Ibyang
Ibyang

Charmed Life of a Mrs

Coffee Klatch At Esca Cafe

It’s so easy to get lost in the busy-ness of everyday. My solution in avoiding being trapped in work routines (without sacrificing quality of my work) is to inject a bit of bonding time with workmates. I seldom do this before as I’m normally very focused with finishing tasks so I can go home early. I realised that it’s good to break my routine at least once a week like have long coffee breaks or take walks during lunch time.

A few weeks ago, I’ve started this new change in my work life and invited one of my close friend at work. Anna and I chose to have coffee and pastry at Esca Cafe.
Esca Cafe used to be called Naggy’s Cafe. I believe there was a change in management, hence, the change in name. They have retained the cozy vibe and delicious food they serve so that’s a very good thing. I’ve heard too that they’ve introduced more food in the menu but haven’t tried them yet.

I had a cup of Flat White and a Lemon Tart while Anna had a hazelnut cookie which was chewy and had a sweetness that was just right.

The Lemon Tart was a beautiful work of art. The tartness will give you the zing you need in case you’re sleepy haha! It’s quite unique because the base was coated in chocolate which gives you the sweet and bitter taste of cocoa. An interesting harmony inside my mouth. 


Maybe next time we’ll have lunch here sometime soon so we can try out their new offerings.

Esca Cafe, Restaurant & Espresso Bar
333B Glebe Point Road, Glebe
Phone: 02 9566 4860

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June’s Long Weekend

The start of winter, the start of June, always gives us a long weekend due to the celebration of the Queen’s Birthday. I find it fortunate that we get a few days off to get our bodies adjust to the cold weather. My biggest challenge during Winter is getting out of bed in the mornings. Long weekends mean more mornings to sleep in. 

The Queen’s Birthday falls on the first Monday of June. The Husband and I decided to make the long weekend longer by taking Friday off too.  So we had four days of break and it was a good decision because we really missed being on holidays. 

I started the long weekend by having coffee with a mate from work. I seldom hang out with workmates and it’s refreshing to mingle with them once in a while.
Friday was spent having brunch and shopping in IKEA with girlfriends. We took our time and leisurely hung out in IKEA’s food court and picked up a few things we fancied in the kitchen and home section. It was so fun shopping with the girls. 

Friday evening was spent at our relatives’ place. My aunt hosted a party for her friends and we got invited. The Husband and I helped in making Taho (sweet tofu with caramel and pearls). We stayed until after midnight, chatting with my grandma, aunt and cousins.

Saturday was spent at home. Facetimed with my Mom while I had my coffee. Ate and slept the whole day. 

Woke up early on Sunday for mass and afterwards, Hubby took me to Coco Cubano for breakfast. It’s a luxury for us to have time to go out on Sundays and spend an hour or two at a cafe. It mostly happens only when we have long weekends.

The Husband enjoyed his favourite Havana Feast which consisted of bacon, eggs and chorizo on a bed of sourdough toast.

While I had their Vegan Pancakes with Berry Compote and Maple Syrup. So delicious. 

We slept in on Monday and savoured our time at home. It wasn’t a complete day of rest as we prepared for the workweek and did our usual house chores. The extra day at home gave me the chance to de-clutter a part of our closet. I was able to sort out and organise our undershirts, socks, tights and leg warmers for Winter. 

We returned to work on Tuesday morning. And although, the weather was rainy and gloomy, we didn’t complain. Instead, we’re just grateful for the four day break we had.

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May on Ibyangram

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.

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.

After a subtle April, the last month of Autumn was festive and filled with sweet memories with loved ones. According to news, we’ve had a warm Autumn to the point of tagging the weather as an “Autumn Heatwave”. A first time for me to experience such weather in Sydney. The nice thing about it was it matched the kind of month I had. The month of May brought warmth to my heart and I think it’s a good way to end Autumn season.

Here are a few highlights of my merry month of May:

Last month of Autumn. Days are getting shorter. To watch the sunset, there is a need to be home early.

Buddha’s Tears: Green Tea With Jasmine. Served in a flask. Having my “Me” time in a tea shop called T2. I love their teas. A must try when in Sydney.

What tea time looked like with my family when we celebrated Mother’s Day.

Sweet treats from my sweetheart. A token of gratitude because I helped him with a recently concluded project.

Toblerone Crunchy Almonds. Something we picked up at the departure area of Sydney International Airport. I think it’s meant for departing passengers only as I never see these in the arrival area of the airport or in aussie supermarkets.

Leisure reading and a cup of strong flat white at Kinokuniya. Friday “Me” time.

It’s been awhile since I’ve cooked anything Korean. So instead of our usual Thursday dinner date in Koreatown, I went home early and cooked Beef Bulgogi. Jal meokkesseumnida!

Vivid Sydney 2014 started on the last week of May! It found the event quite crowded even on a weeknight. We went out to see thrice and took a few photos. I hope to share them soon.

His and Hers Taho. At our Sunday lunch party with relatives, one of my aunties taught us how to cook Taho (sweet tofu).
Friday Tea Time With Girlfriends. Spent an afternoon catching up with dear friends while savouring delicious cakes, coffee and tea at Cheeky Chocolate Cafe.

Rainy Saturday. The gloomy weather outside provides the perfect backdrop for my nap. Darkness is a gift when one needs sleep. 

Cadbury x Pascall collaboration = so good!
Japanese dinner at home! Okonomiyaki and sushi rice with seaweed. Itadakimasu! 
Goodbye Autumn, hello Winter!

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Chasing Sunsets And Dreams

Be with someone who will chase sunsets with you.
– my Ibyangism on sunsets and things that matter to you

I love sunsets. I love them for their beauty and its spectacular colours. It’s part of my everyday to look up and appreciate the sunset wherever I am. I have chased sunsets in every travel we’ve been. I even plan a part of our travel just to see sunsets in a certain place. I’m so glad the Husband always indulges me with my sunset quests. He plans our sunset chases with me and takes as many beautiful photos to amuse me. 

A few weeks ago, the Husband and I went sunset driving. We were driving on the highway, listening to our favourite songs and outside my window, the sunset was amazing.
Be with someone who’ll chase sunsets with you. Be with someone who’ll chase your dreams and passions with you. Be with someone who’ll support and share the things you love to do. If it’s important to you, it will also be important to one who holds you dear.

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Coffee Date at Coco Cubano

It’s been a long time since I’ve caught up with one of my dear friends and thankfully Meds and I found time to sit down and have a meal a few weeks after I came back from Japan. 

We both love drinking coffee and so I invited her to visit my area so we can have good coffee at Coco Cubano.
We met up in the middle of the afternoon and I haven’t had my lunch so we ordered food as well. I got the Classic Burger made up of Wagyu Beef sandwiched in between cheese, tomatoes and lettuce. It’s huge and very filling. I enjoyed eating this juicy burger with Coco Cubano’s chunky chips. 

Meds, on the other hand, got Garlic Pizza. We both love this simple pizza. Very cheesy just the way we like it.

After our coffee date, Meds shared a photo of her artwork on IG. I love it! She made an art diary of our coffee date. She’s amazing! She’s captured our meal, coffee and even our Japan photobooks which I shared with her, all thru an artwork.

It was a great catch-up that lasted til dinner time. Meds and I are the kind of friends where we could talk for hours and still have something to talk about. It’s the kind of friendship I’m grateful for.

Coco Cubano
Level 4, Westpoint Blacktown
Phone: 02 9676 4444

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