We just spent a long weekend in Melbourne. For a change, we didn’t do much in terms of doing touristy stuff in the city. Instead we took things as leisurely as possible. The only goal in Melbourne was to watch Once The Musical and spend time with my high school friend whom I haven’t seen in 20 years. Sunday was when we turned tourists as another friend took us to see the Twelve Apostles which took us the whole day of driving along the Great Ocean Road.
The Husband turned 35 two weeks ago and I made sure he’s had a fun September. He’s not fond of making a fuss about his birthday but I made a bit of effort in making his month festive by doing little things here and there. I like seeing his face lit up whenever I surprise him with the things he love and enjoy.
Ibyang + Instagram = Ibyangram
While my instagram photos are shared on my twitter page and sometimes on my tumblr and fb page, I would like to have a monthly dump of ibyangrams on AWCL too. It is thru instagram that I share everyday moments and random finds. I use instagram as my real time mini-blog. Every end of the month, I’ll be choosing a couple of photos from my instagram and share it here because I have something more to say about a certain ibyangram.
I love our August! It was the last month of Winter but it was filled with warmth from the company of loved ones. August was life-changing for me. The best highlight was spending a wellness weekend with girlfriends at a healthy resort in Byron Bay. It was an experience that recalibrated and rejuvenated my body, mind and spirit. Our social calendar was also quite busy as we had a friend who visited Sydney so we shared with her some of our favourite sights and eats in our city.
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St. Mary’s Cathedral. The most photographed church in Australia. Attended first Friday Mass which was officiated by Manila Archbishop Cardinal Tagle.
Momoka’s last weekend in Sydney. Spent the day at Darling Harbour. Fun times with family.
The Starbucks Pilipinas Tumbler. I don’t collect tumblers but I appreciate good artwork. So when my friend Leny asked what I want from the Phils, I asked for this tumbler because I like the design.
The Good Cafe Guide 2014. Coffee is serious business in Australia that we even have a guide to help us find the best cafes that serve great-tasting coffee.
Manly Beach on a Winter’s day. The Husband and I in one of our favourite Sydney beach.
Leny in Sydney. This instagram was shared in the Husband’s instagram account. She’s one of our friends from Manila and she was here for a few days. Took her out for a day and shared our love for Sydney to her.
Wellness Weekend in Byron Bay. Spent a long weekend with three of my girlfriends at a healthy resort. We had a fabulous time! I hope I can blog about it one day.
Organic Tea For Take-away. Tea was abundant from where I had my Wellness Weekend. I was able to take home a few flavours I like.
The Create-Your-Own Magnum Bar is back at Westfield Sydney. But only for 8 weeks so visit soon before it’s gone.
The cold can never stop me from enjoying my ice cream. But look closely…I’m holding a bottle of water in my other hand. Need to wash out the sweetness so I won’t get tonsilitis.
Magnum Party Inside Our Freezer. Salted Caramel, Honeycomb Crunch and Gateau Au Chocolate.
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Ibyang + Instagram = Ibyangram
While my instagram photos are shared on my twitter page and sometimes on my tumblr and fb page, I would like to have a monthly dump of ibyangrams on AWCL too. It is thru instagram that I share everyday moments and random finds. I use instagram as my real time mini-blog. Every end of the month, I’ll be choosing a couple of photos from my instagram and share it here because I have something more to say about a certain ibyangram.
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Past Winter seasons were usually spent hibernating at home. July, being coldness month in Sydney, is when we spend weekends holed up at home, catch up on sleep and do nothing. That premise changed this year as this was probably the busiest July we’ve ever had. We celebrated Christmas in July with friends, found ourselves having dinner in the city a couple of times (so nice to walk at night in Sydney even if its cold!), helped Hubby with a photoshoot assignment and played tourists along with a visitor from Japan.
Here are a few unforgettable photos of my July:
Sculptures on Six. An event hosted by Westfield Sydney where we found ice sculptures on the food court area of the mall. Here’s award-winning ice carving artist, Kenji Ogawa with is creation, the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Christmas in July lunch with friends. Had lunch at Criniti’s and caught up with our friends in celebration of June birthday celebrants and Christmas in July.
We finally got ourselves a proper set of photography lights. Currently getting used to setting it all up. Quite tedious but oh so worth it.
Soju to give a bit of warmth on a cold night. And these wasabi green peas that are sooo addicting.
The Husband surprised me with a Cronut from Brewtown Newtown! Grateful for the Husband’s thoughtfulness.
New Tim Tam flavours! The Red Velvet’s higlight was the cream cheese filling which gave the Tim Tam a salty taste. The Peanut Butter tasted like Butterfinger–which I realised I didn’t like.
Weekend Juice: Cherries, Blueberries and Coconut Juice. Rich in antioxidants and Vitamin C, and very hydrating. Perfect for Winter weather. The Snoopy & Lucy glasses were courtesy of my dear friend Hilda.
Birthday Noodles for my Mom’s birthday. Cooked Pancit Bihon in celebration of my Mom’s special day.
New Oliver Brown Cafe in Strathfield. Ordered a cup of Hot Chocolate with Crunchy Cereals coated in chocolate while waiting for the Husband.
Pandesal is Love. Pandesal and Nespresso coffee for our morning meal.
Egg Pie, a beloved Filipino dessert, a favourite of mine and reminder of my childhood in Manila. Created by Starlight Bakery (Doonside).
Sushi fan from Japan! I love it!
Momoka-san in Sydney. Showed Momoka-san the sights of Sydney on the last weekend of July. She’s a foreign exchange student from Japan and she stayed at my relatives place. We hung out with them so we can also spend time with my auntie, uncle and cousins.
Cabbage Flowers. Purple plants in Hyde Park. They reminded me of dear friend Biselle, who loves Purple. They looked lovely.
I’m seeing a couple of photos of friends having a great time in Japan under lovely Cherry Blossom Trees. And because of that, I just want to give friends a heads up about Haagen-Daz’s Sakura Ice Cream.
Based on an article from Japan Daily Press, Haagen-Daz Japan has gone pink this year and in celebration of their 30th anniversary in Japan, they came out with two floral ice creams: Sakura (Cherry Blossom) and Rose.
We were fortunate that we visited Japan towards the end of Winter, hence, we encountered a couple of food and drinks in relation to Spring. In one of the many nights we passed by a convenient store on the way back home, I found the Sakura Ice Cream.