Heellllloooo, remember me?

It's been a while! A week, in fact. I feel like I have been avoiding you. Maybe I have...

Let me wrap up the week.

Last Friday, we went out to Shakahari for my birthday. Now, I booked this over a month ago. When I first rang, they told me that they could have no more than 20 on a Friday night, but nothing about having to split us up. Then on the Tuesday before I rung up and whoever I spoke to asked if I would like us all outside, that they would have to split up the tables a little, but we would have the whole outside to ourselves. I thought this would be a fabulous idea, especially having a few kids coming.

So I arrived and there we were, separated, inside, near the door. Hmmmm. I was not impressed to put it politely. I complained, but obviously, there was nothing they could do about it. So not a good start. I also found the place to be very noisy, from the first moment we walked in and it was like that for the whole time. I found it difficult to hear my guests speak. Because we were in the doorway, we had many people walking between the two tables (one had kids on it, the other, adults). Before our mains arrived, we were told that we could go outside but there was only enough room for 10 people. I'm not sure what they wanted us to do with the 7 kids ranging from 1 to 11. They didn't offer to babysit, that's for sure! So we declined the offer.
Our waiter was run off his feet. We got there for 7.30pm and didn't even get a drink order in until near 8pm. We ordered our food at half eight.
On the positives, the waiter was really good, especially with the kids (if you have kids you will understand this comment - it is important they treat the kids with respect, I think). The food was DELICIOUS!!!!!! Check out the food porn below.

My dinner choice - Lentil Parcels

Quinoa Croquettes

This was 'Something Medina' - I think it was ordered in honour of one of our home town suburbs!

Laska

Mushroom Pot Pie

Pumpkin Gnocchi

Avocado Rolls

My Dessert! Tofu Caramel with caramelised pistachio nuts )and something else - help me out Heidi!)

This was sooooooooooooo good!

So, all in all a pretty average night. I'd go back again for the food, although I wouldn't be rushing.

The next day the girls and I (YM stayed at my sister's house for the weekend) went to the city and watched the Myer Christmas Parade. It's our first. It was good - the girls got up nice and close to the action, and we didn't have to wait as long as I thought before the parade headed our way. It was pretty hot though and I'm glad we all decided to wear hats - many people didn't. Then we went to Crossways - we ALWAYS go here when we are in the city. You have to remember we are poor at the moment, so this place is perfect for us! I think it cost me $11 for myself and the 2 girls. The main is always vegan, the desert vegetarian and cordial, water or milk to drink. AND it is all you can eat. Can't beat that for value!

And finally, I found these shampoos/conditioners at Priceline in Chadstone.

They promise no sls, als, parabens or petrolchemical cleasers. They claim they are vegan, and cruelty free. They also use packaging that is plant based. WOW. Now, before you ask, no I haven't tried them yet. But when I do I will let you know. I really wanted to share my find. I didn't buy myself any shampoo. I am trying to embrace my curls and have started no-poo (ing). I'm also trying to get Tweenie to love her curls now, like my parents should have done with me, so she doesn't have to get to 35 before realising that one needs to work with what one has been given!

Oh, one more thing. You may have notice that I have DELETED my facebook account (one of my goals on the side of this blog). I know! Amazing, right? I decided that it was REALLY wasting my time and most of the people on there really couldn't give a flying f@*k about me anyways so why was I spending so much time on there? It is like a drug and I've already had to deal with giving up that before (nicotine).

Facebook gone, no nicorette patches required.

Tahn