Watermelon Bellinis & 10% off High Tea at LCSK

The talented team at Little Collins Street Kitchen have been working hard over the winter preparing a Spring version of their Parisian High Tea, freshly launched this month.

Already a popular choice for high tea in Melbourne, LCSK have embraced the slowly-but-surely warmer days with a menu featuring uplifting tastes of citrus, honey, orange and meringue, to name a few.

Diners are welcomed with a vibrant and refreshing watermelon Bellini for a sublime palate reset, along with a host of bottomless teas to accompany the selection of tasty sweet and savoury bites.

Nibble the afternoon away on the likes of a mini brioche buns with prawn, horseradish spread and purple cabbage slaw, kale and sundried tomatoes mini muffins with whipped feta and fresh oregano, and high-tea-savoury-staple egg, asparagus and dill mayo finger sandwiches.

On the sweeter side of Spring, think strawberry macaroons, pistachio honey and lemon financiers, and an exquisite mandarin curd and meringue tartlette with delicate sprinkles of crystallised ginger.

This Spring High Tea is also available gluten free, which I had the absolute pleasure of sampling earlier this month. Other sensitivities, intolerances and allergies are largely catered for, just mention your requirements when booking.

The dining experience at LCSK was designed around a homestyle kitchen table concept made to be surrounded by family and friends. It’s a bright, open and inviting space filled with soft natural light that fosters relaxed conversation and grounded connection, making it an ideal destination for intimate catch ups, special occasions or quite simply a great get together for groups.

Available daily from 1pm to 3pm, the Spring High Tea at Sheraton Hotel Melbourne is $59 Monday to Friday and $65 on weekends (10% surcharge applies on public holidays).

Reservations are required and you can get 10% off when you mention Little Miss Melbourne upon booking until November 30.

LCSK Spring High Tea
Sheraton Hotel Melbourne
27 Little Collins St (the Paris end, naturally)
(03) 9290 1000
lcsk.melbourne@sheraton.com

The truth about the 'FREE'lance lifestyle

Fact: being a freelancer, solopreneur, remote worker or self-employed can be so incredibly amazing and rewarding.  

Also fact: it takes a huge amount of grit, hard work, self-motivation, long days and long nights - usually with a hefty dose of isolation (and wine) - to make it work.

Yesterday, I worked almost solidly from 10.30am to 9.30pm. Witness to how much time I'd put in over the weekend too, my husband (a lawyer in the corporate world) asked if I was going to bill my client for the number of hours I was actually doing. I told him that in this instance, the total hours for each day simply fall under one day rate, and that's the way the cookie often crumbles. 

The salaried worker may think nothing of this - after all, you don't typically get paid extra for putting in crazy hours in a salary-based job. But what the self-employed don't get is paid sick leave, annual leave, career development, team or management support, office space, free access to technology and equipment, and a reliable stream of said income.

As a freelancer, if you want any of these things, you go out and get it yourself. That’s ok; no one forced us to do this (in fact, quite the opposite). We actively pursued this life and it comes with a list of pros that can be attractive enough to out-weigh the cons. I'm writing this post pool-side in Brunei while my client reviews yesterday's work, for example.

I felt inspired to write this post after asking a friend of mine - who boldly decided to embrace digital nomad life about a year ago, working from various parts of Asia - how he's finding the remote worker lifestyle. 

"Love it," he said. "Working my arse off though. I don't show the 10 hours in front of my laptop every day or me stressing out".

Aint that the truth! (It is).

The self-employed life can be largely summed up using two common analogies: the iceberg concept, where what others see at surface level is only a fraction of what's really underneath, and the duck analogy; everything looks like smooth sailing up top while frantic peddling and mild panic is happening below. 

From seven years as a freelance consultant myself, I thought I'd share some of what you don't see when we're bragging about (ahem, ‘sharing’) our choice of office location through social media.

We are not 'lucky' 

Luck did not get us a business idea, bank account, clients, regular work, an accountant, IT equipment, plane tickets, accommodation or food from where we might be calling an office for the day. We are not lucky. We've made our own luck, we've put in the blood, sweat and tears, and we are accordingly grateful when the hard work pays off. The only time luck comes into it, is finding good WiFi. 

It's (often) a one-man band 

You're the CEO, admin assistant, bookkeeper - oh, and you have your own job to do too while you're helping out in the other departments. Even with a brilliant accounting package, virtual assistant, and your mum who's always willing to lend a hand (thanks mum), you still need to have a fairly good idea of how to do these functions and how to brief them in - then get to work on what you’re actually paid for. Yes, it’s isolating too. This can be a lonely job, until you realise how great it is not to have to make water cooler conversation about what you didn’t do on the weekend because you were too hungover from Friday.

BYO self-motivation

I started my business 18 months after I'd moved to a new city, was single and had very little savings with even fewer contacts. There's nothing quite like the thrill of needing to pay rent to be successful, but you have to keep the motivation going well beyond that. That means being ridiculously self-governed and disciplined and finding the energy each day to succeed and be awesome.

You have bad days that make you question everything

Sometimes it's all just a little too hard to stay so darn driven, and you find yourself wondering, WTH am I doing? Why did I leave my comfy day job with a regular income to sit here working like a mad person for a client who may or may not pay me on time...then you do what my kick-arse boss mate Ollie did today and you say ‘fuck it’ as you crack a beer at 1pm on a Wednesday.

All in good time...

Time off 'now' usually means more work required 'later'. This flexibility can certainly be a perk, like when you're a writer and you’re not quite yet 'in the zone' - but it also means that all those hours spent hunting for inspiration in the form of shoe shopping or browsing interiors online is unpaid and chewing into the time you have left to do the job that you’ll eventually be paid for. It’s called procrastination, and it’s sometimes an unavoidable part of the job.

Pretty fly for a WiFi 

To be a 'digital nomad', even if it's in your home city, you're well and truly at the mercy of good WiFi. 

Some people wont get it

For the 9-5ers (or 8-6ers), leaving work is usually switching off. When you're self-employed, you are 'on' every moment of every day. Some of my best ideas or tag lines have come to me when I'm halfway through a shower or at 4am when I can't sleep. Speaking of which, ‘sleeping in’ when you've worked til 1am isn't lazy - it's necessary. Oh, and we're taking Tuesday off too because we haven't had a day off for the last two weeks. You may even be perceived as flaky by some; but sometimes you’re in the middle of a gig or one has dropped from the heavens straight into your lap and you need to take that business when it comes through. That’s just nature of the beast.

Good people are essential

When personal time is short, and you're feeling isolated from working alone for too long, good people who radiant positive energy or simply ‘get it it and get you’ are essential. There's no room for any other kind. 

Want to know more about life on the iceberg, or just want to connect? Feel free to get in touch and pick my brains, or share your thoughts and comments below. 

Oxygen skin therapy at sheraton Melbourne

I’ve been doing a fair amount of travel of late, between the UK, Europe, South East Asia, Australia and America all in a matter of weeks - and my poor skin is seriously suffering as a result!

So when I was back in Australia at the end of last year (from my extended sojourn in the UK - soon to come to an end!), I jumped at the chance for a bit of skin R&R at Sheraton Melbourne Hotel’s lush day spa.

The hotel is conveniently based on my own street in the CBD so it’s always a lovely stroll up to the leafy Paris end of town before an indulgent session to relax and restore at this sparkly boutique property.

On the agenda this time was something new for me - an oxygen infusion treatment, using Intraceuticals.

As someone with quite sensitive skin, I’m a little wary of trying something new. But one of the many lovely things about the spa at Sheraton Hotel Melbourne is the complimentary skin consultation available prior to having the first treatment of this kind.

Raquel and her team are incredibly skilled and knowledgeable and can pretty much tell right away what your skin needs, and what it doesn’t (it’s really quite impressive).

Additionally, they invest the time and effort required to adequately prepare your skin for the star treatment, helping you get the best results possible and, to put it bluntly, get more bang for your buck.

This included a deep cleanse to remove all of my makeup and clean my ‘true skin’, exfoliation (via 25% AHA for 5 minutes, followed by gommage to smooth), a desincrustation with Ultrasonic to further cleanse and prepare my skin for better product penetration, extraction (getting rid of the gross bits), then an initial masque to tighten and (further) deep cleanse the skin.

Single treatment room at the day spa

And this was only the beginning. PHEW.

Next came the star of the show: the oxygen facial #crowdgoeswild

Oxygen treatment

For me, after all the travel and with naturally dry skin, I’d been recommended the Intense Rejuvenation Oxygen Treatment.

This ‘skin quenching treatment’ infused my skin with a vitamin and antioxidant-packed serum to really hydrate and plump things up, and it helped to do just that.

After I fought considerably hard to stay awake during the course of the treatment (ok, I might’ve snoozed a bit…), 90 minutes of pampering later saw me back in the spa lounge sipping on tea, glowing in the dimmed lights as I thought about not very much at all.

In the hours following, I witnessed my skin further plump, which naturally delighted me to no end.

I did feel my pores appeared larger immediately post treatment, but this calmed down by the next day. If you’re concerned or unsure, just ask the ladies at the spa.

The verdict? For softer, plumper skin that packs a punch to fine lines, or you just fancy treating yo’self, do yourself a favour and book in for a slice of heaven at Sheraton Melbourne.

Intensive Rejuvenation Oxygen Treatment
Sheraton Melbourne Day Spa
90 minutes, $280
Spa menu here

Yours,

LMM xoxo

PS - one for parents - the gorgeous Little Collins Kitchen, also at the hotel, is running a Harry Potter-inspired kids cooking event for the family. Sounds like the ideal combo of pamper and family if you ask me… ;)

Melbourne retailers with great Seasonal Gifts for Women

Yep, it’s that time of year already; silly season has arrived and if your secret Santa is a woman in 2018, you’re in luck – there are loads of ideas, accessories and presents for all the ladies, available from some of these top stores in Melbourne.   

Turner and Lane

Found in three locations across Melbourne, this store specialises in unique antique and vintage gifts. You’ll also find an eclectic mix of interiors, handcrafted jewellery made in Melbourne and loads of other present ideas for when you’re not quite sure what you’re looking for.   

Zetta Florence

Zetta Florence has long been one of my favourite stores in Melbourne and is the place to go shopping for stationery addicts, writers, illustrators and lovers of beautiful paper. From handcrafted leather notebooks to colourful letter wax, this is a spot for the creative in your life.

Crate Expectations

Aside from the clever name, you’ll find the special gifts you need at Crate Expectations. From luxurious cashmere throws to silky body products, this shop is the perfect place to buy something for your wife, mother-in-law, sister, or anyone!

Garden of Eden

Garden of Eden is for the green thumb on your list with lush greenery, cacti, and vertical gardens. The homewares products support local designers, so you can feel really good about a purchase here. Grab up some artisan goodies like organic skincare products or linen cushions.

Melbourne has many more specialty shops for unique gifts for women, helping you find perfect present this season for every lady on your list.

straight up: this is a sponsored post and collaboration with a chosen partner. Thanks for reading. LMM xo

Fragnagna and the Other Art Fair come to Melbourne

Francesca Gnagnarella is an incredible Perth-based artist who’ll be exhibiting her stunning artworks, featuring 23 karat gold leaf, at the Other Art Fair in Melbourne from the 2nd to the 5th of August. I managed to nab some of her busy time to chat art, travel and where her go-to food spot is when she visits Melbourne.

I adore the soothing nature of your works. Tell us ALL about them! 

Since moving to Perth from Europe I’ve been amazed by the intensity of light that I’ve found only in Western Australia so I wanted to replicate its vibrancy on canvas. I do this using 23 karat gold leaf in most of my paintings as it enriches them with a unique luminosity!

My works themselves are what I call ‘emotional landscapes’; they capture fleeting moments of memory with a vision that’s emotional and intuitive – remembering a sunrise, looking at the earth and the sky in the sunshine or after rain, recalling the oranges, ochres and soft greys of a sunburnt desert, the clearest azure waters, the softest sand, the brightest sunsets.

Landscapes are portrayed in an inspiring manner to give a sense of uplifting familiarity, trying to capture the essence of a place through an exaggeration of colours, forms, and texture, rather than reproducing it from a photograph.

You were born in Italy, studied in Paris, got married in Perth, have exhibited in cities like Hong Kong and Singapore and soon we’ll have you in Melbourne! What’s your favourite part of the world and why?

If I’m not in the studio painting, you’ll probably find me at the beach! In Australia I adore spending time in northern WA or for an even more remote experience I love visiting Sumba, a small Indonesian island. In both locations I can totally switch off and refuel on creative inspiration.

Do you like travel? If so, what it is about travel that you like?

I always loved travelling, learning new languages and experiencing new cultures, but now the I mostly travel for work to exhibit my works at international shows or around Australia. I prefer to travel to relaxing destinations on the beach, following the summer sun!

Well, we love our art and artists in Melbourne and can’t wait to have you here. Do you have any go-to things to see or do when you’re in town, or anything you want to do?

It’s almost routine now that every time I land in Melbourne, my first stop is to dine at Chin Chin and check out the street art amongst the laneways. I try to get to the temporary exhibitions at the NGV, like their current feature of masterpieces from MoMA.

On my next trip in August, I’ll be exhibiting at The Other Art Fair and I’ll try to also visit the Melbourne Art Fair. It’s a great time to be in Melbourne if you’re a lover of art!

We’re also massive foodies – what’s your favourite?  

I'd lie if I didn’t say my favourite foods are ice cream and pizza! As an Italian, my favourite cuisine is of course Italian, although I love discovering international cuisines amongst my travels.

Being an artist must be an incredibly demanding profession, always needing to be ‘on’ creatively? How do you restore the energy levels? What gives you creative inspiration?

I’m fortunate to live between the ocean and the river, so when I need creative inspiration, my favourite thing to do is to go for a walk along the river or beach. I can slow down, observe my environment, take in colours, patterns, textures, and, most importantly, the light, which has a particularly vibrant quality here in Perth. I represent this throughout my works with the use of 23 karat gold leaf, which has become my signature style.

As someone who is clearly very successful, what’s your biggest piece of life or business advice you can offer to others (artist or otherwise)?

Always trust your heart and trust your dream – it will become your story. Dedicate your everything to make it happen and get ready to work 100 hours a week!

What are the challenges you and other Australian artists face in 2018 and beyond?

It’s hard getting your works and your name noticed out there amongst a million other super talented creatives. It’s essential to have constant passion and determination to prove to the world you are worth getting noticed!

The distance to other parts of the world can be a challenge; immersing yourself in inspiring major exhibitions or cultural events that take place in Europe or Asian countries helps expose you and your creativity to new stimulations and new challenges.

So where CAN we find your artworks?

Online, you can find all of my artworks at www.fragnagna.com with my original paintings and limited-edition iPhone cases.

In Melbourne, you can find my works at The Interiors Assembly or you can visit my gallery in North Fremantle by appointment if you live in WA.

You’ve been working with Saatchi for the last two years, selling to collectors all over the world. What does it mean to you to be involved with The Other Art Fair in Melbourne this year?

This is a great opportunity to be extending my presence with Saatchi to a physical exhibition in Melbourne. I can’t wait to meet potential clients in person and showcase my works to a new audience.

Why should people go to The Other Art Fair in Melbourne on August 2-5?

You’ll discover 100 of the most talented and inspiring emerging Australian artists and be able to buy directly from them at the fair!

You can also get free entry with the promo code ARTFrancesca (not valid for opening night on the 2nd).

The Other Art Fair is an international art exhibition that's coming to Melbourne and will be held at The Facility (2 Chelmsford Street, Kensington, Victoria) from the 3rd to the 5th of August.    

MELBOURNE'S FREE PIZZA FOR ROYALTY

For those not yet aware, the Queen shall be celebrating one of her seemingly many Australian birthdays on Monday the 11th of June in Victoria (yes, that's why you have a three day weekend rapidly approaching).

As we apparently still bask in the glow of a Royal Wedding, one pizzeria in Melbourne is helping stretch out the good buzz for a little longer with the promise of free pizza on the Queen's birthday - but only for a select regal bunch. 

If you share the name of any living Royal from the House of Windsor, Stretched Pizza in Coburg is bestowing upon you one of a choice of four pizzas, for free, including a vegan option and gluten free base if you so desire. There's the No Brainer (Margherita), Miss Piggy (Capricciosa), Planet of the Vegans or El Chapo Cobuzman (Mexican), all included in this fun giveaway. 

Just rock up with your photo ID flashing your fancy Royalist name - Elizabeth, Phillip, Charles, Camilla, William, Harry, Kate, Meghan, George, Charlotte or Louis - and a pizza is yours for dine in or take away.

Stretched Pizza also sells beer and wine, including for take away too, perfect if a night on the couch catching up on episodes of The Crown is on the agenda. 

Get down there on June 11 and celebrate being part of the family. 

STRETCHED PIZZA
Free Pizza - Monday June 11, 2018
53 Moreland Road, Coburg
Don't forget your ID
 

Prefer stretching of a different kind? Head to the I Am That Yoga open day on June 14

Italian Wine + Food Festival returns to Melbourne

MELBOURNE | It's time to loosen those waistbands and get yourself down to the Royal Exhibition Building at Carlton Gardens for the annual Italian Wine and Food Festival this weekend. 

Imbibe in the wine zone amongst over 200 Italian wines, indulge on goods from the local likes of Bottega, Mr Bianco, Massi, 400 Gradi and La Svolta, or saddle up to the Negroni Bar for Italian aperitivi and cocktails.

You'll also find an Italian market, cooking demonstrations on the main stage and pizza acrobatics (you'll have to see it to believe it). This year also introduces a kids' zone with yard games and fooz ball tables, making it an event for the whole family (with free entry for kids). 

Tickets are $25 pre-purchase or $30 on the day and the feast will run all day long from 10am to 6.30pm this Sunday. Prego! xo 

2018 Italian Wine + Food Festival
Royal Exhibition Building
Carlton Gardens
Sunday 27 May 2018

Love theatre? You'll love Wild from Melbourne Theatre Co - showing til June 9 > 

Bringing Yo' back to Yoga

MELBOURNE | 10 years ago, a health professional told me I needed to ‘breathe more’ and suggested I take up yoga. I didn’t really understand what she meant until my first class, when I discovered just how bad I was at this seemingly simple task [remembers to breathe while writing this sentence].

As an ex-gymnast, my body took to yoga straight away. Just as quickly, I learned that, contrary to my competitive gymnastic days, yoga is a personal journey that isn’t about stretching further than the person next to you in order to get a tiny nod of approval from your Romanian coach. Because you are the coach, grasshopper...

So in 2008, I came to realise that yoga was more ‘you do you’ and less ‘you do…a long-limbed, lithe, incense-burning, bendy Gumby doll who has found enlightenment’, as I had presumed it to be. In fact, the people sharing my yoga class were so far from this that I relegated myself to the back out of sheer embarrassment that I was the bendy Gumby doll in the room (Romanian coaches will do that to you).

Fast forward 10 years and we find ourselves in an era of ‘athleisure wear’ and ‘activewear’ with the hashtags and selfies to match. Side note: I’m not judging any of these things because, um, have you spent a day in activewear? Also, how good is portrait mode.

But with the rise of the fitspo selfie, has the non-competitive, spiritual practice of yoga become an elitist pastime far removed from ‘you do you’? I, for one, have never felt so ashamed of my Cotton On Body numbers as the day I was introduced to the Nadi yoga pant that goes for a cool USD$250. Given I’m doing yoga from my loungeroom in London so I can spend the $50 casual class fee on wine, safe to say my activewear will suffice for now.

For all of these reasons, a new yoga studio is launching in Collingwood that aims to quash any stigma or expectation associated with giving a yoga a go, particularly in the eyes of those who never have.

Founder and yoga instructor, Victoria Bsarmann, created I Am That to help you find your yoga, no matter your skill level, bank balance or number of activewear outfits you own (if any). Casual classes are only $13 and if you want to go back for more, then just like a trip to Costco, buying in bulk will cost you less.

Personally, I’m loving the concept of studio dogs onsite to help people relax but I’m not sure I’d get any yoga done.

I Am That is launching on June 14 and welcoming everyone with open arms – for free – along with a pop-up market of yoga and wellness goodies. If you’ve been thinking of trying yoga but no idea what to do, wear or say, or how to take a selfie, this is your safe place.

I shouldn’t have to tell you the health benefits of yoga by now. Go and get yo' yoga on!  

I AM THAT Yoga
1-7 Emma Street
Collingwood, Victoria
hello@iamthat-yoga.com
OPEN DAY – June 14, 2018

Straight up: this is a sponsored post to help me bring the news to you.

WILD FOR MELBOURNE THEATRE COMPANY

MELBOURNE | It's time for a new production from Melbourne Theatre Company, and this week it's the thrilling WILD hitting the stage.

The darkly comic and dramatic production is circled around a man propelled from your every day average Joe to America's most wanted over night, after leaking highly controversial government intelligence. 

Follow whistleblower and fugitive, Andrew (played by Nicholas Denton), to a hotel room in Russia as he hides from the powers that be with themes of control and power emanating from the stage.  

Promised "an incredible ending" from Denton, this one will appeal to the Snowden fans of the world and lovers of political drama.

Written by Mike Bartlett, directed by Dean Bryant, and playing at the Southbank Theatre from May 8 to June 9. Get tickets online, or win a double pass to the opening night, details below. 

GIVEAWAY FOR THURSDAY MAY 10 | I have two tickets to give away to the Abercrombie & Kent Opening Night of WILD this Thursday 10th of May at 8pm (doors open from 6.30pm). To be in the running, simply enter your details to join the Little Miss List using the form on the home page between now and this Wednesday at 8pm. The winner will be informed by email on Wednesday at 8.15pm. 

TAKING STEPS FOR SAFETY AT FED SQUARE

MELBOURNE | Join the fight against family violence from Federation Square on Wednesday 2nd of May at 5.45pm. 

Safe Steps, the only state-wide 24/7 crisis support network for women and children living with domestic violence, is holding a candlelight vigil at Federation Square in tribute of all the women and children who have lost their lives as a result of family violence. 

The organisation's pledge is leave no call unanswered and to remove those in a high risk situation from their unsafe environment.  

They're calling on the people of Melbourne join the vigil on May 2nd at 5.45pm, purchase an LED candle and share a photo though social media with #lightforlife #safesteps in tribute and support of the cause. 

To show my support from London, I'll be reposting your social posts on my Instagram, @littlemissmelbourne, to help raise awareness for Safe Steps. Just use the hashtags and tag @littlemissmelbourne if possible so it falls on my radar. 

Can't make it? You can also show your support by donating a candle of hope that will be lit and displayed on the stage, make a general donation, or like the Safe Steps Facebook page.

On behalf of Safe Steps, Tink PR and Little Miss Melbourne, thank you for your help!

Safe Steps candlelight vigil
Federation Square
Wednesday May 2nd, 2018
5.45pm - 7.15pm

Getting spa time at Sheraton Hotel Melbourne

There are facials, and then there’s the signature Supreme Jeunesse Facial at the Sheraton Hotel Melbourne.

The petite spa on level two of what is one of my favourite boutique hotels in Melbourne has just five treatment rooms, including one for couples. Tea is served while you complete a customer questionnaire about areas of concern and you can feel the shoulders start to drop before your treatment.

Sheraton Hotel Melbourne’s product partner, Payot, is an exquisitely French brand founded in the 20s by one of the first female physicians, Nadia Payot (you go, girl), and is famous for its combined holistic and dermatological approach.

The Supreme Jeunesse itself is 120 minutes of sheer indulgence, relaxation and - those two wonderful words - anti-aging. Technically speaking, the treatment is designed to act simultaneously on wrinkles, slackening skin, uneven complexion and dark spots. Physically speaking, it’s a lot of lovely sweeps and massages across the face and the decollatage as you blissfully zone out.

Exfoliation is ala Gommage Perles; melting beads that become a granular scrub to boost cellular regeneration, increase elasticity and firmness. This is followed by a 42-movement massage using Baume Fondant Crème to activate skin microcirculation. A soothing, regenerating mask is then applied to illuminate and unify the complexion, while your arms also benefit from this facial heaven with an exfoliating, smoothing special treatment.

The end result is you basically floating out of the spa and feeling smoothed, plumped, relaxed and well and truly spoilt.

There are many treatments available at the spa from massages to waxing and bundles to boot (forget your sandwiches, the Lunch Treat is where it’s at) and hotel guests also have access to the spa, swimming pool and fitness centre on the same floor.

Do yourself a favour and discover the day spa for yourself. Visit www.sheratonmelbourne.com/spa for more information, to view current specials or to submit a spa enquiry form. Because you only have one face. 

Sheraton Hotel Melbourne Spa
27 Little Collins Street, Melbourne 3000
+61 3 9290 1000

Straight up: this is an unsponsored post but the Sheraton Hotel Melbourne kindly hosted me at the spa with a Supreme Jeunesse Facial so I could share the good word with you.  

Are you feeling Rice Papr lucky, Sister?

What better way to indulge in the 2018 Lunar New Year than with the extremely talented team behind Asian fusion eatery, Rice Paper Sistr.

Rice Papr Scissors’ younger sibling on Hardware Lane has launched its Lucky 88 series – 8 dishes, 8 drinks, for $88 (see below for dates). And like the lucky little misses we are, we had the pleasure of sampling the first of the fun events.   

We started the set menu with a pickled cucumber salad, paired with 12-hour hand crafted Sencha cold brew and 5 spice nuts (secret spices, at that…). After this was a salmon sashimi salad with ginger, served on a crispy wonton and matched with a Lychee, vodka and yuzu tea. Plump Moreton Bay Bug dumplings followed, complemented by a perfectly sparkling prosecco.

image via www.facebook.com/ricepaprsistr

Swimmer crab spring rolls marked the halfway point of the Lucky 88 feast with the most delicious take on a Hemingway Rum that we’d ever tried. This chilli infused foam is designed to contrast the crispness of the spring roll, and it works! White cut chicken in broth came next, then the 8 treasure duck with a splendid Lap Cheong Sauce.

But it was the penultimate dish of the day which was the real hero of this Lucky 88 menu; a roast suckling pig with with Chinese mustard that really hit the spot. Finished by a super fresh granita which was scattered with honeycomb pieces, it’s evident that this sister really knows how to cook and cocktail. 

The good news is that the party’s not over, with a new line-up of Lucky 88 events to come:

• March 18: Filipino fun with a Sugbahan BBQ
• April 15: Get ya Thai on with Songkran
• May 20: Have a Bali-ing good time with Bali Festival

Choose from two sittings per event, 12noon to 2pm, or 2.30pm to 4.30pm.

Make your own luck and book online at ricepapersister.com.au/lucky-88/.

Straight up: Rice Ppr Sister hosted Little Miss contributor Clare Burbridge to experience Lucky 88 so we could share it with you. Thanks for reading and happy eating! 

City life: Have you visited Melbourne's best bar on water yet? 
Sojourn: you'll LOVE these Paris foodie finds

TOP SPOTS FOR FREE WIFI IN MELBOURNE CBD

For the last six years my virtual office as a fabulous freelancer has often been the cafes around Melbourne's CBD, as I eat, drink and work my way through the day with some of the best service and food in town. In fact, I'm now more productive in a bustling cafe than I am in a bright, quiet, LED-lit, soulless office. And it seems the trend it catching on, as I'm asked more frequently than ever before, 'Little Miss, where can I find free wifi in Melbourne?'. Here are my go-to places for free wifi in Melbourne city with a side of coffee, breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner, and possibly a vino while still, technically, 'at work'. 

Little Sista - image via Yelp.com.au 

Little Sista - central
Smack bang in the middle of the city, Hairy Little Sista offers comfy couches, tables for small to largish groups, indoor and outdoor seating plus service with a stylish smile. Great central space for a meeting, a drink, food, coffee, and of course, free wifi.

218-240 Little Collins St, Melbourne
7 days a week from early til late  
www.facebook.com/HairyLittleSista

Coffee Exchange - Paris end
Located at the Spring Street end of town, you'll find comfy bench seats, attentive and humbling service, all day breakfast, gluten free options, generous portions and a large, unpretentious space at Coffee Exchange. It's a good hideaway from the world for a few hours. 

Shop 9, 1 Little Collins Street
Open 7 days a week
www.coffeeexchange.com.au

Trunk Diner towards Carlton Gardens image via trunktown.com.au

Trunk Diner - north east corner    
These friendly, funky guys are open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, dinner, inside, outside, diner or restaurant. The city's biggest and best beer garden, ideal for dappled sunlight. 

275 Exhibition Street, Melbourne
Breakfast, lunch and dinner
7 days a week
Gluten free friendly
www.trunktown.com.au

Collins Square - Docklands area
This retail centre is a possibly one of the greatest saving graces of the Docklands area, growing in size and in popularity. There are multiple spots to logon, from the library nook with comfy couches to the food court below, and the increasing number of restaurants and bars in the vicinity. It provides a great refuge from the wind tunnel outside.   

727 Collins Street
All the things
Best Monday to Friday
www.collinssquare.com.au

Bear Brass on Southbank image via bearbrass.com.au

Bear Brass - Southbank side
A casual spot to lap up some sunshine on Southbank with good wifi, breakfast, lunch, drinks and dinner, seven days a week. Standard pub fare that can take you pleasantly by surprise. Recently renovated and bigger and brighter as a result. 

7 days a week
Southgate Plaza, Southbank
www.bearbrass.com.au

C&B Cafe - central
Found right on the corner of Block Arcade and Little Collins Street, it can get a bit touristy here but it's reliable nonetheless. The staff are always helpful and happy to help and it's large enough to find a nook if you need to focus. If you're a nightowl and love to get through some work on weekends it's a good spot after 5pm Wednesday to Sunday. 

C&B Cafe
7 days a week (only to 5pm Monday/Tuesday) 
Block Arcade
 

Got a fave place you love to work at? Give them a shout out below! 

Life in the fast (hot water) lane with Multitap

I’m often asked what it’s like living in the central business district of Melbourne. By often, I mean at least once week. And my answer is always the same; it’s amazing! As somewhat of an efficiency queen who likes to get the most out of every day, life in the big smoke means you can easily and quickly get from one thing to another with just about everything you need practically on your doorstep. The city is my big, beautiful urban backyard, and my apartment is the tranquil escape and instant relief from the crowds when required.

But there’s one thing about the city life which isn’t so great; it runs the risk of making you incredibly impatient. When you’re running a business and a lifestyle blog, it also makes you very time poor as you schedule as much as you can, as closely together as possible, because of the ease and proximity of getting from one meeting or event to another (and the desire to always do more). This might help explain why I’m often running late. 

I’ve become so accustomed to this way of life that I need things to work well and work quickly. It’s life in the fast lane, and we don’t want any breakdowns. In fact, it’s made me so impatient that I’ve gone so far to make life inside my apartment efficient, too. You know the saying, a watched never boils? Well, I used to think of that every single time I would wait for my kettle to boil for my lemon water and coconut oil in the morning. I’d flick the kettle on, go and do something else, or crack on with work, and before you know it’s an hour later, the kettle is cold and I have no hot water or lemon or coconut oil. When working from home, it wouldn’t be unusual to boil the kettle three or four times until I finally used the water. Don’t judge me; we’ve all been there.

So I decided to take control and do something extremely liberating. I ditched my kettle.

When the opportunity arose to trial the steaming hot water Multitap in celebration of its Australian launch (managed by Digital White Space), I felt like I had manifested the very thing I’d dreamed about for years, while also dreaming of renovating my kitchen (which I finally did last year).

The Multitap gives you instant, filtered steaming hot water using a lever on the side of the tap which has a safety mechanism. Uber convenient and no need to watch a kettle boil (or get distracted doing other things while said kettle boils, time and time again), it helps you quickly make hot drinks, blanch vegetables, prepare noodles, clean baby bottles and other things, and save water by not having to wait for the hot water tap to do its thing.

A 2.5L Neotank sits under your kitchen bench, attached to the internal cupboard wall near the tap, allowing you to heat what you need and save on energy. 

Even though I have two large drawers under my kitchen sink, the installer was able to cut out the back of the drawers and neatly install the Neotank with very little space consumed. I was not at all expecting it to be so compact, a concern when space is at a premium in a CBD apartment kitchen! You also have access to turn the Neotank temperature up or down, or off altogether which is ideal when you’re not at home for extended periods.

Italian inspired and made, the tap is also very beautiful and complements my newly renovated kitchen in my heritage apartment just perfectly.

If time, style and quality are important to you, ditch the kettle and in the words of ambassador Guy Grossi, say Ciao to the Multitap from Emerson.

Straight up: This was a commercial agreement so that I could share the experience with you. This is a real and true depiction of my own personal kitchen renovation and experience with the Multitap which was kindly gifted to me.

Cirque du soleil's Toruk: storytelling meets technology

Hear the words Cirque du Soleil and instantly your mind is transported to an experience that involves acrobatics, pirouettes and contortionists that only Cirque can provide. 

Toruk is Cirque du Soleil's international touring show that's inspired by James Cameron's film Avatar. But if you're waiting for a spunky Sam Worthington to appear, you'll be waiting a while. Toruk is the story pre-Avatar where the Anurai clan are in a situation where their lives are threatened. It explores how the different clans come together to overcome their possible distinction. 

Unlike most Cirque shows, this show is one where technology is encouraged - with a dedicated app, you get to be a part of the show in certain sections that I won't spoil for you. 

But it doesn't just end there, the show is a breath taking amalgamation of creative stage tech and the magnificent talent we've come to be so familiar as part of Cirque. To give you too much information will spoil it for you - what I will say is this:

• Take a charged phone 
• Brush up on your Na'vi
• Be prepared to be amazed at the beauty where art meets technology

And if you're like me, you'll be left wondering how they manage to wash off all the blue off their faces. 

Whatever you do, don't try the acrobatics at home.

Toruk is showing in Melbourne until Sunday November 12th, Adelaide from November 16 and Perth from November 24. Tickets online. 

Words by the wonderful Mariella Mejia 

Arbory ahoy on the Yarra

Two years ago, we saw Arbory Bar - Melbourne's longest stretching, outdoor bar and eatery - take to the water for summer on a floating barge that became Arbory Afloat. This year, it's back, bigger and better than ever - literally. 

The 500 square meter pontoon will boast space for more than 400 CBD sailors chasing a drink and a bite on the water from 11am to 1am every. single. day. Enjoy restaurant dining at one end, stop for a drink at the central bar, then ease the food coma (or rest those seas legs) and chill out on one of the day beds at the other end. 

Expect a taste of the Mediterranean with chef Nick Bennett's menu of seafood, vegetables and house-made gelato, washed down with wines curated by award-winning Somm, Raul Mareno Yague, all enjoyed beneath crisp, white, square umbrellas. 

What will be one of the best places in town to spend a sunny day and warm evening on the Yarra, Arbory Afloat will be taking seafarers from November 15, 2017. 

Arbory Afloat
Flinders Landing
From November 15, 2017

Reality bites at Royal Stacks' new food truck pop up

In an Australian first, the burger gurus behind Royal Stacks have taken their already-popular iPhone app to the next level - a food truck with in-built augmented reality. BOOM! 

The app and burger-stacking game has been advanced to allow customers to not only order their meal via their phone, which turns into a buzzer when it's ready, but to offer an augmented reality experience of the food truck itself. 

As if a food truck offering a taste of royalty isn't enough to get us excited, we can also get our geek on with some techie fun. 

Get the app (available from today, 1st November) and see what awaits at the first of the truck's pop up locations - Whitehart Bar in the CBD - from Thursday 1st of November to Sunday 5th of November. 

If you can't get there this week, never fear - there are more pop up locations to come. 

Keep your eye on @RoyalStacksAU on Facebook and Insta for more announcements and updates. 

Royal Stacks food truck pop up + augmented reality
Whitehart Bar
Melbourne CBD
Nov 2 - Nov 5 2017
More pop ups to come

Jack Daniel's Barrel House pops up for Melbourne Music Week

Is it really just about time for Melbourne Music Week already?! How quickly this year has flown, but as spring turns to summer, Melbourne will turn to the music festival once again, from Friday November 17th to Sunday December 3rd. 

If you like your live music with a side of whiskey paired to smoky, southern BBQ food, Crown Melbourne is the place for you this music festival season. 

Returning to Crown's Riverwalk for another year of music week, the Jack Daniel's Barrel House will play host to over 40 Australian artists including Japanese Wallpaper, Alice Ivy, Harts and D'Arcy Spiller. 

Southern aficionados, San Antone, will be repping the BBQ corner with finger licking pulled pork sandwiches, chili dogs, smoked beef brisket, chicken jalapeno sausages, and mac and cheese (essential).

Naturally, you'll be able to wash it all down with a range of Jack Daniel's whiskey-based cocktails. 

Entry is free, with food and drink at promotional prices. 

Here's the full music lineup: 

Thursday 16 November
Harts + D’Arcy Spiller + special guest DJs

Friday 17 November
Japanese Wallpaper + Alice Ivy + special guest DJs

Saturday 18 November
Pilerats Present: Maribelle + MUTO + London Topaz + Pilerats DJs

Sunday 19, Monday 20, Tuesday 21 November
Jack’s Jukebox featuring an eclectic mix of sounds & southern hospitality

Wednesday 22 November
NYCK + Evangeline

Thursday 23 November
123 Agency Present: Dorsal Fins + Maddy Jane + DIET

Friday 24 November
The Hard Aches + Bugs + special guest DJs

Saturday 25 November
Nicole Millar + special guest DJs

Sunday 26, Monday 27, Tuesday 28 November
Jack’s Jukebox featuring an eclectic mix of sounds & southern hospitality

Wednesday 29 November
Alexander Gow (Oh Mercy) + D’Arcy Spiller + William Bloom

Thursday 30 November
Select Music Present: Lanks + Tora + special guest DJs

Friday 1 December
Asta + special guest DJs

Saturday 2 December
The Aston Shuffle (DJ set) + special guest DJs 

The Stoneleigh Project: Where art meets wine this October

An abandoned warehouse down a little alley in Melbourne’s CBD is an unassuming setting for Stoneleigh’s latest immersive wine tasting pop-up: the Stoneleigh Project.

The space is transformed into a series of installations which showcase the winemaking process from inception to completion. Experience the flowing virtual river scattered with ancient river stones; the mirror room depicting the rays of sunlight which nourish the grapes and the impressive room of floating wild yeast bubbles that reach from floor to ceiling.

As you wind your way through the space you’ll be mesmerised by internationally-acclaimed artist Susi Sie’s macro videography which was inspired by Stoneleigh’s Wild Valley Pinot Noir; and if your appreciation for art is comparable only to your appreciation for wine then you can also sample the Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir from Stoneleigh’s Wild Valley range.

This exhibition is totally free and culminates at a pop-up bar and cellar door where you can purchase a bottle (or three) to take home. Head to the website to secure your spot; your ticket is valid throughout the day, so feel free to arrive anytime between opening hours. You can also register at the entrance on arrival.

The Stoneleigh Project
524 Flinders St Melbourne
13 October - 5 November
Weekdays except Tuesday: 4pm-10pm
Weekends: 12noon-10pm

Words by Little Miss contributor, Clare Burbridge Melbourne girl passionate about creative and corporate writing. Obsessed with travel. Even more obsessed with Paris. INFJ. 

Hilarious High Jinks with MTC's Hayfever

Noel Cowards ‘Hayfever’ is a production of rambunctious frivolity centred around a handful of preposterous yet equally adorable key characters. Themes of class, desperation, and social anxiety are intricately weaved throughout the play and explode in a series of social high jinks, akin to the type of hilarious romantic missteps you’d find in ‘A Mid-Summer Nights Dream’.  

As the curtains lift, we are transported to a manicured country estate (somewhere suitably south of London), in the heartland of all that is pompous and proper about the British upper classes. It’s the not the kind of place where you expect to see a Tesco or Sainsburys; this is undoubtedly Waitrose country. 

It’s a summery weekend in June when we are introduced to the 4 members of the egocentric Bliss family.  There’s mother Judith Bliss who’s acerbic tongue and overtly sexually agenda are played out hysterically by Marina Prior. Kim Gyngell plays David Bliss, the cantankerous novelist father who appears to have little to no affection towards his family and then there’s Sorel and Simon (played by Imogen Sage and Gareth Davies) the two equally vacuous and affected siblings whose apparent naivety has been shaped by their prohibitive bubble of privilege (amusingly it’s almost as if they’ve never seen the outside world).

Everyone in the Bliss family appears to be so desperately bored by their existence that they’ve each invited a guest (read: plaything) to keep them entertained over the weekend. The Bliss’s slap-dash approach to hospitality implodes in a series of games that are inadvertently (or not?) designed to expose the weaknesses of their guests whilst reinforcing the family’s ardent sense of self-entitlement.  Moments of social anxiety and loaded silences are peppered throughout the play to hilarious affect, so much so that I found myself peering through parted fingers in embarrassment at several turns.

I delighted in the conceit and lunacy of the Bliss family and I empathised with the innocence of the guests who were all equally baffled by the intention of their hosts’ theatrical charade; and I couldn’t help but be drawn in by the obvious flaws in each character, which over the course of the play, become endearing qualities. 

All of this coupled with the English country manner setting, the costumes befitting the pretentions of each character and the proficiency of the players, had me captivated. Not to mention - an added benefit of Marina Prior’s lead in this production means that you’ll be treated to a goose-bump inducing operatic moment which serves to reinforce her strongly held position in Australian theatre royalty.

If you are a fan of character centred comedies where obsessions and compulsions play out to disastrous effect (think Bridget Jones) or if you're one of those people who finds amusement in socially awkward moments (like that time you waved back at someone who wasn’t actually waving to you) then you'll love this production. 

I really had no idea what to expect of Hayfever as I hadn’t heard much about it before but I can honestly say that the cast and crew delivered a night of delightful entertainment and plenty of laughs.

Hayfever is performed by the Melbourne Theatre Company and is playing at the Southbank Theatre until the 28th of October 2017. For more info hit up http://www.mtc.com.au/plays-and-tickets/season-2017/hay-fever/

Words by Clare Burbridge: Melbourne girl passionate about creative and corporate writing. Obsessed with travel. Even more obsessed with Paris. INFJ.