Bondi bliss

Over Valentine's weekend, the BF and I flew up to Sydney to celebrate my cousin's wedding. Sadly I have no photos of that day - nada, nothing, zip. After missing our early morning flight (no one to blame but ourselves), we were mighty relieved to simply make it to the reception to even worry about happy snaps. Despite the hiccup, we had a fab time at Jeff and Steph's nuptials. Congrats guys xoxo. Must also add my surprise to how easy it was for Tiger Airways to put us on the next available flight. And cheap too. They are now on my radar for the upcoming Perth trip and beyond.

That Sunday was the first Valentine's Day the BF and I have shared together. Previous year we skyped while I was in London en route to Ireland. This year we spent a relaxing day on Bondi Beach together. So what did our day entail?

• Sausage sizzle brunch from the North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club while kicking back on the shoreline watching the world skate, swim and jog by.
• Successful shopping session at Bondi markets where I walked away with 2 t-shirts, leather cuff, necklace and bracelet from Stannard-inc. Ben also bought some leather wrist bands. This has become one of my favourite shopping haunts. I never leave empty handed.
• Drizzly walk from Bondi to Bronte and back. Everyone should do this walk at least once. It's breath taking whether it is a sunny day or grey.
• Delicious dinner in the bistro of the Bondi Iceberg's Club. A storm was rolling in so I had my fingers crossed to see a lightening show but we were denied.

Highlight of the weekend ... as corny as it sounds it was being able to spend a peaceful relaxing day with my boy. 

  

More pics can be found on flickr account. Below are some of my recent purchases from Bondi (except the boots but I <3 and wanted to show off). I'm so looking forward to cooler months coming up to wear them with my Winter wardrobe.

 

I'm anxiously awaiting for Grey Ant sunglasses to be restocked too. Plus I'm um-ing and ah-ing about parting with $$ for these super hot cherry red riding boots. One this is for certain, this Bondi trip has reignited my desire to shop, shop, and shop some more. 

Dangerous time for my budget... dangerous times.

Stayed tuned for more food p0rn and shopping addiction tales.

Later,

GB xoxo

3 hour voyage without Gilligan

Last Saturday I was lucky to be invited for a lovely day of sailing on the bay. It was a chance for the team behind the Run for a Safe Climate to reunite and reminisce. We boarded a 60-foot catamaran named Pelican 1 and set sail from Docklands.

Melbourne put on a super fine day too. Strong wind warnings were issued and although it was fairly choppy heading out Brighton way, it was such a gorgeous day to be out on the water.

Due to the wind factor, I opted to wear long pants, long sleeved white kaftan with hat, sunnies, sandals and a tonne of sunscreen. Not one millimeter of sunburn to report so yay me!!

I've never seen my city from that vantage point, so when I spotted St Kilda Pier and Point Ormond - two significant spots for my beau and I... well I squealed with glee.

No seasickness to report... although I do think the crew mistook my pasty white skin and clumsiness as seasickness, twice offering to assist me and even get me a bucket. Err... thanks but no :)

Pelican does some amazing work promoting environmental awareness and indigenous culture. You can read more about their work here.

Hope you enjoy the happy snaps. I'm heading to Sydney this weekend for a wedding plus plan to spend an entire day lounging around Bondi Beach. Be prepared for more pics coming your way.

Later,
GB xoxo

This little piggy went to the Peninsula

Last Tuesday we 'celebrated' Australia Day commemorating the day the British came to this fair land. And although I worked the Monday, we basically had a 4-day weekend. I trotted down to the Mornington Peninsula to spend some time with the boyfriend and enjoy my surrounds.

I cannot praise the Morninton Peninsula enough! If you ever get a chance, head down there. Enjoy the food and wine, the beautiful beaches, the views and the peace (especially if you stick to the Western Port).

Basically I was a piglet and ate.

Sunday
Brunch at the Somers General Store followed by a beach walk.

Somers General Store does have a breakfast menu but we've yet to get there early enough to sample it. It looks pretty simple but that's half the appeal. Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day so I really want to sample it, but I must stress the lunch menu is pretty good though. Although many praise the merits of Merricks General Store (and it does deserve it), I do prefer heading to Somers General Store instead. The food is a bit simpler with fish and chips, fritattas, Caesar salad, burgers, curries and other gourmet deli treats. The decor is quaint with local finds and signs decorating the premises. Another bonus is it has a general store so you can breeze in, get your papers and milk then stick around for a coffee and tasty treat.

I opted for the ocean trout and asparagus frittata while Ben went with the Caesar Salad. We also shared a bowl of fat chips. Neither of us were disappointed with our choices. I must note the salad came out with a blanket of bacon much to the delight of Ben (and me.. I snuck a bite). The portions are not overwhelming so it's the perfect spot for a light and scrumptious lunch.

If you do overeat, I highly recommend the walk along Somers Beach. But don't overdo it, because the stairs back up can be a killer :P

Monday
Late lunch at the super cool Red Hill Brewery. Yummy beer and yummy food. Go there! I insist.

After putting in a few hours of work on the computers, the tummy grumbles forced us to head out in search of food. Initially, we were searching for the best-pie-in-the-world my boyfriend has ever eaten.  Quite possibly he's making this up to taunt me because once again, we haven't been able to find the place.

Instead, we hit the Red Hill Brewery. They tweeted they were opening extended hours today so we always knew we'd be heading there... just not to eat. I'm glad we did as I sampled the delicious Brewers Ploughmans plate. You can quite easily share this plate but I was in a greedy mood and didn't let Ben have too many helpings (serves him right for pie-teasing).

Tuesday
Lunch at Pier 10 Vineyard

Each time we drive by Pier 10, Ben suggests we should go there as the food is pretty fine. We drive by this place quite a bit... so finally the gods smiled on us and we ventured out for more yummies.

Thankfully there weren't too many crowds during the public holiday so we were able to claim a table on the outdoor decking. It was a beautiful day and the view was divine. Plus they had a 2-piece band playing and as delightful as the tunes sounded, it may have been a little too loud inside to enjoy such a delicious lunch.

We were both on a fish diet after consuming the largest King Island T-bone steaks the night before. A light seafood lunch was definitely the way to go. I chose a grilled fillet of snapper served with panzanella salad drizzled with gazpacho while Ben chose the fish and chips. Once agin, we nailed it with our choices ... happy drool-worthy lunch followed by a shared dessert of flourless chocolate cake. I must admit the dessert defeated me. I could only manage a few mouthful so all credit to finishing off the cake goes to the man *bows down*

To combat the overindulgence, a couple of hours of wanderings through Ashcombe Maze was in order. I've been asking Ben to take me here for ever!! And he finally did. Yay! Enjoy some of the piccies below.

Despite all the glorious food we consumed on the weekend, this was my favourite spot. I felt like I stepped into a fairy tale. And with all the gnomes and fairies hidden in the trees, how could you not think you were in a C.S. Lewis world? If you have kids or simply are a big kid, head down to Shoreham and check it out. Mind you, the walk through the maze is a tight squeeze, so unless you're a child or a stick thin model... remember to breath in!!

All the locations are listed below. Pay them a visit if you're in the hood.

Cheers
GB xoxo

Somers General Store
2 The Boulevard
Somers VIC, 3927
Ph: 03 5983 2070

Red Hill Brewery
88 Shoreham Rd
Red Hill South VIC, 3937
Ph: 03 5989 2959 

Pier 10 Vineyard
10 Shoreham Road
Shoreham VIC, 3916
Ph:  03 5989 8848

Ashcombe Maze
15 Station Road
Shoreham VIC, 3916
Ph: 03 5989 8387