최근 몇 주 동안 일하면서 심한 목·어깨 통증과 두통으로 정말 힘든 시간을 보냈어요. 밤마다 통증 때문에 몇 번씩 깨어 식은땀까지 흘릴 정도로 일상생활이 어려웠는데, 지인의 추천으로 노스 스트라스필드(North Strathfield) 에 있는 카이로프랙틱 허준 선생님을 방문하게 되었고… 결론은 진짜 너무 좋아서 꼭 추천드리고 싶어요! 정말 이름대로 명의 이십니다!! ㅎㅎ
Recently, a friend recommended an izakaya, and I ended up visiting twice because I loved it so much! From the atmosphere to the food, it truly feels like a slice of Japan right here in Sydney. If you’re looking for an authentic Japanese-style bar near Sydney CBD, this place is a must-visit 🇯🇵✨
📍 Rei Izakaya 礼 居酒屋
Address: Shop G04/345B Sussex Street, Sydney NSW 2000
🍶 One-Line Introduction
Rei Izakaya is an authentic Japanese-style izakaya in Sydney CBD where you can enjoy oden, yakitori, and a wide selection of Japanese drinks—sake, whiskey, beer—served in a warm and cozy atmosphere.
👍 Why I Recommend It
Wide range of Japanese drinks: sake, whiskey, beer & more
Perfect for a relaxed night out with friends, coworkers, or even a casual date
Cozy interior with real Japanese izakaya vibes
Great menu options including yakitori skewers, oden, and small plates
🍢 Japanese Oden… especially the daikon… you HAVE to try it!
Do you know how insanely good Japanese oden daikon is?
If you haven’t tried it yet — please do!
It’s perfectly sweet, tender, and soaked all the way through with warm, flavourful broth.
It’s the kind of comfort food that instantly boosts your happiness, especially on a chilly day… 😌
🦪 Our Favourite Menu Item — Fried Oysters
The dish my friend always orders here is the fried oysters!
They’re incredibly crispy on the outside and soft and juicy on the inside — the flavour is unreal.
And paired with a drink? Absolutely perfect. 🍺💛
🍢 Oden & Yakitori
The oden here is amazing, but the yakitori (grilled skewers) are just as impressive!
Chicken heart (hatsu)
Chicken thigh with spring onion
Skewers glazed with a rich soy-based sauce
Every single one is delicious — honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of them.
🥢 Recommended For…
Anyone who wants to experience a truly authentic Japanese izakaya vibe in Sydney
Fans of oden, yakitori, fried oysters, and comforting Japanese bar food
Those casual nights when you just want to grab a drink and relax with friends
Anyone missing the feeling of a Japan trip 🇯🇵✨
✨ So Happy to Have This Spot in Sydney
I’m honestly so happy that we have a place like this in Sydney.
I’ll share another review next time with more photos 😊💛
Chanel Holiday Collection 2025 & MYER Shopping Experience I wrapped up work today and headed straight to MYER to secure a birthday gift for a friend I’m meeting this Saturday. 🛍️
Sydney’s Late-Night Shopping Tradition (Thursday Thrills) In Sydney, we have a fantastic tradition known as late-night shopping, where most major retailers stay open until around 9:00 PM on Thursdays (though times can vary by store). This is the perfect time to run errands or enjoy a relaxed shopping session after work.
When I first arrived in Australia, I didn’t frequent MYER much. Perhaps because of its image as a major department store, it felt a little intimidating or pricey for a student or a working holiday traveler. 😅
From Shopper to Cosmetic Enthusiast However, after working casually at MYER for about two years, I was exposed to a vast array of beauty brands and products. Now, I’ve officially transformed into a passionate Cosmetic Enthusiast! 💄
To be honest, I’ve always loved experiencing high-end branded cosmetics. Unlike luxury bags or apparel, premium beauty products offer an accessible way to experience a brand’s unique quality and sensibility at a much more realistic price point. I truly believe some of these items are definitely worth the investment—they are what I call “Money’s Worth” products. 💎
🕯️A Change of Plans: From Santa Maria Novella to Chanel
I actually went to MYER today with a specific purchase in mind: a beautiful product from Santa Maria Novella.
Their fragrances, especially those with herbal and delicate floral notes, are absolutely exquisite and always make for a sophisticated gift.
The Santa Maria Novella Setback 💔
My original plan was to buy one of Santa Maria Novella’s gorgeous Scented Waxes. I made sure to visit the counter to sample the scents firsthand, but honestly, the available fragrances weren’t quite the vibe I was hoping for this time.
To make matters worse, the most popular and coveted scents were already sold out in-store 😢. It seems they are still available for purchase online, but I couldn’t get it today. I even remembered the YouTube tip about tucking these waxes into a lingerie drawer for a subtle, beautiful aroma… but sadly, I had to give up on that idea for now. Farewell, Santa Maria Novella! 👋
The Moment of Discovery: Hello, Chanel Holiday 2025!
With my initial plan shelved, I needed a quick, inspiring Plan B. As I continued browsing the beauty department for alternative gift ideas, that’s when it happened—I spotted the magnificent display revealing the Chanel Holiday Collection 2025! ✨
💋 Let’s Go Shopping: Diving into the Chanel Holiday Magic!
I have a bit of a history with this particular holiday line! Fun fact: I actually “strongly encouraged” (maybe it was a light force buy? 😆) my boyfriend to gift me a lipstick and a fragrance from last year’s Chanel Holiday Collection.
And let me tell you, I was so incredibly satisfied with those pieces! That positive experience is precisely why I was so keen to gift an item from this year’s collection to my friend. I know the quality and presentation are guaranteed to make a brilliant birthday surprise.
But here is the best part, and a major reason why I highly recommend them: many of these special edition lipsticks are refillable! You can simply purchase a new lipstick refill (the actual product cartridge) and easily swap it into the stunning limited-edition case. This makes it an incredibly sustainable and lasting item. It’s an investment that keeps on giving! 💎
The Shade That Caught My Eye: Deep Orange Perfection 🧡
On a personal note, I’ve been absolutely obsessed with deep orange nail colors lately—it’s just the perfect chic, warm tone!
Imagine my excitement when I discovered that this year’s Holiday Collection includes a gorgeous product in that exact dark orange shade. It was so beautifully designed and the color was just stunning on the display. It was the kind of item that made me immediately think, “I need to buy this for myself!”
However, the main mission today was finding that perfect gift. The fact that a color I am so passionate about was featured in such an elegant, limited-edition item only confirmed one thing: this collection is truly exceptional, and anything I choose from it will be a showstopper for my friend’s birthday.
Ultimately, the best part of this whole shopping adventure was knowing I could share something I genuinely love with my friend. Being able to gift an item from a collection that brings me so much personal joy—a collection I know is high-quality and beautifully presented—was a wonderful feeling.
Furthermore, the limited-edition nature of the Chanel Holiday Collection adds that extra layer of magic. 🎀 Knowing she’s receiving a stunning item that is only available for a short time makes the present feel even more exclusive and special. It’s the perfect way to celebrate her birthday!
🌟 Wrapping Up: More Than Just Shopping
This shopping trip was about much more than just buying a gift. It was a wonderful opportunity to truly appreciate the value, design, fragrance, and overall “sensibility” that high-quality brands offer. These small, special experiences—the sensory delight of the display, the feeling of finding the perfect item—are exactly what I want to continue documenting here on the blog. ✨
If you’re hunting for a truly unique and elegant gift this year, I wholeheartedly recommend checking out the Chanel Holiday Collection 2025! It is an absolute treasure. 🎁💕
If there’s one place in Sydney where you can enjoy nature, animals, and ocean views all at once, it’s definitely Taronga Zoo!
We recently visited to celebrate Kevin’s birthday 🎉 He loves animals and sea creatures, so whenever we travel together, we always end up visiting zoos and aquariums. And of course, I usually add art museums to our itinerary too — that’s my kind of happy place. 🎨💛
Kevin kind of looks like an alpaca 🦙 (in the cutest way possible), so I think that’s why he loves cute, fluffy animals so much — they remind him of himself! 😂
It was such a lovely day surrounded by animals, sunshine, and the sea breeze. Sydney really has a magical way of mixing nature and city life so beautifully 🌿🌊
🚢 How to Get to Taronga Zoo — The Easiest Way by Ferry
Getting to Taronga Zoo is super easy, even from the heart of Sydney City. Just hop on a ferry from Circular Quay, and you’ll arrive in about 15 minutes ⛴️
The ride itself is such a treat — you’ll see the Sydney Opera House on one side and the Harbour Bridge on the other. No matter which side you sit on, you’ll get stunning views 🌉✨
👉 Pro Tip: You’ll probably be a bit sleepy on the way back (trust me 😴), so make sure to take plenty of photos on your way there!
🎂 $1 Entry on Your Birthday!
Did you know this? If you visit Taronga Zoo on your birthday, your entry ticket is only $1! 🥳
Just make sure to book online in advance and bring a valid ID or proof of birth date with you. You can check all the details on the official Taronga Zoo website before you go — such a fun little birthday surprise in Sydney! 🎁🦒
🐍 The New Reptile House is Open!
This time, we were excited to visit the newly renovated Reptile House! It’s home to all sorts of fascinating creatures — lizards, turtles, snakes, and more.
As we wandered through the exhibits, I started to understand why some people are so passionate about keeping reptiles as pets 🐢 They have such a calm and mysterious charm that really draws you in.
🦭 Cute Animals + Cute Kids = Double the Joy
Taronga Zoo is always full of families, which makes the whole experience even sweeter. There’s something so heartwarming about watching adorable animals and equally adorable kids enjoying the day together 🐨👧
Kevin and I have visited a few times now, and every visit feels just as peaceful and lovely as the first. It’s truly one of those places that never loses its charm. 🌿✨
🌇 Wrapping Up with Sydney’s Stunning Skyline
After spending the day meeting all the adorable animals, we caught the seal show and then headed home with the Sydney skyline glowing in the background. 🌆✨
Taronga Zoo is such a special place — where you can enjoy nature, the ocean, and the city view all at once. It’s one of those rare spots that perfectly captures the beauty and balance of Sydney. 🌿💙
💡 Summary — Taronga Zoo Visit Tips
🚢 How to Get There: Take the ferry from Circular Quay — it only takes about 15 minutes and offers beautiful harbour views.
🎂 Birthday Deal: Get $1 entry on your birthday! (Just remember to book online in advance and bring your ID.)
🦎 New Spot: Don’t miss the newly renovated Reptile House — it’s full of fascinating creatures!
📸 Photo Moments: Snap some photos of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge views, and don’t skip the seal show!
👨👩👧👦 Perfect for Families: It’s one of Sydney’s most family-friendly spots — fun for both kids and adults!
🌿 Bonus Tip: If you’d like to stay overnight, check out Taronga’s Wildlife Retreat, where you can wake up to kangaroos and koalas right outside your window! 🦘🐨✨
📍 Location: Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman NSW 2088, Australia 🦁 Yena’s Sydney Travelogue: Taronga Zoo Edition
⏰ Operating Hours: Daily 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM 🌐 Official Taronga Zoo Website: [Link to Taronga Zoo’s Official Website]
🐾 Yena’s Sydney Travelogue
“A must-visit for any animal lover! It’s always a healing experience, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a place where Sydney’s natural beauty shines so brightly. 💛”
시드니에서 자연과 동물, 바다 뷰를 한 번에 즐길 수 있는 곳이 있다면 바로 타롱가 동물원(Taronga Zoo)이에요. 얼마전에 케빈의 생일을 맞아 타롱가 주를 다녀왔어요! 케빈이 동물이랑 물고기도 좋아하고 ㅎㅎ 그래서 저희는 놀러가면 주로 동물원 수족관은 꼭 가고 데가 좋아하는 미술관도 꼭 가는 경향이 있답니다 ㅎㅎ
케빈은 알파카를 닮아서 비슷한 귀여운 동물들을 좋아하는거 같아요 ㅎㅎㅎㅎ
🚢 타롱가 동물원 가는 법 — 페리 타고 가는 가장 쉬운 방법
타롱가 동물원은 시드니 시티 중심에서도 쉽게 갈 수 있어요. Circular Quay(서큘러 키) 에서 페리(Ferry) 를 타면 단 15분 만에 도착할 수 있답니다. 가는 길에 보이는 시드니 오페라하우스와 하버브릿지 뷰는 정말 압도적이에요 🌉✨
👉 꿀팁: 오는 길에는 주로 피곤해서 눈을 붙이게 되기 때문에, 가는 길에 사진을 많이 찍어두세요!
🎂 생일엔 입장료 $1!
그거 아세요? 생일 당일에는 타롱가 동물원 입장료가 단 $1이에요! 🥳 단, 인터넷으로 미리 예매하고 신분증이나 생일 증명서류를 챙겨가야 합니다. 이벤트 페이지는 타롱가 공식 홈페이지에서 확인할 수 있어요.
🐍 새로운 파충류관 오픈!
이번에는 새로 리뉴얼된 파충류관이 열려서 다녀왔어요. 도마뱀, 거북이, 뱀 등 다양한 친구들을 구경하면서 ‘왜 파충류를 키우는 사람들이 그렇게 애정을 가지는지’ 조금은 이해가 되더라고요 ㅎㅎ
🦭 귀여운 동물 + 귀여운 아이들 = 더블 힐링
타롱가 동물원은 가족 단위 관광객이 많아요. 그래서 귀여운 동물 + 귀여운 아이들 콤보로 두 배의 힐링을 경험할 수 있어요 🐨👧 케빈과 저는 여러 번 방문했지만, 언제 봐도 사랑스럽고 평화로운 공간이에요.
🌇 시드니 스카이라인을 배경으로 마무리
동물들을 실컷 구경한 후에는 물개 쇼를 보고, 시드니 스카이라인을 뒤로한 채 집으로 돌아왔어요. 타롱가 동물원은 자연, 바다, 그리고 도심 뷰를 동시에 즐길 수 있는 정말 특별한 장소예요 🌿💙
💡 요약 — 타롱가 동물원 방문 꿀팁
🚢 가는 법: Circular Quay → Ferry 이용 (약 15분 소요)
🎂 생일 혜택: 생일 당일 $1 입장권 (사전 예약 꼭 확인해 보세요)
🦎 새 명소: 리뉴얼된 파충류관
📸 추천 포인트: 오페라하우스 & 하버브릿지 뷰, 물개쇼
👨👩👧👦 가족 여행지로 강추!
타롱가 주에서 캥거루랑 코알라가 보이는 방에서 하루밤 묵을 수 있는 Wild Life도 추천해요!
📍 위치: Bradleys Head Rd, Mosman NSW 2088, Australia ⏰ 운영시간: 매일 오전 9:30 – 오후 5:00 🌐 타롱가 동물원 공식 웹사이트 바로가기
🐾 예나의 시드니 여행기
“동물을 좋아하는 사람이라면 꼭 한 번은 가봐야 하는 곳! 언제 가도 힐링되고, 시드니의 자연이 이렇게 아름다운 곳이 또 있을까 싶어요 💛”
This exhibition brings together architectural, urban-design and cultural projects from around the world by Foster + Partners.
25+ detailed scale models, drawings, videos and design documentation
Three thematic zones:
Community + Culture – public buildings and cultural spaces
Living + Working – everyday life and workspaces
Planning + Mobility – city infrastructure and future mobility
Within this exhibition you’ll see iconic projects like Sydney’s own Parkline Place, Deutsche Bank Place, London’s The Gherkin and Hong Kong’s HSBC headquarters.
✨ Why It’s Special
The core of this exhibition is the idea of “Civic Vision” – a vision of how cities and citizens collaborate to create meaningful spaces.
Instead of viewing architecture merely as “buildings,” the exhibition focuses on architecture as experiences people inhabit and use.
As a designer, especially one who cares about user-centred experiences, this perspective offers deep inspiration.
It’s about designing places where people stay, move and connect. 💭
📝 Visitor Tips
🕒 Allocate around 30–45 minutes for a relaxed visit.
📸 Most areas allow photography, but check on-site signage for any restrictions.
🚶♀️ Location is just a 5–10 minute walk from Town Hall or Martin Place stations.
🌆 My Personal Take
Simply being able to enjoy a high-quality design exhibition for free in central Sydney is thrilling.
The exhibition’s visual and spatial clarity made it very approachable – even for those who aren’t architecture buffs.
If you ever feel creatively stuck, this is a perfect way to refresh your design sensibility by looking at the big scale of space and motion. 💫
📌 Final Thoughts
Whether you have a weekend spare or an evening free after work, this free exhibition “Civic Vision” is a smart stop.
It invites you to see the city differently – as a structure of human movement and civic life.
