Adventure, baby!

Sydney

Lunch at Machiavelli

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I love traditional Italian food and have been wanting to try Machiavelli for quite a while. It’s on Clarence Street, Sydney, and I walk past it at least once a week.

Machiavelli is underground, which makes for an old-fashioned Italian tavern feeling. The restaurant is well-known for being the place to be seen if you’re a high-flying power-broker, and there are huge pictures on the walls of their patrons.

Tomato and mozzarella salad .. completely divine.

Anti-pasto platter. Our eyes were biger than our bellies.

My pesto and pine nut pasta. Completely delicious and massive.

Served with coffee.

Dessert – flambe strawberries and vanilla bean ice-cream.


While some of my dining friends may have thought it was pretty “old school” I absolutely loved the food and the service. I love old world dining and delicious hearty food, so it was complete bliss for me.

Sushi-Ya Noodles

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I met up with Beverly and Lisa to indulge in noodles in Artarmon. The place we were heading to was actually closed on Tuesdays (d’oh!) so instead we went to Sushi-ya, which was a few shops down. Coincidently, Sushi-ya is directly across from my fave pizza place, LCC. We have often looked at the menu while waiting for our pizza, but never stepped inside.

Sushi-ya is right near Artarmon station, and is extremely popular. Because we hadn’t booked a table, we had to sit outside in a squished table – on a Tuesday night!

My huge plate of vege tempura – 12 pieces including sweet potato, pumpkin, zucchini.
Ramen noodles.

My potato cakes – deep fried with bits of corn in them.


My tempura was delightful, but I thought in all it was a bit pricey in comparison to other Japanese places we frequent. I will definitely be back though for another giant dish of the veges.

Tulip Time at Bowral

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Several years back I drove to Bowral for their annual tulip festival to take some photos. They came out brilliantly and I’ve been trying to come back every year since to take some more. Unfortunately, the festival only falls over two weeks every year so I haven’t made it back until now.

The tulips were lovely, but they must have had a bit of a drought this year as they were a bit dry looking and scorched on the edges. A bit disappointing, but still lovely!





Alec takes a nap. Tulips are very tiring.

Oh hai!


On the way back to Sydney we were pulled over for a RBT by the Bowral coppers. They weren’t impressed by Alec’s home-made Ls, so we were sent to the local station to grab some new ones.

Result!

Google Day Out

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It’s very rare to have all of the people who are in the same job function as I am to get together for a day, so it was pretty fun to have us all in Sydney for a day of learning and fun.

This is my team – maximisers unite! (Yes this is what my job title is!)

Waiting for our boat to come.

On board, fending off seasickness with Kate and Casey.

With Shaden and Casey.

The entertainment.

Posing it up with Jenn, A.K.A J-Vo.

Retail Therapy

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A few recent purchases! No more, seriously!

Coloured gladiator sandals at Nine West. I have the pink pair on layby.

The taupe and black sandals – I bought the taupe ones and wore them today. They were super comfy.

I also bought a new Lesportsac back from DFS store in The Rocks. I bought it so I had a bag that my Mac laptop would fit in for travel as well as to cart my sports clothes to and from work instead of in the Coles green bag I’ve been using up till now. Print is called “Charmed” and it’s supposed to only be on sale in Hawaii. Not sure what it’s doing in Sydney! I have tried to step away from the obsession I was developing with Tokidoki bags as they’re so expensive. This range is about half the price and just as cute! They also are completely man-made – no leather. Woot!

Front side – I love the hula girl in the centre.

Back side.

Close-up of the cute print.


I also bought these shoes fro Nine West. They are dual purpose. I needed to buy silver shoes to wear with my bridesmaid dress for Shelley’s wedding next year, and I thought I would get them now as I needed a pair to go with my new pink Alannah Hill dress that I am planning on wearing to two weddings in the next few weeks. I love how they are more of a pewter than straight silver – I think it makes them more wearable. The cute little stones match the beading on my AH dress pefectly.

Candice’s Hen’s Party

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Another hen’s party this weekend, this time for my friend Candice. She chose to have a high tea at the Park Hyatt. The Park Hyatt is in a fabulous location on the water with a stunning view of the Opera House.

It is a very elegant place, very modern and chic in comparison to the QVB Tearoom, which is very “old world” elegance.

A back-lit shot of me.


The food! Bigger portions rather than a wider variety. The top tier contained the most divine chocolate mousse and Shortbread cups with cream and strawberries on top.


Next tiers – sandwiches (I had a very tasty egg and mayo). There were some mini vege quiches as well (they were cold and not very nice). Bottom layer were the scones. Very nice indeed – light and fluffy with a crispy edge.


Table full of ladies and delights.


My favourite part – the mousse.


With my dear friend Candice.


The view!


It was quite intimidating for me to go because I didn’t know any of Candice’s friends. Luckily she has a lot of very friendly friends who went out of their way to be extremely nice to me and get to know me. I ended up having the most delightful day. A perfect Saturday afternoon!

La Gerbe D’or

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J’adore French food. Since I can’t be in France to eat it right now, the next best thing is La Gerbe D’or in Paddington Five-Ways. Delightful cafe for breakfast or lunch, plus a patisserie to buy treat from to take home for those we left behind.

Last time we ordered a bowl of hot chocolate each, not realising it would be the size of our heads. This time we thought we would be smart and only order one and share it. Only problem was pouring it into the cups. This below illustrates what happens when you attempt this debacle.


A tomato and cheese tart. DELICIOUS. I will order this next time instead of stealing pieces from the girls.


Croque madam – like a croque-monsieur but with two eggs on top.


My French toast. The way the French have it! Seeped in eggs, with home made apple jam and cream and covered in icing sugar. The most delicious I have ever tasted.


Inside the croque madam.


Happy girls about to stuff themselves.



Dessert! The St Tropez – we shared this treat. A light friand-ish thing with light custard / cream blend.


Can I fit it all in my mouth?



Full of food goodness and ready to shop!


First day of hot weather! Check out our summery clothing.

Sushi Tei

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Beverly and I put ourselves through a pump class at the gym, then indulged in noodles at Sushi Tei – one of Bev’s favourite places nearby. I love Japanese noodles and this place had a wide variety of delicious noodle and sushi dishes – as well as very polite service.

Bev practice’s Alec’s “stop taking photos of me” look. Check out the giant menu.


Potato and corn cakes.


My udon noodle soup. Very simple and plain.


Bev’s cutlet.


Sesame ice cream.


My ice-cream with chocolate inside thingy. I don’t know what it was called but it was very unique!