Nu Nu - Restaurant - Palm Cove

Nunu
http://www.peppers.com.au/Palm-Cove-Dining
123 Williams Esplanade
Palm Cove,
Queensland
Australia, 4879
Phone +61 7 4059 9200
Fax +61 7 4059 9222
Email palmcove@peppers.com.au

Though I have been up here 6 or so times I have never trekked to Palm Cove, usually I end up in Cairns with my cousin and her crew, doing what locals in my age group here do – drinking, so it was a nice change to get out of the city not just to ort for a new years eve bash), palm cove was beautiful, could definitely imagine holidaying there… A little isolated yet quite full of people, and home to Nunu which was the core reason for going there…

We had read the reviews for Nunu, in two separate publications, and my aunt recommended it, so 6 of us headed out for the 40 ish minute drive to breakfast paradise… Indeed it was, Nunu is located at peppers spa. They always have the most lovely places and this was no exception, Big open spaces, the wins blowing through the curtains, big couches with loads of cushions to keep you comfy, and if you peeked past reception you could see the lovely swimming area for the guests here!
The menu wasn’t vast in its length, but definitely in its flavours… I had the free range eggs and avocado for breakfast, going past the awesome options for a sweet breakfast, mark had the eggs and tomato, Carmen had the ham and cheese house in eggy bread which apparently was very rich in its entirety, but looked great, mark wants it filled with just cheese should we ever return! Michelle has the caramel hotcakes with coconut sorbet which looked amazing and was, mum had the eggs and bacon, and Daniel had the bacon, sausage and mushroom, the amount of bacon you got was crazy, a massive pile! We were told it was small serves, but this is simply untrue, it kept us full for 5 or 6 hours! Which is a long-time for a pregnant lady!
The service was great with the staff taking a relaxed and familiar attitude to us, being very helpful with the menu, and keeping out water full, and that we were happy overall with the experience.

Fusion Organics Cafe - Cairns

Fusion Organics Cafe

Cnr Grafton and Aplin Sts
Cairns

QLD 4870

Open from 7am Mon - Sat

Phone 0740511388

rpspbb@bigpond.com

On our arrival we were ravenous, the fam were fafing about in the area and wanted us to meet them for lunch, it was longer then I expected to walk on such a hot day, but it was worth it!!! This spot makes EVERYTHING on the premises and you could really taste the lovely flavour in their organic range… We were all impressed by the food, mine was a bacon, avocado, sundried tomato mayo foccacia, marks was a roasted pumpkin foccacia, mums was similar o mine with out the avocado or mayo, much had the most gangsta ham sandwich I have ever seen!!! Carmen had the duck salad, the duck was a bit fatty, but otherwise good… for the coffee and cake round I had the baked cheesecake, which unfortunately wasn’t that good, though I did eat every bite! Mark had the caramel slice slice, which he wasn’t overly impressed by, and Carmen had the rear caramel and ginger cake which looked fantastic and apparently was! So thumbs up for the lunches, not so much for the cakes…

Caravella Backpackers

Caravella Backpackers
http://www.caravella.com.au/
149 Esplanade, Cairns
Ph: +61 7 40512431
Email: info@caravella.com.au
$75 double room with ensuite

We were in a double ensuite room in room number 59. At the airport you give them a call and the palm sun Shuttle bus will pick you up free of charge and take you there; this was a nice start… Check in was easy, staff were lovely, was impressed with the service…
The room was a basic room, with a clean bathroom… not much to report on this, a fridge and chest of drawers were the extent of luxury, luckily we brought the laptop juiced with TV and films to keep us entertained when we were in the room… The aircon was surprisingly good, even if a little noisy, and the fan over the bed was a lifesaver!
Didn’t make much use of the other facilities, such as broadband $2 for 15 minutes and wifi for $1 for 15 minutes, or the kitchen or common area, which were always in good use… The pool area on the other hand was greatness! A good way to get your zing back through the hot afternoons, only about 8 deck chairs but one always became available as we approached… pool itself was deep and a lovely temperature… impressive in general, just what we needed..
A 5 to 10 minute walk to the city, but less to the Aquarius where my family lives, so it was perfect for us... lovely walk by the water, and if you go the other way for an early morning pounding of the pavement you will get lots of good mornings from the other locals…

Kit Kat ice cream

Kit Kat ice cream

On a hot day after a short walk we saw a sign, and believe me, the sign was a sign! We gave the kit kat ice cream a whirl, and it was divine! Rich chocolate ice-cream covered in drizzle of chocolate with a kitkat submerged in it; it was a pleasure to eat… As you hit the cone the whole inside of the cone has been covered in chocolate, with a generous dollop at the bottom… Will definitely be going back for more!

baaaack...

A lovely break in Cairns, sun, family, a beauitful wedding, running around, chilling... A little bit of everything... Now for the trip report!

still away...

We are still sunning it up in cairns, with little connection... Will be back next week with many a review and photo :)

Melbourne City Romp

Melbourne City Romp
19th October 2008
http://www.melbournecityromp.com.au/

A few months ago while watching Amazing Race I saw the advertisement for this, I got excited quickly... In the next 24 hours I got together a team of 6 and registered...

On the day which just so happened to fall on my 30th birthday, I was still struggling with the flu and I knew that completing the challenge wouldn't help, but I am glad I went along... We had no idea what to expect, which was basically a grid of possible check points with clues to pinpoint exactly where they were, and a challenge at every checkpoint with a multiple choice answer, these challenges were a mixture of physical, to hunt, to find, to jump... After 4 hours we were knackered! We probably didn't score very high, but now we have an idea we will tackle it again next year with a little more order...

Fifteen Melbourne

Fifteen Melbourne
Basement,
115 – 117 Collins Street
Melbourne, Victoria 3000(Enter through George Parade)
www.fifteen.net
Telephone : 1300 799 415
International : +61 (0) 386 486 000

We have been to this restaurant before, when it first opened... The food was fantastic, though it was very dark and at times hard to see... We thought that we would go back again for Marks birthday and have another round of the degustation menu - awesome that they have a meat and vegetarian option... The slow roasted lamb the first time was the meat highlight of the year for me, unfortunately that wasnt being served this time...

The food was pretty good, not as great as the first time, but the lighting was better, and the service impeccable... Our waiter - Dan - was extremely helpful on the pregnancy front making sure that I could eat everything on the menu, and changing dishes accordingly...

Appetiser: Zucchini flowers with mint and ricotta in tempura batter
A yummy start, I think that it was Marks favourite

Vegetarian 1st course - we both had this: bruschetta with a creamy cheese and broadbean mash and peas

This was divine!

Vegetarian Course 2: Minestrone

Mark said that this was average, a bit bland

Non vegetarian Course 2: tuna carpaccio with quails egg and salad

Another great course, the tuna and the egg went surprisingly well together

Vegetarian course 3 we both had this: ricotta, mushroom, sage, marjoram wrapped in light pasta sprinkled with parmesan

This was amazing, the perfect amount, too much could get a bit rich

Vegetarian course 4: oozy polenta, roasted pumpkin, cavalo nero, poached free range egg, parmesan and micro herbs

Mark said that this was good

Non vegetarian Course 4: John Dory in a butter herby sauce

Good fish, great sauce!

Palatte cleanser: watermelon sorbet

Dessert course 5: Chocolate tart

This was too rich, neither of us could finish it

Cheese board course 6
We only barely touched this, after 2.5 hours with the flu we were both ready to go, and full up on the prior yummy dishes...

Knocked Up - DVD

I have seen this film numerous times when not pregnant, but thought I should watch it while I was... I did still find it funny, but I must say that the birth scene kind of freaked me out... I have made it a rule to not give the birth much thought until closer to the time, but the scene where the head is coming out shook me right up! When the film ended I decided to go back to not thinking about the birth and not to watch that film again until after the baby is born!

ALIFE and A.R.C. Courtyard Clearance Sale - NYC

Who: ALIFE & A.R.C.
What: Courtyard Clearance Sale (CASH ONLY)
When: Thursday, October 23rd - 12 to 7, Friday, October 24th - 12 to 7, Saturday, October 25th - 12 to 7, Sunday, October 26th - 12 to 6
Where: 158 Rivington Street, New York, NY 10002

Dexter picked up for two more seasons!

Good news for Dexter fans! Dexter has been picked up for two more seasons on Showtime... Enjoy!

Nike Air Force 1 Supreme WP - Weatherproof - Olive Khaki

I love the colourway, simple... For those of you that live in harsher climates this AF1 Supreme features an upper that is weather proof as well as an outsole that uses a new “0.44 Sticky Rubber” that helps the traction of the shoe especially in wet weather such as snow, sleet, or rain during the Winter months.

Would have been dope while I was doing outreach in London!

Pumpkin Patch Belly Band

Pumpkin Patch Belly Band

Now this picture isn't the actual band in question, it is just to give you a visual of what a belly belt looks like...

After the awfulness that was the Target Belly Band I had some fear of buying another one... But then I was checking the Pumpkin Patch website and saw a dress I liked, and noticed that their belly bands were on sale for $15, I thought it was worth trying and purchased... There is an immediate difference in quality, the material is stretchy, and fits, then grows with you... Have had heaps of use out of this, possibly the best pregnancy $15 I have spent so far... Highly Recommend!!!

Ralph Lauren Shoes - Myer

Ralph Lauren Shoes - Myer

Ever since Olivia (Annettes daughter) was born I have wanted these little heartbreakingly beautiful Ralph Lauren shoes for her... They were $69.99 which was the reason why I never bought them... But I have continued to look at them, cruise them, talk about them, ever since... At the Myer midseason sale last week I had to show Mark them, and so we made our way to the kids shoes section, they were nowhere to be found, I was pretty upset that finally we are having a baby, she is a girl and we cant have these shoes... We mosey on to the clearance section and there they are, on sale!!! We bought them, for the bargain price of $39.95, just divine... Had to share the joy!

Louies Malvern - Cafe

Louies Malvern
9576 1910
130 Glenferrie Rd
Malvern

Best Hot Chocolate in ages! Sorry no pics, maybe next time... Its around the corner from Cabrini, so I'm sure I will get another opportunity to photograph the greatness that is their hot chocolate...

café l'incontro - Melbourne

café l'incontro
140 Swanston Street,
Melbourne
Tel. 9650 9603

We stopped here for a rest and beverage after the Melbourne City Romp... Have been here before with no complaint BUT this time was different... We waited around 20 minutes to order our drinks at the counter, in which time one staff member kept messing up, the other berating him in front of everyone, meanwhile our legs were caning after 4 hours of running around Melbourne... When finally we were served, we waited for our drinks and finally took a seat... My hot chocolate was only half full, the rest was froth, this pissed me off, but I couldn't be arsed getting up to complain, and so took a photo of the evidence and thought I would vent here instead... Rude... Bad service, bad product, never returning...

Nike Air Force 1 Womens - Black - Tour Yellow

Nike Air Force 1 Womens - Black - Tour Yellow

The new AF1 women's offering have definitely perked my interest... No matter how many times I say I'm not buying AF1s anymore, the colourways continue to make it impossible... Available from 1st November...

Sass and Bide - Melbourne Warehouse sale

Sass & Bide - Melbourne Warehouse sale

Date:
Thursday 23rd 4-9pm
Friday 24th 10-5pm
Saturday 25th 10-5pm
Sunday 26th 11-3pm

Location:
Bays 1 & 2,
Shed 4,
Dock 4,
North Wharf Road
Docklands

Apparently their sale always comes through... Enjoy...

Married to the MOB x Nike Dunk High

Married to the MOB x Nike Dunk High

People are definitely excited about the Nike x MOB collab, unfortunately I am not... Not feeling the material, nor the patent, and am not a fan of dunks, or highs... I'm not just being moody because I cant shake this flu, even though I'm not a fan of Reebok I did like the look of their Reebok collab...

Target: Belly Band

Target
Belly Band
$19.95
Now this picture isn't the actual band in question, it is just to give you a visual of what a belly belt looks like...

The first belly belt I bought was from Target, not wanting to spend a great deal of money on something I wasn't sure whether I would like, or even if I would be able to stay in my own clothes for long enough to use one... Well I am 21 weeks, still in my jeans, but this is not the belt I would choose to buy...

When I got it home it was immediately apparent that it was super stretchy, like 8 months pregnant stretchy, so it hardly even stayed up on its own... Clearly an inferior material, and should I reinstate it to my wardrobe I will review it again, but so far from 12 - 21 weeks it has been useless...