Melbourne was absolutely glorious this weekend.

With all that sun shining, people flocked outside – spilling out of corner pubs, strutting their stuff in the last of summer fashions on Chapel Street, strolling leisurely along the Yarra with all the air of people with no pressing place to be.

I think everyone felt reinvigorated after our icy and wet snap recently, and Melbourne had that particular happy buzz that only unexpected warm sunbeams seems to generate.

***

We were one of the couples strolling along Southbank yesterday, taking in the scenery, pausing to listen to buskers and look at chalk artists.

Mr K knew my cabin fever was taking its toll and surprised me by taking me to breakfast at Blue Train, and then wandering me back along the Yarra to the Melbourne Aquarium.

I fell head over heels in love with the sting rays and manta rays. Watching them glide through the water like they're flying is just spellbinding.

The leopard print ones were my favourite.

Such magical creatures.

***

Then we decided to see what Costco is all about.

Oh. My. God.

If you've ever been to one, you'll know. That place is simply a shrine to obesity and blind consumption.

I tried my very hardest to wrestle this 1.5kg bag of miniature Reese's peanut butter cups off Mr K. Without success.

I mean, really. Who needs that?

Although I guess I don't particularly need the 6 pack of my favourite beer that was about $7 cheaper than retail.

To my utter amazement, I actually saw some very beautiful diamond jewellery there. But, you know, I'm really not sure that wearing a tennis bracelet I bought from Costco wouldn't somehow ruin it for me.

***

Today we headed out to buy groceries and somehow ended up on Chapel Street.

I replaced my dead hairdryer at Priceline.

Do you know how hard it is to find a hairdryer these days that doesn't use ionic technology? For people with very fine hair, ionic hairdryers spell death to volume.

But it seems hairdryer manufacturers are under the bizarre illusion that 99.9% of women have thick wavy/curly hair that needs frizz control.

It makes me kinda grumpy.

***

Then we couldn't help but pick over the carcass of Borders, who were selling pretty much everything at 30-40% off.

I picked up a classic I've wanted to read forever for $7.

And a book I've never heard of, but sounds interesting, from a bargain bin for $10.

It's written by a financial reporter who decided to try and explain the mysteries of the stock market by spending a year shadowing the bigwigs of Starbucks, and following their performance on the stock exchange.

I know next to nothing about the stock market but have always wanted to, and hope that Blumenthal's entertaining and easy-to-read style will help me understand it a bit more.

***

The other day, I dropped into Kit to pick up some Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel (which is ah-mazing, btw) but one of the samples they gave me to review was faulty. So I swapped it over today.

I'm not sure if it's just the Chapel St store, but they've got a range of sample trios you can get with any purchase this month, and they ask you to review them online.

I got a Pop eyeshadow primer, an Origins moisturiser and a Mario Badescu face scrub. Who doesn't love a freebie? Looking forward to giving them a go.

***

I hope Autumn graces us with a few more delightful weekends before it hands us over to Winter.

I'm really enjoying this season so much.

xx Kiki

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