Bon Bon Fine Chocolates

There's so many things we have yet to explore and eat in Sydney and the whole of Australia. I've lived here for years but like any normal migrant, there are several things I take for granted simply because I live here. 

That includes chocolates. Australia is chocolate country. We have great chocolates made here but seldom do we buy from specialty chocolate stores. So during the previous Easter celebration, the Husband and I decided to finally try Bon Bon Fine Chocolates. 

Bon Bon has a lot of chocolates in their QVB store and we were a bit overwhelmed with the many choices at hand. For a start, we decided to get an 8-piece box set. We asked what was in the box set and we were assured that it's all their best sellers. They looked pretty! I believe this was a special box made for Easter as half of the chocolates where egg-shaped.

Each piece was a luxurious experience. Each piece was made from Belgian chocolate, in dark, milk and white. A bite into each one turned out as a surprise too as we don't know the flavours of the chocolates. One had hazelnut, another had orange filling. Whatever flavour or filling though, their chocolates were decadent and satiates the call for great tasting chocolate.

We enjoyed these chocolates on Easter Monday and it went so well with tea. 

I checked Bon Bon's website and I saw that they have a cafe in Strand Arcade and they also sell stuff like spreads, nougat, chocolate bars and bags of nuts in chocolate coating. I hope the Husband and I can visit the cafe soon. 

Bon Bon Fine Chocolate

Store & Cafe: 

412-414 George St.

Shop 33 The Strand Arcade

Phone: 02 9232 2992

Store in QVB:

455 George St.

Queen Victoria Building

Phone: 02 9268 0675

Coffee Date at Coco Cubano

It's been a long time since I've caught up with one of my dear friends and thankfully Meds and I found time to sit down and have a meal a few weeks after I came back from Japan. 

We both love drinking coffee and so I invited her to visit my area so we can have good coffee at Coco Cubano.

We met up in the middle of the afternoon and I haven't had my lunch so we ordered food as well. I got the Classic Burger made up of Wagyu Beef sandwiched in between cheese, tomatoes and lettuce. It's huge and very filling. I enjoyed eating this juicy burger with Coco Cubano's chunky chips. 

Meds, on the other hand, got Garlic Pizza. We both love this simple pizza. Very cheesy just the way we like it.

After our coffee date, Meds shared a photo of her artwork on IG. I love it! She made an art diary of our coffee date. She's amazing! She's captured our meal, coffee and even our Japan photobooks which I shared with her, all thru an artwork.

It was a great catch-up that lasted til dinner time. Meds and I are the kind of friends where we could talk for hours and still have something to talk about. It's the kind of friendship I'm grateful for.

Coco Cubano
Level 4, Westpoint Blacktown
Phone: 02 9676 4444

April In Ibyangram

Ibyang + Instagram = Ibyangram

While my instagram photos are shared on my twitter page and sometimes on my tumblr and fb page, I would like to have a monthly dump of ibyangrams on AWCL too. It is thru instagram that I share everyday moments and random finds. I use instagram as my real time mini-blog. Every end of the month, I'll be choosing a couple of photos from my instagram and share it here because I have something more to say about a certain ibyangram.

While my instagram photos are shared on my twitter page and sometimes on my tumblr and fb page, I would like to have a monthly dump of ibyangrams on AWCL too. It is thru instagram that I share everyday moments and random finds. I use instagram as my real time mini-blog. Every end of the month, I'll be choosing a couple of photos from my instagram and share it here because I have something more to say about a certain ibyangram.

April felt like lightning...it went too quickly in a good way. Each day was filled with productive tasks, spending time with loved ones and a chance to reflect and better myself.

The Anzac Bridge on a backdrop of blue. 

Autumn.

Real cherry blossom flowers in my tea pot. Something I picked up when I was in Japan. The subtle floral flavour of cherry blossom flowers makes me feel like Spring time.

A cup of Kibunye Burundi. Floral aroma, fruity taste, sweet and clean finish.

Getting cooler by the day. Time to bring out my Hello Kitty socks to keep my feet warm during sleep time.

Dough Collective, my newfound bakery in the city. Their bread tastes good based on the samples they have out for the customers to try. Bought the Ham & Cheese Toast, Chocolate Baguette & Cheese & Garlic Baguette. 

Yukgaejang (Spicy Beef Stew). Dinner on a cool night.

Cloudy with a little wind. Refreshing to have a bit of walk at the park on a Saturday morning.

Saturday lunch date with Grandma. 

Alone for lunch so I decided to have some Sushi. From the sushi train: Fresh Salmon, Scallops and Chicken Karaage.

Attended training today. Learned about the Myers-Briggs personality test and learned a few things about myself in the process.

I attended a session on MINDFULNESS. It was an enlightening experience! I now have a deeper understanding of its concept and how I can be more present in the moment. I also learned how to go thru mindful meditation while at a standstill and while doing an activity. So grateful for this gift of knowledge.

Hubby gifted me with a new trolley bag and it arrived at the office so I took it home with me on Maundy Thursday.

This Hello Kitty foldable eyelash curler is such a useful find. It's lightweight and doesn't take too much space in my little beauty purse.

Captain America. Enjoyed the movie.

It's almost the middle of May and lately I've been pre-occupied with a few commitments. Time passes by so quickly when I'm busy and enjoying. I wish I could blog the way I used to but it seems I'm unable to do so at the moment. Maybe one day. For now, I hope you bear with my intermittent blogging.

Style Musings: Uniqlo Pop Up Store in Sydney

Uniqlo (means Unique + Clothing), is one of my favourite Japanese clothing stores. We discovered Uniqlo when we travelled to Seoul a few years back but it's only last year that I paid attention to this store.

I love Uniqlo because of their minimal and classic styles, the clothing material they use, reasonable prices & how their clothes cater to a particular season (Heattech for cold season & Airism for warm season). I also like their collaboration with different brands, artists and designers. 

Last month, Uniqlo finally opened their first store in Australia. The flagship store opened in Melbourne but Sydneysiders like me were somehow grateful because on the first day of operations, their online store when up and running as well. 

I ordered a denim dress and an Andy Warhol bag online on the Wednesday they opened and in two business days, my package arrived in Sydney. I'm impressed! 

Last week, Uniqlo Australia announced that there will be a pop up store in Sydney and they opened today. The pop up store is open from 3rd May to 30th September. 

 (last two images from Uniqlo Australia)

I've seen photos online and there was a queue to get in. I'm going to wait a while before I make my visit. I'm just happy now that for a few months, Sydneysiders will be able to avail of their winter clothes (we need them here in Sydney too!). According to news, a big Sydney store will open by end of 2014.