Koko Black Blogger Meetup by Nuffnang

Giving chocolate to others is an intimate form of communication, a sharing of deep, dark secrets. - Milton Zelman, publisher of "Chocolate News"

Thanks to NuffnangAU and of course our two lovely host - Violet and Penny, on 24 of July, we have 2 tables of Melbourne blogger at Koko Black on Collins Street diagnosed with chocolate overdose. I think almost all with RSVP attended. Well, nobody would turn down a chocolate "deal".

Photo by Sylvia (me!!)

This is my first time attending a blogger meet-up. Its a great pleasure to finally meet Violet in person, especially after months of chit chatty over our blog and tweets. She is truly adorable, in the internet world and in person. And because of this event, I get to know a bunch of food blogger - Michelle, Emma, Simone, I Hua and Ceri! Ladies who love food are far more attractive, healthy and happy!

Prior that, I was thinking whether to bring my big camera for the occasion. However, Violet promised me it would be the last thing to worry as blogger meet-up usually means lots of pictures from blogger! Anyway, I brought my Sony digital and managed to capture a few candid, but sitting far at the corner, I couldn't get a good squeeze on our chocolates and other blogger, louis vuitton handbags so I asked permission from other blogger to use theirs And they are all too lovely to say YES!

#1 Sort of a group picture. It isn't complete because not all are in it.

Credit to Penny

#2 The table I sat. With a bunch of lovely lollies.

Photo by Sylvia (me!!)

#3 2nd table was full too! I know it looks empty in this picture, it is because I took it before they arrive =D

Photo by Sylvia (me!!)

#4 Sarah Stokely ordered chocolates for us.

Credit to Simone

#5 I ordered Ice Chocolate. Its too sweet to finish the whole thing by myself! And nails are done by me too =)

Photo by Simone

#6 Michelle is a psychology student in Melbourne Uni, and she is from KL! As soon as I know she's a food blogger, I asked if she ever tried Papa Chang's restaurant. Guess what? She loves Grand Imperial and had written a review on Bangsar's branch of G.I.

Credit to Michelle

#7 Chocolate Affagato. This is going to be my order for the next visit. A must! They absolutely makes my mouth waters with greed :P

Credit to I Hua

#8 Simone from A Look In My Book, I Hua from The Chronicles of Ms I-Hua and the cutest host,  Violet Le Beaux

Photo by Sylvia (me!!)

Once again, thanks NuffnangAU, thanks Violet, Penny and everyone who came! We should do this again =)

xoxo

Showground Farmers' Market

I never been to a Farmer's Market. So when I found out Melbourne Showgrounds Farmers' Market, which opens every Sunday, I know I am going.

Apparently, there are lots of farmers' market in Victoria. Check them out on : Farmers' Market. Most of them are once a month thing, like first Sunday, 3rd Saturday. But if you want an every Sunday one, go to the Showgrounds - located at Federation Hall, Gate 7 Leonard Crescent from 9am to 1pm.

Very fresh Orange juice. I$3.50 per cup, $3 for small bottle and $5 for a bigger one. I bought $5 Orange because Tangelo ran out of stock. Guess next time, I should come earlier.

Biggest carrots I've ever seen in my life. So I wonder, can rabbits pull it out? You know, in cartoons where rabbits pulled out gigantic carrots.

I always look for sausages stall or hotdog stand at markets. The smells of sausages always fill the air. And check out their sauces. Home-made tomato sauce is a must if there is any.

So this time I found Alloway Gourmet Buffalo Fresh Sausages. It has a variety of Honey & Rosemary, Bratwurst, Chilli and Garlic.

Managed to take a picture of my outfit of the day while waiting for the sausage.
Hair bow from Camberwell Sunday Market
Grey Coat from Cotton On at Hot Item section
Pink Dress from Cotton On under $10 section
Bag from Limited Edition, Marina Bay Shopping Mall
Flats from Target

I picked Garlic Buffalo Sausage with onions. Its my first time having buffalo sausage! Before putting them in my big mouth, I got some home-made tomato sauce and mustard on it. The sausage itself is tasty. Juicy but chewy. Its very different from what I had before.

Red Beard Bakery is very popular among all other stalls. Its always in queues. And the bread ran out fast. So when its our turn, there isn't much left.

Bought one home. Although many tell me it taste better with olive oil, I still prefer bread with butter!

The man behind these bread. I like people who is friendly and welcoming for me to take a picture of their products and themselves! I think he's one of the reason why everyone buy bread from him.

I love Sunday with sun and blue sky with a little cloud. What's better? Grass and food!

The boys getting some minestrone soup. Although sun is up, but the weather is still a bit chilly. So, what's better than sharing some hot soup.

My company to all Sunday Markets =) Roy

The guy who live across Melbourne Showground but doesn't realize there is a farmers' market every Sunday! Henry.

And yours truly,

p.s Next week is going to be Geelong's if good weather. *finger crossed*


xoxo

Digging Camberwell's

I love Sunday.

I love it because...
1. It is a family day. Everyone know, on Sundays, I only hang out with my family. No exception.
2. Sunday Markets. I like all kind of markets. Be it arts, clothing, vintage and antique or even farmers. Its the digging-for-good-thing mood that I enjoyed.
3. I and Roy go everywhere to try new food. Its like our tradition. Where we roam along the street somewhere outside of Melbourne CBD for brunch.

Last week, we went Camberwell Sunday Market at Station Street. Its my second time there. Unlike St. Kilda's Art and Craft type(probably expensive too) of Sunday Market, here you can find everything from furniture to clothes. What's best? Bargain!

Spot me! Ha! They are lots of stall selling second-hands and "inspired" brands. And you can find not only local made and made in China, but also from the British or the State. Anyway, I got myself a hot pink LV - inspired long purse through a bunch of Chanels, Guccis and other LVs. Here, you can get the branded item you don't mind using it roughly because you can always come back for another one.

After that, I picked a cafe across the street for our new venture. Brunch at The Chocolate Box Center. Ordered Smoked Salmon Supreme. The scrambled eggs are delicious, especially mixing it with spinach and smoked salmon. The slice of toast is just another bakery toast, nothing much.

Roy ordered the usual Big Breakfast. The sausage is very good with a hint of spice. Hash-browns are better than Mc Donald's. Its too meaty. I love some greens on my plate.

Then, we walk in to The Chocolate Box. Its just next door! Everyone loves chocolate. Chocolate makes thing easier, and happier! I especially like dark chocolate. Or those with almonds.

Left with Dark Chocolate Cocoa Dusted Truffles!!! I love them. One truffle a day, keeps your bad mood away! Haha I came up with that. So true isn't it? But the truffles really are delicious. Like I can finish all within a minute. Would definitely get some for Mama Chang and Meimei Chang. I know my mother and sister, they would love it just as much as I do, probably more!

Till my next update. Have a nice day!

xoxo

Sneaker Sunday ; Foot Spa at Home

Morning!

I've been doing Sneaker Sunday now and then. Unlike Violet and Valarie, they did it every week. From sneakers decoration to DIY pedicure. My Sneaker Sunday post is kind of raw compare to them, but I still want to share!

Last week, I bought Beauty Care Co. Foot Spa from Kmart. It cost $18. Its definitely a good price. Have been checking out at other shops and they all at price range between $40-$80. So when I heard Violet bought this for $18, I know I am going to get one too!

I set my foot spa at the living room, with my orange towel underneath.

Then, pour in warm water until water level reaches the "maximum level" line at the side.

Soak your tired foot in it! There are 3 function - 1. Massage 2. Warm/Whirl 3. Warm/Whirl/Massage. Whirl is the bubbling.

All function work! Oh wait, I am not sure about "warm" because I use warm water anyway. But Warm/Whirl makes the water feels a bit chilly. How I wish they have Massage/Whirl. While at home doing foot spa, there are several things you can do:
1. Read magazines - Cosmo, Vivi, Women's Health
2. Watch TV shows or soaps - Judge Judy, Bondi Vet, Nip/Tucks
3. BBM/Whatsapp or talk to your friends and family via phone
4. Put on a mask and shut your eyes. Relax your eyes, body and foot for 20minutes are heavenly rewarding!

I love it! My foot feels so good. After soaking my feet into the foot spa, I towel dry them and apply just the normal Vaseline lotion. I have smooth foot now!


xoxo

Pink lady down the street

As most of you already know, I blog-hop through my weekend. Of course that's after all planned outings. Then, I can spend hours in front of my computer; sometimes using my laptop so I can watch some soaps too. I don't normally recommend blogs I read, but this is different.

I would definitely like to share the Violet's Store with you. Although this would means higher chances of my favorable items to be sold before I decided to "want" it. But I seriously think her work worth it. Violet is good at nail art and other artwork, her blog has all the tutorials on DIY too! I "followed" her earlier this year, and definitely like her. She's superb friendly and nice to everyone. (PS I am not fawning on her, I just like her. Oh wait, but it certainly looks like I fawns on her anyway.)

I got permission to put the following pictures here. They are all her work. Before showing you those pretty nails...

The umbrella girl. Violet drew this! Amazing isn't it?! I know many creative and artistic people out there may be able to the this, or even better, but I'm still amazed by her art. And the girl, look like her, in person.

Okay. Here come the nails. My personal favourite - Princess' Afternoon Snack. It's sold but Violet is making them for me already!

Happily Ever After. I'm sure with these on your nails, not only cheering yourself but also everyone who sees it.

Chocolate Disco. Who can resist it? Its something simple but absolutely nice. Its like cakes from Alice in the Wonderland or something.

P.P.S I am not fawning on her, I just like her and I want my friends to know something about her.


xoxo

few days in a post

sweet day folks (= this post is going to be long. with words and pictures. compressing few days into one, including my ski trip to falls creek ! bear with more of my portrait.

#1 last weekend, arrived at falls creek in late afternoon. foggy. and snowing. but its a whole lot lesser compared to last year's.

#2 i like white trees. i mean, i like trees covered by snows! so christmas.

#3 at village bowl later that evening for 1st of july firework show. that's my new jacket. thank you mama chang for that, i love you!!! (i swiped her card)!

#4 got to admit you won't know if i am smiling or crying under that "cover". you won't even sure if that's me. but she is me!

#5 my keeper! i love him more when he's active in sports. *blushed*


wednesday. the boyfriend and me decided to finally visit the melbourne museum as they have the titanic exhibition showing till october. but its out-booked for two weeks by schools for their holiday excursion. so many primaries and secondaries with their teachers. hence, we left. planned to come back after school-breaks. perhaps when alvin chin is here, we can come together!

#6 outside melbourne museum. and this building, honestly i have no idea what's that. but taste of melbourne held there! anyone going this year? i know i am (= how can i miss out those fine food?

#7 with the "poster". i won't be able to take pictures in it anyway. this might be the only one you'll see unless you come with me.

#8 the sky is freakishly blue! cloudless. such a good day to go to the beach, you might say, but its windy and freezing!

friday. congratulation to the boyfriend who passed his exams. we were worried a couple of failures but it turned out with a happy marks. to sort of celebrate it, i begged for a retail therapy at chadstone. i like to shop there. shopping mood just switched on whenever its at chadstone. after few hours, we hunt down some pretty clothing. very much satisfied. now, my turn to get nervous for my result releasing on monday. god bless me!

#9 wearing cotton-on beanie, roxy white furry jacket, cotton-on printed tee and stussy black jeans; at yummy bubblepia, holmesglen for brunch! korean food please.

#10 they have the cheapest and deliciousness food i have ever had ! especially my favourite, kim-chi hot pot! side dishes are good too. what's in my hot pot? mushroom, tofu, kimchi, sweet potatoes noodle, pork belly!

today, saturday! the boyfriend planned our outing. which always make me feel happy. after brunch at ying thai 2, lygon street, we walked all the way to brunswick. apparently, at rose street, they have a saturday market. its a local-made market. i was so happy till i forget to take any picture. bought few handmade card and the boyfriend bought me a handmade bracelet. love it!

#11 while roaming along brunswick street, i spotted the provincial. i love their tiramisu! so we walked-in for dessert. i used to be seated at the other side of the cafe. but today, we discovery the other part is really nice and cosy. its like a indoor backyard. beautiful.

#12 unknown reason to the secret of getting fair skin. honestly, i always forget to put on sunscreen (or i should say, almost never), yet my skin gets fairer! hooray! but i should be putting on sunscreen more often, to avoid the wrinkles and stuff like that. you know, i am aging too~

#13  snapped the interior of the provincial.

#14 a blonde and brunette kindly took this for us as a returned favor to do the same for them. haha. but i like brunswick. its so old school. and you can see stuff like this "chair" popping out along the street. we look like we shared a pair of wing, don't we?

#15 when asked why i blog, i always answer " for myself and people who cares". although tutorial blogs especially make-ups, fashions, crafts are the popular kids in our blogosphere, i stubbornly stick with my reason to blog. honestly, i don't care if i make money via blogging. its really a place for me to write and share with people who cares. that, is why i blog, to share myself.

with love and compassion,
sylvia