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This Sydney Life

~ Mostly Recipes & Musings on Health

This Sydney Life

Category Archives: Travel

Taking a Social Media Holiday…

16 Friday Jan 2015

Posted by Joanna in New Zealand, Travel

≈ 16 Comments

Tags

Boating, Great Barrier Island, Huaraki Gulf, Kawau Island, New Zealand, Running away, Social Mdia Holiday

TSL Sunset at Kawau

Sunset at Kawau Island
(Image by TSL)

I’m back from running away to New Zealand.

Well, I didn’t really run away. I just took a long break. A break from all things social media. And maybe, to some extent anyway, from my world of Autoimmune Protocol stuff.

And, it was good. I can definitely recommend it!

Taking a technology break had unexpected benefits.

It made me look up.

I wasn’t constantly checking email. I wasn’t blogging. I wasn’t on Facebook. And, for a large part of my time away, I had no access to the internet, so I couldn’t have even if I wanted to. 

Granted, I was in New Zealand. Hardly a difficult part of the world in which to connect with nature and steer clear of all things social media…

TSL Lone Pohutukawa

Lone Pohutukawa at the entrance to Fitzroy, Great Barrier
(Image by TSL)

There’s a real purity in New Zealand that doesn’t exist in the states. It’s actually not an easy thing to find in our world anymore. It’s a unique place because it is so far away from the rest of the world. There is a sense of isolation and also being protected. (Elijah Wood)

TSL Port Fitzroy, Great Barrier

Port Fitzroy, Great Barrier
(Image by TSL)

And, because I wasn’t in my own home (or kitchen), I had less control over my diet. Not that much less, to be honest – my Mum is seriously accommodating when it comes to my dietary requirements. But there are definitely fewer options on a boat. Not a high-speed blender in sight! I got very organised and made bulk almond milk before freezing it into portions!

I also became slightly obsessed with an Al Brown recipe for a roasted cauliflower salad that I have modified to fit my needs. Watch this space – it’s a winner!

Anyhoo – back to running away and my social media holiday.

I think the biggest takeaway for me, is that I didn’t really get just how addicted to checking my in-box I had become. Out on the water with a cheeky glass of red*, watching the sunset with people I love helped me appreciate how important connecting with both nature and loved ones in REAL time can be.

TSL Kawau

En Route to the Coppermine at Kawau
(Image by TSL)

TSL Coppermine at Kawau

View to the Coppermine at Kawau
(Image by TSL)

TSL They say there are wallabies at Kawau

They say there are wallabies at Kawau.
LM remains unconvinced!
(Image by TSL)

So, if you didn’t get the chance to take some time out over the silly season, I’m going to suggest you have a good look at your diary and see when you can run away. Just for a wee while. It makes coming home all the sweeter.

TSL Coming home

Coming home…
(Image by TSL)

*Did I mention I loosened the reins on my AIP stuff a little?

Brothl – Melbourne’s Secret Weapon for Those on a Restricted Diet!

10 Friday Oct 2014

Posted by Joanna in Food, Travel

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

AIP, Autoimmune Protocol, Bone Broth, Healthy Eating, Healthy Eating on the Road, Melbourne, Melbourne Eats, Paleo, Weston A. Price

TSL Brothl

(Image by TSL)

If you’re travelling to Melbourne while on the Autoimmune Protocol, have I got the BEST news for you?

I’ve just spent six days in gorgeous Melbourne. Every time I visit, I wonder why I don’t  go there more often. S U C H a great city.

This is the first time I have visited Melbourne (or travelled anywhere, really) while on a restricted diet. And, those of us who suffer from food intolerances and sensitivities know just how challenging it can be to find somewhere to eat that both meets your dietary needs AND – even more importantly – that you can trust to deliver on their promises.

Well. If you’re visiting Melbourne, look no further. I give you…

B R O T H L

Hidden away in a wee lane way in central Melbourne is my new favourite place in all of the city. I’m not kidding – I ate here 4 times during the course of my six-day stay. And, I would have gone more often if possible. It’s THAT good! The only complaint I have about Brothl is that it’s not in Sydney. Right next to Casa TSL!

The brain child of Dutch-born Joost Bakker, Brothl’s premise is to ‘imagine a world without waste’… Using philosophies of both sustainability and providing nutrient dense-food, Brothl is a broth house.

You select from one of four different broths – vegetable, fish, chicken or beef – which provide a ‘base flavour’ as you then choose accompanying flavours to suit your mood and palate. Think braised beef brisket, happy bacon, offal of the day, foraged kelp, seasonal vegetables, sea water brined fish, house-made kim chi, native greens and weeds.

TSL Brothl Broth

Brothl Chicken Broth served with Beef Brisket, Kale and Mushrooms
(Image by Food Architect because when I finally remembered my camera, Brothl was closed!)

I cannot express how much I love this place!

The fish frames, organic free range chook frames and aged grass-fed cattle bones, along with other organic vegetable matter, are all sourced from some of Melbourne’s leading restaurant kitchens – Rockpool, Attica and the European. The broths are all made using rainwater. I suspect Joost actually does much of the foraging himself*.

On the communal table, jars of house made fermented chill sit waiting for those who need a bit of kick to their broth.

For me, it’s a toss-up whether my favourite dish was the fish broth served with sea bounty mussels, bacon and native greens and weeds or the beef broth served with braised beef brisket, kale and foraged seaweed. Either way – they were enhanced at lunchtime by a glass of house-made hibiscus kombucha.

Best of all, strict AIP followers can eat here with no issue. I only wish my homemade beef bone broth tasted as good…

 

TSL Brothl

(Image by TSL)

Do yourself a favour and check out Brothl when you’re next in Melbourne.

Brothl can be found at 123 Hardware Street, Melbourne 3000. It’s open Monday to Saturday 10am – 10pm and it rocks!

 * I don’t actually know this for a fact, but I wouldn’t be at all surprised.

Travelling Domestically on a Restricted Diet

07 Tuesday Oct 2014

Posted by Joanna in Food, Travel

≈ 13 Comments

Tags

AIP, Autoimmune Protocol Reintroduction, Bliss Balls, Domestic Travel, Travel, Travel Food, Travel Tips, Travelling on the Autoimmune Protocol, Travelling with Food Restrictions

TSL Travel Planning

(Image by TSL)

I’m currently on the Autoimmune Protocol, a nutrient-rich elimination diet that removes foods that irritate the gut, cause gut imbalance and activate the immune system. You can read more about the protocol and why I’m doing this here.

The reintroduction stage of my autoimmune protocol adventure has finally arrived. That means I have started reintroducing foods that have previously been excluded. This is managed in a very systematic way – one food at a time, starting with things that are least likely to cause a problem (or that I miss the most!). I’m keeping a food journal and recording any unusual symptoms or changes in mood. Honestly? – it’s actually proving to be more work that strict AIP!

My doctor told me I had to stop throwing intimate dinners for four unless there are three other people. (Orson Welles)

I’m currently travelling interstate (I’m typing this from my hotel room).

More precisely, I’m having six lovely days in Melbourne catching up with study-buddies, touching base with old friends and – hopefully – establishing a few new connections. LM is not with me. I’m flying solo.

And, just like with my tendency to over-pack, I prepared w a y too much food to take with me. BUT! – I want to minimise the risk of contamination… (Turns out I was contaminated anyway, but at least I gave it a good hard go, yes?)

Travelling on a restricted diet is not so easy. Not by a rather huge margin. And, because it takes so much bloody work, LM thought I should share a few of the foods (and beverages) I carried with me.

First, if at all possible, book accommodation with a kitchen

Really. It will make life so much easier. A decent fridge, a sink to wash up, and basic cookware allows you the freedom to shop for fresh ingredients upon arrival and to store them easily.

I find having provisions on hand means I’m less likely to give into pressure to ‘fall off the wagon’ and, it’s definitely cheaper.

Then, prepare a few foods to take with you

In my case, since I have recently reintroduced coffee, I needed my dairy-free creamer.

I also figured that breakfast is a particularly difficult ask at a restaurant when eggs, grains and dairy are off the menu, so I prepared for that.

And of course, snacks are always welcome!

TSL Travel Haul

(Most of) My Interstate Travel Haul
L – R: Jaffa Balls, Mackerel in olive oil, Filtered Water (in red flask), Dark Chocolate, Organic Coconut Oil, Seeded crackers, Dairy-Free Creamer (in silver flask), AIP Reintroduction-compliant Breakfast Crunch.
(Image by TSL)

In case you have any interest, here are links to the recipes for some of the items above:

  • My choc-orange ‘Jaffa Balls’ are my current favourite snack ball. I reckon they’re a winner (and they went down a treat with the Melbourne crew)
  • The Dairy-Free Creamer is, I reckon’, my best invention ever. Especially if you want the milkiness of a flat white or a latte, but can’t do dairy or soy (and find straight almond milk too watery)
  • The very talented Alexx Stuart created this particular Breakfast Crunch recipe. It’s a nut & seed number with some cacao and cinnamon thrown in for added flavour. Frankly, it rocks! – Especially when eaten with coconut yoghurt and fresh berries
  • The seeded crackers are a wee number I’m still perfecting. Trust me – you’ll be the first to know when I’m happy with them.
TSL Travel Bag

Chilly Bin (NZ for cooler bag!) and my TSL House Fermented Vegetables
(Image by TSL)

 Next, when you arrive at your destination – head to the nearest organic or whole foods store

Seriously. Do not pass go. Have a shopping list prepared and make it a priority to get ‘compliant’ food into your temporary kitchen. I promise you won’t regret it.

Finally, should accidental contamination happen, try not to let it ruin your trip…

Dining out at restaurants (which I have not done in 9 months) means you will have less control over what goes into the pot or pan with your clean food – even with every precaution you can possibly take. If you do have a flare, try to pick yourself up and get back on the horse. Stressing about it will only make things worse.

And, as soon as you get home, you will be back in charge again.

Mile High at Peter Gordon’s Sugar Club

15 Thursday Aug 2013

Posted by Joanna in Food, New Zealand, Travel

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

Auckland, Dining Out, New Zealand, Peter Gordon, Restaurant, Sky City, SkyTower, The Sugar Club

The Sugar Club (Image from here)

The Sugar Club
(Image from here)

So. Last week I did something impulsive. Quite impulsive, really. I was very generously offered a late invitation to join a party for dinner at the newly opened Sugar Club at the top of the Sky Tower in Auckland. Private dining room, no less.

Yes – that’s the Auckland in New Zealand. And yes, I live in Sydney which is in Australia. But really, what’s 2,160 kilometres between friends? As it happens, LM and the teenager were off to Melbourne to check out universities for the weekend and I was at a loose end. I looked online and webjet offered me a reasonably budget flight. I figured it was meant to be…

I’ve written before about my longstanding crush on Peter Gordon. So it was extra-special to have the chance to dine at his newly launched Sugar Club just 7 days after it opened. If you’re not familiar with the restaurant’s history, here’s a blurb from Peter’s website:

The Sugar Club has an iconic history in New Zealand, opening in central Wellington in 1986 with Peter as head chef – and being the first Kiwi chef to bring an Asian and Middle Eastern-infused menu to a New Zealand restaurant. Since then, The Sugar Club opened branches in Notting Hill and Soho in London, again with Peter as Head Chef. During this time, Peter also wrote his first of seven cookbooks, The Sugar Club Cookbook.

Peter Gordon is credited as being the ‘godfather’ of fusion cuisine. He is known for pushing boundaries – where one national cuisine starts and another stops. For him fusion is “fun and it’s playful. It’s simply one of many cuisines, and it happily sits amongst them like a magpie, borrowing from them all.”

Clevedon Valley Buffalo Mozarella, tomato tamarind relish, pickled Medjool dates, macadamia nuts, lemon oil Seriously bad lighting! (Image by TSL)

Clevedon Valley Buffalo Mozarella, tomato tamarind relish, pickled Medjool dates, macadamia nuts, lemon oil
Seriously bad lighting!
(Image by TSL)

Beef Pesto Peter Gordon's signature dish We had sides of duck fat roasts; endive, radicchio abd parmesan; AND steamed greens (Image by TSL)

Beef Pesto
Peter Gordon’s signature dish
We had sides of duck fat roasties; endive, radicchio and parmesan; AND steamed greens
(Image by TSL)

Yuzu Avocado Sorbet with coconut tapioca, passionfruit, and mango, but without the macadamia wafer (for the gluten free girl) Another Peter Gordon signature and it is SO good... (Image by TSL)

Yuzu Avocado Sorbet with coconut tapioca, passionfruit, and mango, but without the macadamia wafer (for the gluten-free girl)
Another Peter Gordon signature and it is SO good…
(Image by TSL)

That was MY meal. Here are a couple of the dishes…

Grilled Cinnamon Quail with roast ginger carrots, plum tapioca Apparently superb! (Image by TSL)

Grilled Cinnamon Quail with roast ginger carrots, plum tapioca
Apparently superb!
(Image by TSL)

Pumpkin Coconut Curry with tofu, spinach, ginger rice For the vegetarian-inclined (Image by TSL)

Pumpkin Coconut Curry with tofu, spinach, ginger rice
For the vegetarian-inclined
(Image by TSL)

Chocolate Star Anise Mousse Cake with poached tamarillo, honey yoghurt cream It was a close run thing, but I'm not mad about tamarillo (Image by TSL)

Chocolate Star Anise Mousse Cake with poached tamarillo, honey yoghurt cream
It was a close run thing, but I’m not mad about tamarillo
(Image by TSL)

Our party of 12 was very well looked after by the very charming and efficient Edward. We had a super evening. The food was superb and the wines delicious. I suspect we were treated particularly well given our ‘private dining room’ status organised by our lovely host. My only complaint is that my images aren’t as good as they would be if LM had been the photographer. Apologies!

Peter Gordon is cooking at the Sugar Club for the next month before he hands over the reins to Head Chef, Neil Brazier. I reckon’ it’s definitely worth a visit!

 

Best Sydney Breakfast Spots: Bathers Pavilion Cafe

03 Wednesday Apr 2013

Posted by Joanna in Australia, Food, Sydney, Travel

≈ 23 Comments

Tags

Australasia, Australia, Balmoral, Bathers, Breakfast, Brunch, Cook, New South Wales, Plenty, Recipe, Saturday, Shakshuka, Sydney, Yotam Ottolenghi

View from Bathers Pavillion Cafe

View From the Bathers’ Pavilion Cafe
(Image from here)

Welcome to the first in a wee series I am calling ‘Best Sydney Breakfast Spots’. I LOVE breakfast. Honestly, it’s probably my favourite meal of the day. So, having a few favourite spots for a good brekky in Sydney up my sleeve is kind of important to me…

We had some friends visiting Sydney over Easter. We wanted to take them somewhere nice for breakfast. And, for those of you who aren’t familiar with the massive cultural phenomenon that is ‘brunch*’ in Australasia, let me tell you it is huge.

Brunch in Sydney is a potential minefield for the uninitiated – especially if a) you want to take advantage of the super harbour views; b) you don’t want to queue for hours; and c) you want good food.

This time, we decided on the ever reliable Bathers’ Pavilion Cafe.

Bathers Pavilion Cafe(Image from here)

The Bathers’ Pavilion Cafe
(Image from here)

Bathers at Balmoral

The Bathers’ Pavilion at Balmoral
(Image from here)

The Bathers’ Pavillion is owned by well-known chef, Serge Dansereau. Frankly, it’s a Sydney institution and offers a number of ways to enjoy eating or drinking within the old beach changing shed pavilion. And, for my money, the café offers one of the better spots in Sydney for a breakfast that ticks all my boxes.

We arrived early – for a Public Holiday, anyway. The café doesn’t take reservations, which is frustratingly common for breakfast service in Sydney. Our party of 6 were all present and correct at just before 9am and we were pleasantly surprised that a table was waiting for us.

We had a lovely time – the food and the service were spot on. The ‘Three egg omelette with goats curd and herbs’ ($23) was apparently “superb”. The ‘Balmoral breakfast of Eggs – your choice – on toast with bacon, sausage, mushroom, potato and roast sea salt tomato’ ($25) was declared “just what you want from a traditional breakfast, and the sausage was excellent”. The ‘Basque style baked eggs with cured ham and chorizo’ ($22.50) were a big hit with the remainder of our party (including yours truly) – if just a smidge light on chorizo.

To be honest, I have had mediterranean-style baked eggs on the foodie part of my brain for some time now. All those onions, capsicums (peppers) and tomatoes sautéed with herbs and spices, then topped with a perfectly baked egg (or two) is my idea of breakfast heaven. Or, at least it is until my next ‘must try’ dish comes along.

I did a wee bit of digging, and as a result, this coming post-farmers market Saturday morning, LM and I will be dining on Yotam Ottolenghi‘s Shakshuka recipe from his cookbook ‘Plenty’, made by me. (Seriously fab’ cookbook, by the way!)

Shakshuka from Plenty

Shakshuka from Plenty
(Image from here)

I may have to bastardise it just the tiniest bit with some Eumundi chorizo, but here is the recipe I will be using…

Shakshuka from Yotam Ottolenghi’s ‘Plenty’
Recipe serves 8

Ingredients

½ tsp cumin seeds
190ml light olive oil or vegetable oil
2 large onions, peeled and sliced
2 red and 2 yellow peppers, cored and cut into 2cm strips
4 tsp muscovado sugar
2 bay leaves
6 sprigs thyme, picked and chopped
2 tbsp flat-leaf parsley, chopped
1 bunch fresh coriander, chopped
6 ripe tomatoes, roughly chopped
½ tsp saffron strands
Pinch of cayenne pepper
Salt and pepper
Up to 250ml water
8 free-range eggs

Method:

In a large saucepan, dry-roast the cumin on high heat for two minutes. Add the oil and sauté the onions for two minutes. Add the peppers, sugar, bay leaves, thyme, parsley and two tablespoons of coriander, and cook on high heat to get a nice colour. Add the tomatoes, saffron, cayenne, salt and pepper. Cook on low heat for 15 minutes, adding enough water to keep it the consistency of a pasta sauce. Taste and adjust the seasoning. It should be potent and flavoursome. You can prepare this mix in advance.

Place four saucepans on medium heat and divide the mixture between them. Break two eggs into each pan, pouring into gaps in the mixture. Sprinkle with salt, cover and cook very gently for 10-12 minutes, until the egg just sets. Sprinkle with coriander and serve. YUM!

Hopefully the sun will still be shining and we can sit outside in the garden…

The Bathers’ Pavilion Cafe at Balmoral Beach on Sydney’s lower north shore is open for breakfast Monday – Sunday from 7am to midday.

Yotam Ottolenghi’s cookbook ‘Plenty’, and his more recent and equally fabulous cookbook ‘Jerusalem’ are available through Amazon.

*BRUNCH:A late morning meal eaten instead of breakfast and lunch.

So much more than a rat with a cuter outfit, S.J.P…

25 Thursday Oct 2012

Posted by Joanna in Random Stuff, Travel

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

animals, Australia, London, New Zealand, Outdoors, Recreation, Sarah Jessica Parker, Squirrel, Travel

A squirrel is just a rat with a cuter outfit! (Sarah Jessica Parker)

We don’t have squirrels here in Australia. Nor did we have them in New Zealand. The animal that comes closest, for me, is the possum. Australia protects possums. I have no idea why – perhaps because they are native to here. In New Zealand, they are considered vermin. Some enterprising Kiwis make hats and gloves out of their fur. It’s very snuggly.

My first encounter with squirrels was as a teenager. My family had travelled to Frankfurt for a white Christmas with my German Grandmother. My wonderful Omi would feed the birds and the squirrels in feeders outside the large picture window in front of her garden. The squirrels would appear from the eaves and shamelessly watch us from the safety of the other side of the glass. They fascinated me. I spent ages looking out for them. I have had a soft spot for them ever since.

O sweet September, they first breezes bring dry leaf’s rustle and the squirrel’s laughter, the cool fresh air whence health and vigour spring and promise of exceeding joy hereafter. (George Arnold)

I suspect Londoners laugh at tourists taking happy snaps of the squirrels while wandering through Hyde Park, but that didn’t matter to me as LM and I encountered this little guy during one of walks…

Hyde Park Squirrel – take I
(Image by TSL)

Hyde Park Squirrel – take II
(Image by TSL)

Hyde Park Squirrel – take III
(Image by TSL)

Hyde Park Squirrel – take IV
(Image by TSL)

Hyde Park Squirrel – take V
(Image by TSL)

Hyde Park Squirrel – take VI
(Image by TSL)

Hyde Park Squirrel – take VII
(Image by TSL)

Good Bye Mr Squirrel…
(Image by TSL)


 

TSL est toujours en vacances

28 Friday Sep 2012

Posted by Joanna in Random Stuff, Travel

≈ 14 Comments

Tags

Audrey Hepburn, Chocolate, Eiffel Tower, Fashion, food, France, French language, Mona Lisa, Musee Rodin, Paris, secrets of paris, Sydney, The Louvre, Travel

No introduction required…
(Image by TSL)

Paris is always a good idea. (Audrey Hepburn)

Bonjour TSL readers! A wee post from not-so-sunny Paris where LM and I are enjoying our last couple of days before crossing the channel…

Some observations:

1. Raspberries are so much better here than at home. I have been scoffing them at a rate of knots. I can’t express how much I love them. Seriously yummy!

2. Despite not speaking any French (beyond the extreme basics), LM has mastered the art of Gallic posturing and shoulder shrugs. He’s a natural. Who would’ve thunk it? Quite endearing, really.

3. Sydney would be a better city with a Metro like the one in Paris. No question.

4. Sometimes, (like today) I wish you could pick a new pair of feet when it feels like you have worn your old ones out. All this walking wears a girl out!

…and, some happy snaps as promised. I am not known for my photography skills, and more often than not forget to take pictures (its hereditary) so, apologies in advance!:

Hermes Flagship

Hermes Flagship Store in Paris
Formerly a public swimming pool, now a super luxe example of how Hermes gets it right. Wow!
(image by TSL)

Louis Vuitton Flagship

Louis Vuitton Flagship Store in Paris
Looking up at the most amazing atrium in the Louis Vuitton store on the Champs Elysees (& MJ, he didn’t buy the boat shoes!)
(Image by TSL)

A La Mere de Famille

A La Mere de Famille
The very lovely Heather from Secrets of Paris introduced us to ‘Les Folies de L’Ecureuil’ (the misadventures of the squirrel) from this fabulous chocolate shop. Yummo!
(Image by TSL)

The Thinker at Musee Rodin

Musee Rodin
One of my very favourite places to visit in Paris
(Image by TSL)

Mayhem and the Mona Lisa

The most famous painting in the world…
What I imagine an average day in front of the Mona Lisa at the Louvre looks like
(Image by TSL)

Museum of Decorative Arts

Museum of Decorative Arts
…and right next door to the Louvre, gorgeous tapestries (among other things) from the 15th Century can be seen with nobody else in the room… Go figure!
(Image by TSL)

A dinner of snails, anyone…?
(Image by TSL)

On the Pont de l’Archeveché
LM being mysterious and interesting
(Image by TSL)

The Padlocks of Pont de l’Archeveché
(Image by TSL)

Do hope you are all well at your end. I shall try and pop in again from London.

A bientôt

La boutique des Boîtes à Musique d’Anna Joliet

24 Friday Aug 2012

Posted by Joanna in Random Stuff, Travel

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

Anna Joliet, Boites a Musique, Colette, Design, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, La boutique des Boîtes à Musique d'Anna Joliet, La vie en rose, Love me tender, Music, Music Box, Nostalgia, Palais Royal, Paris, Shopping, The Beatles, Travel, Yesterday

Ballerina Music Box

Ballerina Music Box
(Image from here)

Growing up, my sister and I were not part of the ‘ballet set’. Not even when we were very young. For starters, neither one of us would have been seen dead in pale pink. Not for us the pink leotards and hair ribbons. I didn’t even have one of those ballerina music boxes. Instead, my Mum’s godmother sent me a beautiful pillow, all the way from Germany, which – if I remember correctly – somehow played Eine Kleine Nachtmusik and smelled divine. I loved that pillow.

I do not recall ever feeling hard done by for not having a music box growing up, but I do vividly remember how I felt on one of my early visits to Paris when I discovered La boutique des Boîtes à Musique d’Anna Joliet (Anna Joliet’s Music Box boutique). This enchanting (and tiny) shop at the northern end of the Jardin du Palais Royal specialises in music boxes, both new and old, from Switzerland.

Boites a Musique Palais Royale

Boites a Musique Palais Royal
(Image from here)

Boites a Musique Music Box

Boites a Musique Music Box
(Image from here)

For almost three decades the store has occupied the same corner, next to a sign proclaiming that the writer Colette passed her last years here by the northern edge of the gardens of the Palais Royal. There’s hardly any room to move in the store, but it doesn’t matter because the melodies instantly transport you to your childhood (even when it didn’t feature music boxes!).

There are music boxes for every budget, some tiny cardboard containers with the inner workings displayed for less than 10 euros, or a gilded cage of warbling birds that costs upwards of 3,000 euros. I still have the small one I bought 20 years ago. It plays ‘Yesterday‘.

Boites a Musique Music Box

Boites a Musique Music Box
This is not my wee music box
(Image from here)

There may only be one thing for sale in Anna Joliet’s shop, but there is a seemingly endless variety of melodies from which to choose – from the classic “La Vie en Rose” to the wind-up tinkle of Elvis Presley’s “Love Me Tender” and the Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine.”

I shall be visiting again…

Boites a Musique

(Image from here)

Le Labo – Sparking A Fragrance Revolution

20 Monday Aug 2012

Posted by Joanna in Retail, Travel

≈ 10 Comments

Tags

beauty, Branding, Exclusive, Fragrance, Frank Capra, Gift, Health, Jo Malone, Le Labo, Mecca Cosmetica, Myer, Paris, Perfume, Shopping, style, Sydney

Le Labo Store (Marylebone)

Le Labo Store (Marylebone)
(Image from here)

Don’t follow trends. Start them! (Frank Capra)

The fab’ duo at Le Labo, Edouard Roschi and Fabrice Penot, reckon that in a world where luxury perfumes are mass-produced and sold in places that look like supermarkets, where advertising campaigns try to fool consumers into thinking they are unique even though their ‘one of a kind’ fragrances are worn by millions across the globe, they offer another solution…

According to the good people of Le Labo, the first time you wear a Le Labo perfume, you’ll realise instantly how very different it is from traditional perfumes. Le Labo perfumes (apparently) ‘SHOCK’ and it’s that shock that captivates, astounds, titillates, intrigues and beguiles. I’m not yet convinced I want my scent to astound…

Le Labo perfumes are reputed to be special – not only because of the quality of materials used, but because they are made-to-order.

Regardless of whether you believe the hype, the packaging is gorgeous and I am looking forward to visiting the newest Le Labo boutique in Paris…

Le Labo Store (Marylebone)

Le Labo Store (Marylebone)
(Image from here)

Le Labo Store (Marylebone)

Le Labo Store (Marylebone)
(Image from here)

One of the very cool options offered by Le Labo is to provide the curious the opportunity (for a price) to sample its wares before splurging on an entire bottle. If, like me, you are fussy about your fragrance, this saves the pain of plunking down good cash for something later discovered to be personally repellant.

Le Labo Discovery Set

Le Labo Discovery Set
(Image from here)

For those of you in Syders who have yet to discover the magic of Le Labo, head to Mecca at Myer (George Street). I can’t believe I’m about to let you in on one of my best gift ideas, but a Le Labo candle is just about one of the best gifts for that special girlfriend – and you can personalise it! Move over Jo Malone!

The Le Labo website is gorgeous – well worth checking out here.

The VW Campervan Tent almost makes me want to go camping…

28 Saturday Apr 2012

Posted by Joanna in Travel

≈ 24 Comments

Tags

Campervan, Campgrounds, Camping, Design, Gifts, Humour, Outdoors, Recreation, Recreation and Sports, Shopping, style, Tent, Volkswagen


It’s almost enough to make a confirmed city-girl like me consider camping…

You’ll be the envy of all your camping (and non-camping) buddies when you whip this wee beauty out.

Featuring:

  1. 1:1 Scale – exactly the same size as the original VW Campervan and officially licensed by VW.
  2. 2 large double rooms, separated by zips. Will sleep 4 adults.
  3. Opening doors in the same style as the original campervan.
  4. Inner compartments that separate via fly sheet doors.
  5. A choice of 3 colours – blue, red or green.

If you decide you would like one of these beauties, or if you’d like to learn more, get thee to Firebox.com where, upon payment of the very reasonable price of £299.99 you can have the VW Campervan Tent delivered to your door! So much cheaper than the original!

Sadly, it doesn’t feature a flush loo or a shower, the two primary reasons this blogger may not rush out to purchase her own VW Campervan Tent.

(All images sourced from here)

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