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australia

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Sydney (Part I)

I’m pretty sure that Sydney is my soul city. I absolutely love it here. I just laughed and felt rather nostalgic reading my last (short-lived) blog from my previous trip here in 2010 – Down Under Diary. The trip consisted of a lot more sight-seeing and fancy restaurants and bars than this one will, but I will love both, as they reflect the current stage of our life. While in Melbourne, Isla rarely napped like she typically does in Houston – a 2ish hour nap after lunchtime. Since we arrived in Sydney on Sunday, she has picked this up, napping from 1:30-4:30pm, which is crazy. It also means that her 7pm bedtime can be pushed back, making it convenient to go out and try all of the trendy restaurants near the beach. We’re praying she quickly adjusts to her Houston schedule when we return home.

On Sunday, we arrived in Manly around 1pm and ate lunch at the nearby The Roast Office, then unpacked and we all took a nap. After waking up, we went to find the beach… only we got really lost and ended up finding a swing set, then wandered to the wharf. We ate dinner at Papi Chulo, which was so tasty and very kid-friendly (best high-chair seat attachments!).

The following day, we ate breakfast again at The Roast Office (it’s that delicious!) then wandered two streets over to Manly Beach. After a few hours on the beach (it was cloudy), we ate lunch at Hemingway’s, which made me really excited, as I’m re-reading The Paris Wife for the 1,000th time. We left the restaurant, returned to the apartment, and while Isla took her extremely long nap, I went for a run to get our bearings on the area. I got a little lost, but saw the gorgeous north point of Manly. After I showered and Isla woke up, we caught the ferry to the Circular Quay, where we took photos of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, then ate the most delicious dinner at Opera Bar (where I had drinks with friends in 2010!). Isla absolutely loved the ferry ride and kept yelling, “FISH!!!!” and pointing out to the water. Our sweet friend, Esther, who owns cuteheads made the best custom dress ever, which got no less than 8 compliments from people we saw. The tulle kills me – it’s so precious! 

Yesterday was Australia Day (think Fourth of July craziness for Americans), so we weren’t sure what would be open or not. Isla wore her custom red, white and blue cuteheads outfit to be extra festive (it was a huge hit!). We fortunately had breakfast at the highly recommended Three Beans (delicious muesli bowl), and then went to the beach. As opposed to her last two experiences on the sand, this time is was really hot, and Isla didn’t know how to feel about that. I escaped for a bit with her to get a mango sorbet, which she devoured. We decided to eat lunch at Manly Grill (Sasha ate kangaroo, which horrified me), and then we went back to the apartment for Isla’s nap. I ran away to Shelly Beach for a quick tan and book session, then returned right as Isla was waking up. We went to the ocean pool, then wandered to a few restaurants which were closed for the holiday before deciding to eat dinner at Ouzeria (their halloumi was heavenly). 

We’re heading to Tarongo Zoo tomorrow, and I think Isla is going to be besides herself with excitement. I cannot wait! Follow along on Snapchat at @aileepetrovic!

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Our Next Adventure: Australia and New Zealand

On Saturday, Sasha and I pulled the trigger on flights to Melbourne for January 2016. As I’ve mentioned before, we’re going to Paris next month to watch the French Open, and so I’ve lured Sasha into traveling ‘down under’ in order to go to the Australian Open (we both win, right?). I visited Melbourne in May of 2010 as the tail end of a vacation in Sydney, where I was visiting friends (and of course, I kept a travel blog!). My parent’s best friends (and practically my second parents growing up) moved to Australia when I was in high school, and I got to stay with them for a few days before flying back to Texas.

I absolutely loved both Sydney and Melbourne. I genuinely think Australians are the coolest people on planet earth, so I was a little fan girl-ish the whole time I was there.

For our 2016 trip, we’ll spend a handful of days in Melbourne, catching up with the Pattens, seeing the sites of the city, and watching tennis, and we will also take a flight to either Auckland or Christchurch (the capitol of New Zealand) for more adventures. Traveling around Milford Sound is on my Bucket List! I could spend hours on Google images clicking through pictures. I’m slightly nervous about traveling 20+ hours with a 1.5 year old, but that’s what iPads are for, right? Ha.

I cannot wait to start planning the trip; however, I’ve got to finish my Paris and St. Petersburg itineraries first! In the meantime, I’d love to start collecting helpful resources. Do you follow any Australian blogs? I’ve listed a few of my favorites below. Have you been to Melbourne or New Zealand? If so, I’d love to hear your recommendations!


Favorite Australian Blogs

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Ruby’s Confetti-Filled First Birthday Party

If you’re not following Claire on Instagram (@ClaireBearCurtis) already, you are seriously missing out. I stumbled upon her account recently, and I’m addicted to her gorgeous pictures and even more beautiful children. Her little baby girl, Ruby, turned one recently, and Claire threw the world’s greatest first birthday party. No, seriously.

While I get major anxious just thinking about that milestone in Isla’s life (exactly 6 months from today!), I get great joy from looking at the photos from Ruby’s confetti-themed party. The cake is unreal, the leggings (and multiple outfit changes!) were precious, and the table background with all of the honeycomb poufs is to die for. I want it all!

Feast your eyes on this colorful confetti fantasy land!

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Esther Houston in La Petite Mag

Esther Houston, model and wife of Hillsong United (favorite Christian band) singer, Joel Houston, was honestly the most beautiful pregnant person I have ever seen. Their cute little baby boy, Zion, is now 7 months old – did I mention he’s cute? Check out his Instagram.

Esther recently posted pictures from a maternity shoot she did with La Petite Mag when she was forty weeks pregnant (I hope I look half that good!) on her blog Miss Whoo. I absolutely love her maternity style. The striped blue maxi dress is gorgeous – I’d really like to own all of these dresses!

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