Food filled weekend

Do you ever have those weekends that are completely revolved around food? This weekend was it for me. 
Either devouring a bottle of French Champagne (thank you Mr Mercier) while eating duck pancakes or trying Cactus Tacos -yes that's right Cactus tacos. Curious to know what they might taste like? Really they taste just like zucchini (courgette for the Brits) and are quite delicious. The main reason I decided to try them was because I had watched Bear Grylls and he said if you were ever stuck in the Mexican desert you could survive off cacti. So, I thought to try and see how it tasted so I would know if ever I became stranded and alone and hungry while in Mexico it would all be ok.
Now after eating such amazing food for two days I had an extra day (Bank Holiday Monday yea!) to try and find something else a little bit intriguing or exotic? 
So, maybe not exotic but definitely intriguing, a dish grabbed my attention and the local pub only just a few hours ago. It read, Squash (pumpkin for you Aussies) and mushrooms in a almond pancake with red pepper tapenade. I think I made it a trifecta!


Looking back at the weekend had, I have to admit it was pretty satisfying. The bad thing now is the amount of spin classes to take it all off this week...
How were your food adventured this weekend?

 Mr Mercier - Merci!

 That's them! The cactus tacos

Half eaten - the lunch time pancakes

Weekday blues

Another weekend down, it's almost May and the years almost over!


I know it's a little bit over dramatic but every time Friday arrives I'm excited, ready for the weekend but then too quickly Monday morning comes. 


I do actually enjoy working but I much prefer my weekends.
This weekend you wont believe it, I slept in until 12 midday! That is something I haven't done in years. Do you think its old age?! Hopefully not....
I also found the most amazing vintage skirt, ate loads at Borough market and spent my Friday night at an underground bar, which I  shall visit again.


How was your weekend? Ready for hump day?

40 days and 40 nights

Officially the Lent season has started and to kick it off was Pancake Day (otherwise known as Shrove Tuesday).

It is such a huge event here in London but I do question if the actual meaning behind it is followed or known by many Brits.

So to celebrate our good Catholic ways we had a pancake feast sharing what would we be giving up for 40 days and 40 nights. 

Yea yea yea it sounds like a title of a teenage movie, but really - what will you be giving up for Lent?

NYE 'Part Un'

I wanted to start NYE off with a bang, or is that a boom? Either way I wanted to celebrate Sydney time and London time. 

So why not have the best of both worlds and if you have friends that want to share that with you also, then it is a must!

I put on my first NYE outfit and headed off to Marylebone for brunch and met with Erin and Lou where we saluted in NY - Sydney time! 

Although we all couldn't  be there with our family and friends to say Happy New Year it was nice for us to come together and pretend like we were!

NYE outfit - daytime

Was a beautiful day in Marylebone

Cheers Sydney!

Christmas is a time of joy

The Christmas excitement has started, presents are being purchased, Christmas tunes are in my head and I can't help but sing along.

I love Christmas and everything about it and I am really looking forward to celebrating it London.

This will be my first Christmas away from home and although it will be sad it will also be very exciting. I will most definitely miss my nephews running around in the heat, swimming in the pool and eating salad alongside with cold meat - yes this is what we have in Australia because it is very HOT! I will miss going to church with my family and feeling so stuffed with everyone and having a nap on the couch.

So alright, I guess I will be able to do half those things here in London, especially since we are having an orphan Christmas.

An orphan Christmas is where people who are not able to go home with their family gather together and celebrate.

Two of my friends from my work are not able to get home and I am very excited that they will be joining us. It is going to be a mix of nations and each person will make a few specialities to share on the day.

London also has a lot to offer this time of year with lots of Christmas markets, ice rinks, tree lighting's and a whole channel dedicated on sky for Christmas movies!

This Friday in fact is the lighting of the massive Christmas tree in front of St Pauls. The lighting ceremony takes place between 4pm and 4:30pm (yes it is dark at that time!).

I think I know when my break will be at work!

http://www.visitthecity.co.uk/index.php/events/view/415/

Also this Friday are the Christmas market in Dalston and the next few weeks there a millions of Santa grotto's, fairs and jolly good excitement for everyone totally obsessed with Christmas!

Time out always has the bets ideas. http://www.timeout.com/london/christmas/

Oh Christmas, I am so looking forward to you and please Santa the one thing I wish for this Christmas is snow!

Here are some pictures I have been taking around the city of the wonderful Christmas lights.

Christmas disco balls at One New Change (where I work)

Cannon street

A beauty of a birthday

The beauty of a birthday is all the love you receive! And boy, did I receive lots of love! From cakes to flowers to massive birthday wishes, all in all I had an amazing day.

So ok, it did start off quite emotional. This is my first birthday away from home and I did feel a little bit homesick.
I think it had to do with a phone call to my sister where my little nephew Samuel started asking when I was coming home and was telling me that he missed me - my heart was breaking as he asked me and tears almost started falling while waiting for the tube. Then at work I received flowers from my girlfriends back home saying they were waiting for me with champagne. What made me sad is that I really wanted that champagne! Oh and to see the girls!

However after receiving wonderful gifts from my sister and Mario and devouring cake all day, I have to say I had a fantastic birthday and feel so special to have such amazing people in my life.

The surprise homemade cupcakes made by Mel. Sung Happy Birthday from the NW6 crew, guitar and all!

My amazing new jacket!

Lovely flowers from the girls!

Cake and candles from Darren

An extra surprise! Mia and Peppy love!

Nobu - Birthday dinner

Another year...

As another birthday approaches and the fact that I am growing another year old, I decided to take a trip down memory lane and look back at my past birthday celebrations.
I could not stop laughing as I scrolled through the photos and was happy with all the memories that conjured up and made me feel like I was there again. I loved seeing how all of my friends and family have changed so much - we have grown bigger, older and possibly wiser...?

There is something about turning 27. I somehow don't feel young anymore, like I can get away with things. I feel as if I should be serious and settled. Do you think this is a beginning of a quarter life crisis? Well a quarter and a bit life crisis? I feel my face is changing and my body also. I guess most of these things are inevitable and I should be thank full that I am a woman and not a child anymore. But sometimes the innocence of a child and the way they think - how they don't have a care in the world, would be a great feeling to have.
I often think about how my mother had 2 children at the age of 27... I guess it's a different way of life now and could you actually imagine me with 2 children?

Celebrating a birthday in London has its positives and negatives. I am happy to be able to celebrate with my new friends but on the other hand I am sad to not celebrate it with my friends back home(I wish there was a way to transport everyone to the same place for just a moment in time). I will also miss not having the family birthday cake dinner and squeezing my nephews. But as the new year approaches, maybe I will get a chance to...


So, for you perusal below, here are my past 6 years of birthday celebrations. Don't judge the outfits or the hair styles....

My 21st in Bondi -Had the fabulous Clarisse come up from Melbourne and a private room for us all and Joey playing tennis barefoot the next morning... It was LOTS of fun!

22nd races birthday - hence the cocktail dress and fascinator

Dancing at Cargo bar for my 23rd. Is there a habit I have with my hand in front of my face?

The night of the Golden Handbag - can you all remember that Golden Handbag that gave hours of fun? This here is my 24th at The Lincon

The very grown up 25th dinner party in a private room fed by an amazing chef!

Ahhh garden bowls at the Gazebo bar for my 26th followed by vino at Hugos with Miss Francy

Next - the 27th, celebrating this Saturday night.

Pret-a-diner

Last night marked one of the most amazing food experiences I have had in London. Over a month ago I read an article about a 15 day pop up restaurant being held in the Old Vic Tunnels. This pop up restaurant not only intrigued me for its location but also the fact that a mixture of Michelin star chefs would be participating.

The moment I walked in I was in awe! The eerie smoke filled tunnels crawling with voodoo inspired artworks led through to an chic bar filled with mixed writing on walls and covered in antique floor rugs. We were then greeted by the restaurant host who welcome us and started gearing us up for the experience we were about to discover.

The entire restaurant transported me to another era. I felt almost medieval to the point where I felt I should have cherubs feeding me grapes and pouring me red wine (a little bit like Disney's Fantasia)

Now the food - oh the food. Tasty pieces of sushi, succulent steak and a dessert of chocolate biscuit pieces mixed with mango that melted in my mouth - all created by chef Ollysan. The most amazing Japanese dishes I have tasted!


It is really hard to truly explain how the restaurant looked and also made me feel (however I hope you can sense my passion).
I only hope that you too can see the true beauty and creativity displayed in my photos below.

Old Vic Tunnels - this area is actually a graffiti aloud zone. Love that!

Yep - I took one of these home - sshh

Can you see what I mean?

One of the three courses

Barbados re-cap

So I am back...back from Barbados. We had an amzaing time.
The holiday couldn't have come quicker. After bad news from back home I really needed this break - which in ways made me quite reflective and gave me a chance to relax and rejuvenate.

Flying into Barbados after the 8 hour trip greeted by 30 degree weather, I instantly adjusted to the Bajan way of life. The jeep's roof was off, the swimming costume was on and the food search started. You see holidays are all about eating, well all the holidays I go on. You must be prepared for a few extra kilos on the body when returning - if you don't it either means, a) you didn't enjoy your holiday and eat, b) you did sneaky exercise on your trip or c) it was so hot all the fat melted away after you ate.

Most days in Barbados were spent laying by the pool (not getting sun burnt), reading my book (The Help - a must read!), driving around the island, sailing on a catamaran and having full body massages. Ahh bliss!

I have to say the Bajan people are very welcoming and super friendly, always making very funny conversation and proving their love for their island.

I do recommend visiting Barbados and experiencing the Caribbean way of life. Just be prepared to save lots of money as it can disappear very quickly.

Barbados sunset - very amazing!


Just a dot in that big ocean

Even on a rainy day it is beautiful

The sailing adventure with Charlie and Blondie

Always a rum punch in ones hand

And to make it an even more memorable adventure - we were upgraded to Business class on the way home! Flat beds and real cutlery all round!

Thanks Mark