Wana Join Me To See The Jacaranda Blossoms In Sydney?

Hi Huneybees,

Tamworth Streetscape
Photo Credits: Destination NSW

I was looking up for some travel destinations to celebrate hubby's birthday and I came upon this information which I think very little people know about. So, I wana share it with you guys and I think it will bring more attention to the beautiful sceneries down under.

Jacaranda Blossoms commonly referred to as the "Dream Tree", are beautiful lilac trees that bloom from October to November, transforming Sydney into a sea of purple, and seeing the pictures shared, it's comparable with the cherry blossoms and sakura season...

For those that are also looking for a getaway and am keen to check out the Jacaranda Blossoms, here are some of the best spots for that Insta-worthy shot.

Photo Credits: Simon Hughes

Grafton Jacaranda Festival

Happening from 27 October – 4 November, the annual festival is held under canopies of purple blossoms and commences regally with the crowning of the Jacaranda Queen and Princesses. The fun family event features local arts, crafts, and sporting groups all showcasing their work.

The festival culminates with a float parade of enormous proportions on Saturday afternoon followed by a sunset family concert on the Riverbank. Sunday morning, for one last chance to tread the Jacaranda blossom carpeted streets, there is a Fun Run which includes a run across the famous bendy bridge.

Photo Credits: Destination NSW

Surry Hills, Sydney

One of Sydney’s buzziest and most happening suburb – Surry Hills is a gastronomic paradise filled with cafes and quirky restaurants, imagine dining and enjoying a lovely cup of coffee under those gorgeous lavender trees, as people walk by. What a scenery right?

Photo Credits: Destination NSW

Circular Quay, Sydney

The blooming jacarandas perfectly frame the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and historic cobblestone streets of The Rocks for a picture that captures attention. Strolling along the harbour with your loved ones would make a special memorable shot.

Photo Credits: Destination NSW

Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney

Take a long languid stroll in Sydney’s famous Royal Botanic Gardens. A short walk from Circular Quay and Hyde Park, the garden has thousands of plant specimens. Wildlife in the garden includes colourful birds, fruit bats, and water dragons. The Calyx is a world-class horticultural space, with changing exhibitions designed to capture your imagination.

I'm seriously considering this season in Sydney to be our next trip, now to make sure hubby has enough leave to take. LOL!

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Falling In Love With Mellower Coffee's Sakura Fubuki

Hi Huneybees, ;

While the general public are still praying for the return of Gong Cha and sharing mixed reviews on the new cheesy milk tea by LiHO, a specialty café from Shanghai has been making great stride into the local F&B scene with very interesting coffee.

Imagine standing under the cherry blossom trees, wind blowing against your skin, making the sakura petals fall from the trees as you catch a whiff of sakura fragrance whilst sipping on your warm cuppa of Joe. This is what Mellower Coffee Singapore wants you to feel with their newly launched signature drink - Sakura Fubuki.

Designed as an unique Japanese twist to the typical Americano, this drink contains Sakura blossom preserve that is actually Sakura petals imported from Japan (Osaka to be exact) in a glass of chilled syrup with ice and 2 shots of expresso in test tubes.

To truly enjoy this new signature from Mellower Coffee, I suggest you, my Huneybees to start by mixing half a shot/test tube of expresso into the glass of syrup with Sakura blossom preserve just to sample it before adding more.

Doing so will allow you to find your own preference by adjusting the degree of bitterness, whilst reducing the saltiness and sweetness from the petal preserves and the syrup collectively. Just like first love, magnificent yet short lived, beautiful yet with a snip of bitterness.

For me, my perfect balance was to add in 1.5 shots (or test tube) of espresso, leaving me with a slight floral aftertaste. Not only is the Sakura Fubuki a dance on your taste buds, it's also Instagram worthy.

Sakura Fubuki is the latest of many signatures that Mellower Coffee has had created, such as Ice Lemon Sparkling Yirgacheffe and Ice Rose Fresh Cream Lungo, just to name a few, by a team of world class barista at its disposal.

Since its establishment in 2011 in Shanghai China, Mellower Coffee has grown from strength to strength with 20 outlets in China, 2 outlets in Singapore - 77 Robinson Road #01-03 and 108 Middle Road - and 1 in Seoul Korea . More information - http://www.mellowercoffee.com.

With Mellower Coffee's bold attempt to communicate to the world about Chinese sentiments towards Coffee as well as constantly pushing the boundary of coffee with new signatures, I'm sure it is going to be a new force to reckoned with in this fast growing potential world of coffee.

Do try it and let me know your thoughts of this drink =)

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Say I Love You This Mother's Day With SK-II Sakura Limited Edition Facial Treatment Essence

Hi Huneybees,

Give the gift of flawless skin to the woman who has loved us selflessly this Mother's Day with SK-II! Both my mum and I have been using their Facial Treatment Essence for years already and we have been collecting their limited edition bottles.

This year, their iconic SK-II Facial Treatment Essence has adorned an exquisite, limited edition Sakura design in full bloom. This soft pink bottled design has been widely loved and shared on social media, if your mummy dearest is a fan of SK-II products, this will make a great gift!

Containing over 90% of Pitera, the FTE will make a timeless gift of crystal clear skin to celebrate a lifetime of your love for your mothers. Here's sending a big *MUAHZ* to all the amazing mothers in the world!

The new limited edition SK-II Sakura Crystal Clear Skin Set is available at SGD$259, featuring the SK-II Sakura Limited Edition Facial Treatment Essence and the SK-II Facial Treatment Clear Lotion. You can get them at all SK-II counters from 20 April.

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Enjoy Sakura Matsuri This Weekend @ NEX

Hi Huneybees,

Families looking for fun activities for littles ones over the weekend, fret not! Bring your kids to an exclusive Meet & Greet with Pikachu or dress up in a yukata for a traditional family photo-op.

There’s something for everyone at the ISETAN Sakura Matsuri fair at NEX! While the little ones meet Pikachu, the entire family can celebrate spring in style at NEX with exclusive cherry blossom inspired goodies and popular Japanese street snacks!

Meet & Greet Pikachu

Date: 1 & 2 April

Address: ISETAN Serangoon Central Children’s Department L3

Time: 1pm, 3pm and 5pm.

For those who want to capture these special memories with a traditional Japanese family portrait, you’re in luck! Just spend $80* at the ISETAN Sakura Matsuri fair from 28 March to 9 April to enjoy a free traditional Japanese family photo taking opportunity in yukata from 1:30pm to 6:00pm.

*Terms and conditions apply

But of course, the fun doesn’t just end there!

Celebrate the advent of Spring @ NEX with lucky draws, giveaways and the long-awaited ISETAN Sakura Matsuri 2017! This year’s ISETAN Japanese Spring celebrates tradition in its fullest bloom at Spring @ NEX. Bring home the taste of spring, with an exclusive range of Sakura-inspired offerings at the ISETAN Sakura Matsuri fair from Tuesday, 28th March to Sunday, 9th April 2017 at the NEX Level 1 Atrium! There's so much to see, so much to do!

Besides an exclusive shopping experience, jewelry aficionados can also participate in a silver or gold jewelry crafting workshop led by experienced Tokyo craftsmen – workshop prices and timings are available at https://www.isetan.com.sg/.

Also, from 9 March - 30 April, enjoy fabulous deals with The Spring Giveaway and The Spring Bonanza -  there’s never been a better reason to shop till you drop!

For more details, please visit www.nex.com.sg or call 6416 6366.  

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[Travelogue] Falling In Love With The Cherry Blossoms In Seoul

Hi Huneybees,

In the last few months, I have already been to Seoul 3 times. But the trip last week was the most fulfilling one as I have finally seen the beauty of Cherry Blossoms right before my eyes! 

Though at the mention of cherry blossoms, alot of people would immediately think of Japan, but in Seoul, it is as equally well visited during this season, but with lesser people shuffling, allowing more time to enjoy the beautiful blooms.

Ain't this a lovely background for wedding photoshoots?!

The weather was great and as I walked along the Yeouido Park (여의도공원), little petals of cherry blossoms fell and swept with the wind against my skin. It was a really beautiful and romantic sight to be dating and spending quality time with your loved ones and snap lovely photos with them!

Being Seoul's largest island, Yeouido island is regarded as the "Manhattan of Seoul" with tall buildings surrounding the park and throngs of business suited up men and women bustling about. The island is not home to only Korea’s largest banks and financial services companies, but also to its major broadcasters and global brands like LG.

These 2 towers are the LG twin headquarters.

The name “Yeouido” means "useless island” due to the Hangang River’s frequent floods during the Joseon Dynasty, relegating Yeouido Island to pasture land and peanut fields.See the wide spacious roads? That used to be airplane runways! Japanese colonial authorities built Korea’s first airport here in 1929, but it, too, succumbed to the Hangang. It was promoted to be such a huge financial, political and broadcasting world only in 1970, when a bridge was built to link Yeouido to the mainland. 

Other than finding Cherry Blossoms within the park, you can also cross the street to this installation shown below and walk along the Yeouido Hangang Park , you find even more cherry blossoms trees. Just slow down your pace, enjoy the weather and see those lovely flowers, all the stress and worries seem to fade off...

Other than just Cherry Blossoms, along the way there were also other colourful and rarely seen flowers as well. It makes the whole summer so bright and cheerful, what better way to celebrate a new season than flowers in their brightest bloom to welcome us?!

To celebrate the blooming of the cherry blossoms, there was a festival ground for us to explore and along the way, there were people doing street paintings, selling some of the traditional korean tidbits as well as people hanging out at the park with their friends and families, enjoying food, riding bicycles and flying kites. 

Just a tiny planet of the park in panorama...

Even I also couldn't resist the temptation of getting a bright pink candy floss specially for some pop of colours whilst taking some selfies. It felt like back to childhood days when I would take walks with my family to check out those special festival markets... :)

OK! Gona leave you with more photos of the beautiful Cherry Blossoms. According to my friends, the flowers have already mostly dropped, such beauty is so short lived! I'll definitely be back next year and I must bring a photographer along! Hehehehe....

Did you guys manage to catch the Cherry Blossoms as well?

Do you like them too? 

I was told the koreans preferred the autumn leaves though, what about you?

Don’t forget to stay tuned to my blog / like my blog’s Facebook page / follow me @huney_84 on Twitter & Instagram  for the latest updates!

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