LUNCH AT VAPIANO | GOLD COAST

The very first time that I ever had Vapiano was all the way back in 2011, in a city named Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina. I was travelling throughout Europe and stopped along the way where my cousins were living. She introduced me to the BEST restaurant EVER! I was super sad, knowing that we didn't have a Vapiano back at home. But a few years past, Vapiano finally landed in Brisbane & the Gold Coast! 

Vapiano is a German restaurant which offers Italian food, referred to as pasta and pizza bar. Vapiano food is all freshly made - the pasta is hand made which you can mix and match with different sauces. My favourite foods to order is (but not all at once);

+  Pesto Basilico Pasta (freshly made basil pesto with roasted pine nuts).

+ Pesto Con Spinaci Pizza (Baby spinach leaves, marinated tomatoes, with creamy pesto + mozzarella),

+ Margherita Pizza (the Italian classic combining homemade tomato sauce + mozzarella). 

+ Insalate Caesar (fresh coz lettuce, crunch croutons, parmesan + homemade caesar dressing). 

A Vapiano card is required, which can be picked up at the the entrance. Then the order gets recorded onto the card once you tap the machine at the counter, where the chefs are cooking at the same time as taking orders. Then the card is taken to the entrance contour for the payment at the end! 

Vapiano has the yummiest desserts as well, especially the Death by Chocolate (Italian style chocolate cake). There are other desserts, such as; Tiramisu Della Casa (sponge soaked in coffee and liqueur with a delicious blend of mascarpone cream and cocoa), Panna Cotta (delicious blend of vanilla and cream topped with seasonal sauce) and Creama Di Fragola (fresh strawberries with a blend of mascarpone and fresh cream).

Have you ever heard of Vapiano before? 

What's your favourite dish from the menu?

♡

SaveSaveSaveSaveSaveSave

TOO FACED COCOA CONTOUR KIT | REVIEW

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! 

Can you believe that its a new year already? For 2017, my goals/resolutions are;

+ Start going to boxing & getting fit!!

+ Travel to places I've never been before.

+ Prepare to launch a thing or two - Stay tuned!

+ Grow my blog & YouTube channel.

+ Save more money.

+ Read more books (already up to my 3rd book).

I wanted to start the new year with a review - Too Faced Cocoa Contour kit! Too Faced are famous for their amazing packaging - everything is just so pretty! And of course they are famous for their buttery soft powders and their bronzers + many more.

The cocoa contour kit includes;

Light Cocoa

Is the lightest powder which is described as a matte highlighter - it is an awesome brightening powder - especially under your eyes and in any areas where you like to highlight! 

Medium Cocoa
Is a lovely cool toned brown with taupe undertones - so great for contour that isn't stark. This shade definitely gives toy a bronzed, summery look.

Dark Cocoa 
Is more of a warmer and more golden shade - a dark brown with an orange undertone. I've been using this shade as a bronzer then has a contour shade. I sometimes use this shade as a eyeshadow to create a smokey evening eye look.

Pop of Light
A really lovely highlight shade and the only shimmering shade within the kit! Beautiful for highlighting cheekbones and brow bones.

 

Do you like the look of this palette? 

♡

TOP 5 THINGS TO DO & SEE IN BYRON BAY, AUSTRALIA

Byron Bay is unique place, but is the ultimate destination for yummy food, amazing scenic views - especially from the lighthouse and definitely for relaxation! Byron Bay is a old school coastal, surfie culture with laid back locals and many hippie and healthy cafes. A new place that I've discovered was COMBI Est. 2008 - amazing food, especially good for vegans and vegetarians! I have complied a few top five things you must do and see if you ever visit. 

TOP 5 THINGS TO DO & SEE IN BYRON BAY

1. Watch the sunrise from Byron Bay Lighthouse

If you are after a 'Round the Twist' experience then take the walk to the very famous lighthouse. But you won't find any wacky family members or come across mermaids but you will definitely enjoy the scenic walk up to the lighthouse. This was definitely worth waking up at 2AM and driving over two hours to watch the sunrise from the lighthouse. 

2. VISIT THE FARM

The Farm is absolutely beautiful, especially on a hot and sunny day. There are many things to do at the farm such as have breakfast or lunch at the three cafes, have a tour of the farm where you will see fields of macadamias and also see a variety of animals such as cows, pigs chickens etc. 

3. VISIT THE LOCAL MARKETS

Byron Bay is the place to find unique handmade items that are one of a kind and nothing that you've seen before! Byron Bay hosts many markets during the year such as; Byron Bay Artisan market, Byron Bay markets, Byron Bay Farmers market and Bungalow marker. 

4. VISIT TALLOW BEACH AND HIDDEN BEACHES

Tallow beach is right near the lighthouse, perfect for a swim and a surf! One of the hidden beaches that you should visit is White's Beach, Broken Head - it will seriously take your breath away and its totally secluded most of the time. 

5. MINYON FALLS

It is a great day trip location for anyone visiting Byron Bay! Minyon Falls has stunning views of the waterfall and rainforest and also has easy parking, picnic spots and barbecue facilities.  

If you ever visit Australia, I 100% recommend you to come and visit Byron Bay, you will not be disappointed! 

Have you ever been or heard of Byron Bay?

♡

RUDOLPH CHRISTMAS COOKIES

Christmas is going to be here so soon!  Can you believe it is only five more days until christmas?! So I wanted to share with you lovely readers this quick and easy and very fun to do with kids; Rudolph Christmas cookies! I made a quick and easy video for this recipe too! Check it out HERE

PREP TIME: 25 MINUTES | COOK TIME: 10 MINUTES | DIFFICULTY: EASY 

RUDOLPH CHRISTMAS COOKIES INGREDIENTS 

❄︎ 1 X 250g packet Arnott's butternut snap cookies

❄︎ 1/3 cup, cream

❄︎  200g milk or dark chocolate, chopped

❄︎ 65g unsalted butter, chopped

❄︎  11 white marshmallows

❄︎ 21 choc orange balls

❄︎ 42 candy eyes

❄︎ 42 Arnott's chocolate tiny teddy's

Step 1: Place cream, chocolate and butter in a saucepan over very low heat. Stir constantly until melted and smooth. Pour into clean, dry bowl to cool slightly. 

Step 2: Fill biscuit cases with 1 heaped teaspoon of chocolate mixture. 

Step 3: Cut a marshmallow in half. Stick a choc orange ball onto the cut side of the marshmallow. Place gently on the tartlet.  

Step 4: Place candy eyes above.

Step 5: Place tiny teddies face down, feet first gently into the chocolate filling for the antlers.  

Step 6: Refrigerate until set (approx. 40 - 45 mins).

* This recipe was based on; www.arnotts.com.au/recipes

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my blog this past year! Looking forward to blogging next year with exciting new content! Thanks for the lovely comments on my blog posts and the new followers I've gain - hope you enjoyed my blog so far! Take care and I'm looking forward to what 2017 brings to you and also too me! 

♡

SaveSave

GIFT WRAPPING IDEAS

Only twelve more days until Christmas!! 

How exciting and how quick right? There is nothing I love more than getting creative especially when it comes to wrapping up christmas presents for loved ones. Today's blog post is all about gift wrapping - to give you some inspiration when wrapping your gifts! Plain brown paper is a great base for wrapping up presents! You can decorate with stamps, candy canes, little or big DIY ornaments, string, feathers, gift tags etc. 

Have you started on your christmas wrapping? 

♡

WHITE CHOCOLATE CANDY CANE TRUFFLES

Only 19 more sleeps left until Christmas 2016! How fast is December already going? I know its only been six days but still, time for me is flying by fast. So today I wanted to share with you all this quick and easy white chocolate candy cane truffles recipe - super great to make with the kids and also a nice dessert. I also made a quick video making this recipe - check it out HERE

PREP TIME: 10 MINUTES | REFRIGERATE TIME: 20 MINUTES | DIFFICULTY: EASY 

WHITE CHOCOLATE CANDY CANE TRUFFLES INGREDIENTS 

❄︎ 140g, cream cheese

❄︎ 1 cup, white sugar

❄︎  1 1.4 cup, white chocolate chips, melted

❄︎ 1/2 tsp, peppermint extract

❄︎  1/3 cup crushed candy canes

Step 1: Beat cream cheese and white sugar until smooth.

Step 2: Melt white chocolate chips in microwave, careful not to burn them!

Step 3: Add the melted white chocolate and peppermint extract to cream cheese mixture and beat until smooth and well combined.

Step 4: Cover and refrigerate for about 20 minutes.

Step 5: Use a food scoop (or your clean hands) to measure out chocolate, roll it in between your hands into a smooth ball, then roll in a bowl of crushed candy canes. 

Step 6: Place in mini cupcake liners for a perfect and festive presentation! 

* This recipe was based on; YourCupofCake

Have you ever tried making truffles before? 

♡

DIY WASHI TAPE CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS

It is officially the first day of December here in Australia! Just to warn you that this is only just the beginning of Christmas themed posts! Christmas time is usually a time where you find yourself a little more busy then normal. So I wanted to share with you all this quick and easy DIY Washi Tape Christmas ornaments! I had a pack of glass ornaments laying around and I had no clue what to do with them, so i grabbed some washi tape from my favourite store; WASHI TAPE AUSTRALIA - they have the cutest and awesome print and made these christmas ornaments! 

All you need is; 

❄︎ Clear glass ornaments 

❄︎ Washi Tapes

STEP ONE: Cut Your strips of washi tape in shape of a bunting or whichever style you prefer and tape onto the clear glass ornaments. Repeat. 

Ta-da! and your done with making the cutest ornaments ever made in just under 5 minutes! This is a great idea to do with kids over the christmas break! 

Have you started on your Christmas shopping? 

♡

SaveSaveSaveSave