A Bloggers Lunch: The Commons Local Eating House

A Bloggers Lunch: The Commons Local Eating House (32 Burton Street, Darlinghurst) featuring the Avocado and Bacon Stack, The Commons Corn Beef Hash, Scrambled Eggs and The Healthy Stack

Sometimes I have to sacrifice precious sleep just to live a normal life and do normal things. I haven't had brunch in months since I've started permanently being on night shift mode - sleeping at 7am and waking up at 2-3pm. I've been living like an owl eating my breakfast at 3pm and searching for dinner at 4am.
When my fellow blogger friends - namely Annora from Nora Finds, Margaret from La Petite  Mademoiselle and Theresa from The Ladida suggested brunch I couldn't resist the temptation of having coffee in the morning and having breakfast food at real breakfast time.

Tucked behind bustling Oxford street with a delicate white fence and plants growing over it is the serene The Commons. It feels like entering a little Secret Garden.  Inside are beautiful wood floors and tables with a rustic feel and a peaceful, laid back atmosphere.
 I ordered myself a Bacon and Avocado stack. It was crispy bacon layed on top of a bed of baby spinach leaves and toasted bread, then they balanced half a fresh avocado and drizzled it with reduced balsamic vinegar. I devoured this happily with a fresh cup of aromatic coffee while discussing with my fellow bloggers who our latest celebrity crushes are.
We stayed for four hours catching up and topping up on our teas and coffees. Its inspiring to see where our blogging journeys have taken us over the years and where we want to be led to in the future. For me, I discussed the new people in my life and how they make me happy everyday. We also discussed old friendships, new loves and old loves, blog layouts and new camera equipment.
We didn't realise the time, we were just so relaxed being at The Commons. What a wonderful afternoon. I'll definitely be back to experience more lazy afternoons like these even if I do have to sacrifice more of my precious sleep.

Introducing: The Jelly Beans Jelly Jacket

Wearing: Jelly Beans Jelly Jacket in White Out thanks to Jelly Beans; Jelly Beans Sandals in Milk thanks to Jelly Beans; Sammy Dress heart printed dress thanks to Sammy Dress

It's getting so much more chillier these days in Sydney. I feel it the most when I work at night and walk out after shift to feel the icy air hit me in the face and send chills down my spine through to my hands and feet. Then there is the rain that comes to drench my clothing and freshly styled hair.. then the water soaks into the fabric and successfully makes me smells like a wet dog (Anyone else have these issues?!).
I often have huge dilemmas about what to wear as I have limited 'water-proof' warm clothing. So when Jelly Beans sent me this Jelly Coat from their new range, all my #firstworldproblems were solved. Nice big sleeves to wear over a warm coat at night and a hoodie for my hair makes me feel super secured and snug. And the jacket is as cute as a button as well, with it's piping and pockets. These jackets also come in blue and black. Thank you Jelly Beans!

A Giveaway: Fitness First Pay It Forward!

A Giveaway: Fitness First Pay It Forward. Prizes include a $200 Rebel Sport Gift Voucher and a Fitness First Pay As You Go 10 Visit Passport Pass valued at $150. (Sponsored by Fitness First Australia)
On Rebel Sport Wishlist: 1. Adidas Adipure Women's Running Shoes; 2. Sting Fusion Training Gloves; 
3. Nike+ GPS Sports Watch; 4. Adidas Mens Performance Hoodie; 5.Puma Womens Core Cover Up Top; 6. Nike Free Trainer 5.0 Mens Running Shoe; 7. Nike Free Trainer 5.0 Womens Running Shoe;
 8. Nike+ T1 Flow 960ml Water Bottle; 9. Gaiam Premium Watercress Yoga Mat Bag

For the past five months I've been working with Fitness First to bring awareness about how important fitness is and having fitness goals. Fitness First have bought me on such a journey - challenging me to try new classes, participate in a triathlon, try new healthy recipes via other bloggers and help shape my fitness goals for the year. To date, I have introduced alot more running into my exercise routine, pushing my endurance and stamina further. I've discovered the joys of Protein Balls and the bursts of energy it gave me between workouts. With this I've also added Green Smoothies, fruit, oats and chia seeds into my everyday diet. And when I think back on my participation in the Fitness First Corporation Triathlon, my heart swells with pride at my achievement. I've seen plenty of positive changes in my body and in my mind set!

For that I am thankful and now I get to pass on a gift to my readers to help them reach their own Fitness goals and achieve wellbeing.
As part of a 'Pay It Forward' campaign, Fitness First has provided me with a $200 budget (With which I decided to use it on a Rebel Sport Fitness Voucher) and a Pay As You Go Fitness First Pass valued at $150 to be included in a give-away for my like-minded readers.
One of my readers will get to use this prize as a step forward towards their own Fitness Goals! Purchase a new exercise outfit, some new running shoes, some fitness gloves, some exercise equipment, whatever you desire to help you move forward. And with that, the Fitness First 10 visit Passport Pass can introduce new classes and innovative ways to be motivated and challenged at their gyms. Enter below, it's easy! Australian Residents Only.
Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Visit to Calmsley Hill City Farm!

My Visit to Camsley Hill City Farm (formally known as Fairfield City Farm). 31 Darling Street, Abbotsbury NSW 2176. Photos taken by me on a Sony RX100 II.

Last week, I had so much fun visiting the Camsley Hill City Farm here in Sydney. With being only 10 minutes drive from my house, I am disappointed that I have not discovered this place sooner.
My friends and I woke up extra early one day (with us being night shift workers waking up before midday is quite painful) with coffee in one hand and a bag of animal feed in another.
This farm looks after a number of animals, including: goats, sheep, horses, little horses, pigs, dogs, cows, wombats, kangaroos, snakes, rabbits, birds, a donkey and a camel.
I'm sometimes a little reluctant to feed animals, especially anything with teeth and horns but once a friend started it first and laughed while a goat pecked at his hand, I was keen. We fed the goats first, and they were so cute! They just sort of poke their noses at you and nod furiously to eat. The extra hungry ones pushed each other around so they could get some food but I loved every one of them equally.
We then moved on to look at some kangaroos, but they weren't really friendly. Just sort of stood there and stared back at us and then slowly turned their backs to us and bounced off. Boohoo.
We then discovered the little horses/ ponies and fed them. They were really friendly enough to let us mess with their hair while we fed them too. One of them bit me gently out of excitement but I forgave it soon after.
Of course my favourite was the Camel, Coco. Never encountered one before in my life so the sheer size of her really surprised me. Really tall animal. As I held my hand out to feed her, I thought she would just poke her nose into it and nibble. But to my delight she just took my whole hand into her mouth and ate the food while leaving saliva all over it. Alot of the people I tell the story to freak out at the germy story but I love it. Animals make me so happy and visiting the farm put me in such a perky mood for the rest of the week.

Camsley Hill City Farm, what a delightful place! The staff are friendly and really laid back, and the place also offers Tractor rides along the land, milking of the cows and dog shows. A really suitable place for families, yet for me as a new 27 year old I didn't care how old I was and that I was just with friends, I was just as excited as a little kid that day.