The Chocolate Tour - 2

It's a cold, wintry night and I'm sitting on my couch, snuggled up next to the heater, sipping coffee and watching Confessions of a Shopaholic. Quite a perfect setup. But I can't help but think about this amazing weekend I had a few weeks ago...I've been meaning to share but just haven't gotten around to it. Until tonight, because all that's missing in this perfect setup of mine tonight is some chocolate! Which brings me to the Chocolate Tour I went on, again (remember I did this last year?). No, I'm not a crazy chocoholic (just a shopaholic). It was organised as a team-bonding activity by Mr.Pre's work. Fun idea, isn't it! So here are some pics from the day...

Statutory Warning: Below images contain some decadent delights and are not suitable for persons with a delicate willpower and trying desperately to shed winter weight by avoiding and not consuming decadent delights (this includes me) - so what the heck, go ahead and enjoy this eye-candy...

Our tour began this time at the new Cacao Lab at the Strand where we were given Hot Chocolate Shots.

Hot Milk Chocolate Shot

We went to Koko Black in the Royal Arcarde, of course.

Taking a little break from all the chocolate, I stopped to admire the beauty of the architecture of the Royal Arcade. I love this place. Makes me feel like I'm living in the 1920s.

There were a few other choco-licious stops we made along the way including Haighs and the Fair Trade store. We ended the tour with a complimentary hot drink and dessert at Theobroma in Melbourne Central (I took my dessert in a take-away container as I had had enough chocolate for the day - yes, there is such a thing as too much chocolate).

Mocha at Theobroma

But after all that sweetness, I needed something savoury. What better than Jimmy Grant's chips with oregano, garlic oil and feta right next door at the Emporium foodcourt! Yumm!

I'm in love with these chips! They're my new guilty-pleasure! (Now you know why I'm trying so desperately to shed those winter-kilos!)

Alright, now for the decadent delight I promised....just kidding ;) - it's my outfit for the day.

Floral Bomber Jacket: *$25 (Portmans)

Grey Marle Tee: *$10 (Dotti)

Bow Necklace in Soft-Gold: $19.95 (Portmans)

Embossed Jeans: $49.95 (Zara)

Bag: *$53 (Forever New)

Black Ballet Flats: $12 (H&M)

Outfit Total: $169.90

* = sale prices

The Chocoholics Tour was just as enjoyable the second time around as well. I highly recommend doing it just as a fun weekend activity with your friends if you are looking to do something different without spending a fortune or travelling far and wide.

You can find their details here.

Chocolate Tour

A couple of weeks ago, my friend took me on a Chocolate Tour of Melbourne City's best Chocolatiers. She had bought this voucher as a birthday present for me last year and we finally got around to using it 11 months later! It was worth the wait. It was a gorgeous day in Melbourne. Our walking tour started at 2.15pm at Koko Black at the Royal Arcade (sorry I hadn't started taking photos at that point), we then walked a few stores down to Suga, next stop was The Chocolate Box...

....followed by Haighs....

.... then Ganache...

...and concluded with churros at Hairy Little Sista. YUM!

There was chocolate-tasting at every stop. And our lovely guide, Suzie shared interesting facts about the history of all these establishments and also the architecture of the buildings we came across along the way; things that are so easy to miss in the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives. For example, the Crabtree and Evelyn store at the Block Arcade is located where the Singer (sewing machine) store used to be and still has the original murals on the ceiling including the Singer logo. Fascinating!

 By the end of the 2 hour tour, you don't even want to think about chocolate any more. But still it was a good experience to just slow down and admire the things we take for granted in this beautiful city, whilst enjoying delectable chocolate treats. I would definitely recommend this tour to all Melbournians, Non-Melbournians and of course, to Chocoholics! You can choose from their various tours to find dates and times that suit you from their website http://chocoholictours.com.au/switchboard/.

Now, all I have to do is find ways to burn off the calories consumed over this 2 hour chocolate indulgence :P....