Trick or Treat?

This year's Crave Food Festival definitely bought out the 'Tricks & Treats' of October .

Renowned chefs and prominent food personalities, all lent their hand at providing the food 'tricks' - through demonstrations, workshops & masterclasses at events such as World Chef Showcase, Hands On and various local community festivals. I am definitely going to try learning a few new tricks next year, but with little time to spare in October, I opted for the latter - TREATS! For now I am blissfully content with my options: High Tea, Let's Do Brunch and my personal favourite - Sugar Hit!

These were the sweet and treats on my hit list this year.

Number One Wine Bar: Creme Caramel with Strawberry and Champagne Jelly

This is Tony Bilson's restaurant, and while I am sure as the name of the restaurant suggests,  offers a great selection of fine wines (and the food menu didn't look bad either), I was a little disappointed with our dessert. Being the first on our Sugar Hit list - we had high expectations. The texture of the creme caramel wasn't smooth and creamy, but I was I definitely intrigued with the concept of strawberry champagne jelly. Slightly bitter but  balanced well with the sweetness of the strawberries. It also probably didn't help the dessert, because our waiter recommended a black tea for us which he quote, unquote tasted like "smokey bark" and "bacon". We weren't convicted by the description but he insisted it was his favourite tea so we thought we would try it. I guess this is what people are referring to when they say "it isn't every one's cup of tea". It tasted like Chinese black herbal medicine - yuck, yuck, yuck. 

 

Bacco @ Chifleys: Chocolate Tasting Plate of Berry Chocolate Fudge, Gianduja Macaroon, & Apricot Milk Choc Ganache Tart

The Westin: Marie Antoinette High Tea
A Marie Antoniette High Tea wouldn't be complete without eye masks and fans. I even did my hair in a Carrie bun for the occasion.

On the menu was...

The Savory:
Slow cooked roast beef with creme chees stuffed baby belle peppers, avocado and shrimp tartar, bit and devilled egg finger sandwich, kiwi and orange croissant with mascarpone
The Sweet:
Lime curd meringue tart, chocolate cream with exotic fruit caramel and candied walnuts, macaroon with fresh blueberries, beetroot and cherry cupcakes
And The One that got away:
Macaroon with fresh blueberries. *Cries* - this was definitely the best dessert. What is it with me and dropping my sweets?? I'm calling this photo "the one that got away".

The Tea Room QVB: Afternoon High Tea

This is one place I've always wanted to go to for high tea, expecially since Gracie had her wedding here last year, I wanted to come back and try the high tea.

Bonus points for The Tea Room because they had my fav tea - Orange Pekoe.

Hyde Park Barracks Cafe: Brunch in the Sun!

Given the unpredictable weather of late, the day lived up to the name "Brunch in the Sun!" and it turned out to be a fairly nice day. I'd never heard of this place before, but it came very highly recommended by one of our friends.  

It was a 3-course gastronomical delight - Homemade granola, vanilla yoghurt, and poached fruit, followed by eggs three ways - egg, chorizo and roast tomato tart, feta, spinach and mushroom omelette, ham and eggs benedict, and to finish it all off - raspberry waffles, with vanilla gelato and white chocolate sauce.

Of course - that's not all we ate...

The food was absolutely delicious - each egg dish was cooked to perfection. The service was friendly but a little slow (this was something I read on another blog as well) and there were pigeons - which I am petrified of and made me uneasily while I was eating but this was my fault for wanting to sit in the sun.

The Grace Hotel: Devilish Chocolate Delight

And last but definitely not least, was the Grace Hotel's Devilish Chocolate Delight. This was one of the more popular Sugar Hit spots and luckily we managed to get a booking on the last day of Crave. We definitely saved the best for last - this little delight offered warm chocolate fondant with a self-saucing chocolate centre perched on a waffle bowl with fresh strawberries pieces, and topped with Kahlua ice cream, chocolate macaroon and chocolate fairy floss. This dessert is pure evil!

Line them up! Choc Delights all lined up in a row + Fion & I spotting the latest trend in nail polishes

Fun with fairy floss

 

Breakfast on the Bridge

Yes, I know, I’m behind on my holiday blogging (Paris and Greece still to come…) But after 3 months of lady of leisure activities – it’s back to full time work again. Between my new job at JetSet Travelworld, weekends spent doing hair and makeup for beautiful brides and every other spare minute creating a new site for Dress Me Pretty, blogging’s taken a backseat.

On this Sunday morning however, my husband and I took time out and spent Breakfast on the Bridge. I was lucky enough to be given tickets (from work – yays) to the unique annual event, which is part of the Crave Sydney International Food Festival.

It was an early start (we had to be there by 6:30am) and we were amongst 6,000 other people who took to the grass-laided Bridge. The News dubbed the morning as a “soggy breakfast” – but it was still a once in a life-time experience.

This year is turning out to be a Year of Bridges for me – I’ve walked across the Brooklyn Bridge, travelled over the Tower Bridge and saw the Love Padlocks on the Ponts des Art Bridge. And I can add having breakfast (in the rain) on the Sydney Harbour Bridge as part of my bridge experiences. 

An early start calls for coffee - luckily there was no shortage of coffee stands.

Let the fun begin, 

And then down came the rain (luckily the goodie bag came with a poncho)...

but that didn't stop the thousands of people who came to enjoy breakfast.

 

Buttermilk scones, sticky date cookies, chocolate croissants, berry yoghurt, fruit salad & raisin sourdough bread.

Volunteers handed out gerberas & tulips (yellow tulips are my favourite ♥)

 And who would've guessed, as the breakfast ended, the sun finally came out.

Good morning, Sydney x

MelanOma Spotted in London

Mel = Melissa
Oma = Ange
Mel AND Oma = MelanOma

I'm not sure why Mel would give us a nickname that is a cancer or is so disgustedly ugly – probably because she wanted to keep her name in it (because let's face it - you wouldn’t abbreviate Ange to Oma, but I happily went along with this anyway). Just doing a quick Google – and Melange is actually a WORD and a COSMETIC brand. LOL Mel – maybe in our next life this is where we can work together again ; )

Getting back on track (and after a long, turbulent and insomniac flight), Mel and I reunite in her temporary hometown of London. 

Staying on Mel & Cam’s very quaint, British-charm farm with their scary-looking but friendly dogs

Momentarily all shopped out from Seoul, (which is just as well, because London is expensive!) – I went sight-seeing on the London Hop-on Hop-off bus tour.

First thing on my London to-do - watching the changing of the guard. I lost my tour guard amongst the crowds at Buckingham Palace, so I was left on my own to explore the rest if the picturesque town...

Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey…

St Paul’s Cathedral, Trafalgar Square, & Google Head Office (it's the building covered with glass)...

A cruise down the River Thames from the London Eye to The Tower of London, City Hall & The Tower Bridge

Also whilst in London I...

Took photos of iconic London,

Wrote postcards so I could send them via Royal Mail,

Brought souvenirs…yes, Paul Smith is considered a British keepsake,

Had drinks in the OXO Tower amongst other English pubs & bars - thanks Kristjan for the scenic pub tour ; )

Went to the Tate Modern..I ♥ Andy Warhol

 Went shopping because I couldn’t stay away for long. My fav destination - Covent Gardens ♥

...and finally, stopped for a spot of English High Tea at the Lanesborough. Any excuse to have more sweets, Mel even surprised me by telling the hotel it was my birthday

Oh Mel, can’t wait to see you when you're back in Sydney.
Love Oma xo

Sweet Treats to Delight your Seoul

A summary of my sweet escape through Seoul...

Haagen Dazs – Brownie Ecstasy and Caramel ice cream waffles
Lotte Department Store – Red velvet cupcakes and black sesame and green tea macaron
PappaRoti – Signature bun (you can get these here as well - there’s a huge cult following for these buns)
Melon, nectarine, apple, strawberry smoothies – we made these ourselves with organic milk, yoghurt and Haagen Dazs ice cream
Doota - Korean strawberry and cream crepes
C Four – Milk tea shaved ice and red bean dessert
Good Ovening Cupcakes - English Tea Party cupcake
Hello Kitty Café - Yoghurt caramel waffles, tiramisu, Hello Kitty berry mousse sponge cake, green tea latte and sweet potato latte
Cold Stone - Cookie Doughn't You Want Some™ and Chocolatee Devotion™ ice cream
Paris Baguette – an assortment of sweet breads
Nescafe – Green Tea Frappé
Starbucks – Green Tea Frappé (I love these!) and chocolate macaron

AND FINALLY….RED VELVET CUPCAKES BAKED BY MOI!

 

RED VELVET CUPCAKES WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Adapted from Simply Recipes. Makes 12 cupcakes.

1 1/2 cups of caster sugar sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) of butter, room temperature
2 eggs, room temperature
2 1/3 cups of self raising flour
2 tablespoons of good quality cocoa powder
1 teaspoon of baking soda
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1 cup of buttermilk (milk is fine as well)
1 1/2 tablespoons of red food coloring
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 teaspoon of distilled white vinegar (I made mine without)

FROSTING INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup of butter (1 stick), room temperature
8 oz of Philly cream cheese (1 package), room temperature
1 1/2 to 2 cups caster sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Beat the butter & sugar in an electric mixer for 5 minutes on medium speed until light & fluffy.
2.  Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until each is fully incorporated. 
3. In a large bowl, sift together the cake flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder & salt. In another bowl whisk together the buttermilk, vinegar, vanilla extract & red food coloring. 
4. Add a fourth of the dry ingredients & mix, then add a third of the wet. Continue adding in a dry, wet, dry pattern, ending with the dry ingredients. 
5. Scoop into cupcake baking tin, about 1/2 to 3/4 of the way full. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Rotate the pan after the first 15 minutes of baking to ensure even baking. 
6. Allow to cool for one minute in the pan then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. 

THE FROSTING
Cream the butter & cream cheese together, about 3 minutes, until evenly combined. Add the vanilla extract and mix.Add caster sugar, continually taste to get to desired sweetness. Pipe onto cooled cupcakes & decorate as desired.

Seoul in 7 Days and 7 Bags

Seoul is synonymous for great shopping and Korean girls are true devotees when it comes to fashion. Shopping in Seoul is like having an incredible dream filled with infinite clothes, shoes, bags and accessories.

While doing some much needed Seoul-searching, I felt it was only appropriate I pay my fashion dues. So I decided to shop my way through Seoul accessorising with a different designer bag each day. Actually this wasn't hard considering I was staying with Gracie, who has a love for latest and greatest designer bags. This is a showcase of Seoul's shopping districts and a tribute to the beautiful designer bags that carried me through each day.
 
Day 1
Designer Bag: Louis Vuitton Monogram Vernis Alma BB Rose Florentine 

Shopping Destination: Myeong-dong

This is one of Seoul’s main shopping districts featuring mid-to-high end local and international retail stores – and possibly my favourite shopping area. This is where the huge department stores are including Lotte Department Store and Shinsegae Department Store. Definitely for the uber-brand-conscious consumers - with stores such as Mont Blanc, Chanel, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co, Bottega Veneta and the list goes on.

On the main street of Myeong-dong, you’ll find Zara, Forever 21 and H&M, but my favourite stores are actually the local boutiques huddled in the smaller streets and alleyways. I brought so much here I ended up having to post the clothes I originally packed back home.

Chanel @ Shinsegae Department Store, super-sized chicken, potatoes & noodle dish for dinner, plasma in the toilet & even a store with my name - ALO!

Day 2
Design Bag: Louis Vuitton Monogram Manhattan MM  

Shopping Destination: Namdaemun Market & Dongdaemun Market 
Namdaemun Market is comparable to Flemington Markets or Paddy’s Markets in Sydney – crowded, a little dirty, great area for souvenirs and bargains.
Thinking we were going to stay longer in this area (we were supposed to meet with our wholesalers to stock up on new accessories for Dress Me Pretty, but they were on holidays!), Gracie and I ate at this modest Mandu (bun) noodle shop. We look really happy in the photos, but it was so hot and humid (especially in my fur – don’t ask me why I decided to wear this), the seating was uncomfortable and dirty and the Mandu wasn’t that great. On the plus side sitting outside the shop attracted so many customers for them. Before GA (Gracie and Ange) – zero customers, After GA – long queues of customers. 

Mandu noodle soup, Namdaemun Market stalls, fruit on a stick & weird footwear trend (apparently Koreans love them)!

Luckily, much to my shopping relief, we soon headed to Dongdaemun Market. To Koreans this area is known as the "world's extraordinarily large shopping town". With over 30 shopping centres and 30,000 stores and opening hours from 10am to 5am the next day – shopaholics can shop till their hearts are content. The three main shopping centres to visit are Doosan Tower (or Doota), Migliore and Hello apM (all right next to one another). Doota is the more xsy of the three, but it is definitely the best in terms of quality, design and shopping experience. Friends of ours who have come here have shopped till 3am just in Doota!

Day 3
Designer Bag: Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Hobo 

Shopping Destination: Garosugil, Sinsa-dong
In this upmarket area, Garosugil literally means 'tree-line Ssreet'. This is 'Europe in Seoul' (perhaps preparing me for what to expect when I get to Paris??) and is impeccably lined with trees (of course), trendy fashion boutiques, cafes, restaurants and bars. 

In laneways off the main street, you’ll discover more designer boutiques such as Vanessa Bruno and Jill Stuart.  A must to stop-by is Le Bunny Bleu – a café & shoe store; Gracie and I must have tried on every single shoe and they were still gracious enough to take our picture. Need a break in between shopping? Visit Goodovening Cupcakes and try the English Tea Party cupcake.

The tree-lined streets of Sinsa, our fave store Le Bunny Bleu for cute ballet flats, Goodovening Cupcakes & ramen for dinner

Day 4
Designer Bag: Valentino 360 in Fuschia

Shopping Destination: Hongdae

Hongik University is located here, so Hongdae is an area that boosts the swankiest bars and hippest clubs for college youths. Another attraction to Hongdae is the number of kitschy and eclectic cafes on offer. Our agenda to Hongdae was the latter. Everyone knows I have 2 loves - Hello Kitty (my bridal shower was Hello Kitty themed) and dogs. Hongdae satisfies them both – so this was on my VIP Must-Dos while in Seoul.

I did Gracie’s hair in the morning (putting into practice my new talent;) and I donned cute bunny ears and we headed to Hello Kitty Cafe!! We even skipped breakfast and lunch just so we can fit as much kittylicious in!

 


Sayonara Kitty...

Next on the list was the Doggie Cafe - I want the Daschund! And then for plastic bag cocktail at some Robot Bar.

All sweetened out, Gracie and Steve took me to celebrate my birthday at Mercado for Brazilin BBQ. They made the token Brazilian serve all the customers LOL. We finished the night with more sweet things - ice cream at Cold Stone tehehe.

Day 5
Designer Bag: Balenciaga City Neiman Marcus 10 Year Anniversary in Bois de Rose

Shopping Destination: Myeong-dong 
Gracie had to work, so I decided to head back to Myeong-dong. You really need more than one day here especially if you want to look in the department stores, but I prefer browsing the shops located on the street.

Another must-do while here is to stock up on Korean beauty products and Myeong-dong has plenty of beauty boutiques. It’s really a novelty, but all the stores try to entice you in by handing out free samples, pens, face masks, makeup removal pads, etc. I wish they did that in Sydney…My fave beauty destination was Etude House. I couldn’t get enough of their BB Cream and Faux Lashes.

Street food- so yummy & totally acceptable to eat & chicken soup in Sinchon for dinner

Later that night, I made red velvet cupcakes! Korean kitchens don't have ovens(!!), luckily Christine brought Gracie a Sunbeam Cupcake Maker. These are the yummiest cupcakes (recipe in my next post).

Day 6
Designer Bag: Louis Vuitton Judy in GM

Shopping Destination: Garosugil, Sinsa-dong
In the morning, I accompanied Gracie for her 20 week ultrasound scan. It was so exciting watching baby Nugget on the monitor, but the scan revealed some sad news for Gracie and that she has placenta pervia : ( At this stage Nugget is healthy and extremely active, so we are all praying that mum and Nugget will be fine.

Not much to report on the shopping-front, went back to Garosugil and chilled out in the Nescafe. I think at this stage, I was all shopped-out (or maybe it was staying up till 3am baking red velvet cupcakes...) so I headed home for some much deserved sleep – refreshed and ready for 50c ribs that night in Itaewon (tourist/expat area)! Yums – I was so excited!

Day 7
Designer Bag: Prada Nappa Antique Tote 

Shopping Destination: LONDON!!

Oh farewell Seoul! I had to carry my own bag for this leg…it was fun carrying all the other ones though. I wish I could pack Noodles (Gracie’s dog) and take her home with me.

Week’s Verdict
Fave Shopping Destination: Myeong-dong. Anything and everything from high-end to chain stores to local designers all in the one place.
Fave Designer Bag: Valentino 360 – this bag is surprising roomy and extremely comfortable to carry. Plus I love the colour – it’s so much fun and brightens up any outfit. Doing some quick research, I can get one from Strictly Pursonal for only $995 plus $200 shipping. I want! I want!
Also while I was never a huge fan of the Bottega Veneta Intrecciato when it was introduced, I was proven wrong and I love this bag now. It's understated chic, making it a classic investment piece.  

Thanks Gracie for taking me on a shopping expedition plus letting me carry all your fabulous bags xoxo