Out and about: Brother Espresso

Matt and I recently had coffee at Brother Espresso on Wickham Tce and it was brilliant! I say recently, but really it was maybe two months ago. We were up that way for boring being-responsible-adults type reasons and decided to make the most of it with coffee. So glad we did!

Brother Espresso is located in the historic Wickham House and the neat little vestibule café is a nice escape from the street outside. Wickham House was built in the 1920s and the architecture is just gorgeous. I loved the framed historical photographs up on the wood panelled walls. I think Brisbane's history is often forgotten and ignored, so it was awesome to see it embraced and on show like that.

And the coffee! I ordered a macchiato and Matt had a half long black. Both were absolutely outstanding. It's a pity we don't usually have reason to be in that part of town because it was easily some of the best coffee I've had in Brisbane.

Brother Espresso

155 Wickham Tce

Brisbane City

Accessibility notes: There are two small steps to get into the building. The café area itself is quite small and narrow.

So, Scarborough is lovely

This morning Matt and I went to Redcliffe to visit relatives and afterwards decided to find some lunch in Scarborough. I'd never been there before and, oh my, it is lovely! We had lunch at Bay Boats because it was a lot quieter than the fancy looking place down by the water. It was a good decision. A quaint 1970s milk bar vibe and great, reasonably priced grub. I had the egg and salad burger, Matt had the seafood platter and we shared some pumpkin scallops (which came with sweet chilli sauce and sour cream and were amazing). Afterwards we went for a walk along the water and I collected a few shells and got sand all through the pockets of my new skirt. We were both really surprised by how quiet it was considering it was Easter Sunday. I expected screaming children, but the few that were there were perfectly pleasant. I just wish I'd taken more photos.

Photo of flowery plants growing over a wall on the main drag in Scarborough.

Photo of the beach at Scarborough with fluffy white clouds in the blue sky above.

Photo of the sand littered with shells and a bright blue jellyfish that had washed up.

Photo of the boats at the marina in Scarborough Boat Harbour with fluffy white clouds in the blue sky above.

we miss you magic land!

On Wednesday my friend Dan and I went to GoMA to check out Pip & Pop's we miss you magic land! and it was so awesome. If 7-year-old-Amie had been there she probably would have wet herself with excitement. Luckily, 27-year-old-Amie was able to control herself.

Photo of brightly coloured mounds and glittering fantastical flora and fauna.

Everything was so intensely bright and glittery and beautiful. I wanted to live there. Dan wanted to eat it. The coloured sand patterns in the landscape were amazing and reminded me of the sand art kits I had as a kid.

Photo of brightly coloured orange and pink sand and glitter landscape. 

There were (glittery!) cushions arranged on the floor underneath hanging 'rock' gardens so you could lay and gaze up at them. And a bank of computers with a 'design your own magic land' game. I had a lot of fun with that.

Photo of brightly coloured pink/orange hanging 'rock' with flora hanging beneath it.

Everything was just so intricate and perfect. I think I'm going to go back again before the exhibition finishes up. I was disappointed that I didn't have any money to buy merchandise from the gift shop too. The badge set is so cute! I really wanted the tshirt too, but it only comes in kids sizing anyway.

Photo of a glittering pond surrounded by flora and glittering mounds.

I loved glittery magic awesomeness when I was a kid and in the last few months I've found myself rediscovering that love in a big way. I've amassed a small collection of glitter nail polish and my favourite cheap pharmacy brand recently released some lovely bright colours too. The other day I even made an Etsy treasury of shiny glittery things.

4x4 grid of photos for the Etsy treasury 'Ode to Shiny, Glittery Things'.

And I've been collecting glittery inspiration from fellow bloggers too. Such as this glitter star crown made by Elizabeth of Delightfully Tacky, Lisa's sequin shoulder jumper at The Crafty-Arty Kid and these awesome glitter jars shared by Elsie of A Beautiful Mess. I can't wait to get crafty with some glitter and sequins. I might even make a Pip & Pop inspired floral arrangement to go in the glitter jars.

Canberra for Christmas

Matt and I visited my family in Canberra for two weeks over the Christmas holidays. It was great! Except that Matt caught a virus on the way down and was sick for most of the time we were there. And now I've had said virus since we got back on new years eve. Not the ideal way to start the new year, but whatever.

Photo triptych of Louie eating a giant slice of pizza.

It was awesome to hang out with Louie, my 8 year old brother, again. He cracks me up. On boxing day Matt and I took him shopping and we had lunch at That Pizza Place. The pizza was awesome! Huuuuuge slices for under $5 and absolutely delicious. I'm definitely going back there next time I'm in Canberra. And Louie ended up buying himself the Boys' Book of Survival and a Green Day badge.

Photo triptych of Matt and Louie playing guitars together.

Matt and Louie had a great time playing guitar together and talking about their favourite bands. We listened to Metallica in the car while we drove around to touristy places on one day. We checked out Parliament House, Old Parliament House, the National Film and Sound Archives and the National Library. Matt and I also took a look at the National Bonsai Gardens, but I might save that for a post of its own because I took a lot of photos.

Photo of Matt and Louie with a statue of Queen Elizabeth.

Speaking of other posts, I'll be writing about my 2012 goals and things soon too (provided I don't melt in the meantime - it's bloody hot in Brisbane at the moment!).

"Look, Mum, I'm on the internet!" and Lamington National Park

My first actual blog post! Well, if I'm not counting those other now defunct blogs. But this one will be different, damn it. I'm writing it for myself, about things I love, with a no pressure approach. So, don't expect a fancy post schedule or anything because that's just not how I roll. Do expect somewhat sporadic posts about food, fashion, craft, travel, literature, academia, feminist issues and whatever the hell else I feel like posting. And general awesomeness.

Photo of the view from the Green Mountains.

So, on Sunday Matt and I went for a drive to Lamington National Park so that I could get some inspiration for a writing exercise I had due this week. I had to write 500 words describing a place and I was kind of stumped as to what to write about. Well, there was plenty of inspiration to be had up there and here's what I ended up submitting:

After winding around terrifyingly sharp bends for what felt like hours, the car finally reached the top of the mountain and entered Lamington National Park and the dry brown grass and tall eucalypts by the side of the road turned into lush green rainforest. It had taken a mere two hours to reach this paradise, but it felt as though the stresses of the city were a lifetime away. The air was cooler. Clearer. Lighter. The only thing that concerned us in that moment was the road ahead. Soon enough the rainforest cleared to reveal a picturesque view of the valleys and mountains in the distance. Like a watercolour painting, soft shades of grey and blue washed over the distant landscape. The sun shone high in the sky, the glare giving everything a soft glow.

Photo of alpacas in a grass paddock.

We stopped to visit a local alpaca farm and take in the calming yet invigorating scenery. The alpacas were nonchalant. Some lazed in the sun, others in the shade and some scratched themselves while others chewed at the thick grass covering the rolling hill that was their paddock. A pair of crias sat apart from the rest near a small tree. When still they looked like plush toy versions of themselves; their fur perfectly fluffy and their eyes deep and glassy. Until they came to life and moved about with springy youthfulness. All the while comforted by the soothing hums of the older animals. We sat on a large greying wooden deck at the back of the gift shop and ate pies. A waterhole glistened a little way down the hill. A golden retriever puppy chased hens in a paddock to our left. The alpacas hummed and honked to our right. The pies were delicious.

Photo of a cute puppy behind a wire fence.

After lunch we drove further up the mountain to O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat. Like a little village in the sky, it was bustling with tourists and day-trippers all hurriedly trying to relax. We ventured away from the complex and along the Booyong boardwalk through the forest where it was quiet except for the sounds of birds foraging in the undergrowth, occasionally chirping their distinct and individual calls. The air smelled fresh and new. We spoke in whispers. Pointing out different plants and birds. The boardwalk turned into a tree top suspension bridge at the base of a giant strangler fig, children playing inside it’s sturdy trunk, birds twittering about in it’s branches. Apprehensively, we walked made our way along the bridge and it creaked and undulated beneath our feet. It felt as if we were a part of the forest. Any fear of heights I had faded away so that only awe was left.

Photo of Matt on the tree top suspension bridge.

Afterwards we headed back to O’Reilly’s to the cafe for an afternoon tea of scones with strawberry jam and whipped cream. As we sat eating on the balcony and taking in the breathtaking view one last time a flock of magpies cooed and warbled playfully in the trees below as if putting on a show for us. I was disappointed that they didn’t sell lamingtons at the cafe, but the scones were satisfying nonetheless.

Photo of scones with strawberry jam and whipped cream.

I think it's kind of wanky and there are parts I wish I could rewrite, but it's submitted now. I really did have a great time on Sunday though. Even if they didn't sell lamingtons at the cafe and I didn't get to hug an alpaca. I've decided that hugging an alpaca is my new ~life goal~. Alpacas are the coolest.

Photo of a white alpaca up close.

Lamington National Park is about 2 hours drive from Brisbane or 90 minutes from the Gold Coast.

Mountainview Alpaca Farm is totally awesome and has a giftshop with amazing alpaca wool products and cafe with great pies.

O'Reilly's is very touristy, but it's an excellent starting point for checking out the tree top walk and botanic gardens (which are both maintained by the Green Mountains Natural History Association thanks to volunteers and donations) and there's an information kiosk with walking/trekking maps and stuff too.