed that Aubergine is well deserving of their two Hat status. Definitely one to put on the list. 

A foggy Canberra morning got us up and out of bed to take a couple of snaps en-route for a coffee stop on Lonsdale St, Braddon. The line up at Lonsdale Street Roasters was a good indication that we had come to the right place for our early morning caffeine hit. 

We drove back towards the hotel, stopping at Me & Mrs Jones for breakfast. Quick service, friendly staff and perfectly poached eggs - another winner. After a quick browse through the shops along Franklin St, Manuka we met the in-laws and hit the road towards our Mother's Day lunch destination.

Grazing at Gundaroo was well worth the 25 minute drive out of Canberra. The restaurant dining rooms are part of the original 1860's building at The Royal Hotel. Grazing was nothing short of spectacular - check out the menu here. The restaurant is flanked by a chef's garden, resident chooks and a cellar door for Capital Wines including a shop selling local treats, oils and jams.

It was time to bid farewell to our nation's capital and we hit the road back to Sydney. I have to say, we both left thinking how delightfully relaxing and laid back our weekend was. There's no place like home but Canberra, you really turned it on for us. Happy Centenary, I think you're getting better with age! 


Other places for your hit list: 

National Museum of Australia - we didn't have time to peruse the exhibitions, but they have a lovely cafe for lunch, drinks, coffee and a superb gift shop! 

Australian War Memorial - the in-laws loved it here and said they could have easily spent an entire day looking at everything. Having visited once before, I opted for a afternoon nap! 

National Arboretum - we drove past this beauty but didn't have time to stop. The green-thumb in me was desperate for a look but I'll keep it on the hit list for next time. 

Canberra really is a mecca for art galleries and museums - for more click here 

And if all that just makes you hungry/thirsty: 

Public Bar in Manuka 

Urban Pantry

Old Bus Depot food markets

All this and more info is available at the Visit Canberra website

love west elm

You have no doubt heard about the much anticipated opening of Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma and West Elm in Bondi Junction earlier this month. 

I managed to squeeze in a quick look during my lunch break - here's what I thought: 

Williams-Sonoma

Lots of fun stuff like Red Velvet cake mix, ruby-red Maraschino cherries and this taco rack. I found some cool kitchenware gadgets and cocktail/bar supplies but nothing I had to have then and there. I will be back for these cocktail picks and this adorable bitters bottle for my new bar cart! 

Pottery Barn

Some really nice, affordable furniture pieces - will have to go back with the Husbo for those purchases... 

This beautiful outdoor setting will be perfect once we complete our garden landscaping and it has been added to my Pinterest wishlist already! 

image via Pottery Barn

There has been lots of hype about the Pottery Barn kids range (I am not quite there yet!) but I have no doubt that there will be many baby nurseries decked out in this stuff around the Eastern Suburbs! 

I am also certain that I will be monogramming the sh*t out of some sheets and towels at some point! 

West Elm 

This is where I got excited. I exercised some serious restraint, but in the 30 minutes that I allowed myself in there I managed to pick up these little beauties...

image via West Elm

and this brilliant BIG bathmat for our bathroom!  

image via West Elm

Yes, we have a white, grey (and yellow) colour palette at home! 

For me, West Elm was the most impressive and had the most to offer. It is a nicer, bigger layout and has a variety of accessories for living room, kitchen, laundry and bathroom. I am lusting after a number of pieces that unfortunately have no place in my current home!  

Overall, the stores are quite small (compared to the USA) so you may be slightly underwhelmed - but the fit-out is amazing and the styling is spot-on. The service was friendly and helpful and the sales assistants wear those cool ear-pieces! 

If you are not planning a trip to Sydney anytime soon, shopping online is definitely the way to go to as you will find everything and anything you desire - word of warning though, you will get carried away! 

On the upside, shipping is FREE!  

Get involved people! 

West Elm

Pottery Barn

Williams-Sonoma

love op shops

I have always loved vintage and secondhand shopping. Something about the thrill of finding an old treasure or unique piece of jewellery, a cute bowl or some fantastic one-off furniture piece is so exciting!  

Recently, I've been inspired by Peep My Style and my personal passion for op shops has been reignited! I love reading Claudia's blog posts about op shopping and seeing the absolute gems that she posts on Instagram! Talk about shopping envy!

Last weekend, I took the Husbo for a browse through Sydney Antique Centre which has been a very successful shopping destination for us in the past. We have purchased a number of fabulous pieces from there and I just love looking at all the beautiful stalls and walking through to discover hidden treasure. 

The same can be said for a random Vinnies trip during a quick trip to Oxford St. I popped in for a quick look and found some great little things! A Country Road jug (we have the larger version in yellow so it seemed destined to come home with me!), a wooden tray in desperate need of a refurb (I will post about that soon!), a lovely silver cake stand for displaying trinkets and a cute little dish that I will find a use for, somewhere! The prize was an art-deco inspired ring that was sitting on the counter amongst an assortment of other $5 rings. I am a bit of a magpie and can't resist shiny, pretty bling - so it was mine!  

Here are a couple of pieces that I recently came across in my travels. I cannot wait to hit up a few more local Vinnies shops over the weekend and I'm really excited about the DIY project bringing that sad, old tray back to life! 

Don't have room for these gorgeous lamp bases yet, but they are MINE! 

There is a special place for you in this house, little dish!

Cute plate I liked (but didn't LOVE) so it was left behind 

Vinnies haul - and all in a lunch break. Total spend $40! 

Pretty lamp base (not crazy about pink shade!) but now I am more interested in the gold mirror. Thinking I need to go back this weekend... 

- love to shop 
Sydney Antique Centre, 531 South Dowling St, Surry Hills
Find your local Vinnies 

love a list

via real simple

I am a list maker. It helps clear my brain. Puts all those thoughts on paper to make room for other activity.

I write work lists, trying to prioritise. I write shopping lists, to make a nice dinner. I write clothes wish lists, in an attempt to fill my wardrobe with the classic and most versatile items that will mix and match with everything I already own. I have a home list, of things that need attention and things that we need to fix. Restaurants to try, makeup to buy, places to visit, people to call, appointments to make, the lists go on and on.

I know there are people that write lists just to cross things out. I might be one of those people!? Hmmm no, I really think I need them to clear my thoughts, otherwise I forget!!

love soup

Photography by Mark O'Meara

As soon as Autumn hits, I start to crave the warmth and comfort of soup. My Mum used to make delicious soups like pumpkin, vegetable & barley, potato & leek (recipes to follow) and I have enjoyed recreating these favourites in my own kitchen. Recently, I felt the onset of a cold and I was inspired to make Chicken Noodle Soup.

This recipe is a common cure for the cold and it was a remedy I was prepared to try. I didn't have time to make my own stock (it's on the To Do List but you can find info here) so I bought the best quality liquid stock I could find in the supermarket, grabbed a BBQ chicken and all the other ingredients were either growing in my garden or already in my cupboard - easy!

Below is the recipe I made which is a combo of a couple that I found here and here.

Seriously, there is nothing better than the smell of onion and garlic sauteeing in the pan. Mmmmmm YUM! The end result was a delicious, tasty soup that made me feel better instantly!

Chicken Noodle Soup

1/2 brown onion finely chopped
2 cloves garlic finely chopped

1 stick of celery chopped in cubes

1 big carrot chopped in cubes

1 big zucchini chopped in cubes

1 bay leaf

5 sprigs of thyme tied together with string

1 tbspn olive oil 

1 blob of butter 

1-1.5L Chicken Stock (enough to cover mix by 2-3 inches)

1/2 BBQ chicken, shredded

Gluten free noodles or spaghetti broken up into 1 inch pieces 

Cracked pepper and chopped parsley to garnish

Directions:

Sautee onion and add garlic together with the butter and a bit of oil in a big saucepan until transparent, add celery and carrot and sautee for 3 mins, then add zucchini and cook for 2 mins. Add bay leaf, thyme, chicken stock and shredded chicken and bring to the boil. Add noodles/spaghetti and cook until soft/al dente.  Serve in generous bowls and add cracked pepper chopped parsley to garnish. Serve with toast or fresh bread - as you wish! 

Chicken Noodle Soup IS good for the soul...

love your lips

 via Pinterest

Lip gloss, lip butter, lip balm, lip stick, lip jelly, lip glaze, lip conditioner
I love them all! 

It's fair to say, I have a collection in my make up drawer that a) means I could wear a different one everyday and b) probably needs to be culled! I do love a gimmick, but it's true that we always go back to our favourites.

For me, the Palmer's Cocoa Butter Lip Balm is the only thing that nourishes my dry, cracked lips. I've tried them all, Lucas Paw Paw, Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream, Burt's Bees, ChapStick, Kiehl's, Blistex, Carmex, Vaseline - you name it. I've probably tried it.

Now, I've read a few articles lately that were quite timely as I've been giving this whole lip balm thing a lot of thought. After looking through my array of lip 'treatments' I realised that most of them contain yucky ingredients that should be avoided! Petrochemicals derived from petroleum - WTF - are more likely to create a barrier on your lips than actually moisturise or do anything - except maybe make you continue to apply that stuff over and over again. Addictive isn't it?

I also discovered this when my old mate Lucas Paw Paw just wasn't cutting the mustard and didn't moisturise my lips at all. Apparently this stuff contains petroleum too. So I have had it on good advice that the best alternative is Suvana Paw Paw & Honey Organic Lip Balm. I am also keen to try the Miessence Jaffa Lip Balm as anything with a chocolatey flavour has got to be a winner!

My other new thing is lip colour - something I was always kind of afraid of. Lipstick just didn't seem right for me, I have always preferred the look and feel of a glossy lip than a dry matt lip. Plus I'm always afraid of drawing outside the lines and ending up like a scary clown. But I have been overhauling my make up regime of late and decided it was time to give some lippie a try. I have experimented with some of the more affordable brands - Revlon and Covergirl and I'm LOVING it! It's fun to add that pop of colour to my face in the morning - I feel all grown up! So much so, I even bought myself a little make up bag (that now comes with me everywhere) and it contains a bevy of new lip options plus a few key items in case I need a touch up.

So, show your lips some love!


~ Tips
Before I start my makeup, I apply a nice coat of lip balm to soften and moisturise my lips. That way, by the time I get to lipstick, they are prepped and ready to go!
Lip primer and Lip liner is a MUST for a bold red lip. 
I have been using Benefit Lip Plump and it works a charm. 
Then I follow with the Lip Liner to create a nice framework for the lippie.

~ Love to try
Suvana Paw Paw & Honey Organic Lip Balm

Miessence Jaffa Lip Balm

~ Love my current obsessions
Palmer's Cocoa Butter Lip Balm about $3 from pharmacy (will use until it runs out, then I will try the Suvana!)
Stila Lip Glaze in Raspberry retails for $48 at Mecca Cosmetica - BUT if you are into online shopping see note below
Benefit Lip Plump

~ Love a deal
ASOS are selling Stila Lip Glaze for $24.33 and they also have a super deal which I have included Stila Lip Glaze Set SAVE 150%

~ Want more
Addicted 2 Lip Balm
Naturally Safe have a huge range of natural, organic makeup and cosmetics

love to explore

Over the weekend I jumped in the car with a couple of friends (and a beautiful Cavoodle) and we hit the road! We visited one of my favourite areas in NSW, the Southern Highlands. There is something about this place, it is close enough to Sydney to make it an easy day trip but once you are there, it feels like you are a million miles away.

We stopped for lunch at a gorgeous cafe called Gardeners' Kitchen in Bundanoon. We scoured the local antique stores for treasures, I picked up a great vintage-style wall clock from Nest and Burrow, stopped at a roadside fruit and veg shop for some fresh punnets of Blueberries and enjoyed a fabulous meal at Biota Dining.

If you are heading down this way, Biota Dining is a must. We had dinner in The Lounge, watching the last of daylight savings recede, the ducks playing on the pond, it was bliss! We shared croquettes, a ploughman's platter, crispy spiced squid, pea mint and persian fetta salad and possibly the best coffee I have ever had outside the Sydney metropolitan area.

What I loved most (besides my gorgeous friends, the fresh air, the Autumn leaves and the devonshire tea) - was the the thrill of discovering these cute little towns filled with interesting characters (in particular the shop keeper at Nest and Burrow who reminded me of a country version of Patsy from AbFab), the sense that you have had a long weekend away but it's only been a day trip and the wonderful things I collected along the way.


There's more to explore and I can't wait to get back!



~ Tips
Most shops close around 4pm on a Saturday so make sure you set off early

~ Love to Eat
Gardeners' Kitchen - 27 Railway Ave, Bundanoon (next to the Bundanoon Bloomery)
Biota Dining - Kangaloon Rd, Bowral 
Highlands Delights - Illawarra Hwy, Sutton Forest

~ Love to Shop
Nest and Burrow - next door to Gardeners' Kitchen
Everything Store - Cnr Exeter Rd & Illawarra Hwy, Sutton Forest
The Village Pump Antiques - Middle Road, Exeter
Lancelot Hill Antiques - 379 Bong Bong St, Bowral
Dirty Janes Emportium & Antique Market - Shop 5, 391 Bong Bong Street, Bowral
Barbara's Storehouse - 350 Bong Bong Street, Bowral

~ Want More?
Southern Highlands Tourism
SMH article Follow the Foodies