I'm back and its A Whole new World!



More Proud Mary Moments! Ahhhhhh

On Friday  I was like a little girl on Christmas morning !!! Skipping with enthusiasm to my local service station to pick up a copy of the  The Age Magazine Top 30 "Cafes"  (or coffeehouses as they may be more likely referred to  in the future!)  I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy and see who had made the grade! I wonder what I will be like when they release the Age Good Cafe Guide this month featuring 250 cafes, maybe leading me to dream the impossible dream! If I get through my 100 in one piece and not  admitted to some kind of clinic with a serious caffeine addiction ..then  what is  an extra 150 to do ! Easy peasy!!  



I was dying to see which ones I have already been to on "my journey" .... My Score card  read: 22 out of 30 and all since February!  Pretty impressive huh!?? Before February I was sitting at a measly 4 !!! That was before my coffee revolution... crazy what you can do in a few short months when you really have a goal huh!? So much easier than sticking to a diet to  lose that pesky 5kg!!  

Coming from a  relatively new coffee lover.. I think I have only dipped my toe in the water of what the Melbourne coffee scene is really like, and I like what I see..  I  think I am still  discovering that  I may  actually have a  a deep riding passion for coffee after all, well I don't know any other crazies doing such a thing.. but I'm sure they are out there and its only a matter of time before I bump into them over a soy cappuccino... my soul mate perhaps!?!?! 

 My  ability to never stop being surprised and delighted by everything ,big or small  is a quality I love about myself  ....  and It has allowed me to see that I am so much more a creative - right -side- brain  person than I ever thought I was... better than any Myers Briggs assessment would tell me !  

Now I only have 38 to go... and  I have no  one holding me back.. I'm running my own show and  I actually know I will achieve this goal... I am excited and exhilarated thinking about it! 

This new found confidence is now ready to be applied to other aspects of my life! I'm not saying I'm not still feeling sad and sorry for myself at times, I am ..... but  I have Adele on  my play lists to help me thought that ... Coffee has allowed me to immerse myself in the world all by myself and without having to really try, but now I am ready for the scary stuff.. putting myself back on the dating scene... the thought of it runs shivers of terror down my spine.. but hey gotta start somewhere!! Will keep you posted on this one if there are any developments, a handsome barista perhaps, I don't think there is a shortage of those.... 

As  for coffee this week, the highlights again have  been the Pastel cups!!! This time at Hardware Societe.. I have a love love love of pastel cups... as seen in Proud Mary and also at Duchess of Spotswood too!! They just look so pretty and I feel so elegant drinking my coffee... ahhhh... I am going to find some, but it wont be the same drinking out of them at home...Ok so back to Hardware Societe. I walked there at lunch time, a 30 minute power walk round trip! The coffee was fabulous and soo cheap $3, seriously for a soy too.. pity it is on the other side of the city! The french inspired cafe is so inviting with warm yellow splashed everywhere and little touches that demonstrate they care about the little things... and I wished I could have stayed for lunch the food on other people tables looked so appetising, next visit  for sure. I might have to swap my coffee for a Pot of Tea, served with a tea cosie and all!  Lovely!

Kate out the front of Proud Mary
Very Happy with her coffee!!!!

I did make it back to Proud Mary on Saturday with Laura and Kate.. slightly under the weather  from a few too many vino's the night before.. I could still manage to get myself to order a coffee here.. normally a big no-no in my hangover recovery book... but how can you resist at one of the best places to drink coffee  in Melbourne! I don't regret it! It was so smooth and actually fixed my headache and gave me the caffeine kick that I needed to get through the day! We ate breakfast here as well which was the perfect hangover cure!The Hash browns are a must!!  The staff were attentive and friendly, and very helpful  and the noise that normally engulfs cafes on a Saturday was not even an issue!  I feel redeemed from my suggestion to come here after my last cafe suggestion backfired in February! 

Will be back here without a doubt! 

I also picked up some very helpful and pretty postcards  that explained all the different coffee brewing methods from French Press, to Syphon, Chemex and Espresso! They have dispelled a few  mysteries for me and I may one day actually order a Pour over...



A cup of Teal Goodness from the Duchess! 

On Monday I went to another home of Pastel Cups... Duchess of Spotswood, just a few short minutes from home and a diamond in what is a rough industrial area of Melbourne.. The barista wearing a very funky hat... (read my next blog all about hats!) served up a strong and sweet coffee in a wonderful Teal cup and pale blue saucer (and Darby had his in a pale pink cup! ) I keep meaning to come here to eat, as the reputation of the food produced here is pretty high and the anticipation is making me want it more... Monday morning is a perfect time to do it and escape the weekend traffic! We might even walk here to work off what could be a very decadent treat!

Ahh well that's it from the week.. I will be back to my regular  posts from now on!  

Until Next time... Lifes too short to drink crappy coffee... xxx