Thursday, February 28, 2013

Grill Steak Seafood

Hi! How are you doing?

Grill Steak Seafood is in the heart of Melbourne down bustling Hardware Lane. The live music and atmosphere during dinner time is pretty amazing.  
There have been many reviews on how bad and slow the service is but on this occasion it was great for us. The food came out exactly like we ordered in time and synchronized.

Food wise we ordered a few dishes and there were a lot of similarities in each dish. For example the Mussels for the Entrée was exactly the same as our Surf and Turf dish (hence it wasn’t necessary to even order the bowl of Mussels in the first place). The Risotto Pescatore had the same sauce as our Mussel sauce, which wasn’t bad but the flavour is repetitive hence our taste buds got bored. We overdosed on prawns and beef which was in all of our mains (Scotch Fillet – cooked nicely! =D). Mushroom & Pepper dipping sauce was average.

All in all if you are going with 3-4 people, just order the “Surf and Turf”, a Salt and Pepper fried Squid for Entrée and side drinks. Even though the menu states “Surf and Turf” is made for 2 people, I recommend go with more people and enjoy a few extra entrees on the side.
6-7/10 overall  =D

Enjoy the rest of your days… ladies and gents stay beautiful, healthy, wealthy and wise
xox take care :)
 
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with anything above, everything on my blog is my honest opinions, so I am not being paid or given free products to review or promote. My opinions are of personal experience and thoughts, so feel free to comment if you agree or disagree so I can also learn more from you.

Entree = Salt and Pepper Squid - Flash fried, crisp salad, lemon & oyster sake dressing
Entree = Mussels -Spring Bay Mussels cooked in closed pot with olive oil, white wine, tomato and hint of chili
Main = Surf & Turf - Mussels, Sauces, Salad, Fried Fish, Prawns, Grilled Chicken and Fries.
Main = Scotch Fillet + Mushroom & Pepper dipping sauce
Main = Risotto Pescatore - Assorted Seafood Garlic Chilli, White Wine, Tomato Sauce. 

66 Hardware Lane
Melbourne, VIC3000

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Best Macarons in Melbourne

Hi! How are you doing?

La Belle Miette (meaning "beautiful crumb" or, more broadly, “beautiful small thing") is a small French patisserie specialising in macarons.

I think I found a new love for Macarons! I've had some at random Melbourne locations (Brunetti's many years ago, Crown Café, random café place in Melbourne and home made ones), but nothing compares to this! Most of what I’ve tasted seems somewhat powdery, grainy, chalky, too sweet, dry or raw.

It was such a spontaneous finding, one day at work a friend of a friend had came in for an Ultrasound scan, as a thank you gift she brought us some “La Belle Miette” macarons. I took the business card as a reference and had to repurchase it the next time I traveled to Hardware Lane.

There are many different delicous flavours of macarons here, from alcohol to chocolate to fruity sour flavours, and the packaging is just so elegant and cute, totally in love with this tiny gorgeous shop. 

They are soft, tasteful, and smooth and melt in your mouth (just right). My favorite is the Salty Caramel Macaron, its filling is much chewier then the other flavours hence giving this one more of a special texture which complimented well with the crispy shell. Even though other filling flavors weren’t so special compared to its perfectly made shell, overall in my opinion this is the best Macarons I've ever had in Melbourne.
The only downside was its price, in 2-3 bites its gone, but its worth $2.50 per macarons. Other places charge more/ same but for the quality of $2.50 compared to other macaron shops, its worth it. I bought 18 macarons that day and the total came to $48! Expensive but once in a while, this could be an exception =) 

What's your favourite Melbourne Macarons Shop?  

Enjoy the rest of your days… ladies and gents stay beautiful, healthy, wealthy and wise
xox take care :)

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with anything above, everything on my blog is my honest opinions, so I am not being paid or given free products to review or promote. My opinions are of personal experience and thoughts, so feel free to comment if you agree or disagree so I can also learn more from you.

La Belle Miette 
Urban Spoon

30 Hardware Ln
Melbourne, VIC 3000

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Hyaluronic Acid Toner: Hadalabo Vs. JUJU Cosmetics Vs. Naris Up Vs. Skin79 A.C Clinic Toner

Hi! How are you doing?

I’ve tried many toners and here’s my quickie review on:
I’ve also used the SK-II Essence Treatment, yes it is great, but price wise not so great hence I went in search for an alternative. SK-II Essence has an active ingredient called “Hyaluronic Acid”. Other brands such as Lancome and Guerlain also have this active ingredient in their skin care range.
My skin Type:
  • Very sensitive
  • Very dry
  • Pimply around forehead
  • Flaky and itchy sometimes
  • Easily irritated
Packaging of the bottles:
All the Toner I’ve mentioned above is very hygienically packaged in bottles.

What is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid (aka glycosaminoglycan) is used in skin care to promote hydration and collagen generation. Because of its hydrating and collagen promoting benefits this ingredient is often used in anti aging or anti wrinkle products.

Made for dry skin prone to with acne problems
 
Origin:
Korea

Scent:
Mild mint like

Consistency and Colour:
- Liquid-y and colorless like water.
- Does not leaves a sticky layer once absorbed into the skin.

Where to buy:
Ebay Seller “Ruby Ruby” 
Hadalabo's Gokujyun SuperHyaluronic Acid Lotion & JUJU Cosmetics Aquamoist Hyaluronic Acid MoistureToner (180ml)
Made for both Oily and Dry Skin users, just look carefully at the packaging before you purchase because the fine prints will tell you which bottle is made for oily skin and which is made for dry skin (different coloured font on the packaging).

Origin:
Japan

Scent:
It's fragrance-free!

Consistency and Colour:
- Liquid-y and colorless and a little denser then water.
- It goes on watery, but after patting it has a sticky consistency but does not leaves a sticky layer once absorbed into the skin.

Where to buy:
If you travel to Vietnam I do recommend you buy the 170ml bottle of Hadalabo there, its only $7AUD in a supermarket called “CO.OP MART”, however on SASA.com it’s about $19AUD. CO.OP Mart is a franchise so you will find it everywhere all over Vietnam, just like our Coles or Woolworth here in Australia. During Christmas and special seasons, they sell the same bottle with a Cleanser gift set for the same price, so keep an eye out for them. Even though the fonts on the bottle is in Vietnamese it’s exactly the same as the Hadalabo bottle made in Japan (Japanese writing), I’ve tried both.
But if you can’t go to Vietnam, my tip is to buy JUJUCosmetics on SASA.com instead; it’s about $12AUD on that site. JUJU Cosmetics cannot be found in Vietnam.
I say this because I love both Hadalabo and JUJU Cosmetics equally, but if one is cheaper then the other I would rather buy the cheaper bottle. 
 Hadalabo, I've thrown out all my bottles, but that'show its packaged. BTW I LOVE HADALABO Face Mask!
JUJU Cosmetics
Origin:
Japan

Scent:
It's fragrance-free!

Consistency and Colour:
- Liquid-y and colorless, denser then water and colour is light cloudy milky white (like diluted milk with thicker consistency)
- It goes on watery, but after patting it has a sticky consistency but does not leave a sticky layer once absorbed into the skin.

Where to buy:
An EBay seller by the name of “alphabeautyuk” sells this. For $9.50AUD but shipping fee is an extra $4.50AUD = approx $14AUD. 
You can find this elsewhere however through my research this bottle is actually the refined version of the original first Naris Up Toner, so it’s two times more moisturizing. 

FINAL WORDS:
I love the Naris Up, Hadalabo and JUJU cosmetics all equally; I had no break outs or blemishes. My skin hadn’t gone drier, it’s more plumped after application, hydrated and so I have less wrinkles when I smile or frown. I once ran out of all my Hyaluronic Acid Toners for a week and OMG my skin felt like a desert. So I’ve been using this for over 2 years and it’s worked well for me and my mum. Our Holy Grail Toners!
I told mum to try the new SKIN79 A.C Clinic Toner I bought, we tried it, we found it to be drying, hence our skin did become dry (normal, no improvement) with no breakouts. I didn’t want to throw the bottle out because it did nothing for my skin, so I add a few pumps on top of my routine Hyaluronic Acid Toner, Skin79 Toner is helping my pimples stay at bay and heeling my old pimples too, its made for acne prone oily skin, so those of you who have this type of skin would love the SKIN79 A.C Clinic Toner

Enjoy the rest of your days… ladies and gents stay beautiful, healthy, wealthy and wise
xox take care :)
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with anything above, everything on my blog is my honest opinions, so I am not being paid or given free products to review or promote. My opinions are of personal experience and thoughts, so feel free to comment if you agree or disagree so I can also learn more from you.

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Nicolangela Halter Geometric Midi

Halter Neck Multi - Coloured Geometric Nicolangela Midi Dress (mum made it) / Yellow Stilettos from Tony Bianco

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with anything above, everything on my blog is my honest opinions, so I am not being paid or given free products to review or promote. My opinions are of personal experience and thoughts, so feel free to comment if you agree or disagree so I can also learn more from you.

Friday, February 15, 2013

All Black


See through Top with singlet (mum made it) / Black Silk Tulip Skirt from Forever New / Belt from Cue / Applaud Patent Pumps from Nine West
Hi! How are you doing?

I don’t know why I wore all black yesterday, I liked all the different textures I had on. I wore this to work which seemed appropriate enough.
This top had been in my wardrobe for over 7 years since my Uni days, made with see through material, button cuffs, open stand up pleated collar and puffy shoulders (another of mum’s creation), the cotton singlet inside was a gift.
Silk black tulip skirt seemed right in this combo, and to finish it off I added the 70% off Cue Belt.

Enjoy the rest of your days… ladies and gents stay beautiful, healthy, wealthy and wise
xox take care :)

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with anything above, everything on my blog is my honest opinions, so I am not being paid or given free products to review or promote. My opinions are of personal experience and thoughts, so feel free to comment if you agree or disagree so I can also learn more from you.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Engineered Lace Shift


 
 
Hi! How are you doing?

I love anything white and delicate, especial French lace dresses, this isn’t “Lover” the label but it’s darn similar to one at a fraction of the cost. This is an Engineered Lace Shift Dress by Portmans with intricate detail. Its RRP is about $119, this was on the faulty rack at DFO South Wharf (Melbourne) for $50, and luckily it was a size 6AU (last one). This wasn’t a faulty item, it was missing an inside slip (but I have plenty of that in my wardrobe) hence I got it for only $25 (50% the sale price) for a missing slip. Happy as daisy!
You could dress this up by wearing heels or dress it down by wearing sandals. Comfy for all day, I wore this to work and to a travel expo, but some choose to wear this to weddings. Everyone’s entitled to their own style, so be yourself and dress however you want to dress. There is no rule in fashion.

What’s your bargain story?

Enjoy the rest of your days… ladies and gents stay beautiful, healthy, wealthy and wise
xox take care :)

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with anything above, everything on my blog is my honest opinions, so I am not being paid or given free products to review or promote. My opinions are of personal experience and thoughts, so feel free to comment if you agree or disagree so I can also learn more from you.

Monday, February 11, 2013

Home Made Cut

 Mum made off shoulder lacey dress / Nine West Women's Ambitious Pump in Patent Black / Cue Belt


Hi! How are you doing?

Do you have a mum that tailors to your needs? Mine not only does, she also source out material and the latest fashion cut to make me items like above. The belt was from Cue 70% sales rack and of course another Nine West patent pumps (I love Nine West – they do great fit for small size foot and they are very comfortable).

Enjoy the rest of your days… ladies and gents stay beautiful, healthy, wealthy and wise
xox take care :)

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with anything above, everything on my blog is my honest opinions, so I am not being paid or given free products to review or promote. My opinions are of personal experience and thoughts, so feel free to comment if you agree or disagree so I can also learn more from you.

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

HuTong Dumpling Bar

Hi!

HuTong is one of China Town’s best kept secret, it’s now opened up a new chain in Crown (Melbourne's Casino). Tucked away in a little alley way directly across from the infamous “Flower Drum”, in my opinion, it is the best Dumpling house in Melbourne, MUST TRY. Their main menu consist of random Chinese cuisines and banquets, their service has its ups and downs, the ambiance isn’t too bad, depending on which floor you’re seated on (there are three floors here) and Price wise it’s considered expensive for Chinese Dumplings (but worth it in my opinion).
They are famous for their Dumplings, but what I recommend is “Shao Long Bao” (juicy once you bite into it, just try not to burn your tongue the first time you eat it) and “Wonton with Hot Chilli Sauce” (best wonton chilli sauce ever, salty, sweet and spicy all at the same and tasted just right).
The rest of the food was average nothing to brag about but they do offer a great variety.

 Wonton with Hot Chilli Sauce
 Shao Long Bao, juice comes out when you bite into it so be careful not to burn your tongue.
 crispy fried chicken, it was salty and tasty with lots of fried garlic chips and peanuts
oily egg plant clay pot - this was awesome, just because I love eggplant
 spare ribs, this was so disappointing, it was sweet or sour, the worst marinated spare ribs I've had.

I’ve been to Din Tai Fong in Singapore and Hong Kong, and many other great dumpling house in China and Hong Kong but I don’t seem to care much for them, but HuTong is one place I would re-visit all year round just for the two main dishes I have mentioned. I love it!

Do you have a favourite dumpling place in Melbourne?

Enjoy the rest of your days… ladies and gents stay beautiful, healthy, wealthy and wise
xox take care :)

  • HuTong Dumpling Bar on Urbanspoon
  • Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with anything above, everything on my blog is my honest opinions, so I am not being paid or given free products to review or promote. My opinions are of personal experience and thoughts, so feel free to comment if you agree or disagree so I can also learn more from you.

Sunday, February 3, 2013

What Red Are You Wearing?


Song Nhac top / Froever 21 Red Pleated Skirt / Monet Necklace / Nine West Pumps / Salvatore Ferregamo

Hi! How are you doing?


In my culture Red represents “Luck”, so for this up coming Chinese Festive New Years season, I will try my best to go Red all through the New Year. Good Luck everyone in the Year of the Snake.
 
What Red are you wearing today?

Top: Song Nhac (bought in Vietnam for about $7) – fuschia-ish magenta-ish Peter Pan collar elastic lacy top
Skirt: Forever 21 Red knee length pleated skirt with elastic waist
Belt: Salvatore
Necklace: Monet thick chain gold plated lace
Bag: Black Vintage Leather Salvatore
Heels: Nine West Black semi matte, semi patent Mary Jane’s styled pumps

Enjoy the rest of your days… ladies and gents stay beautiful, healthy, wealthy and wise
xox take care :)


Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with anything above, everything on my blog is my honest opinions, so I am not being paid or given free products to review or promote. My opinions are of personal experience and thoughts, so feel free to comment if you agree or disagree so I can also learn more from you.