on the road again

A and I have been on a road trip.

Since 2 Thursday's ago we’ve been from Brisbane to Dubbo and then Dubbo to Melbourne and then Melbourne alllll the way along the coastline back to Brisbane with stops along the way. Hours upon hours of driving but some spectacular sights to see.

We stayed with friends E and F last weekend in Melbourne. My friend E and I have known each other since we were about 3 maybe even 4. We have the exact same first and middle name. Interesting fact yes? She hooked us up with some fabulous shopping on Saturday where i purchased this antique horn from a shop called Tiger and Peacock.

This is my favourite purchase of the trip. The owner has years experience in Visual Merchandising and has the most beautiful shop and a fantastically wonderful eye. This is the link to her page thing on facebook and website.

Anyone been to Gill's Diner? Used to be an old bakery premise - great choice by E and F for din last Sat - lil bit funky and a lil bit industrial ... all the rage these days ...

My stop off every time i visit Melbourne is The Paris Cat. It's a great little jazz club on Goldie Lane and is super cute and intimate. It has framed portraits of all the greats on the ceiling.

I won't overdo the detail on our itinerary because quite frankly, it's like looking at someone's travel shots - dull. 

BUT i do want to spruke some good feedback. A holiday can be so easily ruined with poor accom and food due to lack of sharing reviews. I research like a maniac prior to going away because i've been too many times bitterly disappointed. I like the whole "experience" from go to woe.

Two of the places we stayed need to be documented - they're both unique and cosy.

The Old Leura Dairy in Leura in the Blue Mountains and The Bank and Tellers at Wingham, just inland from Taree on the NSW coast.

I’ll start with the Leura Dairy. The owners have used all recycled materials to construct these premises which are made up of 6 separate dwellings . Here are some shots of The Buttercup Barn which is the one we stayed in.

They’ve used heshon for the curtains so the minute we walked in it smelt of mountains. Antique furniture all in original form or distressed was used throughout. Old milk urns, wooden boxes, meat safes and much more add interest ..

Pressed recycled metal and various timbers made up all of the fixtures. An old rusted claw foot bath (on the outside, the inside was newly enamelled) sat in the bathroom with beautiful stain glasses windows and organic toiletries.

The fire warmed up the whole barn with the main bed upstairs in an open loft. Perfect setting for the Blue Mountains. These pic's don't do it justice. There's something to be said about the smell and feel of things. Music was softly playing as we arrived. Attention to detail always gets me. 

To dine. Sillks of Leura is divine. I had food envy and wanted everything A had as well as my own  … perfection.

The town of Leura is gorgeous ... and cold, but the stay at the Dairy was so warm and cosy and comfortable and original that i'd love to go back for longer than a measly night. 

The Bank and Tellers Guest House at Wingham is owned by a lady called Bev. The Wingham Bank was built in 1929 for the Bank Manager and his family .. and the bank.

Bev has transformed it into a Guest House. We stayed in the Bank Managers original bedroom.

The original floor tiles still on the bathroom floor.STUNNING and committed to memory.

Bev has various rooms in this beautiful building that all display a piece of the early 1900's.  I love Art Deco architecture and the Bank still has all the style of an era that put time and effort into the finishing touches. The original Safe Door is still there too. This was such a relaxed evening, made this way by the casual nature of the host. There's a communal Living room with a roaring fireplace which we lounged in with a glass of wine and a couple of the other guests before dinner was served. Bev only uses the restaurant for inhouse guests and large groups now which made the stay so comfortable and homely. It's 7.5 hours out of Brisbane. I need more time there too and i definitely need her mushroom soup recipe. A and I had been talking about mushroom soup on the drive there and low and behold it was on the menu. Yess!

So that's it, i could carry on more but i won't. Just be sure to visit these places if ever in the Blue Mountain or Whingham hood. You won't regret.

Oh, and some very exciting news. Last month I WON a Ramsign house sign on Raine and Sage's Blog... it arrived while we were away. Here it is.

I thought about the year of my birth - just to have ... but ended up going with the Shop number at Gabba Antiques. I figure long or short term, i'd like the memory of the venture there and this will be it. It is so well made and it's blue although my camera on my phone hasn't picked it up. Just gorgeous. If you're in the market for a house sign - get onto these guys here. Thanks Sonia!!!!

Pop those toes in some ugg boots and grab a hot water bottle. She's gonna be cold tonight.