366 Project

Here's a little video I made which takes a glimpse at my recent 366 project, using Animoto.  Enjoy x

Something for the little man.

 

I've been keeping my eyes peeled for great things to entertain our little man while traveling. I came across this publication today by Joy Paton a graphic design & illustration student currently studying in Leicester, UK.   It's one to add to the bag of tricks.

*also loving the DIY wall masks in the Lille Nord 04 magazine..... and the idea of sleeping in a Yurt in Central Copenhagen!

Sweet. Thanks Joy. x

This time last year.

Happy Anniversary Al & Jen x

Repost from : Tuesday 15th May 2012

We spent the weekend in Sydney celebrating a wedding. The wedding was absolutely stunning. A beautiful couple in an incredibly breathtaking setting.
I fell in love with Sydney's East all over again. Autumn definitely is a beautiful time to be perch up above the streets of Surry Hills.
Morning tea at Neilson Park, a Mother's Day stroll around Centenial Park, a visit to Object Gallery to see the Women With Clever Hands exhibition, walking the streets of Paddington and meeting our new nephew for the first time, a lunch date with my cousin here, were amongst some of my favorite things.

There were some smaller but no less enjoyable moments like the chance meeting with a prophet behind the counter at the Salvos store on Crown Street (who gave me some rather sage advice on the Z man), spending a rainy spell bunkered down in the light filled space of Surry Hills library an incredibly beautiful public space, walking the back streets and discovering this, yum cha and of course Chee soon Fitzgerald, so many fabulous places...too many to mention but here's a snippet.

What were you doing this time last year??
xx

Going on around here

Lists...... and yet more lists.
Went to see Beth Orton play here. Such a thrill.
Wondering how I manage this?
Cooked up some Mung Dahl from these guys.  Thank you BM, we're hooked.
Miffed as to why I can NOT find accommodation in Oslo? Ahhh.... Nor-Shipping Conference = huge crowds. Really?? Those damn vikings!
Researching travel insurance..... anyone else used TDI?
Loving it 'hot' lately.
A great evening here, with friends.
Tossing up Sri Lanka or Cambodia?
Plenty of comfort food. Tessa Kiros' Fish pie has been on the menu. Which means it's officially Autumn in my kitchen.
Eying off Emma Gale's artwork.
Craving sleep...which reminds me. I best be off.

Night, night

..... I'll be dreaming of lists .....

I Am...sterdam

3 weeks today until the big departure. The countdown has officially begun.
I took these photos 20 years ago when I was last in Holland. I spent most of my time there in The Hague staying with friends but we did manage one rather eventful trip to Amsterdam. As fun as it was at the time I'm rather thankful we wont be staying at Bob's Youth Hostel this time.

I've made a list of links to help us navigate more than the obvious....coffee houses, Anne Frank's House, Van Gogh Museaum and red light district while exploring this crazy and notoriously colourful town.

Guides:
I amsterdam
NY times travel article 'The Amsterdam of Playgrounds and Pancakes'
Babyccino kids Amsterdam
A day in Amsterdam with LUXE City Guides
36 Hours in Ansterdam, NY Times.
Off the Beaten Track in Amsterdam, Nomadic Matt
Petite Passports Favorites Guide to Amsterdam
All the goodness over at This Girl Lel.
103 weeks: An American expat in Amstaerdam.
A selection of expat blogs on I Amsterdam

Bali Highlights

We are in between worlds here at the moment. Recently returned from Bali and frantically planning our next big adventure. Basking in the warmth and colour of our recent trip .... as Melbourne weather starts to close in and bite .... especially around 4pm each evening. So much to do and only a month to go, so apologies for my tardiness here of late.

Here's a quick list of some of our recent Bali highlights.
Waterbom, a must for all ages!
An evening spent at La Lucciola
Komune Beach Club. Z and I spent a morning here by the pool while the boys surfed. It's spectacular & on my list for a return visit.
The food at Mama San.
Cocktails and club sandwiches at Potato Head.
The slower pace and feel of Canggu...after the frantic feel of Seminyak.
The entire vibe at Bungalow Living, Canggu. Great raw food, juices and pastries too.
Our villa but even more than the villa.... our gorgeous staff. Denik & Erma we miss you. xx
A day trip Denik and her family took us on to Tanah Lot.
Great music and coffee at Revolver.
A drink and a cheeky dip in the pool at the W.
Pampering at Bodyworks.... I had a facial that made my eyes water! There was definitely a little pain with the pleasure.... be warned.
Lunch at Sea Circus...twice. It's worth a second trip.
I love everything about Motel Mexicola, the drinks, the courtyard, the staff uniforms, the vibrant decor and the fact that a quick drink here could turn into a long night of frivolity. FUN!!

Bali has never been on my radar before this trip. It didn't excite me in the slightest. We only really went on this trip to celebrate a 40th birthday with good friends but I can honestly say it's captured me and I can't wait to head back and explore some of the more remote parts of this crazy, vibrant and incredible 'sweat producing' country. Their smiles are wide, their hearts are big and they live so simply. If you can get out of the road of the crazed tourist shopping at a frenzied pace there's so much beauty to be discovered in the slowness and simplicity of life here.

Thank you Bali. x

Something I didn't manage to do this time but is on my list for the next trip the Bali Bintang Bike Tour.

Dreaming of... The City of Love

I’m slowly getting together some research for our trip.... We are heading to Europe  for 3 months & it's coming around so quickly! 5 weeks to go arrgggghhhh. I'm bookmarking websites, booking tickets and generally getting a feel for some of the things we’ll slot into our days. Paris has been on my radar today and here are a couple of inspiring sites I’ve come across. I’m so excited.  Dreaming of exploring the back streets, cozy cafe’s and  pastries-a-plenty in the city of love. Woo hoo.

Hip Paris
Paris in Four Months
Little Pieces of Light
Carla Coulson’s Paris Favourites
101 cookbooks guide to Paris
Un Jour de Plus a Paris
Petite Passport

As we’re staying in the Marais Part 1 & Part 2 of Carla’s 'My Marais' posts will come in very handy!

If you have any additional tips on Paris I'd love to hear...especially any geared around Paris with kids.
xx

Thanks for all the additional information people. I'll update this post as new information comes to me.  That way I can keep it all in one place and hopefully aid others looking for handy tips on discovering Paris. See 'Read more.'.