WHAT I WORE

An outfit for strolling the streets of Fitzroy and eating lots of croissants:

• Leather jacket: from the Queen Victoria Markets in Melbourne, don't think it has a brand?
• Dress: Zara
• Tights: Marks & Spencer
• Boots: Dr Martens
• Backpack: Le Pilage backpack by Longchamp

1. State Library of Victoria

328 Swanston St

The Shrine of Remembrance was originally built for Victorians who served in World War I but is now a memorial to all Australians who have served in war. It's located just 5 minutes on the tram away from the CBD so it's really easy to get to. Inside there is galleries and you can go up to the balcony which has a stunning view of the city. Opening hours are 10am - 5pm. Admission is free too!

Alyssa and I would actually go get takeaway coffee and a croissant to sit on the steps of the shrine looking out to the city.  There's something calming about looking out onto a city but being surrounded by the quietness of the park.
Melbourne shopping is incredible compared to the lackluster shopping here. There's just so much variety in what you want. There is the gigantic shopping centre just off  Bourke Street (Emporium Shopping Centre, 287 Lonsdale St) which is around six stories and includes 225 stores. I feel like Emporium is definitely the place to go if you want to hardcore shop.

Alternatively what is great is that all the surrounding suburbs bring their own flair. My favourites are Fitzroy and Chapel St. They feature a variety of well known shops, vintage shops, and little start up clothing businesses in their pop up stores. If you're after some new original pieces then the suburbs if where you should go. Easily accessible on the tram.

Fitzroy is the cool place. I mean all of Melbourne is pretty much cool but this area just brings "it". There's lots of cool cafes, beautiful coffee shops, clothing stores, little nik-nak places with quirky gifts/homewares, bookstores etc. As I mentioned in my last blog post on "where to eat" there is a croissanterie called "Lune" in one of the backstreets which is a MUST visit (and I don't say that lightly, you have to visit it).

Now i've mentioned the tram quite a bit and if you haven't been down before i'll give you the 4-1-1: basically the public transport works by "myki" cards, which if you've been to London before they're basically the same as oyster cards. You can purchase a Myki card from 711. Each tram stop will have a map of the routes - but it's 2017 so just download the public transport victoria app and you can plan your route on there. It's very simple. Fitzroy is about 10 minutes out of the CBD so the tram is your best option.

HIGHER GROUND

650 Little Bourke Street

This place was the coolest. Exposed brick, high ceilings, plants, a killer menu, and friendly waiters? You can't get any better. It was such a pretty place I couldn't stop taking photos, thankfully our waiter was lovely and fine with me being camera-snapping-happy. 

I went with "slow cooked beans, green sauce of pea and spinach, poached eggs, goats feta, sourdough and hazelnut crumb". It was different to what I was expecting but absolutely delicious. Alyssa got the ricotta hotcake which they are famous for and it was soooo yum. The prices are around the $16-$21 mark which isn't cheap but also isn't ridiculously expensive. Would go back to this place again in a heartbeat. 

LUNE

119 Rose Street, Fitzroy

Both my best friends (Alyssa and Grace) had been to Lune before and couldn't stop raving on about it. I was like "I NEED TO TRY THIS PLACE ASAP". I am a huuuuge huge croissant girl. Give me it plain, with almonds, with chocolate, I don't care..I don't discriminate my croissants. 

They do an assortment of original styles but also cruffins and "twice baked" croissants. I ended up getting a coconut pandan twice baked which was to die for. Literally, would jump in front of a bullet for it...on the basis that in my final moments I could eat it. 

This place has been voted for many awards and given praise among foodies. It's not hard to understand why. It's hidden in the backstreets of Fitzroy so it'll be one to GPS. Prices range from $4.50 - $9 which is pretty reasonable considering how good they are. 

THE KETTLE BLACK

50 Albert Road, South Melbourne

Okay, was a bit of a fail and forgot to take a photo of my food. Oops. 

But this place is just another cool one. Fun fact: the people who own "Higher Ground" also own this one so there are quite a few similarities. 

Another place with a great menu. I got the avocado on toast which was pretty good, but personally I was not a fan of the kelp salt it came with as it made is taste like seaweed. But the other things on the menu look great, I kept staring at the people around me seeing what they ordered. I'd recommend eating here because it's a pretty place and close to the botanical gardens so you can order a coffee to-go strolling around the park nursing your food baby. 

LAURENT 

304-306 Little Collins Street

When you're in the CBD...and are getting sick of people and need an escape...go to Laurent! It's just on Little Collins street which is just off the main hub. When I went down with my mum this was our local spot we would visit. You walk in feeling like you've stepped into a Parisian boulangerie. There is gentle jazz music playing, a selection of many beautiful pastries/desserts, and a general cozy vibe. 

MAVIS THE GROCER

197 Vere Street, Abbotsford

Now this one is a little out of the CBD but guys: it's sooo worth it!! 

When Alyssa came down to Melbourne on a previous trip she went here and said it was her favourite place. So on our last day before flying back home we decided to go here. I must say, I think it was my favourite breakfast of the trip. I love all the other places but this just felt so blooming cozy. We both ordered the pancakes which were topped with: apple, rhubarb, vanilla custard, cream, and crumble. As soon as they brought out the plates my eyes were like the heart eyes emoji. 

I think they were like $16 which I was more than happy to pay. Gosh, I would have mortgaged a house for these pancakes. 

So these were the favourite spots. Thank goodness for having an actual job now and being able to go out for breakfast everyday, was such a dream. Have any of you guys been to these spots? And are you also drooling at the image of those pancakes cause I sure am...

Holly xx

Anyway my pancakes will be here soon so I'll sign off. Hope everyone is having a lovely week!

Holly xx

So if you're in a baking mood would recommend making this as it's easy, yum, and sounds impressive. Who knew a sprig of rosemary could class up a cake? 

Holly xx

My dad let us borrow his Jeep for the day, thanks dad!

 As we were driving through the mountains we realized we hadn't eaten and were starving. Thankfully we stumbled upon this cuuuute little place. 

So we sat, drank our tea and ate our scones outside. It was such a lovely place - surrounded by the rainforest and felt really quaint. 

We then set off for the Springbrook National Park

 My Ride-Or-Die friend Alyssa 

 The view!! Soooo pretty. 

To be honest..I wouldn't say this is the best of all lookout. It was pretty and all but I have definitely seen better haha.

On the walk back we came across light shining through the forest. I HAD to get some photos - I felt so angelic. 

Afterwards we set off to find Natural Bridge which is what Springbrook Park is most famous for. 

It was really beautiful, reminded me of where a mermaid would live. I mean..if I was a mermaid i'd totally live here. Except i'd probably get ticked off with all these tourists visiting haha. 

So that was our day visiting Springbrook National Park. It was really pretty and i'd recommend this to anyone visiting the Gold Coast. Was the perfect day to spend my day off :)

Holly xx