Adelaide Secrets

I hope you've had a great weekend. It's been incredibly wet and cold here in the Adelaide Hills this weekend. I'm still fighting off a winter cold, but managed to have a wonderful girls night out last night staying at a funky new accommodation option right in the centre of the city. The Franklin Hotel on Franklin Street has had a make over. A fully renovated bar downstairs and upstairs is one of the funkiest boutique hotels I've come across. The owners certainly have an eye for detail. It's incredibly unique, decked out with recycled wares, modernly restored and all the mod cons. Highly highly recommend.

 It's quirky too, as you can see... I love that! The mini bar is included in the room rate plus a bag of goodies, which was just spot on when getting ready to head out. I feel like a cider... and chips... oh well there they are, have some. Don't mind if I do.

I finally got the chance to check out a handful of new wine bars in town too. Some of them not so new, but new to me because I don't venture out much these days. I have to say my pick of them all was Cantina Sociale on Sturt Street. If you didn't know it was there, well you wouldn't know it was there. Unobtrusive from the road and just quaint and exactly my kind of place. Bare brick walls, rustic corrugated iron ceilings, funky lighting, perfect nooks to sit with a beau, or larger spaces for a group of friends, quaint bar... and incredibly friendly and welcoming staff. Start a tab and order a tasting plate with your first wine. You can honestly just sit there for hours in good company.
And so here I am... it's not even 7.30pm on a Sunday night and it's almost lights out for me. I did say I don't venture out much these days, and that is why. Haha. Have a great week!

Vietnam ~ Part Two

It seems I am not very good at regular blogging lately. A little tardy to say the least. Tonight I have started the task of putting our holiday photos into an album (something I still love to do in this day and age of technology) and I thought it was about time I posted some more.
When travelling I love to take photos of ordinary things, gorgeous flowers, an abandoned alley or bright fruit piled high (I took lots of these).  I also love looking back at the streetscapes from one city to the next to see the differences, and there were a lot unique to each city. From Hanoi to Hoi An and then on to Ho Chi Minh. Here are some of my favourites. You can see my daughter on her Dad's shoulders in a few... it's how she spent most of the holiday when she wasn't in the pool.

From the craziness of the traffic in Hanoi, to the serenity in Hoi An and then the manicured gardens and marbled buildings in Ho Chi Minh. I loved it all. What I really admired were the manicured gardens. The Vietnamese sure do love their hedges, which I do too. Ahhh after my own heart. Hence I have since taken to my garden with the shears for a tidy up (actually my Dad did most of it, but I helped with the rosemary and box hedges). Not quite as exquisite as we saw in Vietnam, but getting there.

Vietnam ~ Part One

We arrived home from our holiday last Friday and it already feels like we never went away. How quickly you slip back into life as you know it... slightly more refreshed and inspired though I must say.
Vietnam was a fantastic place to visit and our holiday was a brilliant mix of socialising, relaxing and cultural experiences. We travelled with my husband's family for his cousin's wedding which was an incredibly fun night in itself. Reminiscing now curled up on the couch (in my flannelette PJ's haha!) and looking back over our photos I have so many things to share that I am going to have to break it up into parts so that I don't crash my computer or yours, so... here is Vietnam ~ Part One.

We flew from Singapore to Hanoi where we stayed at the amazing Hotel Metropole Hanoi. Stunning! Oozing French style it was built in 1901 and is one of the top hotels in the world and a must to stay at (for the pastries at breakfast alone). I am a proud Francophile with a huge desire to visit France again and so this was perfect for me to get a brief taste of it while in Hanoi. The interior design within the hotel is a stunning mix of French and Vietnamese style, as you'll see for yourself below. Also, see if you can spot teddy. Enjoy!

Harry and Me ~ Daylesford

I mentioned Friday that we went on a little trip away to Daylesford on the Australia Day long weekend. One of the highlights for me was coming across the gorgeous Harry and Me on Vincent Street which is the main shopping strip in Daylesford. I always love a new little store to soak up. They had some stunning stock beautifully displayed. The Emily Green necklace I purchased is front and centre of the top photo. They regularly post images on their facebook page and if you like what you see they can put it in the post for you. Bonus!

Images from Harry and Me

Daylesford

Over the Australia Day long weekend we had a fleeting visit to Melbourne and Daylesford to catch up with relatives. Three days felt like five, it was so relaxing. I absolutely love this part of the world. Full of vintage finds, amazing food and coffee, scenery and creative minds. Not to mention a few new shops since our last visit like Harry and Me. I picked up two Emily Green accessories. The girls are lovely. They gave Amelie a little flower windmill which she adores and has put in the garden. If you haven't been yet, pop in or check them out online.

The Hills ~ 3 things I like about you

1. Vintage sunrise

2. Piccadilly views

3. Stirling main street in Autumn

If you haven't been to Stirling or the Hills in Autumn now is the time to visit. The colours are just incredible, and it is such a gorgeous place to be. Something to do this weekend perhaps. Have a great one. 

The Hills ~ 3 things I like about you

1. Vistas on my way to work

2. Delicious desserts at Woodside's newest cafe  - Avalon

3. Up close and personal with the koalas at Cleland Wildlife Park

The Hills ~ 3 things I like about you

I love where I live and I thought it would be wonderful to share what I find so inspiring and peaceful about this beautiful part of the world, the Adelaide Hills.

1. Charming country gates

2. Rustic beauty

3. Quaint cafes

Stay tuned for more...

Remembering Africa

I took my daughter to the Museum today for something fun to do and saw all of the animals which she adores. I found myself telling her stories about our trip to Africa almost seven years ago, where we had seen lions, hippos, zebras and cheetahs roaming in their natural habitat. I can't wait to take her one day. Here are some of my favourite photos from our trip in 2005.

What an amazing holiday. I took these photos in the Serengeti and on the stunning island of Zanzibar.

Wonderful day

Spent a gorgeous day down the beach today at Carrickalinga, about an hour south of Adelaide. It was magical. So calm and still, just perfect for a quiet swim and a play in the little beach pools which are present during low tide. Wonderful company too of course. 

What a perfect way to end the weekend. x

Road Sign... No. 4

How gorgeous is this road sign! I shared earlier in the New Year of my new obsession... road signs. I have had it for a long time to be honest, but I have finally decided to photograph them, hoping to make a collage one day. Some are standard, but then you find these quirky little numbers popping up in the middle of no-where. This man lives in McLaren Vale. South Australia's wine country. That must be why he looks so relaxed. Have a great week!

Daylesford ~ Part Five

I love taking photos of anything that grabs my attention and I found a lot of that in and around Daylesford. Here are some random photos from our week long stay. 

I am on the search for a letterbox to replace our tired looking one. This one made me take notice. Beautifully rustic. 

Lots of yummy treats on display at a local bakery. 

We paid a visit to Wild Duck Creek winery while in the region, and while sitting in the car with Little Miss A who was fast asleep, I captured this stunning blue wren in amongst the wild flowers. 

On the weekend we were there my husband's Auntie and Uncle came to stay (it is their house after all), and Ian made some gorgeous pizzas for tea. This one was my favourite. Sautéed mushroom and spinach.

My pretty shoes. I couldn't resist. 

I have been inspired yet again by Yvonne from Yvestown and while Little Miss A has her nap this afternoon I am making over my TV cabinet. I'll share with you soon. Better get on to my second coat before she wakes. See ya!

Daylesford ~ Part Four

I wanted to share with you the amazing interior of the house we stayed in in Daylesford. Stunning. And views from every room. We were living amongst the trees which is simply breathtaking to wake up to. Exactly what you want on holidays.