The best event in Sydney

Sculpture By The Sea is back again!

I must say it is one of the most ultimate wonderful experiences I've ever had in this fair city I call home.

It's on every November along the iconic Bronte to Bondi Beach walk.

A boutique on our Bronte Road

It's Melbourne Cup time, as all us gals know this means time to dress in our best, totter around in 4" heels and wear that big hat.

Many weeks of searching some of Sydney exclusive boutiques at Westfield Bondi Junction, Double Bay, Balmain and Leichardt. I had officially given up on finding a hat for the occasion (almost given up on finding a hat for the season).

I walked past Sizable Shoes on Bronte Road. This little boutique is full of girlie accessories, shoes, bags, belts, scarves, facinators, brooches and yes hats!

The selection of hats was by far the best range I had seen out of all shops I had been and the prices, wow, the prices. Ranging from $39 - $180! (Most I've seen have a starting price of $160).

So happy, so excited I purchased a beautiful Black & White medium sized hat to go with my black & white accessories.

A life of one street

At one time or another a significant event in my life has occurred on the 1 street. Technically 2 as this particular street covers 2 municipalities...

Old South Head Road and Oxford Street. Old South Head Road commences at Watson's Bay peninsular is travels through Vaucluse, Rose Bay, North Bondi, Bellevue Hill and Bondi Junction where there's a name change to Oxford Street. Oxford Street, Woollahra, Centennial Park, Paddington and Darlinghurst. It terminates at the Sydney City edge.

Born: Paddington Woman's Hospital - Oxford Street, Paddington.

Resided: (1982 - 1988) Old South Head Road, Vaucluse

School: (1990 - 1996) Vaucluse High School - Old South Head Road, Vaucluse

Work: (2003 - 2005) Oxford Street, Bondi Junction

Fitness: Oxford Street, Bondi Junction

Shopping: Westfield Bondi Junction AKA WBJ (substantial entry to come) & Oxford Street, Paddington

Night life: Paddington Inn. Oxford Street, Paddington (I'm there unless at the Robin Hood)

Many times I have though of moving out of the area. My life is here, my friends and family are within walking distance - why would I relocate?

Sydney Morning Herald article on "my local"

"Is anything better than a cold beer coupled with a good steak? Well, yes, actually - when that steak carries a $5 price tag.

The price of petrol, ice-creams and houses may have soared in Sydney over the past decade but we can still dine cheaply at most local watering holes.

Steak-lovers don't have to go far to find a good pub offering a full meat dinner for just $5 (with drink purchase).

And most offer a choice, so those not inclined to pump up their iron levels don't have to miss out on the bargain meals.

The Robin Hood Hotel at Waverley is one such place. With a massive range of foods on its $5 menu, it's cheaper to eat and drink there than DIY at home.

As well as the obligatory steak (a 250-gram rump steak with your choice of chips or mash, plus 50 cents for sauce), there is a chicken breast schnitzel, char-grilled pork spare ribs, soup of the day, lightly battered fish and chips, bangers and mash, spaghetti bolognaise, steamed vegies, mixed garden salad, rocket and parmesan salad or a bowl of chips. Quite a find for any bargain hunter.

It's also an unpretentious, chilled out, relaxed pub in the normally high-brow eastern suburbs. When we visited on a Tuesday night, the mixed crowd was dominated by a mostly young, casual set, with almost all taking advantage of the bargain food. Retro music from the 1980s and '90s pumped through the venue but at a level low enough so you could still keep up a conversation.

It's all a good recipe for a good night out."

My "Local"

At my door step is Charring Cross shopping centre, a lovely little place with all the immediate necessities. A place to buy milk and bread, a take away coffee, a pie from the bakery, daily newspaper.

The best pub in the eastern suburbs - I share this opinion with many locals who frequent "The Robin Hood Hotel".

The Robin Hood Hotel is on the corner of Bronte Road and Carrington Road. Not to be mistaken for the Charring Cross Hotel on the corner of Carrington Road and Victoria, although a fair pub, it's slightly more sport oriented.

When stopped at the traffic lights any passer by will observe the following 2 signs:

Robin Hood Hotel

$5 Steak

Charring Cross Hotel

$10 Steak

Hmmmm.... Hard one to pick which to attend!

A girlfriend and I decided to wander up to our local for a $5 steak, with mash potatoes and creamy mushroom sauce (the sauce if 50 cents extra - how CUTE!) There is no need for a mathematical equation to work out the cheap meals like many of the other Sydney pubs. $5 meals every night for dinner and lunch Friday to Sunday.

We watched the Rubgy League finals game Tigers v Dragons on the BIG screen at our table. Every time we have been up there we get the same table, except on another big sporting occasion.

The Hood is relaxing, anyone can easily feel at home there. Comfortable chairs, friendly bar staff, the great $5 steak, the locals!

Trivia night on Tuesday night is on my to do list.

My Streets

Albion Street

Bronte Road

Carrington Road

Oxford Street

Darley Road

Sydney's Eastern Suburbs is my home

Thanks to my wonderful friend Julia who started 5 Streets, she has inspired me to let the world know about my surrounding area.

I have taken the entire Eastern Suburbs of Sydney under my umbrella as I consider this beautiful peninsular my home.

I live in Waverely, have for the past 12 years or so. I love it here, so close to Bronte Beach, shopping at WBJ within walking distance, Centennial Park 2 blocks away - well, through Queens Park and plenty of local pubs.

I have a view from my kitchen window all the way to the Blue Mountains (on a clear day) and if I jump on my bed I have "ocean glimpses".

Beautiful. Wonderful. Exciting Sydney.