Our 11th wedding anniversary fell on Friday and we had plans for a long weekend away in the Dandenong Ranges which is less than an hours drive away from home. It's a popular weekend location but we'd never been in all our 5 years here in Melbourne much because Steve always says it's 10 minutes away from one of his biggest clients so is hardly a location for a mini break.

But they're not my client and I'd heard how pretty it was so went ahead and booked a cottage for 3 nights. Traffic was bad on Friday night so it took us twice as long to get there but we arrived just as the sun was setting and enjoyed the greenery around us.

​The cottage was cute and cosy tucked away amidst giant ferns. It was very peaceful and relaxing and we could feel the leisure of the weekend arrive and stay with us once we'd set foot inside!

Dinner was delivered by a local company called Flitterby's and we enjoyed a Moroccan feast that was flavoursome and made better with minimal preparation and washing up!

The next morning was all blue sky and sunshine and we made plans to explore the neighbouring villages and perhaps a stroll around the Rhododendron Gardens in Olinda where we were staying. And we got to see the front of our little cottage in the daylight. It was a like a fairytale cottage in the woods!

Our morning adventure was a walk around the National Rhododendron Gardens where we admired some pretty blooms and enjoyed the blue sky and sunshine. It was also interesting watching various amateur photo shoots and the efforts people go to with props and costumes!

After the walk around the gardens we visited Sassafras and Mt Dandenong and found a pub that offered beer, gin and sunshine all of which were on hour checklist of course! We spent a couple of hours there reading the newspaper and enjoying a leisurely lunch. Coincidental reading too!

Our evening was spent in the cottage with the fire on as in spite of the warm day, the night was pretty cool. And we enjoyed a home cooked dinner thanks to Steve.

On Sunday morning after an enjoyable breakfast we headed to the Tulip Festival as we had free tickets that came with our accommodation. It was surprisingly busy and by the time we left 2 hours later, the queues at the entrance were pretty crazy.

Granted the tulips are very pretty and it was pleasant to be able to walk between the rows of colourful blooms but given the Rhododendron Gardens are free and this costs $25 per adult, it seems a pretty expensive option. At least it was free for us. I don't think I'd pay for it.

There was live music and Bavaria beer sponsored a lounging area with giant bean bags and we were able to secure one so relaxed for an hour laid out in the sunshine. The free wine tasting and beer for sale was definitely very welcome!

Our next stop was SkyHigh which effectively a look out that you can drive to on Mt Dandenong. We thought the Tulip Festival was busy but this was even crazier. It cost $6 per car and we were there for about 10 minutes!

Here is a view to the CBD from Mt Dandenong and we could spot our old home Eureka. There were lots of families enjoying picnics on the grass and was definitely a popular place to be.

The rest of the day was spent back at the cottage and again Steve cooked a delicious dinner and the fire burnt brightly.

​​I managed to be injury free and was pretty impressed with myself. Just as we were about to get to the car I decided to pop to the ladies and as I walked across the flat lawn, what happened? Yes I rolled my ankle! At the last possible hurdle! We were a right pair by the time we got to the car both with sore ankles!

​And so to console ourselves over our injuries and to reward our strenuous activity we undid all that good walk with a naughty but oh so delicious lunch at Jimmy Grant's! This was a fitting end to a lovely weekend getaway. Although the Dandenong Ranges are only a 45 minute drive away during off peak hours (2 hours on the Friday night due to traffic), it felt like we were far far away and it was definitely good for the soul to have a weekend of R&R.

Whilst we were away for the weekend it was my granny Boo Boo's 93rd birthday and there was a family meal as a celebration. Amelia enjoyed playing with Goo Goo (Aunty Carine) but she also had a fun weekend of soft play and lunch out too.

It's been lovely seeing the times when Spring triumphs though and these last two weekends have seen her victorious. There are blossoms on trees, gentle breezes, blue skies and sunshine and it's even been warm enough for a spot of sunbathing during the last two Sundays.

Last Saturday, Ling, Stef and I had lunch together and then we spent some time at Ling's house where we caught up with the delightful Bunty who enjoyed eating yoghurt! Ling and I had a lovely foot massage at her local shopping centre before we did a clear out of a lot of her beauty products. She was so kind to gift them all and I could take them to work to share with the girls there in return for them going onto her blog. The Wednesday morning that I "opened up shop" was a riot of giggles and fun and they were overwhelmed by Ling's generosity. By the end of the day there was a bottle of foundation and two boxes of blonde hair dye left!

See all those goodies!? There were products for hair to the feet and everything in between!

Friday night was a girls' night with Shern and we met after work for a spot of shopping, got our nails done and followed that up with cocktails before an amazing dinner.

And as for amazing Amelia; she's another one growing up too and becoming such an adult. We had a chat over FaceTime this weekend and she wants to go on holiday again with us as it's all about ice cream and getting her nails done! Girl after my own heart really.

Obviously I spend too much on handbags because Myer invited me to the launch of their new designer handbag department one Friday evening a couple of weekends ago so I took along fellow handbag lover Kirsty and we admired some lovely leather delights and had some free Champagne as well as some sugar treats.

After the handbag browsing Kirsty and I headed to Carlton and we met up with the Timberts and their friend Yvette and we enjoyed some pre dinner drinks and some delicious pizza followed by cheese and chatter. Certainly a busy Friday night.

The following morning, Steve and I ventured out to the suburb of Mitcham where we met up with Jacqui and Richie and 20 more of their friends and we enjoyed a party bus to the Yarra Valley and visited wineries, had pizza for lunch and finished up at a brewery and cider house all in celebration of Richie's 40th.

Thursday last week was good fun for Steve and I as we attended the first Private Dining Room event held at a mystery location we were informed about two days in advance and in the theme of black and white. Steve and I had signed up because the chef for the event was Matt Butcher and we love his food.

It was a great evening of delicious and interesting food and we were seated opposite a couple of journalists from the Sydney Morning Herald who had eaten and been everywhere. We were had a chat with the producer who provided the drinking water; rainwater from Tasmania no less so the chatter was interesting.

It's been Amelia's 3rd birthday and she has so many celebrations with plenty of cakes and parties with different people. Lucky lucky girl!

I bought her a pink princess cloak and a floral wreath so she could dress up as a fairy princess but certainly I didn't imagine she'd resemble more of a psychedelic vampire bat!