I was recently in Sydney for work as was introduced to this store as somewhere I could commit “mortal sin“.

So I thought bring it on!

What can I say, except I did.  Well all the shopping wasn’t for me, I did some for my family and some Christmas shopping as well as a house warming gift – so it was all good.

For such a small store, there was so much choice and fabulous goodies, whether it was giftware, clothing, shoes or jewellery.  There was something for everyone, including the male in your life as well as children.

The staff were very friendly and helpful and were most obliging to gift wrap.

What more do I need to say, but please go visit and treat yourself, a friend for their birthday or pick something up for your present box.  I LOVE this shop.

This probably isn’t really a Best Kept Secret in Darwin, but it constantly amazes me how there are still people in town who do not know that this is quite simple the “best laksa in town!”

I love eating at this place and if I could, I would at least two to three times a week.  At best, I get to eat her once a fortnight – just the nature of my job.

You need to ring and book a table – the booths are small and there is nothing worse then craving one of these laksas and getting there to find out they are booked out.  In saying that, I believe they would turn those tables over two to three times each lunch time.

Now one thing I have learnt in taking a guest here – most people come to eat the laksa – don’t order a bacon and egg sandwich – even if there is one on offer on the menu – just not the done thing! 

The laksas are superb and when I was pregnant, my stomach couldn’t handle the richness of the laksa so, I had the beef rendang.  I can also recommend this, along with the Malaysian chicken rice.  The best thing is, if you can’t fit a normal size laksa in, they will do a small serve – how accommodating.  Prawn toast is good here also, just in case you need to nibble while waiting for the laksa – which really the service is so fast, I’d put money on you getting the laksa before the prawn toast.

To eat here is cheap round $10/ $12 for a laksa and drink.

Need some invitations, fliers or photocopying done in a hurry?  This is the place to go.

I have been using Copytime for years and especially for invitations.  Most recently, I had them print our Christmas cards, although as I sit here typing I still haven’t sent one as yet – I guess that is what I will be doing tomorrow!

Great selcetion of paper and card available here. They will also cut to size for a small fee. The dude that seems to run the shop and who has been there forever, Colin, is very helpful.  A couple of the younger staff have an attitude, especially when they are busy.  I guess that is so Gen Y these days, but they need to remember – people are paying for a service!

They also have an outlet at Casuarina Shopping Square.  I prefer the one in Smith Street.

I am a bit of a newsagency/ stationary store addict.

I go out of my way to go to Parap Newsagency, as my closest newsagent is at Nightcliff.  In fact, Deborah and Phil used to own the Nightcliff Newsagency, which we used to patronise a lot.

What impresses me about Deborah and Phil is how they get to know each of their clients, personally.  Even though we were their clients at Nightcliff, they still remember us when we go to their Parap store.  That is perhaps one of the main reasons I like going to their store.

Parap Newsagency has all the latest newspapers and magazines and has a well priced stationary section, which I often visit and purchase from.

All the same, Deborah had a knack of ordering in a lovely range of giftware at very reasonable prices at their Nightcliff store when they had it and I especially loved buying gifts at Easter and Christmas.  I am not sure if they are doing this at the Parap store and will need to check next time I am there.

Now, if you like good quality olive oil, Phil and Deborah stock Brini from the Adelaide Hills (cold pressed extra virgin olive oil).  Not sure how much it is, as we were very fortunate to be given a bottle as a gift – I will be going back for more.

The Nightcliff Newsagency has new owners, not as friendly, but by the same token we don’t go in their as much.  There is a range of gifts (also reasonably priced) and they still do have one of the best greeting card selections in town.  By the way, the stationary range is not to bad either.

Okay, I avoid real estate agents if I can, but this guy I believe is the real deal.

I find him to be an honest (okay I can hear you all sighing) and good natured fellow.

Out of all the agents here in Darwin, if I was to put my market on the home tomorrow, I would choose this guy.  Why you ask?  Well, I personally believe he is really working for me.  He is honest and frank, but also realistic about what you will get.  I have a fairly good intuition when it comes to people and I get a really good vibe off him.  Whilst I haven’t put my home on the market, I first met Andy through some charity work he undertook.

In fact, he is always helping someone out.  He is very generous with his time and I believe he is one of those people that shares his good fortune.

Though we did get him to do a market appraisal of our home and I believe he provided a fair and honest appraisal.

I am willing to say, if I do put my home on the market, I would back up what I have written and use Andy Hinks – that I promise you.

This store is a Darwin institution, not sure how long it has been here, but I suspect it is as long as I have lived in Darwin.

They have such a great range of product and it is definitely the place to go for that special gift, especially fine crystal.  They have all the upper end brands, prices are reasonable and the service is personalised and top notch.

Each year, I particularly love to go in and buy Christmas decorations.  You have to be quick as they go out the door, including the Waterford 12 days of Christmas range of glassware.  It also has a great range of Kris Kringle gifts at very reasonable prices.  This is the place to buy your mum something really special. 

There is a good range of kitchen wares including Scanpans.  I have bought a number of things for my kitchen from here including Bodum plungers.  There is also a comprehensive range of silicone kitchen utensils in great colours.

This store also has many little things that you would not expect to find any where else – too many to mention in this write up.

I now oblige.

The Godmother organisers a number of events each year, I a number of smaller social gatherings, but recently was involved in a major event which required RSVPs to a number of different functions over the one weekend.  I have always been frustrated with with people not RSVPing by the appropriate date, as has The Godmother.  I think one of the most annoying things, is that you know certain people will be attending and yet as the host you are forced to phone or email to get a response.

With anything I organise, there is always an element of food and/ or drinks.  I do not like to waste good food (or anything for this matter) when there are so many in this world with so little.  It is also the expense, which I am wearing and honestly, I don’t have a money tree out the back.  In addition, preparation of food and drinks also requires my time and a lot of effort.

I felt in this instance, invitations were sent early (four weeks in advance), as the Dry Season is a very busy time in Darwin, so there was plenty of time for planning.  And whilst many people replied quickly yes or no, there were a substantial number that I got the distinct feeling that they would hold off in case they got a better offer.  That in itself is bad form, for God’s sake just say yes or no!

All that was required of the invitee, was to call a mobile number on the invite and respond with a yes or no.  There was a messagebank service in case I wasn’t able to come to the phone.  Oh, there were also calls from people saying yes, they would love to accept, but just not sure if I will be able to get there on the day – are these people high!

I also had people who rang up and RSVPed despite never being asked in the first place – the cheek!

I did some searching about the protocols of RSVPing – I too wanted an update just in case times have changed I haven’t moved along with them.  It was once the case that it was accepted you were attending, unless you advised otherwise.  Unfortunately in this day and age and the lack of general manners in our society, details for an RSVP are included, usually with a date, because people are so bad at it.

There was a lot of information in books and on the internet about responding to wedding invitations, but not much about dinner parties, formal celebrations etc etc.

The ultimate no-no – saying that you will attend something and not show up at all.  Organisers know their invitation lists intimately.  Whilst you think you may not be noticed for not being there because it is a large gathering, do not be so naive.  It is always noticed, your host may be being polite is saying so, but let me assure you, your absence will be noted.

I guess my piece of advice is to be kind to your host/ hostess and when you receive an invitation in the mail, check the date you need to RSVP by, make a decision right there and then and respond as soon as possible – after all, the host was kind enough to think of you and invite to the do!

Most years we go away and believe me, it seems to be the least stressful way for me to celebrate.  I am also adamant about being treated as a bit of a “princess”, as it is the only day of the year that is truly mine – never mind Mother’s Day (my mother gets all the kudos here) and Christmas (well I am so busy organising everyone else to have a great day, I’m not that important).

So I thought my two boys, that I live my life for and who know me so well, would put a great deal of effort in.  Well, quite the contrary!

Whilst out shopping the weekend prior, I found a cookbook that I would use and bought it to assist the boys in the gift department as my number one and only son was adamant he was buying me a cookbook.  I don’t believe in buying books to leave them sitting on a bookshelf, so it was important I got one that I would use.

My husband told me that he and my son were also going shopping for another small gift as a surprise.  On the eve of the Festival, I discovered that they did no such thing and the only thing I was receiving was the cookbook – that I bought for myself.  I can’t explain the disappointment I felt for the lack of effort on both their behalfs.

To add to the torment, we went to dinner at a fave restaurant but the boys were ooohhing and aaahhhing over the dishes they would have and with three people, there is only so much you can order – let me remind you, it is my Festival!  They did not book the restaurant.  To add insult to injury, my son decided to wear thongs, because he has heaps of times and we were not allowed to sit inside to eat our meal, but had to sit al fresco with the fumes from car exhausts.

Then on the Saturday night my best friend (she is that because she is low maintenance.  In fact at the moment, she is so low maintenance I better check what she is up to – way too quiet for my liking!) cooked a beautiful roast meal.  It was kinda of last minute, because my husband thought it would be a great idea to invite some friends around for dinner to celebrate the Festival.  He suggested that he cook roast meat the night before and serve cold meat, salads and bread rolls for dinner.  I was just not in the mood to cook a gourmet meal.  I’d lost my oomph!

I’m afraid at my Festival, I was not in the mood for cold meat and salad.  So back to dinner at my girlfriend’s house.  She is an amazing cook, my son was offical photographer and took some lovely photos throughout the evening, including me blowing out the candles on the cup cakes, that I made myself that afternoon.

Well towards the end of the night, my delightful son and his father were wearing each other’s nerves a bit thin, when somehow my son deleted all the lovely pictures taken.  Dinner was over quite quickly and upon arriving home I declared the whole Festival thing over for 2008.

You see, in our household it is known as a Festival because I often celebrate my birthday well and truly over a couple of weeks.  I just felt so much was going wrong that there was no point in prolonging.

Guess what, next year we will definately go away.

Australia has just spent the weekend remembering the efforts of those who have served and died in the armed services, providing this country with amazing freedoms and national pride.

After watching a delayed broadcast of a number of dawn services and the broadcast of the Anzac Day March in Darwin on Friday, I thought Saturday would provide an opportunity to get out an about for the morning.

I made a visit to the Parap Markets to find it quite busy with heaps of stalls and variety.  I popped into some of my favourite stores, Chocolate Orange and Paraphernalia.

Chocolate Orange has loads of stock and I am pleased to say some new stuff, but there is still stock in there since the day it opened.  Paraphernalia is the same.  I love their jewellery and tend to always buy a piece when I visit this shop, which is starting to become an expensive habit.  Just be wary of some of the pieces, because you will find them elsewhere in Darwin and cheaper.

The stall i normally buy something to eat from wasn’t there, so I decided to buy some take-a-way from the new indian restauarnt, Saffron.  it is great that Saffron opens a take-a-way counter during the markets as they are the only Indian food on offer.  I choose some Rogan Josh and Aloo Matar Rasedar (potato and pea curry) with a couple of rotis.  The cost was $13.50 and was enough for lunch and dinner.

The taste of the food was excellent and I would like to return to the restaurant for a meal at a later date, just to see if the quality is maintained.  I have heard a number of mixed reviews about the restaurant.  As a person with some Indian heritage, I think I am a reasonably good judge of Indian food.

Many have commented on the fact that the restaurant doesn’t use plates, but plates made from recycled product.  Reason being a shortage of people to wash dishes and perhaps their carbon footprint.  It is all the buzz right now.  Irony being is that they used the plastic take-a-way containers for take-a-ways!

My son asked me a couple of nights ago what I would do while they are away.  I replied that I wasn’t sure and his response was “Will you have a party like dad and I do when you go away?”

I haven’t seen my husband move so fast to try and clarify what was said.  Apparently the boys enjoy party pies in my absence from the home for extended periods of time, amongst other sorts of savoury delights.  It appears that this is just like having a party!

What will I do – I am still getting over the flu, so I will be trying to rest as much as possible.  I thought I might move the furniture around – a bit of a surprise for when they return.  Perhaps do a little redecorating! A little bit of shopping?  The best thing is not having to cook a meal – I can eat half a round of brie with crackers downed by a creaming soda for dinner and be perfectly satisfied.

Oh the serenity!

UPDATE:  My son has contacted my father and a friend who lives with us from time to time to see if I have indeed been having any parties and if I miss him yet.  I can assure you, no parties.  The silence has been bliss.