Cow and Moon.... what a strange name but doesn’t it have that dreamlike quality? Does it do justice to the variety of delectable ice cream flavours in the depths within that appear to spiral to the heavens – SURE DOES! Now I’m not sure how you may have heard the whispers and chatter about what is claimed to be home of the best ice cream artisans in the world but I used to pass it every day on the school bus, watching longingly with my friends behind the thick bus window plotting amongst ourselves like Gollum and awaiting our time when exams were over.



Now I can’t compare the ice cream to the other place Messina which I have not had the chance to try yet but I can definitely say the ice cream here is a HIT! It’s always bustling outside whether it’s an afterschool treat for young kiddies, night gelato cravings or weekend wind downs.

Need I really say more. Its just "want, want, want" as soon
as you walk through the front door!!!

I went on a Sunday in the late afternoon and whilst the queue for the ice cream was long – have no fear because it moves rather quickly!! There is a lot of umming and ahhing in the queue though because you are literally bombarded with all the amazing flavours and displays so inevitably sacrifices must be made (i.e. come back for those flavours another time)!

If you can, nab a seat and I mean NAB!! Seating is very limited in such a bustling place! Yes you eyeball those people sipping the last of their coffee in your peripheral vision because they're almost as nervous as you! How can they not when they know all eyes are on them ready to swoop? :P Well how else can you truly enjoy the cafe atmosphere- the excitement of children getting their cones, barristers moving rhythmically at the machines and waiters serving all sorts of mouth watering cakes and sweets.

Yes its all smiles when you get the ICECREAM and the SEAT!
SCORE!

So what I ordered was a large cup of ice cream for $8.50. Pretty good since I could choose 4 different flavours to share with my mum who I dragged along without much objection! After an actual 10 mins of making sure I made the right life decision (you can also request to taste test flavours) we were content with our choice of:

Dulce De Leuche
Walnut
Turkish Delight
Pistachio

Turkish Delight on top where it belongs :P

It's so busy that staff have to replace the
flavours over and over! It's survival of the
fittest around here :D

Main highlight would have to be the Turkish Delight- I’m not a die-hard fan of the more solid form but my gosh was this the crème dela crème (almost literally)! Yes the gelatine texture was missing but the flavour was not overly sweet but it had depth, it wasn’t just one flavour from start to finish (if you catch my gist).

The Dulche De Leuche, what more can I say then a good hit of caramel goodness - the right way to do ice cream!!

Not a fan of the raw or roasted walnut but its ice creamed version was a winning choice for a flavour I was a little sceptic but willing to try! Not too heavy on the taste buds, this flavour was light and had the right level of nuttiness!

My Mum and I love Pistachio flavoured ice cream so we’re always looking to compare which place is best! The Pistachio was really (rather overpoweringly) creamy although I must say I’ve had better at Pure Gelato in Croydon. It was still nice but you couldn’t help tasting a hella more creaminess (a plus for some people) and less of actual pistachio. But wait.... all ice cream is good ice cream right? So we weren't majorly fussed!

What’s there left to say, Cow and Moon is well worth a visit! Sadly there’s no way of tasting all the flavours (a great sacrifice indeed) but they also offer a range of other sweets if you want to expand your horizons a little but then again don’t you want to see what “World's Best gelato artisans” taste like?
So what are you waiting for – mark it down in the diary; a weekend with good weather, friends and of course good food!

Arrivederci!!
Mimi xx

2015 - Your year (not just the Goat's)!

New Year’s Resolutions – the art of devising goals and aspirations for the year and failing miserably by the end that last year’s resolutions roll over to the New Year. At least this is my experience and if it isn’t the same for you – Kudos to you (teach me your ways!!!).

I know I sound like a failure already but I do try and keep my resolutions to at least January the 5^th!

Without further ado HAPPY NEW’S YEARS! 2015 – Year of the Goat, International Year of Light, Year of the Apple Watch. To be more specific the 15^th year of the 3^rd millennium, the 15^th year of the 21^st century and the 6^th year of the 2010s decade (thank you Wikipedia).

So many cute goats to choose from
on Google images wahhh!

So I thought I’d share you some of my New Year’s Resolutions for 2015 in the hope that they will inspire you to think more deeply and widely about your plans J  

1. Sprout some ABS –  Probably not as easy as sprout but this has nothing to do with Kendall and Kylie Jenner’s recent instagram bomb on everyone’s self confidence....ok maybe a little but hey, they worked for it and its time I made a more serious attempt so kudos to them!!

2. Get back into sports – I avoided joining sports clubs at uni because it just wasn’t organised like high school plus I didn’t want to look like a complete rookie amongst the elites! So this is the year I get back into Touch football and Netball, improve my stamina and of course make more friends!!

3. Don’t be lazy to go out – sometimes I talk myself out of social events with my friends! Don’t worry, I still go and have heaps of fun with no regrets but I just don’t know where the dreading feeling comes from!!! Either way its nicer to get out and be more worldly in your city!
4. Not use study as an excuse not to read – enough said cause I have a whole list of books to get through starting with "The VOGUE FACTOR" by Kristie Clements!

5. Be more relaxed, stress free, positive vibes - I sometimes over react and I know it! So this year I'm trying not to over inflate situations! What's the point of added headache and conflict?!

6. Look after my skin - this is what I always dreaded....a morning and evening face routine (10 mins everyday that I convince myself I don't have - pathetic I know)! Instead of always complaining about my skin maybe I should show it more love before I have to start using anti-aging creams by 23!! So exfoliates and SPF moisturizers come out = unholy beasts (dirt and oil) begone!

Pictures like these make me relax and feel good! Please tell
me you do this too or is this just me taking things too far? :

7. Read the news more often – not in a boring “let’s check out Business Daily” (no offence) but reading fascinating stories about advancing technology, science, NASA’s new projects, World News, stories capturing Human Nature and Art. You know, broaden a bit from the TV and entertainment news : P

8. Read more about World History – I never studied Ancient or Modern History in senior year and neither will it pop up in my course anytime soon but I always wanted to spend hours reading source after source on an endless tail of intriguing historical figures, events and decisions that shatter the empires and nations and the rebuilding of civilizations. I learnt that you kind of need an appreciation of the past to guide you in the present.

I came across a gallery for pictures and stories of the
 amazing human nature - worth a Google cause i didn't save the source

9. Have a FEEL GOOD morning routine - I feel like a grub when I sleep in so I'm usually up and very hungry within the hour! I always start with a cool seasonal brekkie of muesli and fruit in summer or a fruity porridge in winter! Either way it wakes me up, makes me less grouchy and gives me the energy boost to start on my errands/tasks for the day!!

Sadly his can be me in the mornings with hair on
point as well!!

So I know what you're thinking - you must suck so much at your New Years resolutions that this is probably an accumulation of 10 years and maybe your right! I'm hardly a perfect human being (don’t we all fancy ourselves one) and I'm still looking for balance and a sense of self accomplishment, satisfaction and self belief!

Good luck in the new year! New slate and new memories to be made so get your lazy butts off the computer and  couches under the aircon or heater (as  painful as this is for both of us) and get involved in life, new friends, new challenges, new experiences you an tell stories of! 

Grounds of Alexandria Date

This is most probably the billionth blog post raving about the Grounds of Alexandria located in Alexandria Sydney on 7A/2 Huntley Street. I’ve even read that this is one of the most instagramed places in Australia so I’ll admit it now -I did do a foodgram and it doesn’t even do justice to how delicious and lovely the dish was!!!


So the love story goes something like this....
Despite the overcast day, my girlfriend and I still made the journey (my first visit) to the Grounds with an empty stomach ready for some feel-good food. We actually had an outfit planned the night before (don’t judge) because 1. Alexandria being in the inner city is full of hipster, stylish people and 2. We were going to head into the city afterwards to check out the new Sephora store and for a little Chrissy shopping!

I know what you’re thinking, cut the talk and show the pictures which I totally agree! So instead of boring you with my attempts at describing how lovely the whole place was, just enjoy the pictures (cause I know we all skip the text for the photos)!
Note: I did refrain from taking too many photos because that was waaay too mainstream there :D

A little florist on site with displays just
spilling onto the walkway - so lovely!

This was the sink for the bathroom, as if
this isn't so country old fashioned I love it!

The courtyard lies beyond with a fountain
where the little kids play

Yes they have a small animal farm and yes
Kevin Bacon is the resident pig :P

Guess who!

There are a few choices for eating at the Grounds, you can choose to dine in the restaurant-style cafe or buy from the little kiosk and enjoy your munchies at the courtyard. Service was so lovely at the restaurant-cafe we ate at (including tres good looking waiters). You get a little buzzer like at the bistro that will buzz when your table (no need to reserve) is ready for you = keep exploring instead of waiting in a queue! Peerfect!

The menu was organised into Breakfast – small and substantial (til 11:30am),Brunch and Lunch (both from 12pm)! They were quite strict (in a kind/reasonable not “you die” kind of way - don’t worry) with the times so sadly one could not order a lunch at 11:30am L

But we did spend a good 10 mins having a long think about what to order because man that was a tough decision! Too many delicious choices!!! We had a look the other tables on the way in to see what dishes looked yummiest – which was all of them!!

My friend's "Petuna Salmon" order for brunch = MEH!!

Oh Lordy - behold the "Healthy Plate"
It definitely packed a punch for the sweet tooth too! I mean check out
that little shot cup of green juice! How do you say no? 

Along the main walkway there’s a wagon selling fresh fruits and homemade lemonade in yellow, pink and peachy colours! We also saw a donut wagon but it wasn't in business at the time!

Now let me put my two cents worth here – that Grounds Granola (as it was called) was actually the substance of my wildest dreams. You tip in the mini milk jug and that’s when the party at the taste buds began. It was your ordinary breakfast transformed into a breakfast of the Gods. Despite the name Healthy Plate and the appearance of assorted fruit and the granola – it was definitely filling!


So what are you waiting for, book a brunch/lunch date with your girlies or mum/grandma on your next free day. Boys take the special women of your life (girlfriends, mums and grandmas) to impress! The place is literally a little archaic, rustic world of its own in the midst of the city and my friends have been raving about this place since forever. We used to fantasize the time when we would finally make the visit (how else do you get through boring uni - you think of your food tours of course)!!!


This is just one of those places you hear so much about and need to see for yourself! There's something for everyone!
Go on a little adventure this weekend!

Until next time!
Mimi xoxo

The Summer To-Do: Suggestions to keep you sane during the long break

No one really owns these types of calendars I realised!

There's a hundred and four days of summer vacation and school comes along just to end it! But the annual problem of our generation is finding a good way to spend it! Like mayb-

Only joking two problems with the above: 1. As much as we wish we were Phineas and Ferb -we're not cool enough (duh!) and 2. Countries like Australia don't get all our holidays in one massive dump!!


So how do we spend said holidays! More like how do we spend said holidays on a budget? We don't want to be dreading how bored we will be after surviving exams! No! No one wants that because look you will be regretting that when school/uni comes back!

So I've collected a few ideas because I don't think Google does a good enough job when I search 'things to do for teenagers in Sydney'. I get the zoo, Westfield tower look out and apparently need a lot of money just to enjoy myself. Mr Google how wrong you are here!

So here are some ideas that should hopefully hit the right spot for most of you (hopefully doesn’t hit the pocket too hard either)! I cry if I've made you read all this to no resolve of your boredom dilemma!!


1. For the uni student: Catch up with high school friends over a cafe lunch cause you’ll have too many stories to share about uni survival (Bear Grylls style) the last thing we want is hot food going cold and cardboard consistency! Cafe’s are great and there are plenty of healthy options which I love and which totally gets cancelled out by that milkshake you order but hey, caramel milkshakes for the win!

I just wanted to say here that QUINOA is the
BOMB!

2. Catch up over shared frozen yoghurt! The sort where you get to choose the flavours, portions and toppings! Or even ice-cream for any froyo haters who think it’s overrated and that three froyo stores on one street is overkill! Tip: go halves in pay, eat three quarters: P


3. Sand proof Picnic at the beach! There are a few beaches in Sydney or most places that have grass and shade at the back and sand and waves just a 2 minute walk in front. Get dumped a few times then come in for non sand assaulted eats. Someone also bring a ukulele and a Frisbee/rugby ball/soccer ball/volleyball or cricket set!!

Can't decide between ice-cream &
froyo are one of my first world problems

Coogee Beach date with more eating and no
swimming (I know it's a sin :P)

4. Try to discover a new eating place/cuisine with friends or family. I challenge you to order something different to Pad Thai when you go for Thai (that’s right, I went there). Visit a new food scene from an unfamiliar suburb, easily shared food works best so you get a taste for everything! It’s also a nice excuse to dress all snazzy with your girlfriends and broaden your profile picture horizons (lol).

5. Go bike riding on an old or new track! It can be hard to plan the weather for this and when its Summer it can get really hot! By biking I mean the tracks in the parklands not hardcore on the roads (that’s scary). Pack a non perishable lunch and water bottle kept overnight in the freezer to defrost over the time and grab a few friends for some exercise bonus!

If you're like me, it will take an AGE before
I get to "Level Crochembush"

6.  You know what takes time – cooking! Choose a recipe, then your weapons and get ready to whip up a storm and be proud of your baby as it’s plated. Since we don’t all have the time to plate ourselves a continental breakfast before we run out the door why not treat yourself to a feel-good (your own creation!!) and taste-good brekkie worthy of an instagram snap!!

7. Dare I say it but here goes nothing...... catch up on a TV series (or three) or discover a new series. Friends are great for giving you a quick lowdown (hopefully without spoilers) and for suggesting a gazillion shows bound to tickle your fancy! Just don’t delve too deep into the fandoms, you may find yourself a changed person...if you survive it. 

8. This may cost a smidge more buuuutttt.....Go to the cinemas or even better a DRIVE IN CINEMAS if your city has it! Sometimes in bed with a laptop and your blanket tepee = sore neck and arms + coke bottle glasses in the near future. Go for a change of scenery but seriously drive in cinemas are the bomb but there not that common and may be seasonal! Soooo worth it though! 

9. Be a tourist in your own city! Unless you know your whole city upside down (convince yourself that you don’t), recruit some keen companions, jump on a bus/ferry/train and see where it takes you! Look for every opportunity to take the scenic route and soak in the history whether it is nautical, industrial or whatsoever!

I live in Sydney but I rarely get to see the
Harbour Bridge :(

10. Sleepovers! I know how it gets and sometimes it’s inevitable but don’t let that spoil all the fun; friends ask for WIFI password, friends stay on laptop/phones, non awkward silence as you all check your social media every 10 or so minutes, non-existent pillow fights.
So here are some suggestions to keep it traditional:
- Pizza PARTAY with movie marathon
- Everyone helps cook dinner (or microwave the dinner I don’t know :P) which allows for good socialising at the same time!
- Call me boring but Twister the Game, Cards Against Humanity (exactly as the name suggests), charades, Cluedo etc.
- Just Dance PARTAY which really packs a workout

11. Hit the markets for a new wardrobe! You can literally buy some pretty neat pieces for less than $50! The store sellers are fashionable so you can be sure their legacy continues with you and there are interesting conversations all round! You can also enjoy the live music in your lunch break then finish exploring the rest of the markets! Rozelle and Glebe Markets in Sydney are my favourites!

Don't EVER be afraid to dig right through
the crowded racks - you may discover a
great bargain!!

Warning: Your eyes may hurt from all the shops
and stuff for sale everywhere you turn
It's more busier than it looks in the snap :P

12. Read a good book. I’m sorry if I sound like Jane Austen but books can change you. Believe me, I am no fandom girl. I don’t have a separate Tumblr devoted to Finnick’s “sugar cube” from The Hunger Games or Will Herondale’s “dragon tattoo” from The Infernal Devices Series. 
It lifts your mood, keeps you thinking about the plot and characters at times during the day and most importantly aren’t all the boys in books more IDEAL AND SUPER SENSITIVE! If I haven’t won you with that I don’t know what will! (Some suggestions: Mortal Instruments series and infernal devices series by Cassandra Clare)  


13. Try (emphasis on try) to sketch something from either a photograph or the scenery in front of you! Put that shading and eye sketches into good use not just when bored in class. Let’s go that one step further and try to sketch your favourite famous figure or celebrity!  Either cry over the beauty of your final artwork or it becomes the next “nailed it” meme sensation:P.

13. Be the next James Cameron or Christopher Nolan just for the holidays IE. MAKE A FILM! This is a great way to collaborate with friends and live out your fashion styling, directing, filming and acting dreams. Or even try your luck at penetrating the YouTube/Vloggers sphere :P

14. Plan a workout day with friends either at the gym or at the park (even better if there’s public exercise equipment). Not only can you done your Lorna Jane/Lululemon headbands and your flashy Nikes, working out as a small group makes you less inclined to be viewed as the “weak one” so keep pushing yourself! 


So hopefully I've inspired a few ideas to keep you busy! Try not to lounge at home for too long and for too many as appealing as the cool air con or the heater may seem (but we do all need our solo chillouts at home) !

So stay safe, don't get sunburnt and come back invigorated, knowing you had a killer break to daydream about during those boring times in class  :P