Unless you were living under a rock, you probably knew I had a birthday this week. And it was fabulous. I know I am not meant to be excited about getting older (and I’m seriously not) but every year my birthdays seem to be better than the year before and I just can’t wait for it to roll around again.

This year, in a new job, I was thrilled to learn one of the perks is getting your birthday off. Possibly the best present I could have received – I needed that day off. I didn’t have long to plan this long awaited free day but it didn’t take my friend Sandi long to fill the hours with exciting outings.

I cruised out to Belgrave (note: this is not another country, or state, for those of you who have never heard of it. Heard of Puffing Billy? Belgrave is where he lives… the Dandenongs!) where I met Sandi and we started out with Coffee at the Green Bean (where Carla Bonner from Neighbours popped in!).

Then a wander of the street, vintage stores, op shops and interesting nooks before we jumped in the car and headed up the mountain (or perhaps it was down?) to Sassafras.

At 373 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road Sassafras is Cashets, where I bought a lovely musk coloured scarf (at 30% off and PERFECT for Paris!) and we smelt pretty things, touched lovely fabrics and oohed and aahed over gifts and trinkets.

Further along at the Sassafras Wool Store, I picked up a cloth covered button (actually a magnet!) by eighty days, followed by tea leaves (strawberry and champagne. Seriously!)  at Tea Leaves (380 My Dandenong Tourist Road Sassafras).

Cream at Sassafras was a very cute little ice creamery and gourmet pantry with an outgoing and witty owner. Mark had us try his ginger drink (a speciality!) and mixed nuts then offered me free ice cream because it was my birthday! Strawberry Jam flavour – to die for yummy – and an offer to come back anytime.

And while I was thinking Sassafras couldn’t offer us anymore, Simply Sassy (395 Mt Dandenong Tourist Road, Sassafras) and Smits & Bits (383 Mt Dandenong Road Sassafras) showed us unique and interesting things before our last stop at Sohum finished our time at Sassafras.

A note on Sohum though – a divine smelling store with all manner of lotions and potions that are very easy on the nose. My favourite? Lime Quat. I bought the beeswax solid perfume balm, it smells like Pina Colada and I can stop untwisting the cap just for a sniff. I may be high on tropical perfume.

Moving on again we travelled to Olinda for lunch at Immerse, a cellar door winery, followed by Upper Ferntree Gully for coffee and chocolate at Hahndorf and finally back to Belgrave where I was disappointed to discover a parking ticket. On my birthday. I wonder if that would stand up in court?

Regardless, it was a lovely day in the hills with Sandi, filled with laughs, chats, memories and fun. What a wonderful way to spend my birthday. I can’t wait to come back!

Thanks to Sandi Sieger for all images. A few more here.
1. Sassafras Park
2. Tea Leaves, Sassafras
3. Ice Cream at Cream, Sassafras
4. Sohum, Sassafras
5. Sohum, Sassafras