OM Vegetarian Restaurant, Melbourne

Melbourne really has a lot to offer for vegetarian's and there  are a ton of solely vegetarian places to eat and most places being vegetarian friendly in some way. (Three 'vegetarians' in one sentence- that's how vegetarian Melbourne is!) Not only this, there are so many fantastic cheap eats. Great for backpackers like myself who are either broke or trying to save as much money as possible for their next move.

OM is a fantastic example of good cheap wholesome vegetarian food. They have two locations in Melbourne CBD. I happened to be walking past one day and seeing the sign, noting the words 'VEGETARIAN' and '$6.50 ALL YOU CAN EAT', I knew that this would be a place that I would want to be visiting. I went to following weekend armed with two none vegetarian friends who love a cheap feed.

For your $6.50 you get a vegetarian curry, a daal, rice, chapati and some chutney. It was deliciously satisfying, especially washed done with a glass of $2 mango lassi.

The portion was just the right size but being greedy and wanting to take advantage of the all you can eat aspect we of course had seconds.

This would be a great place to visit when your passing through Melbourne low on cash, eating as much as you can to keep you going for as long as possible. I know, because I have been in the position here when you're so low on cash that food stops being a necessity and becomes a luxury. You're getting up really early for your hostel breakfast, stealing extra bread for lunch and looking on the free shelf for any food you can find. I look back on these pleasantly though- definitely fun, thrifty and character building. It's amazing quite how little you can live off.

Anyway, side thought over, back to OM. The food was simple but really tasty. I loved it so much as Indian food doesn't seem to be as big here as it is in the UK and I have really missed it. Daal is one of my most favourite things to eat as well so the fact I could have as much as I wanted was really heaven!

Even the non-veggies loved it, which was a relief to me, as I did not once here: 'its good but it's just missing something'. They left full and happy saying it was definitely somewhere they would go again for a great cheap lunch.

Melbourne

So... The plan was to travel around Australia, starting with Melbourne and blog on all the places that I visited. I arrived in Melbourne five months ago now and apart from a couple of day trips in Victoria; a weekend road trip to the Great Ocean Road and the Grampians; plus Christmas/New Years in Sydney, I have rarely left Melbourne.

I have no regrets though, I came to Melbourne and fell in love with the place. I've met amazing people, managed to score an awesome job and generally I've just had a really good time, which is hopefully going to carry on for a few months more before I leave to actually travel in Australia.

Melbourne at Night by Andy Walker

I wanted to post about some of my favourite things about this city that I love so much and for this to kick off some Melbourne related posts- travel stuff and quite a lot of vegetarian food stuff (I have been experiencing the cheap veggie eats all over the city). I have not been taking many photo's, I did not bring my good camera fearing breaking it (rookie error- you need to use your things without fear and taking photo's is something I have really missed doing here). So the photography in this post is a group effort from all the great people I have met in Melbourne, which is mainly from living at The Nunnery for 2 months and meeting a ton of people who past through there- some who are lasting friends and who I'm sure I will cross paths with in the future.

Jake Mann

Graffiti Art:
As you're casually walking around Melbourne, you will come across a quite a variety of graffiti art adorning the walls of buildings, particularly in little lane ways, like Hosier Lane, where not an inch of wall is exposed. It is really so beautiful and reflection of what a cool arty city that Melbourne is.

Freddy Fuller

Jake Mann

Lane ways & Cafe Culture:
I must have put on about half a stone since being in Melbourne and this is credited to the fantastic food here, especially the amount of great coffee and cake. I love the little interesting lane ways which are full of little cafes and restaurants, they're so interesting and intimate.

Centre Place by J.J.Lum

Federation Square & Flinders Station:
Not everybody agrees that Federation Square is architecturally beautiful, but I disagree, I really like to contrast of it next the older buildings around it like Flinders Station. Federation Square is a brilliant meeting space, day or night it is filled with people. It also hosts a ton of free events, from festivals; to meditation and yoga classes; as well as free film screenings. I have had any happy times here and love on a sunny day just to sit in one of the deck chair, reading a book, watching the world go by.


St Kilda Beach:
Maybe not the most beautiful beach in Australia, but it's good enough for me! I love that in addition to having a brilliant city, that St Kilda beach is only a 20-30 minute tram ride away from the city centre and it also has a cool bar scene. Another little special thing about St Kilda- at dusk at the end of the pier you can so see cute little penguins coming home from a days fishing (and also a few water rats if that takes your fancy!)

  
A big thank you to everyone who helped me out with photos!!

Nuffnang Blogger Meet Up- Melbourne

Last weekend I got invited to the Nuffnang Op-Shopping Blogger Meet Up!

The thing I am most proud of is my find of the day. This Vivienne Westwood cardigan for only $14- I could not believe it when I set my eyes on it and I have been bragging to everyone since. It's so bright and beautiful, as well as being perfect for the chillier weather which is now approaching Melbourne.

However, now on to the actual day!

We hunted through various op-shops in the Windsor area of Melbourne. I hadn't spent much time in this area before as I live more in the North but there were so many amazing shops and there's a great feel to the area.

I thought this desk was particularly beautiful- but large furniture purchases are out of the question right now. If it can't fit in my backpack- I can't have it.

I was also intrigued by the books in the shop, especially the one titled "$200,000 per year while vacationing in Europe" - How the other half live, eh? That's certainly not my reality as a poor backpacker eating ramen noodles!

My favourite op-shop by far was the Salvo's! It was so beautiful- set out more like a beautiful quirky shop than other op-shops I've been to before. This is where I made my purchases.

The days hunting was followed by a delicious vegetarian lunch at the Tyranny of Distance.

We started off with some really delicious flat bread with hoummus, red pepper dip and baba ganoush.

We the went on to really delicious stuffed mushrooms, saganaki and roast potatoes with a delicious paprika mayo, washed down with fruity mocktails.

Everyone who took part in the meet up!

	Leeyong  Style Wilderness Laura  A Little Boutique Near Home Marianne  Esme and The Laneway Cecylia  Cecylia.com Cintia  My Poppet Vicki  Knocked up and Abroad Sharon 365 Reasons not to die with a full craft cupboard Mary (Mezzy) Recycled Repurposed Renewed Erica Recycled Fashion Vicky I Love To Op Shop Zoe Life of a Vegetarian Girl Kate Vanity Project by Kate Iselin Valissa Nuffnang Berlin Nuffnang Trish  Trish Hunter Finds Maria  Sleekitone
	Check them out and their fantastic blogs!
	It was so much fun getting to go to a new part of Melbourne which I had not explored before and to meet great new people.
	Thanks guys for a truly lovely day!

BUAV: The End of Animal Tested Cosmetics in Europe!

11th March 2013- a date which is a huge turning point in the abolition of animal testing on cosmetic products. Thanks to BUAV  after 40 years of campaigning they have now put an end to the testing of cosmetic products on animals in Europe.

What does this mean?
No new animals experiments for cosmetics can be conducted for products which are going to sold within the EU. However, companies who have previously test the ingredients of their products on animals will still be able to sell these in the EU- so its always best to look out for the leaping bunny logo for company's who embrace being cruelty free.

BUAV are now turning their attention globally for other governments globally to end animal testing on cosmetics in their country too.

Read more here!

Slow Fashion Revolution

I'm probably being a bit 'slow' on the up-take, but being in Australia and trying your best to avoid technology does that to a girl, but it seems like there is a slow fashion revolution in out midst.

First hearing of it on one of my favourite online magazines, Ms Wanda's that Vivienne Westwood had declared that we should all: "Buy less, choose well, make it last". I support her and I urge that you should too!

This quote is to the core of my beliefs when it comes to all possessions, but particularly when it comes to fashion! I am a huge lover and believer of the Capsule Wardrobe, despite the fact that my plans have been put on holt due to travelling, and this definitely follows this ethos of having less, of better quality.

Will you pledge to the Slow Fashion Revolution?