I'm going a 'spiritual' pilgrimage

I created this blog as a way of making myself accountable to the things I had put on my Life List. It is a place that I can tick things off the Life List I created and write about them. I had big visions for this blog, but life got in the way and I became content with this blog just being there in the background, subtly reminding me to keep on doing things I love and tick things off my list.

So far I have been slowly getting things ticked off. But  in the next few weeks, I will hopefully accomplish a few big things off my list.

On Friday we leave to start our big U2/Birthday adventure and hopefully get #22, 23 and 24 off my list!
# 22. Go on a global U2 pilgrimage for their next/any tour 
# 23. Have Bono take me up on stage (might as well dream BIG) 
# 24. Get U2 to play Love is Blindness at a concert we are at

'Love is Blindness' from ZooTV Sydney.

As I have said before, husband and I are big U2 nuts. We met many many years ago because he had tickets to the U2 Pop Mart concert. And after 18 years, we are still seeing U2 concerts together.

Embarking on the U2 pilgrimage came about very suddenly about 2 months ago. We saw that there were tickets still available to the very last U2 concert at Madison Square Gardens in New York (which also happens to be my birthday). We then found very cheap flights to New York. So in the spirit of YOLO (you only live once) and my Life List we took the plunge and booked.

I CAN NOT WAIT!

This trip has also made me take the plunge and start the challenge to tick #26 off the list - "Get to my ideal weight and stay there (10kg less than what I am currently)" - because you need to look good for Bono for your birthday don't you?! 
I have been seeing a personal trainer for about 8 weeks now and although I am nowhere near the 10kg mark just yet, I am feeling more toned and less chubby. I have a lot more to go, but I am happy I have finally started working on this goal.

The other items that will hopefully be ticked off are:
#81. Search for the perfect Margarita Adventure commenced
#91 Take a tour of the Eames House
#84. See Bill Cunningham at work/on his bike in NYC

I can not wait... Bono here I come! 

#32: Renew our Wedding vows 'Elvis style'...The Plan

In November it is our 5 year Wedding Anniversary and 15 years since we have been together.


Our wedding was a small family gathering and it was a really special, romantic and beautiful day.

But the idea of 'eloping' and flying to Las Vegas and getting married 'Elvis' style just sounds absolutely marvellous and something we have wanted to do for a very long time.

It has to be with all the trimmings you expect from a Las Vegas wedding. Although I put my foot down at the thought of a Drive Through wedding (that is so crass). Obviously we will be renewing our vows rather than getting married, but I am sure it still will be just as crazy!

This is why it is #32 on the Life List.

Las Vegas is also an excuse so we can go back to America and attempt to tick off #32, 37, 49, 74, 76, 79, 81, 84 and 71 off the List.

I think next year will be the year we do it... I can feel it in my waters

Let the challenge begin...


The Las Vegas wedding style I am aiming for [image courtesy of 'The Hangover' via clothesonfilm.com]



Very Windy Wellington

Ok so it is not New York... but it will do!

I went to visit husband in Wellington on the weekend and had a lovely time. I forgot how pretty Wellington is. Lonely Planet has called it the 'Coolest little capital in the world' and it truly is.

I stayed at the Museum Art Hotel which was a nice little boutique hotel right across the road from the waterfront and the Te Papa Museum. It is scattered with contemporary art throughout the hotel which is quite interesting and unique.


Obligatory walking away shot

Brunch at Floriditas was absolutely scrumptious and well worth a visit. I haven't had such yummy Poached eggs and bacon in a very long time and the coffee was also brilliant.

One thing we were not prepared for in Wellington was the wind. I know that it is called "Windy Wellington" for a reason, but we did not expect Gale Force winds that would knock you over if you weren't careful. But it added to the fun of it!

We went up to Mt Victoria in the gale force conditions and not surprisingly we didn't stay up there too long. But the view was lovely despite the wind and rain.

Mt Victoria

View of Wellington city from Mt Victoria



Husband and I waiting to go to dinner

 For dinner we went to Havana Bar after a friend recommended it and it was fantastic. The best tapas I have had in a very long time. The 'Slow Braised Short Rib of Beef with Celeriac and Horseradish' was the standout dish.

While we were there, I of course had to tackle #81 on the Life List - search for the perfect Margarita. The margarita was good... nice and simple. However not as fantastic as the one we had at Spice Market in New York.

Margarita at Havana Bar

I am looking forward to my next visit to husband, so I can tackle more restaurants and cafes in Cuba Street and discover Wellington some more.

#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.

#81: Search for the perfect Margarita Cocktail...Spice Market Ginger Margarita

Ever since I came back from our holiday in Los Angeles and New York, I have become obsessed with Margaritas. (It is strange as I don't even like tequila that much!)


Spice Market Ginger Margarita
[image by http://thewanderingeater.com]

While we were in Los Angeles, a Margarita somehow became my pre dinner apéritif.

The original Margarita recipe consists of tequila, Cointreau and lime juice, but over the years people have added their own spin to this recipe.

I know that this Life Life challenge is about finding the perfect Margarita, however I think the one we had at the Spice Market restaurant in New York, is as 'prefect' as I have found in my search so far.

I have been dying to re create the Spice Market Ginger Margarita since we came home and to my surprise I found the recipe very easily online.

So I thought I would share it with you.

The cocktail is very easy to make and the end drink I think is just divine.

The only fiddly thing is making the Ginger syrup, but once you make it, you can keep it in the fridge and pour it over ice cream or yogurt.

Zahara Dessert's spin on the Spice Market Ginger Margarita (Makes 1 serving)
For the Ginger Lime Syrup
1 cup of fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced 1 cup fresh lime juice
1 cup sugar

In a small saucepan, combine the ginger, lime juice and sugar and bring to a boil.
Boil for about 2-5 minutes. Let it cool then puree the soft ginger in a blender.
Pour the puree into a fine strainer and press the ginger to extract as much syrup as possible.
Store in an air tight container in the fridge until you need to use it.

For the Margarita
1 teaspoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons salt
Ice
3 tablespoons añejo tequila (or whatever good tequila you can afford)
1 1/2 tablespoons of Ginger Lime Syrup
1 tablespoon Cointreau
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
1 lime wedge, for garnish

On a plate, mix the ground ginger and salt.
Slightly moisten the rim of a margarita glass with water and dip the rim in the ginger salt to coat.

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
Add the tequila, Ginger-Lime Syrup, Cointreau and lime juice and shake well.
Strain the drink into the margarita glass, garnish with the lime wedge and serve.


Celebrating my Brother in Law's 30th Birthday (with Ginger Margaritas) at the Spice Market in New York City [image by Zahara Dessert]

 Spice Market
403 W13th Street,
New York