Big City Life

Ah, big city life, I must admit I do love it. Sydney is such a superb city offering a diverse array of offerings. So much so that one could almost be forgiven to find themselves at a loss when it comes to the age old question... 'Where are we going to eat tonight?'

** Scroll down to the bottom for the short answer.

Thought I would share some absolute diamond recommendations on where to dine in Sydney. These come from Sibella of whom I had the great fortune to catch up with.

First on the list is El Loco. A pop up Mexican Cantina in the Excelsior Hotel in Surry Hills. Pure genius! The best taco's I have ever eaten (seriously), plus they are a cool $5! Hurry, it is called a pop up for a reason people.

Next is the Beresford, also in Surry Hills. Perfect for both pre dinner drinks and also dining. Timothy O relished the $5 pints from 5 til 7pm (so much so that we found ourselves there the following evening!) and then we dined in the Trattoria at the back of the bar.

Ms G's is a modern Asian experience in Potts Point. The title is a play on MSG. Lots of fun!

My absolute favourite, The Commons Local Eating House in Darlinghurst. Impeccable service and exquisite food, plus rocking Whiskey Sours downstairs! I could very happily live there.

For a cheeky pastry breakfast try Bourke Street Bakery. Actually, don't just 'try', you absolutely must! You could be deceived in thinking you are in Paris with the quality of their Pain au Chocolat!

The short answer to 'Where are we going to eat tonight?'..... no where if you don't book!

K x

Country Head

© Kara Rosenlund

What a surprise trip away to the country will do to a girls head!

Ah, could of stayed forever; especially at this place:

Spicers Peak Lodge

xx

Cheers... Happy Weekend....

courtesy of war design

We are preparing to have some friends over on the weekend for a little feast at our house. I love thinking about food and the ways we can share such wonderful produce, nothing too fancy, just keeping it real....when I realised its about time I shared some other friends of mine with you....

You know those sorts of people that are soaked in integrity and radiate passion... the sorts of people that are wonderfully warm and ridiculously talented... they say they will do something, they craft it and it turns into a celebrated success... well here are a couple of those sorts of people... husband and wife Peter and Hannah Logan of family run Logan Wines in the Central Ranges of New South Wales. Red, White, Fizzy or Sticky, whatever you love to drink I can guarantee you will love theirs more! If you ever find yourself in Mudgee please stop by their tasting room... it is not to be missed. If Mudgee isn't on the horizon then hop online and be spoilt by choice. There is even a very convenient and exclusive wine club you can join. Told you, they are very smart! Welcome their brilliant and honest wine into your home.

Bon Week-End!

vR x

Apple Isle

Looking for a quick getaway... beautiful interiors... something a bit arty... great food and wine... plus outdoors... is this ticking all the boxes.... May I present MONA; eight luxury pavilions that overlook the Derwent River in Tasmania. Four pavilions are named after Australian architects who have influenced the Australian architectural landscape and the other four are named after iconic Australian artists. Love it! All pavilions offer 24/7 concierge, spa bath, king size beds with 400 thread count pure heaven cotton bedding plus individual wine cellars... shall I keep going? You also have the option to dine at the restaurant renown The Source. Here are the winter packages.

vR x

Cottage Love

In 2008 I had the absolute privilege of staying in this isolated holiday Croft in the North West Highlands of Scotland called 'Callekille'. In the 19th and early 20th century this area was largely populated by 'Crofters', small communities of families and neighbours working poor quality land together to provide food for their community. This little cottage or 'Croft' is the last one standing on this particular landholding, as over the years the others have turned to rubble. Crofters in this region faced many hardships due to the constrains of the extreme Scottish climate. They were often faced with famine and disease due to the isolation on the coast. In the 1950's the inhabitants of this little area had enough of the hardships and decided to move on. The thirty or so Crofters threw all of their pocession off the cliff and into the raging sea below, in the pursuit to never be reminded of the bad years. Isn't that incredible! Our homes really do carry the truth of who we are and the stories we tell.

vR x

p.s yes, I did trawl the rock faces below for Crofter's Treasure.

Beautifully Unmade

The White House

Growing up my mother had this rule that once the beds were made first thing in the morning, you could never sit back down, let alone lay down on the bed again until the coming evening. You and the bed were strictly done for the day. I think this is where my curiosity and also my guilt with unmade beds developed. From time to time I have pushed the guilt aside and not made the bed, in an attempt to mix things up and to live a bit loose and admire the beauty of an unmade bed... however it never lasts. I have always found myself full of guilt by 10am, scampering back in to the bedroom, doing the hospital tucks, doing the folds and doing the pillows. Maybe I should stay at Lynda Gardener's 1850's brick miners cottage 'The White House' in Daylesford to detox my unmade bed guilt...

vR x