Weekend Wind-down
Being in full time work, it’s not often I get opportunity to totally relax and have chance to enjoy those little things which feed my soul; reading a good magazine, savouring my favourite coffee or simply taking a moment to soak up the beautiful area in which I live. Following a pleasant stroll around the markets last Sunday, I took myself down to Wendy Whitley’s Secret Garden and relished in the basic pleasure of laying down my picnic mat and taking in the breathtaking views of Sydney harbour and the iconic CBD from across the water.
With my hectic 9-5 job consuming the majority of my week and constantly booking out weekends socialising with friends, I forget how wonderful the quaint corner of Sydney I live in is. Looking back over my diary so far this year, it’s been so busy with something happening every weekend since I moved to Lavender Bay. So having made the conscious effort to be selfish and nourish my soul on Sunday, my body as well as my tired head, thanked me for it this week as I started Monday fresh and ready for the demands of my high pace PR job!
As the tunnel fills with a maze of stalls, the good vibes weekend atmosphere echoes amongst the hustle and bustle of Kirribilli streets.
Whilst the sun beats down and eager shoppers feel the heat, the cluster of fresh drink and food stands provide gourmet offerings from numerous cuisines.
Out on the green spills the recycled fashion stalls where vendors eagerly sell off clothing for a fraction of their worth. If you’re lucky (and patient enough to have a good route in the bargain bins), you’ll find yourself walking away with barely worn designer pieces for as little as $5!
Chatting with the friendly sellers, there’s also opportunity to practice your haggling skills and negotiate a good price. With a modest changing room setup behind the park shed, you can even try before you buy.
I was excited to see if these Wrangler shorts would fit but unfortunately they were a little too big – I’m still on the hunt for those perfect bum hugging vintage denim Levis!
This delicate jewellery is very similar to a stall at Paddington Markets where I recently purchased my new favourite ring. I can’t get enough of stacking fine gold rings, so I’m keen to build my collection with these hand-made, good quality designs which are so unique.
I would highly recommend visiting Kirribilli Markets not only for the one-of-a-kind bargains you can bag, but to take a stroll in this North Sydney local neighbourhood and soak up that infectious Sunday ambience.
To start we were presented with beautifully plated ocean trout carpaccio followed by a selection of chefs sashimi. The combination of sweet berries with tangy radish was delicious and the fresh fish only needed a dash of soy to bring out the flavours.
Next it was onto the sushi course and as a group we opted for the seafood rainbow roll. This colourful arrangement included my favourite combo of avocado, salmon and prawns wrapped in sticky sushi rice.
Course number 4 was honey mayo glazed prawns topped with black sesame seeds. These meaty king prawns were served in a light batter drizzled in hot sticky honey, a little messy but irresistibly tasty.
The main and final course was oven roast salmon fillet in dill served with quinoa, watercress salsa verde and grilled cos lettuce. I can’t get enough of dill with salmon, but the salsa verde gave a delightful spin on the flavour whilst the lettuce added extra crunch.
As a lighter lunch option, this 5 course tasting menu is perfect for getting a good overview of the food on offer. From freshly caught sashimi to exquisitely arranged Japanese specials, I would be keen to visit Zushi again to try more of their delectable dishes, paired with another fine wine from their extensive list.
Founded in 1954 at Pyrmont wharf by Biaggo Signorelli, the Doltone House legacy has become Sydney’s most influential hospitality establishments. From intimate cocktail parties to weddings and large scale business events, their ever growing venue collection offers a variety of options to suit every occasion.
Starting at Jone’s Bay Wharf in Pyrmont, we kicked things off with sliders and ciders; a pear cider to match the spiced lentil patty and an apple cider to compliment the pulled pork mini burger. We started strong and how we meant to go on!
We were then shown onto the next space up on the rooftop where we were greeted with refreshing ice cold Chandon. With a large terrace overlooking the harbour bridge, The Loft was one of my favourite venues with exposed beams and 3 split levels to create a unique layout.
Next we were shown around the contemporary SoHo room and bar with trendy interiors including an antler lamp shade, bookcases and old school leather couches. This English period style reflects cool downtown New York vibes, perfect for hosting a more intimate cocktail or birthday party.
Venue number 4 was a short walk down the road where we were shown the fun activities which could add something different to your event. The group was split up to do either table arrangements, arancini ball making or a gin masterclass which we were lucky enough to participate in! We had a laugh shaking our cocktails and enjoyed our G&Ts paired with the delicious arancini fresh from the oven.
The final destination was Hyde Park House and it certainly didn’t disappoint. After walking through the opulent entrance with twinkling chandeliers, we were taken to the large function room overlooking the park which had been turned into a Christmas Party! A Mimosa in hand and live jazz band playing festive tunes, we got stuck in decorating our Gingerbread men, how fun!
Over at the bar we were served lychee blinis and spoilt with homemade sticky toffee pudding pots. We certainly had been treated with lots of drinks and delicious food we couldn’t say no to.
To finish the evening we had our makeup touched up for the LinkedIn headshot. I would’ve preferred to have this taken at the beginning before I had consumed such a mix of drinks…but the gin made me grin 😀
We were truly looked after all evening and given a unique overview of some of the fabulous venues Doltone House has to offer. Not only do they provide a stunning space to match your needs, but they can tailer every detail of the catering, drinks and activities to suit your requirements and host a seamless event delivered with class and style.
Being their eleventh and final year we couldn’t miss out! Arriving on the Friday evening having jumped on the train out of Sydney straight after work, I was more than ready for a weekend to let my hair down and soak up the free spirit party atmosphere.
We were lucky to get VIP tickets given that my boyfriend knows the owners, so we had easy access in and out of the festival. Our camping setup was ideal too with a trailer we had borrowed from a friend featuring a proper double bed and indoor standing area for changing – my kinda camping!
I couldn’t wait to get out the sparkle, some whacky jewellery and my outrageous headdress for the occasion. We even made friends with a lovely couple camping next door to us, so us girls got excited with our glitter and fake tattoos as we pre-drank back at camp!
Saturday the sun came out but it wasn’t unbearably hot with some cloud cover, perfect festi weather. Some highlights included the Daft Punk tribute act, all the hidden forest dance stages and the yummy food stalls offering that naughty but necessary food you always crave at festivals. My boyfriend even designed the funky 70s inspired theme stage and bar named ‘S.G Airlines’.
It truly was a weekend of letting loose, embracing the crazy wonderland built by the team of volunteers and joining in the Secret Garden Party community to celebrate together one last time…S.G ’11 and Out!’
And so the sunsets over my sister’s memorable visit to me here in Oz. Her time went far too quickly but we certainly packed a lot in; from exploring the best Sydney has to offer for arvo drinks with the most iconic views, to visiting the Southern Highlands and giving her a taste of the country bumpkin life I lived for four months.
I can’t thank her enough for making these two weeks together so special and I hope she enjoyed every minute of the short time she had. I’m so lucky to have such a kind-hearted, funny, beautiful sister who cares so much for me and is so proud of how much I have achieved on my journey. The breathtaking red twilight sky over Sydney made for a fitting backdrop as we said our goodbyes. On my return from seeing her off to the airport, I wondered down to Lavender Bay harbour to soak up the stunning pastel hues and humming atmosphere of the city around me…what a time sis ❤
Open from 6am for brekky through until dinner time, Cafe Fiveways offers an all day menu with daily specials too. Arriving in the late afternoon following a stroll around the Paddington Markets, my sister and I found an idyllic spot to bask in the sun on this picturesque corner of Paddo.
I was impressed with the varied menu on offer and fantastic lunch specials at such good value too – a scrumptious looking acai bowl with all the toppings for $15, a tempting chargrilled octopus dish and even rump steak, chips and salad for only $14!
We opted for the mezze board for $16 piled high with my favourite roasted veggies, olives, pickles, humous and speciality bread, plenty to share between two. It seems this independent cafe has nailed the simple need for offering delicious, beautifully presented food at a reasonable price alongside friendly service.
They even had melon water which was so refreshing and much needed after a day of shopping. It was the perfect Saturday afternoon sat in Fiveways soaking up the weekend atmosphere, and I will definitely be returning to Cafe Fiveways again soon to sample one of their appetizing daily specials whilst people watching this quaint corner of Paddo.
Making it down to the front by dusk, the glistening lights of the city and nearby Luna Park were already twinkling upon the harbour. After a long wait for a pizza at the local Blues Point Gourmet Pizza (this place does the best Italian in town!), we were lucky to find a spot with uninterrupted views as we found ourselves surrounded by couples!
It seems everyone had the same idea for a Valentines date to remember, but I certainly can’t think of anywhere I would’ve rather been than with my sister enjoying a glass of bubbles, toasting to her special trip here in Sydney…love you sis ❤
It may have been a Tuesday evening, but with my sister in town and my visa confirmation, it was more than necessary to pop the bubbly!
My fabulous chef land lady who is a family friend put the evening together and did a marvellous job of prepping and serving a delicious dinner. It was a treat to have the dining table laid as I often sit out on the balcony with my dinner.
We were treated to a one dish delight of chicken thighs, sweet potato, beetroot and spinach drizzled with lemon mint jus and sprinkled with hazelnuts.
What a way to officially welcome in my second year in Sydney by hosting my family to a dinner party in this gorgeous home of Lavender Bay.
Hitting the beach at midday, it was buzzing and the bars were already pumping their tunes setting that feel-good Bondi weekend atmosphere. We found a spot on the beach and enjoyed a couple hours sunbathing whilst having some quality sister girl talk time.
With Bloody Mary’s on our minds following my Uncle’s suggestion for fixing our sore heads, we hit Bucketlist for arvo drinks. This spot right in the centre of Bondi beach is the perfect place for people watching that infamous strip along the front.
After a stroll around the boutique shops and vintage stores we visited Bondi Hardware, a hidden gem in the neighbourhood of Bondi serving top cocktails and delicious tapas, including a scrumptious chipotle manchego charred corn dish.
I opted for an iced coffee given my delicate head and my sister enjoyed a glass of Rose. Live acoustic music set the tone for an easygoing evening as we sat on the benches outside at golden hour surrounded by the hum of Bondi Sundaze.
Dani Aneka 