It’s been a torrid week weather-wise here in Sydney. From blazing hot days to afternoons turned to midnight with monster storms.
And in the midst of all that, we’ve had birthday parties at the beach, a new baking hobby, an incredible pop-up in Sydney with the Sugar Republic, and some very athletic pool time!
We hope you enjoy this Weekly Edition.
Cheers – Jim & Christina xx
This evening, Christina and I are sailing to the very limits of Sydney Harbour. Our friend Laura is having a birthday party in Manly.
It’s been ages since either of us have been on the Manly Ferry, and it’s to our detriment. This is one of those musts to do when you’re in Sydney, whether you live here or you’re just visiting. Of course Manly’s worth visiting, but this journey shows you some of the best parts of the harbour.
The party is in the Hotel Steyne on the beach-side of Manly. I’ve been in this pub before, but for some reason I hadn’t noticed how bloody big it is. Up on the second level is the Blackett Room, with a cocktail bar on one side and a balcony room called Henry’s facing the sea on the other.
From the front, you can see this is a big venue, but it’s tardis-like inside.
It’s a great party and (L-R) Christina, birthday girl Laura, Deb and Kate are in fine form.
If you’re looking for a venue for a celebration on the north side of the harbour, check out the Hotel Steyne. We’re impressed.
The mercury’s up again today, as you’d expect for summer in Australia. One of our favourite ways to keep cool is a delicious iced coffee – especially if you need that caffeine hit without the heat of a regular cup of joe.
Every summer, Nespresso bring out a series of capsules specifically designed to go over ice. Their Ispirazione Salentina and Ispirazione Shakerato original capsules really hit the mark, and if you have one of the new Vertuo machines, Nespresso have brought out a range of Over Ice capsules for you too.
We asked the question whether the order of pour when you’re making an iced coffee should be ice-coffee-milk or ice-milk-coffee.
Judging by the response on IG Stories and Facebook, it’s the consensus that it should be coffee first – always – though milk first does make a pretty effect.
I’ll leave it up to you to decide!
Of course, our favourite way to cool off on a hot day is to hit the pool – really hit the pool! Getting some air in these shots! I think it’s the last barrel roll I’ll try. Christina’s kung fu bomb technique is a much better idea.
Today, we’re exploring the amazing pop-up experience known as the Sugar Republic.
In a celebration of all things sweet, the Sugar Republic takes you back to your childhood with room after room of lollies, ice creams, choc and bubble gum. It’s so cleverly put together – and interactive too. It reminds us a little of the Museum of Ice Cream we visited when we were in Miami last year.
From the giant bubble gum bubble and rainbow bridges to a giant cake you jump out of and a confetti gun, this is fun in a sugar-coated nutshell. And best of all is the gigantic ball pit… here are some of our favourite shots from this amazing installation in Myer, Pitt Street Mall, Sydney:
Step inside Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory!
The rainbow room is magical
Talk about kid in a candy store – Christina’s favourite film is the original Willy Wonka and the Chocolate factory. She’s channelling the Candy Man here!
These giant strawberries are amazing. Like a stress ball, but better.
Bouncing on bubble gum – it’s the one time you don’t mind stepping in it!
I don’t know why, but I suddenly want to watch Under Siege!
Jim, Christina and their new mate Bubble O Bill!
The confetti cannon is amazing – especially because we don’t have to clear it up afterwards!
Christina’s pretty happy with this giant teddy situation, but even more so, the pink walls that match her hair so well. By the way, the colours around the Sugar Republic pop-up are all from Taubmans Endure range like the Pink Chintz.
And the piece de resistance – the giant ball pit. We’re taking the leap of faith into this one, just as well Christina’s holding my hand!
This ball pit also has killer views out over the city from the windows, but don’t forget to check out the neon wall behind. Very impressive.
I haven’t had so much fun in ages. Just like being a kid again!
On the other side of the wall to the ball pit is this installation of amazing balloons. Everything here at the Sugar Republic is so well thought out.
Make sure you get your tickets before they sell out. There’s also an installation in Melbourne, both pop-ups are going until 19th May.
Just don’t forget to bring your phone (this place is seriously Instagrammable) and be ready to munch down lollies and ice cream as you explore. Your ticket includes free tastings!
Relive your childhood and get yourself to the Sugar Republic asap!
After all that sugar and fun, I feel the need (or should that be ‘knead’?) to calm things down a bit. For some reason, I’ve decided that making bread is a good idea.
Well, it is. It’s delicious.
The only trouble is now we’re eating five times the amount of bread we would normally! But when it comes out looking like this, what would you do?
And to cool things down even more, Sydney’s hit by a giant storm, right at the start of the weekend. Look at that cloud! Terrifying.
Thunder and lightning rage all across the sky for the whole night. It’s an amazing sight, but news reports of flooded streets, cars and property being washed away and the damage the storm’s caused isn’t so good.
As the storm hits the city, I decide to film the front. We posted the video on Twitter at the time, which has had over 33k impressions so far. You can see the vid here.
Alternatively, I’ve put together more footage of the whole storm, which you can see below:
We hope you’ve enjoyed this Weekly Edition.
Have a great week.
Cheers – Jim & Christina xx
