Guest Post: We all scream for ice cream at Ben & Jerry's Sundae Sessions

Guest post by Amanda Barbera

I used to think a choc-top at Hoyts was a treat. But now I’ve been spoilt - by Ben, and by Jerry.

The Ben & Jerry’s annual “Sundae Sessions” Big Charity Launch, held on 5 February by the Bondi Pavilion, shook up the ‘Sunday night at the movies’ tradition which, up until now, I knew no better than to love.

Gone are the 40 minutes of commercials and yet-to-be classified previews of movies starting sometime next year. Left behind are the rip-off buckets of popcorn, Malteasers & other confectionary you’ll get venomously ‘shhh-ed’ at just to open. And no longer do you need to glaciate in cinema sub-zero temperatures and worry that the person you’ll sit down next to after a bathroom break is not the date you arrived with at all.

Pre-movie entertainment is a festival in itself, with sunset performances by the Winter People, Hungry Kids of Hungary and The Cat Empire perfect choices to get the audience grooving. The vibe was as playful, carefree and fun as, well, a sunny Bondi Sunday afternoon! Maybe it was the sun coming out and the magical beach backdrop; maybe it was the free games & charity prizes. And it’s a sure bet it was the free scoops of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream handed out all evening long. Like the Strawberry Cheesecake? Try Chocolate Fudge Brownie! Demolished Sweet Cream & Cookies? You’ll love New York Super Fudge Chunk. There’s no better way to test every flavour out there than with a licence to keep coming back for more. If you hadn’t realised what the finest, super premium ice-cream tastes like before, you’ll be screaming for the stuff after. 

When it’s time to sit down and watch the inspiring documentary, ‘Life in a Day’, we grab a beanbag, super warm blanket and cocoon under the stars.

And the best part? There’s a story behind every brand and this one’s driven by a social conscience and dedicated activism towards tackling some big global issues. Working alongside ‘Tunes for Change’ and The Cat Empire, the evening raised $20,000 for Australians for Cambodian Education (ACE) to help educate severely disadvantaged children and break the poverty cycle in Cambodia. The proof really is in the ice-cream. 

Johnny Hammond (Ben & Jerry's), Chloe Hamersley and Rich Coombes (Batlow Cider)

It’s another Ben & Jerry’s reminder that ‘capitalism can cure’, and support for the message couldn’t have been easier tonight – EAT YOUR HEART OUT!

Bondi Openair is running from 29 January to 4 March on the Dolphin Lawn next to the Bondi Pavilion.  Ben & Jerry's are hosting Sundae Sessions with free ice cream each Sunday.  The full film schedule can be accessed here.  

Lifeafterfive* attended as a guest of Ben & Jerry's Australia.

Guest Post: “If you can hammer a nail, you can build a boat”...

Guest post by Vincent Stander

“Anyone can cook!” was the mantra of the legendary chef, Jacque Gusto, in the movie Ratatouille that inspired a mouse to become a chef.

Now the Balmain Boat Company has made the exclusive world of boat ownership accessible…and far more rewarding. “If you can hammer a nail, and ice a cake, then you can build a Balmain Boat”, according to legendary industrial designer and co-owner Andrew Simpson.

Balmain Boat Company is an IKEA-style DIY boat building concept. The boat is delivered to your door in three boxes that contain 42 already cut pieces of plywood, epoxy glue, screws, nails, caulk (a google search enlightened me that this was sealant) and an instruction manual on how to build your own boat!  

Upon receiving these singular pieces of timber, paging through the instruction manual, watching the online instruction video, my initial reaction was that I had oversubscribed myself. 

Being a 30-year-old eastern suburbs male whose resume in the DIY department boasts one IKEA drawer set and the ability to change the tire on my push bike (with difficulty), I did not believe I was up to the task of building a boat. I called co-owner Nicole Still with the intention of returning the beautifully cut pieces of wood  before they were wasted on someone who would to hack and deform them into something akin to firewood and not a passenger-carrying vessel. 

For future reference, do not contact Nicole to say that you are unable to do something…you could try Andrew.

The boat build consisted of four distinct phases: 

(1) assembling the frame/skeleton 

(2) planking

(3) applying the sealant / caulk

(4) painting.

The clean edges and perfect dimensions of the computer-led wood cut pieces ensured that putting the frame together was a bit like building a large puzzle and nailing in each piece, and when securing the planks they were within millimetre perfection from the bow to the stern plate.

Each of the stages required specific skills, some of which I had not attempted before: using a power drill, applying sealant with a caulking gun, mixing the paint and curing agent to the appropriate proportions.

The social element of the boat build was unexpected and the most rewarding. I had friends around to look at the boat and all had an admirable attempt at hammering nails or drilling in screws (many of them for the first time of their lives!). I enjoyed conversations with Doug Sturrock of Sturrocks of Sydney about boat paints and numerous conversations with Sam from Bunnings about sealant and caulking guns. 

My dad was always a phone call away when I needed a hand or advice and successfully fulfilled the goal of Balmain Boat Company which is “to make parents and grand parents look like legends”. 

The dad... the legend

And similar to building a tree house or a model aeroplane, a Balmain Boat is rewarding in many more ways than the mere final ownership of the boat.

Do you know anyone in Sydney likely to get engaged in 2012? What better way to propose than an afternoon row on Sydney Harbour? BBCo will lend a boat (FREE) to any guy looking for a spectacular engagement plan. Email them at: nicole.still@thebalmainboatcompany.com.

Copacabana; a coastal escape

A forty pack of icy poles, spirited games of frisbee, fluoro pink thong shaped lilos. Sunscreen is lathered on sandy legs, leathery bare feet brave hot sand to buy chips from the store, rockpools invite leisurely walks to the end of the beach. A local kiosk serves surprisingly decent Byron Bay Coffee Co coffee, with the essential Jack Johnson beachside soundtrack and an owner who remembers your name, order and how your day was yesterday. 

A January getaway to Copacabana on the NSW Central Coast is a nostalgic excursion to the simple childhood pleasures of Aussie summers, with icy poles on the beach graduating to cocktails on the balcony.

A sleepy town of approximately four shops, Copa is close enough to Avoca and Terrigal to satisfy any rare cravings for urban shops and amenities, while maintaining the cruisy vibe of remote coastal life. Music, sunshine and good company are the essential ingredients for a revitalising escape from reality; a place where one forgets what day of the week it is, meals blur indefinably between brekky, lunch and barbeques, and spontaneous beach footy games follow dips in the ocean and flicking through magazines on the beach.

Copacabana

Distance from Sydney: 90km
Population (2001 Census): 2,753 

Are you a man or a mollusc? Crabbe Hole cafe, Icebergs

“Be a man - not a mollusc” declares a membership rule emblazoned on the wall of Bondi Icebergs, reflecting the tough constitution drawn up by founders in 1929. To become a true Iceberg, one must spend three of four Winter Sundays doing laps of the pool for five years, completing a minimum total of 75 during the period. The individuals overcome races in icy conditions, rough swells and actual ice blocks to achieve the hard-earned, highly sought after membership.

Crabbe Hole cafe

For those of us content with mere mollusc status, the Crabbe Hole café is an oft overlooked Bondi gem that allows enjoyment of billionaire views with top-notch coffee and artisan bread. A blend of poolside casual and Bondi chic, the laidback friendly service and plastic chairs common at any suburban public pool kiosk accompany a menu of Pat and Stick's gourmet ice creams and Sonoma sandwiches. A mirror above the counter reflects the paintbox blue of the ocean pool, framed by rocks and set above the beach. Large yellow umbrellas provide ample respite from the sun, and clientele of every demographic avail themselves of the well-priced yet selectively premium fare.

Perched on the ledge above the pool and below the RSL, one can watch the colourful caps of swimmers traverse the lanes while an equal number of tanned bodies stake prime poolside real estate, clustering on the steps and surrounds to worship the sun while avoiding the sand.

Fig and walnut bread ($5 with jam), a coffee ($3.50) and the Sunday paper may not be a fortuitous beginning for those preparing for five years of Iceberg initiation, but if you’re content to be a mere mollusc, this is a hole in the wall worth a visit.

Mocha $3.50

Fig & Walnut toast $5

Sunday sessions at the grassy knoll

A two piece band assembles in front of the beach as dusk settles, the tide waning in the background. The small patch of grass in North Bondi – known to locals as the grassy knoll – is a kaleidoscope of tanned bodies, tattoos and towels.

Sarongs form makeshift picnic rugs as the uber-chilled crowd mingles in small groups. Batlow ciders, coronas and the occasional jug of home made sangria bolster the festive atmosphere, an extension of the weekend and a celebration of sun and surf. Plates of cheese, berries and dips are arranged with style on paper plates as wine is poured generously into plastic cups. 

Classy (plastic) wine glasses

Skinny Bondi hipsters ogle fake-breasted girls in bikinis, while puppies are the latest accessory (aka makeshift pick up tools) for unshaven surfers. Buff tattooed men flex their muscles as their girlfriends figure out which pose appears most flattering from the pavement. Rows of one speed bikes are parked haphazardly against the railing as trendy locals dismount and stake their exclusive spot on the rapidly filling grass. 

As surfers catch the last waves of the day, an equally trendy but slightly glossier crowd spills out of North Bondi Italian across the road. Havaiianas are traded for wedge heels, heavy duty lip gloss replaces invisible zinc, and ruffled beach hair is created by hairspray instead of salty waves. The deck provides prime sunset viewing while enjoying summery cocktails of freshly squeezed grapefruit and campari and snacking on unshelled peanuts.

Back at the knoll, the guitarist and singer create a Jack Johnson-esque sound, music that floats powerfully over the natural amphitheatre of grass and sand. Dress: sandy feet, oversized sunnies and colourful cozzies, BYO apple ciders and ward off the Sunday blues with the Bondi vibe. Simply another reason not to leave the Bondi bubble.

Loving the Batlow ciders

Fave mode of transport

Puppy pick up attempt appears to be failing

Click here for more photos.

WIN 1 of 3 $115 Westfield Vouchers

This competition has now closed and winners contacted. Thank you for entering!

Lifeafterfive* is giving away 3 x $115 Westfield Gift Cards, thanks to our friends at Kokomo Coconut Water.

To enter our competition to win one of 3 x Westfield Gift Cards worth $115 each, please leave a comment telling us your favourite natural energy booster.

For an extra entry, link to this competition on twitter (and cc @lifeafterfive) or your own blog and let us know.

Don't forget to include your email address or twitter name so that we can get in touch to send you your prize!

Entries close at midnight Sunday 13 November 2011.

Lifestyles of the rich and famous - Sydney style

The scene opens with ten girls relaxing on a luxury yacht, enjoying an endless supply of champagne as the sun starts to set over the harbour. Hair blowing in the wind, they glide under the majestic Harbour Bridge towards the Opera House, the sky a luminescent hue of orange, pink and blue. They laugh as ‘Lifestyles of the rich and the famous’ features on the iPod playlist, and make a toast “to life” – it doesn’t get much better than this.

A champagne sunset sail with the Australian Spirit Sailing Company has given me and my gorgeous gaggle of girlfriends the chance to create our own ‘movie moment’ while experiencing the crème de la crème of Sydney. We are greeted by friendly skipper Tony Smith as we board our private yacht ‘Katrina’ at King Street Wharf, and are invited to make ourselves comfortable as we prepare for our discovery of Sydney Harbours’ star attractions.

To read the full article, check out my review of Sunset Sailing VIP Party Style as the NSW Blogger for Lastminute.com

Sydney by Sail

Those who fly into Sydney at sunrise are often rendered speechless by the calm, sparkling city on the verge of a daily hive of activity. The vast ocean that seems to dominate every uneven corner, creeps into every crevice of land, while reminding passengers that Australia is really just an island.

Sydney is a city built around its harbour, and unless one has regular access to a plane, is at its best when viewed from the water itself. It’s a cloudless winter day when we board Sydney By Sail’s three hour social yacht race in Pyrmont. The skipper gives us novices a brief introduction to the boat, the basics of sailing, and our route for the day. We are given the option of being as involved as we’d like, and the keen beans on the boat jump at the chance to learn to sail. We’re ‘competing’ against another novice group, and we’re determined to become pros...

Read about my sailing adventures as the NSW Blogger for lastminute.com

Lunch at Deckhouse Woolwich

Restricted by the psychological boundaries of the Harbour Bridge and inner East / West, it is easy for Sydneysiders to overlook dining options outside the city slicker bubble. The stylish Deckhouse in Woolwich is a reminder that there are numerous vantage points from which to enjoy the sparkling sensation that is Sydney harbour – a mere boat trip away.

Our transport awaits

A sunny winter’s day is the perfect setting for a leisurely Friday lunch, the harbour smiling brightly as we pile into a water taxi at Darling Harbour. Less than a ten minute ride away, we arrive at a modern venue far removed from the frenetic pace of the CBD. A yacht glides past slowly, a dog can be heard in distant bushland, and the sun dapples the freshly painted balcony.

The lunch menu is simple and inviting, with the chicken salad and the fillet steak the most popular at our table. Both are unpretentious and high quality, and are followed by melt in your mouth desserts that quickly disappear. The chocolate mousse with peanut butter ice cream is a clear favourite.

Soy & linseed loaf

Chicken salad with pear, blue cheese & walnut dressing

Fillet steak, fat chips and fresh slaw

Chocolate mousse with peanut butter icecream

One of many hidden gems lining the harbour, Deckhouse represents the best of what Sydney is famous for. With views of the spectacular waterfront, nestled in native bush and serving fresh, quality cuisine, the restaurant is the perfect place for a lunchtime escape from the CBD. Who knows, you may even spot a kookaburra.



Tough day at the office

Not too shabby... view from the taxi

Deckhouse Cafe
Clarke Road

Woolwich Dock 2110

02 9817 4394

Open 7 days 8.30am-3pm

A Greenhouse in the City

Sure, the Greens were rejected in the recent state election and we still don’t have a price on carbon, but that doesn’t mean us Sydneysiders don’t care about the environment. We’ve just found a way of showing it that allows us to indulge in organic wine, spectacular harbour views and food prepared by celebrity chef Matt Stone.

Standing on the rooftop of what feels like an old shipping container, drinking wine out of recycled glass jars and being served by waiters in funky outfits from Vinnies, we are reminded by Joost Baker to embrace our creative side and challenge our perception of what is possible.

Read about my experiences at Sydney's Greenhouse by Joost on Eat Drink Play - before it was packed up and shipped off to Milan!