The New Shop

Adjacent from Armadale station proudly occupying the corner of Featherston Street and Armadale Street sits an iconic white building soon to be an iconic café.

The boys from Window Espresso, Steve Rowley and Matt Vero, finally signed the lease on the property last week. They have eagerly begun work and hope to open in early Spring.

The focus of the menu will be fresh, clean, wholesome food made from high-quality ingredients.

Now I may be a little biased but I can honestly say I have not had a better cup of coffee than the one I enjoyed daily at Window Espresso. Using All Press coffee I’m sure the boys will live up to the same standard.

There will be a lengthy construction period. But trust me it will be worth the wait. Once completed the fit out will feature polished concrete floors, exposed brick walls and floor to ceiling windows.

The stunning 18th century building will soon be transformed into something not usually found this far out from the city. Armadale residents and café fans you are in for a treat.

Bring on Spring.

Espresso 3121

As the name suggests this café is all about two things; its location but more importantly it's coffee. Tucked into a little laneway off Balmain St it’s another one of Richmond's hidden gems.

The interior is very raw- polished concrete floors, exposed brick walls, industrial style hanging lights and big blackboards give this trendy café a very edgy look. The big communal tables remind me of a workshop. They're perfect for spreading out on even big enough to read the age- if your neighbours don't mind. There are no pretty paintings or flower arrangements here just big blackboards and bike racks. The morning light and high ceilings make the cafe seem to glow. Much like the charming staff who seem to love what they do. It might not be the most pretty or polished café but behind the tough interior are friendly and charming quirks that made me fall in love.

One look at the menu and you know these guys are serious about their coffee. They use Venezano beans and also have a rotating single origin on offer. If your interested they even offer barista training and beans by the bag. In an effort to spread their knowledge they have a whole blackboard dedicated to educating their patrons about the art of coffee making. This week it discussed in depth the importance of milk and the role it plays in your latte.
I can’t remember what it said but my coffee was deliciously velvety and clearly made with lots of love.

The food menu was simple but very good. The focus is on quick easy food you can eat on your way to work. I had sourdough toast with vegemite and avocado at $5 for two slices I was very satisfied. I also tried the bircher which comes with berry compote in a takeway plastic cup great for a quick snack but not enough to satisfy me for breakfast. The lunch menu follows the same rule as breakfast good quality ingrediants, simple easy food.

The glass cabinet by the till captured my tastebuds attention- freshly baked raspberry and white chocolate muffins, develishly tempting brownies and adorable little cakes that screamed eat me.

I wouldn’t drive across the city to go here but if you work in the area or frequent it often Espresso 3121 could easily become a daily ritual- friendly professional staff, high quality ingrediants and amazing coffee.


A lovely start to a dreary monday morning.

How to Move Your World in One Day

I don’t know exactly where moving sits on the list of most stressful activities but I would hazard a guess it’s close to the top and if not it should be.

For the last six months I have enjoyed residing in the beautiful beach side suburb of Elwood. With an overseas trip looming close on the horizon it is with great sadness that I’ve had to give up my room on leafy Addison street.
This week I bit the bullet, bought some boxes and began the bittersweet mission of moving back to the burbs.

It took a Mazda Two, a Barina, a trailer, two boosts, two coffees, my best friend and my boyfriend to move all my possessions back to my parents. Unfortunately due to a deadly combination of my hast to move out of a parents, my sentimental nature and sheer laziness I’d never quite gotten around to sorting out my old room.
I am a self confessed horder. Just the thought of how much ‘stuff’ I’ve managed to collect in the last 22 years makes me shake my head in shame. Hidden in various boxes and draws is everything from a box of rocks collected on a forgotten beach to the coroner visor I accumulated on a drunken adventure back in 2006.

As I began to unpack box after box I had to face the fact that there was just not enough room for all my new grown up household toys and my old childhood ones. It was time to get ruthless. The full list is far more extensive and boring so here are the highlights of what survived the great cull of 2010 and what has found new residence at the tip.

Stamp collection (yes I know im a nerd)- tip
Gymnastics medals-tip
Primary school reports- tip
Childhood photos- saved
Bruno my favourite teddy bear- op shop (I couldn’t bear to throw him out)
Old Christmas and birthday cards- tip
Old love letters- burned

I feel rejuvenated, refreshed and somehow lighter. I have sworn to reform my ways. No longer will I endow useless items with an unquantified amount of sentimental value. I will endeavour to keep my room junk free and live a nomadic, carefree lifestyle.

Here are my top tips for making moving a breeze:

Many hands make light work: Moving is a job that requires at least two people. I guarantee there will be at least one thing in your room that is too heavy for you to lift by yourself. Get a friend and lock them in for the day.

Buy your boxes from Kennards box shop: If you can’t be bothered getting old boxes from a store these guys sell boxes for about $2 a box. They also buy them back off you after your done so it ends up costing you about $1 a box.


Don’t doubt your own ability: Usually I leave any sort of handy work that requires a tool box to someone with y chromosomes. Realizing how terribly archaic that was I grabbed the tool box and managed to dismantle and re-assemble my bed with relative ease.

Take breaks: I recommend a long leisurely lunch at a café or at least a quick boost juice to keep your energy levels up.


Be ruthless: forget sentimental you don’t need the note your year twelve boyfriend left in your locker. De clutter your room and you’ll feel reborn.


Happy moving :)

One Thousand Steps to a Great Bum

Having not drunk last Saturday night I decided to utilize my Sunday morning in a way only a person not hungover can do. Instead of pulling on my Ugg boots, popping some Aspro Clears and crawling back into bed I pulled on my Assics, grabbed my water bottle and drove to the Dandenongs.
The 1000 Steps is a popular spot for fitness freaks, families and those who like a stroll. The walk is situated at the base of Mt. Dandenong. I estimate approximately 45 minutes from the city.The walk itself is only 3.6 km but don’t be fooled by the small distance; half of that is made up of moss covered, deceptively steep steps.
At first I thought it would be a nice Sunday stroll. The scenery was beautiful, the air was fresh and I even saw some native wildlife.
Up and back only took half an hour to walk; far too easy. Feeling inspired by the fact I had no alcohol in my system and after a few encouraging words from my personal trainer/little brother I attempted to run the second time up.
After the first 2 flights of stairs I had to stop. Pink as the vodka raspberries I didn’t have last night and just as sticky, I arrived at the top. With only a few tiny breaks along the way I was very pleased with my efforts.
According to my fitness freak brother running up the steps works the quadriceps (thighs) and gastrocnemius (calves) muscles- great for legs. Running down the steps then works the glutes (butt) and hamstrings (thinghs) muscles. Furthermore the unstable surface of a track meant my core muscles were constantly working to keep me stabilized.

It’s true my abs and butt feel sore and also do I dare say a little defined.I will definitely be back... just maybe not on a Sunday.