Coffee Cantata- Rovinj, Croatia

After a ten minute walk early morning wheeling my over stuffed suitcase (I never learn) over the beautiful cobble stones of a near deserted Rovinj, I arrived at the bus stop. Most travellers will concur when I point out that a good cup of coffee and a bus station just don't go together.
But coffee was what I needed before the three hour bus trip to Trieste. I played the 'spot the local game', it works every time, and watched where they were headed for their morning fix.
Delighted to see that it was just over the road from the bus stop, I scored a perfect Espresso. Now I'm asking for help to name this cafe.This shot, although a little grainy, should trigger some one's memory?

Coffee Cantata - Prague

For your morning constitutional I suggest that you  take a walk, or run (the locals are very fitness friendly) over the river to the Mala Strana side, to explore the lovely old apartment buildings, stately homes, Baroque Palaces, and in contrast, the cosy neighbourhood cafes that embrace the role of social hubs during the long winter months.
For a truly wonderful experience that will take you back a couple of centuries head for the  Savoy Café - on Vitenza, just across the Most Legii (Bridge).The Savoy oozes lashings of old world charm, sophistication, and atmosphere – take special note of the beautifully embossed and painted ceilings with their elegant Chandeliers, and impeccable waiter service to match. Morning coffee and a pastry are served on a silver tray accompanied with a glass of sparkling mineral water (a nice touch). Lunch here can be as simple as three frankfurters served floating sedately in an elegant lidded bowl and served with a choice of three different types of mustard, three slices of bread and a small bowl of grated cheese. Excellent local wine compliment the food.

In the same street, just up the road, there’s a great bakery, Paneria, where you can enjoy your first of the morning sweet or savoury pastry with a particularly good blend of strong black coffee.

Cafe Edel-Ungel in the lane on the left hand side of the Tyn Church is the perfect place for a sightseers mid morning caffeine fix.

http://thoneyfield.blogspot.com

Coffee Cantata - Singapore

Forty years of globe trotting on at least one cup of coffee a day represents a minimum intake of 14,600 cups (horrors). A lifetime of perfect on the palate notes, enhanced by the settings and surrounds I have chosen to enjoy this endearing and enduring stimulant.
With a background in travel - over a ten year period I was Sales and Marketing Manager for three Corporate Travel Agencies, four years as an International flight attendant, and a degree in Nutrition, I feel that I am well qualified to comment on where to find a good cup of coffee on your travels.

I'm not a coffee purist, nor do I claim to be a beans and blends expert,  but I do recognise a good cup of coffee when I taste one.
By choice I drink cafe espresso or long black in Europe, Soy Cappuccino (without chocolate on top) in Australia, and a 'normal' Cappuccino in the countries that aren't yet into Soy Milk - from recent experience, Croatia and Singapore

Not many of the 14,600 cups have registered on my required level of perfection scale, but some have come really close. In some places the cafes have been more enticing than the products they serve. To score both is a bonus. In Prague there are Cafes whose surrounds are so elegant that you would excuse an inferior blend. In Paris the passing parade counters some of the lesser and most expensive cups of coffee I've experienced

As my contribution to the pleasures of the palate I intend to run Coffee Cantata as an 'open ended' blog. Coffee enthusiasts will be able to tap into my sources, and hopefully add their own. This is the start of a world Coffee Cantata movement.

Let's start off in Singapore where I spent the Christmas/New Year period. My daughter is not a coffee drinker (apparently I'm "a coffee tragic") so turned to her caffeine fixated friends to "provide a list" of their top tips. They did well - I scored at three very different interpretations of - 'a cafe that serves coffee'.

Papa Palheta, 140 Bukit Timah Road. Open 9am to 7.30pm, closed Monday. Their philosophy "to bring out the best in the beans" is executed to perfection.

Maison Kayser (Paris) 6 Scott Road, Scotts Square, is as French as the French, serving brilliant pastries and baguettes to enjoy with your coffee.

Trung Nguyen (Vietnamese Coffee), The Heeren Centre, 260 Orchard Road serves the best creema I've come across in my travels. This cafe is up a long escalator from Orchard Road. Early morning coffee addicts take note - it doesn't open until 11:30am and closes late.

Model Reflections

These shots were taken at the Parade of Models Festival, Double Bay, Sydney. The reflections caught my eye but the charming elderly gentleman was blissfully oblivious of them and just went about his business,

                                                                             

Spring is just around the corner

Geraniums outside the office window

A pretty garden

A holiday destination

Noosa, Queensland

Coolum Beach

Coolum Beach

Noosa River at Sunset

Interior decorating on a shoe string (for renters) http://ani4design.blogspot.com

If you're a renter you're stuck with the design features you inherit but....like figure faults,
with clever decorating you can enhance the good and disguise the bad.

1. Decide on a decorating 'theme' and stick to it throughout the interior
2. Look at the 'bone' structure. If the ceilings are low keep the furnishings to scale.If they're lofty and the rooms are large you can branch out with comfy over stuffed couches and a few 'statement' pieces.
3. Keep the wall colours neutral and monochromatic throughout to give the idea of space. If there's no outlook consider a feature wall to add personality.

Check out this simple yet effective apartment furnished entirely with bits and pieces picked up from second hand shops and markets. There's not a piece of furniture, art or adornment over $200 but there's still a feeling of continuity and of 'style'.

The country kitchen picks up on the casual theme.

Now for decorating ideas that cost little to produce yet deliver big results

Check out this exciting yet inexpensive way to bring colour into your world. I spotted these 'happy' cushions in the back bar of a pub at Bondi Junction

City Lines

Good design is the sum of its parts - line, shape, form and function.
Commercial architecture, the most visual  and longstanding design form combines
all these elements. If you take time to look up when you're in the city you'll notice
a mix of styles and designs all competing for 'air' space. Sometimes they work together, but most often they don't, and the good architecture is hidden amongst
the bad.
Take a look at these shots taken in Broadway, Sydney. They're a representative
sample of just how complex the streetscape and its skyline can be.

About the City

Friday 03 September

Martin Place is the pivotal centre of the Sydney CBD runs down from Macquarie Street to George Street.
Banks and Finance companies are moving out and as the economy picks up 'ritzy' luxury fashion houses are moving in.

Here's a selection of what's in the windows in and around Martin Place.

In a less Ritzy part of town, close to the cinema district is a little Patisserie that serves the most divine small cakes. Once you've enjoyed window shopping in the 'big' end of town I suggest you check it out.
Azuma Patisserie - Regent Plaza Shopping Arcade, 501 George Street.

Art Gallery of NSW - David to Cezanne

Coming soon - 22 Sept - 5 December
See this wonderful collection of master drawings from the Prat Collection, Paris without having to leave Australia

An in- depth exploration of the development of French art over the 19th century through drawings by David, Ingres, Gericault, Delacroix, Millet, Manet, Degas, Moreau, Seurat, Cezanne and others.

Spring Fashion Celebrations

Sunday 29 August

In conjunction with the Sydney Spring Fashion Festival, William Street, Paddington came alive yesterday with a celebration to fashion. The street was closed off and the shop owners came out onto the pavements.

A few 'happy'  snaps to put a spring in your step

 Collette Dinnigan
'sparkles'

The Australian Centre of photography in Oxford Street also joined in the salute to fashion with these wonderful models wearing beaded cloches.