Monday 27 February 2012

Colour of the Day: Blue

As summer is coming to an end I am making the most of the hot days and nautical outfits. Here is my favourite something blue:


  1. Topshop Lattice Back Vest - £24.00
  2. Tokito Colour Block Contrast Skirt - $59.95
  3. Myer Mix N Match Stripe Bandeau and Bottoms - $24.95 each
  4. H&M Belt - $5.95
  5. Miss Shop Brights Purse - $19.95
  6. Zu Graphic Heel - $70
  7. Topshop Structured Skater Dress - £46.00
  8. Modcloth Blueberry Juice Bag - $72.99
  9. OPI Yodel Me On My Cell Polish - $8.95 
  10. H&M Shorts - $17.95

Wednesday 22 February 2012

New Favourite: CO. Exclusives by Cotton On


Cotton On's brand new line is classic, feminine and affordable. CO. Exclusives is available online-only.


Check out my favourite pieces from the collection below:

  1. Clemence Ponte Peplum Top - $29.95
  2. Bellana Toggle Coat - $79.95
  3. Tory High Waisted Short - $39.95
  4. Miko Blazer - $34.95

Check out the website here.

Sunday 19 February 2012

Restaurant Review: Fenix Richmond (Gary Mehigan)

On my recent trip to Melbourne I visited famous Masterchef host Gary Mehigan's restaurant Fenix. It is just 2km's from Melbourne CBD or 15 minutes by tram (catch the 109 tram from Collins St to stop 25). The restaurant is set right on the Yarra River in Richmond.
The day we went it was a beautiful summers day so we decided to sit outside with a view of the river.

The attentive wait-staff brought us some water and menu's with great choices!

We took a liking to the express lunch menu, where you get two courses with a glass of house wine, 300ml tap beer, juice or soft drink for just $35, extra courses for $15 (see the menu choices here). We arrived super hungry and decided to do 3 courses (entrée, main and dessert for only $50!).

After we had ordered they brought out some home-made warm bread and butter.

ENTREE:
For entrée my partner ordered the baby beetroot salad with Persian feta & cos lettuce.
I ordered the watermelon & goats curd salad with dill. Both of these salads were light and fresh!

MAIN:
For main course my parner ordered the slow cooked pork belly with summer squash & oregano.
and I decided on the fish pie with potato & parmesan crust. Again really great produce and cooked really well.

DESSERT:
 For dessert my parner decided to have the hot doughnuts with lemon curd & sweet lemon syrup.
and I had the passion fruit tart with clotted cream. This dessert was absolutely amazing, and the perfect way to finish the meal.


I would highly recommend this restaurant if you are in Melbourne, 10 out of 10! Check out the Fenix website here for bookings and full menu's.


Wednesday 15 February 2012

My Mini Melbourne Guide

I have just returned from my first trip to Melbourne and have compiled a mini guide of must-do's and helpful tips.


GETTING AROUND:
The tram network in Melbourne is one of the largest in the world. They are so easy to use and reasonably priced. For a regular ticket which lasts for 2 hours (can be used on as many trams, trains and buses within 2 hours) is $4.00 or a daily ticket (can be used on as many trams, trains and buses within that day) for only $7.60! You can purchase these tickets from platform tram stops, on board the tram or from metcard retailers. For more info on fares, maps and timetables visit the Metlink website.


WHERE TO STAY:
There are hundreds of choices of places to stay depending on your budget and desired location but here are 2 great picks of the bunch!
Great City Hotel - Causeway 353 Hotel:
We stayed here at the Causeway 353. The location of this hotel is fantastic, it is just off Little Collins St in a small laneway. The hotel is only approx 15m to a tram stop and 2 blocks from the Bourke St Mall (see Shopping). The hotel is a small 4-star boutique style hotel with nice modern rooms. Included in the room rate is continental breakfast, there is a generous spread of cereals, fruits, yoghurt's, pastries, toast and an espresso machine. You can serve yourself and get as much as you like, perfect to start your day! Rooms starting from $164 per night. Visit their website here for more info.

Luxury Riverfront Hotel - Crown Towers:
The Crown Towers are location in Southbank, on the Yarra River front. It is just across the bridge from the main CBD. The Crown is a casino hotel and is quite like a mini version of Vegas hotel with luxury shops and more than 40 restaurants, bars and cafes. The rooms are large and luxurious, some have views of the river and city skyline. Rooms starting from $295. Visit their website here for more info.


WHAT TO DO:
There are bucket loads of things to do, obviously in my 4 day trip I couldn't do it all but here are some things we did and would like to do next time.


  • Luna Park - Melbourne's theme park (pictured). Luna Park is FREE to get in, you just pay for the rides/attractions that you want to do. Rides prices are approx $9.50pp each ride, or you can purchase an unlimited ticket from $42.95. Getting to Luna Park is simple, you take the 112 tram from the corner of Collins + Swanston St (for fare info see 'Getting Around'). Visit the Luna Park website here.
  • Street Art -  The streets and laneways of the CBD are covered in street art (pictured). There are some fascinating pieces scattered all around. Spend a few hours wandering the streets to explore it for yourself. Start on Flinders Lane or Batman Avenue.
  • Chill On Ice Lounge - At a chilly -10°c the Chill On Ice Lounge is cool place to visit (pardon the pun!). Before entering the bar the staff load you up with gloves, boots and a heavy jacket/poncho to keep you warm. Once inside you choose a cocktail which is served in a glass made of ice - of course! Everything inside is made of ice, including the bar! Standard entry includes rental of jackets, gloves and ugg boots and a deluxe cocktail served in an ice glass for $30 per person. There are other packages that include an ice shot and souvenir photos. The bar is located at the Southgate Shopping complex at Southbank, a 10 minute walk from the CBD. Visit their website here for more info.

WHERE/WHAT TO EAT:
I travel to eat, so I tried a big variety of restaurants and bars in and around Melbourne. Here are my faves:


  • AIX Creperie Salon - Located in Centre Place, a small laneway which is perfect for people watching over breakfast. We had the Apple and Cinnamon and the Crepe Suzette (pictured - 1). Price range $.
  • Belgian Beer Cafe - There are 2 locations in Melbourne, we ate at the BBC Eureka at the foot of the Eureka Tower. You can come for a beer (more than 40 to choose from), a snack or a meal. We had a few drinks and ordered from their bar menu. We chose a 4-item shared plate of pork belly, cheese croquettes, spicy chicken wings and lamb koftas (pictured - 2). Visit their website for more info. Price range $$.
  • Fenix Restaurant - Owned by famous Australian chef Gary Mehigan. Fenix is located in Richmond and is easily accessed by tram. Catch the 109 tram from Collins St and get off at stop 25. The restaurant is located on the river front is a very peaceful and relaxing setting. We enjoyed lunch from their Express Menu (2 courses + a glass of beer, wine or soft drink for $35). The menu is fresh and fun (pictured - 3). Coming soon - my Restaurant Review post for Fenix. Price range $$.
  • Lindt Chocolate Cafe - The chocolate cafe is located on Collins St (next door to Tiffany & co) and is chocoholics heaven! They sell all of the Lindt products and also serve meals and chocolate desserts and home-made icecream. View their menu and more here. Price range $$.
  • Lord of the Fries - A play-on-words of the movie title 'Lord of the Flies'. They serve amazing fries with a choice of standard and gourmet sauces. They also have burgers and hotdogsFlinders St Station, on the corner of Elizabeth and Flinders streets. View your choices on their website here. Price range $.
  • Nobu Japanese - Owned by famous Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhisa. Nobu is located in the Crown complex on Southbank. They have an extensive menu (view here) and all the choices are fresh and delicious. Price range $$$.
Price range (main meals from): $ = 5-15 / $$ = 15-30 / $$$ = 30+


WHERE TO SHOP:
Melbourne is known for its shopping, depending whether you're looking for up-to-the-minute fashion trends, vintage clothing or homewares there are plenty of shops to choose from.


  • Bourke Street Mall - Melbourne's main shopping mall. The mall features the main clothing stores such as Myer, David Jones, Sportsgirl, Diva, Zara, Steve Madden and much more (pictured - 1). It is located right in the centre of the CBD and has tram lines running straight through the middle - which makes it very accessible.
  • Lost & Found Market - has an amazing selection of all things vintage (pictured - 2). They have everything from clothes to homewares, furniture and everything in between. I bought a vintage red suitcase for only $40! They have 2 locations, we went to the Collingwood store (1/5 Perry St) accessed by the 86 tram from Collins St to stop 19. Visit their website here.
  • Myer Basement Level - In the Myer store there is a basement level with all of the 'youth' clothing. This is basically the young men's and women's department. This is where you'll find the biggest selection of Miss Shop and other popular brands such as Quirky Circus, Milk and Honey, Bauhaus, Bardot, Ladakh, Pilgrim and more. Myer is located in the centre of the Bourke Street mall.
  • Queen Victoria Market -  is an undercover market located at the Northern end of the CBD. There are stalls with everything from Asian knick-knacks to leather goods, clothing and accessories. Great for gift and souvenir shopping. It is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. For all of the opening hours and more info, check out their website here.
  • Retrostar Vintage Clothing - is located at 37 Swanston St, upstairs on level 1. It is a whole floor of vintage clothing for both men and women, also including shoes, bags and accessories (pictured - 3). I got an amazing gold sequin clutch for only $12, and a silver thread t-shirt for $20! Check out their website here.
  • Wunderkammer - sells scientific and medical instruments, specimens and models. If you're looking for something kooky for your house or a gift, this is the place for you! They have taxidermy animals on display and for sale, and lots of other miscellaneous items. Located at 439 Lonsdale St. Check out their weird and wacky website here.


  I hope this mini-guide will help you if you are planning to visit Melbourne or know someone who is. Does this guide make you want to visit Melbourne?



Wednesday 8 February 2012

Walking on Easy Street

There are some amazing shoes out at the moment, and some great prices too! Chek out my favs below:

BETTS:

  1. Broadwalk Boot in Black* - $159.99
  2. Essence Pump in Nude Glitter* - $99.99
  3. Veil Sandal in Blue* - $49.99
  4. Awesome Wedge in Purple* - $74.99
  5. Fruity Heel in Fuchsia/Orange* - $29.99

MODCLOTH:

  1. Ifs and or Boots - $42.99
  2. Siblings Flat in Middle Sis* - $24.99
  3. 'S Marvelous Heel - $37.99
  4. One Small Step Shoe - $39.99
  5. Patent Office Heel in Ruby* - $29.99

TONY BIANCO:

  1. Majorca Heel in Plum Seude* - $179.95
  2. Pop Boot - $219.95
  3. Kandi Wedge in Magenta - $189.95
  4. Jewel Sandal in Tan - $89.95
  5. Firelli Wedge in Melon - $100
ZU SHOES:

  1. Quezon Heel in Black* - $150
  2. Olvera Sandal in Coral* - $40
  3. Comanche Heel in Gold Glitter* - $140
  4. Oracle Shoe - $120
  5. Buster Boot in Black - $180

*  =  more colours available

Sunday 5 February 2012

HELP! Melbourne, Australia


I'm jetting off to Melbourne in a week and need some recommendations for great places to see, eat, shop (vintage and boutique) and drink! Any tips you may have I will be really grateful!

Thursday 2 February 2012

Colour of the Day: Purple

Purple is my favourite colour! I find it really calming - that's why my most of my bedroom is purple! All shades of purple match with most other colours so it is really versitile throughout the year. Check out my picks below:
Shop Here (clockwise from left):