10 Tasty Happiness Delivering Now In MelbourneMelburnians, we feel you. You deserve some happiness delivered in this Lockdown 2.0. Let’s raise our happy vibes with these 10 tasty deliveries. Note: We have had ALL of them but one (waiting on Bistro Vue), so it’s safe to say that this list is proven to be really good by us. Share on, stay warm, keep your distance and enjoy! 1. Son In Law If you had enough of sourdough, like us, it’s time to introduce baos and buns to start your day. But we want to make sure that you do it in the happiest way possible. Son In Law‘s signature Cartoon Bao Bun (coconut pandan, Thai milk tea & Nutella banana) & Cartoon Gua Bao (crispy pork belly, roasted duck or crispy tofu). Oh, and the flavours will awaken your taste buds! Check their Instagram to find out when they are delivering to your suburb! https://www.instagram.com/p/CBIWL4ajo0g/ 2. Gukbab We are super proud of our friends at Gukbab, a traditional family-style Korean restaurant that’s been serving diners in Melbourne CBD since 2011. Gukbab a.k.a. soups is the answer to your winter comfort food. Step it up with Kimchi Pancakes or share a heart-warming hot pot at home. Did we say they have 7 different flavours of Korean Fried Chicken? They remained OPEN for business (lunch and dinner) in the city amidst the lockdown and now delivering tasty Korean dishes via DoorDash & Hungry Panda. A humble restaurant is worthy of your support! https://www.instagram.com/p/CCKNm25BL6o/ 3. Luna’s Food & Wine Bar by Mark Normoyle Have lunch delivered to you by Luna’s in St Kilda! You can find them on UberEats now or just call them direct for pickups. The really delicious Chicken Burger is a must-have, and their wood-fired pizza will become your new comfort food. And we heard someone said dinner and cocktails are available on Fridays and Saturdays – would you mix your own or have it pre-made? This is the legend Chef Mark Normoyle first ever own restaurant, right in front of St Kilda beach and he’s made sure that our dogs are looked after too – check out the coolest dog treats! https://www.instagram.com/p/CCFzJ24KNdV/ 4. Popstic Ice Cream & Sorbet While the sun is still shining upon us, sit back for a few minutes and enjoy a burst of happiness made by this family-owned business. Think big-hearted ice cream, sorbet and icy poles made without compromise – Crème Anglaise based ice cream and fresh fruit sorbets that have a life of their own – smooth, confident and delicious. We are madly in love with Som and Kendra’s story along with their cutest son gracing our Instagram feed every now and then. Ps: their account is a joyful one to follow for daily happiness! Thanks to Covid-19, they are now delivering sampler and gift packs (from $59) direct to your home or office, boxed in dry ice. Your goal is to choose between alcoholic or non-alcoholic flavours! Tip: Add this to your gifting ideas! https://www.instagram.com/p/CB6js_3hxDu/ 5. Naked Wines Wine o’clock has moved even earlier in this second lockdown, and let us be the first to own up – Dry July has been an epic fail for us, lol. So let’s embrace winter in style with our new friends at Naked Wines. Put simply, it’s a smarter way to consume more wine. They get us better wines for less money, and still get the winemaker a great deal – we survive, they survive, it’s a win-win scenario! Will you join us in a world where the only wine you ever drank was lovingly created by insanely talented independent winemakers, where the quality of every bottle was guaranteed top-notch but you didn’t pay crazy prices? Rug up with their Winter Essentials Red Dozen at only $165. https://www.instagram.com/p/B_6qAAyDOYp/ 6. Ansari Indian by Nabil Ansari Sunda’s Sous Chef, Nabil Ansari, started takeaway meals from his tiny Carlton apartment in the last lockdown, which skyrocketed once Instagram got the word. He has now joined The Windsor family, with more work area for him to create a true Indian feast. You will find Chicken Tikka, Palak Paneer, Butter Chicken, Lamb Biryani and Kerala Fish Curry on the menu, along with Mango Lassi, Indian rice pudding and gelato inspired by the flavours of Mumbai (think Mango, fried bread & coriander; Spiced Tea; and Guava, lime and Kashmiri chilli). There’s also an “Indian Feast” ($185) that will feed four, we are eyeing for this ourselves, a true winter soulful feast! https://www.instagram.com/p/CCHrmGEDR57/ 7. Soi 10 by Michael Lambie Say hello to this new kid on the block! Soi 10 is the latest Asian fusion street food pop up created by acclaimed chef Michael Lambie (formerly Lucy Liu, The Smith, Taxi Dining, Circa & Stokehouse). Since travelling will remain a dream for a while, let our taste buds continue to explore the flavours of Asia with their sensational menu inspired by the streets of Bangkok, Taipei and Shanghai. Think of delicious dumplings, miso eggplant, crispy pork kimchi buns, beef rendang with toasted coconut and more. Ps: Local delivery or a drive-thru the Grosvenor Cellars bottle shop entrance, you get the hint. https://www.instagram.com/p/CCxOxOOnBfx/ 8. Komeyui by Motomu Kuma To all Japanese food lovers, here’s how to add a little luxe to your Lockdown 2.0 with Komeyui now delivering to your home. Try their Komeyui Kaisen Don featuring uni, wagyu, caviar and grilled foie gras, or their latest invention, the Japaella a.k.a. Japanese style seafood paella! It’s super easy to heat up at home and enjoy. We have listed their Hokkaido style seafood hot pot, Ishikari Nabe and Wagyu on our must-eat for this winter. And, if you’re celebrating something special, go for their beautiful SUSHI CAKE – seriously, can it get any more luxurious than this!? #TreatYoSelf https://www.instagram.com/p/CA_knPXjgGP/ 9. Bistro Vue by Hugh Allen Our beloved Vue to You is back! Be it a birthday, anniversary or to congratulate yourself for making it through this second lockdown (that is so worthy of a celebration!), take advantage of this fine dining at home offering by Bistro Vue. It’s a super temporary return via the Vue to You platform. Prepared by Vue de Monde’s team, you can now indulge in delicious French-inspired ready-made meals in the comfort of your own home. Available from Friday 24th July for two weeks only, delivery is available for orders within a 10km radius of Vue de monde, or arrange for pick-up. https://www.instagram.com/p/CDASDYiFlCy/ 10. Reverie Cafe by Pierrick Boyer You gotta end your ISO days right with a Pierrick Boyer cake. The famed Brownie Passion will make a spectacular finale to any day, with its rich brownie base, crunchy praline, tangy passionfruit custard and soft chocolate mousse. If sharing is a must, grab the Petit Fours that comes in a medley of sponge, dark chocolate, blueberry cremeux & jelly jam. No matter what your day has brought to your plate, you are worthy of a sweet ending. https://www.instagram.com/p/B_LxT-ijCkE/...Read more...How To Effectively Work From HomePractical & Healthy Tips From The Team That’s Been Doing It Since 2010 Firstly, wherever you are in the world, I hope you, your family, and loved ones are safe. While it’s easy to get caught up in the hysteria, we will continue to share positive stories and do what we can to weather this storm with you. Our intent is to get creative in making this #flattenthecurve life as safe and fun as possible. We’ll kick off by sharing our secrets of how we have successfully worked from home with high focus, effective communication and keeping up with a healthy lifestyle. As of right now, I’m in Melbourne, busy working with my virtual team as we have been since 2010. I talk to Stephen, Cleo, Alvin, Chit & Dhvani on a daily basis, and our clients on a weekly basis (yes, they take turns!) Our footprint is spread across Australia, Malaysia, India and China. The significant change in our work as a result of this #coronavirus pandemic is that events and upcoming shoots have been rightfully cancelled. So we’re prepared to hunker down at our pretty desks for the next 3-6 months, or as long as needed, to step up with 100% digital production. We are determined to do whatever we can to help flatten this damn curve AND getting ready for a big comeback when life rolls back to normality. If you have never really worked from home before (a couple of days doesn’t count!) we hope this will help to put things into perspective for you so you too, can enjoy the convenience of work-from-home and save yourself from falling into a new work-life crisis. Remember, working from home can sound like a dream to many, but to do it indefinitely can cause some “cray-cray” if you do not set yourself up for success! So here you go: 1. A Brilliant Morning Routine How you start your day is so important! If you get tempted with sleeping in or skipping workouts, by all means, give in to these I-Don’t-Want-To-Do-Anything pleasures for 2 days and then set yourself up for a brilliant morning routine because it helps you become productive, effective and generally a nicer person. I start my mornings watching the sunrise, meditate for 20 mins, a quick check-in with my multiple inboxes whilst I drink my first cup of coffee, followed by 20 mins workout or yoga (check out Alo Moves or SWEAT for easy-to-follow yoga lessons, they have a 14-days and 1-month free trial respectively), shower, get dressed, make and eat a nutritious breakfast with a podcast playing in the background (I’m currently listening to School of Greatness by Lewis Howes), and make my way to the work desk before my team starts. I like to get ahead of everyone! 2. Eat & Snack Healthy If you have used your working life complaining about how you can’t sustain healthy eating due to the food options available, now you actually have no more excuses! You can make a fresh salad out of your fridge in 5 mins, you can cook a light noodle soup in 15 mins – I love doing this as it means I’m getting my ass off the seat for some moving around and my eyes off the screen. The trick to being successful at this is to buy and store only good food at home, including your drinks and snacks! Keep ready-to-eat options handy so you can reach out to them if you run out of time to cook on any days. Explore some easy and healthy recipes on taste.com.au. 3. Dedicated Work Space Set up a dedicated spot as your work zone (no-no, not your bed, not your bedroom) and make sure the people you’re living with understand and mus respect that when you are seated there, it means “Do Not Disturb.” We highly encourage you to invest in a good chair, look into ergonomic options. Wear a pair of blue light glasses, I’m wearing OWNDAYS and saw some cool ones from Quay Australia available on The Iconic. It’s essential to keep your desk tidy with some minimal styling – it will help you feel great at work when it feels welcoming. I recommend keeping a small vase with fresh flowers, a small indoor plant (Bunnings is now doing deliveries!) or turn on a diffuser with your favourite essential oil. 4. SHOW UP! This is as straightforward as the two words say. Choosing to SHOW UP in the right way every day is so important. Remind yourself that this is work, set your energy and intent right, and LOOK right. I know it sounds like a dream come true to wear PJs but if that is making you feel lazy and slow, then DON’T DO IT! Do you know how clothes can make you feel? When you wear something good for the right occasion, you FEEL it! If there’s an important meeting, show up as if it’s an in-person meeting. Maintain your professional image, and your colleagues, clients and employers will feel more confident in your work. 5. Keep The Mat Rolled Out Yes, this is one of my most prized work-from-home tips. I keep my yoga mat rolled out so, after every conference call, I will have a good 2-3 minutes stretch. If I’m feeling challenged or stressed, the mat is my go-to to reconnect with myself before I tackle the problems at hand, avoiding panic reaction at all costs. Remember that when you’re working from home, you do not have colleagues around to check in with you, so it is important to check in with yourself. Ps: Check out Yin Yoga Mats if you’re in Australia, I’m using Wätl Black, it is so beautiful that I keep wanting to go to it! View this post on Instagram “You are a mirror. If you starve yourself of love you’ll only meet people who’ll starve you too. If you soak yourself in love the universe will hand you those who’ll love you too.” 〰️ Rupi Kaur, The Sun and Her Flowers A post shared by YIN ☾YOGA MATS (@yinyogamats) on Nov 26, 2019 at 1:53pm PST 6. Do Not Turn On The BOX This is a serious one – do not turn on the TV! It is very destructive and you will be consuming information you do not need. Turn it off and keep your focus on your work. You can get to it after hours. 7. Stay Hydrated We don’t need to elaborate on this but we recommend you use a nice looking glass water bottle so your supply “at desk” lasts longer, and when the bottle looks good, you might just look at it more and subconsciously pick it up to drink more. I love the cups and mugs from Takeawei. If you’re not a fan of H20 in its original version, explore infused tea, flavoured water or drop in some fruit slices. 8. Spread Happiness Keep the virtual communication casual yet professional. Let your colleagues know that you’re just a click away, call anytime. Try to maintain a schedule of at least one video call a day. Remember that our energy at work is so important and when we can’t see each other in person, some of us might feel unsupported or unheard. Be there for your people and have fun in doing so. Share jokes, playlists, what you make for lunch and maybe a virtual group dance! Oh and your playlist… music can set the RIGHT or WRONG mood, so avoid heavy metal or rock genres if your work requires you to create light beautiful things – choose according to what energy output is required! 9. BONUS TIP Local Instagram Movement by @freyaesders If you’re a leader in your team or organisation and you have a culture of after-work or #Friyay drinks, order some wine bottles from NakedWines.com.au and have them delivered to your team members. See, we can still do the things we used to do with working from home and more! Check out how Freya Esders, @freyaesders, did it with her friends. At Glamorazzi, we are currently going through a massive mindset shift with all our marketing approach – yes, that is keeping us super busy! In light of this pandemic, it seems like a no-brainer for all of our clients across different industries to want to jump and launch virtual products or services, offer deliveries, actively engage with the audience on social media and more. It’s no longer a “maybe”, it’s a “can we start now?” If you too, find yourself in this position and would like a chat, I’m making myself available for a quick 15 mins brainstorm throughout the week via Instagram or Facebook video call at absolutely no fee, just to spread the love during this time of uncertainty. I know with my 10 years of experience in digital marketing, I will have nuggets of wisdom that will be valuable for you. You can reach out here: As with all other 1 million pieces of content that are already flooding our feed and inboxes, forgive us for repeating it here just as a friendly reminder: Stay home. Wash your hands, carry hand sanitsers.Avoid crowd or if inevitable, wear a mask (Tailors of Distinction came out with their washable cloth face mask). Practise #PhysicalDistancing, in Australia, we need to keep at least 1.5m apart from one another.Don’t go to hospitals or medical centres unless it’s an absolute emergency. Remain calm and plan ahead (not stocking up on toilet paper!)Try to get all your groceries in one shop and meal prep, preventing you from making too many unnecessary trips outIf you have a friend or family member in medicine right now, send them a message to tell them you’re thinking of them. It really helps when you’ve tested your “3rd COVID-19 case of the night.”Get the right source of information from WHO, not some BS social media experts. For Australians, see the latest information from the Australian Government Department of Health or call National Coronavirus Helpline 1800 020 080 Let’s rock this #PhysicalDistancing to slow the virus down, remember, you need to act like you already have it! We’ll end this article with a brilliant video to educate yourself on COVID-19 prevention....Read more...Save Australia – Bushfire Catastrophe, A National Emergency You Can HelpSave Australia – Bushfires Appeal – Make A Donation With the unfolding horror of Australia bushfire and heartbreaking footages of the catastrophe that is happening right now, wherever you are, you can help save Australia. Lives have been lost, homes and business have been destroyed and thousands of people are stranded as fires burn in parts of Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia. We ask all Australians to put aside political fight just for a while and unite as one. Let’s step up with compassion, turn your rage into solid actions to help save what is left of our people, animals and land. We ask all our friends overseas if you have ever visited and fallen in love with the beautiful and peaceful country Australia is; if you have lived here once upon a time and called Australia home; if you are dreaming of one-day stepping foot on this spectacular continent rich in history, culture, biodiversity and stunning landscapes – we urge you to help from afar, to donate & help save the land Down Under.Here are some official websites where you can make a direct contribution. We encourage monetary donations as the needs of first responders and victims are great and varied and it’s the services and charities on the frontline who are best placed to know what is needed and where. Support The Firefighters The NSW Rural Fire Service has multiple options for direct donations. You can donate to the RFS as a whole, or to specific brigades. Donate here: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/volunteer/support-your-local-brigade Queensland Fire and Rescue advise that you can donate both money and items through http://www.givit.org.au/ .South Australia Country Fire Service accepts donations through the CFS Foundation. You can donate here: https://cfsfoundation.org.au/donate Victorian Bush Fire Relief Appeal A Bushfire Disaster Appeal has been established to support community members affected by the recent bushfires in East Gippsland and Hume. Donate here: https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/about/supporting-cfa#donate-cfa NSW Wildlife Rescue Horrific unrelenting fires continue to decimate NSW during one of the worst droughts in history. During the catastrophic fires, lives have been lost, hundreds of homes have been lost, over 4 million hectares of land have been destroyed and dozens of fires are still burning. We need urgent assistance to help with these unprecedented emergencies. To help rescue wildlife please generously today. Donate here: https://www.wires.org.au/donate/emergency-fund Adopt A Koala Our Aussie icons are losing their homes & their lives. Bushfires are raging through critical koala habitat and too many have already perished. Many others will have been left homeless and likely suffering from smoke inhalation or burns. Right now, they urgently need help and once the fires clear, we’ll need to restore what has been lost. Donate here: https://donate.wwf.org.au/adopt/koala#gs.q288h0 Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) Salvation Army teams are responding to devastating bushfires around Australia as an unprecedented number of emergency-level fires cause tragic loss of life and property. SAES Teams have been activated at multiple locations, with a number of teams on standby ready to activate should they be required at other evacuation centres. Your generous donation means that we can deliver crucial support right when it’s needed and to help local communities make a full recovery. Donate here: https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/donate/make-a-donation/donate-online/?appeal=disasterappeal Australian Red Cross The Australian Red Cross have launched a joint disaster appeal with the ABC to support the communities affected by fires, and have raised more than $2 million already. Donate here: https://australian-red-cross.giveeasy.org/australian-red-cross-disaster-relief-and-recovery Save Australia – Bushfire Catastrophe Needs Your Help. Together, We Can Make A Change. Australia is still battling through this catastrophe, and the recovery will be a phenomenal process. Your donation is not just for right now, but also for what is to come for the people, animals and land of Australia to recover and rebuild. Every dollar counts. Save Australia – Bushfire Relief Appeal.For live news updates on the Australian Bushfire: https://www.9news.com.au/bushfires...Read more...Musang King Durian Mooncake by DuriaDuria Musang King Snowy Skin Mooncake – 4 Flavours Are you a durian AND mooncake lover?Or a Musang King fanatic like us? If you love mooncake and durian, then this is an important subject for you:This is no ordinary mooncake, this is also no ordinary durian.This DIVINE dessert is the king of the king of fruits a.k.a. Musang King Durian, magically crafted into a festival treat! Duria Musang King Lava Mooncake Duria Brings Exotic & Festive Foodie Experience to Australia Discover the Lava & Snowy Skin Mooncake. #very bite guarantees a burst of the most spectacular durian flavour on earth. Disclaimer: Duria is not a typo, it’s simply “durian without an end (N)”. My favourite from this series is the Original Snowy Skin. I know durian lovers will agree that we do not need any other flavours intervention (I’m sure the Coffee, Mango & Vanilla will attract other fans). Just handover the thickest and creamiest Musang King, and our lives will be perfect. Musang King Snowy Skin Mooncake – Mango and Vanilla Flavours The experience is beyond words so I’ve filmed it for you to see it’s deliciousness. Ps: I wish we have the technology to publish the smell too!2nd half of this video is FUNNY as I introduce this heavenly dessert to the Fijian-Italian Francesca McMillan (Mrs Universe Australia) Kiwi-Aussie family. Leave us a comment if we have made you laughed! It’s the McMILLANS vs DURIAN! Question is… Will 6-year-old Eliana McMillan like Musang King Mooncake? 💥🤣💛...Read more...RACV Club – Melbourne’s Luxurious Co-Working SpaceOne Club, Two Locations. RACV City Club Wine Cellar Private Dining RACV CLUB – Calling all Lifestyle Entrepreneurs, Travelpreneurs, Bossbabes, Digital Nomads and the likes. Are you looking for a co-working space in the Melbourne city that comes with an amazing fitness centre, pampering day spa, excellent dining and social areas, exclusive 5-star accommodation, and access an incredibly diverse range of activities, events, clubs, classes, services and tours? RACV Club is the perfect meeting place, from casual catch-ups to more formal celebrations and events. The club has facilities that suit all occasions and the exceptional staff will make you feel at home every time you visit. RACV City Club (Melbourne) Conveniently positioned in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD at 501 Bourke Street, the RACV City Club is just a stone’s throw from Melbourne’s retail precinct, Federation Square, theatres and major event venues. One Spa in RACV Club, Melbourne With a range of stylish dining venues and entertainment options, it’s the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion or to enjoy a coffee, social drink, business lunch or intimate dinner. The club also hosts special events such as guest chefs and food and wine launches exclusively for members. Most noteworthy is the RACV Club Mentor Program, which begun with a goal to bring together Club members of different accomplishments, ages and talents to share knowledge and expertise outside the confines of individual workplaces. A Day at the RACV City Club The Fitness CentreBreakfast at Club’s BistroLevel 17 Rooftop & Function SpaceThe Members’ Dining Room The LibraryOneSpaWine Cellar – Private Dining Room The Luxury Room in “The Retreat” on Level 8 The ultimate suite is spacious and spanning up to 142 square metres featuring one king bed, separate bathroom with spa bath, twin basins and a built-in large flat-screen TV with Cable TV channels; a separate living area with a cosy cityscape lookout, spacious working desk and lounge; and a dining area equipped with minibar, Nespresso coffee machine and 24-hour room service. You can also arrange to have an in-room private dinner! RACV Healesville Country Club RACV Healesville Club in Yarra Valley Taking time out to reflect and restart is an important habit of a successful entrepreneur. The RACV Healesville Country Club in the Yarra Valley is the perfect retreat destination for a short break. Sunset Golf at RACV Healesville The Country Club is the perfect base to explore all that the region has to offer. Enjoy breakfast at the Terrace Bistro, and head out to explore wineries, galleries, walking trails and more. Return to the club to rejuvenate at the day spa, followed by sunset golf and dinner at Blue Tree Grill. More RACV Resorts & Reciprocal Clubs RACV Club Members receive a 50% discount on accommodation rates across all RACV Resorts in Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland. Plus you’ll have access to more than 160 of the finest clubs around the world! (See Reciprocal Clubs) Join RACV Club – $99/month ends 31st July 2019 There’s nothing more rewarding than a good workout—that is, until you’ve worked out at an RACV Club fitness centre. Being an RACV Club member gets you not only the impressive gym facilities you’d expect, but so much more. Where else can you workout, go for a massage, then splash out on a decadent dinner, in that order, and in one place? Not to mention a host of member-exclusive benefits, all for the price of a gym membership. For only $99 per month, you’ll get access to the club’s impressive fitness centre plus all the luxuries of Club membership. Your RACV membership card is the key to saving on your next holiday with discounts on popular attractions and events, car hire, cruises, accommodation, Travel Insurance and more. So when looking for a gym, why not ask for more? That’s what being in the RACV Club is all about. Join the Club today – this special monthly rate ends 31st July 2019!...Read more...Adelaide’s Modern Asian Brunch – Bai Long StoreBreakfast or Brunch at Bai Long Store, Adelaide Adelaide’s Next Level Food Scene Recent trips to the city of churches have been more about good food than good wines. I was on a mission to explore some latest brunching spots that are kids-friendly with renowned Chinese foodie, Eric Ho, who has been hosting his Oh Rice Foodie lifestyle show for several years. It didn’t take long for delicious news to reach us – Bai Long Store has started serving brunch on the weekends. The Modern Asian Brunch Hosts Oh Rice Foodie (left) and Roslyn Foo (right) at Bai Long Store, Adelaide The spacious, bright and airy cafe was very welcoming. There is a sense of minimalism in this space which I adore. One look at the menu, we just wanted EVERYTHING – and we almost did! Congees Chicken Congee Congee is a dish deeply rooted in our upbringing. As Singaporean and Malaysian Chinese, we can enjoy a good bowl of hot congee anytime, anywhere. Seeing the Chicken Congee on the menu is like reuniting with the ultimate comfort food for us and it was delicious! Pumpkin Congee The Pumpkin Congee is like a bowl of superfood – I do hope this westernised creation can help the locals fall in love with congees. Noodle, Don’t Noodle? I recommend that you do noodle. Yes, do it. If you care about great ramen, you will look beyond the noodles and the soup. The Bai Long Ramen ticked all the “good ramen” boxes. The Char Siu and Soy Egg were very well-flavoured. View this post on Instagram Yang – Bai Long Ramen Available on weekday lunch and weekend brunch x love from bai long x A post shared by bai long store (@bailongstore) on Feb 1, 2019 at 9:12pm PST The Soba Avo is an interesting dish. The buckwheat noodle with peanut wasabi dressing was served with crunchy tempura tofu cubes and a perfectly poached egg. This is a great dish to enjoy if you’re vegan or gluten-free. Bowls Aburi Salmon Bowl Curry Chicken Bowl We had the Aburi Salmon Bowl and the Curry Chicken Bowl. As a Malaysian, I’ll always prefer the spicy aromatic style of curry. But the group’s verdict was both bowls were equally delicious! Desserts Heaven Dessert – Mini Garden The Noble Yuzu dessert I tasted at the Dining for Charity by Bai Long fundraising dinner in Oct 2018 was unforgettable. You can guess I was a little too excited to get to the sweet ending of this brunch feast! As everything sounded too good on the dessert menu, the staff had to help us decide which two to share. Yes, I’m counting my calories at this stage! The Mini Garden was too pretty to eat! We passed the glass through several hands as everyone attempted to capture that “Insta-worthy” shot. The Vietnamese coffee mousse mixed with passionfruit curd was sensational. I wished I didn’t have to share! Dessert – Ruby Parfait The Ruby Parfait was our finale and it made a big hit with the kids! The meringue stick, pistachio praline and blue cheese milk crumb added interesting textures, flavours and visual excitement The Bai Long Store Brunch Bai Long Store Brunch Facebook Live by Hosts Roslyn Foo & Oh Rice Foodie We decided on the spot that we should do a Facebook Live to share the amazing modern Asian brunch experience, click here to watch the replay. Bai Long Store (80 Hutt Street, Adelaide, SA 5000) is open for brunch on Saturdays and Sundays only. For more info, visit their website and follow them on Instagram, tap below! View this post on Instagram Details: the coffer garden bed hanging above you is the tummy of the white dragon eating with you 🐉 A post shared by bai long store (@bailongstore) on Apr 12, 2018 at 7:29pm PDT Let us know if you’ve enjoyed your brunch at Bai Long too, leave a comment on our post below 🙂 View this post on Instagram ADELAIDE – get this modern Asian Brunch into your bellies! Or at least the Bai Long Ramen 🍜 Article is up on our website about the dishes we loved & watch the Facebook Live by hosts @roslynfoo & @ohricemedia so you know what to expect when you feast here! (Hit bio for link) Wait No More. Add @bailongstore to your weekend foodie wishlist 😋 📸 @gavinmcmillan A post shared by Glamorazzi (@deglamorazzi) on Jun 9, 2019 at 3:03am PDT All photos credit to Glamorazzi photographer & contributor, Gavin McMillan. Check out Gavin’s previous Adelaide restaurant review!...Read more...St Rose Cafe – Bringing Melbourne’s Brunch to EssendonFinding good brunch places in Melbourne is not a challenging task. However, a great café in your local area that serves top-notch coffee and scrumptious food to indulge on a Saturday morning is hard to come by. Perfect Brunch on Saturday morning at St Rose in Essendon, Victoria I was at Essendon last weekend to visit a friend. She suggested that we go to a cafe nearby and catch up over brunch. As a city girl, I was skeptical about the existence of a good café in the suburban area. The fantastic experience at St Rose debunked this preconception soon after. St Rose – The New Cool, Casual & Organic It-Spot View this post on Instagram Cheers to the Queen this long weekend. Trading this Mon 8-4. #snickersanyone 👆🏻 A post shared by ST ROSE (@strosecafe) on Jun 8, 2018 at 2:39pm PDT The place is fairly modern, with wooden interior design and welcoming natural lighting. It was quite busy when we arrived. Nevertheless, their service was attentive and they seated us in no time. We ordered coffee first. No comments, other than it was of smooth, great texture and consistency. They even had two types of almond milk on offer, raw and creamy. Let’s Talk About Food.. Gosh, we were hungry! Everything looked so good on the menu and our indecisiveness was in full swing. Because of that, we asked their friendly staff for recommendations which turned out to be the best decision ever! The food was served promptly. I dug in immediately. Mediterranean Egg from St Rose, on the Seasonal Special Menu This one has got to be my favourite. I have been into spicy foods lately and Oh, Man! this Mediterranean Egg dish has a nice kick to it. The eggs were very well poached as the golden yolk was oozing out when I sliced it open with a fork. As my friend Carmel puts it, it has “exotic flavours and spices that tingle your taste buds”. Salmon & The Rye from St Rose, All Day Menu Fish normally is my go-to when I dine out. Hard to resist a plate-full of omega-3 and protein. This Salmon & The Rye did not disappoint. The first thing came to my mind with the first bite was “wow this is juicy”. The salmon was cooked flawlessly as well as the egg on top. These two elements were complementary to each other to perfection. The portion size was very generous which was a huge bonus. Acai Bowl(GF, VG) from St Rose, All Day Menu Last but not least, a tasty and healthy Açaí bowl. I mean, the rainbow look says it all, it was a total bliss to our eyes and tummy. Find out more about St Rose on Instagram or just tap on the picture below. Most importantly, pop in for a bite when you are in the area and experience for yourself. Can’t wait to return and try this pink latte. If you prefer to stay in Melbourne inner city for brunch, check out The Boatbuilders Yard for a waterfront experience. View this post on Instagram Pink lattes, because who doesn’t want this on their insta feed 🙌🏼 #open #everyday #strosecafe #essendon #alllongweekend A post shared by ST ROSE (@strosecafe) on Mar 8, 2019 at 1:51pm PST View this post on Instagram Oreo ‘Paco’ Pancake 🥞 #newmenuhaslanded #strosecafe #oreotaco #oreopancake A post shared by ST ROSE (@strosecafe) on Oct 3, 2018 at 2:34am PDT...Read more...Juniperlooza 2020 in Melbourne – Australia’s Original Gin FestivalIn November 2015, @Juniperlooza was launched as Australia’s Orginal Gin Festival. The event showcases Gin producers from all over the world. Juniperlooza has become the biggest celebration of Gin ever held in Australia. It is hosted locally in Melbourne at the @Boatbuilders Yard each year. Enjoying a crisp, ice-cold Gin cocktail in the sunshine, overlooking the Yarra River pretty much sets the scene for the event. What more could you possibly ask for? It’s Gin Time View this post on Instagram #Juniperlooza2019 was THE BEST yet ❤️ #Juniperlooza #Gin #LetThePartyBeGin A post shared by Juniperlooza (@juniperlooza) on Feb 13, 2019 at 8:15pm PST Gin is a popular alcoholic spirit all over the world, particularly in London. The production method for Gin is to distil a variety of botanicals. Generally, the predominant flavour for Gin is from the botanical called juniper berries ( Juniperus communis). In addition to Juniper, coriander, citrus peel, cinnamon, almond and liquorice are also frequently used botanicals to distil Gin. What Makes Juniperlooza A Sold Out Event Juniperlooza 2019And that's a wrap!We've already got 2020 in our sights. Sign up now so you don't miss out on any gintastic details! http://bit.ly/2TQRbcqPosted by Juniperlooza on Thursday, February 14, 2019 For someone who is not into spirits, I fell in love with Gin at Juniperlooza. This Gin-pervaded revelry was in full swing on the day (Saturday, February 9, 2019). 21 boutique producers from all over the world. The lineup includes Chase Distillery from the UK, Four Pillars, Cedar Fox, Killara, The Botanist Islay Dry Gin, Martin Millers and many more. Martin Miller’s Gin – The Smoothest Gin I Have Ever Tasted The selection of Gin-infused tipples was overwhelming. My eyes were jumping from one booth to another until this rose containing cocktail caught my attention. I followed the rose trail and landed in front of this booth –Martin Millers. View this post on Instagram Plans for this evening? We'll be enjoying a few of these as it tastes just as good as it looks 🙌🏻 . 30ml Martin Miller’s Gin 50ml freshly squeezed grapefruit juice 25ml Thyme Syrup 25ml Tonic Water A post shared by Martin Miller's Gin Official (@martinmillersgin) on Feb 4, 2019 at 8:45am PST The staff was very friendly, especially the brand ambassador named Andy. He came to introduce himself, then, kindly gifted my friend and me a beautiful rose each. Soon, Andy offered us a sampling. I was reluctant due to horrible experiences with sprites in the past. My friend Roslyn took the initiative and sampled some. The feedback was very positive. Hence, I changed my mind. One sip down, I could not believe how smooth the Martin Miller’s Gin was. There was no nasty after taste of ethanol in my throat, which was the reason why I disliked a lot of spirits. “Martin Miller’s Gin is classified as a dry Gin, with a well-balanced cast of botanicals including juniper, the main one, in support, coriander, angelica, lime peel, liquorice root, nutmeg, cassia bark, and Florentine iris”, explained Craig. What a Gin masterpiece! Martin Millers has changed my perception of Gin for the better. I would definitely give Gin another try when I go out next, perhaps other spirits too. In fact, I ordered one right there on the spot, and I loved it. Food, Performers and More Fruity Trio entertainment at Juniperlooza 2019 In addition to the fantastic Gin selections, the Boatbuilders Yard kitchen supplied a parade of delicious bites to be enjoyed with the drinks. The music was on point as live DJ tunes were spinning right through the event. Plus, every now and then the roving performance artists came to do their rounds and make silly moves to the beat just to crack everyone up. Food served by the Boadbuilders Yard kitchen Juniperlooza 2019 was a blast. I am looking forward to seeing what Juniperlooza has got to bring in 2020. If you’d like to come along next year, subscribe to the Juniperlooza e-news to get your early presale tickets, so you don’t miss out! If you would like to know more about The Boatbuilders Yard, see our previous foodies experience here....Read more...Mount Hua [Huà Shān 華山] – One of the Most Dangerous Yet Beautiful Hikes in the WorldThe famed Mount Hua is situated in the city of Huayin in Shaanxi province, about 120 kilometres east of Xi’an. It is near the Ordos Loop section of the Yellow River basin. Mt Hua is the western mountain of the Five Great Mountains of China, and has a long history of religious significance. This is a must-visit for hikers, for magnificent geological views. Mount Huashan is home to several influential Taoist temples, where many emperors of past dynasties took part in Taoist activities, making it a holy land of Taoism. Daoists believed that in the mountain lives the god of the underworld. Huashan was an important place for immortality seekers, as many herbal Chinese medicines are grown and powerful drugs were reputed to be found there. The route up to Mount Hua is one of the most dangerous hikes in the world. Its five peaks are the representative attractions and each has its distinctive charms: East Peak (Facing Sun Peak) East Peak climb takes 4 to 6 hours and is the best to enjoy the sunrise. The Immortal’s Palm Peak, ranked one of the Eight Scenic Wonders of the Xi’an. It’s natural rock veins look like a giant palm-print. South Peak (Landing Wild Geese Peak) The South Peak (2,154 meters) is the monarch among the Five Sacred Mountains of China. The surrounding landscapes are luxuriantly green; the Yellow River wanders far below and everything seems small. Legend has it that the wild geese often landed at South Peak, giving the area its name. West Peak (Lotus Flower Peak) West Peak is the most elegant, with very high cliffs standing erect with an altitude of 2,086.6 meters. The Cuiyun Palace has a huge rock looking like a lotus flower in its view and therefore named the Lotus Flower Peak. North Peak (Cloud Terrace Peak) North Peak (1,614 meters) is famous with precipitous cliffs on all sides, making it look like a flat terrace in the clouds, hence the name Cloud Terrace Peak. The Ear-Touching Cliff is the fourth precipitous path where visitors can climb up only by pressing an ear close to the cliff. Trees are luxuriantly green, creating a good rest spot halfway up the North Peak. Middle Peak (Jade Maiden Peak) Middle Peak is in the centre of all peaks and clings to East Peak. Legend has it that the daughter of Qin Mugong (569 – 621 BC) loved a man who was good at playing Chinese tung-hsiao. She gave up the royal life to cultivate her spirituality at the Jade Maiden Temple, hence the name Jade Maiden Peak. The Rootless Tree and Sacrificing Tree are two other scenic spots with beautiful stories that add to the supernatural atmosphere of Middle Peak. The talented photographer Ruslan Hasanov’s incredible scenic shots of China has inspired me to look deeper into its regional destinations. View more of his amazing work: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ruslan Mir (@r.u.s.l.a.n.h.a.s.a.n.o.v) on Jun 11, 2018 at 5:00am PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ruslan Mir (@r.u.s.l.a.n.h.a.s.a.n.o.v) on Aug 1, 2018 at 6:08am PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ruslan Mir (@r.u.s.l.a.n.h.a.s.a.n.o.v) on Jul 13, 2018 at 5:32am PDT View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ruslan Mir (@r.u.s.l.a.n.h.a.s.a.n.o.v) on Apr 22, 2018 at 11:17am PDT For more China travel inspiration, read the adventures of travellingcouple, Searching For Us If you visit Nanjing in winter, you must look for Bao’s street barbecue! ...Read more...South Wharf Gem – The Boatbuilders YardMelbourne’s Best Waterfront Experience Get down to South Wharf this summer and experience The Boatbuilders Yard, the waterfront bar & kitchen on the Yarra River. As a local, I have been enjoying coffees and breakfast at The Boatbuilders Yard for several years. A post shared by Glamorazzi (@deglamorazzi) on Mar 15, 2017 at 2:00pm PDT The quiet mornings, breezy open space with caring staff who often reminded me of how many lattes I have had (4 a day can be a worry), the human touches made the place feels like home to me. The crackling fireplace is my favourite spot during winter. A post shared by Roslyn Foo 欣 (@roslynfoo) on Jul 10, 2017 at 8:34pm PDT Eating Out with Adam Bilsy Then I thought it’s time for a change. I brought #YesYouCan Ambassador and Gold Coast radio host Adam Bilsy to experience a true Melbourne evening. The Boatbuilders Yard has always been a busy venue later in the day and especially on the weekends. Their menu boasts fresh ingredients with funky presentation, filled with options for vegetarian, gluten-free and dairy-free. The small size and sharing style dishes are perfect for a sleeved stomach to enjoy. Cocktails Got The Party Started I must mention Shay who welcomed us and brought us to our table on the outdoor deck. Her amazing service has certainly brought a lot more fun to our experience. I have always known that the Boatbuilders Yard has one of Victoria’s largest number of tap beer varieties. However, Shay got us got started with a cocktail each and we didn’t look back! The Passionfruit Splice made of frozen Absolut Vanilla, passionfruit and pineapple was the clear winner. The Freezling came second for me – it’s a cool cocktail but I still prefer to enjoy a glass of Riesling on its own. The Hibiscus Spritz added a happy colour on our table but the Passionfruit Splice won all our hearts. The Good Food For me, it’s all about good food when you’re in Melbourne. So to ensure my special guest get to taste as many dishes as possible, we’ve ordered 6 starters and a side to share. First up, the sweet and sour gochujang Chicken Drumettes with sesame seeds and pickled daikon got the two boys’ approval. It didn’t last too long on the plate. Next is my favourite dish – the Soft Shell School Prawns served with chilli jam, lime kewpie mayo and togarashi. I convinced Adam to try one, and yes – we eat the head, tail and everything, just like how you eat a soft shell crab. I’m glad he loved it! And who is in for Haloumi or Fries? Well, what about the Haloumi Fries served with beetroot tahini, sprinkled with black sesame and spring onion? It was a crowd pleaser with the bring pink sauce making the dish look rather sexy! The Heirloom Tomatoes was my new favourite dish. It’s simple and fresh, with burrata and fresh basil, anyone could make it at home but the black garlic dressing made an impact. If you want an unpretentious dish, this is it. The feast continued with the Zucchini Escabeche with smoked almond cream, some falafel crumb and saffron pickled onions; the Kingfish Ceviche with Aji Amarillo (bright orange chilli from Peru) in lime dressing with sweet potato and corn nuts; and the Charred Octopus with salsa rosso, kipfler potato, nduja, kalamata and lemon. I knew from the start that I would not get away from the dessert calories. The boys ordered the Macadamia Parfait and the classic Boaties Sundae, it was a perfect ending! The Good Vibes The DJ was spinning through the entire evening, totally in his groove. The vibrant atmosphere and attentive waiting staff weaving through happy guests, we had a very enjoying summer evening soaking up the warm Yarra River breeze. Adam Bilsy made a vlog of his South Wharf experience, watch here. With this, I will continue to enjoy morning lattes at The Boatbuilders Yard as well as adding it to my weekend hangout destination. A post shared by Roslyn Foo 欣 (@roslynfoo) on Jun 21, 2017 at 3:56pm PDT The Space A post shared by Roslyn Foo 欣 (@roslynfoo) on Sep 28, 2017 at 4:40pm PDT The Boatbuilders Yard is one of Melbourne’s premier waterfront venues boasting the charm and culturalheritage of Melbourne’s famous Maritime precinct with a modern twist as its centrepiece – the originalhistoric shed. A post shared by The Boatbuilders Yard (@boatbuildersyard) on Jan 4, 2018 at 2:27pm PST Check out their function space too, there are not many waterfront venues in Melbourne that could hold 1200 standing! #TheBoatbuildersYard A post shared by The Boatbuilders Yard (@boatbuildersyard) on Sep 18, 2018 at 9:58pm PDT...Read more...