Tuesday 12 August 2014

Friends of Mine - a ray of sunshine in Swan St


So I'll admit that what attracted me to walk in the door was the yellow... 
How can a place go wrong when it looks like the happiest sunniest place in Melbourne... And it's the middle of winter and about 15 degrees out!

I couldn't help myself! This cafe looked so cute! It was my hope that I'd found my new best friend. And what better with a name like "Friends of Mine".


As I entered the rustic wooden doorway I was bathed in the warmth of the place... Yes I was freezing and may have been slightly swayed by the heating. But the benches are industrial, wooden tops with steel legs (also yellow), both metal and wooden chairs, the kind of place where I could see myself spending my mornings typing a blog post, studying for uni (now that I've decided to go back to school), enjoying a warm coffee and spending my alone time.


I was greeted and told that I looked freezing (which I was) before being led in past the communal table (which looked so inviting I considered asking to sit there) and to what was described as the best heated table in the room. I gratefully removed my jacket which was then taken from my hands and placed on the back of the chair that he had pulled out for me. This is the cutest first impression I have ever had of a cafe. This never happens in real life... Does it?

I looked at the table. My menu was face down to display a picture of a little boy with the words "you are beautiful" underneath. Now, today I felt a bit far from beautiful; wearing no makeup, hair scrappily tied back and restrained by a headband, hoodie and gym pants on, fresh from my first workout at my lovely gym in a month... I could no longer feel my arms. But this gesture made me smile. It was lovely. 


I ordered my token latte, because let's face it, a cafe is nothing if the coffee is no good, even though my friends have become chai drinking hippies of late...
Before I had finished perusing the menu my latte was on my table. I was a little impressed... But I'd already expected deliciousness, I like Allpress coffee.... Even this came on a yellow saucer, which made my day. Love a little color!


My smashed avocado with mushrooms and a poached egg seemed to arrive even quicker than my coffee! Which was great for them... I was starving! And I get a little grumpy when hungry... Typical woman right?
The mint made the food! It tasted amazing! 


So I know you can tell, but I'm a little in love... I think this is the start of what will be a beautiful relationship. 


<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/71/1551903/restaurant/Melbourne/Friends-of-Mine-Richmond"><img alt="Friends of Mine on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/logo/1551903/biglogo.gif" style="border:none;width:104px;height:34px" /></a>

Sunday 10 August 2014

RSPCA Cupcake Day August 18


So I have been a little absent of late... With moving house and living life, it just feels like you run out of time so quickly!!!

So in my grand comeback I've decided to start things off with a bang!!

Firstly I'll apologise to those who have been left hanging for my next post... I realise this is riveting stuff ;)



This week will kick off my preparation for August 18 which is the RSPCA cupcake day!!! All money raised from this awesome fundraising effort goes toward protecting animals from cruelty which, being a complete animal lover, really tugs at my heart strings.


So I will be slaving away all weekend over a hot oven to prepare some amazing treats for people to buy. For those of you with big hearts and some spare cash you can donate online by clicking the link below;
I am really excited about this project and look forward to sharing the results with all of you!!!

Get donating and ....

Happy baking!!!



All photos taken from www.rspca.org.au