Wednesday, August 10, 2011

M's Food Find #65

FOOD FOOD FOOD. I can't live without it yet I wish I could. But thankfully I can't so I can enjoy all these yummy ones. The recent family visit here in Perth was quite the culinary feast especially with all the new restaurants opening up. Can't wait for Nobu opening in September! All the new interests and openings just make me love Burswood more than I already do.

This food find is on one of the newest restaurants in Perth Burswood Entertainment Complex. Modo Mio serves up Italian cuisine for lunch and dinner. My family and I visited for lunch on their last day here and photos will take you through our journey.



It replaces the old Victoria Station restaurant.

Waiting area just behind those doors. Yes, they have queues so make your booking to avoid disappointments!

Or sit at the bar with a drink before dinner...

Chef's kitchen, well you can watch them make pizza and such! Love this particular open concept even if it is a little far from some tables. Wish it could be a little more interactive so to speak. But more on pizza...

Sorry, it is a little blurry. But that's the whole seating area. Pretty big and spacious with the bright/light colours and lighting. Very different from the Victoria Station dim mood.

Our table. Sure it is alittle casual compared to the rest in Burswood but it does give patrons more options and choices. I like the idea that it is not as stuffy and stiff.

Spot the woodfire pizza stove from afar!

A cute mini lamp that was on the tables. SO COOL, it runs on rechargeable stations. Dad was super fascinated with it, truth be told, I was too. I wanted one so bad! Sadly, they don't sell it in Perth. Sis actually took a series of photos of Dad and I playing with it and just fiddling with it. HA HA HA.

Lunch menu, still quite a few choices there and good ones too.

Nice clean setting. I don't know why I am always so fascinated with settings and the cutlery. Guess it shows alot about the effort and details the management takes into consideration.

Yummy bread, albeit a little too tough on the crust. I love how the olive oil, balsamic vinegar and rocksalt is presented. Tear-drop shaped. So pretty. Dad and I also played with this one, tilting it enough so the olive oil flows or vice versa into each part without overflowing out of the saucers.

Dad ordered this for entree, the cold cuts. We ordered one of the 3course set and 2 of the 2course sets.

The fettucine dish with such a wonderous tang of tomato. Vegetarian dish but so satisfying. This had the whole family digging into it. Even Mum who shunned tomato paste stuff. Very light and refreshing for a pasta dish. Good choice!

Prosciutto risotto. Obviously, my order. Love the clean presentation but unfortunately, the taste...too salty for my liking. The risotto is actually cooked through perfectly, with bite and softness. Just that the ingredients and flavours don't seem to dance on my tastebuds.


PIZZA! Alittle unexciting looking, and it really do taste like it looks. The prosciutto and rocketleaf pizza is a very unforgiving pizza in my opinion. It is so simple and really differentiates the good and bad pizza bases etc. Here, the pizza base and crust were too tough and very bland. The tomato/cheese base a little too bland... Let's not go on here.

After main courses, desserts are a MUST. In italian restaurants, tiramisu is my favourite go to dessert but I am also usually attracted to unique ones too. Nevertheless, let's talk about this tiramisu. Not the best Ive had but it will do and finishes the courses quite well. Nothing to shout about, nothing to crave about. Just...nice.

Photo credits: mayydiaries.blogspot.com

The poached pear with vanilla bean panna cotta. Very sour pear from the poached juice. And the panna cotta probably had too much gelatin in it... For those who don't have too sweet tooth, and still would like a dessert. Cleanses the palate well. But I would go for the tiramisu here if given the choice.

Overall, the service was alright, better than average but not good enough to praise heaps on. The food and prices and ambience matched well in my opinion. No big discrepancies and grievances here. Worth a visit but whether it warrants a second one is up to you. Unfortunately, not for me.

Till my next food find, Mayy xo
Modo Mio on Urbanspoon

Shoestopper #44

Hello there, my bad. Been away for so long. I also admit that I am addicted/obsessed with my facebook selling page. Its like I am constantly on there just so I can check asap whether or not there is interest on anything.

Anyways, never mind selling something, it opened up a whole new area of shopping. Suffice to say given that now I dont have a lot of time to head down to the shops, I can shop online. OH BOY. It was so hard to sit there and go I MUST NOT GET IT and then move on.

So speaking of which, this pair of shoestopping boots is one that I told myself I MUST NOT GET IT and then caved in eventually.

These boots are made for walking...


Love the pretty prints inside! The boots are made of suede so requires alot of care from me. I spray it with the protection and constantly roller-tape the dust after I wear it. Thinking about it, sometimes I get so lazy to wear it! But I do love it. They are from Novo and so comfortable. Love the height of it but it seemed to always droop down a bit...

Photos credits: mayydiaries.blogspot.com

The heels are great height because of the arch of my feet. It fits so I don't feel much pain like when I wear too flat shoes. I guess thats why I love heels. They don't seem to hurt for me for the most part. But flats... I need them for lazy days and recovery days even if they hurt after too much walking.

Oh wells, I love these boots and they are near perfection with the wider mouth and soft fit to my legs. Keep the cold away and keep walking. Pair it with any outfits and look amazing in winter!

Till my next shoe-stopping experience, Mayy xo

Monday, August 1, 2011

M's Food Find #64

Have you ever thought hard about where to go after dinner nearby? A nice cafe for coffee and cake to continue interesting conversations and you just dont want the night to end yet? I mean, why ruin a good time when the dinner place you were at had to rush you out. I faced this dilemma a couple of weeks ago and had no choice but to settle for bubble tea when I was at Victoria Park.

While walking down to Utopia Bubble Tea, I spied this little place where I was always curious about. Feeling adventurous (HA HA), I wandered in and I knew I just found one of my favourite places around.

Love the mood lighting and friendly yet quiet chatter going round. The lovely aroma of coffee wafts through.

A clearer display awaits at the end of the post...

Out of everything, I ordered the sticky date toffee pudding in the cup. Warmed up and soft.

Looks amazing and as much as I wanted everything else, I knew I had to order this one! I JUST LOVE STICKY DATE PUDDINGS! It came with ice-cream which I declined. I found this properly sweet and very moist. YUMS. The best I've found in Perth so far.

Cute bamboo wall at the far end.

2 cappucinos and it was lovely. Amazing good coffee, fragrant and felt like a dance.



Really small place, I was sitting sort of in the middle so there's abit more at the back. Front window had high chairs and table. Very cosy and they also serve some hot food and tapas.

Photos credits: mayydiaries.blogspot.com

A closer view of the yummy cake display! You can be sure I will be back for more and I definitely now know where to go to for a spot of coffee and cake with a friend or after dinner chillout nearby... Meanwhile, I shan't be rude. Here's the address ;)

The Imp


863 Albany Hwy


East Victoria Park


(08) 9361 2600


Till my next food find, Mayy xo The Imp on Urbanspoon

Shoestopper #43

A pair of comfortable pair of shoes to drive away Monday blues. These days, I have to wake up especially early in this wintery cold weather for a class at 8am. It is getting a wee bit difficult, truth be told. And I don't normally function that badly except now I battle insomnia. Sighs.

Enough about my sleeping, or lack thereof, issues. Shoes lift my mood up and just explaining some accounting issues using shoes and brands as illustrations help me feel better too! While I am tottering my Monday away on a pair of heels, I wished I had this pair with me right now...

Photo credits: mayydiaries.blogspot.com

This cute preppy green/gold/white checkered pattern ballet style flats really takes the cake for a clean-cut look. I didn't wear it often till this year and had to unfortunately retired it a couple of months ago... If I ever do see it again, I would get it one more time!

The material used here is a thick cloth with the insoles made of the same material. While it may seem coarse to the finger touch but they are actually quite comfortable. The only bad point is that you gotta somehow wear socks with these, as the material isn't too good for sweaty feet! Eeuch, smell.

I was also quite afraid of getting it dirty since it is white but it remained white as no matter how many times I wore it! Amazing.

So how do you like this pattern? Too difficult to match or too cute for words?

Till my next shoe-stopping experience, Mayy xo

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Kitchen Venture #9: Brownies by Donna Hay

Alright, so I didn't technically bake this but I did buy the premix by Donna Hay! One of our snacks during the Harry Potter marathon we did earlier in the month. Brownies!!! All girls/guys love a good chocolatey brownie no?

Pink edible icing not included...

Shiyu baked this while I helped vacuum the house. Wasn't difficult and time-consuming at all. The instructions were clear on the pale blue box and you need only provide your own butter and eggs. Chocolate chunks were provided too! At abt AUD7 a box, I would say YUMS.

Photos credits: mayydiaries.blogspot.com

It may not look too pretty here because we didnt actually use a proper cake tin. However, I LOVE THE IDEA of adding chocolate chunks to the brownie becauseit is gooey and melts in your mouth as you bite into the chewey chocolatey brownie. The top layer was wonderfully crisp and the inside of the brownie moist and chewy. I love the smell wafting through the house as it bakes. Salivating and I know I couldn't stop eating them. Shiyu had to cut them into smaller pieces because I could NOT stop.

So even if you didn't have the premix help from the dessert angel aka Donna Hay, but would like to have a lovely twist to your ordinary brownie, chocolate chunks are IT. Once your batter and mixture are all done, just chuck about 500g of big chocolate squares into that and stir, scoop the mixture into your tin and make sure the choc chunks are evenly spread out throughout, within or above. Makes for a yummy gooey surprise ;)

Till my next kitchen venture, Mayy xo

Mayy's Closet #63

Been staring down my clothes for sale page on fb so much so that I haven't been blogging about clothes. Alittle guilty that I neglect this but seriously, my mental wellbeing isn't at its peak. ANYWAY, the body's and brain's refusal to do any form of work for these couple of days have brought me to recover my backlog posts.

This outfit today focuses on the skirt I got from Supre and paired with two simple tops. A short summer skirt but perfect for brightening wintery blues.



I got this pink and white tartan/checkered like skirt from Supre last year and only got round to wearing them this year in June. I have had a soft spot of tartan and am still looking for the perfect red/blue checkered shirt. The skirt is of a thick sort of rough material that you can feel the different lines weaving through the pattern. Now, dont be silly. I know it is short, but I wore stockings and boots for winter.

Paired with my dark denimblue ruffled shouldered long sleeve top from Cotton On Body, it is sort of a more relaxed fit given how the top is meant for sleeping. But hey! Just like how Peter Alexander thinks, no one said we can't go out in peejays. Especially cute ones.



Love the colour so much, has that painted feel to it.

And of course, a basic classic black turtleneck NEVER goes wrong with knee high suede black boots.

Here's a close up of the skirt, isn't it pretty?! It wasn't like a bargain on my part but I just wanted it!

Photos credits: mayydiaries.blogspot.com


So what do you think of the skirt and the outfits? Yay or nay? Perfect for a dinner date or an afternoon lunch date with the girls?


Till my next closet raid, Mayy xo

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

M's Food Find #63

A whole heap of apologies for the neglect here! I don't even have the time to upload all my photos from the past couple of weeks. Dont you worry, I am doing it now. So while it's transferring, let me blog more about food. The clothes and shoes can wait.

Winter is the time for hot coffee and hot chocolate and everything warm. So after dimsum one day with colleagues down in Northbridge, Jeanette requested to drop by a little cafe off Fitzgerald street in North Perth.

What a quaint little street, so chic and chill. I love the chill factor and the relaxed feeling when I stepped into the little cafe. It may look small on the outside but it actually can fit quite a lot of people.



32 Angove St

North Perth 6006 WA


They also have a couple other stores at Maylands (45 8th Avenue) and Subiaco (1 Denis Street).






I would seriously want to buy one of those envirocups! So cute!!! But I just didn't spend enough time in the cafe as we only stopped for a takeaway. Rest assured I will be back, since it blew me away in the short time there.


Jeanette raved about the hot chocolate and coffee.

And those cakes were so tempting that I had to cave in for a small sweet treat in the form of a...

Photos credits: mayydiaries.blogspot.com


MARS BAR macaroon!!! They weren't tiny either at AUD3.50, so well worth the size and flavour. Even though the main taste was chocolate, the nutty aftertaste was pretty fulfilling. The cupcakes had quite good reviews online and I am dying for some now! They also serve brekkie (YUMS) and light lunch plates like sandwiches.


I can so imagine myself enjoying a sunday brekkie or brunch there and just chilling out for abit. Big sighs, so looking forward to october when I submit this thing. And if you are working and have the weekends off unlike a student, pop over for a beautiful relaxed day ahead of you...


Till my next food find, Mayy xo

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

M's Food Find #62

Been craving for sweets the past week before, so during the Freo snack attack trip I made sure to grab one of my favourite things around!

ORGANIC DONUTS within the markets itself, near the fruits and veg area.

They have three different kinds available, the original cinnamon sugar ones being the most basic. A real dark chocolate filled one shaped like a little bomb/football. Super cute and I know friends who are FANS of this particular one. The donuts are all very generously filled with chocolate or very generously filled with the fragrant sweet cinnamon sugar. I am drooling already...

Photos credits: mayydiaries.blogspot.com

For me personally, I absolutely adore the blackberry jam donut. It comes warm and the blackberry jam is perfectly sweet with a tinge of berry sourness. Feels so fresh! And I love a warm jam filling. The organic donut itself is very yummy and not chewy and reeks of oil. Fresh is the word I am going to use again here. And the donut itself is soft and I want to use the word, crunchy BUT yeah... hope you know what I mean.

REGARDLESS, when you are in Freo, this donut stand is one place you gotta make a pitstop at. I LOVE THEM DONUTS, krispy kremes what?

Till my next food find, Mayy xo

Today, Mayy...

I know I havent been blogging but downloading annual reports give me the shits! hahaha. Will be back soon ok? And lots of new food places to tell you guys about, especially my Rockpool visit! To say that there will be a lot of photos is an understatement really.

In the meantime, stay tuned and my clothes page is having discounts at the moment! Hop on over you. =)

Mayy's Closet UP FOR SALE!

http://www.facebook.com/brian.istic#!/pages/Mayys-Closet/233869983301379

Hellooooo, I have been away long enough as it has been busy with the family coming round and uni starting this week. Oh, not to forget setting up my personal page on facebook for my clothes for sale! Do visit the page and like it. There are some amazing stuff on sale and all in excellent condition. Some not even worn yet, can you believe it? I do need to stop buying clothes for awhile...

Help me cure my shopaholism problem ladies. You won't be disappointed in scoring some bargains!

Till my next closet raid, Mayy xo