Tim Tam time

Good on you Qantas.

You've been kicking some big goals with your marketing efforts of late.

And this Tim Tam effort is just a perfect little touch on Australia Day.

And even though I've been demoted to Bronze Frequent Flyer from Silver recently (I'm not bitter, I'm really not), I still think you're ace.

Keep playing the patriotic card, it's speaking to me.

Fit for a sailor

There's something romantic about a day on the water. I think it's the fresh air, or the wind in your hair, or the salt on your lips. Or the boys in boat shoes.

Well now, there's an even better way to enjoy a day on the high seas thanks to Two Spoons Catering on the Gold Coast.

Sally and her team have developed a gourmet range of boat hampers to suit every celebration - maybe he's popping the question, or you're ringing in the new year or you're spoiling a hen on her special day. 

Whatever the occasion - make your life easier and leave the hard work up to the professionals. You just worry about chilling the bubbles and choosing an outfit.

Find out more at twospoons.com.au and make sure you follow them on Facebook to stay up to date with their exciting developments.

Barossa. Be Consumed.

So, I'm sitting on the couch watching The Americans with my new housemate and we were rendered speechless when a new tv ad came on.

It was stunning. Beyond gorgeous. Great music, breathtaking scenery, and a little bit edgy. Reminds me of the True Blood opening credits (but way cooler). We were lost for words. I pitched in with a 'Daylesford, maybe?' But my Vic housemate surprised me with a 'definitely South Australian'

I thought he was taking the piss, knowing how fiercely parochial I am.

But no, apparently we're known for great ads. Remember the brilliant Kangaroo Island campaign?

Well, I got all warm and fuzzy when I saw the end frame. None other than the Barossa. Brilliant! 

Check it out ...

www.southaustralia.com

Good work SATC. Snaps to you.

Meet Shuggie

You know me and how much I love finding a new blog to get my teeth stuck into.

And you also know how much I love making new friends.

Well, I managed to combine the two in my first two weeks in Melbourne (I'll get to New York later, patience people!).

Lill introduced me to Shuggie, this mythical character I'd heard so much about - "She's my Melbourne version of you" Lill tells me.

So we finally met and she was every bit the awesome Lill made her out to be.

AND she let us set up a blog for her to document her travels to Mexico! How cool!

How many tacos can one girl eat?
How many trinketts can one girl buy?
She's worth 4 million camels in Morocco-
how does that translate into Llamas?
Will she actually use this blog?

Let's find out!

Shuggie has a way with words - reading her blog is like being on an adventure with her. And she takes food pics - even of potatoes in jars. A girl after my own heart.

So check her out, it's a great read and you're sure to have a giggle (and don't you just love her blog design? Snaps to you Lill!)

Finding my Inner Mexican

xx

Dotty for NY

So, I'm off tomorrow for a whirlwind trip to New York to celebrate my 30th birthday.

I'm hoping I'll look as glamorous as this on my big day - fingers crossed Kate Spade or JCrew can come up with the goods and deliver a fabulous birthday outfit.

I'll need one for my actual birthday (Friday 3 May, hint hint!) and then one for my party when I get back to the Rads. Oh, and I guess I'll have a Melbourne celebration too, so why not throw in another outfit too?!

Wish me luck!

xo

By night

I'm still here people! I'm alive, never fear. But totally shattered and tired and exhausted and high on life.

Heading to New York on Monday and haven't even had time to think about it.

Two weeks down in Melbourne and so much has happened. Will go through the deets later but in the meantime, check out my new hometown by night.

She's a pretty gal, hey!?

I think my new house might even be in this picture . . . 

A day to remember

I'm well on my way to planning THE ultimate day in New York in celebration of my 30th birthday.

It starts with breakfast at Pastis. Booked.

Then I think we'll head to SoHo for a spot of shopping and some NY 'downtime' browsing the streets.

We'll have lunch at Dean & DeLuca (Mum appreciates my obsession with the place after growing up with Felicity) and then I'll spoil myself with a Kate Spade bag that I've wanted for years.

The afternoon could do with a little more activity (suggestions, people?). . . but not too much because then we're booked in to Balthazar for dinner. I am SO excited. Bless Mum, she stayed up late last night to ring internationally and book us in - they only open reservations 30 days before each date so we had to watch our calendars carefully.

It's going to be a day to remember, that's for sure!

Any other suggestions to help ring in this milestone? Perhaps somewhere for a nightcap after dinner? Or pre-dinner drink even?

Brace yourself

The most special friend left me a little surprise in my letterbox the other week.

Completely out of the blue and unnecessary but so very much appreciated.

She said she saw the silver bangle above (paired with my favey J.Crew bracelet) and thought of me so had to buy it. How sweet!

Anyway, it's been the most eerily relevant mantra to live by in recent weeks.

If you have the strength to believe, your dreams will come true.

I've had a dream since the 1990s of what my perfect job was. I'm caught on our Year 12 video saying that's where I see myself in ten years time, and I've had the job ad from 2001 stuck to the back of my door ever since.

Well this week, after a crazy and long winded few months, I was offered my dream job and I have accepted.

This means a move to Melbourne and I'm freaking out.

But I'm excited. And really proud of myself (if I do say so myself!). I've been committed to my dream and been strategic in my decisions to help get me there.

It's all a bit daunting now that it's happened. And all in the lead up to my 30th birthday. Eeeek!

So stick with me as I start this new chapter. Melbourne, please be kind to me.

And Radelaide, stay cool.

xxx

The raddest of Rads

Good work, Rads.

I'm proud of you.

According to adelaideNow . . .

ADELAIDE has been voted the most liveable city in Australia for the third year in a row because it is an affordable place to buy housing, has a good standard of living and is clean.

I like to think we have a lot more to offer - take Mad March for example - but this is a good foundation.

The city is buzzing at the moment and to quote a dear friend of mine who visited from NZ a few years ago at this time of year, "Wow, it's like New York City! There's so much going on!"

Okay, maybe she was a bit over excited but I'll take what I can get.

Radelaide, I heart you.

Read article here

hashtag happy

Yes, I'm a Gen Y-er but even I get lost in the maze of hashtag acronyms ruling the twittersphere.

Kids these days.

My new fave . . .

#yolo

I looked at my friend Alice the other day when she used it in the context of talking about her upcoming holiday to Positano, Italy.

"Kate. Come with us! Yolo! "

What on earth could she mean?

"Um, Yolo? Year Of Living Opulently? I guess, I've got some spare spending money now that my US plans have changed, but TWO overseas trips in one year? That's a bit too opulent, I would've thought, Alice."

She laughed and congratulated my creativity, but went on to explain 'yolo' stands for 'you only live once'. Kind of the same thing, I guess!

I love the sentiment behind this, seize the day, carpe diem!

I try and live my life like I'm always on holidays - I stay up really late and try to squeeze as much as I can into each day. I play tourist in my own town and make lots of dates with friends to try new restaurants and bars. I'm a yes girl, count me in, I'm there.

What do you do to seize the day?

Mambo Italiano

The lovely Pete and Michelle hosted a gorgeous long lunch on their back lawn in celebration of Michelle's 30th birthday last week.

It was stunning weather, great company and perfect food. Not so sure about that orange liquor though Michelle, I'm going to blame that for my killer hangover on Sunday!

The menu included meatballs and bruschetta to start, with beautiful shared antipasto platters and then roast meats with salads to boot - including panzanella, calabrese, fennel and orange, and beans. And then for dessert, a gelati bar.

Plus copious amounts of prosecco.

Molto bene, people!

Riviera of dreams

The gorgeous Michelle is throwing an Italian Riviera themed 30th birthday party at her place and I'm searching for the perfect outfit.

I'm taking a big bowl of DIY bruschetta so the food is sorted but need to work on my ensemble.

Was looking for inspiration and found some pretty pics but nothing that screams SOLD!

Any suggestions?

Some things are Impossible

There are those moments in life that stick with us forever.

Tragedies that strike a chord with the world over even if you're not personally involved.

In recent times, the ones that stick with me the most include the Port Arthur, the 9/11 attack in New York, the Bali bombings, the Thredbo landslide and the Beaconsfield mine disaster.

I was glued to the TV, desperate for a snippet of hope and a survival story or two to cherish.

The 2004 Boxing Day tsunami is another event that captivated the world. 

I have to say though, that I don't know much about it. 

I was in Paris for Christmas that year, celebrating with a group of friends, and we heard snippets of news come through but it didn't affect us the same way it would've if we were home.

So it's with great interest that I see 'The Impossible' is being released in cinemas tomorrow. I saw the trailer on New Year's Eve before Les Mis and I was a mess in the preview. I can only imagine how heartbreaking the full length movie is.

Apparently Naomi Watts is brilliant in it and she scored both Golden Globe and Oscars nominations for her performance.

I know one thing, I'll need a full box of tissues.

Darcy hunting

So it's booked!

My USA adventure is not going to be all I'd dreamed of but it will be fabulous all the same.

Think more Bridget Jones style rather than Thelma and Louise.

(But Thelma and Louise die in the end so I'm happy with the way it turned out. And Bridget - even though she may be tubby and spends lots of time with her parents - gets the hot guy in the long run! Not so bad, right?!)

Moving on, I've had an unexpected start to my new year so have decided to lock it all away and begin again from 1 February.

Lots of fun things to look forward to with so many of my friends celebrating their dirty 30ths this year. Just received an invite to an Italian Riviera themed party. It will be truly gorgeous.

Here's to good health and happiness and sweeping out the nasties before the 'end of the year' (ie. January).

I'm off to the beach this afternoon for a friend's 30th celebrations on the Yorke Peninsula. Have a wonderful weekend wherever you are x

This little piggy went to New York

So I'm FINALLY making some progress on my travel plans for my 30th birthday.

I've had a discussion with the travel agent and got a first draft of the itinerary through. Sure, there are lots of changes that need to be made, but it's progress, right!?

One of the major things I'm keen to lock away is dinner plans for my actual birthday night - Friday 3 May 2013.

I'll be in New York with Mum and Dad and one of my dearest friends Emma so I want it to be ultra special.

Any suggestions of a kick arse restaurant? Somewhere to ring in my dirty thirties in style? I figured I'd have to start making reservations now and even then, I'm probably too late!

I was thinking Balthazar as I've heard brilliant things about it and a lovely new friend recently celebrated her wedding day there.

Or Per Se.

Or Gramercy Tavern.

Or the Boathouse.

I need some guidance, people! Especially those readers from that part of the world, please share!

I'll be asking for lots of tips along the way - we're planning stops in the Hamptons, Las Vegas, Palm Springs, San Fran and LA and I kind of don't know where to start. I'm looking for a Matchbook meets Glitter Guide meets Furbish Studio meets Rue Magazine meets Lonny meets J.Crew meets Kate Spade meets Kiel James Patrick take on the USA.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated, but let's tick off the birthday dinner first!

Around the world in 80 plates

 Like any good holiday, my recent trip to New Zealand was full of ah-mazing food discoveries.

Here are some of my faves . . .

Bluebird chips with onion dip (I ate a whole bowl to myself at the wedding recovery BBQ. Enough said.)

The best nibbles plate ever including homemade guacamole, smoked chicken, smoked salmon fillet, grilled haloumi with pickled red onions and yes . . . more onion dip.

Matched with Martinborough's finest whites.

Grazing platter at Poppies Winery. 

Hello dolmades and grilled courgettes and capsicums (gosh, I'm even speaking like the Kiwis now. I mean, zucchinis, not courgettes)

Beautiful Pinot Gris.

An ah-mazing feast at Shed 5 in Wellington. My camera carked it so I didn't get a pic of my fish and chips but it was GOOD.

And I just wanted to order "fush and chups" while I was over there. Small pleasures.

Fern had the cannelloni (and Sophie the banana)

Bridal brunch at Elk Cafe in Palmy.

The kumura (ahem, I mean sweet potato) mash was TDF. With poached egg, hollandaise and bacon.

Oh yes, definitely necessary to line the stomach before a big day.

Isn't that right, Lou?

Oh how I love food travels around the world!

Too cute for words

I'm back!

After 10 days of glorious holidaying fun in the land of the long white cloud, it's back to reality with a thud.

What a fabulous time I had in New Zealand with long lost friends. And of course, to top it all off, the beautiful wedding of Louise and Cam.

Aren't Ella and Hannah the cutest flower girls you've EVER seen? TDF. I've got a serious girl crush on their mum. Such an ah-mazing woman.

Lots of posts to be scheduled over the next few days. Don't you just LOVE this time of year?

xo

Old friends

Only three more sleeps 'til I set sail for New Zealand. Holidays, yes!

I'm so excited to catch up with my pals from London circa 2005. So much has happened since!

I was adopted as an honorary Kiwi during my time in the UK and was unbelievably lucky to have such amazing friends.

Lou (my old roomie) and Fern (her besty and my travel buddy) have been to visit me in Adelaide since our Filmer Road days, and I headed over to Fern and Scott's wedding in Mount Maunganui two and a half years ago. 

This time, Lou's tying the knot and I'm so excited about our reunion!

To get me in the spirit, I had a bit of a cruise down memory lane . . . 

Drinks in Auckland . . .

Running of the Bulls in Pamplona . . .

Sail Croatia . . .

Sunday snakebites at the P&P . . .

More snakebites, this time at the Fulham Slug & Lettuce . . .

Pouring pints in Freeling aka the pub from McLeod's Daughters . . .

Wedding fun on the beach . . . 

And drinks at the cricket . . . 

What brilliant times we've shared, girls!

Can't wait to add to the memories next week xo