Birthday Suprises

So I think I mentioned to you all before that for OH's Bday I had decided to take him on a suprise holiday to Queensland (about a 3 hour flight from where we live...and about 20C warmer most days!)

We had the most amazing trip. The weather was gorgeous, the cocktails were cold, the view was stunning and the company was perfect :)

Let me show you the trip in pictures....


"SUPRISE!! We have a plane to catch!!"


Watching the sunset on our first night at Caloundra...



And enjoying some of the local lobster....


Looking down from our balcony to the resort's pool and jacuzzi....


We were up early every morning and down at the beach for a walk and paddle



Not far from where we were staying was the famous Ettamogah Pub, it's such a cool place!


And also in the area was the Big Pineapple....


And the Ginger Factory! I even found myself a sailor!


But who needs a sailor when you have a man like this??


There is also a chocolate shop at the Ginger Factory....would you believe these shoes are made of chocolate??? I don't know wether to eat them or wear them!


And how cute is this lil evil elf?? I just wanted to take him home!!


We even found a Harley shop....and I nearly came home with a new toy!


But that was nothing compared with what I wanted to bring home from here! This Christmas shop was HUGE and amazing, I felt like a kid on...well on christmas morning!!


We had lunch at a place called Legends Cafe which was like an old American Diner filled with all sorts of Warner Bros. and movie memorabillia...


...and then we checked into our next hotel which was located on the Gold Coast...and again the view was stunning (the beach looked pretty good too!!)


To try and escape the weather we went to an indoor mini golf course...OH blames the fact that he lost on having to constantly do battle with dinosaurs and being kidnapped by King Kong....




This was the view from our balcony at night...just when you thought it couldn't be more beautiful.


On OH's Bday we went to the Hard Rock Cafe for dinner, the meals were amazing, the cocktails were great, but the best part?? When the entire restaurant sung OH Happy Birthday :)


And when we finally arrive home from our big trip, tired and burnt but relaxed and happy I finally got to give OH the birthday cake I made for him :) It's a penguin made from chocolate mud cake, his body is covered with chocolate frosting, his eyes are coated in white chocolate and his feet and nose are covered in banana frosting. I hollowed out the belly and filled it with vanilla ice cream before I served it and scattered some sour penguin lollies around. I'm so happy with how it came out!


Happy Birthday to my gorgeous boy xxx

Em x

On The Road Again....

This year I was lucky enough to receive an all expenses paid weekend away to St Helens (on the east coast of Tassie) as a birthday gift from Mum and Dad. They thought it would be a nice chance for OH and I to have a relaxing weekend away together before wedding fever sets in and they were right. We had the most beautiful, relaxing and peaceful weekend. Let me show you why....

When we arrived in the room there was a huge box of chocolates and a card waiting from Mum and Dad....


The view from the deck at our room....


On the first night we were treated to a delicious 3 course meal in the resort's restaurant so of course we took the opportunity to get all dressed up! It was a lovely evening, sitting in our big leather chairs, enjoying our delicious 3 course meal whilst taking in the ocean views....it doesn't get much better then that!


We were also lucky enough to have a continental breakfast included in our package and by god did we make the most of it! We stuffed ourselves with fresh fruit, yoghurt, muesli and hot buttery toast all washed down with a hot cup of tea and that kept us going all day!


First stop for the day was The Shop in the Bush - a bric a brac shop out in the middle of nowhere where we spent up big on vintage jewellery and even did some early Christmas shopping!


Then we went back down the road to Binalong Bay. The views were just stunning and we spent a long time clambering and climbing over the rocks along the beach, exploring the rock pools and just being big kids and you know what, it felt great! Although OH did manage to get nipped by a crab....but let's be honest, it was hilarious!




In the afternoon we stopped at a beach down near Scamander and played in the sand. Just something about being with the people you love, being out in the fresh air, it just makes you feel alive....


That night we took ourselves down to the waterfront for a swanky dinner at a restaurant built out over the water. Another night filled with gorgeous water views and amazing food!

The next morning we arrived bright and early for brekkie and filled our table up with another smorgasboard of fruit, cereal, yoghurt, toast, tea, coffee and of course, the newspaper! We literally did not eat for the rest of the day!! We had a pretty full on day though so we needed all that extra energy! We took the long route home so we could stop at a few spots on the way. The first one we stopped at was St Columbus Falls and at a height of 90m, they really were an amazing sight.




Our next stop was just up the road at Russel Falls....unfortunately there wasn't alot of water coming over the falls, but the view out over the valley was worth the walk in.


And our last stop on the journey home was at Legerwood. Many many years ago a row of trees was planted in the main street as a memorial to all the soldiers from the town who had fought and died in WW1, but as time passed the trees were deemed to be dangerous and it was decided they were to be cut down. A local artist came to the rescue and using a chainsaw, made these amazing wood carvings out of the trees. Each one represents a soldier from the town and his particular story. Not only do they look incredible, but I think they make a lovely memorial to the town's fallen soldiers.


And that was our weekend away!

As always it was nice to get home, but sad that such an amazing trip had to come to an end! Not long now till the wedding and our mini-moon though!! And after the excitement from all that dies down, we have the honeymoon!! Exciting times ahead!!

Em x

I'm back!!!

Did you miss me??

We got back late last night and I am still exhausted so let me give you the run down in pictures!

We went to Melbourne because it was my gorgeous Mother's BDay


So we started the day with a quick trip to the Lindt Cafe....


Then Dad, OH and I took Mum to the Observatory Cafe at The Botanical Gardens for brekkie and not only was the food beautiful but the setting was too. Then we went to the Tutankhamun Exhibit which was amazing and very interesting too :) Mum and I shopped up a storm in Myer and brought some very cool tights (more on those another day...) and we found our new favourite chocolate cafe called Chokolait where we sampled truffles, iced chocolates fruit smoothies, icecream sundaes with bananas and belgium chocolate, chocolate mousse cakes and so much more...to the point where we had to return the following day to try the chocolate mousse with strawberries and the chocolate pavlova roll too! I highly recommend this place, the service was friendly and the food was to die for...



That night we went to a bar called The Long Room because Mum loves Tapas and this place had received some good write ups. Mum and Dad shared 4 or 5 plates including deep fried camembert with honey vinegrette, tempura vegetables, sagnaki and potatoes with a gorgonzola sauce and OH and I did the same, our dishes included soft shell crab, eggplant stuffed with basil, mozarella and pinenuts and a goats cheese, potato and pancette pizza. Every single dish was a winner. Then we took a short stroll across the road to see Love Never Dies, the sequel to Phantom of the Opera. It was OH's first opera so I was worried about how he would go, but he survived. The show was brilliant, even if you didn't know or didn't like the story, the stage show was just mind blowing.

On the Friday we went out to Werribee Open Range Zoo which was a really different experience seeing all the animals out in the open like that. That night OH and I took Mum and Dad to come of our favourite places, first we hit up Grill'd for some burgers then it was onto Rockstar Bowling for some 8 Ball - we all love that place, the decor, the music, the atmosphere, we thought Dad was going to settle in for the night! - and then for the walk back to the hotel, Harajuku Crepes - these lil babies are brilliant, a crepe filled with your choice of fillings, ranging from fruit to cheesecake to tiramisu to brownies topped with ice cream and cream and then folded into a cone shape so you can walk and nibble at the same time :)

Mum and Dad flew home early Sat morning, but OH and I didn't fly out till late Sat night so we decided to take a walk out to Prahran to visit Misty's Diner. The place is fantastic, decked out like a true old 50's diner complete with mini juke box in the booths, Cap'n Crunch cereal on the menu and waitresses names Peggy Sue. The menu is quite extensive and after much deliberation we decided on a Bloomin' Onion for starters and then OH had a Bite Me Burger with Curly Fries and I had a Vegetarian Chilli Dog with Con Queso Fries washed down with a pink lemonade :) The meals were huge! The Bloomin' Onion was a whole onion, fanned out, crumbed and fried and served with ranch dipping sauce. OH's burger consisted of not only a beef pattie but a chicken schnitzel aswell and my hot dog was a delicious vegetarian hot dog topped with vegetarian chilli con carne. The fries were also off the charts (as you can see from the pic of me scoffing them!) and the meals were just huge I mean this photo is just of mine! We were so very full when we left, but OH brought himself a Twinkie for the road, I was glad we had the long walk back to the CBD to try and stretch our stomachs out a bit!


So all in all it was a fantastic trip, there was laughter,


there were drinks....


there was dancing....


even some happy feet....


but most importantly there was family....



Happy Birthday Mum!

Em x

Mini Break

Hey everyone!!

Two very exciting things -

1) I got a GHD Straightener last night and am utterly in love with my straight hair.

2) I'm off to Melbourne in about 8 hours with Mum, Dad and OH for Mum's BDay and I can not wait, we have some awesome stuff planned for while we are away which I will tell you all about when I get back!!

So I will be away till Saturday but you will hear from me Sunday I promise!!

Have a great week and weekend everyone :)

Em x

The Easter Holiday Round Up!

Well we had a pretty busy Easter....

It all began on Friday with lunch at Mum and Dad's - homemade Hot Cross Buns, Cheese, Biscuits, Chocolate Dip and most importantly Tea...you thought I was going to say chocolate didn't you....


Well never fear, the Easter Eggs are here!!


After a very satisfying lunch, OH and I jumped on a plane for Melbourne where we spent our first night indulging in Lord of the Fries and some Rockstar Bowling!


The next day we had a hearty breakfast of Spanish Donuts and Irish Cream flavoured Hot Chocolates, went to Brunswick, did some shopping, got ready for a night out and met one of OH's friends for a few 'manly' cocktails


Then we went out for dinner where lil ol vegetarian me had my first beef schnitzel which came with buffalo mozarella, roast capsicum, tomatoes and polenta chips! Delicious!! It even got the thumbs up from OH!



Sunday started off down at Ackland St, St Kilda....decisions, decisions....


We eventually settled on the perfect breakfast - strawberry meringues! But they ended up lasting us all day!


Then it was out to Luna Park for some hair raising excitement and a leisurely stroll out and along the pier.



Sunday night we went to a burger place called Grill'd (highly highly recomment it - best burgers EVER!) for tea and rocked out at the Disturbed concert.


Monday morning we had our traditional last day in Melbourne Pancake Parlour brekkie which included Swiss Malt Milkshakes!


But I couldn't finish mine....luckily OH was happy to assist!


Then it was time to jump on the plane home!!

Hope you all had a fantastic Easter break :)

Em xx