Anne’s Aussie Diary

The best weekends are the ones spent outdoors with good food and even better company. 🏕️❤️

We were so blessed to celebrate a dear family friend’s birthday surrounded by nature, good food, laughter, and even better company.

Bjarke had the time of his life riding his bike, exploring, and simply being a kid. Sometimes the greatest adventures come from the most ordinary moments.

Most of all, we’re grateful for the people we shared this weekend with. Friends who have become family. Thank you for inviting us to celebrate such a special occasion with you, it was a weekend full of laughter, great memories, and watching Bjarke enjoy the simple joys of camping.

Until the next adventure! 🤍

Usapang body care naman tayo! 😃

I know I always share my skincare journey especially my face skincare, from my morning and night routines to all the products I’ve been religiously using over the years.

Pero naisip ko… hindi ba part din ng skincare ang body care?

As a 40+ girl navigating this season of life, I’ve realized that taking care of my skin doesn’t stop at my face. Kasama na rin ang body, feet, and yes, pati kili-kili! 😄

So today, I’m no longer gatekeeping. I’m finally sharing my current body care routine and the products that I’ve been loving lately. Fair warning though, medyo mahaba itong post, but I promise it’s packed with tips that might help you too.

✨ Products I’m currently using:

- Goat’s Milk Soap (Aldi)
- Asquith + Shea Butter Body Scrub
- Dry Skin Body Brush
- The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner
- The Ordinary Salicylic Acid Body Serum
- The Ordinary Natural Moisturising Factors + Inulin Body Lotion
- Aveeno Body Lotion
- Body Oil ( Almond, Jojoba or Sunflower oil)
- Heel Balm / Foot Lotion

☀️ Morning Routine

• Goat’s Milk Soap or Kojic Papaya Soap
• Aveeno Body Lotion

🌙 Night Routine

• Goat’s Milk Soap
• The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner
• The Ordinary Salicylic Acid Body Serum
• Body Oil (mostly during winter)
• The Ordinary Body Lotion
• Heel Balm / Foot Lotion

🛁 Every Wednesday & Saturday Night (Exfoliation Days)

• Dry Skin Brushing
• Body Scrub
• The Ordinary Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Toner
• The Ordinary Salicylic Acid Body Serum
• Body Oil
• The Ordinary Body Lotion
• Heel Balm / Foot Lotion

Now, I know my skin is far from perfect. 😊 Being in my perimenopause stage, I’ve noticed that my skin gets super dry, especially during winter. Kaya mas naging intentional talaga ako when it comes to taking care of my skin not just my face, but my whole body.

A couple of weeks ago, I had to visit the Emergency Department because of a health concern. While the nurse was attending to me, she suddenly said, “Sorry, this is random, but you have really nice skin.” 🥹

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting that! Napaisip tuloy ako, maybe all those small, consistent habits are really paying off. It reminded me that skincare isn’t about achieving “perfect” skin. It’s about taking care of the skin you’re in and giving yourself the care you deserve.

One thing I can’t live without during winter is body oil. I love using it after exfoliating because it helps lock in moisture and keeps my skin from feeling dry. During summer though, I usually skip it because it feels a bit too heavy for me. That’s the beauty of skincare you don’t have to follow trends, you follow what your skin needs.

As we get older, our skin changes and that’s completely normal. Instead of fighting those changes, I’ve learned to embrace them and simply give my body the extra care it deserves.

At the end of the day, self-care isn’t about vanity. It’s about self-respect. It’s about showing yourself the same love and care that you so freely give to everyone else. 💛

We spend so much time taking care of our families, our careers, and the people we love that sometimes we forget to take care of ourselves. But the truth is, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Looking after yourself, physically, mentally, and emotionally, isn’t selfish. It’s one of the best investments you can make because when you feel good, you show up better for the people who matter most.

So if you’ve been putting yourself last, let this be your gentle reminder to start with one small habit today. It doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Consistency will always beat perfection. 🤍✨

Lunch date with the family at Thai Chuan Chim 🇹🇭✨

We had such a lovely lunch at Thai Chuan Chim and grabe every dish was full of flavour and talagang sulit ang kain namin. Perfect combination of good food and quality family time. ❤️

We ordered their Fried Barramundi with Papaya Salad and this is definitely my favourite! The fish was super crispy outside, tender inside, and the papaya salad gave it that fresh and delicious kick. Sobrang sarap!

We also tried their Tom Yum Seafood, Crispy Pork Pad Thai, and for our little foodie Bjarke, he had the Crispy Chicken (approved na approved!).

Overall, everything was absolutely delicious! Ang hirap pumili ng favourite, pero yung Fried Barramundi talaga ang nag-win sa akin. Definitely coming back for more!😅

We always love discovering new places to eat and creating memories over good food. 🥰

Now I’m curious, what’s your go-to or favourite Thai restaurant? Share your recommendations naman below because we’re always looking for our next food adventure! 😬

Nothing beats discovering good food and creating beautiful memories with the family. ❤️

Family date night with Erik and Bjarke at Sushi Hyo.

Medyo mixed feelings kami after this visit. We’ve eaten here before and this is one of our go-to spots for Japanese food, so we were a little disappointed this time around.

Unfortunately, they no longer have their usual all-you-can-eat buffet, which was one of the main reasons we loved coming here. One of the staff also mentioned they’ve changed chefs, and we definitely noticed a difference.

Yung ramen, medyo na-sad ako. The ramen wasn’t quite the same as we remembered. It used to have a rich, flavourful pork broth, but it’s now chicken based and tasted a bit bland for our liking. The tuna sashimi also didn’t hit the same, it had a watery texture that made it feel a little spongey.

Will we come back? Hmm… maybe not for now. 😅 When we’re craving sushi, we’ll most likely make the drive to Eat Sushi at Orion Springfield, as that’s still our favourite sushi train.

Pero despite the food, panalo pa rin ang quality time. ❤️ Date nights (plus our little third wheel 😂), good conversations, and making memories together will always be worth it.

Have you ever gone back to a restaurant you loved, only to find it wasn’t the same anymore? Or baka kami lang? Let me know your favorite Japanese restaurant below! 🍣👇

🎄✨ Christmas in July at Dreamworld! ❤️

Sometimes the best memories come from slowing down and simply enjoying the moment together. ❤️

Watching Bjarke’s excitement, sharing laughs with Erik, and soaking in all the Christmas magic made this day so special. It’s not about having the perfect plan, it’s about making memories with the people you love most.

One thing I’ve learned as a mum is that kids won’t remember how much you spent, they’ll remember that you showed up, laughed with them, and made them feel loved.

Feeling incredibly grateful for these little moments that become our biggest blessings. Core memory unlocked for our little family. ❤️ Thank You, Lord, for another day filled with joy, laughter, and unforgettable memories. 🤍

🎄 Have you ever celebrated Christmas in July? Or would you? Let me know! ❤️

Today, we decided to drive to Lake Moogerah for a little picnic and fishing. We packed some of our favourite snacks, enjoyed the beautiful view, and just spent the day together as a family.

Grabe, the scenery was so peaceful. Minsan, all you really need is fresh air, a beautiful view, and quality time with the people you love.

Hindi man kami sinuwerte sa fishing 😅, okay lang because that wasn’t really the highlight of the day. Seeing Bjarke so happy, spending time with Erik, and just slowing down from our usual busy routine was more than enough.

Before heading home, we had coffee at the little café by the lake. Such a simple way to end a really beautiful day.

As I get older, mas naa-appreciate ko na talaga these kinds of moments. Hindi kailangan laging bongga or expensive. Sometimes, the best days are the ones spent outdoors, sharing food, laughing together, and simply enjoying each other’s company.

These are the memories I know we’ll always look back on with a smile. 🤍✨

“Life isn’t measured by the big milestones alone, but by the quiet moments that make your heart feel full.”

🤍

I finally gave the viral Waterless Chicken a try and now I understand why everyone’s talking about it! 🤍🍗

As someone who loves cooking for my family, I enjoy finding recipes that are simple, nourishing, and bring everyone together around the table. This one was incredibly easy to prepare, and the chicken turned out so juicy, tender, and naturally flavorful.

Sometimes the simplest recipes really are the best.

🍗 My Waterless Chicken Recipe

Ingredients:

* 1 whole chicken
* Chinese cabbage (Napa cabbage)
* 2 onions, quartered
* 2 carrots, roughly chopped
* 2 pears, quartered
* 1 apple, quartered
* Fresh ginger, sliced
* Red dates (jujubes)
* Goji berries
* Salt and black pepper (to season the chicken)

Method:
✨ Season the whole chicken generously with salt and black pepper.

✨ Layer the Chinese cabbage, onions, carrots, pears, and apple at the bottom of a heavy pot. Scatter the red dates, goji berries, and sliced ginger over the vegetables.

✨ Place the chicken on top, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and cook over low heat for about 1½–2 hours.

✨ No water. No stock. No oil. Just let the chicken and vegetables slowly release their natural juices to create the most delicious broth.

🤍 Why you’ll love waterless chicken:

• The chicken stays incredibly juicy and tender.
• The vegetables become naturally sweet and flavorful.
• Cooking in its own juices helps preserve nutrients and enhances the natural taste.
• Minimal ingredients, minimal effort, but maximum flavour.
• It creates a light, comforting broth that’s perfect for the whole family.

Cooking has always been one of my love languages. There’s something so special about gathering around the table, sharing a home-cooked meal, and creating memories that linger long after the plates are empty.

This one is definitely staying on our family menu. Have you tried the viral waterless chicken yet? 🤍🍗

✨

Sometimes the best memories aren’t made by the places we visit, but by the people we share them with. 💛

What a beautiful few days in Byron Bay filled with beach views, delicious food, fishing, laughter, coffee runs, and endless conversations. Watching the kids play together while we relaxed and enjoyed each other’s company made this trip even more special.

Thank you, Lord, for safe travels, beautiful weather, and the gift of friendship. And thank you to our amazing friends for making this getaway one we’ll always cherish. Until our next adventure together! 🌊☀️🏕️

📍Byron Bay, NSW