Max Brenner Chocolate Bar- Southbank

Max Brenner Chocolate Bar

South bank

Had a lovely day with my eldest son today at Southbank Brisbane . My youngest son was at a friends birthday party at the Science Centre  , (which is an awesome idea for a kids party). So I suggested to big boy that he could take me out for the day to South bank. Where is a nine year old going to pick for food fix at South bank ? Well, a Chocolate Bar of course ! Max Brenner Chocolate Bar  to be precise.

  

 The line was at the door. I looked at him and suggested that there were lots of other restaurants to try (I was in the moody for a good eggs Benedict) .  The look on his face suggested that he knew it would be tough waiting, but we could make it. I soon realised that the tough part wasn't because he just couldn't be bothered waiting, more because he didn't want to have to wait for the chocolate fix.

 



I suggested he try something different, ahha, not negotiable, chocolate pizza and hugga mug hot chocolate. I opted for the chocolate souffle and the mocca with spicy chocolate. The wait in the line went much quicker than I though it was going to. The wait for the food was also surprisingly short, considering the amount of people eating here.

 

When I go for a calorie and sugar overload, I expect to totally indulge. My philosophy is, if I am in, I'm all or nothing. So when the chocolate souffle came out with no huge dollop of double island cream I was a little disappointed. As I was about to ask the waitress for some cream I thought to myself. This place has their systems and menu down-pat. There must be a reason for no cream, give it a go. So glad I did, it did not require anything on the side - delicious.

9 year slammed most of the pizza leaving only two slices. For a skinny kid he can certainly put a lot of food away.

See review at   
 

Food done, we went for a stroll through the markets, grabbed a pair of togs from the convenience store (not for me). 9 year old had a dip in the lagoon (no towel, but we managed) and then we had a quick drink and snack and made our way home.

 

I had forgotten how beautiful it is at Southbank. The quick snack was a glass of red for me, dry ginger ale for boy and we shared a salt and pepper calamari. We got in one song by a lovely young lady jazzing up some pop songs. All told it was a fabulous day, and big boy thought so too.

 

xx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Mummy bloggers - dont bite the hand that feeds you

 

I must say firstly, that I do have a little bee in my bonnet about Mummy blogger's. That is not to say all of them, but a heck of a lot. It is because the majority of these blogger's that I wish not to be tarred with the same brush (I have a couple of blogs, this is my cleansing one). I am sure in their previous lives they were not so silly (fucking stupid, is more to the point)

 

You might be saying about now, what is she talking about?

 

What I am talking about is the following:

 

 

The not so nice Mummy blogger's are definitely narcissists, this forum just turns them into crazy people that cant take enough selfies

 

 

By default they have stumbled across this time filler. The Mummy blogger often looks like this:  shes just had kids, now has a single income household. This may also mean that she has gone from buying $250 shoes, to struggling to afford Target shoes. So she is pretty angry and somewhat jealous.

 

So what does she do, to deflect. She starts talking about not needing designer clothes and shoes. That she has found her way in the world. She talks about finding herself and whats important. (finger down throat at this point) Because you know damn well that its eating her alive.

 

Here is where I am even more confused. If the enlightenment was in fact real. Then why is she still happy to accept the freebies that represent the very thing she now despises. And if that is not enough she (the new earth woman) joys in the closing down sales at the very same retail outlets that have gifted to her in the past.

 

Does this make sense to you ? Bragging about the freebies in the sealed bag of  magazines (yes, she is now a bag lady). And then dancing for joy at the closing down sales.

 

I know for a fact that they can also be extremely nasty to the stores that no longer wish to give her stuff. One store I spoke now sees posts to the effect, "these are a pair of over-priced boots that I will struggle to get my cost per wear with". When she got them discounted at 50% by said store and they refuse to be bullied by her for more product. So now she writes little nasty digs at them.

 

This would all be hilarious, except that these idiots only contribute to the struggling retail industry. Instead of being responsible and supporting the products and retail stores. Talking about quality and service, what do they do? They tell people to shop overseas online, how to get freebies. To not accept paying full-price, and to rejoice in the closing down of a nasty retail store.

 

So can someone please put them in their place. Or at the very least, local papers should not be running hero stories on them - what the .. is that.

 

Oh dear, sometimes I just want to run away and hide from all this idiocy.

 

Thoughtful rant over xx

 

 

 

 

 

 



Knowing your market - Burberry Wild Bunch

 

Marketing Strategies that "get" their clients

 

Cosmopolitan Magazine , has run a story on the "Burberry-wild-bunch" . Burberry has had great success from truly understanding their target market. This edgy and sometimes slightly aggressive approach to marketing has been a success for several big players. Nike, comes to mind as one of the companies that pull this product placement stuff off well. Oh and McDonalds and Coke, but we wont go there !

 

The thing I love about Burberry's, pitch is the fact that they use the, not, so famous models. It  would also seem that these particular models themselves, have a sassy personality in real life too. This "real lifeness" is what people are looking for, its just handy that they happen to be good looking models as well.

Classy Burberry , every girl needs a little (lot) of it in her life x

 

 

 

 

 

Labor Government - Budget blowout !

 

Hello !

 

Budget blowout. Lower than expected collection of taxes. I wonder why ? !

 

What makes me even angrier, is that even with this reality they still don't get it. Comments regarding tightening of multinational businesses tax loopholes. That's the answer ! Fucking communist/ socialist bastards. Sorry it really needs to be said.
It's no-one in particulars fault. Well it certainly multinational companies are not to blame for such a huge lack of for sight.

Multinational companies need to be closely watched for a whole heap of different reasons, but lets face it, very few business industry's are doing it easy at the moment. It never ceases to amaze me how political parties such as Labor (victim mentality parties) are always the victims. They are never the contributors to the problem. I find it constantly disheartening that the people (organisations) that work, to make the money, i.e. the taxes, are shown as the bad guys. But that aside.

 

SMALL BUSINESS. I don't have all the stats on it right now. But that's not going to change the fact that we already know that small business has been, and will always be, a major contributor to our economy. With that said, wouldn't it make sense that if small business has gone to the crapper, then tax revenues will be down. Just wait until they see this quarters BAS schedules !
We need to look after our business and manufacturing, and this debacle just shows ONE of the reasons why.

Australian public, are we really letting this just happen ? Because NO. Clearly, NO, we can't trust their political acumen. NO, we can't trust their integrity. No, we can not tolerate this any longer.

NO - CONFIDENCE ! 

 

 

 

 

 

Labor budget blowout

 

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2013/04/29/01/26/expect-tax-revenue-hole-of-12-billion-pm

Relgion, Cultures, Law and Rape - Australia

 

I believe I am very tolerant, respectful and understanding of all different peoples in this world. I am intrigued and often influenced by many cultures. I would say I generally have eclectic religious beliefs. My children are getting older and asking a lot of questions. They go to a religious school and are also starting to make a lot of statements around these religious teachings. So "parental guidance" begins now. Knowing this would be around the corner, I have had to really dig deep to question myself, my feelings and my understanding, and then, how to explain this to them.  So with much reading and research, I have come to understand this:

Religion, or spiritual awareness is a personal thing

Politics and Laws are not part of religion

Religion and Cultural beliefs should not be a place to hide behind or use as an excuse to harm others.

 

I welcome genuine refugees to this country. I am a member of UNHCR, World Vision, Oxfam and CARE. However, I do believe in what we hold dear in this country - FREEDOM. With this, it is simple, lets not muddy it with politics and other such matters.

 

When you come to a country for protection, you must respect our culture and values first. No-one denies that this will be difficult, God knows the whole situation is one fraught from difficulty. However, you must remember, the very reason why you seek our shore. It is because of our culture, our laws, our beliefs. It is because of these, (and perfect they are not) that you are safe to come to us for refuge.

So, there are consequences. We are failing these refugees, and so to our own community, if we do not have in place a system that integrates these people into our country. We must, and I emphasise MUST, get over the bullshit around whether they come or not, and make clear and very strict guidelines around assimilation. This does not mean they have to lose their roots, for Gods sake, its obvious we are very accommodating in that regard in Australia. And, I know that some will hate this - too bad. Assimilation, is not a bad thing. Recent piece by Mamamia , Melissa Mellham highlights the problems. Or at the very least "grey areas", that can occur when we don't have a program that teaches our newcomers what is acceptable in Australia.

Although, for me, it's quite clear. Esmatullah Sharifi , stalked and hunted these girls, covered their mouths (one victim in particular) and would have been damn sure they were not consenting. I can not believe that a judge is granting a right to appeal. Seriously, if its on the grounds of culture, that makes it even worse. It is basic instinct to know when you are forcing a creature against it's will, and there is no culture in the world you can hide behind for that.

I have friends that have different sub-culture beliefs to mine (around things I hold dear, like the environment). I believe in leading by example and I don't judge them, I love them for who they are and respect their sub-culture, because they are kind people.

 

Religion, Laws from Religion and other cultural beliefs should never rise above our laws. They should never be allowed to be used as an excuse to hide behind. I do not know how long Esmatullah Sharifi , has been in Australia. But I can bet you, it has been long enough to fully understand that it is NOT acceptable to touch anyone, in anyway, without consent.

 

Breath in and breath out !

 

 

 

 

Pig N Whistle Brisbane - Review

On a mini getaway with the family we got to eat in lots of yummy places in Brisbane, So I will share the Pig N Whistle experience first.

Great atmosphere situated on the Queens Street Mall Brisbane. Groovy, buzzing atmosphere created by all the people passing by and through the mall. With a lot of retail eye candy nearby as well. 

My husband order oysters kilpatrick for starter. Delicious ! Well presented, the sauce was perfect, temperature was great, as you can see by the empty plate. We also had garlic bread, just right. I ordered the Bug special for my
main and ordered the kids the lasagna main and a side of fries to share. I usually avoid the kids meals as they are mostly an after thought by most restaurants. At the moment a decent main and a side feeds my boys adequately. Husband had the bangers and mash.
We had some red wine and great service to go with these meals. Boys loved the lasagna, husband devoured the bangers and I immersed myself in the journey that was my bugs. Devine. I also loved that I didn't have to ask for a finger bowl or a scraps bowl.

Review on Urban Spoon

 

It had been a couple of years since I had eaten here (we don't get into the city as much as we used to) And we were not disappointed. Atmosphere great, service great, food stunning - thanks Pig 'N' Whistle we had a wonderful night x
8 out of ten truffles for this one .



King of Kings yum cha Review

Still on our mini city break and we took the kids to yum cha in the Brisbane Valley. I used to go here all the time as a young (and not so young) adult. I loved the buzz, colours smells and of course - the food. It was a little disappointing though. The day we went was during the week, they didn't have a lot of people dining so they didn't have the trolleys going around, it detracted from the experience we wanted the kids to have, but the food was great. Toward the end of the meal the trolleys started coming as it got busier, so all wasn't lost.

Check out Urban spoon for this and more restaurant reviews

I love my dim sum, so it would have to be pretty bad for me to not like it at all. Loved all the dishes we ordered and ate. We always order the Asian greens, kids love them too, so that's a bonus. Everything was as I remembered, even the decor, which was actually nice, sometimes you don't want things to change. Staff were friendly and accommodating, food was fresh and yummmmmy.

 

We also love the Chinese tea (Jasmin). It wouldn't be the same without a pot or two. Oh and of course we must have lots of chili sauce, steamed pork bun, steamed prawn dumpling and to finish the meal, custard tarts. What are your favourites when you yum cha ?

 

As you can see, we enjoyed it all. I give this 8 sun dried tomatoes out of ten. The entrance is a little dodgy and dirty, but everything else was just what I wanted it to be xxx