London's Village East eases foodie FOMO (and walks their talk)

Today I went for a 3pm breakfast at Village East on London’s Bermondsey Street. From the drool worthy menu, I liked the look of the avocado and fetta benedict – that’s eggs on toast with hollandaise sauce plus avo and fetta. Yum, right?

Only, I couldn’t decide between that and the bacon sandwich with avocado and chili jam. When I expressed this predicament to the very helpful and lovely waitress, she suggested the benedict with a side of bacon – brilliant! But I wasn’t too bothered about the hollandaise sauce, I said, and I rather liked the sound of the chili jam.

She nodded compassionately at the severity of this serious foodie dilemma.

Shrugging, compromising, she offered ‘why don’t we just swap out the hollandaise with the chili jam?’ This sounded like an excellent plan to me. Let’s go with the avocado and fetta benedict, with a side of bacon, hold the hollandaise, add the chili jam.

Oh, and can I please have that on gluten free?

Of course. 

...Oh, and just a half serve?  *insert wince from me*

No. Problem. Apparently they get this all the time (I think she was just being kind).

It’s worth mentioning, at this point, the entire exchange occurred entirely sans note pad and pen. I think all of that alone rates the service at Village East pretty damn high.

As for the food, it hit the spot. The smoked bacon had the right consistency of meat vs fat, a good mix of avocado and fetta, and delicious grainy GF toast – eloquently balanced with the desirable chili jam sauce.

The delicious by-product of foodie FOMO 

Around the Village East logo on the front of the menu are the promising words, ‘neighbourly’ and ‘hospitality’. It pleases my brand and content soul to no end when I see a business really walking their talk.   

Big thanks to the host who found me a perfect laptop-friendly Sunday-writing corner, the waitress who so gracefully eased my culinary FOMO and the kitchen for being so flexible – and dishing up a wonderful, bespoke London afternoon brunch.

Forever indecisive, 

Little Miss Melbourne xoxo

Sunday brunch runs from 9am to 4pm on Sundays at Village East, 171-173 Bermondsey Street, London.

A note that the WIFI is not very good so if you need to do some surfing I’d suggest BYO internet. Or, just don’t work on a Sunday. Now there’s an idea.

Foodie trifecta hot spots in London

London is a hot bed of sights and sounds, cultures and sensations. And while the last 10 years has seen a massive rise in the number of passionate culinary aficionados (and hipsters), finding the ultimate foodie trifecta - service, food/drink and ambience - can still be a bit hit and miss. 

As a devoted sharer of good foodie experiences, here are just a few hand-picked hot spots I've visited around town rating high on the LMM scorecard. 

Taberna Do Mercado - Shoreditch
This new Portuguese tapas spot at the now-sparkly clean Spitalfields Markets is impressive and certainly has the trifecta down pat. The service was so welcoming, knowledgeable and friendly that it created a good experience in itself but when the food arrived, as we sat in the outside, undercover and heated courtyard overlooking the market, it seriously hit the mark. Refer to food porn above and below yes, it tastes as good as it looks (better). 

Pizarro - Bermondsey Street
South of the Thames in SE1, this is Jose Pizarro's second restaurant following the near-by and always-full Jose. Pizarro adds a modern twist to traditional Spanish tapas to deliver creative, unique and entertaining small to medium dishes that hit the spot. The brick, tile and timber interior is earthy and warming with polite and attentive staff. We enjoyed sitting at the bar overlooking the kitchen for some added theatre.

Chief Coffee - Chiswick
I was a good half hour early to a meeting around Turnham Green tube station. So, like any good self-respecting digital gypsy, I went in search of a good coffice. It seems I have the nose for sniffing them out as I managed to find the Chief of Chiswick tucked down a laneway, off the high street and far from the unsuspecting eye. Melbourne has taught me well. The coffee here was, quite honestly, soul soothing with the goods from Drop Coffee and Workshop Coffee. I'm not sure whether it was the excellent soy latte, the free wifi, exposed brick, and timber ceilings or the flood of natural light on an overcast day, but I felt right at home at Chief of Chiswick. Even with a pinball parlour in the basement. 

The Garrison - Bermondsey Street
The thing I love about Bermondsey Street is that it emanates country England township, from the heart of London city. The Garrison personifies this perfectly with a style that is country classic meets city Gastropub. The menu, as much as the area, is traditional meets new with breakfast offering the likes of avocado on toast (quite rare in London) to the good old bacon and egg butty. Over lunch and dinner enjoy a drink and snack at the bar or settle in for something more substantial. Dishes are varied and versatile satisfying a good craving for fish and chips to catering to the needs of other diners perhaps preferring the likes of quinoa patties with garden marrow and chopped salad. Cosy, busy, fun, potentially fancy, while at the same time, no fuss. Would advise to book ahead - it's a popular one.    

Pickle & Pistachio - Angel 
Otherwise referred to (by me) as cheese lover heaven. Small, cute, patient service (there are important cheese decisions to be made), and incredible fromage for you to drool over and take away.  

Southerden - Bermondsey Street
I'd more or less dosed up on my quota of soy lattes before I left Melbourne in case I couldn't make regular visits to London's east end (the mecca of hipsters and 'Melbaristas'). Southerden saved my Melbourne girl ass, just south of the Thames along Bermondsey Street. Repping Monmouth coffee, I actually prefer my coffee here rather than at Monmouth; fewer lines, better vibe, less stress, more seats, wifi and irresistible treats right under your nose as you order your coffee. Clever devils.  

Brindisa - London Bridge
While I'm on a tapas run, it's certainly worth mentioning Brindisa, which I've been to before. This place is more genuinely Spanish in that it's a little bit hectic, a little bit loud, and whole lot of authentic tapas. With an affordable menu and food that's as lively as the atmosphere, with a team to match, Brindisa is one fun London restaurant to get your sharing dish fix. 

To see more of the food porn, press play: 

View on Flipagram

What makes your soul happy?

For the last week, I've been in Marseille, France, as part of my two month workation where I'm fully indulging in my digital gypsy career choices. 

The beautiful thing about travel, for me, is that it provides a whole new perspective of life; of your own, and life in the grander scheme of things. It's such an amazing time to reflect, to adjust, to learn, to grow, to make changes and new promises to yourself. It's a perfect time for remembering what you love and what makes you truly happy. 

When you travel somewhere that has this profound effect on you, it's magical. 

In Marseille, this intriguing city by the sea, I've been reminded just how much I love, and miss, being near the water. How simply looking out across the waves can take you to an instant state of peace and calm, delivering clarity of mind. I feel very grateful that life has taken me here and I've been able to rediscover just how important it is to me. It's created mental room for new discoveries and lessons, thoughts and directions. It's generated even greater appreciation. 

It's so, so easy to get caught up in the race of city life and forget these little things that are actually so massive for your health and wellbeing.

This is a reminder today to think about what makes your soul sing and to make time for that this weekend - and possibly every week after. Your soul will thank you with happiness. 

Soulfully yours,

Little Miss Melbourne xoxo

Tales of lag from London

​It's 6.30am in London. From my suite at Batty Langley's in the now-fashionable Shoreditch area, I can hear the slight pitter patter of rain outside. Jet lag has kicked in.

In the private lounge that's part of my suite I peruse a quaint library of beautifully aged books and settle on Everybody's Book of Fate and Fortune by Edward Lyndoe, published through Oldhams Press, 1935. There are books everywhere here and I love it.

While I sit on a cushy, soft, leather sofa, Ed teaches me about Astro-suggestion, how to read my palm (not an overly fortunate one, as it turns out...but I beg to differ) and other things like Arithmancy and the Oracle de Napoleon. Ed sounds a very respectful chap. 

I think about having a soak in the large, ceramic claw foot bath that regales my oversized, floor heated bathroom - but decide against. Instead, I wrap myself up in a big, fluffy Batty Langley's robe, climb up onto the bed that's as high as my waist and read through the humble 24 hour room service menu.

Breakfast ordered last night is due to arrive at my requested time of 9am. I was excited to see green smoothie on the menu but I'm already wondering whether it's going to be enough - although something tells me it wouldn't be a problem if I asked for something else at Batty Langley's.

I miss a Facebook call because I'm writing this post and at once appreciate the joys of having excellent wifi while in a room that makes you feel certain you'll see a horse and cart pass by if you peek out the window past the heavy, opulent drapes.

Everything is still. It's my first morning back in London. And I'm not in a rush to go anywhere. 

Exploring Sydney's inner west

It should be quite apparent how much I am in love with Melbourne. But I do love a good trip up to Sydney, especially at the tail end of a very long and miserable winter, even in the world's most liveable city. 

On my last trip up, I thought I'd check out the city's inner west. Here's a little snapshot of what I found. Super fabulous thanks to Adara Camperdown for having me; an ideal spot for spacious, economy, serviced accommodation that's perfectly close to King Street foodie spots, the University of Sydney, RPA Hospital and of course, the city. Honourable mention to Hoochia Mamma for having gluten free pancakes - instant happy! 

View on Flipagram

Finding luxury from Mornington to Lorne

Last month, LMM joined luxury accommodation gurus Alluxia as they discovered some of the beautiful things about the Mornington Peninsula, Torquay and Lorne. 

Here's a little snap shot of what we got up to - and what you can too! To find more about what you've seen, say hello. 

Part I: Mornington Peninsula 

Part II: through Melbourne and around to Torquay and Lorne - bliss!

Escape to Mackay

When I was recently headed to Mackay for an intro to the region, the general response when I mentioned my destination was either, "where?!", or "why?!". Up until two weeks ago, I wasn't entirely sure of these things myself. Now I am. And it's absolutely worth sharing. 

THE WHERE
Mackay is located just above the halfway mark between Brisbane and Port Douglas and, given it produces around third of our country's cane sugar, is considered our sugar capital. It's also been active in mining in recent years but now the attention is shifting towards this beautiful part of the world as a down to earth holiday destination. Given it's location - just a 1.5 hour flight from Brisbane - this breezy, warm, laid-back town offers more than a launching pad to the Whitsundays or Great Barrier Reef and is a great get away in itself. Here's why. 

THE WHY
It's easy to get some sun. 
With flights from Mackay to Melbourne available from $235 with Virgin, you can find yourself soaked in sun in just over four hours. 

Super easy, brand new accommodation. 
The premium economy ibis Mackay Airport (pictured below) is located literally across the road from the airport making it an ideal spot to arrive, drop your bags, arrange a hire car and make it your base for quick trips into town or day trips further out. Having just opened in June, it has that new hotel smell and feel and is absolutely pristine. Expect a modern design, contemporary bathrooms (no Ibis pod bathrooms here!), very comfortable beds, a gymnasium, onsite restaurant and bar (with food, like the Ibis Boomer Burger, that you can order and take up to your room) and lovely, lovely people. It must be all that sunshine.

On nature's doorstep. 
The wild beauty that is Eungella National Park is about an hour West of Mackay. I implore you to seek out the Sky Window Lookout from where you'll take in sweeping views of the Pioneer Valley and all its gorgeous expansiveness. While you're in discovery mode, take some time out to let the shoulders drop at the platypus viewing platform (below second from left) as you silently wait to spot the adorably playful but highly elusive platypus. This is one of the best places in Australia to see this shy-guy in the wild. 

Bordering Eungella you'll find the lowland riverine rainforest of Finch Hatton Gorge (above, third and fourth from left) and all its picturesque waterfalls, lush flora and volcanic boulders that are home to fauna like the monitor lizard, azure kingfisher, bush turkey and flying fox.  

If you like a bit of sand between your toes, Mackay has you covered. Harbour Beach is only five minutes from town, seasonally patrolled by the Mackay Surf Lifesaver Club and home to the insanely fun Mackay Airport Beach Horse Races. What a day! 

These are just a hint of the natural awesomeness you can find in Mackay - here are some more. 

Delicious potato and chorizo salad at River Rock Cafe 

Great food.
Within Finch Hatton Gorge, make sure you drop in to visit the River Rock Cafe and feast on humble, tasty and highly satisfying meals while you're surrounded by nature.

Enjoy a balmy afternoon or evening al fresco style at Bridges Restaurant, perched overlooking the Pioneer River and serving up modern Aussie cuisine with an international twist. 

In town, I highly recommend The Dispensary on Wood Street for two levels of stylish consumption from a stunning degustation space for 10 and large, cosy wine bar below to a whisky bar just above. It's the perfect playground for city folk. This is what I'm talking about. 

All up
The problem with popular, over crowded holiday destinations is…just that. If you’re after some peace and quiet with a hint of the city life you may want to put Mackay on your list. Rainforest. Beach. The hills. National park. Lizards. The cute little bobbing platypus. The races. Good people. Warmth. Serenity. Sunshine. 

That's why Mackay. For more information about the region, just visit www.mackayregion.com. 
 

The degustation room at the Dispensary 

With thanks to our generous sponsors, Accor Hotels, ibis Mackay Airport, Virgin Australia, Mackay Tourism Queensland, Mackay Airport and all the amazing locals who made us feel so welcome in Mackay. 

London: where to stay in the capital of the uk

Ahhh, London. Your lively jibe, your gritty edge, your sophisticated style. There are so many complementing contradictions to the city that attracts around 15 million tourists every year that it has something for everyone.

Heading over for a two week business sojourn, I was finding it particularly difficult to know and decide where to stay – particularly as it had been a good while (13 years) between stays. So, I decided to stay all over the place, with the help of Accor Hotels and my first AirBNB experience.

If you’re heading to London, here’s a list of places across the city to accommodate a range of different budgets and preferences. Because there were simply too many beautiful shots for one post, click on the links throughout for a visual peek. 

NORTH WEST
The Pullman St Pancras
4 star deluxe - from £168/night (~$336)

Let it be said, The Pullman St Pancras is not a hotel; it’s an experience. On arrival, a doorman, welcoming staff member and professional reception team are eager to make your stay as enjoyable as possible, relieving you of your luggage and letting you relax. An opulent, expansive and beautifully fragrant lobby offers high ceilings, soft lighting and chic interiors with numerous comfortable areas perfect for catch ups or meetings (or just some quiet time with a glass of champagne and a side of fries). The lobby stretches down towards the very smart Golden Arrow Bar and Restaurant where you can enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner for deluxe hotel prices but the quality to match. I highly recommend the Detox Sunday Brunch on a Sunday! Just downstairs from here you’ll find yet another comfortable and contemporary lounge area matched with sublime tunes. 

My room was spacious, bright, modern and fresh with a good mini bar, complimentary bottled water, free wifi, robe and slippers, large TV, chaise lounge, rain shower, an excellent hairdryer and luxury toiletries. The view is stunning. The king sized bed is sheer heaven. It was highly fortunate timing for me to snap up my room at a special price of just £90 a night, with Accor Hotel’s Happy Mondays (occasional discounts at participating hotels for the weekend following - definitely keep your eye on this). 

A state of the art gym overlooks London with a gorgeous view that distracts you from the treadmill, and there’s a lovely sauna for you to truly unwind in. The staff at The Pullman are so incredibly lovely and happy to help that it truly enhances the already beautiful stay at this upscale hotel. If there was any way I could live here, I would. 

Verdict: I didn’t want to leave.
 

SOUTH EAST
Novotel Blackfriars
4 star - from £150/night (~$300)

Entering Novotel Blackfriars from the bustling Blackfriars Road, you’re greeted with a busy reception desk and friendly staff to the left, and the lobby bar and restaurant across to your right. It’s clearly a popular hotel full of activity with multiple guests waiting for others in arm chairs or at the large communal table in the front café area. The perspective from my brightly lit room is back towards the city and over the Shard, making it easy for some afternoon writing with a view. A stylish bathroom is partitioned with a glass wall that transforms from a clear to opaque finish - very cool. It also has a rain shower plus great lighting (good for doing make up!) and regular Novotel toiletries. The remainder of the medium sized room is made up of a large, comfy bed, 32” TV, mini bar and a desk panel that leads to the look out over London and a chaise lounge. With an executive upgrade, I’m provided with faster wifi, a robe, slippers and complimentary bottled water. I didn’t try the onsite restaurant although the room service snack (pate and terrines) I ordered after a long day wasn't quite as satisfying as I'd anticipated and I held back on ordering something else. Downstairs in the basement you’ll find an awesome, well-equipped gym, stunning indoor swimming pool with digital art and sauna. There are also meeting rooms just upstairs from reception to accommodate business events and guests. The good thing about Novotel Blackfriars is its location given the price. You’re just a couple of minutes from the tube (Southwark station) and walking distance to all the popular tourist attractions including the Tate Modern, London Eye and St Paul’s Cathedral. Being so close to the Thames, it’s perfect for a lap around the bridges for a morning run with some superb on-the-ground views of London. The nearby Blackfriars Wine Bar is good for an afterwork vino. 

Verdict: An excellent location with reliable and comfy accommodation.
 

EASTERN CENTRAL (THE CITY)
Ibis London City
3 star economy - from £82/night (~$160)

This hotel is funky, fresh and FUN. With an economy grade price tag, you’d expect something a little more rough around the edges but the lobby experience and Foggs Bar and Restaurant puts you at ease as soon as you arrive. The rooms are of economy Ibis standard being a little on the smaller side with a queen size bed and the trade mark Ibis ‘pod’ bathroom, but it’s very comfortable, convenient and reliable - even the pod is a bit of fun with a good shower perfect after a long day of sight-seeing. A more basic offering, there are tea and coffee facilities and Freeview TV, but no mini bar or room service, which helps keep the price down, as does the lack of a gym. The staff are so helpful and friendly, adding to the overall experience at Ibis London City which makes you feel happy to return. Located in the heart of the City of London, you’re super close to a plethora of bars, restaurants and *good* coffee in Shoreditch plus Brick Lane, Liverpool Street and the Tower of London - a fabulous morning walk. With free wifi and a quietly buzzing atmosphere that is full of good energy, the lobby lounge area is great for working or a meeting. A delicious and diverse buffet breakfast served every morning is highly impressive and great for keeping you going for a good part of the day. For the three star economy rating, the Ibis City London was one of my favourite hotel stays in London.

Verdict: Wallet friendly, people friendly and comfortable - in a great part of town!
 

SOUTH EAST
Mercure London Bridge
4 star - from £118/night (~$240)

The Mercure London Bridge south of the Thames offers contemporary accommodation in a quieter part of town, yet still within excellent proximity to popular tourist attractions and a tube ride away from where you need to be. Stay within a walk or short taxi to tourist attractions such as the Tower Bridge, Tate Modern, Borough Markets, London Bridge and the many bars and restaurants in the area and along South Bank. The hotel is pure understated cool with contemporary interiors, very stylish meeting and lounge spaces and a gorgeous country style restaurant. After arriving late, I settled into my ginormous room and its plush interiors only to find that the bed was missing the layer that normally sits atop the two singles pushed together. Obviously an oversight, in no time at all reception had organised another room for me to move to and I was settled once more in 20 minutes. The other room was not quite as large but it was quieter and felt more comfortable being a tad smaller - of course with the same gorgeous plush interiors and a very modish bathroom with a rain shower. Breakfast at The Loft restaurant is cruelly tempting with a hot buffet breakfast that includes black pudding, plus all the regular and slightly healthier continental options, in a space with lots of natural light. The lobby area and free wifi provided a perfect virtual office for a day of working in one of their lounge-room themed spaces. I particularly love the furniture at Mercure London Bridge.

The verdict: Stylish accommodation in a quieter area that’s still close to everything

WEST SIDE
AirBNB Apartment
4 star AirBNB rating - from £160 a night (~$306) for 2 bedrooms/3 beds

This was my first encounter with an AirBNB stay. It’s certainly no hotel experience, but I had a friend joining me for a few nights and it was a cost effective option for two bedroom accommodation with more space. Staying in Soho, everything is (literally) on your door step and the energy is electric. Bustling streets and pavements not to mention a night club right next door - which, unfortunately, started at 11pm and finished at around 3am most nights. Thankfully ear plugs were on hand for my last three nights in London and while it was a lot of fun to share an authentic London flat with a friend, I missed the peace, comfort and security of a hotel. It did help slowly bring me back to reality prior to returning to “normal life” while also making me feel glad to get home to my own apartment and away from a bed that lay on a slope.

There’s such a vast difference between staying AirBNB vs a hotel and pros and cons to each; it’s more real, more of a city experience, and makes you more independent - but it can be less comfortable, less reliable, with less opportunity to get things fixed if something’s not quite right. For the price and with a tight budget, I’d rather return to the Ibis London City, but the draw card is the Soho and Piccadilly location. It all comes down to where you’d prefer to stay.

The verdict: Noisy but incredible location and best for value for money for a group

London is such a babe and it was amazing to be reunited with my long lost love of a city. If you’re headed there soon and in need of some independent accommodation ideas or would love to hear about where to eat, drink and be merry, get in touch! If you're a high tea fan, read about the offering at the Sofitel St James. Curious about whether Premium Economy is really worth it? Here's my independent post on the PE with Qantas. 

Pssst - just a mention that I received some media rate and some complimentary accommodation during my trip, while also making good use of the Accor Happy Mondays for great deals available to everyone. Massive thank you to Accor Hotels for helping me share where to stay with my fellow wanderlust readers. 

London new and old

It's my first day back in London for 7 years, 13 years after I lived here. It's safe to say a few things have changed. Kings Cross Station, for example, no longer feels as though you'll be mugged at McDonalds. The station has had a face lift and it actually looks *nice*. For a couple of nights I'm staying at nearby The Pullman St Pancras. That too has had a face lift, or rather a complete face change from what was formerly the Novotel. It's absolutely stunning and I fear two nights will not be enough here. In fact, I never want to leave...the lobby is gorgeous, as are the multiple spaces for you to enjoy a coffee, meal, drink or hold a meeting. Service: gorgeous. My room: spacious, bright, crisp, new, and sharp. 

With The Pullman being reasonably close proximity to my old hood, I took the half hour hike up the hill to be reunited with Angel, Islington. It's comforting to see that in 13 years some things actually don't change. The Nags Head, Islington on The Green, The Steam Passage Tavern, Earl of Essex, The Duke of Cambridge (an organic pub), even the little dodgy kebab shop on Upper Street, are all still trooping along. Nawww. 

Something that is new (to me) is Bill's Restaurant on White Lion Street. I have sneaking suspicions that this space *may* have previously been a pub and I *may* have previously been here on a date back in my early 20s (and made out at the bar)...ah memories. 

Now Bills, it's a delightful cafe restaurant with its own gourmet food store, established and popular with Londoners. I asked simply for a bacon sandwich and got an overload of crispy bacon on gluten free bread. Add ketchup and I was a happy lady. If there's one thing I highly regard at breakfast, it's generosity with bacon. The coffee could do with improvement but are Melburnians not the harshest coffee critics of them all? 

Besides being rained in at Bills (it could be worse), morning one has been a success. Next stop: lunch plans and writing chats with friend and now Londoner, @ladywriterLDN. Food and cocktail porn via Insta ensues... 

Bills Restaurant, Angel  

Bacon plus! 

Is premium economy really worth it?

Have you ever sat on a gruelling long haul flight, wedged into economy class like a sardine, and said to yourself about halfway through; I would give anything right now to upgrade my seat. I know I have, and so for this next upcoming sojourn to London I thought I'd be one step ahead of my usual self and organise said upgrade in advance. While this is a business trip, business class felt like a big, indulgent and costly leap. So I looked to the next best thing; Premium Economy. It was going to be three times more expensive than my regular economy seat but it was definitely feasible. So, was premium economy really worth it? Here's my experience.

Flight: Melbourne to Dubai
Carrier: Qantas 
Seat: 24D

Check in
I checked in online so my "check in" process at the airport only called for a bag drop and a print out of my boarding pass. I stood in a long line for 5 minutes at the bag drop area before remembering I had premium economy right of way. Girl ain't got no time for lines! Zoomed straight through and into customs then the departure lounge. Unfortunately the lady at check in forgot to give me my fast track pass to get through customs (part of the perks of premium economy) so there was a long wait here but lesson learnt: ask for it next time.

The lounge
Access to the Qantas lounge is not included for the premium economy flyer. Best to use your Qantas Club access here if you have it. The amount of money I've saved on bored retail splurges alone has made the lounge more than worth it...

Boarding
Admittedly I did feel like a bit of an arse marching past the ridiculously long line of people waiting to board economy. This feeling rapidly dissipated once distracted by the gross lack of line at boarding through premium economy and straight onto the plane. It was well and truly gone when I settled back with a pre-take off bubbles (Katnook Estate Founders Block sparkling white).  

Midnight snack 
Whilst I didn't exactly need to eat a second dinner, I thought it would be rude not to sample our midnight dinner. I hadn't pre-ordered my meal as you can do on premium economy, instead happy to see what I felt like at the time. At this time I felt like meat. Lamb, to be precise. This was pull-apart, no knife required lamb, accompanied by a peppery side salad with balsamic & olive oil vinaigrette from Birch & Waite. I matched my lambert with a Haselgrove Switch GSM (2013) from McLaren Vale although the Wynns Coonawarra Shiraz (2010) may have been a wiser option with lamb. The veggies were a tad on the soggy side, but what can one expect from pre-prepared meal? 

The chocolate mousse salted caramel fudge by Kitchen Food Company was fantastic, even for a savoury fan such as myself. Very light and fluffy and paired exceptionally well with the GSM.

The dining experience
There are the nicer touches like linen table cloths and napkins, silver cutlery and food served in crockery as compared to foil. Then there's the inflight self serve snack bar if you feel like getting up and about. Or just ask for any of the refreshments available throughout your flight. You won't go hungry, and you can eat on your schedule - not theirs. 

As we inched towards Dubai, we had the breakfast regular breakfast choice of hot breaky (scrambled eggs, sausage, grilled tomato, hash brown); or continental - fruit platter with cereal. The eggs were on the powdery side but the tomato and mushrooms made up for it, and the staff had also kindly given me the fruit platter when I couldn't decide between hot or cold breakfast. The passionfruit and pineapple went down a treat.  

The service 
This is what truly blew me away. On long haul flights with Qantas, it's always a bit of pot luck as to how the service is going to be - particularly on the Australian leg. But the service on this flight in premium economy was outstanding (as you'd hope for three times the price). Along with welcoming each guest personally by name, our host, Tony, took extra special care to make sure we were happy. Is my water bottle empty? Why yes it is - a fill up would be great. Can't decide which wine to have with my meal? Sample each! Thank you, kind sir. The service was light, accommodating, the right level of chatty and, most importantly but frequently forgotten, kind. 

In the air
As you're on the upper deck, the "roar" is less for a quieter rest inclusive of sound cancelling head sets. They weren't entirely sound cancelling but they did a pretty good job. With a wider seat, a lower head rest (I'm never tall enough to reach them in economy), an extending footrest, wide centre console (no elbow wars) and a lower recline, it was easier to get a good, solid rest. 

But is it worth the money?
This largely depends on why you're traveling. I had to hit the ground running so wanted to be fresh and alert. I was also only going for two weeks so needed to make the most of my time there. Regardless of this, when it comes to a long haul flight, no one wants to arrive in their destination feeling like they've aged 10 years or suffer the consequential evil jetlag which, I feel, comes from a lack of overall rest and hydration. For me, I felt human, refreshed and ready to tackle the rest of my trip on arrival to Dubai. Premium economy was absolutely worth my investment. 

24 hours in Daylesford

CONGRATULATIONS! You survived silly season and made it through new years. Now it’s time for you to enjoy a well-earned break that’s just for you. No wrapping. No Kris Kringle. No sparkles. Just downtime, eating and drinking, all for you. Bliss.

For a weekend of R&R that’s not too far from Melbourne, Daylesford hits the spot. Just two hours from Melbourne, it’s the perfect distance to get some time out from the city without over committing on distance and time.

And just to make it super easy, we’ve crafted the ultimate relaxation hit-list itinerary so you don’t even need to worry about planning. Just book, drive, arrive - and chill.

Here’s what you can get up to in 24 hours of rejuvenation in Daylesford. Go on – you deserve it.

12noon – Check in

Arrive in Daylesford and check in to the uber chic Frangos & Frangos Boutique Hotel. Remove city slicker clothes and replace with uber comfy, down-time threads. No laptops permitted beyond this point. Jump back in the car and head straight for Hepburn Springs.

12.30pm – Lax and lunch: Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa; the Pavilion Café

Pavilion Cafe

Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa has been the calling card for tired shoulders and healing seekers since 1895. The mineral waters of the region have been long renowned for their healing qualities and the Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa provides the ultimate in therapeutic bathing and spa experiences. Choose from communal bathing in The Bathhouse, hydro and steam therapies at The Sanctuary, a more exclusive bathing experience with a Private Mineral Bath, or a spa treatment like a massage, facial, manicure, pedicure and ‘spa ritual’. There’s a huge range of options such as the Indulgent Revival (150 minutes, from $350), Mothers-To-Be (90 minutes, from $229), a Cocoon (60 minutes, from $199) or the Champagne Sugar Polish (60 minutes, from $157). You’re in excellent hands with the highly qualified, trained and experienced team at Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa and you’ll feel the shoulders drop the moment you’re wrapped in a big white fluffy robe.

After all that hard work winding down, appease a well-earned appetite at the Pavilion Café, on the same beautifully inspiring site of the bathhouse and spa. It’s time for indulgence of the culinary variety with Devonshire tea (gluten free scones available), hearty salads, gourmet sandwiches and why not a touch of retox with a cheeky glass of bubbles on the side.

4pm – Naptime: Frangos & Frangos Boutique Hotel

Image via Frangos & Frangos Facebook

What would 24 hours of R&R be without a good afteroon nap at your accommodation? Frangos & Frangos Boutique Hotel is a luxury hotel experience, in the very heart of Daylesford. Dark walls, ornate features and long, heavy drapes offer an air of opulent European style. Rooms are decorated with classic chaise lounges, ornate ceilings, plush cushions and large pillows, all contributing to a cosy stay of kitsch elegance. Large private bathrooms feature huge free-standing baths, separate showers and gorgeous toiletries. A well catered mini bar houses all the good stuff – Veuve Clicquot, Peroni, local craft beer, orange juice, and soda. The Hotel Manager at Frangos & Frangos, Bernard Glaude, makes for an excellent host and great conversationalist, who’s happy to help with whatever you need for a comfortable stay. After your nap, wake up slowly in the lounge room downstairs before getting ready for a pre-dinner drink at on-site bar, Jimmies. Life is super tough right now, but you just gotta keep going. Good food awaits.

7pm – Wine & Dine at The Grande Hotel

The Grande Hotel is 2km from Daylesford in Hepburn Springs overlooking the forest for dinner, drinks and accommodation. This country federation style venue comprises a grand old dining room, cosy lounge bar, open fires, 11 hotel rooms, wrap around verandah and sublime food from regionally renowned hatted chef, Andrew Dennis. The focus at Grande Hotel is on seasonal and sustainable local produce with an emphasis on the best the region has to offer. Dinner is available Friday, Saturday and Monday nights from 6pm with weekend breakfast and lunch now on the agenda. We highly recommend scrumptious dishes like grilled Hervey Bay scallops with spiced pea puree and crisp Istra pancetta (cooked to perfection), and slow cooked duck with Moorish rice pilav and rose water yoghurt. Afterwards, enjoy a digestif in the lounge bar and take in the history that surrounds you before heading home via local taxi back to Daylesford.

9am – Breakfast at Koukla Café

Rise and shine to a new day and yummy breakfast. Adjoined with Frangos & Frangos Hotel, Koukla Café dishes up a highly reliable breakfast with a casual bohemian café vibe. Grab an award winning coffee from an award winning barista in this licensed and character-filled space. Options like the Breakfast Tortilla (with scrambled eggs, beans, salsa, guacamole), $17.90, will keep you charged for the day and more than keen to head back for a delicious lunch and woodfired pizza later in the day as well. Two thumbs up for this friendly, sunny, cosy spot with great gluten free pizza in Daylesford.    

10.30am – More lax time at Daylesford Day Spa

Your 24 hours is drawing to a close but there’s still time for one more spa! A mere stroll from Frangos & Frangos is the Daylesford Day Spa set in a beautiful two storey heritage building. Be looked after from top to toe with exquisite treatments from specialist, highly trained and down-to-earth staff. Jurliques Facials, Relaxation and Deep Tissue Massage, Aromatherapy Spas, Rose Milk Baths, Body Treatments and the amazing Le Stone Therapy all designed to support you with the art of relaxation. And that they do. You’ll leave Daylesford Day Spa feeling rejuvenated, relaxed and recharged, leaving behind any stresses you might still be holding onto, getting you ready to tackle the buzzing city life again.

12noon – city bound

You are now fully restored and it’s time to head back to the big smoke. Before you do, take a wander through the town for some shopping at the gorgeous home stores and fashion boutiques that line Vincent Street. You’re guaranteed to find something you’ll love to take home with you and remind you of your blissful 24 hours in Daylesford; you’ll be more than glad you decided to treat yourself.  

YOUR ITINERARY HIT-LIST:

·         Frangos & Frangos Hotel

·         Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa

·         Pavilion Café

·         The Grande Hotel

·         Koukla Cafe

·         Daylesford Day Spa

We’d like to extend a very warm thank you to our illustrious hosts involved with the making of this post to share delightful Daylesford with you. Special thanks to Annie and Harriet at Mango and also the Daylesford and Macedon Ranges Tourism Board (explore the region with their new app, below).

7 days in Bangkok

touch down

Arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport after only an eight hour flight direct from Melbourne - fantastic! Arrival without knowing the address of the expat friend you're staying with for the next seven days - not so fantastic. Some smooth talking with customs (and a few looks of desperation) and a little miss finds herself in Bangkok to visit said expat friend (let's call her M). Slight confusion over where to find M, but soon enough we're nattering away in the back of a taxi, with broken seat belts in crazy traffic, on the way to her home in Thonglor. A bottle of Chandon, a couple of pad thais and many chats later, and it's bed time in prep for tomorrow - a thai wedding! 

Day 1 - a Thai dress code

I battle through a few hours of work then head out to explore the expat area of Thonglor. The best way to avoid death by busy intersection is scurrying after several locals also taking the leap of faith to get across the road. Alternatively, close eyes and hope for the best. Will probably have the same effect. Not even making it a kilometre down the road, I find myself in a day spa for an hour long traditional Thai massage at 350 baht – around $12. Soon enough it’s time to head back to base to get ready for the evening’s festivities – a Thai wedding! We journey by private bus for 2 hours and reach our destination. I become rapidly aware that my beige and black dress and neutral shoes are not bright, white or glittery enough for a Thai wedding. Family and esteemed guests are seated at the front quarter of the room while the remaining space is filled with friends, associates and a random girl from Melbourne. This part of the room is a standing, networking, eating extravaganza with no less than seven food stations on offer. Post wedding, we continue on about 40 minutes further by cab to the party town of Pattaya. Here we stay at the very fun and impressive Hard Rock Hotel resort. For a night cap or two, we head to Hilton’s roof top bar, Horizon. The night is warm, the drinks are expensive, the view is incredible. I have trouble believing it’s only my first full day in Thailand. On the walk back to our hotel I notice an abundance of working girls - one at least every 10 meters along the path. Standard business on a Friday night in Pattaya.  

Breezers on the beach 

A lazy ferry back to Pattaya

Fresh coconut water on Koh Larn 

Day 2 – life’s a beach 

Departing Hardrock Hotel we catch a big ole puffing ferry to Koh Larn, an island just off Pattaya. The ferries have been known to not always survive the journey so lifejackets are in abundance and people aren’t shy about wearing them. In the far distance is a boat billowing out black smoke and I can’t help but wonder if it’s an ill-fated ferry. I keep a keen eye on the left over lifejackets. Thankfully, we arrive with ferry intact and we aim straight for a private beach which is slightly more expensive than others (by $6) but allows us to get a sun bed in the second row of only a four row deep beach – as opposed to 30. The day is spent snoozing, floating in saltwater, observing the different cultures around us and enjoying fresh, steamed squid in soup, crab fried rice and a few good old Bacardi Breezers on the beach. There is no work happening today. I’ve officially entered holiday mode. As the sun starts to set, we peel ourselves off the sunbeds, ferry back to Pattaya then bus to Bangkok. A long and incredible day of experiencing just a fragment of Thai life outside of Bangkok. 

Sala Rattanakosin rooftop bar

Day 3 – brunch, shopping and another rooftop bar

Within Thonglor is a brunch spot likened to what you might find in Melbourne. Needless to say, Roast is very popular with expats in and around the area. We patiently wait with an allocated number that doubles as a philosophical pep talk. Cute. The coffee is good and I opt for poached eggs with a pulled pork and onion rosti - incredible. It’s a nice change up from Thai food and preps us for a day ahead of mooching around the Chatuchak weekend markets. The market is hot and busy and one of our troops is desperately hungover; there’s a lot of fresh coconut water consumed, happily so at just $1.20 a pop. After a couple of hours, we arrange to meet up with others at Sala Rattanakosin, a gorgeous hotel, restaurant and rooftop bar along the eastern bank of the Chao Phraya River. We sip cocktails across from the famous temple of the dawn (wat arun) as the sun goes down. Then it's back into another taxi ride back to Thonglor to indulge in some amazing Sunday night street food. The food is fresh, light and flavoursome and knocks us back a whole $13 for an array of noodles, chicken, rice, vegetable and seafood for two. We go home will a full tummy and feeling good. 

Day 4 - relax 

Insomnia rears its ugly head on the evening of day 4 so the next day's remedy is lounging by the resident roof top pool with a good book. Some street food in the afternoon, another Thai massage and then it's already time for dinner. Bellino is a cute Italian wine bar on Soi 13 in Thonglor owned by an expat American who clearly loves hosting his guests. The meal is divinely scrumptious as is the wine - bellissimo. Dessert is cocktails at Iron Fairies, a fantastic bar with a lost boys theme. M sings karaoke. I refuse. We both appear in Bangkok social pages the next day. Fun. 

Day 5 - dumplings finance 

What's a trip abroad without a visit to Sephora? I rack up 7,000 baht in two hours and feel somewhat relieved the first Australian store is launching in Sydney instead of Melbourne. Visiting M at work, we head for dumplings in Ploenchit at Din Tai Fung, within the Central Embassy. So, so good and I absolutely eat more than is necessary. My food coma is the only thing that holds me back from credit card suicide in Chanel at Central. Thank god for food comas. Nibbles and gin suffice for dinner.

Day 6 -  the last supper

My last full day in Bangkok, I spend a couple of hours eating, working and writing with the help of free wifi at Full Stop Cafe. What a great little spot. At 6, I meet M at the rooftop bar of the Marriott as I take in a final elevated 360 view of Bangkok. It's utterly sublime. We have dinner at Soul Food in Thonglor - which I highly recommend; a must try - then hunt down a very well-hidden boutique bar of which I've promised not to reveal the location...IMPO, these are the best cocktails in Bangkok. Mr Boroski, you've done a fine job. The night becomes a blur of bars and laughs. I need to get on a plane the next day. 

Day 7 - bye bye Bangkok

Bless my good friend, she sticks to her promise of taking me to temple Wat Poh the following day to have my fortune read. Not surprisingly, he tells me I'm going to get married and have two children. At this point I begin to highly doubt the lovely old man's judgement until he tells me I need to drink less, and meet an international man. Maybe he knows me after all. After a long hot taxi ride with two massive hangovers, it's home to pack, head back to the airport and finish my Bangkok journey where it all began.

I never thought it would be a city for me, but I've fallen in love with Bangkok. The Thai people are beautiful as is the authenticity of their culture. What started out to be a cost-effectively holiday away from the cold served to truly warm my heart. 

ขอขอบคุณ

LOVE | LOATHE: Sofitel Brisbane

The bitesize review, just for you.   

Sofitel Hotel Brisbane

Turbot St, Brisbane CBD

LOVE: A strong French influence; plush refurbished rooms; a bed that feels like you're sleeping on pillows; views of Brisbane from onsite restaurant, Times Square; complimentary nibbles from Cuvee bar at 5; an impressive lobby; Vidal Sassoon hair dryers. 

LOATHE: "Bonjour", in a heavy Australian accent. Shudder. 

HOTEL REVIEW: Lindenderry down time

If you’re looking for somewhere just out of Melbourne to relax and get some R&R, put Lindenderry on your list. Here’s why. 

The Location
Just over an hour’s drive from the heart of Melbourne and 20 minutes to Mornington.  

The Hotel
Tucked away on 30 acres, Lindenderry is a place where you can forget about the rest of the world. Stroll through the gardens, past the lake, say hi to the ducks (watch the geese), or help yourself to a few games of pool or ping pong. Swim in the heated pool, hangout in the sauna, ease back with high tea in the expansive lobby, immerse yourself in a book in one of the many separate lounge rooms, or find a French courtyard to soak up a few rays. Head for the onsite cellar door and get yourself a tasting of the Lindenderry range, only available at cellar door or by direct order. 

Get a Room
We were in a refurbished garden room on the ground floor looking out to the lake, to which we had direct access beyond our veranda; a generously spacious room with distinct English country style décor and a delicious fragrance of fresh flowers. This is a room you could happily sit in for a while, absorbing the serenity, and letting the shoulders drop. The bathroom has a huge spa bath and gorgeous Appelles toiletries. Room service is available 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday with the restaurant menu or a simplified all day dining menu. On weekends, breakfast, lunch, dinner and high tea is available from the restaurant, plus charcuterie and nibbles from the cellar door. There’s no risk of you going hungry here. 

The Frills (Facilities and features)
Cellar door: A nice, lazy tasting experience in a French-inspired space with a beautiful ambiance. Sip and sample at the bar then settle in with a bottle and a charcuterie plate overlooking the winery. It will be utterly divine outside in summer. 

High tea: A perfectly sized selection of sweets, savoury, tea and a glass of bubbles – everything a high tea should be. Gluten free available. Bookings essential. 

Your view from Lindentree

Restaurant: Overlooking the vines, onsite restaurant Lindentree offers buffet breakfast for guests, plus ala carte lunch and dinner for guests and the public. Lunch is very popular with bookings advisable, likewise with dinner. By night, Lindentree turns on the romance and woos diners with soft lighting, attentive service and an intimate dining experience. We enjoyed some incredibly good dishes as we flirted with seafood, pork, lamb and matching Lindenderry wines. I won’t tease you with the menu because there’s a new one on its way. 

Pool/sauna: Enjoy a few laps or just float away in the indoor heated pool, housed in glass with lots of natural light. Get some detox time in the sauna to make up for that afternoon at the cellar door.  

Conferences and events: Lindenderry is well equipped for conferences and corporates events with a large variety of conference rooms and group accommodation available. An ideal spot for weddings too as the hotel can be segmented into wings to have you feeling like it’s just you and your world (without your world noisily interrupting everyone else’s). The grounds are stunning so it’s no wonder this is a popular choice. 

Service
The staff are professional, humble, friendly and down to earth. Their relaxed nature rubs off on you the moment you arrive. Absolutely lovely.  

Is it for you? 
Spot on for anyone wanting to escape the world for a while and enjoy some peaceful timeout with pretty much everything you need to do it. Between the space, food, wine, facilities and activities, there’s no actual need to leave Lindenderry until you go home. With the exception of the loud floral curtains in our room, the biggest problem with Lindenderry is that one night is quite simply not enough. Go for two.

Lindenderry at Red Hill
142 Arthurs Seat Road, Red Hill
http://www.lancemore.com.au/lindenderry
 

HOTEL REVIEW: Quality Hotel Parklake

Located just on the border of Shepparton’s main township is the Quality Hotel Parklake. I was invited up to check it out so we hit the road north to sample their recently refurbished rooms. 

Location

Shepparton is a major regional city two hours north-east of Melbourne, in the heart of the Goulburn Valley. In town there’s a healthy dose of cafes, gift stores, furniture shops and galleries, plus a new shopping complex. Just across the road from Quality Hotel Parklake is the picturesque Victoria Park Lake with many winding walking tracks just beyond. Out of town is a range of local vineyards to explore, including Tahbilk, Tallis and Gentle Annie, or the Shepparton Golf Club. The hotel is just a short walk into the town centre.

The Hotel

Quality Hotel Parklake has undergone a makeover and while it might initially look more of a motel from the outside looking in, the restaurant bar and within the refurbished rooms reflect more of a hotel standard. There are a range of rooms from standard and deluxe, to grand suites and apartments with full cooking facilities. They're basic, but comfortable. 

Get a Room

We stayed in a refurbished Family Room, at the upstairs front of the hotel. It was surprisingly quiet considering the nearby main road, and just large enough to sleep four. The new décor was fresh, modern and welcoming. Our room had a 42” screen flat TV, a small reverse cycle heating unit, basic tea and coffee facilities (no herbal teas), soft lighting and hotel standard beds and linen (crisp and fresh). The contemporary bathroom came with a large bath and simple toiletries. Despite just a bit of noise from nearby apartments, the room was a comfortable stay which we could relax in. 

The Facilities

It's easy to while away some time in the Restaurant Bar at Parklake, overlooking the Victoria Park Lake, with the afternoon sun streaming in and a nice glass of red. We returned to the Restaurant Bar for dinner and started with some very tasty Chinese Duck Spring Rolls ($16.50) and decent sized oysters Kilpatrick, then marinated lamb shoulder with broccolini and mash for main ($29). I had to hunt for the broccolini hiding under the generous portion of slow cooked meat atop, tender and rich in flavour. Breakfast was equally as generous and enjoyable the next day.

Unfortunately the pool, courtyard spa and sauna were under works during our stay. It was freezing though, so we happily spent most of our time relaxing (and eating) in the restaurant bar.

Parking is available for guests within the hotel square.

Service

Reception and wait staff at Parklake were the down to earth kind. Nothing was a trouble and with no booking in our room the next day (it was midweek) we were able to extend our checkout and just let our cleaner know on the way to breakfast. The only thing I would say is that I didn’t realise it had free wifi until we were leaving – so ask after this if you need it.

If I needed to stay in Shepparton again, or passing through and in need of a meal, I would return to Quality Hotel Parklake. A pleasant, reliable and comfortable choice of accommodation with a touch of country style.

Who: Quality Hotel Parklake
Where: 481 Wyndham Street, Shepparton, Victoria
www.parklake.com.au

Brisbane love

Heading to Brisbane? Here are just a few things that make a trip to and around the sunny city nice and easy for visitors.  

1. City Loop bus shuttle – this free city service has been a saviour with avoiding the hike to my hotel at the top of Spring Hill, when heat and heels prohibit getting anywhere very quickly.  
2. Free city ferries – another visitor perk and a great use of the water ways in Brisbane which we don't get in Melbourne.  
3. Hotel Urban – this chic hotel sits above the hustle and bustle of the CBD on Spring Hill and has been a huge help my entire stay. Enjoy a champagne lounge, nice rooms (good hairdryers!), great city views and friendly, regular staff who actually remember your name.
4. Brew – Melbourne-grade coffee, down a lane way in the CBD, with crazy-awesome service. Nuff said. 
5. All the pretty things – there’s no denying that Brisbane is a fetching dame.  The water is peaceful, Story bridge is gorgeous by night, Southbank is relaxed savvy, and the city looks amazing when it's all lit up and sparkly.

Brisbane – you’re not Melbourne, but you’re a bit of alright.

#KingValleyLove - Whitfield Healing and Beauty

Yesterday was day two of the Shoot, Tweet and Eat King Valley tour and I gotta say, life in the valley is tough.  When you come to the King Valley, it’s not just about good food, good wine and good people; it’s also a chance to recharge and revive to help you get grounded again, letting the shoulders drop a little and slowing down before you have to race off back to the city.

After lunch and many, many varieties of beautiful vino at Pizzini Wines, our group had the chance to partake in either some “cowtography” with assistance from our esteemed photo-tutor Ewen Bell – OR to sample the offerings at Whitfield Healing and Beauty.  Both equally attractive options but with a stupidly painful neck and some pretty persistent insomnia of late, I opted for a full body massage over an afternoon of bovine bonding. 

Cows are awesome, but sometimes you just gotta give back to your bod with bit of a helping hand.  Or rather the helping hand (or hands) of Carla Pizzini who was my massage therapist for the afternoon.  Carla is also a naturotherapist so she offers massage with a broader alternative therapy perspective.  While I wrestled with consciousness under the skilful hands of Carla, I learnt a thing or two about what I can do differently health wise to help with sleep and general stress management.

We are told that lemon in hot water is good for us to detoxify and alkalise the bod plus improve the absorption of H2O – so I regularly down this throughout the day when I’m working.  This aids the detoxification of the liver as well as the gall bladder.  Little did I know, however, the gall bladder is linked to how active one’s mind can be – so drinking lemon water throughout the day can actually affect our ability to let the mind rest towards the end of the day and the evening.  Enter: increased likelihood of insomnia.  Instead, Carla suggested drinking camomile tea during the day.  Done. 

In addition to this, Carla warned against the type of remedial massages I’ve been getting for what has been a serious pain in the neck.  If you’re a person who’s naturally a stressed type and constantly on the go you may find a stronger type of massage only further stresses your body.  You might be better off getting a relaxing massage from a therapist trained in multiple facets of health care such as Carla Pizzini.  I certainly feel a lot less pain after my massage than I did last week after a firmer massage. 

 As well as the massages, you can go to Whitfield Healing and Beauty for beauty treatments from Leigh, naturotherpay from Carla, plus bowen, allergy testing and bush flower essences from Jo.  It’s a relaxing, natural and down to earth place which reflects the personality of Whitfield itself.  Get anything from a foot detox to a mud wrap, spray tan or rejuvenation facial to treat yourself from tip to toe.  That means all you need to do is relax and drink more presecco.  Like I said, life in the valley is tough.

Whitfield Healing and Beauty
03 5729 82354905
Wangaratta Whitfiled Road, Whitfield, Victoria 3733

Yours, Little Miss Melbourne xoxo

#KingValleyLove in regional Victoria

Over the course of several days a group of tweeps and bloggers grouped up to bring you the ultimate snap shot of the north-east region of Victoria, the King Valley. 

We discovered some of the valley's best places to eat, drink and be merry plus some beautiful accommodation and a bit of pampering along the way.  Here’s a quick lil preview from day one and an introduction to the 2013 King Valley Shoot, Tweet and Eat tour.  You'll soon see more reviews coming up from some of Melbourne's popular food bloggers. 

Look for the hashtag #kingvalleylove on all the likely social media channels and contemplate the King Valley for your next country getaway…

Don't get envy. Get even. Visit the King Valley. 

Incredible thanks to our generous hosts:
·         Dal Zotto Wines
·         Pizzini Wines
·         Brown Brothers Winery
·         King River Estate Winery
·         Gracebrook Wines
·         Mountain View Hotel
·         Politini Wines
·         Whitfield Healing & Beauty
·         King Valley Premium Beef
·         Number 1 Bakery Lane
·         Jessie’s Creek Cottage
·         Visit Wangaratta

And a brilliant job from our organiser, Melissa Brauer of Squawk Media, and our photographer Ewen Bell.

Yours, 

Little Miss Melbourne xoxo

Rediscover you in Port Douglas

When do you know enough is enough and it's actually time to take a break?

Usually it's when you keep telling everyone you need a holiday...If you're looking for somewhere warm to get away and get back to you, Port Douglas could be just the place. Here's what I found. 

A 6am flight and an hour's transfer from Cairns later, and I'd arrived. With only two hours' sleep under my belt, I felt like I had jetlag. Yech. It was during check in at Peppers Resort that it hit; mild panic and unfounded city-separation anxiety. 

As I fumbled over my totally irrational thoughts, I looked across to the gorgeous, sparkling pool, and the colourful cocktails en-route to pool side attendees, and quickly came to my senses. I had four nights here in these lush surroundings and I was determined to make the most of it. And by the most, I mean very little. 

In Port Douglas it's easy to do very little while feeling as though you're still doing something. Win win. Like walking four mile beach for the entire morning, taking a dip in the flat water, then soaking up some rays and chatting with relaxed strangers into the afternoon. Or meandering through the busy Sunday markets while you learn about the health benefits of Himalayan salt, consult with a naturopathic or simply munch away on a freshly cut coconut with salad. The town of Port Douglas makes for good exploring of the local retail scene such as home decor inspo at Port Douglas Interiors, beautiful gifts from Pebble Australia and incredible indigenous art at Ngarru Gallery. After all of that, you deserve a cocktail by the pool.

What's a good get away without some good tucker? Port Douglas caters for a range of budgets and tastes from hearty pub grub at Rattle n Hum to cocktails and seafood at Salsas Bar and Grill or fine dining at Nautilus Restaurant. With many more to choose from, there's no risk of you going hungry.

Time for a break? Port Douglas helps you rediscover yourself and your zen. Direct flights available from Melbourne. 

cocktails poolside at Pepperts

Ribs at Rattle n Hum

40 mile beach 

Tuna Tataki at Salsas

Gluten free BLT at Beach Cafe

Rest time at Peppers

LOVE in le Marais

In the last five days, we have crossed the Seine to our 2nd apartment on the right bank, walked countless blocks of le Marais, battled the snow, rain and the metro in peak hour, done a reasonable amount of shopping, and even gone to church (the amazing Notre Dame).  

The second apartment is in the Marais which I've stayed in before, so I'm feeling slightly less of a tourist and more like a...temporary visitor.  Not much of a promotion but it is fabulous to be back and see some of my local faves like Rose Bakery, Breakfast in America, la Belle Hortense (books and wine - bliss!) and "that Jazz Club in a cellar/cave on Rue de Rivoli" (I'll have to update you with the name after we return...).

Our first full day in the Marais was bitterly cold but we layered up and braved the Parisian winter, refusing to stay inside (can't keep a couple of good girls down).  We followed our red little noses to became reacquainted with the area and found Pompidou with ease as a starting point.  The uniquely designed centre houses Musee National d'Art Moderne (the national museum of modern art), among other things, including a public library and music centre.  It's a popular joint so the queues were already huge at mid morning albeit it being freezing cold outside.  We opted to keep moving for warmth's sake.

Queues at the Centre Pompidou.

The Marais is full of cute little boutiques, cool gift shops and lots of funky urban art.  And, love.  After lunch at the gorgeously organic and highly popular Rose Bakery (my blog post from last year), everywhere I seemed to look had a little token of love.  Maybe it was my sheer delight at being back in one of my favourite parts of Paris (let's not forget Sacre Coeur) but I was more than happy to be feeling the love instead of the cold.

So here's a little snap shot for you of some of the trinkets, art and urban life of love in le Marais.

Yours, LMM xoxo

Love, the Louvre and Paris - gift cards at the very quirky L.APPARENTMENT Design Gift Store, near Centre Pompidou.

Urban art near the Jewish quarter of le Marais (which incidentally also has it's very own dancing Jewish chefs...).

My favourite pic of the day, and possibly a piece by french graffiti artist Invader.

Lip locked: The playground and urban art next to Centre Pompidou.

Urban playground with some huge graffiti art near Pompidou

Last stop of the day before heading home to defrost: Trinkets of love at Miss Cupcake on Rue du Roi de Sicile - this is THE place to go for amazingly sweet, thick hot chocolate to warm you up and give you a strong sugar hit, especially if you get one of their yummy looking cupcakes...

image: http://www.misscupcake.fr/

image: http://www.misscupcake.fr/