Mini break ahoy

Spent a lovely long weekend with my family in Mollymook, a few hours south of Sydney, celebrating my beautiful mama's 60th birthday. In total style of course, staying at Rick Steins gorgeous restaurant/hotel, Bannister's.


Crummy photo trying to include the infinity pool and ocean from my room. Fail.

Omg the food was to die for!! All and sundry (well anyone who will listen) know I'm not a big seafood fan, but if it always tasted this good, I'd eat nothing else!!!


My escalopes of salmon.... I die.



Cake's ornate sashimi.



Sister Cake & Sailor Jerry



Dad and Bonne Mamo!

Also went country market and op shopping! Got me a fantastic 50's anodized cocktail shaker and 70s silverknit top, as well as I've possibly been convinced to join a trek to a Nepalese orphanage in 2012 by a local lady I met who travels there yearly to raise money for it. It's probably a bad thing that it was not the orphanage bit that attracted me but the opportunity to stay with local woman who will teach me traditional crafting techniques :/

Majorelle Jardins

Firstly - Marrakech is amazing, my most favourite place in Morocco, I'm a little sad to be leaving here tomorrow after only 3 days.

This morning I took a walk to Majorelle Jardins, a large garden and home designed and established by frenchman Jacques Majorelle. It was left to ruin, then saved by Yves Sant Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé who established a fund to maintain the gardens and now YSL's ashes were scattered here after he died in 2008.



The gardens are a tranquil and cool respite from the heat of Marrakech, composed mostly of sub tropical succulents and palms.









To my pure childish delight, I discovered turtles and frogs swimming in the pond... I get easily excitable seeing turtles so closely!


There's a frog in there somewhere:





I really dig the cactus. Sorry!

Marilyn Monroe & Jersey caramels

I went to the island of Jersey (home of the cows and caramels - it's part of the UK but very close to France) and unexpectedly found an amazing exhibition showcasing some of Marilyn Monroe's most famous gowns and many personal effects, all belonging to a Jersey native!

I just felt so lucky and priveledged to view such iconic outfits worn by THE MM!!!!!!



The poster outfit for "The Prince & The Showgirl".



THE stunning ruby gown from the opening number "Two Little Girls From Little Rock" in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes".



The stunning 20s style flapper Marilyn wore on the poster (and sang in, draped across a piano) in "Some Like It Hot".



The dress that made her walk famous & featured on the poster for "Niagra".

Sadly missing was her famous "7 year Itch" white halter dress (apparently it belongs to Debbie Reynolds).... but hey, I was still in total awe and excitement!

And just a side note - Marilyn was definitely not "fat" or close to a size 16 as I'd often heard in rumours - with a large bust, she was no waif but close to an Australian size 10-12 and it appeared many of her outfits featured waist cinching corsets.