restaurant design.

A little while ago my husband sent me a link to The Eat, Drink, Design Awards. We love restaurant fit outs and whenever we're eating out we comment on what we love and hate, how we'd redesign it and occasionally we're blown away by how awesome a place is.

Below are a few of my faves, shortlisted for best restaurant and bar design.

The Potting Shed at the Grounds (NSW) by Acme & Co.

I love the intimacy of this image. I imagine dining in this area with my closest friends and family, laughing into the early hours of the morning. I also love the idea of communal tables: having a coffee with a friend while hearing parts of others' conversations, dreaming up what their life looks like and what they're really talking about.

Prix Fixe (VIC) by Fiona Lynch.

This is sophisticated but not pretentious; an amazing place to escape with your lover, being waited on and enjoying one another, your surroundings and the food (I hope it's amazing). Check out the depth to that painting!

Alfredo's Pizzeria (QLD) by Derlot.

Kwan Brothers (QLD) by Derlot.

Street appeal is a massive part, whether you're going for dark and mysterious or putting yourself out there, first impressions definitely count. I love what both of these have done, especially the areas looking out to the street – perfect for people-watching.

Donna Bionda (QLD) by Richards & Spence.

I love the blonde furniture, the chairs in particular. They give the illusion of so much space and light and freedom. And I love the touch of flowers on the tables. I'd be happy eating my lunch here.

Do you choose where you eat out based on the aesthetics or just on the food? Can you recommend some good places for us to admire?

cakes cakes cakes.

It's no secret that I love to bake or that I don't eat refined sugar (or any refined products for that matter). This is a conundrum to many as most cakes, as we know them, are made of huge amounts of white flour and caster/brown/raw sugar (did you know that raw sugar isn't actually raw!?).

Let me introduce you to A COUPLE of my fave cakes or cake-type things (too many to choose from!!)

Banana Bread, Well Nourished
This is from her e-book so probably isn't on her website

Mandarin and Poppy Seed Cupcake, Petite Kitchen

Orange Cake, The Healthy Chef

Date and Cinnamon Muffins, Brenda Janschek
These aren't super sweet, I prefer them as an afternoon or morning tea snack.

I realise I haven't included anything chocolatey here, which is a massive misrepresentation of my baking. I use cacao (no, that isn't a spelling mistake, it's the unprocessed version of cocoa) in so many things!

So, what do I use instead of sugar?
Pure maple syrup (never maple flavoured syrup). Honey. Dates or other fruit. Rice malt syrup. Coconut or rapadura Sugar.
Yes, these things are more expensive than a Homebrand bag of caster sugar, but I care more for my health than my wallet, and to be honest, they taste delicious! Give it a try and see if you like (or invite me over for dinner, I'd be more than happy to bring dessert!).

Unfortunately a couple of my absolute faves didn't make it on here because my photography skills aren't always up to scratch – especially when I'm taking a photo in the car in the dark (sorry Lime Cheesecake), or holding the cake trying to run out the door while already running late (sorry Choc Orange Cake), or they just looked too delicious to take a photo of before eating (sorry Christmas Cake), or they're blurry (sorry Berry Cheesecake), or I just have too many photos I can't decide (sorry Apple Crumble).

As you can see, there are so many delicious options, choosing what to make (or blog about) is the hardest part!

copper crush.

I have a crush on copper, especially in the homewares department. If you do too, here are a few ways to add touches of copper to your home.

1. Copper vases, from $50, Have You Met Miss Jones.

2. Eden Bed, from $699, Incy Interiors.

3. Tall copper Form bowls, $92/pair, Tom Dixon.

4. Copper Pantina Planter, $20, Leif.

5. Arthur copper round mirror, $349, Urban Couture.

6. A set of 1930s measuring cups, $165 for similar, Lara Copper.

7. Menu Copper and Concrete Candleholder, $110, Urban Couture.

8. Copper tape, from $3 for similar, Etsy.

Some very achievable ways of getting touches of copper into your home!

And if you love a bit of DIY, check out this Copper Edge Mirror – very easy and looks good too!

whileaway.

My husband and I took a little getaway last week. With my health, and our personalities, we are very last minute holidays planners. When we're away we love to see lots of new places and do lots of new things.

We booked the flights on Friday, accommodation on Sunday, and flew out on Tuesday – we didn't leave much time to research and find the best places to go. Luckily I knew about the Whileaway Guides and they were able to tell us where to go (along with a couple of friends who I knew had travelled in similar parts).

Have you ever gone on a holiday and been too overwhelmed by the number of restaurants that you don't know which one is any good and you take so long deciding you don't eat dinner until 9pm? Or you look in every shop on the main street only to realise all the good shops are actually a block back? Or you drop into the information office and all they tell you is that you should go to the beach?

I hate that! And I'm so glad I've found the Whileaway Guides to stop this problem!

Having this guide meant that we flew north and then went discovering. They describe their guides as "unbiased and impartial. Like the diary of a well travelled friend." To me, it's a locals guide to the area – so detailed and so many suggestions. They also include other nearby towns that we definitely would not have ordinarily visited.

They cover destinations in all states and territories of Australia. I not only have the Byron Bay one from our recent holiday, but also bought my husband some local ones: Northern Beaches, Blue Mountains and the Central Coast for day trips or weekends away. Why not when they're packaged so sweetly in recycled cardboard sleeves!?

And they even do customised wedding invitations. Umm, as if destination weddings aren't cool enough!!

Check them out for your next holiday, weekend away or daydream!

web: whileawayguides.com.au
instagram: @whileawayguides
facebook: facebook.com/WhileawayGuides