An Ode.

To the tiny street corners and the holes-in-the-walls,

To the providers of meals that make my heart pause,

To the canteens of quirk and of produce so fresh,

To the chefs that contribute new pounds to my flesh,

You bring about magic when you open your doors,

You're like family - I love you - even with all of your flaws.

You give smiles, no judgement and keep secrets of mine,

For a tea, chat and tart, you always have time.

Penniless or not, in my life ye shall stay,

My singular addiction, the humble cafe.

Yes folks, instead of doing what I should be doing (writing smash hit songs), I instead decided to (rather ridiculously) write an ode (yes an ode) (though not in proper iambic meter) to my favourite haunts. It has just become crystal clear that my love of sitting in cafes and indulging myself is probably not normal...

In my defence though, they all genuinely play host to top notch food, passionate owners and good musical vibes (tres important). To me, each spot deserves nothing short of a glowing review (particularly around the time of the day that breakfast is required - Helloo scrambled eggs). All special for different reasons...I suppose you'll just have to try them to see for yourself!

Images: 1,3&6: youeni foodstore (Like an old friend...I might only see them once every few months, but when I do, boy oh boy it's good)  2: HAM - Harry & Mario (My daily) 4: Bread And Circus Wholefoods Canteen (My weekend fling) 5: Alley Break (My new friend. I know I like 'him' but we're still trying to suss each other out properly...)

x

E

Foggy Wednesday.

Catching planes has almost become a guilty pleasure for me. The quiet taxi ride to the airport, the purchase of several good magazines at the terminal newsagent, a severely overpriced vegetable juice and a four dollar bottle of water and finally, the sweet surrender of switching off my phone - guilt free - for a minimum of two hours whilst soaring forty thousand feet above the ground.

Today is no exception. Here I am, at the airport again waiting for my delayed flight to Melbourne...I've just been informed (not by the company, but by a chatty stranger) that it's been pushed back by another hour. Yay.

"No time to get a dress today and I've got no backup. Looks, like I'll have to go on stage naked" I say..."This sucks balls" says Gerard (my accompanist) (and quite frankly, he's right. It does.). I have to stifle my delirious laughter as he offers the followup statement of "I think it's about time to eat my second piece of corn." We are so not normal.

Anyway, I found the above dress whilst traipsing through Frankie magazine with my breakfast this morning (Courtesy of Bread and Circus Canteen in Alexandria) and I am in LOVE. Please make more dresses with pastries on them Caitlin Shearer. Perhaps I should commission her for my next red carpet event...what do you think?

With a smile,

x

Emma

P.S Oh, I almost forgot - Welcome! Hope you enjoy visiting my yummy little internet home. Prepare your eyes and ears for pages of jazzy tunes, classy frocks, deeelicious food and all round goodness. Time to step into Life With Birdsall...