Jet-settin'

Hello dears!

Off on vacation for a week or two. See you on the other side!

Sunday treats

Hope you all had a beautiful Sunday.

Albert Park Deli
129 Dundas Place
Albert Park 3206

IT'S GOING OFFFFFFFF!!!!!

You won't believe what I did. My latest purchase: guess what I bought on my birthday?

I'm flipping out!!!!!!! Who wants a ride come Tuesday?!

PS My birthday was magick. Simply magical. I love my friends (you know who you are, the ones who don't need facebook notifications) so much. I love my P Diddums. I love my life. I'm the luckiest. Thank you.

I borned a baby:

My little store. It's official!

Swim by me

If you're like me and can't swim, chances are the thought of swimming in the ocean is overwhelming.

But I really want to snorkel in Malaysia in two weeks.

P Diddy's solution was to get some flippers on me, and get me into the local pool. Armed with flippers, goggles, and a will to learn how to swim, we began the lesson by blowing bubbles in the water..... while small, itty-bitty children did breast strokes and freestyle in the next lane.

Perfect. While P Diddy's patience lasted a lot longer, my determination dissipated into nothing in about 15 minutes.

On an almost entirely different topic I really like my 50s-inspired, checked Speedo swimsuit. Panelling is so body-flattering and a boy-leg cut is so refreshing in the age where scantily-clad bodies by the beach/pool reign.

Wearing checked Speedo one-piece swimsuit, Target Fusion high-waisted denim shorts, Diva medallion, Country Road T-bar wedges.



PS. If you are Asian and love gambling, can you please spread it out over the year instead of clogging up Kings Way in both directions on Chinese New Years? We'd all rather not sit in epic traffic on a beautiful Sunday afternoon, thanks.

Additionally, can everyone please ensure your car doesn't break down on the Kings Way bridge, next to Crown's carpark entrance, on New Years?

We all appreciate it. Thanks, folks!

Lovers and haters,

Wishing you all a stupendous Valentine's Day. Don't forget to hug someone.

Hugs!

CRUNCH!

When I crave something crunchy- I really crave something really CRUNCHY. Thankfully, we have Mess Hall's crunchy polenta chips served with uber-garlicky aioli to satiate me in those dire moments. Just a trundle down Bourke St and they're open late!





Have I captured how crunchy they can be?
What is it about crunchy foods that is so toe-curlingly satisfying?


This is a hot sopressa (crunchy around the edges of course) and pesto pizza (thin, crispy base). Crunch!


This is P Diddy's slow cooked lamb and 'taters.

+ + +


Yesterday was our 2nd anniversary and boy was I spoilt. He surprised me with a brilliant bouquet after work and then we headed over to Shira Nui in Glen Waverly for the most amazing sushi/omakase experience I've had in my life.

Translucent dory,tuna steak, pan-seared salmon, marinated kingfish, grilled wagyu beef, fish-stuffed okra tempura nigiri sushi- they all danced across the palette like magnificent pirouettes across the stage. My favourite was the mackerel nigiri- served with finely choped spring onion, sprinkled with sesame, wrapped in a light green, translucent square sheet of sweet seaweed. Dessert was complimenatary: the lemon and melon sorbet served in a shot glass brought a beautiful, sweet, refreshing full stop to the meal.

It was a lot of excitmenet for all the senses- the noisy chatter, the tastes, textures, smells, the beautifully presented food, seeing Hiro-san swish his ridiculously long samurai-esque knives/swords about...

I didn't take photos sadly, but tummyrumbles has two great accounts of her experiences there (here and here), complete with photographs. At about $80-90 a head, it is not cheap..... but I believe it's an experience not to be missed!

SHIRA NUI
247 Springvale Road,
Glen Waverley
Phone 03 9886 7755

MESS HALL
51 Bourke St
Melbourne
p: 9654 6800

Station Hotel

Our Australia Day afternoon at Station Hotel:






Aromatic, delicious, frothy coffee served at a good temperature. Sliced Noisette baguette (crunchy, warm crust with a sweet, yielding crumb) and butter. Crunchy steak fries and garlic aioli. Open steak sandwich, garden salad and pumpkin soup lunch special, a bargain at $12.50 (Mon-Sat till 3pm). All of 300g of perfectly executed Black Angus medium rare steak. Served with béarnaise sauce, handcut chips and fresh garden salad. MMM-MMMMM-MMMMMMMMMM!

Then we went to a friend's house for a traditional BBQ. Berp!

STATION HOTEL
59 Napier St,
Footscray
(03) 9687 2913

Can't go wrong when they've got the following to boast about:
'The Age' Good Food Guide 2010
Winner 3AW "Pub of the Year 2008"

Short 'n' sweet

My posts are perhaps a bit infrequent lately- but for good reason I promise. I'm in the process of selecting and purchasing a new car! I did consider a second hand Mini Cooper but the more sensible side of me wants safety, affordability, fuel efficiency, and practicality. I'm thinking a bright yellow Suzuki Swift Sport at this stage- how fun! What do you drive?

Recently I visited one of those VIP warehouse sales in Collingwood for the first time, and perhaps the last time. It makes me ill thinking about all the resources wasted on millions of poor quality garments that are never bought or worn!

I did, however, pick up this well-made, silk top by Fate for only $25. I'm mad for anything cropped at the moment. And these shorts. These ancient shorts that used to belong to my mother. I've been found wearing these shorts every summer since I was 12. Bring back the 90s!

Wearing Fate silk crop top, high-waisted cut-off shorts, thrifted alligator belt, Country Road leather T-bar wedges, Testorossa Safety Shield sunglasses, Mouche ring, Sussan bracelet.

Mondegreens

Hilariously random:

"As we've observed, English is a slippery language, strewn with homonymic banana peels, slapstick mondegreens, and tongue twisters. Even fluent speakers of English constantly make mistakes."

- Steve Rivkin and Fraser Sutherland, The Making of a Name: The Inside Story of the Brands We Buy

Inside out

I can't tear my eyes away from her undergarments worn as clothes. I simply love it!