Mister Hoffman.

With a new cafe seemingly popping up in the local suburbs every week, differentiation is the key to success, and Mister Hoffman delivers. Stepping into this local gem on Hoffmans Road you get the immediate sense you've just walked into Barbie's dream kitchen, complete with a retro coffee maker, pastel feature walls, and the odd kitsch accessory including an adorable Galah lamp (my love of bird ceramics is ever growing). I'm a sucker for cute interiors - especially if there are bold splashes of pink included - so it was incredibly easy for me to feel right at home at Mister Hoffman. 

The little, extra details are all thought out, from the aesthetically pleasing sprig of mint in the water jug, to the gorgeous chai serving set (highly reccommend the chai!) Mister Hoffman's unique style sets it apart. The food was also very fresh, and said to be locally sourced. I played it safe with my meal, grabbing sourdough toast with avocado, goat's feta, and bacon, but there are also some more daring options on the menu like pine needle herrings for the ambitious bruncher to late luncher. Whatever you choose you are guaranteed a delightful time at Mister Hoffman.

- Miriam

Mister Hoffman 
Address: 85A Hoffmans Rd, Niddrie VIC 3042
Instagram: @mister.hoffman.cafe

*Mosaik does not take credit for the images used in this article, they have been sourced from the instagram of Mister Hoffman

Movie Review-vie: Chef.

It is very hard for me to watch films about food. Very hard. Saliva fills my mouth and I start to get hungry, instantly craving whatever is on the screen. I go to the fridge and pantry to find something but  there is nothing that could even slightly compare to what I'm seeing and I just go back to watching the movie and convince myself I'm going to start cooking more.

This is literally how Chef made me feel.Hungry... but also happy, incredibly happy.

Jon Favreau, the director and star of the film found the perfect recipe and created a rare feel good movie (where I actually felt good and I didn't cringe at the corniness.) The cast was incredibly diverse, fresh and funny. The story line was relevant and original. When it ended I wanted to do the conga, order a cuban sandwich and go on a road trip all at the same time. 

Rated: As beautiful as Sofia Vergara (she's in it too, so in case I haven't convinced you yet ...) 

- Alessandra 

Resolutions for a Happier 2016.

Show Yourself Kindness Everyday: It can be something as simple as letting yourself press the snooze button on your alarm, to running a bubble bath, or buying a bunch of flowers to brighten your room. Yes, even buying yourself that dress you've been lusting over. And if you look good in that dress, tell yourself. It sounds a little silly but the most important friendship in your life should be with yourself, so be kind to yourself and nurture that relationship.

Do Something for Others Daily: In turn though, caring for yourself needs to then translate to passing that kindness onto those around you. This could be something huge, like giving blood, or volunteering with a charity, to something as simple as making your mum a cup of tea, or writing a friend a letter. Some of my most prized possessions are cards and letters friends have given me. Never underestimate the power of a kind word, and showing those around you that you value and appreciate them. Sharing yourself with others will make you a much happier and healthier person.

Learn to Be a 'No' Man: Yes, this sounds incredibly negative. But it isn't, and it's an attitude that means that you'll stop saying yes, halfheartedly to the things you don't really want to do, which, when piled on usually leave you feeling drained, overwhelmed and a lesser version of yourself. There's nothing wrong with saying no sometimes, although this does mean that when you say yes, you give all your energy to the people and activities you care about.      

Switch Off More: While social media definitely has its positive side, at times it can cause more damage than good, especially when you start comparing yourself to others. Distancing yourself from the virtual world and dwelling on what others are doing, and actually connecting and developing real life relationships is key to a healthy mind.

Make Time to Be Conscious of What You're Grateful For: It's so easy to become consumed by one negative experience, that you end up blocking out everything in your life that's positive. Find a time in your day - everyday, even if it's just a few minutes - to remind yourself of the elements in your life that bring you joy. Journaling can be a really therapeutic way of recording these thoughts.

- Miriam

*Mosaik does not take credit for the images used in this article*

A Year of Discovery.

Last year was a great year; it was a year of learning and a year of discovery about the world and myself. In 2014 I started my first year of university, studying a Bachelor of Fine Art degree at Monash University. I loved it and worked really hard, forwardly getting the results I needed to be able to further my studies abroad! When I got the acceptance letter to study at Monash University’s Campus in Prato, Italy, I was excited to say the least. I had been to Italy before, but mostly with family so this time around was my first independent and solo trip abroad. I was excited as I knew I could invent a new perspective on the country for myself. So the second year of my studies commenced and the first semester went by in a breeze, and then with the second semester came Italy!

When I landed in Florence it definitely felt very real. I didn’t have a family member coming to pick me up from the airport so I had to manage a way to get a taxi, and my Italian is very poor. I remember getting in the taxi and saying ‘Prato’ to the driver. He looked at me strangely, and said “Prato?”, it really hit me then that I don’t even know where or what Prato is or what it was like, and the driver's expression towards this place made me even more confused, while also very intrigued as to what Prato would be like as a city. And as expected, my time living as a 'local' in Prato enabled me to truly gain an appreciation and understanding of the city.

Prato is a provincial city, in Tuscany and is the second largest city in that region after Florence. Known for Italy’s biggest Chinese community and also the largest industrial city for textiles. Prato has many different sides to it, my favorite side was from my apartment window, I could see the Tuscan hills that stretch for miles, and it was so beautiful waking up every morning and watching the sunrise over them. Although I was mainly studying in Prato, it was definitely not the only city the study trip was bound to, in fact the exchange trip gave me, and all the people studying with me the opportunity to travel all around Italy. From medieval parades in Prato to the Venice Biennale, to the hustle and bustle of Rome, not one day of the trip was wasted for me. I would take the train to Florence most weekends with friends, as it was so close to Prato, and visit museums and flea markets or just search around for good places to savor some nice food and wine. The trip gave me the opportunity to meet new people from all around the country and also get to know the people in my course better.

I travelled to cities like Naples, Cinque Terre, Bologna, Rome, Siena, Venice, and Milan to name a few. What I adored about Italy was how every city is different, in its own way, and how the people and their way of living change throughout each city. If there is one thing I can guarantee that I visited in every city it was their churches. Each city has a marvelous array of Duomos with amazing and intricate frescos, sculptures and paintings, and let's not forget the astonishing and memorable architecture that quintessentially reflects different time periods of Italy’s growth as a nation. Immersing myself in the country's sensuality of art, architecture, food culture, lifestyle and history, the cultural sensations of Italy were the most inspiring to my studies there.

I feel so privileged and lucky to have experienced this great country, and travelled through it with like-minded people. The ability to further my tertiary education outside Australia, experiencing an array of old to new and contemporary art and learning how to understand and interpret artwork through the centuries, and there link with lifestyle and culture of Italy and Europe was truly invaluable. Overall I would have to say that the two months I spent in Italy were incredibly inspiring for myself. Everyday held something new and unexpected and I learnt to enjoy every second of every moment I was there. I do miss Italy, but the trip has given me the light to understand that there is really nothing stopping me from going back and re-living another amazing experience there again.

- Isabella

Christine's Top 5

Hi guys, I find that during the Christmas period I do my best personal shopping (when I should be saving / spending money on others) ... but from that unfortunate trait of mine, I bring you THIS! My top 5 products for a few different categories, because sometimes it's nice being told what to try, especially with all of the end of/start of year sales taking place! Enjoy :)

TOP 5 BEAUTY PRODUCTS:

1. The Balm - Frat Boy Shadow/Blush ($21.00)

2. Nars - Audacious Lipstick, Brigitte ($47.00)

3. Lush - Fun, Orange ($9.95)

4. Maybelline - BabyLips, Berry ($3.95)

5. Stila - Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner ($29.00)

TOP 5 STATIONERY PRODUCTS:

1. Kikki.K - Leather Personal Planner, Large ($79.95)

2. Rifle Paper Co - Rosalie To-Do List ($8.00)

3. Cotton on Kids - Wrapping Paper 3m Roll ($3.99)

4. Blank Goods - Bakers Twine, 20m ($3.50)

5. Kikki.K - Everyday Gel Ink Pen ($3.95)

TOP 5 LIFESTYLE PRODUCTS:

1. Country Road - Josephine Single Quilt Cover ($149.00)

2. Ikea - Räskog Trolley, Cream ($79.00)

3. Speck - Seethru Macbook Pro 13" Case, Calypso Blue ($49.95)

4. Country Road - Mickie Leather Sandal, Tan ($59.95)

5. Ikea - Micke Computer Work Station, White ($119.99)

TOP 5 LUNCHES IN MELBOURNE:

1. Mrs Kim's Grill (Carnegie) - Beef Bibimbap, Lunch Deal ($11.00)

2. Pope Joan (Brunswick) - The Cornish Sandwich ($12.00)

3. David Jones Foodhall Noodle Bar (Melbourne CBD) - Pad Thai ($11.00)

4. Caulfield Central Bakery (Caulfield) - BBQ Vietnamese Pork Roll ($5.00)

5. Ascot Food Store (Ascot Vale) - Pork Belly with Green Mango Salsa ($18.50)

TOP 5 MOVIES:

1. The Help

2. The Devil Wears Prada

3. Focus

4. The Princess Diaries

5. Big Eyes

-Christine

People Profile: Annika Keefer.

I first met Annika at one of my favourite Melbourne pizza places Meine Liebe on a night out with uni friends (she was my friend Amalia's sister.) Despite the striking resemblance to Amalia, the next thing I noticed was that she was every bit as colourful and wonderful as her intricate paintings that I had been secretly admiring via Instagram. 

Her paintings are like dreams, look at them for too long or think about them too hard and you will get lost in them. They are intricate stories told through veins of colour. 

Annika launched her site annikakeefer.com late last year as a portal to view and buy her work and I know this year will have big things in store for her because incredible talent doesn't go unnoticed. So here is our first people profile of 2016.

-Alessandra 

What made you want to start painting?

My dad is an Art Teacher so I've been painting with him since I was a little girl. I took Art as a subject in high school but never really took it too seriously because I was really into music at the time and I guess I just never thought my work was ‘good enough’ to put out there. After deciding that a career in music wasn't for me, I took a course in Art Therapy and it completely changed my life! It made me realise that I could do anything I wanted. I found painting to be super therapeutic and was receiving a lot of lovely feedback from friends and family who had seen my work so I just sort of started painting regularly and began sharing my work on social media and everything just took off from there.

What makes you happiest?

Gratitude. I’ve recently learned that being grateful actually stimulates the hypothalamus (a key part of the brain that regulates stress and the ventral tegmental area (part of our “reward circuitry” that produces the sensation of pleasure. So being grateful actually, scientifically makes you happier! Crazy! When I’m feeling a bit low I just take time to remind myself of small things that I am grateful for and it usually does the trick.

What are you excited about right now?

I’ve left this year pretty open in terms of what I can do with it. I’m not really tied down to anything at the moment so I’m excited to just watch it all unfold! I’m excited but also shit-scared at the same time..I think that's healthy, though haha

What do you wish you had been told ages ago?

That I don't need to fundamentally change myself in order to be accepted and/or loved by other people.

Where do you find inspiration?

Being in nature! I’m currently living in the Gold Coast hinterland and am loving being around such lush forestry and so close to the beach at the same time. It's been really great for my creativity.

Do you believe things happen for a reason?

I’m not sure if everything necessarily happens for a reason but I’m all for making the most out of everything that happens in my life. I like to think of every experience as an invitation for me to learn more about myself and the world around me.

What is your most prized possession?

Over the last year I’ve become obsessed with jewellery. Colourful necklaces and big, dangly earrings in particular. I feel so naked without them.

What do you admire in the people around you?

I’m really attracted to authentic people who are comfortable in their own skin. I like to surround myself with weird, wacky, wonderful, passionate, inspired people!

What do you love about Melbourne?

The amazing people I’ve met there!

Learn More about Annika: 

Website: http://www.annikakeefer.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Annika-Keefer-Art-692870574146616/?fref=ts

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/thecolourofmydreams/

*Mosaik does not take credit of any of the pictures in this article. Pictures provided with permission by Annika Keefer*

Studying in the Land of Pizza, Pasta and Padre Pio.

Studying in Europe - could any option in the whole entire world sound any more enticing!? Getting two subjects done (which normally take twelve weeks each) in the space of 5 weeks.. whilst only attending classes two days a week and being able to travel and sight-see for the rest of the time!? They was my thoughts exactly! So I decided to apply,and luckily got accepted to study in Prato, Italy (a city located only a 30 minute train ride from the main city of Florence).  

I had been to Italy a few years before, holidaying with my family and I really enjoyed it, but this time, I knew I was going to appreciate it so much more. 15-year-old me got to a point where I no longer appreciated beautiful churches and got tired out from early wake-ups and late nights of sight-seeing and walking around. I knew it was going to be different this time.

The second day I got to Italy, I thought that bad luck was going to be on my side for the trip as my friend Troy and myself got scammed at the main station in Rome when a stranger grabbed our bags and stormed off pretending to help us get to our platform - after they pulled up the deserted part of the platform we were meant to be on, they demanded $20 euro from the each of us (enough for two dinners!); but enough of the boring, sad and scary things.. the rest of the trip was a total blast! It was all just a tiny streak of bad luck at the start.

At first I was a little nervous attending the study tour as it was only myself and my friend Troy from my course/year level. The rest of the tour group were Communication Design students - but as the first night of the tour had drawn to an end, the friendships had already started to grow, and being surrounded by so many like-minded people (and being given the opportunity to travel around Europe with them) was refreshing and super exciting!

The city of Prato was absolutely gorgeous. Whilst hearing that it was one of the towns in Italy with the highest crime rate, I honestly could not have felt more safe throughout my time there. We were constantly travelling in groups and the small, quiet town was quite charming and had so much history and detail around every corner. Prato used to be a town containing a large focus on the textile industry in Italy - filled with textile factories and design houses. Now, it is not so dominant, however it does contain a gorgeous textile museum paying homage to this moment in time. 

The sandwich shop owned by a lovely bald man was the highlight of each of my schooling days - I purchased my favourite smoked ham, mushroom cream and Swiss cheese toasted roll almost every single day! And the lovely selection of ice-cream stores, and stores that we don't have here in Australia kept me intrigued throughout my whole time spent in Prato.

On the two days that we weren't studying, we were given the opportunity to venture around the rest of Italy. Throughout the five weeks that I spent there I was able to visit: Florence, Tuscany, San Marcello, Venice, Burano (the most gorgeous, colourful town in the world!), Murano, Rome and Milan.

The trip to Milan was spontaneous and planned whilst we were in Italy - this was one of the best decisions we made and it ended up being one of my two favourite places (alongside Burano), due to it's overwhelming selection of galleries, historic sites, places to eat, shops and also since the WORLD EXPO was happening there during the time we were travelling! I had never heard too much about the World Expo, but read up about it whilst in Prato as there were signs all over Italy advertising it. The World Expo has been going on for over 100 years and some of the most well-known buildings and sites of the world have been a result of World Expo happening in their cities including: The Eiffel Tower and the Melbourne Exhibition Building! 

World Expo was this amazing stretch of pavilions represented by hundreds of countries. The pavilions are designed by upcoming architects of the countries contributing to the Expo, and each country has to respond to the theme which for 2015 was: 'Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life'. Essentially, each country had to respond with a design or an idea to equalise food distribution around the world. I found this so fascinating as a design student, being able to observe amazing inventions like aquaponic set-ups and so much more! I'll pop some photos from World Expo below so you can see the beauty of the pavilions! 

My other absolute favourite place in Italy was Burano. I cannot use a single word to describe Burano. It felt like it was part of a childhood storybook. It felt so happy and wonderful. It was a tiny town that you can reach by boat from Venice and it is just a quiet place where all of the houses are painted all of these beautiful, bright colours! It really was my happy place. There wasn't a whole lot to do there besides walk around and take photos of the beautiful colours surrounding you, but I loved that. I loved that you could be in a place and just soak in all of the beauty surrounding you without being distracted by anything else. You just enjoyed being in the moment every second you were there. I will also post some photos from Burano so you will be able to understand my love for this small town.

Overall, studying there was intensive but so worth it! It was so worth taking 5 weeks to study, travel, meet new friends, discover new places and learn a lot about myself. I would recommend any sort of exchange - it's so refreshing to be learning what you love in a completely different environment with completely different people. I found I pushed myself to the limit, learnt a lot about organisation and gained inspiration from so many different things surrounding me that shaped my designs whilst in Italy. If I could have gone for longer, I would definitely have done so in a heart-beat, but saying that, Prato was amazing and mixing education and travel would have to be one of the most amazing things I have ever experienced and I would recommend this to anybody and everybody! I truly miss you, Prato 

- Christine. 

Milan World Expo 2015.

Burano, 2015.