Bondi Beach Markets

Past few days have been low key freaking out that there's not enough time. Just flipping through my diary where everything is in 6 week rotation blocks, a few flips and you legit reach the end of the year. Placement interstate, then back at uni, then overseas, then back at uni then exams. I really wonder how people did their research projects alongside clinic time. I'm already thinking I won't have enough time to do my reports once it gets super busy after May...and somehow need to squeeze in planning (hopefully) a grad trip somewhere...holidays stress is still better than uni stress.

Also hit me I really won't have time to do anything or go anywhere once I work full time, since 2 days off a week you probs just want to chill at home/relax rather than go out and do stuff. So me being yolo (for now), decided to go out/planned stuff for every weekend, until pretty much May when uni really gets super intense. Still behind on like 10+ food posts, but I guess those times when I'm stuck at uni and you see food posts, means they're all from my backlog.

Bondi Beach

double decker bus into the city

 

Bondi Beach Markets ft Bryan from Masterchef 2017

visiting BW's friend

Beijing Style Croissant-$8

The flavours were really nice in this, especially with the slightly sweet and saltiness from the asian sausage. Nice crunch from the nuts in contrast with the fluffy buttery eggs (not healthy but taste nice), and balanced with a refreshing salad. The slaw probably had too much sauce/too creamy from my liking, and would've liked a stronger hit miso.

Chai custard croissant-$7

Loved the spices in this chai custard. He listed like 10 ingredients in the custard, and it's not just a boring cinnamon chai flavour. The croissants are sourced from Textbook Boulangerie Patisserie, which are nice and flaky but not overly buttery. They have a nice rise as well.

Jasmine lychee tea-$6

 Flavours weren't really strong in the tea, as the tea flavour was more subtle. Apparently when you could brew tea it doesn't release any caffeine. Still a nice refreshing drink for market food.

Taro Milk Tea and Rose Watermelon

I forgot if I uploaded a photo of this already...The taro was quite subtle, and the rose/watermelon could've had more watermelon flavour.

Pear and Sea Salt

The egg pudding machine wasn't working so opted to go for sea salt as the 2nd flavour. This serving looks a lot smaller compared to previous once I've had, and it's more compact, which isn't good since the flavours merge too much together. I haven't had sea salt in ages and don't mind it since it's an acquired taste, but I found it overpowered the pear way too much.The pear just tasted sweet and not really fruity.

Year of the Dog: Mint Coins

The small ones are from Aus Post and around $10 each. 

 

All the way from the UK-1 ounce silver

Got given this as a red packet from relative in HK. I always miss out on these collectable coins since I'm in Aus, but low key asked for one this year cause it's my year. This stuff isn't cheap, 1 ounce of silver is ~$150...I wonder if these will increase in value....

Ballooons

cute toothpicks

Also went to a farewell party on the weekend. Somehow felt like a 21st with balloons, canapés and photo booth props. I know I should be grateful for what I have since technically I can choose where to work, but other people really can't find work so have to leave the country...

I feel like this year I look forward to weekends more, maybe because it's just a good time to relax away from uni, go out and have fun. Actually enjoying all the past weekends not studying (it is a struggle to get back to studying), but can understand the whole #tgif. Weekends for the past 4 years were always Saturday for study, Sunday work/church, or work both days and study at night.

The closest I'll ever come to a Chanel (paper) bag

Although it's easy to just '#goals', and it's so easy to chase these sort of things, as a Christian, I know in the end these sort of things don't really matter. I have splurged a bit in the past, but I guess it's helped me to think how I should use my money more wisely. It also doesn't help when I'm facing all these luxury brands at work, and they give you a whole magazine about the history etc. I really need to stop watching these sorts of Youtube videos...Having a bit too much time to procrastinate isn't really a good thing....

cakeee

I somehow ended up taking the whole thing home, cause I'm always up for more cake. Bday girl was too gone to even eat her own cake...Sometimes driving is a good excuse to just limit yourself to one drink. Although as much as it would be fun to 'join the party,' I'm glad I can tolerate self control and know my limits. Also glad I have a relatively stronger stomach compared to other girls....but yeah, don't bother killing my liver on cheap alcohol. 

I completely understand when my bro goes out drinking he doesn't actually drink and does the whole 'take care' thing. You really need someone for head support, back support, hand support, bin support, and someone giving water, then if you're completely wasted, someone strong enough to carry you to the car. I cannot imagine myself ever drinking that much to get to that stage...But for this sort of stuff, you really need a strong bunch of friends...First time going karaoke in a long time, so it was still good fun. I was quite surprised how my optom friends who have an oral exam on Tues still all came out. I guess this year for me is really learning how to juggle more of a 'social life' with studying.

Why couldn't Zumbo and Black Star release their new cakes 2 weeks ago? Would've made my cake choices a lot easier, not ceebs buying so many individual cakes. I love cake, but I do have my limits...

those unending ads on snapchat and insta worked 

Didn't realise the almond one has chocolate, hope it's not too sweet. It's actually pretty expensive per gram, but half price so why not give it a go. 

Onto other news, typical Tay Tay making a massive comeback after 3 years by deleting everything on social media. I'm not sure if I like her new song or her album to come, you can definitely tell it's anger at everything. Might have matched those teen angst years lol. I liked how even in previous albums, it was angry but not so much and a bit more positive...? We'll see how the album plays out when it's fully released...

If I take out all the hours for research, I can say that having a commerce timetable is pretty good. Just I would never be able to study something like that.

I legit have 30mb to last me 2 more days. Part of my unplanned social media detox since a week ago. Never leaving myself 200mb to last 10 days. Cannot turn on my mobile data at all. The most annoying thing is I can't how late my buses are. How did we all survive without internet before? 

21st in 2015: Inspiration and Cake

I personally love parties and would use travel money I've saved to host a party. So there were no regrets having a 21st last year with delicious food, and create memories for later on in life. I am generally the oldest one around my friends, so didn't have any inspiration for ideas and how to host a party. I've been wanting to do this post for a while, and here are some 21st I attended last year, along with ideas, locations, what to do and most importantly-cake!

Elisa's 21st
Location: Haven Tailoring Coffee Joyously
Cake: Unbirthday Bakery, 2nd cake from the cafe (not pictured here)

Full blog post here on food. Since I wanted a sit down event (because too lazy to stand), I didn't invite heaps of people so everyone could have a seat without crowding up the place.  I ended up having a fun little '21 things about me' trivia, and I've always been a fan of photobooths, so got some props online, borrowed some decorations from friends, and set up a photobooth in a corner of the cafe. Stuck some baby pics up around the cafe (but they were the old style film print, so were pretty small). Also, guests couldn't leave without a party bag! Childhood memories from primary school days (: Ceebs connecting projectors, mics etc since I wanted to keep it low key, but still have fun and delicious food. Had a wooden '21' for people to sign.

Beatrice's 21st

Location: Four Seasons Hotel

Cake: Unbirthday Bakery (chocolate inside)

That dessert table was the centre piece for the whole room-everyone was drawn to it from the moment they walked in. So many fancy canapés and delicious desserts (can't go wrong with macarons). There were unlimited drinks at the bar and still plenty of space to stand up to eat or seats around the edge of the room. Also a Photo Booth with some fun probs. A jar for people to place messages in, or peg it to a photo frame with strings hanging across it. I think the hotel provided the decorations/balloon/jars etc which really made everything so fancy and elegant but fun. 

Annie's 21st

Location: Crane Bar

Cake: La Renaissance Patisserie and Cafe

You know you've had one too many cakes when you can recognise where the cake is from, and the flavour. We went to the 'Lawn' part for the Crane Bar, which was pretty cute with Japanese inspired cherry blossom tree paintings on the wall. Some seats scattered around, and also a mini photo booth with some props. Don't really go to Kings Cross/Potts Point much, but it's cool to see a different side of Sydney. Quite a few deep fried canapés and skewers of meat. There was also a bar tab for drinks. Polaroid with the birthday girl, plus message in a guest book. She had super cute stickers as well to decorate your page.

Eunice's 21st

Location: Village Green

Cake: didn't stay for the cake, but from photos, it was quite a big and pretty homemade cake

Yay for Malay friends so I can have authentic Malay food (still wanting more of those curry puffs). There were some pretty funny ice breakers finding other people and asking questions. We were also split into teams (but I missed this part), and there was a GAMSAT paper/creative writing questions about the birthday girl. Looked really fun. Happy Apple is super generous, and we all brought in canned foods to be donated to the local church.

Ophelia's 21st

Location: Epping Hotel

Cake: Zest Patisserie (I used to always get my cakes here back in high school from this local patisserie)

Came late for the food, but it was typical bar stuff/finger food like chicken, pizzas etc. Bar tab also available, but this place was quite dim, so photos with the balloons were a bit hard. Polaroid with the bday girl, plus pre-cut coloured cards which you write your message, and slip it into a biggish photo album.

Rebecca's 21st

Location: Epping Club

Cake: Cheesecake shop (one on left is from the venue)

The Epping Club is actually pretty luxurious, greeted by a big chandelier as you walk up the stairs. There's also balcony, so it's good for just chilling and photos during sunset. Food here was pretty good as well, most interesting thing was probably the oyster shot-first time having oyster in a shot glass. Heaps to go around, and quite a lot of variety with even individual noodle boxes. Small notebook to write your well wishes. There was a dj there and also a dance floor + lights to 'Shake It Off.'

Hannah's 21st

Location: Bar Coluzzi, Circular Quay

Cake: Susan (from Operation Bake)

Photos in front of the super cool balloon letters. Typical bar food here, but it was also quite substantial/large at the same time. Cake was super pretty with cute bunting-loved that colour scheme. Flowers weren't edible though (I knew because I tried one and it tasted what inedible flowers tasted like lol). Layers of vanilla and raspberry buttercream throughout. The icing was quite sweet, but you really need it to hold it's form and just make an aesthetically good looking cake. Polaroid with the bday girl to stick into a guestbook + message. This party really got started when the shots came out after the cake...

In terms of booking venues, I booked roughly 5/6 weeks ahead. I know of others who had to book at least 2 months in advance, and some were just 3 days before, but it all worked out in the end. Really depends if you're born in a popular birthday season, and what type of venue you're after-something chic, fun or simple. 

For food, at least 6 decently sized canapés, plus slice of cake and 1 drink (for girls) would be needed for dinner. Decently sized imo would be a slider filled with many toppings. Most people had around 8 (I think including dessert I had 8 with 2 drinks). Some people had over 10 canapés, whilst others had 4 types, but there was enough for seconds (or thirds). You can also ask beforehand to see if the place allows you to bring in some party food/snacks before the actual food comes out/whilst you're waiting. Drinks do fill people up, so if you're worried about not enough food, just make sure there's some drinks to go around.

Hope this inspires you with ideas for your 21st! I think it's worthwhile to spend the money, since creating memories with friends is truly once in a life time experience (:

21st at Haven Tailoring Coffee Joyously

21st season has begun, and I think it's about time I posted about my 21st. Planning does require some time and research, so for people out there who are thinking of venues/ideas and are like me who go on blogs, well you've come to the right place! My (non existent) mid sem break catching up on posts over a month ago.

I originally wasn't going to have a 21st, since it technically meant sacrificing travel money and shouting people food, but I've had from memory, a 5th Maccas party, 7th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 16th, 18th party (and possibly more in between), so it made sense to have a 21st, especially since I had relatives coming from overseas for holidays. I'm actually the first of my high school/uni group to host a 21st, so thinking I've ideas/venues/things to do was quite challenging, but it all worked out in the end. I opted for something more 'small scale' and something to do with brunch food. Also, didn't hire a photographer, so used that money for cake and more food, so photos below are from a compilation of photos. 

Dream cake! (insert love heart eyes emoji)

Unbirthday Bakery: small hybrid cake

2 shades of purple buttercream, pink and chocolate crown, macarons, fruit, edible flowers all covered with edible gold. old school vanilla cake inside.

Specially requested for 2 shades of purple (since I love purple a bit too much), and extra gold paint and glitter. Edible flowers are also the best! I actually don't wear purple/glittery/floral clothing, but I love eating that sort of stuff.

 
top view

I've been following Unbirthday for over a year now, and decided turning 21 calls for a special cake which is so pleasant to look at. Should have picked it up earlier just to stare at it. Full description here

Venue: Haven Tailoring Coffee Joyously 

Super convenient place right opposite Central station, and quite a spacious cafe compared to other places in Surry Hills. Staff were super friendly, could tailor the canapé selections, free to decorate the place (although I'm not very creative, so just had really simple things), set up a 'Photo Booth', and super generous with everything. 

21!

My friends know me as kinda of the foodie for the group. (Not really a food blogger because I don't have the time or money to constantly go out and eat. Plus, I've been constantly eating during my birthday month, which is probably not the best idea). I planned to have the cafe's specialities, and things I wanted to try from their main menu, but in smaller forms.

Mini Polenta, Mushroom and Tomato Kasundi Bites

Love a healthy option of polenta. The kasundi wasn't too spicy, and gave good flavour to the mushroom, and freshness from the watercress.

Pork Belly Kimcheese Sliders
Pork Belly, Kimchi, Bocconcini Cheese, Grated Apples, Kale & Aioli

One of their signature dishes, it was my first time having it that night. So, so delicious. I don't even like spicy stuff/kim chi, but it actually enhanced the flavour of the pork without being. The pork was cooked well, esp since there were so many pieces to cook. Wanted second but these were gone way too quickly.

 Mini Roasted Pumpkin, Goats Cheese and Pomegranate Bites

Another vegetarian option. Vego stuff can be quite nice. If only the pomegranate wouldn't keep slipping off the pumpkin. Did you know I used to hate pumpkin when I was younger. This pumpkin wasn't too overly seasoned, and kept true to its flavours.

Genmaicha Chicken in cups

Miso seared Chicken, Fried Cabbage, Flaked Almond, Genmaicha Tea & Sweet Soy Aioli

Food in cups! So glad I made this decision, definitely a crowd winner. They normally come in burgers, but since there were too many carbs already, decided to put these into cups (hence why there was a lack of proper coffee cups for coffee). The chicken was so juicy with flavour, and roasted tea with that super delicious aioli, and a generous serving of cabbage under that, definitely took care of everyone's vegetable intake at this event. Coriander garnish to add another fresh element.

Soy Seared Mushroom with Carrot and Wakame Sliders

I love wakame, and this paired perfectly with the juicy mushrooms. Everyone was already quite full at this stage, we ended up taking home over 15 of these sliders...

Mini Masfogato : Dark choc brownie, frozen mascarpone, espresso shot

 Another signature dish but in mini form. There is a strong coffee hit from the espresso, some people had to even put sugar in it since the brownie definitely had a good amount of dark choc with minimal sweetness. Frozen mascarpone gave it some creaminess without it being too heavy. A good sized portion considering everything we had before.

Soba noodles for 'older' people.

Had these the first time we went to this cafe, and thought it would be suitable, with some tea flavours and more familiar Asian ingredients

BYO drinksss 

iced tea, hot tea

Everyone had 2 drink vouchers to use on any drinks. I had the Perfume iced tea mocktail (rose, lime, honey, cold brewed jasmine), and a mocha. Both drinks were really nice

 

trivia timeee

Did not expect the questions to be that hard, haha. Half of the answers were kind of on my Instagram (i.e. food related). No speeches because I'm not a huge fan of making speeches. I love hearing other people's speeches though! Also, didn't bother with technical stuff since you have to source them/hire mics/projectors etc yourself, and that money was definitely better spent on food and cake :)

 

the cake that stopped a party

 

two cakes are better than one

Vanilla and Berry custard cake made by Haven

It's a non sweet cake option. Custard incorporated into a sponge cake. It looks dense but quite light when you it eat, with a subtle vanilla custard flavour. Berries mixed into the cake as well. Super interesting texture and flavours, should try it when you're there and they baked it that day. They put all 20 candles around, and not 19....which meant I blew out 22 candles =/ oh well, at least they were spaced evenly. (Anyone recognise that name plaque? hehe)

silently cringing when cutting the cake, it's too beautiful to cut into!

layers

finding dresses to match my cake

balloons!

last to leave

party bags-reminscent of my childhood birthday parties

(took over 4 hours to hand pack)

There you have it-details of food on the night :) (this actually took me over an hour to type up, so I did hope it was useful in some sort of way, even if you're just enjoying the slightly not in focus photos haha)

Memorable night filled filled with delicious food! Thanks dear family and friends for all coming! Definitely worth all that money and study time put aside to plan this out!