Dumb shit I do: birds

For those you don't know, I'm terrified of birds. Apparently, it's called ornithophobia. 

Today as I got to work, I was greeted by a magpie. So I waited, waited and waited some more hoping it would move right along. Then I tried to tail a passer-by, praying when he walked by the mapgie, it would fly away. Instead, it moved closer to my work place doorway. Rather than waiting all day for the bird to finally fly away, I called my boss to come outside and shoo the magpie away.

Yes, I'm one of those idiots that flinches in terror whenever a bird flaps its creepy, dirty wings near me.

*grins*

GB xox

Treme: 26 days and counting

I am SOOOOOO excited about Treme starting on April 11. All I had to know was the following:


1. From the creators of The Wire. Do you need any more information than that?

2. Bunk is back! Wendell Pierce was one of the first actor to sign on to this project. Oh thank you higher beings! *SQUUEEEEE*

3. Lester Freeman is back too! Clarke Peters is also on board.

Check out the trailer. How awesome does it look!!

And if you haven't seen The Wire yet, do yourself a favour! One of my all time favourite crime shows.

Later,
GB xoxo

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

Lessons from the movies: Thelma & Louise

There are plenty of life lessons that can be taken from the movies. Commonly repeated mistakes include kissing a boy when there is NO orchestra nearby to provide the music, running the wrong way when being chased by a machete wielding killer (the stairs, always go for the stairs!!) and don't ever bother saying hello or goodbye on telephone calls, that's just time wasting ;)

This weekend I'm hosting a Texas themed BBQ for fan-boys and gals of Friday Night Lights. It got me thinking... what do I know about Texas?

Thanks to the 1991 Ridley Scott film Thelma and Louise, I know it's best not to shoot a man in Texas.

Otherwise, you will end up being chased by a swarm of policemen including a cool dude who looks like Harvey Keitel.

If you are going to shoot a man in Texas, make sure you have a sweet ride and your good looking best friend is along for the ride so she can have sex with Brad Pitt.

But don't be fooled...you will die driving off a cliff. At least you will look good doing it.

 

I hope this has helped you as much as it has helped me. Texas forever, y'all.

GB xoxo

Another decade bites the dust

Happy New Year folks! Hope the new year and new decade brings you much good fortune and happiness (and not too much from the flip side).

Ben and I eased into the New Year in a fairly relaxed manner after a swim and the cool change hit; a few beers, a little dancing, bag pipes (uh-huh I don't lie) and tasty treats with family and friends. Nice and relaxed *happy sigh*

As for New Year's Resolutions, I haven't really made any except a left over one from last year - finish the damn food intolerance diet so I can just get on with normal eating minus the stuff that makes me sick.

Take care & have fun in Twenty-10
GB xoxo