Melbourne by day: shopping, street art and beaches

I had a very nice few days in Melbourne. We certainly got a lot of sun, my skin is feeling it now! The highlights were checking out the Fitzroy/Collingwood area, with it's interesting street art and boutiques, and spending a morning at Brighton Beach.

 Vintage stores galore in Fitzroy - such a cool area!

 You could easily kit out a whole house - it would be pricey though. I much prefer op shops and scoring real bargains.

There is a double story outlet store on Brunswick St in Fitzroy called 'Clear It'. Most notably it stocks Alannah Hill. I was shocked at how overpriced it was, and how much people are willing to pay for this brand name. A totally ripped dress that is missing 3/4 of its beads might be reduced to a "bargain" $50 in the faulty section. There is literally stock strewn all over the place, thousands of cardigans with missing beads, all crammed onto shelves in a disorderly fashion, befitting the mere pieces of material that they are. What will a cardigan set you back, if you can find an undamaged one? At least $100. Needless to say, I didn't find anything and left feeling somewhat disillusioned by the fashion industry, or at least Alannah Hill.

I had more success at Bridge Road, and photos of my purchases will be coming soon. I have really got to stop buying so many clothes, I have been super naughty with my physical and online shopping these past few months....

Who else watched Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as a kid?

 Lovely old buildings on Smith St

 I plan to start a succulent garden in my collection of interesting pots, mugs and jars, much like this one. The collecting of suitable succulent / cacti holders has already begun.

Brighton Beach: It isn't the nicest beach but it has these funky beach huts, which are great for photos, and for providing shade!

I love this one!

Rockingham Beaches & Eating Out

It was soo hot in Perth during the days after Christmas. One day was 39.9*C, the hottest day of the year so far. I spent an hour at the beach (about all I can manage at the moment in my semi-crippled state, and I don't want a melanoma anyway) and the water was blissful. This is not even one of Rockingham's nicest beaches, but it was the closest and easiest for me to get to with my crutches.

Our time away was also all about eating. Who knew you could find such delicious treats at a shopping centre!? I have been craving a stuffed spud for months now, this one really hit the spot. Frozen yoghurt with berries on fresh fruit salad was a perfect afternoon snack too:

We also tried a new restaurant, The Italian Job on Rockingham foreshore. This place was hit and miss - the pizza was delicious, the steak with chips and salad was nice and good value... but the mediteranean style salad went down really badly (3 people in our party ordered this unfortunately, and all said it was very bland and tasteless) and I thought the Tagliatelle Firenze was likewise quite bland and average. I'd like to go back and order just pizzas - they were so yummy, and one is big enough to feed two people if you aren't big eaters!

 Average pasta, a little bland

 The pizza was however delicious - great dough and plenty of cheese and toppings! Yummo!

 This salad was unpopular with all three people on the table who ordered it. Pity, as it is an interesting combination with couscous, veggies and dough balls.

Today, I am back in Canberra and back at work. It is very depressing! Half of the office is still empty...and I have a lot of work to catch up on!

Images of Perth... love this city!

Here is a snippet of my weekend in Perth, in photos.

 My Grandma's chicken soup - there's nothing quite as comforting as this, and it can't be replicated. The special ingredients are her love, devotion and care.

Perth is always about family for me, and this is my youngest cousin. She has a lot of personality, and has always chosen her own clothes since she was a toddler. She is also a real poser - if I could show you the facial expressions, you'd be laughing extra hard. This one doesn't shy from the limelight (actually, she insists on always being the center of attention, which is cute but gets rather annoying...)

 Peach Fantasia by Azzura Gelati - one of my favourite desserts of all time

 Perth city by night, view from South Perth

 Voyage Kitchen, Sorrento

 Sorrento beach - this is not one of Perth's nicest beaches in my opinion, yet it's still so beautiful. Perth has the best city beaches in Australia, hands down.