Breakfast sunshine

 

Nat here.  Had a lovely breakfast with the girls this morning at Spring, some time ago we started calling breakfast "breakfast club", it is supposed to be regular but never is!! It was so lovely to catch up, particularly on a Friday.  Hope you made it up there A.....

The cottage renos are going to be intense this week, last week before it's on the market (fingers crossed!)  The husband helped pick this for the kitchen today.  I know, I know, I'm a little "over" these signs too but it was $12.95 and it goes with our theme so.....

 

Happy Friday! We're off to Enoteca 1889 tonight, I've heard good things!

Taylor Sunshine

Nat here.  Thanks to P, I can NOT get this song out of my head!!

It has been more than 5 days that I have been whistling the tune...I am getting worried!  Happy Thursday y'all!

Sydney and other sunshine

Nat here.  Had a fab weekend in Sydney on the weekend for the lovely J's hen's, lots of laughs were had, this was us partying at the B&S themed hen's night...

Shoes off is always an indicator of a good time had by all.

The lovely hen J and I religously read FF's blog so it was fitting that I had my nails done, as did J - in the same colour...!

I was an adopted member of the W family while in Sydney, we enjoyed the sights and had a lovely breakfast at Bills in Darlinghurst.

No one does eggs like Bill..

Back in BrisVegas, the W's and husband and I went to a lovely degustation at Ecco hosted by Dandelion Chef Geoff Lindsay...here's a sample of our favourite vietnamese inspired courses..

 

 

Must go to Dandelion when we're next in Melbourne!  Happy Monday!

This excited

Nat here...I'm as excited as little L was, last time I was at the farm...

See you soon team Sydney hen's weekend!  xo

Old photo sunshine

Nat here.  Don't you love searching through old photos?  The husband and I cleaned out the garage on the weekend and I found some beauties, like this one of my Aunty's wedding, don't you love the fashions?  That's my Mum on the far right..in black! She's always telling me that black to a wedding is a no-no......

 

My Aunt and Uncle back in the day..it's his 60th birthday this year!

 



 

And one of my Mum and Aunt, this one would be over 60 years old!

 



The one below is only about 25 years old and is of my cousin and I - the daughters of the above photo, can you see the resemblence? 

 



God those thighs still haunt me!!

The art of photos has been lost a little with social media.  Does anyone print their photos anymore?  Me either...I really must. What will our children have to laugh at?!

Hello

Nat here.  I'm getting a little excited about the weekend, I'll be here after work on Friday...

 Sunshine!

All for the lovely J's hens weekend, it's going to be big!

I need a new outfit for the occasion...am loving these colours??...

Source:  here

If you're looking for something to bake I stumbled across a recipe for a chocolate cola cake...

You can find the recipe here.  I can't wait to try it!

General sunshine

Nat here.  BrisVegas put on some lovely weather this weekend didn't it?!  Nothing like some waffles in the sun to start your Sunday...

Comfort at My Table at Milton was serving the goods...when you're on to a good thing you must stick to it!

Equally comforting was the lemon meringue at Le Bon Choix Ascot, for those who like a good lemon meringue you MUST go there and have it TOMORROW!

Styling was in order at the cottage this weekend, I don't want to post too many photos as it's all a little unfinished..but I have to share our kitchen mat!  Pillow Talk I love you!  I think it's staying, we can take the tag off now!

I went to the ekka on Friday night with the W's and the P's...I know there have been some haters of the new strawberry sundaes but we all agreed they were delicious so congratulations RNA!   I can't believe it's over for another year...

I hope everyone is watching these two tonight on the telly...

With a glass of cardonnay of course...Happy Sunday!

Cottage update

Nat here.  I hope you're enjoying your Ekka Show Day, husband and I used the day to tackle the cottage's outhouse....remember this?

First we gave it an undercoat...

And then we applied colour!!

Ta-daa!

Husband's Mum has come up with an idea that we use it as a real little garden shed by hammering in some nails and hanging some tools which sounds perfect.  I want to get some little letters and put Fido's name on the now matching dog house!  Remember, husband didn't want to tackle the outhouse, but I think you'll agree that it is well worth it?!  He does too....our very own Brighton Outhouse.

Guinea Sunshine

Nat here.  Last Saturday the lovely C&M (who just recently got engaged in Paris remember?) hosted their guinea.  The theme was "Best of British" and it was absolutely fantastic!  The first Pimms was served at 6.30pm, together with some Stilton and digestives, so British!  Next we moved onto entree...

Which was a delicious broccoli soup with the freshest of freshest cobb loaves....

Main was beef and guinness pie with mash and peas.....soooooo good! Look at those cute pie birds and the pastry flags!...

 Soooo good.....

Dessert was a butterscotch pudding, again - delicious.  C&M absolutely outdid themselves, every dish was superb and the overall effort was 11/10 (ref: FF)

I just love C's house, I had to warn her to hide this chair from my sight otherwise I might try and take it home!  Very Anna Spiro inspired don't you think?

Remembering all that beautiful food is making me hungry!  The Guinea's have gone full circle now and we're back to the originators K&M...can't wait for round two!

Food sunshine

Nat here.  I had a lovely lunch with K last Thursday at Cove Southbank, delish!

At the back we have chilli donuts with an avocado puree, grilled haloumi (K's favourite), duck spring rolls and on the right we have wild barramundi and preserved lemon croquettes and romesco sauce (my favourite).

Dessert topped it off....

Mine was a gingerbread trifle and K's was a caramel creme brulee, which K raved about.... Read more about Cove here.

Overall a really nice lunch assisted by really lovely company.  I could definitely be a lady of leisure, the hours just flew!

Husband and I went to C&M's "Best of British" guinea on Saturday night, it was spectacular...so much so it needs it own post, so until then Happy Tuesday!

The westerly winds are coming...

Nat here.  You know what the westerly winds mean if you've ever lived in BrisVegas....that's right, it's the Ekka!! 

Thanks to a Dad that can't go a year without his stawberry and cream ice-cream, a lucky ticket, the holden stunt cars, fireworks and carrying my 25 "must-have" showbags there are not too many years I've missed. Call me a carnie, but I just love it.

Apparently they've changed the recipe for the ice-cream this year, are you game to try it? What if it's different? I'll be gutted!

Of course, the Ekka is when the country and the city come together...

And nothing beats the smell as you step off the train - it's a little slice of country right in the city!

I remember telling L (a sophisticated Sydney-ite) in Cayman about my love of the Ekka and she said, what is the Eck-ar?!  Yep, that's how you say it all you overseas folk...eck-ar, or if you're bringing your cattle to the Ekka stables it has more of an Eck-aaaaaaar sound. 

Husband has the best Ekka story because he had an Uncle who was a real true blue carnie, he used to travel with the Royal Shows, when husband was a little tike he remembers being the caller on the dodgems "drivers, drivers one way, put your token in the slot!".  I can just imagine it.  He was also taken around on all the rides - for free!  I clearly wasn't in the know. 

Rides weren't really my thing, Dad loves to tell the story how he nearly "knocked out the bloke on the reins of the kids ferris wheel one year as he wouldn't stop the ride when I was clearly very scared".  It was about this big..

And I was 12....you can see why I was so petrified!  Let's just say I was always more of a shetland pony type of girl.

So a big happy Ekka to all those who love it!  Husband has promised to take me next Thursday woohoo!

Outhouse sunshine

Nat here. Now wouldn't this be lovely for the outhouse?

Source: here

Hope you're having a good week!

More ramblings..

Nat here.  Had a great night on Saturday with M&M - our first stop for some drinks was Mr & Mrs G Bar..

What a great spot, right on the Brisbane River - perfect for a few champas, mojitos and beers for the boys. We had a late dinner (9pm...I know L in Melbourne is laughing right now?!) as that was the only time we could book into new Brisbane restaurant The Survey Co...

It was delicious!! Seriously some of the best fare I've had and so reasonably priced as well!  Here's a sample of some of our meals...sorry it's a little dark!

The Survey Co is situated in the new Burnett Lane between George and Albert St, very Melbourne-ish I must admit, it had such a great vibe - basically, you must go!

Husband and I flew into town on the City Cat, BrisVegas does look pretty at night...

We had breakfast at Comfort at My Table again this morning....people were waiting up to 45 minutes to get a seat. It really is, very good.

On the cottage front, we have decided to paint the outhouse similar to a Brighton beach house, we bought pink, purple, blue and yellow paint today.  We hope to tackle it next weekend, here's a before!

Can't wait to show you the after!  Think we might have to do the same on the little dog house?
Happy Monday - gosh the weekend went quick!

The cottage is starting to take on sunshine

Nat here.  So remember this terrible bathroom that wasn't big enough for me to even take a picture? 

Take a look at her now!

Isn't she beautiful? Her wall used to stop right there next to the toilet but we opened her up, the vanity is on the other side now....

We are just waiting on the mirror in here.  Mind the masking tape...which I was looking for today and have now found!

Another great before and after below, this was the lounge and now is the lounge...the floors have had their first coat this week.  This room is just waiting on the white venetians...

Husband and I (ok, let's face it, mostly husband) painted the back of the house today...this is a before and after....

What do you think we should do with the lattice?  It is just wooden lattice but I think it needs a lick of paint? I've been told it's not as easy as it sounds.

The cottage is starting to take on some sunshine I'm sure you'd agree?!  Next to tackle is the kitchen (before and to-date below) which is starting to take shape with some brilliant Ikea assembling to-date performed by husband's Dad....

Meanwhile how good are those floors did I hear you say? Remember it's only the first coat! It just so happens we know someone in that department, someone we can highly recommend.  Give Pete at Apex Floor Sanding a call, all their details are here make sure you tell him that Nat sent you!

In other non-cottage news I stepped out my comfort zone today to venture into Aldi.  All in in the name of coffee, to buy an Expressi which I've heard everyone rave about...well I can add my two cents, it is A-MAZING and for $79 I can't believe my luck.  I highly recommend stepping our of your comfort zone and taking advantage of this great deal!  Not only does it make great coffee it also looks fab and fits so well in our kitchen!

While you are there, you might, like me, find some other bargains...I bought an electric knife for $12.99...I know!! Ridiculous!!

Hope you're enjoying the beautiful sunshine BrisVegas is bestowing upon us!  We're off to the new Survey Co for dinner with M&M tonight, after a few drinks at the new Mr & Mrs G Bar which was interior designed by the amazing Anna Spiro, I'll fill you in tomorrow!