Melbourne winter Getaway

Recently I read a book which talked about how by taking a break can help us to reach our goals.  It is so true that each of us need to take time to rest our body and mind regularly.  I learned this important lesson the hard way.  Over the past 3 years, the stress of working full time and looking after a household brought my stress level to peak by Nov.  The end result is one traffic infringement costing me ranging from$150 to $300++ each year during the month of November :(. Well it took me 3 years to recognize the pattern plus a warning letter.  So this year I decided to take regular sanity break plus a long holiday in the month of November.  Let's see whether this trick will work =^.^=

So this winter I am so excited to be able to have a long weekend away to the beautiful Melbourne.  Straight after work, I was catching a flight.  Thank God that the traffic was not horrendous.

Me having my preflight snack at the waiting lounge.  Trying the new Iced coffee flavoured milk which is not too sweet.  There is also the double strength version but I didn't dare to try in case I have insomnia that night.

Complimentary In-flight snack

Shiraz I had was a pretty smooth medium bodied wine with flavours of plum and spicy berry.
Interestingly the pretzels are made in Egypt and shipped all the way to Australia.

Due to the bad windy winter night, my flight arrived 50 mins later than the scheduled time.  Something to bear in mind when u fly into Melbourne during winter.

30 mins cab ride and $90 later finally arrive at my friend's beautiful apartment.  Lucky me cos I am the first guest to stay over at her new apartment.


First stop next monday was HAPPY LAB @ Chadstone shopping centre

I discovered this shop during my January trip to Melbourne.  My sister loves their SALTED CARAMEL POPCORN.   Unfortunately there isn't any branch in Melbourne CBD.  So my friend had to make a special trip to Chadstone shopping centre so that I can bring some home for her.

Lucky for me they are having big sale on selected items so I ended up with...

Before I could take a photo of The test tube of salted peanut, it was downed by a 3 years old in 30 mins with a little bit of help w from couple of adults.

It was so windy and cold that we just randomly pick a cafe along St Kilda Road to have a quick lunch while catching up with old friends.  We ended up in Allegra Cafe.  The food was cheap but wasn't anything fancy.  Just a place for us to escape the cold wind plus rain.

Second exciting stop was Koko Black on Collins st.  I stumbled across Koko Balck 2 years ago when I holidayed here with mum.  Beautiful packaging - love the vintage desing using lavender purple color against black.  Unfortunately, I was only able to stop by to pick up some gifts for mum.  She loves the dark chocolate block from Koko Black.  She reckons they are the best dark chocolate she tried so far.  3 blocks for $23.

During my break from my work engagement, I walked around the shops in the Collins place.  I stopped at Laurent for a coffee break but unfortunately their latte was a bit burned today :(  The pretty small macaroon was $2.45 and was not that fantastic either.  Kind of regret not going to Koko Black across the road.

Well, at least my dinner at Sofitel made up for the disappointing coffee break.  This is a pretty view from Level 35.

And my night just got even better when I get to OM NOM the dessert bar @ Flinders Lane.  Be sure to make a booking otherwise you will be disappointed for not getting a table.  Lovely atmosphere.

The famous RASPBERRY FIELD *

Raspberry and Lychee Sorbet, Raspberry and Rosewater Panna Cotta, 

Lychee and Rosewater Spheres, Meringue 

Although the presentation was not perfect due ton one of the mushroom tumbling down, the taste was AMAZING.

I can't wait to visit this place again.  Next time I will have to make sure I didn't have a 3 course dinner prior to coming here.

To be Continued...

31 Days to get organized challenge 2014 Part 2

I couldn't wait to share my progress on my 31 days challenge.

Day 11: Declutter all UFO's from your Home and Freezer
UFO = Unidentified Frozen Objects
To tackle the frozen clutter that taking up precious space in your freezer, write what is in the freezer bag and the date of freezing.  Awesome tip because most of the time I forgotten what is inside the freezer bag let alone how long it been there.
So I took at least 10 mins to search through my freezer and fridge.  I discarded unusable items and UFO.  I also start planning what to cook using what is in my freezer for the following week.

Free Printables from Martha Stewart

 Freeze basket Idea from BHG

 Don't be too shy to write the list from Chiotsrun

Day 12: Organizing The center console of your car
If your car is a clutter magnet then today's the day to wrestle a little control back in your vehicle - starting with the center console.
I actually spend 10 mins each Wednesday cleaning my car inside and out.  The most important thing is removing any bird poo on my new car as I didn't want to damage the paint and get rid of any trash.  So it took me less than 5 mins to clean the whole car.

Day 13: Declutter the 'Lower Third' of Items in our closet or drawers
Generally the 'lower third' of clothing items - T-shirts, shorts, sweaters and so on - in any stack on a closet shelf or in your drawers are items that you just don't wear.  Today's the day to pull out the lower third of items from any pile, decide which you don't wear or want and donate them to a good cause.
I spent my 15 mins today sorting through some of my summer clothes following the Golden rules:
1. Does it fit me?
2. Does it look great on me?

Innovative idea

 Apartment geeks wardrobe organising tips

Day 14: Declutter and Organize your cleaning supplies
Two-thirds of cleaning supplies in most homes just aren't used.
Appropriately dispose of unused cleaning products and then create a 'cleaning caddy' that includes basic and necessary cleaning products and items.
I found and clean one of my caddy and place all my cleaning products in it.  I have stopped buying cleaning products and decided to used up everything I have at home so I actually didn't have to throw anything away today.  I am still to find a good salt shaker to store some bicarbonate soda to add in my cleaning products.

Kitchen cleaning kit from Martha stewart

Day 15: Declutter just one desk drawer
Spend 10 mins to focus on just one drawer of your desk.  Remove everything from the drawer, discard items you don't need, organize like items together, reload the drawer, feel more in control and less stressed!!
Wow, I finally managed to get my act together to remove everything from my desk drawer and throw away things that I don't need.  This mission took me 30 mins because I have been avoiding it for at least few months.

Day 16: Declutter and Organize your Baking supplies
Take 10 mins to declutter and organize the baking supplies in your pantry or proceed to the whole pantry.  Out go the expired goods.  Consolidate duplicates.
I spent an afternoon to clean my pantry and also my baking equipment.  Again these are the area I been avoiding for more than half a year.  I really think the longer you put off cleaning/decluttering an area, the longer it will take you to get it organise again.  Love the idea of using the organiser which enable me to store my baking trays upright and shelving to increase my storage space.

Foreverorganised

Day 17: Declutter your Space Room
Space Room is "that room" that you don't want guests to see or go into or a 'spare room' that needs a little attention.  Spend 10 mins to declutter a little, toss stuff out, spruce it up, make it presentable.
Another big day, I have a storeroom in the house that piles up with things and boxes that it became impossible to walk into.  So I decided that once a year, I will organise termite inspection of my house on the exact same day year after year.  And I will remove everything from the storeroom and go through the things, discard things I don't need before returning them back to the "space room".  So although the challenge is meant for 10 mins, I am glad I took an hour to fully accomplish a room.

Day 18: Declutter Kids' Toys
Work with your children to identify those toys that they no longer want or play with.
Encourage your children to donate those toys to needier children.
Yes, I managed to find more than 5 toys that I could let go off and placed them in my broken luggage ready to go to Salvos.  Last goodbye to my soft toys.

Day 19: Declutter and Organize Your cups and glasses
Cups and glasses - especially those plastic water bottles, sport's bottles and sippy cups - can get out of control.
Spend 10 mins to pull all of those items out of your cupboard or drawers and discarding those you don't need, use (or don't have lids!) and any ugly mugs.
Few weeks prior, I actually sort through my cups and glasses which means today challenge is nice and easy.  I just inspected the area again to make sure I haven't miss any unwanted/chipped cups and glasses.

Day 20: Get back in Touch with Someone
Spend 10 mins to get rid of the emotional clutter that's stopping you from being in touch with friends, family or someone close to you that you've fallen out of contact with.
It is hard sometime to get back in touch with friends that you fallen out of contact with.  But I have arranged a dinner date at my place in a few days time with an old friend that I haven't seen for half a year.

11 more days to go for my 31 days challenge.

31 days to get organized challenge 2014

One of my favourite TV show, The Living Room, is featuring another episode with Peter Walsh again which prone me to visit his website.  And there I found this free guide to 31 days to get organized challenge 2014.  So if you interested, check out Peter Walsh Guide

So I decided let's do it.  Even though in few days time, I will be in interstate for few days, it is never a bad time for anything good.

I have found some beautiful photos from various blogs.  Please check them out at the end of this post.

So Day #1 Choose 1 drawer in your home

Any drawer and spend good 10 mins.  And if you feel you want to do more, go ahead otherwise sit back and relax ready for Day #2.
I chose the chest drawers in my bedroom which I spent 10 mins going through 3 of them and throwing away things I won't use, don't love and not practical.   To be honest, I didn't actually throw away as much as I should.  I am a bit of hoarder so I will definitely need to come back to these drawers again.  But nevermind it was only Day 1.

Day #2 Get rid of those sweaters you no longer wear

Spend 10 mins to get rid of any sweaters that you no longer fit or wear or just plain ugly.
We are still going through the last month of winter which means easier for me to decide what to get rid of.  I actually found that I don't have many sweater to get rid of because I haven't outgrown any and I don't have any ugly one that I won't wear.  So I just spent 10 mins going through them and tidy up my closet.

Day #3 Declutter Under Your Bed

Drag everything out from that dark mysterious space to discard what you no longer need, use or want and to organize your under-bed storage well.
Well, I definitely spent more than 10 mins to complete this task.  I found many odd sock, random pieces of paper and some coins under the bed.  I gave the space a good clean before I put one space bag of clothes back under the bed.  So happy that that dark mysterious space is not longer mysterious to me.

Day #4 Declutter your luggage

Mission is to spend 10 mins to get rid of any luggage that you no longer use or broken.  Put smaller luggages into bigger luggages to save space.
As I love to travel, luggages are very important to me.  I love light-weighted, practical and durable luggages.  And love the luggages which are able to find inside another one snuggly.  Last trip to Europe, I placed a foldable fabric LeSport Sac overnight bag inside a green expandable cabin size luggage which was placed within in a median size Antler luggage.  And finally it was placed inside another big red luggage.  You can just imagine how much shopping I did. ^^

Day #5 Organize and manage your gift wrapping supplies

To be honest I didn't actually have to do too much with my gift wrap supplies as I put all my rolls of gift wraps in my storage cabinet.  I also stored all my other gift wrap supplies like ribbons, stellotapes, and gift taps in a shoe box and labelled it well.

Day #6 Declutter and organize your nightstands

Spend 10 mins to get your nightstands looking clean and organized so that your dreams can be sweet ones!  I spent more than 10 mins today to clean one of my nightstand.  Few weeks ago, I actually cleaned the other nightstand that I have.  It does made me feel better to actually having empty space on m nightstands.

Day #7 Find seven things to put in your new 'Donation Basket'

Place a basket or bin in your garage, laundry or hall closet so that you have a place to immediately place items that you'd like to donate to charity.
I did start with my donation basket today and I managed to put more than 10 things in there so far.
Hopefully I can drop the stuff off this week.  Sometimes I find the hardest thing is to deliver the things to charity.

Day #8 Choose One sink in your home and go for it

Start small!  Choose just one sink in your home - kitchen, bathroom, laundry... Toss the trash, declutter everything else and then organize what's left.
I have to admit I am quite a lazy person so I picked the easiest sink in my house - Kitchen sink.  Ever since I cleaned my storage under the kitchen sink few months ago, it has managed to stay relatively clean.  So it took me just a few minutes to tidy things up.

Day #9 Declutter and organize your digital life

Delete apps you no linger use or programs that once seemed like a good idea and now you just don't use.
Another easy day for me, I just bought my Samsung Note 3 recently so there are no apps for me to delete.  I also haven't install any unuseful apps in my iPad.  So I spent my 10 mins clearing my email.  I guess that is still consider decluttering my digital life ^^

Day #10 Declutter and organize your wallets, purses or pocketbooks

Today is the day to lighten the load in your wallet or purse.
I have started to have a weekly clean checklist few months ago.  Every Tuesday is the day that I declutter and organize all my paper works.  So my wallet and purse only had a few receipts to be filed away.  EASY!!!


There you go my First 10 days of the 30 days challenge.
Check out the following blogs:
mysweetnestblog.com
justagirlandherblog.com
imperfecthomemaking.com

Bellabox July Review

I know it is already August so this review is way overdue.  I had a busy month going interstate and doing couples of other little things.

I received my Bellabox in mid July and unboxing it in my office meant my colleagues can also get excited with me.  This month box just smells like coconut which got my coconut crazy colleague super excited.

Everything minus an eye pencil from MODELCO (Accidentally left out of this photo)

Products description

My Fav Product this month: Urban Rituelle Coconut & Honey Body Scrub 100ml RRP $14.95

Good points: beautiful coconut scent, gentle, moisturizing and it does remove dead skins.

Modelco Eye Define Eye Pencil - Black RRP $18

Good points: Comes with its own sharpener, well define no-smudge finish

Bad points: not very long lasting

I was hoping to get a different color other than black.  Better luck next time.

Designer Brands Lip Butter - Coconut RRP $4.99

Good points: Taste nice if you like coconut and versatile

Anastasia Lash Genius Waterproof Topcoat 2g sample valued at $14.70

Great for those whose fav mascara doesn't come in waterproof version and who like to wear mascara to the beach

Personally not very useful for me.

Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream -Luxe Sample size

Good point: Moisturize

Bad point: Very small sample

Bonus: Natralus Pure 100% Aloe Vera Gel Sample size

There you go July Bellabox American beauty.  

$52.64 worth of beauty products for $15 monthly subscription.

A Weekend away to Sydney

This year I was so blessed to have two lovely & amazing friends to spend a weekend away in Sydney for my birthday.  This weekend would mainly be focus on yummy food.

Our first stop Chinatown for some afternoon tea. 

Grass Jelly with Taro balls topped with evaporated milk @ Meetfresh Chinatown Haymarket

On a Friday night, you can tried the food in the night market stalls along the Main Street (Dixon Street) in China town.  We tried different foods such as BBQ lamb on stick, grilled squid, pork jerky and Takoyaki. I will give it 3 out of 5 stars.

You can stroll to Darling Harbour from Chinatown after dinner.  As Valentine was just a week before we were there, the decorations around the Darling Harbour were so romantic.  =^^=

My first time at a dessert train: Adriano Zumbo @ The Star

Luckily for us, we managed to try the desert train before its service been discontinued.

Us enjoying the Famous Macarons and beautiful desserts.

4 stars out of 5

If you are still hungry after the desserts like me, there is a food court inside The Star.

Din Tai Fung serves yummy dumplings.  You can other branches around Sydney.

One of the must visit place: Sydney Fish Market

Especially if you love Sashimi.

It is a walkable distance from city centre.

After lunch, you can stroll towards Darling Harbour and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate @ Lindt Cafe

Another great place to stop for a bite is Laduree @ Westfield Sydney

You can try their famous macarons. or if you are in for High Tea, they do great high tea from $38.

41/2 stars out of 5

Our final food stop is Jamie's Italian

I love watching Jamie Oliver cooks.  He cooks with such excitement and just make it looks so fun.

So this meal was the most anticipated meal for our 3 days trip.

We arrived around 5pm and were still waiting for our table.  Luckily you can get a seat at the bar for drinks and antipasti.  I think we waited for an hour or so for our lovely table.

As it is Jamie's Italian, we decided we will settle on pasta & risotto.  We were quite hungry and ate 5 small serves of pasta & risotto among the 3 of us.

Now of course we couldn't finish the night without desserts.

Overall, I give Jamie's Italian 4 Stars out of 5 Stars.  

Good restaurant to try but do expect to book either Online or over the phone 2 weeks in advance for Fri and Sat dinner.