Hope you like beef

Recently Mr Bug and I got back from a trip to WA. We attended a wedding in Perth but that's another post.  While over there, we made it our business to head down south to Margaret River, a stunning place that neither of us had ever been to. And one thing that is particularly striking about the Margaret River region is all the damn COWS!! Not real ones but they do have those too. Instead the 100+ cows all painted and decorated by local artists as part of CowParade.


CowParade is currently on display in Margaret River until June 2010. So what the hell is CowParade, I hear you ask? Well it's only the largest public art exhibitions in the WORLD!! 


Now I have to admit I hadn't heard about this wonderful project until a few weeks ago when "cow pushed out to sea" popped up on my Twitter stream. I clicked on the link and prepared to rage against animal cruelty. Lucky for me, I just giggled at the prankster who with bolt cutters in hand, 'cownapped' a public art display and sent it floating in the Indian Ocean. For a chuckle, check out the story on Perth Now.


Having now spent time in Margaret River, I love the cows even more. CowParade has been around since 1999 starting in Chicago, Illinois and subsequent exhibitions have taken place in New York, Sydney, Paris,  London, Tokyo, Sao Paulo, Milan among others. However Margaret River can claim to be the first regional centre to host the exhibition. So yay!! to Margaret River. 

The cows will be auctioned on Saturday 10 July and all funds raised go to charities. So please buy one. To date, CowParade has raised in excess of $20 million for charities around the world. Pretty impressive record. 


Regardless of the great cause, I just love them because they are gorgeous. Every place we visited, I had to pat the cow (or pose :P). Margaret River is a beautiful region of the world with wonderful produce and wines. The cows just add the extra special touch that makes you smile. 


What do you think of them?

I want one. Will anyone buy me this one?

You can check out more information about the Margaret River CowParade on their website. 

Happy weekend folks!

GB xx

Shame, GirlBug! Shame!

I know I'm a bad and infrequent blogger. Truth be told I'm hanging my head in shame... overindulgent online shopping shame.. well kinda. Here's the juxtaposition I'm in. I'm also the proud owner of a new pair of Grey Ant Status sunnies and... yes there's an 'and' here folks...a pair of cherry red Melissa Frye riding boots.

I've been lusting after these since January but it's taken this long to actually purchase. Not for want on trying mind you. The Grey Ants were out of stock for so long that I almost forgot about them. Now I can hide behind my oversized wayfayers whenever I choose (I just wish I can hide from my credit card statement).

Anyways... I love them so much. Once in stock, I must admit I'm pretty impressed how quickly & efficiently Revolve Clothing dispatched them. Oh what joy to find a package from Revolve in the post rather than the usual drib drab of bills.

A few days later my boots arrived from Revolve too. w00t! I've been lusting after them but couldn't justify spending the US$450+ despite encouragement from evil friends. Checking a website daily just to perve at the boots proved to be a wise albeit obsessive move. They came down in price by HEAPS!! And with a strong Aussie dollar... Well I pounced!!

How could I not? Please tell me how!!

The boots are so comfortable and unique. I so enjoy wearing them. With Winter months nearing, our union is perfect timing :)

Now all I need is a pair of slightly distressed blue jeans to go with. It never ends :P

Have a fab weekend xoxo
GB

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