Sandi Sieger’s guide to what’s hot and happy(ning) this week. Eat, drink, buy, try, visit, read, be merry.
EAT: Vitasoy’s Fortified Oat Yogurts
Vitasoy recently unveiled its latest range of new plant-based products – Oat Yogurts. Made with Australian grown oats at Vitasoy’s state-of-the-art facility in Albury-Wodonga, the new Oat Yogurt range is available in three flavours including Blueberry, Vanilla, and Summer Fruits, which includes a delicious blend of mango, guava, passionfruit and pineapple. Perfect on their own or as an addition to your favourite food, the Oat Yogurts are nutritionally fortified with protein and calcium, are creamy and most importantly, tasty.
Vitasoy’s fortified Oat Yogurt range contain beta glucan, calcium, protein and Vitamins B12 and D, and contribute to normal energy metabolism and immune system function. Vitasoy’s Oat Yogurts’ 4 Health Star Rating make them an excellent choice for those seeking a healthy and delicious start to the day, a nutritious snack or used as an ingredient in other meals, such as smoothies, pancakes or breakfast bowls. The new oat-based yogurts have the same classic dairy-based texture, with a thick, smooth and creamy consistency.
Vitasoy Oat Yogurts are now in select Coles Supermarkets nationally, and include Vitasoy Oat Yogurt Vanilla 140g, Vitasoy Oat Yogurt Blueberry 140g and Vitasoy Oat Yogurt Summer Fruits 140g. RRP $3.00.
DRINK: Luci’s Afternoon Aperitivo
This summer, Hilton Melbourne Little Queen Street’s restaurant, Luci has welcomed an opulent Afternoon Aperitivo alongside a new lunchtime menu of decadent focaccia sandwiches, baked daily as well as a menu of exotic cocktails and snacks in the hotel’s bar, The Douglas Club.
The exquisite interiors of the 1930s Equity Chambers Building provide the perfect backdrop to Luci’s Afternoon Aperitivo, where gin spritzes and mixers flow and the sweet sounds of jazz fill the air. Partnering with German gin distiller Monkey 47, Melbourne’s latest live jazz spot serves a specially curated selection of exotic gin cocktails and aperitivi on Thursdays and Fridays from 3pm-6pm throughout summer.
TRY: Twilight Picnics
Melbourne’s first evening picnic service, Twilight Picnics, encourages city-dwellers to dial up the romance this summer while dining on top-quality fare sourced from esteemed producers and hospitality venues including Supercheese, Sweet Bakes, Mount Zero Olives, Cobb Lane Bakery and more.
Unlike other ‘pop-up picnic’ providers with an event styling service, Twilight Picnics curates pre-packed luxury picnics with a focus on premium local food that can be enjoyed wherever the adventure awaits. It’s completely up to the diner.
Founders and sisters-in-law, Stefanie Reilly and Gracie Reilly, saw a gap in the market for high-end picnics and decided to elevate the timeworn tradition to encourage Melburnians to connect with loved ones in a relaxed setting that encourages meaningful conversation.
Menu standouts include a revolving menu of cheese and accompaniments from Supercheese, artisanal baguette from Cobb Lane Bakery, Gourmet dips from Nahedas Choice at Prahran Market and cake slices made in an exclusive Twilight Picnics flavour from Sweet Bakes.
BUY: Omorfi Skincare
I recently had the pleasure of trying out the Omorfi skincare line, and the results were truly impressive. The Omorfi Repair & Protect Day Cream SPF 15 is a game-changer. Its silky texture effortlessly brightened my complexion, evening out my skin tone and reducing pigmentation. The added SPF 15 is a fantastic bonus for daily protection.
The Omorfi Revive ‘B’ Serum is a standout product, and being among the first to experience it was a true delight. This serum, with its unique blend of 8% Vitamin B, Hyaluronic Acid, Licorice Root, and Kakadu Plum, worked wonders on improving texture, moisture, and addressing various skin concerns. I noticed a significant reduction in redness, inflammation, and pigmentation, contributing to an overall improvement in my skin’s health.
And let’s talk about The Cinderella Mask – a true at-home spa experience. After using this mask, my skin felt rejuvenated, with a noticeable boost in collagen production and a tightening effect that lasted for days. The intense hydration it provided was a game-changer, leaving my skin radiant and plump. I can genuinely say that Omorfi skincare lived up to its promise of a ‘wow factor,’ and I’m thrilled with the tangible difference I’ve seen in my skin. These products have earned a permanent place in my skincare routine, and I highly recommend them to anyone looking for effective, luxurious skincare.
VISIT: So Frenchy, So Chic
So Frenchy So Chic, Australia’s favourite celebration of French culture, will return for the 13th year in 2024. This January, SFSC will take place at a beautiful new venue at Centennial Park in Sydney on January 20, while Melbourne will continue the party at the historic Werribee Park Mansion on January 14.
So Frenchy So Chic has connected France to Australia through a day-long summer festival celebrating the Art of Living: French contemporary music, gastronomy, fashion, conviviality and lots of Champagne.
This year, So Frenchy So Chic will be adding new programming and workshops to the festival. Attendees will be able to explore and learn about the world of wines with the ex-sommelier of France Soir, discover the art of ceramics in a hands-on studio experience, compete in a grand petanque tournament with epic prizes, or learn French with a 30-minute masterclass.
The festival also provides numerous activities for kids including arts and craft, face painting, magic and mime classes and music initiations. Fresh from France’s summer festival circuit, headline acts La Femme, Kill The Pain, Laure Briard and Malo’ will perform live, turning Australia’s poshest picnic into an unmissable garden party.
So Frenchy So Chic will also play host to Melbourne and Sydney’s finest dining establishments including Frederic’s, Hotel Gitan, Loulou and Bouillon Entrecôte. Guests can expect a curated selection of French classics; oysters, macarons, mitraillettes, mussels, ratatouille, brioches, crepes, chocolate eclairs, steak frites sandwiches, croque monsieurs, almond duck liver parfait macaron and more. Alongside a sommelier-curated collection of French and local wines, SFSC24 will be proudly pouring Champagne Lanson, bubbles from one of the oldest Champagne Houses in France.
READ: Little Bont’s Brave Play by Marcus Bontempelli
Marcus had a bad day on the footy field, but maybe his Nonna’s birthday lunch will cheer him up.
Marcus loves visiting his Nonna, although he’s afraid of her spooky cellar. Marcus has never been down there, and he never will. But when disaster strikes, Little Bont might have to face his fear to save Nonna’s birthday dessert …
From Western Bulldogs’ captain and four-time club Best & Fairest winner Marcus Bontempelli comes a heartwarming story about courage, family …. and of course, a little bit of footy.
