Taking the Long Way Home – Europe

With my working holiday visa rushing towards its expiry and family and friends urging me to come home, it was time to call time on London. Putting it mildly, I was devastated to be leaving my new home but the one thing making me feel better was the opportunity to travel and tick a few things off the old bucket list as I journeyed back to Perth. There’s the old adage that with travel, you either have time or money - for the first time in my life, I had a little of both so I reluctantly packed and shipped my coats and scarves, said goodbye to friends and colleagues and headed to St Pancras station armed with a couple of bikinis and a bottle of sunscreen. Read on to see some of my favourite snaps from my trip through Europe, India and South East Asia.

Where and What to Eat in London Right Now

Eat all these things. Now.

London Markets

This is happening in the @schoolyardmkt today. @dumplingshack. #dumplings #food #foodie #foodporn #instafood #londonfood #londonfoodie #foodpic #foodiepic #broadwaymarket #schoolyardmarket #londonfields #LF #E8 #hackney #london

A post shared by Broadway Market (@broadwaymarket) on Apr 16, 2016 at 3:51am PDT

Broadway Market

Okay, so it’s faff to get to unless you live in Hackney already. But it also has some of the most delicious food in London so it more than makes up for it. Go around 11ish and make yourself a little hodge podge brunch of sorts while you wander. Start off at Schoolyard Market - nice and early - to snag some fat little pockets of perfection from Dumpling Shack before they sell out. Pick up some pastel coloured treats at the Meringue Girls stall. Then meander over to Netil St Market at go to the original BAO to have a fluffy steamed bun full of delicious pork or, better yet, try their fried chicken. Also near Netil St Market is the fantastic Yeast Bakery, hidden under a railway arch. They do perfect little kougin amann pastries in a multitude of flavours. Then go home and rub your tummy while crying tears of happiness.

London On A Budget

Now it goes without saying that London is a goddamn expensive place to live and visit. There’s so much to see and do (and eat!) but some of it is very, very expensive. But it can be done! Read on for my tips and tricks for remaining fiscally responsible in the capital AND still have a good time!

Where to Wet Your Whistle - The London Edition

A photo posted by The Little Yellow Door (@the_little_yellow_door) on May 17, 2016 at 6:48am PDT

The Little Yellow Door

This fun bar is hidden away behind a - you guessed it! - little yellow door on Notting Hill Gate. Decked out like your cool older brother's apartment, it's a sweet little spot to down a few cocktails and dance the night away! Like any house party though, the sound system isn't great and there's not a lot of space but you'll definitely have a good time.

68 Notting Hill Gate, London W11 3HT
thelittleyellowdoor.co.uk

My Favourite London Restaurants...So Far

I goddamn love food. And London is goddamn great at food. There's always some sexy new restaurant opening, bizarre high concept food popup or super hip(ster) street food thing happening in this mad, glorious city. Over the last year, I've cultivated a few favourites. Keep reading after the jump to witness me wax lyrical over these tasty treats.

The Bottomless Dozen 2016: MADE Bar & Kitchen @ The Roundhouse, Camden

Like a lot of people, the beginning of a new year for me means New Years' Resolutions! You know, the usual - swear less, drink less, work out more etc. etc. Well let me introduce you to the one resolution I have every intention of keeping this year - The Bottomless Dozen! My housemate had the genius idea of treating ourselves to a bottomless brunch once a month for every month of 2016. The rules are simple - the food must be delicious and brunch-worthy and the drinks must be plentiful and bottomless. Life sure is tough. First off the ranks is MADE Bar & Kitchen at The Roundhouse in Camden!

My Favourite Things - The London Edition

St Paul's Cathedral

As most of you (Hey mom!) know, I recently moved to London and this Friday marks my first 2 months in this excellent city. In that time, I've exercised my rights as a lady of leisure (read: unemployed bum) and explored many a London enclave and have made some firm favourites along the way. 

Read on for my Londontown favourites!

Welcome To My New 'Hood - Kensal Rise

In 2009, Vogue named Chamberlayne Road 'the hippest street in Europe'. Now there's every chance someone on the Vogue editorial team was trying to flog a house in Kensal Rise but nonetheless, this is still a pretty cute place to live. Situated in Zone 2, Kensal Rise is allegedly home to Sienna Miller, Daniel Craig and Thandie Newton. Très cool. Though I'm yet to spot Sienna shopping down at the local Tesco, I'm sure it's only a matter of time. I moved here with no idea about the area but the longer I spend here, the more I love it. There are lots of little cafes and delis (you all know how much I love indie coffee shops!) and some great bars and pubs as well. Central London, Notting Hill, Chelsea, Hampstead Heath and even super hip Dalston are all less than 20 minutes away (depending on your preferred mode of transport, of course!).

Beauty and the Bleach

Oh to have the luxurious, sun kissed hair of a Victoria's Secret model! That's the dream folks. Many a brunette babe has felt the irresistible pull towards the hairdresser's chair and their bleach kit. I've had balayaged hair for almost a year now (I used to go to the truly excellent Balayage Hair Studio back home) and I firmly believe that once you start highlighting your hair, it's very hard to stop. Maybe there's something addictive in ammonia fumes but there's just something about having lighter hair... perhaps blondes really do have more fun. That being said, bleached hair is much like having a very high maintenance pet - you have to wash, feed and groom it in the hopes that someone will tell you it's pretty! *Sigh*

10 Superficial Things I Miss About 'Straya

There are 3 things you should know about me before you read on. 1) I like to complain about things even if I'm having the time of my life. No idea why... call it a quirk. 2) I'm unashamedly superficial... but I'm also really nice to puppies and always give up my seat on the bus for old people so it all comes out in the wash. 3) I really like lists. Clearly. 

Read on for the 10 superficial things I miss most about home. There are gifs involved so it's definitely worth your time. 

Eat, Pray, Panic - or How I quit my job and moved to London

Here's the thing - I liked my life. I had a good job, great friends, a loving family and yet I felt restless. My cushy lifestyle just wasn't challenging me in the ways that I wanted it to. I could have easily continued my life as it was for the next 5 years and would have been content - but where's the fun in that?!  I grew up in a small mining town in the North West corner of Western Australia and then moved to Perth, ie. the most isolated city on Earth, so my experience with the world at large was pretty limited. I'd done some travel but have always wanted to live in a major city and to travel solo - only I never had the funds, nor the lady balls to do so. So here I was, 26 years old and at a crossroads - do I stay or do I go? Decision made... I moved to London. Read on for the rollercoaster of emotions that was my first few weeks.

Singapore Fever

Haji Lane

Straight up, Singapore is one of my favourite cities in the world. It's a crazy mix of different cultures - Chinese, Malay, Indian and colonial British influences can be seen in everything from the architecture to the food to the local language (Singlish). For Aussies, it's a great place to escape for a few days to rest, relax and reassure yourself that your credit card still works. Bring elasticated pants too because eating is a national sport. Read on for my Singapore recs!

I (Heart) New York

Heading towards Times Square

New York, New York... so nice, they named it twice. Or something like that. New York City is a place everyone should visit. How many TV shows, movies, books and songs have been written about this amazing metropolis? Despite the intense hustle and bustle of this crazy city, you can't help but get swept up in it all. The shopping is incredible, the food is insanely good and the landmarks will leave you in awe. Read on for my take on the city that never sleeps.

Paris Is On My Mind

Notre Dame up in lights

With Paris being one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, you may think that you can miss it in favour of something more offbeat. Believe me when I say that missing out on Paris is a big mistake. Big. Huge. (Shout out to everyone that understood my Pretty Woman reference!). This city is incredible and definitely delivers. From the art galleries, to the monuments you've only ever seen in pictures, to the amazing food, Paris is sure to charm you. Read on for my guide to Paris.

London Calling

View of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament over Westminister Bridge.

When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life. So said Samuel Johnson; and you know what? He's absolutely right. London is a mish mash of old and new, high end and high street, art and history. Every corner of this glorious city is steeped in history and it's begging to be explored. Even if you're visiting for the first time, you'll see familiar sights everywhere. With dozens of (free) things to do, London definitely tries it's best to charm you. Read on for my guide to London. 

Hole-y Mother of Cream Cheese - Homemade Bagels!

I spent a fabulous fortnight in the U.S.A. last December and hands down the best thing I ate for breakfast was the humble bagel. Bagels in the past had always underwhelmed me - I really just thought of them as doughnut shaped bread rolls. But that's essentially what they are this side of the Pacific. Which is a shame because they make a fantastic vehicle for glorious swirls of cream cheese; flavoured or plain. Ever since I got home, I've been on the look out for the 'real thing' here in little old Perth. With no luck, I decided to take a stab at making my own. Read on for my recipe!

The Only Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe You'll Ever Need

 Question: What makes your ultimate chocolate chip cookie? Mine is crispy on the edges, soft and fudgy in the centre, bursting with chocolate chips and with a salty kick to it. That sweet and salty thing that's so trendy right now definitely blows my skirt up! I actually developed this recipe based on the Momofuku Milk Bar method of making cookies. I love, love, LOVED the Milk Bar Corn Cookies but I wanted to make my own version of a classic Chocolate Chip Cookie. Read on for my recipe!

Review: Bread In Common, Fremantle

 Just a quick one today! Last weekend, my friend S and I met up in Freo for a quick bite to eat before a wander around the markets. I'd heard only good things about Bread In Common so I was keen to check them out! Read on for my review!

Ciate ColourFoil Manicure Tutorial + Review

Now this is a post I've been meaning to put up for weeks now. I've just been too busy/lazy to write it up and post it. My bad! I bought this Very ColourFoil Manicure kit at Kit Cosmetics at enex100 a couple of months ago and was super excited to give it a whirl. Ciate always comes up with innovative nail art kits that always look gorgeous but may not be the most practical things in the world (Caviar nails, I;m looking at you!). Read on for the tutorial!