A last minute Life List (things to do before we leave Sydney)

Bathers Pavilion, Balmoral, Sydney

As you know we are off to Middle Earth to live for a year and start our new 2013 Life List adventures.

But before we leave Sydney, I want to do things that I had been planning to do for AGES but wasn't able to.

So here is my 'Sydney Last Minute Life List' (must be completed by mid February):

• Go to Cornersmith and finally have the Ploughman’s lunch
• See the Sydney Festival Rubber Duck
• Take in as much Sydney Summer sun as I can
• Go to Balmoral Beach one last time and have the amazing fish n chips from Bottom of the Harbour
• Go to the Opera Bar and take in the amazing views of Sydney one last time (also go to the new el_loco at the House and do one last search for the perfect Margarita)
• Try at least 3 different Sydney Food Trucks
• Visit all my favourite 'My Place' locations one last time...
• T.I.M Products = Have the Galaktoboureko
  
• Frango Chicken Shop = Eat the best Portuguese charcoal chicken in Sydney one last time
  
• Sweet Belem Cake Boutique = Gorge on the scrumptious Belem Portuguese tarts 
• Paesanella Cheese = Make my famous Ricotta Gnocchi using the ricotta from here
• Bourke Street Bakery = Stuff myself one last time on their amazing sourdoughs, Bacon, Gruyere & Leek Quiche and Pork & Fennel Sausage Roll.
• Alpino Gelato = Eat so much of their Cassata (Tutti Frutti) gelato that I am sick
  
• Pork Roll = Eat one last Bánh mì
• Try some more of the great Black Sheep cocktails
• And have one last Yeeros from the Yeeros Shop on Victoria Road (the best Yeeros outside of Melbourne)
  

I know its only a year that we will be away for, however I know that these are the things I will crave and make me very Home Sick.

I will also have to change my Life List item #45 and change it from 'discovering the amazing things about Sydney' to 'discovering the amazing things about Wellington'.

[all images by husband]

 

Balmoral Beach, Sydney

Merry 2013: Zahara Dessert... 1 year on

The last sunset of 2012, Sydney, Australia

Happy New Year!

New Years Eve was the 1st year anniversary of Zahara Dessert.

I am not really sure how I feel about it.
I had very big plans for this blog when I started.
I knew I wouldn't tick a significant amount of items off the Life List, but I thought I would do more than what I was able to accomplish in 2012.

I just got busy, often I was lazy and think I was a little bit unmotivated.

Also 2012 was a bit of a crazy year for husband and I.
It often gave us lemons, but we embraced this crazy year and did our best to make lemonade.

I have very big plans for 2013.

Come February, I will be able to to tick #41 off the list 'Live and work overseas for a year'. Yeah!

As you know, we were planning for this to be New York, however as things in life often don't go to plan, it looks like our overseas destination will be WELLINGTON, New Zealand.

After losing his job, husband has been offered a years contract working in Wellington. An amazing opportunity for him as it means he will be able to continue to do what he loves and work on films that inspire him.

OK so not as glamorous as New York, but we still will be moving to another country for a year and exploring the wonderful things that Wellington has to offer.

As I have said before, I really like Wellington. It is a funky little town and I am really looking forward to spending a lot more time in New Zealand.

The move to New Zealand also means that I will be leaving my full time job after nearly 5 years and taking on a small part time role in Wellington. The upside to this is that I will be able to spend a lot more time writing on the blog and taking everyone on more 'Zahara Dessert' adventures. Which I am very much looking forward too.

I know 2013 will also be a year where I will be able to tick more things off the List, as we will be going to America on holidays, armed with my list. So again I am very excited about these and all the other opportunities we have to tick off the Life List.

Happy New Year!

Here is what I am planning on ticking off the List:

11. Have my current home/renovated home appear on Apartment Therapy/deecor8/or similar - I can't wait to find a new home and having a blank canvas to decorate and fill it with our treasures.
14. Learn how to take great photographs - New Zealand is very photo worthy
16. Set up a greenhouse in the back yard to grow phalaenopsis orchids - NZ will be ideal for this
17. Grow a veggie patch/orchard in back yard - So looking forward to a house with a real yard and garden
24. Get to my ideal weight and stay there (10kg less than what I am currently) - this is going to happen in 2013 (I need to look hot for my new wedding dress - see #30)
25. Be completely debt-free (mortgage included) - given we now only have 1 and a half pays, a mortgage and a rental, I need to focus on this for 2013.
28. Choose a good cookbook and cook every recipe in it - no excuses not to do this
29. Learn how to bake cakes (and not blame the oven) - this will continue
30. Renew our wedding vows in Las Vegas (Elvis style) - Look out! This is happening in May, 2013.
31. Buy a real Eames/Hand Wegner piece of furniture - might as well continue this search
35. Take a road trip through California and visit the Joshua Tree National Park, Palm Springs, San Francisco just to name a few  - this is happening in May/June, 2013
37. Watch the 100 Movies to See Before You Die  - might as well
38. Read Top 100 Books Of All Time - might as well
39. See a real Banksy on the street - the search continues
41, Live and work overseas for a year (plan for 2012 is New York)  - Wellington, New Zealand 2013

44. Pay off my credit cards in full and manage my funds a lot better than I have in the past - see #25
47. Go to Disneyland - hopefully get to do this in May/June, 2013
48. Sing Karaoke in front of a crowd - no time like the present
49. Eat much better (ie. less sugar, carbs and chicken and more fish and red meat) - see #24
50. Wear Lipstick over consecutive days (preferably a shade of red) - I still need to find a shade of red that doesn't make me look like a 'lady of the night'

51. Master my mother's eggplant Parmigiana  - I can't rely on her making this for us at a drop of a hat now that she is 2250kms away (or 1398 miles).
52. Master all my mum's Italian recipes  - see #51
59. Be more tidy and organized (may have slight hoarder tendencies) - This will happen
61. Live more sustainably (stop throwing food out) - I need to focus on this

62. Learn to stress less over unnecessary things (and consequently save on massage/physiotherapy bills)  - This also will be my focus in 2013
63. Become more organized and stop focusing on doing the fun things first  - If I want the blog to happen, this needs to be a priority
65. Get a tattoo  - NZ is the land of tattoos
66. Become someone that regularly exercises  - see #24
67. Find the perfect 'little black dress'  - might as well keep on looking but not until I tick off #24
69. Go back to Central Park in NYC and see the Alice in Wonderland statue  - this is happening in May/June, 2013
71. Buy an antique worthy of the 'Antiques Roadshow'  - am still looking
72. Go to the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles  - this is happening in May/June, 2013
74. Go back to the Getty museum in Los Angeles  - this is happening in May/June, 2013
75. Learn how to put a full face of make up on  - I am getting better at this, but will continue my quest
77. Find the perfect Fajitas  - Either in Wellington or in America
79. Search for the perfect Margarita - Either in Wellington or in America (or at least go back to Spice Market in New York and have some more Ginger Margaritas)
80. Donate blood regularly Started  - I need to now find a blood bank in NZ and start donating

82. See Bill Cunningham at work/on his bike in NYC - hopefully we can see him in May/June, 2013
83. Finish the cross stitch project (that I have been working on for the last 15 years) - might as well do this while I have time to kill
84. Be able to afford a pair of authentic designer shoes and/or hand bag - Jimmy Choo, Manolo Blahnik here I come! I need some glam shoes for #30!

2013 is going to be big and I am so looking forward to it.

Bring it on!

Sydney, I will miss you very much

[all images by Zahara Dessert]

A fairy and an Absinth masterclass...#55 revisited

I have already ticked off #55 on the Life List 'Try Absinth'. However when I saw an Absinthe masterclass was part of the Sydney Fringe Festival I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to learn more about this 'risque' drink.

Our Absinth punch

I have always been fascinated by Absinth and the history behind this drink which is often referred to as "la fée verte" (the green fairy). The stories about this drink and the artists that famously drank it have always made Absinth to me sound so exotic and dangerous.

The Fringe Festival event was hosted by Green Fairy, which claims to be the original Czech Absinth. At the class we were were able to sample the different types of Absinth available as well as learn about the history and mysteries surrounding this very ancient and once forbidden drink.

Gee David Absinth(e) Aficionado and mixologist

One of the myths that this class debunked was that Absinthe once contained hallucinogenic properties.

Supposedly it never did.

The chemical compound thujone which was blamed for these hallucinations is contained at very low levels that it could never be hallucinogenic. What it does contain is a VERY high levels of alcohol, some contained up to 90% alcohol, which could be the real reason people acted crazy.... they got very drunk.

Another reason people claimed it caused hallucinations was the toxic compounds that leaked in the spirit when it was being distilled to cut costs which could be a cause of these bad side effects.

So sadly the 'green fairy' hallucinations and expansions of the mind that these famous artists such as Manet, Toulouse-Lautrec, van Gogh, and Hemingway claimed Absinth gave them could just have been alcoholism.

The Green Fairy

What we did try at the class which I very much liked was Babicka Vodka. This vodka contains wormwood, the herb that is one of the main ingredients in Absinth.

Babička (ba-bitch-ka) vodka was inspired by 16th century Czechoslovakian wise old women called "babičkas". The babičkas freely used wormwood in their potions for its reputation of enhancing sensuality, creativity and love, not to mention its mildly hallucinatory effects. The babičkas rapidly became renowned for having mystical healing powers and practicing the art of witchcraft.

These recipes created by babičkas represent some of the earliest vodka formulas ever created, a witches' brew.

We also learnt about the best way to serve the drink via a Absinthe water fountain. It was so much fun learning about all the rituals with how you drink it.

I am now on the search for the perfect Antique Absinth fountain.

However I have to be careful as to how much I drink of it, as Absinth gives me very bad hang overs.

A little Blacksheep

I love discovering new little places when you least expect them.

I was killing time waiting for my hairdressing appointment and I stumbled across a cool little wine bar called Black Sheep.

Enjoying a good apple cider... monteiths is always lovely

Blacksheep's cocktail philosophy

I just loved it. It is so much fun discovering amazing things about Sydney when I least expect them.

  

Next time I go to Blacksheep I am going to try one of their cocktails. They are hand crafted, only use fresh ingredients and house made syrups... it sounds like they will be SOOOOO yummy.

Next time I will go with friends and report back on the cocktails...

Black Sheep

256 King St
Newtown
NSW 2042
via facebook

My Place: Cornersmith

After all the rave reviews and write ups Cornersmith in Marrickville has been getting I have been dying to go and check it out for myself and tick it off the list.

So I finally got the chance to visit after my lovely friend, Miss Alissa came up to visit.

We popped in after a great day shopping at Marrickille Organic Markets.

It was a shame we had already eaten, as we were too full to indulge in the food and sweets Cornersmith has on offer.



Strawberry and Vanilla Milk Shake = YUM

 But I did have room left for on our their legendary milk shakes. Today they had the strawberry and vanilla milkshake and it was very scrumptious.

What I have always loved about Cornersmith is that it is closed on Mondays for pickling. They make pickles and preserves, often from fruit and veggies that locals in the area have kindly donated. They also have beehives on the roof and make their own honey.

Today's selection included Pickled Fennel, Lime cordial and Grapefruit jam.

I can not wait until I go back again and try the Ploughman’s lunch and some of their yummy cakes.

Cornersmith

314 Illawarra Rd

Marrickville

Ph; 8065 0844

[all images by Zahara Dessert]

My Place: Paesanella Cheese Manufacturers

As I mentioned, part of the Life List is 'discovering the amazing things about Sydney', so today I wanted to show you a piece of 'My Place'.

I have been getting my cheese from Paesanella Cheese Manufacturers ever since I realised  a few years ago that this factory was only around the corner.

I knew of it from their store in Haberfield, but I didn't realise until Not Quite Nigella wrote about it on her food tour of my area that they had a factory around the corner.


Paesenella Cheese Manufacturers

Paesanella (which means 'peasant girl from the country'), is a family run company that make fresh cheese in a traditional Italian style using only the highest quality ingredients. Paesenella Cheese has been making cheese in Marrickville for over 50 years and the cheese they make is just superb.

The entrance

All their soft cheeses are made from the the factory next door and the store is open from 6am to 1pm every day (except Saturday).



Fresh ricotta

This is where they serve the fresh ricotta, often it is still warm when they give it to you. The ricotta is to die for! It is hard to stop yourself from eating it straight out the container when you get home.

They also sell other imported hard cheeses that are also great.


Italian Butter!!!!

You can  not believe how excited I was when I discovered they also sell imported Italian butter!

Italian butter is something I crave for often. It is so unlike Australian butter as it much creamier and less salty than the yellow butter they make in Australia.


My cheese and butter bounty

I came out with a great little bounty of butter and cheese.

Now what to do with all this cheese?
Maybe I can make my little balls of cheesy goodness again?
Or maybe make pizza?

Paesanella Cheese
27 Gerald Street, Marrickville,
New South Wales, 2204 Australia
Open 6 days: 6am to 1pm (closed on Saturday).

Rozelle Markets - Challenge: Explore Sydney's Best Markets

My sister and I went to Rozelle Markets recently, so I could tick off another market from my 'Sydney's Best markets' challenge.

Rozelle Markets is set in the grounds of Rozelle Primary School. It is quite a funky little market with a variety of different stalls.



Lovely orchids

They also had some great produce available.

Rozelle Markets

663 Darling St

Rozelle, New South Wales 2039

http://www.rozellemarkets.com.au

Hours: Sat-Sun 9:00 - 16:0

#55. Try Absinthe... Ticked

Trying Absinthe is a Life List challenge I thought would be so very easy to tick off.

But for some reason I haven't been able to try it.

I could just go and buy a bottle and try it at home. However as it is a 'Life List' item, I want to go to the Absinthe Salon in Surry Hills and try and savour Absinthe the correct way... like back in the days of Toulouse Lautrec and Van Gogh. Shame the one I will be trying has the 'alleged' hallucinogenic properties removed.

According to the Absinthe Salon, it is an experience that will be sure to 'captivate and enthral' as well as a ritual to how it should be prepared and drunk.

However this new plan didn't go exactly to plan. On Saturday night, I was out with my favourite girls in Wollongong and popped into a new little bar called Yours and Owls. I saw that there was Absinthe on the menu and decided I had to try it and tick it off the list then and there.

So I did.

I liked it very much. It had a nice heat to it, with a slight aniseed after taste.

Our Absinthe experience at Yours and Owls, Wollongong

We even had it the authentic way, with lit sugar cube.

However I still have plans to take husband to the Absinthe Salon and try Absinthe together and relive the 'proper' Absinthe experience.

Looking forward to having it again.

#55 is completed! Tick

Vivid Lights

All images by husband

My Place

Photo by Louise Hawson from 52 Suburbs

When I was growing up there were some parts of Sydney that were considered 'no go' areas. Marrickville, located in the Inner West of Sydney was one of these suburbs. As the blog Marrickville Massive puts it, Marrickville was the place "...where the High School was shut down due to one too many stabbings".

Who knew I would be living here years later?!

Many things has changed since then and fortunately or unfortunately Marrickville has transformed. It is now much safer and has become an eclectic, vibrant and interesting place to live.

What I love about Marrickville is that it is constantly evolving, however you can still find the good parts of 'old' Marrickville. Like the Lamia Super Deli, a little Greek deli on Marrickville Road which has been in the area for over 30 years. Or Paesanella Cheese Factory, which has been producing fantastic Italian style fresh cheese since the early 60's.

The other reason I love living here is that I think there aren't many places in where you can live and not have to go more than a few kilometres to find the most amazing food and produce, often produced right here in Marrickville.

So I thought I would share with you some of the great things that I have discovered about Marrickville and her surrounding areas over the years. As you know, #45 on my Life List is 'Discover the amazing things about Sydney', so I thought it would be apt to continue this and look at where the place where I live.

Marrickville Park [photo by Zahara Dessert]

Here is a list I have put together of all the places I will be taking you over the next few months. I visit these very regularly...

T.I.M Products = Very yummy Greek sweets, biscuits and pastries

Frango Chicken Shop = Best Portuguese charcoal chicken in Sydney

Sweet Belem Cake Boutique = Scrumptious Portuguese tarts

Paesanella Cheese = The Buffalo mozzarella and ricotta here is divinen [my review here]

Marrickville Organic Food Market

Bourke Street Bakery = The Marrickville branch of this bakery

Alpino Gelato = The oldest gelato business in Australia

Pork Roll = Bánh mì, the best Vietnamese lunchtime treats

The Yeeros Shop on Victoria Road = the best Yeeros outside of Melbourne

Urban Food Market = A sustainable butcher

Black Forest Smokehouse = Hand crafted small goods

Double Roasters = Great cafe and coffee (roasted on site)

Cornersmith = A new cafe that has beehives on the roof and is closed on Mondays for pickling [my review here]

Reverse Garbage = A not-for-profit co-operative that sells industrial discards, off-cuts and over-runs to the public for creative and practical uses

Looking forward to showing you My Place

Here is a great little photo journal on Marrickville by Louise Hawson from 52 Suburbs to look at in the meantime

#81: Search for the perfect Margarita Cocktail...El Loco

Image by Grab Your Fork

As you know I have been on a search to find the perfect Margarita cocktail since our US adventures of 2011. Although I think it will be hard to beat the Ginger Margarita's from Spice Market in New York, I recently found one in Sydney that was really scrummy and one of the best Margarita's I have had in a while.

Husband and I recently went to El Loco with some friends for a cheap and cheerful meal and we were not disappointed. El Loco is a new pop-up restaurant from Merivale that specialises in Mexican style street food.

The El Loco Classic Margarita - image by Pigs & Brie

As soon as I saw they had Margarita's on the menu I just had to have one. I ordered the Classic Margarita which is made from Herradura Blanco Tequila, Cointreau, freshly pressed lime juice and organic sugar. It was YUM YUM. It came in a plastic cup, to suit the street food concept, which just adds to the charm of this relaxed venue.

Image by Grab Your Fork

The food at El Loco was also great. I would very much recommend the $5 tacos (any of them) and the 'Al Pastor Pork Torta Sandwich'.

I can't wait to go back again and try more from the menu and have another Margarita. Maybe this time I might try the Jalapeno Margarita, which is made from Herradura Reposado Tequila, Cointreau, roasted jalapeno syrup, freshly pressed lime juice, and some llegal Mezcal. Sounds very interesting...

Note: Apologies for not using my own photos, the lighting was really bad the night I went and I couldn't get a good shot.

My Back Yard

If you look at my Life List you notice that travelling is very high on my agenda. It's one of my passions.

In fact I counted that there are more than 25 items that require me leaving Australia to tick off my goal.

I don't think wanting to go to all these exotic destinations is a bad thing, but I think sometimes you need to stop and look at what you have around you.

After seeing the new Tourism Australia campaign, I am reminded I live in a truly amazing country and I am blessed to live in an equally beautiful city.

I just need to make sure that I don't forget about discovering the great things in my own back yard.

I have tried to do this with #45 'Discover the amazing things about Sydney', but I think I need to make sure I take time out to see the other great things my country has to offer...

Great Barrier Reef (#34) I am talking to you!

What I loved at The Finders Keepers Market

On Saturday, Sydney had the pleasure of hosting The Finders Keepers markets, a design and art markets supporting emerging Australian designers and artists.

It is bi annual event and in Sydney it is held at CarriageWorks in Everleigh.

I love going to these markets and this year I thought I would document my visit as part of Life List #45, 'Discovering the amazing things about Sydney'.

I hope you enjoy the artists I thought were worth mentioning (of which there were many).

Carriage Works is such a great venue and is also home to one of my favourite produce markets The Eveleigh Markets, which was also running on the day of The Finders Keepers, so there were a lot of people, hence why the photos are not the best.

The venue used to be old rail yards and workshops



Ernest Hope = really loved the framed embroideries and cushions

 

Some ceiling art

Me and Amber = Really adorable one of a kind pieces

Fromage La Rue =  Funky illuminated letters and vintage style wooden letters. Loved these, but I have no clue where they would go in my house.

The Land of Fig = Beautiful hand stitched cards and prints

Kirbee Lawler = Kirbee's illustrations are simply stunning. I think I'll be visiting her online site soon to make some purchases.

Wendy June = Really loved her designs... especially the 'inner beastie'.

Deleted Scene = Such distinctive pieces

Deleted Scene

Marcue = Amazing hand made leather shoes

Gretel Girl = My biggest regret of the day was not buying one of these plates

I want the robot or the dancing bear! I just can't decide

It really is such a stunning space

Emma Leonard = Her illustrations are just gorgeous... and the neon pink in her drawings is so striking

I love this photo... if I do say so myself!

Art of Alberto Santiago = Wow! How amazing are his portraits?



The artist himself

Bonnie Poplar

Andrea Smith = An illustrator and designer who was also asked to illustrate the flyer for the Finders Keepers markets.

Ask Alice = As she says herself, she has Eco-Loving, Tree-Hugging Stationery!

More from Ask Alice

Hardwick & Cesko = Suck beautiful paper cut art, reminding me of the works of Rob Ryan

More from Hardwick  Cesko

Maya Muse = Unique textiles screen printed by hand using natural fibers

Sunday Morning Designs = Adorable collection of illustrated pillowcase and doona covers 

Lino Girl = Lovely limited edition prints, gift cards and ceramics

Some more works from Lino Girl

I hope you enjoyed finding out about some new and very talented artists?

 All images by Zahara Dessert