Just left the bustle of Circular Quay

Woolloomooloo Wharf

And we’re off again…another sensational Spring weekend in Sydney!  This time we’re off on a ferry from Mosman to Circular Quay with all it’s hustle & bustle (tourists and locals). From there it’s a lovely stroll around the Sydney Botanic Gardens, up the hill to Andrew (Boy) Charlton Pool and over to Woolloomooloo Wharf.

We’re meeting up with friends at The Tilbury for a couple before we all head into The Domain to see Flight Facilities in concert with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra…..WOW what a show that was!  15,000 people under the stars singing and dancing in unison. It was set up like a mini festival however it was just the 2 dj’s playing at the back of the stage with the 50 piece orchestra in front of them. Tracks that hit the spot for me were Crave You, with everyone signing along & Clair De Lune with everybody raising their phones in the air to create a beautiful light show – you can come home to Sydney any time Flight Facilities!

Photo courtesy of Flight Facilities Instagram account

 

What do you do in Sydney to follow a great night – we headed to The Fish Markets for freshly cooked seafood in the sun. Spanner Crab, Octopus, Prawns, Oysters and chips of course. Love coming to the markets, you can grab a bottle of wine from the bottle shop, purchase some cheese & crackers and go nuts on the abundance of fresh seafood (like we did)

Fun times in Sydney with the weather warming up….I hope you had a great weekend too 🙂

 

This is a great time of year to be in Sydney – gorgeous colours, sweet scents and the current temperature (22° in the sun) is perfect for long walks to try to move some of the weight gained over winter.

We have recently moved to Mosman and I’m really enjoying our new hood – Balmoral Beach on one side and Sydney Harbour on the other. It makes those early morning walks quite enjoyable & I can’t tell you how much I’m looking forward to summer with this beach only 10 minutes down the hill from home.

It was a wonderful sun shiny day on Sunday, so in decent walking shoes and a cardi in the bag we walked all the way to Sydney Harbour Bridge and ended up having lunch at La Capannina Restaurant in Milsons Point – omg if you love home-cooked Italian food (and a crisp cold Rose’) you’re going to love this restaurant. After lunch it was so easy to get home, a lovely walk over the bridge and straight on to a ferry which drops us back into Mosman.

Spring has definitely sprung in Sydney but bring on Summertime!

 

I’ve been to Havana Beach Cafe a few times because I love the chilled out vibe, Cuban style food and the best view of Manly Beach.  They’ve recently changed their menu over for Summer so I was keen to get down there again to try it out.

Lunch with a view

My entree choice was the Stuffed Jalapenos – jalapeno peppers stuffed with cheese, lightly breaded and fried.  As you can imagine they’re a little spicy but don’t worry, it’s not too much, it was perfect actually.  The dipping sauce was perfect and they’re quite moreish so remember to leave room for your main meal.

Stuffed Jalepeno Peppers

Then it was time to enjoy the salad I’d been looking forward to tasting – The pomegranate and goats cheese salad with chicken (it also comes with prawns) I highly recommend this salad.  The strawberries add a lovely light flavour and texture that works so well with the chicken, mixed salad, walnuts, soft goats cheese, dried cranberries and the pomegranate vinaigrette.  It’s a large portion size that was so enjoyable to eat but it’s a salad so it’s healthy right.  That gorgeous beach across the road was calling me so I needed a healthy choice.

Pomegranate & Goats Cheese Ensaladas

I’ll definitely be back to try the rest of the menu, items like Quesadillas, Peruvian ceviche, the chilli prawn hot tub and sliders, just to name a few.  I love their weekly nights too – Taco Tuesdays, 2 tacos for just $5 & I’m often there on their Jazz & Mojito nights, 2 4 1 mojitos and live jazz on Thursday nights. With views and food like this, I’m sure you’ll see me there often – actually, breakfast this weekend seems like a great idea….

I used to blog quite a bit but have let it slip – I’ve decided to document my antics again.  It might be dinner, a breakfast, a weekend away or a wander around a new part of town so stay tuned for updates and as always, thanks for stopping by.

Big Bee Love.

Helloooo…..Remember me?

Got no excuse…..you’ve been on my mind a lot lately but always at the wrong time (when I’m driving or having lunch with friends or…the list goes on)

So much has happened this year! I’m not going to cover off the past but I’d like to share the present & the future 🙂

I’m now working for myself again. I was asked to help out with the social media for a great restaurant on Shelly Beach so I’ve been busy with my camera again, taking food, location and venue shots and I LOVE it!

November special at Le Kiosk Restaurant photographed by BeeLarge

I’ve created their Instagram, Twitter & Google+ pages and now have their Facebook page back on track.  Likes are growing fast & they’re really pleased with the numbers to their special events too…..I love this sort of work.

Its a busy time of year for hospitality, with a hot summer starting early, everyone is out and about enjoying the beaches.  Melbourne Cup is just around the corner and then before you know it….It’s Christmas??

This is exactly where I want to be.  I used to look after the social media for a large organisation but with the tough economical climate the way it is, people were being made redundant in every department.  I’ve done a bit of soul searching (Fiji, Singapore & Bali) and now know exactly what I want to do.  I want to take photos, I want to engage with amazing people on social networks, I want to help grow other small businesses and I want to enjoy every single one of my days, so…..Watch this space!

Another Fabulous Day

Have you recently made a big decision to do what you really want to do?  I’m not kidding myself, I know it won’t be easy – how has it been for you?  Let me know in the comments below.

Best of luck to everyone out there!

Big Bee Love….Bridget

Wow – What a week this last one has been!

I’ve been to a charity event in Paddington – poolside with famous swimmers, great music and free flowing champagne.  I’ve caught up with friends who came down from the Gold Coast for the weekend.  Love the beach catch up…they have a little one and the sun was shining so where else would you catch up really.  Sandcastles, sunshine, surfing and Smiles.  I’ve met my chicks for cocktails and I’ve had another meeting with my career transition contact.

See the wood for the trees

Last post I mentioned I had a catch up with a couple of friends, letting them know my current situation and one of them actually needs a little help setting up a social media presence for their businesses…..I get log in details for both businesses next week and can take over both Facebook pages and create a Twitter account for them both too.  Really looking forward to researching both industries, engaging with new people and helping my friend grow her businesses.

I won two tickets to Mariage Blanc at Sydney Theatre Company so off we went for a bit of dinner then the theatre.  What a great night!  The website said “Mariage Blanc (referring to an unconsummated marriage) is a surreal coming of age story; a fairytale for adults and a poetic collage of ideas and images. At once comic and sad, absurd and profound, this exceptional play is an exploration of why being a woman in 1890 or 2012 sometimes sucks, and why being a man isn’t much better.”  It is all that and more.  We laughed, we understood, we even felt a little awkward at times.  (note to self: must see more of these).

I’ve got another busy week ahead…another meeting with career transition contact, I start my social media project, I’m off to a fashion parade and of course there will Christmas drinks with friends, and then….my sister & her hubby come to visit for Chrissy & New Year (soo excited)  There doesn’t seem to be too many jobs advertised this time of year so as I said in my last post…Don’t Stress, enjoy the moments and friends around and just go with it.

I hope you’re looking forward to Christmas too.  If you have any tips or sites that might help me in my job search, I’d love to know them.

Thanks Bridget 🙂

The sun is shining – Summer is here!  I could think of worse times to be off work

Making the most of my situation

I’ve had quite a busy week this past week.  I’ve been into my career transition company twice.  I’ve now gotten the results back from my assessment and my cv is ready to send out.  Which is lucky as I was approached by a recruitment company via LinkedIn so off it went.  There doesn’t seem to be too many jobs advertised this time of year, and everyone I talk to suggests there won’t be much available now until closer to the end of January.  My plan is….Don’t Stress Out.

I’ve taken the last couple of weeks off running so this has been the week that I get back down to the beach to start my days.  Soft sand running, sand in the toes, running at the waters edge, yup, I’m doing it tough 🙂

At the beginning of this week I made contact with someone I’d like to work with.  He was stunned by my news and very eager to help me by making an introduction to the Department Manager via LinkedIn.  I’ll continue nudging away here and update as I go along.  I’ve now also met my first recruitment contact too.  Headed into North Sydney, to discuss a possible role that might be suited to me.  The role sounds good, a mix of responsibilities based at Macquarie Park with the opportunity to be working with a customer base that I’m familiar with but….I’m just not ready to take a $15k pay cut just yet, thanks for thinking of me though.

Last night I was catching up with a couple of friends, letting them know my current situation and one of them actually needs a little help setting up a social media presence for their businesses….  I’ll help you with that!!  I’m looking for a little project to do over the holiday season.  Watch this space for updates!!!

Last week I mentioned one of the first things I did was update LinkedIn, lock down facebook and start tweeting from my personal twitter account @beelarge.  I’m so glad I did that because I saw this tweet: RT for a chance to win a double pass to a preview performance of#MariageBlanc at Wharf 2 Theatre this weekend!  http://bit.ly/V3XDpR via @SydneyTheatreCo  – I Retweeted and won!  Woohoooo!  I’m off to the theatre next Wednesday night 🙂

So, that’s my past week.  Two career transition meetings, one recruitment company meeting, two tickets to the theatre, two runs along the beach, two swims in the ocean and little lie downs on the sand, a letter off to someone to let them know I’d love the opportunity to work with them, a possible summer project and my cv is updated and ready to share.

How was your past week?  Have you got any tips for me on other ways I can approach potential work opportunities?  I’d love to hear them if you do.

Thanks

Bridg x

I’ve not been on this blog roll for soo long (sorry) I’ve been hard at it with work and had even moved into Social Media with my employer which meant my personal social media sites were neglected whilst I was building followers and engagement for my work sites but…..as we all know, times are tough and people are being made redundant and by people, I mean me. So….I thought this might be a good time to record what happens next in my life. First things first – get the news of the redundancy, call the crew and head to the local.  Aren’t friends gorgeous!  “You won’t have any problems getting work Bridge, you are soo employable, chin up, stay positvie, let me buy you a drink” (they said).

The first week has been all about updating my records.  CV, LinkedIn, lock down Facebook, get tweeting from personal account etc etc.  I’ve found this step can take quite a while.  I’ve not been on a job interview since 2005 so my CV was looking quite outdated and old.

The weekend was spent with friends.  Dinners, dancing, beach, walks and talks – I’ve found I don’t even tell everyone.  If they ask about my job then I’ll update with news but work has never been a big part of my life with my friends.  I even have friends that said ‘tell my what you do because I’m in contact with all types of people, maybe I can help by introducing you to the right person.’

That was week one, this is a new week so it’s all about making appointments with my Career Transition Company to discuss my next move, identify my skills and to work on my CV so I’ll touch base with you next week to let you know how I go.

Have you recently been in this situation?  Have you got any tips for me?  I’ll love to hear about it 🙂

Thanks

Bridget.

I put up on Twitter & Facebook that I wanted to start my Photoblog again so called for suggestions – the first one in was for The Sydney Fish Markets.  What a glorious day it was too.  I’ve not been here for years so jumped at the chance to get down there.

So much fresh seafood….so little time.  The colours were so vibrant, Oranges, Reds, Pinks, Greens – everything looked so fresh.

This really is a lovely place to wander around, do a bit of people watching and eat some fabulous seafood.  Its busy but today most people were outside eating in the sunshine.

So, if you’re into boats, nets, bridges, water, blue, seafood, birds, people, cheese & champagne like I am you’ll have a great couple of hours there too.

So…..where should I go next?  Got a suggestion then let me know coz I’d love to get out & take more photos.

Ciao for now 😮 x

I’ve been back in Sydney for 6 weeks now & love taking the time out to rediscover this city.  There have been so many lovely days, so it’s not difficult to be motivated to pick up the camera & go for a walk.  On this day I walked from Bellvue Hill to the city (approx. 3hrs) passing Woolloomooloo Wharf….

Then headed toward the Botanic Gardens, passing the Andrew (Boy) Charlton pool, situated in the Domain, overlooking the Navy base…..

then I  sat with an ice-cream for a well earned rest. I loved this day – just taking it all in, appreciating the gorgeous landscape, sunshine & open spaces.

yep…. I certainly did have a lovely day rediscovering Sydney 🙂

 

Well….it’s been another week in Sydney & in between job hunting I’ve been enjoying the sunshine. I’ve been working on my tan on Bondi Beach, & this day hit 30º but the water was still quite fresh (I over heard some people near me saying) It was nice to get back down to the beach & just chill out like old times.

Ive shared a bottle of bubbles with the very lovely Linda down at the Opera Bar.  It was a lovely evening & the harbour was buzzing with activity, big ships & ferry’s maneuvering in & out of each others way.

I was lucky enough to be invited out on the boat with the Brackens, a whale swam by, the boys caught some flathead & us chicks sat in the sun enjoying champagne (well….it was Meg’s birthday!)

I’m glad I made it back to Sydney in time to celebrate Craigs 40th birthday.  Hawaiian theme means loads of loud shirts & chicks with flowers (& umbrellas) in their hair.  Thanks Joy & Craig for putting on a lovely party.

How’s your week been?