Here’s a peek at what we get up to on weekends and beyond — and what we LOVE about life in Sydney.

Saturdays start with …

We love to kick things off wandering shopping centres and vintage markets. Malls give us that cozy, nostalgic, “let’s all split up and meet back at the food court” family vibe — and vintage markets? Total treasure hunts. You never know what fab little thing you’re gonna find, but you know you’re gonna find something.

Then it’s ferry to Manly time. And listen — if you’re not sitting outside on those side seats, what are we even doing here? Not the middle. Not inside. We need outside side seats. Breezy. Iconic. Even when it’s cold, we’re out there like we’re on the beach in summer.

Once we land, we often head to Queen Chow — the Cantonese waterfront spot that makes you feel like you’re floating. The view? Gorgeous. The food? Comfort meets elegance. And let’s be real … convenience. Cause it’s right there at the ferry station.

Then we go full-on ice cream mode. We don’t stop at one — we hit Messina, Anita, and Royal Copenhagen. Yep. Three. In a row.

Call it excessive — we call it Saturday.

We’re an ice cream family. And when you love frozen cream, there’s no such thing as too much.

Annual pass status: unlocked

We’re proud Taronga Zoo annual pass holders. It’s not just for the kids. We adults love it just as much! The views of the harbour from the zoo are unreal, and that ferry ride to get there? OMGeeeee.

Now listen — we’ve got some of the most epic zoos in the world back in the U.S., but Taronga? This one truly blows me away. The design, the layout, the way it flows with nature … it’s on another level. Seriously, kudos to the architects and creatives behind it. It’s awe-inspiring. A total dream of a zoo.

A little Palm Beach glamour

When I wanna feel like I’m on holiday — but don’t have time to jet off to the Bali (I’ve got a start up ice cream biz with little time to chill!!!) — I head to Palm Beach. Our yum and glam: The Boathouse’s Beach Club. It’s giving coastal chic meets chill luxe, and baby, it delivers.

It’s got that New York Hamptons energy — you know, the fancy-smart vibe where city folks escape to exhale. There’s glam, there’s fashion, there’s “don’t talk to me I’m decompressing” silence, and somehow it all works.

I took Mama Carolyn there and OH. MY. GOODNESS. She gave me a full photo shoot. We’re talking angles, cheekbones, that soft-smile-smize. I had her at the table working face. It was giving Aussie Vogue spread with a side of fancy fries. The food? Delish. The portraits? Frame-worthy.

Quote of the day?

“This was supposed to be ladies who lunch — but my mama turned it into a full-blown Smizing photo shoot. Palm Beach, y’all weren’t ready.”

Cozy cafe vibes

If I’m in Bondi and need a moment of peace, inspiration, or just a damn good long black, I’m heading straight to Gertrude & Alice. It’s a café. It’s a bookstore. It’s a vibe. Like if a cozy blanket, a typewriter, and a coffee bean had a baby — this would be it.

We sit there surrounded by stacks of books and start dreaming. Half the time I go in for caffeine and come out with five new ideas and a novel I swear I’m going to read cover to cover (don’t @ me if I don’t, I’m busy launching this ice cream shop, y’all!)

The bar that tells a jammin’ story

Jam Bar has my design heart. From the moment you walk in, it’s like the room is whispering a playlist just for your soul. The vinyl records lining the walls? The blush pink glow? It’s not just decor — it’s a whole mood.

I’m obsessed with spaces that transport you — and that’s exactly what I want people to feel when they walk into my SMiZE & DREAM shops. Jam Bar gets it. Whoever designed that space? You did ya thing. It’s giving storytelling. It’s giving mood. It’s giving, “I could stay here forever and just dance in my seat forever.”

Sip, chat, sway to the music … and just let the yummy drinks and vibe (and insanely amazing design) hold you in its arms.

One of our fave restaurants

White Horse in Surry Hills – date night sexy.

This place? Whew. One of the best meals I’ve had — hands down.

Let’s talk food. There was a spanner crab dish that made me pause mid-sentence. Then came the lobster ravioli — but not just any ravioli. I’m talking giant sheets of pasta wrapped around massive chunks of lobster. I audibly gasped. Like, “Did y’all see that?!”

Then … the mystery vegetable. Started with a B. Tasted like an artichoke heart’s glamorous cousin. Served with something crispy and green — fried spinach? kale? a leaf from the gods? I don’t know. All I know is I was like.

“This dish is hella good … heaven in my mouth!!!”

Family feasts and live music moments

Fratelli Fresh in Darling Harbour is our go-to spot when the whole big crew rolls out. Big group? No problem. Lotsa kids in tow? Totally welcome. Visiting fam from overseas? We always bring them here. It’s massive. Real cute design (I live for nice design y’all!!!)

But let me tell you about the time we went around my 50th birthday …

There was a live singer, the energy was popping, and suddenly — mid-brussel sprouts, mid-pizza — we were on our feet belting along like we were on stage at The Voice. The kids? Mortified.

The adults? LIVING!!!

It was one of those wild, joy-soaked moments you don’t plan — but never forget.

Food was fire. Vibes were electric. And yes … we’d do it again.

Paint, sip and laugh

We had an absolute blast at Pinot & Picasso in the CBD, near Barangaroo during their “paint your partner” night. They sat us with the most fun couples we didn’t even know, and before we knew it, we were all besties — laughing, roasting, and painting each other so wrong it was right.

Everyone was like:

“That nose is way too pointy!”

“Why’d you give me crooked ears?”

“Why are my lips … in my neck?”

It was chaos. It was comedy. It was full-on Sydney community.

And let’s be clear — one painting stood out. It had depth. It had story. It had … mystery in the brushstroke.

It was my creation of my partner.

MOCA-worthy? Maybe.

Delusional confidence? Definitely.

We sipped wine, laughed with strangers, and walked out with masterpieces (or disasters?) and memories that will live on forever — on crazy looking canvases.

The gelato gang we love

Yes, we’re in the ice cream business — but the ice cream and gelato world is family, not competition. Cause the frozen treat is so popular with so many people, there’s enough to go around for everybody. And these Aussie gelato legends? We bow down.

Here’s our fave shoutout list: Messina; Rivareno; Mapo; Ice Kirin; Anita.

Let’s be clear — we don’t make gelato. We make ice cream. But these spots? They do their gelato thing with so much craft, flavour, and flair, we’ve got nothing but love. We order from them, and we cheer them on.

Much respect, mucho admiration — and many late-night deliveries.

Proud to be part of the sweet ice cream scene here in Australia. Woop woop!!!

Our theatre love affair

The Lyric Theatre is our happy place. We saw MJ the Musical there — not once, but twice. And yes, we’re now friends with some of the cast. That’s what happens when you fangirl with your whole soul! And then we get Gelato Messina after the show of course.

Mama Carolyn’s Aussie obsessions:

• Coles & Woolies: she recreates her famous American breakfast using Aussie ingredients. Somehow, it hits differently here.

• Star Hotel & Crown Hotel: Our family debates weekly about which one has the better Sunday brunch. One’s more fam-chic. One’s more fam-fun. We’ll let you guess which is which.

• Streaky Bacon: She’s hooked. Our whole house smells like Aussie streaky bacon when she’s here.

• Chicken Salt: She’s tried every brand and puts it on everything. She can’t get enough and wants to export it to the USA!

• Chipolatas: “We don’t have these damn yummy things in the U.S.!” she yells every time she eats one. And yes, we now stock them constantly in our fridge and freezer.

What TyTy is doing during the week

Right now, we’re in HIRING mode. That energy that comes when you’re building the dream and are so excited about the team – and knowing what really makes the DREAM a reality. Or else it’s just a wish.

I’m laser-focused on casting, hiring, and building super cool, fun jobs for the SMiZE & DREAM launch in Sydney. We’re hiring 37 people that scoop and perform – and that is just to start. This makes my heart so happy. Creating jobs. Creating opportunity. That’s what it’s all about, right? I feel so good that my dream is inspiring others to dream bigger too.

If you’re reading this and thinking, “I wanna be part of this crazy fun dream and have performing in your spirit and live ice cream, please go to our website to apply.

In closing.

Sydney — you’ve welcomed us with flavour, beauty, joy, and heart. From ferry rides to epic theatre nights, from cozy cafés to chicken salt obsessions, we love YOU.

And now … we’re just getting started. Can’t wait to share what’s next in Oz. We’re just getting started!

With love,

Tyra