Online magazines have been around for a while now. They have always seemed like such a great concept but to be truthful I have never really got into them. I usually browse a page or two and think I’ll read this later, and yep…that never happens. Until this week! Finally there is an online magazine called Wayfare that ticks all the right boxes for me. The perfect blend of travel, lifestyle and photography. The contributor line-up is impressive. Let’s hope this magazine is here to stay. I’m hooked.

Image via Wayfare Magazine

We began celebrations by going out for breakfast.

And ended with cake, presents and a bang (the balloons actually blew the candles out)!

Happy Birthday Maddie. We love you to the moon and back. xxx

I don’t let my travel agent find our accommodation. I love to search the internet for hours, sometimes days until I have found just ‘the place’, myself. That way I know all the pros and cons and there are no surprises. I’m rarely disappointed. I love finding value for money. To me that does not always mean inexpensive. Location and experiences add great value to a property. In saying that, the fashion forward Crosby Street Hotel in SoHo, NY is pricey but great value.

Foyer

Maddie and I loved our stay here, back in December.  We loved the fact that The Crosby is elegant and quirky yet entirely cosy. It totally felt like home. Warehouse-style windows and contemporary artworks sit comfortably alongside classic oil painting, plush sofas and vases of freshly cut flowers. And of course, I love designer/co-owner Kit Kemps uninhibited use of colour.

Library

The Drawing Room

Bar and Dining Room

Courtyard

We were impressed by the special touches, like these gigantic chocolate covered strawberries and being able to order fresh popcorn for our movie night.

One of the best things about The Crosby is location, location, location. It’s situated on a quiet cobbled street in the heart of New York’s vibrant SoHo neighbourhood (between Spring and Prince Streets and one block behind Broadway). You couldn’t be more in the thick of things, surrounded by shopping, restaurants and some of the best art galleries in New York. It has a very cool, urban New York vibe. We’ll be back for sure.

David and I have decided not to go out to dinner tonight! We are going to avoid the crowds. We’ll take in a movie and have Chilli Prawn Linguini at Cru Bar, later in the week.

What about you?

I’m looking forward to a quiet weekend. David is finishing off a lot of odd jobs around the house. And we are planning to watch a few episodes of Mad Men. My sister gave David the full series for Christmas and we are hooked.

What exciting plans have you made this weekend?

These photos were taken on a trip to Cinque Terre, the string of five villages along Italy’s Riviera, in 2005. We stayed in Vernazza which I think is the most charming of the seaside villages. The photo below was taken out the window of our apartment.

Since falling in love with this endearing stretch of the Mediterranean coastline I have been longing to return…longing to return with my DSLR camera. It’s a photographer’s paradise.

Recently, I was shocked to discover that on October 26, 2011 a freakish rainstorm brought flash flooding and landslides through the town, gutting nearly every business, and filling the ground floors with mud. It is so sad. So much uncertainty now surrounds Vernazza’s future.

Here is some footage of the disaster.

Rick Steves (American Travel Writer) who put this region on the tourist trail, believes we can help by visiting the Cinque Terre in 2012 and by donating to local relief groups.

I wish I was in Paris right now. I’ve been longing for a French baguette. I want the real thing, with the crispy chewy crust…where they are so delicious and moreish that you eat the whole thing!

What has your heart been longing for? Paella in Spain? A hot dog in New York? Laksa in Singapore?

Of course a sausage sizzle was a must!

And there is nothing more Australian than finishing with a ‘pav’ (pavlova).

Happy Australia Day! How did you celebrate?

Today feels very strange! You see, school is back after the summer holidays. And for the very first time in 16 years there was no back-to-school stress in our household. No shoes to buy, books to cover, lunches to make…I am free! Well sort of.

I didn’t realise how much I used to enjoy having the house to myself during the day! I don’t know if anyone else can relate to this? But I do enjoy my own company. Seeing the kids young adults still in pajamas at lunchtime will take some getting used to. Only 4 more weeks until uni starts, but who’s counting!

One night she cooked up an incredible Chinese feast for us all, including dumplings from scratch!

There was plenty of laughter and frivolity, a given when my family’s together. And Wei’s feast was amazing!