New look?

Well now, let's have a look shall we?

I dig the layout and love the colours and um......

OK truth be told

I'm crazy about the string...

But who the heck doesn't just love string?

Golly gee - I just realised that one day (soon) when many many more bloggerlites read this, they'll have no idea what I'm on about! So here's an explanation (just in case)

I have just attempted to change my blog design and customise the background, the colours etc...

And of course I tried to make it relate to my title....

And who wouldn't luurve opening a BPP to find one of these teeny vintage bottles inside?

Oh...kay... I've officially lost the plot.

My eyes are all screwy from trying to set fonts and borders and my head is screaming:

"Tea now!!"

Adieu!

Dining in Melbourne

Well I could either put together the worlds longest ever blogarama about Melbourne and all that I got up to OR I could cleverly relive my hedonism through multiple anecdotes and tongue tingling trysts describing one of my favourite activities in the world.

EATING

The Moroccan Soup Bar ....and hubby's head

From the legendary Chick-pea bake at The Moroccan Soup Bar 
(read about fellow blogger Gem 
and her take on this INCREDIBLE DISH here)
 to the atmosphere in Yu-U 
(a Japanese restaurant found in this alley)

Hosier Lane where fine dining meets street art. Too cool

... to the culinary masterpieces of Tapas at Portello Rosso

Honey Glazed Chorizo and Scallops in Citrus Herbed Butter....sigh

Not to mention the breakfasts!

Chimneys Bakery in Bridge Rd

Then there's the wide variety of pubs to relax in. 

(Oh yeah.. Little Creatures from Fremantle - to be found in Brunswick street...Yay!)

The demise of a Little Creatures Bright Ale

And then you finish off your meal with a Gelato in 
Lygon Street

Of course round about now you stumble home with your pants a little tighter and your tummy a little...um...larger?

But that is the magic of food in Melbourne. 

We dined in such a variety of places, five star to no star (just legendary status and consistency) We had meals that cost around $50 a head and meals for a ridiculous $11.50 (The well known Gopals, Hare Krishna Vegetarian eatery in the city centre - oh and by the way this price includes a selection of vegetarian curries/dishes, a delicious lassi, salad AND desert!) 
The staff are friendly and the food is FRESH! Come on!!

There were a couple of "cake and tea" highlights too...

Gusto in Queenscliff and The Hopetoun Tea Rooms in the Block Arcade, Collins street - the nicest street in Melbourne by a mile.


So you decide to visit Melbourne and you love food.
You follow these links and check out the menus and reviews.
You catch a tram (because then you can have a tipple)
You depart empty bellied and you return muchofied (new word meaning muchly satisfied) and smiling...why?
Well because tomorrow you get eat again!


PS - if none of these places are close by and/or they don't tickle your taste buds then check out this handy I-phone Application called Three Thousand - It's full of great links to shops, restaurants, attractions etc in your capital city AND its free!

I still have so much more to say about Melbourne but methinks it's time for tea.... and cake.

As promised

Well I'm back from Melbourne and I have oodles to share with you all in Blog land. Firstly let me just say a very heartfelt thank you to Big, Beautiful 

(and not at all Bashful) Melbourne.

 What a Grand Old Dame she is! Without a doubt one of the most enjoyable holidays I have ever experienced.

Now I'd love to prattle (as I usually do) about all of Melbourne's delights (and there are soooo many) but I promised to post about a wonderful discovery I made at the Chapel Street Bazaar. A vintage merchant by the name of Kylie Roseman, who graciously allowed me to take some photos in order to share a mere glimpse of her wares with you. This was definitely a trip highlight for me because Melbourne is brimming with retro, antique, vintage, reworked, revamped, handcrafted (the list will go on and yet a lot of it is  not exactly what I would call "authentic". I know that's rather harsh of me to say but I struggle to find items with real "soul" and yet here in the very back corner of this Melbourne icon I stumbled upon a collection of wares that genuinely seemed like they were having a reunion of sorts

Stunning old stamps, wooden rulers, rusty scissors (Kylie assured me that, apart from cleaning her finds, everything is untainted and as found) glass bottles, wooden trays, school suitcases (sigh) flags, tickets, paper, tins, rope, string.... I was in there for more than an hour and the space is only about 3 metres long by 2 metres wide! An absolute must for all thrifty bobs...

Kylie was so sweet and we chatted about how special it is to craft a space with things that have history and purpose and meaning. Like me, she loves pondering the past of an item and muse about who owned it, where it hails from, what purpose it served and of course just how beautifully organic things can be when they are loved faults, scratches, rust and all.

Look closely, can you see the little thermometer? From England, now living happily on my work desk. I also found these old Nursery Rhyme cards...

The paper is a kind of linen finish and the illustrations are just so darn cute! (Excuse the pics - taken with my phone)

But as you can see... Just Fab-oh!

So "Thanks again" Kylie - for your encouragement as well as your dedication to bringing such lovely things to light. 

Also if you're after something specific Kylie may be able to help source an item - so it's well worth your while to bookmark her website address. Of course, if you're in Melbourne, then just get your buns down to the Chapel Street Bazaar (a place well worth a look around)Oh - and ask for the stall K7.
More to come... 
(Really, you simply cannot fit Melbourne into one post)

Melbourne ... Etc...

I'm so excited! I was wandering through Chapel Street Bazaar (as you must) and tucked away in the back corner what would I happen upon? Melbourne's very own Society Inc! Yes indeed! The loveliest and most authentic stall possible, called K7 - owned by the lovely Kylie (who I was lucky enough to meet when I returned (Yes that's right ... a single visit will simply not suffice) Now I did take photos (thanks Kylie!) BUT I'm having trouble with Blogger and I-pad compatibility, so you'll have to be patient and I'll honour this treasured find with a more suitable post. In the meantime just follow these instructions: (if you're in Melbourne)take a tram, bus, train, taxi or just start walking! Get your buns to Chapel Street Bazaar... Ask specifically for stall "K7" ... smile...

Grizzly, Grey and Cosy!

Well I'm off to Melbourne with Hubby this evening!

It's where we met, courted (do people still say that?) leapt into love AND became engaged - after only six days I might add (but that's a whole other post) We had both lived in Victoria for some time before we came to Perth. After accepting his proposal we spent a year of hedonistic bliss living and LOVING the Grey, Grizzly weather that is own to Melbourne. So I checked the weather report and....

Triple somersault of joy!If I could do one I would!

Instead I've tackled what I do best - PACKING! So the suitcase is now full of wintery woolly wonders! 

Hopefully I can get around wearing as many layers as possible....

I had a practice run this morning. 
You can't see the coat very well but it's a faux fur swing number with a sparkly antique button 
(paid all of $10 for it.. gotta love thrifting!)
The style is very Audrey - so in my eyes VERY cool!


Well I have to run - still have a bit more packing to do, fish to move, a kitchen to clean, hair to wash um.... Yep I'm off!


(See you in a week or so with a whole new project that I'm most excited to share!)

I had a farm in Africa..

via Vandaff.blogspot

I remember the first time I watched the cinema classic 
"Out Of Africa" and the profound effect it had on me. Unlike many a lass I was not taken with Denys (Robert Redford) - rugged and dashing as he was - No, I was smitten with everything Karen (Meryl Streep) wore, owned and lived in...

via designspongeonline

I was born in Africa; and so I suppose I romanticised her tale to a degree... alright, alright - I tried washing my hair outside with an antique jug, ummm... hilarious. There was just something about the feel and the look of her outfits that oozed grace & poise.

via Flixstr

And now I have a new obsession and that's getting my hands on one of these: 

via junkaholique.com

This one belongs to Artemis & Nao - it was their wedding accommodation!(Big BIG sigh) I'm sure Karen and Denys would have made the sweetest love in theirs (just a bit of dreamy rambling allowed OK!) Never the less I take solace knowing that other stylish gurus such as Artemis and Sibella (she calls it "glamping" = glamorous camping - I'm with you all the way Sibella) love this amorous form of abode, as much as I do. 

via wanderloot.com

Perhaps, if I play my cards right, I too can recreate the essence of Karens African adventures. All I need are a few well selected linens, a suave hat, muslin (perhaps a few mozzie coils to be safe) and a cutie canvas bell tent.

Oh yes, and a Gin and Tonic or two... you know for - the mozzies.

Red and Green and Yum!

It's such a gift to have a garden filled with things that not only look inviting but taste terrific too!

The best part about having a kitchen garden is the convenience, the freshness, the aesthetic, the inspiration, the learning, the successes, the sharing... Did I say convenience?

I pop a few slices of grainy wholemeal bread in the toaster and in the time it takes for me to wander outside and grab a handful of Cherry Tomatoes, a bunch of Rocket and a few Basil leaves - Voila!

(some assembly required, but C'mon! How gourmet does this look!)

Remember the cracked pepper, the Extra Virgin Olive Oil and of course - "the mayo"

At the moment we're loving Cherry Tomatoes and I've even planted some in a old picnic basket! You' wont believe the yield from just one seedling. So if you have a small sunny space try some Basil and Cherry Tomatoes - instant Yum.