teatime?

I've blogged before about my inability to make tea. See, I'm impatient and never, ever let it draw long enough to give me the rich hit I need.

However, if I had Karl hanging out on the side of my cup, well, I'd become a rich tea addict in no time at all... {available at Colette http://colette.fr/#/eshop/article/20612461/donkey-products-5-tea-bags-pret-a-portea/61/}

penny pinching for paris

I truly think that the best way to save money is never to see it in the first place. We organise for a chunk of funds to be paid directly off our mortgage, and whenever there's a windfall it goes straight into the home loan. Now I'm setting aside a portion of funds toward our holiday. We've worked out a budget {a realistic once, hence, a scary one} which is so easy to do with the internet.

It's easy to see how much our accommodation is {particularly if you book it in advance} and to check out the exchange rate and work out approximately how much you'll be spending on meals and activities {again, easy to see on-line how much a lunch or dinner is at a chosen restaurant}. Then it's a matter of putting aside a wee bit more for 'chance' and going from there.

We're also not really going to spend much on each other this Christmas. Instead, I want Euros to spend in France. I'm really trying to make it my mantra "Do I need this, or could this money be better spent in Paris?" Every time I choose a meat or product that's on sale I consider the savings as funds toward my trip - it makes saving that much more satisfying.

Do you have any savings hints that you've learned over the years?

magnificently monday

Sure, I'm away, in the country, but that doesn't stop me from posting an exquisitely classic pair of pumps does it? {thanks Maxabella for the tips!} These Ferragamo mary janes are so pretty I nearly burst into a spontaneous round of applause when I spied them.

Don't they give you a Mad Men vibe?

holiday, celebrate

In just a few short hours we'll be hitting the road and driving south for a holiday {sadly, not in a cute-as-a-button Citroen 2cv - my dream car...}.

Can. Not. Wait.

Now, hopefully I've scheduled posts while I'm away {fingers and toes crossed} so keep on popping by. Enjoy your sunday and I'll be back late next Friday.

true mud

I'm more than a bit in love with this Sesame Street take on True Blood.

gratitude is...

I'm playing along with Maxabella today and taking note of all the things I'm grateful for.

♥ I'm grateful that my gal has some beautiful friends who bring out her kind, happy and gentle side. She's had a friend over for a sleepover and they've swum, written letters to fairies, made vanilla hotcakes and been so adorable my heart's swollen to bursting point.

♥ I'm grateful for a garden that encourages visits from fairies who flit between the flowers {the girls have spied quite a few flower fairies in the wisteria this morning}.

♥ That I have an inviting pool to dive into today when the temperature's set to reach 29 degrees.

♥ My holiday that I'm heading off to tomorrow. Ahhhhhhhhh.

♥ That I'm part of a blogging community so embracing - love you guys!

friday's flowers

I do love the little mop-headed allium flowers. So fuzzy and sweet. I always plan on planting some around the base of my roses, between my catmint, but have yet to get around to it. This year perhaps?

friday I have sunday on my mind...

It might be friday, but I'm hankering for Sunday. On Sunday we're off for five blissful days down south in my favourite town in Australia {besides my own...}. Yep, we're hitting Burrawang in the Southern Highlands. Last year we had the most incredibly relaxing, yet fun, holiday with another family and we've booked the same holiday house again this year. The girls are beside themselves with plans and we adults are looking forward to days spent lazing, and nights spent sipping champagne in front of the fire {surely it'll still be chilly enough for a fire at night - won't it?}.

We've already got a few traditions: every afternoon the dads and the girls walk up the hill to the pub where the girls play checkers and sip fire-engines while the dads sip beers and chat. While this goes on we mums either sit in the sunroom and read - or possibly have an afternoon nap. I know - it's all too fabulous.

Of course I have work to finalise before I leave. I would also like to work out how to schedule posts so I don't leave you hanging for a week {anyone technological care to fill me in on that?}. Ah, country roads...

perfectly pretty

I'm having a wee bit of a floral crush on ranunculas at the moment. Kind of a cross between peonies and roses, these delicate little blooms come in just the perfect palette of prettiness. I'm itching for a bunch of these to brighten up my bench - particularly as I have a pale blue milk glass vase that'd just make them pop!

harry, harry, harry, harry, HARRY

The new trailer's released today. You just know I'm going to be linking to it don't you {just did - back there - it's on facebook so I presume you have to log in - but you're on facebook aren't you}? If not, try here. Now, I'm a little bit scared that I'm going to spontaneously combust with anticipation about this film - and the fact that it's in two parts? Eep.

Now, today, I have the peskiest job in the world to complete. It's driving me bonkers, but I'm determined to complete it. One more coffee and I'm on it.

love

In the dictionary, right there next to the words Elfin Elegance is a picture of Carey Mulligan.

pretty priorities

As you know, I've been cutting back on spending to save for our OS trip next year. I'm finding there's quite a few areas I'm happy to cut back on {homebrand flour - that'd be you} but others, I still need to splurge on. Washing powder's one. Now I already save as I only use half the recommended amount and I still get the washing clean {with sports clothes I throw in half a cup of homebrand white vinegar to get the sweaty smell out}. But I need my washing to smell pretty when I take it from the machine and after I remove it from the line. So I was very excited to spy a Surf powder with jasmine when I was out shopping. Hurrah - jasmine!

Of course it doesn't smell exactly like all the blooms on my side fence, but boy it smells pretty. This morning I woke to sheets that smelled like flowers and sunshine {hey Kakka} and wow, did they perfume some sweet dreams. It's worth spending a little extra for that.

party time, excellent

I do love a party. I love to attend one, and oh boy, do I love to plan one. I'm planning one now in fact. Every year the Year Five mothers at our school organise a get-together and a farewell to the Year Six mums. Now, apparently, at the last mums get-together a friend and I put up our hands to organise this years {I still have no memory of this, I was probably in the middle of hugging someone and telling them I love them - I get enthusiastic after a few champagnes...}

So, anyway, this year we're not doing the stodgy sit-down dinner at the local pub. Zero atmosphere and worse, zero opportunity for chatting and having fun. This year we're going to a snazzy new bar upstairs in a snazzy newly renovated pub. It'll be dimly lit, there'll be great wine, bubbles and fabulous finger food. There will be music and, as my knee will be recovered by then, there WILL be dancing.

We're now working out what we can do to set the mood - music-wise and decoration-wise. When it comes to organising a great night out the scene has to be set immediately. You need to feel like you're entering an event: that something special is about to happen. You need a drink in your hand within moments of entering the room and the music needs to hint at what's to come. Everything needs to inspire and excite.

Oh yeah, I can feel a party coming on...

penny-pinchin' for paris

Well, last week's pantry cooking went really well. I managed to get a number of meals cooked from my pantry: salmon, potato and corn patties {with six leftover in the freezer for another meal}, chicken schnitzel and last night's chicken and chorizo risotto {and my gal's risotto cakes for lunch - leftover risotto mixed with egg and smooshed in a patty pan and studded with cooked chorizo and baked for 15 minutes till crispy}.

So this week it's petrol-saving. Every petrol station has a cheap night - a time when the price per litre can sink by as much as 10 cents. That's the night to fill up. Once a week, or fortnight if you're like me and don't use the car very often, fill up your car on the cheap night - even if it's still got half a tank of fuel {that way it'll run more efficiently too - it takes more power to suck up fuel in the bottom of the tank}. Don't forget your fuel vouchers and if you've got a Coles Express like me, stock up on your milk and bread while you're there {they're heaps cheaper than a the supermarket - two x two litre milk = $5, and then if you spend a little money in store you get even more off your petrol}.

Keep an eye on your local petrol station for the prices - check whether they go up at the weekend, and down on a Tuesday or Wednesday. It will save you plenty.

aiming high

I thought these Versace numbers I found at net-a-porter.com perfectly illustrated my blog post today. See, they're ridiculously high, almost ludicrously so, and yet, they're so perfectly formed walking in them would actually be achievable {it'd just take a little practice...}

It's a fine line between fabulous and ridiculous. And that line's just as keen as the line between perfect and excellent.

I nearly had a mini-meltdown last week. Lots of work, including work for a new editor. Now, I always aim to impress but when I'm handing in my first piece, I want that article to shine. The thing is, I'm not expecting it to be perfect, so that's where I have to reign myself in - I just want it to be fabulous.

I still do a lot of talking to myself when it comes to trying to change annoying habits. I have to tell myself, "No, stop, you've researched enough, just start writing" and "no more edits - if you tweak this any more it'll start looking like Joan Rivers' face". Because there's always something else you can do, something to add, something to take away. But you have to know when to stop and think, "yep, this works". You've got to find that line when it's fabulous, before it crosses over into ridiculous.

to market, to market

How's tricks? I'm uber-excited as we're off to the Farmer's Markets for the first time since the great knee injury of 2010... {which, by the way, is on the mend. I merely stretched my ACL and then tore the living daylights out of the cartilage, so it's on the healing process}. We're going to buy coffee beans, roasting meat, vegies, some fruits and delicious turkish gozleme for lunch. Mmmmmmm. Gozleme....

woo hoo weekend!

Hey, Saturday, how's tricks? You are lookin' gooooooooood. After a week of working frantically I'm going to reward myself for my labours with a few hours of doing absolutely NOTHING today. Hubby's off at golf till after lunch and my gal's off to a picnic in the park at 11am. So for a couple of hours in the middle of the day I'm going to go up to the pavillion, loll on the daybed and read. And maybe look at the sky... That's it. I'm not going to:

• Wash clothes

• Mop the kitchen floor

• Water the gardens

• Weed

• Tidy the bedroom

• Wash the car...

Nope, all those tasks can wait for a few hours. Today, just for a wee bit, it's going to be all. about. me!

PS: I'm playing along with the fabulous Miss Maxabella today. Today I'm grateful that I had all that work that made me so frantic over the last few weeks. I'm grateful there's more coming, and I'm grateful for my gorgeous gal who's excitedly frocking up for a picnic. Bless.

friday flowers

I was just sitting on my front step, enjoying the sunshine for a few minutes, when I was overcome by a distinctive perfume. I looked up and rejoiced at the abundance of Wisteria blooms that have fringed my front veranda. Aren't they spectacular? They're still not at their peak - maybe in a few days - but boy, are they glorious.

oh bless

Those Olivers are damned good at having babies aren't they? I didn't even realise that Jools was pregnant until Jamie tweeted "It's a boy" last night. Here they are with the new addition. Now, let me say, I LOVE the names the Olivers give their babies, Poppy Honey Rainbow, Daisy Boo Pamela and Petal Blossom Rainbow are now joined by Buddy Bear Maurice.

PS: Have you ever seen little girls look so much like their mother? Bless.

PPS: Once again, I love how Jools comes out of hospital rocking her post-pregnancy tum. None of this tummy tuck after the birth for her. Congrats guys on your delicious family.

shoe fetish

Dita Von Teese just posted this shot on Twitter. Guess whether I'm deeply, madly and truly envious of her wardrobe...

lip service

Nothing says spring or summer more than a hot lip colour. I'm swooning over the orange lip at Marc Jacobs, or this more achievable look at Nanette Lepore. If you're not brave enough for the shocking pink or brilliant orange lipstick, a slick of gloss in a vibrant hue can bring a hint of sunshine to your day. Remember to balance it out with some serious black action on those lashes too.

travelling in my imagination

To take my mind off the overwhelming amount of work I have to do today I allowed my mind to venture into thoughts of what I want to do in Paris. Well, I want to visit the Laduree Bar on the Champs Elysee that's for sure. See that bar stool there? I do believe I need to perch on that - macaron in one hand, champagne in the other.

This time, our third time in Paris, I'm ignoring the guide books. I don't care if it's cheaper to stand at the bar and sip an espresso, I'm going to ensconce myself in a chair right out the front and sip a cafe au lait and people-watch. I'm going to a fabulous bar and sipping champagne and I'm going to dive into the sales and come home with one garment with an Agnes B label in it.

But for today, I'm going to work. Every word I write gets me that much closer to Paris...

best read

I will always choose a book by its cover, and am normally rewarded when doing so {most recent read: Major Pettigrew's Last Stand = pretty damned fabulous inside and out}. So, imagine the gasps, the whooping, the open-mouthed awe when I spied these Penguin hard cover classics with my little eye. Designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith these books would look fabulous anywhere - and you're doubly rewarded knowing there's a good read betwixt those pretty covers. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm pretty sure Amazon is calling my name, considering that the Aussie dollar's nearly equal with the US again...

bbbbbbbbbb busy

Just a quickie this morning as I'm uber-busy and a wee bit concerned I may drown in deadlines... And, as these things go, I also have a sick child home from school. Luckily I'd already packed her lunch so I might just have to pop her lunchbox by the sofa {yes, I had written coach - damn - where's my brain? I shall be needing it today...}

Enjoy your wednesday x

deep desires

I need Michelle Williams' eyebrows and lip-colour from this W cover.

PS: there would also be no saying no to a spot of nuzzling from Ryan Gosling either... just sayin'

cheap tricks

Okay, with planning and booking being in place for our OS trip in only 10 months it's time for a serious lock down on finances. I'm looking to find 10 cheap tricks in 10 weeks to help me save so we can splurge in France. Every dollar spent here is 72 euro cents I won't have to spend. So I'm going to get cheap and I'd like to share my tricks with you.

Now, it's not going to be easy as I'm already pretty frugal. But I'm going to do my best to find some funky ways to save.

Here's this week's trick: pantry cooking.

I'm going to raid my pantry, fridge and freezer and see how many meals I can create without the need for shopping. Tonight's sorted - I've got a tin of red salmon, panko bread crumbs, eggs, potatoes, eshallots, corn, pinenuts and herbs in the window boxes to make salmon patties. I also have sweet potato and pumpkin to roast and serve alongside. And ha, there's some cabbage too...

Tomorrow night we've got dinner guests so I'll buy some beef to roast up a casserole, and I have potatoes to make dauphinous - but I'll see if I can whip up dessert from my pantry {chocolate puddings perhaps?}. Thursday night? Well, I stocked up big on chorizo on coles at the deli - it was half price so I bought four chorizo for just over $5 - I KNOW! I'll make up a batch of potato and chorizo tarts to freeze for my gal's school lunches and will make pasta and chorizo bake with the others {there's always pasta and the makings of a red sauce in the pantry}. Friday night I'll defrost the chicken breasts I froze the other day and make chicken schnitzel with half and a chicken curry for saturday night with the rest. Sunday night will be roast night with yummy stuff from the farmer's markets - that won't change - but monday I'll make spaghetti carbonara with garlic, spaghetti, bacon, parmesan and eggs. How's that? Almost a week's worth of meals and I'll only need to spend around $25 on the ingredients for two of the meals.

Cheap trick indeed.

happy 50th sam i am

Okay, now this is getting ridiculous. It's the 50th anniversary of Green Eggs and Ham! I know!!!

I love this book, it really helped me expand my gal's culinary repertoire. Whenever I was offering her up a new food I'd say, "At least I'm not Sam I Am trying to make you eat green eggs and ham!"

Kids and food are tricky. Oh, so tricky. But it's hardly surprising when you check out how many fusspot adults there are. My gal jokes that I'm just like Maeve O'Maera on Food Safari - I like everything. And it's true, the only food I cannot abide, and it's an obscure one, is Oat Cakes - you know those english biscuits? Erk.

I'm still fighting the battle with my gal to eat green vegies. Every night I'll serve up a small portion of something and insist she gives it a shot {mind you, I'm probably also encouraging her dad to do the same...}. And I'm not offering up limp over-boiled beans. Oh no, the other night it was cabbage with sauteed eshallots and bacon simmered in beef stock {I'd run out of chicken and the beef worked just as well}. Otherwise it'll be broccoli sauteed with garlic, olive oil, lemon and anchovies {smooshed into oblivion - you can taste 'em, but not see 'em}. Or buttered green beans with slivered almonds. Perhaps I should try a few nights of overboiled peas and then she'll be begging for my gourmet greens...

What's your one food loathing?

breaking that fast

If you'd asked me a few days ago if I liked muesli, I'd have answered with a resounding, "Hell yeah". However, should you have pressed me to tell which brand of muesli I liked I would have mumbled a sheepish, "Um, I'm still looking..."

Good muesli is an exacting science. It needs to have just the right amount of plump, chewy dried fruits and crunchy nuts, a hit of flavour and yummy oats. Of course toasted oats are always best - but then again that usually fills them full of fat - so you might as well be having a good ol' british fry up for breakfast.

But now, oh now I've discovered the Holy Grail of Muesli. Apparently it's just had a packaging change and leapt out at me with its box so stylish it deserves a wee glass display shelf all on its own in my kitchen. I braved the Velvety Vanilla flavour, even though I worried it'd have an antisceptic 'vanilla essence' taste. But oh my NO!

This muesli is only half toasted - so you get the delicious crunch, but with way less fat. Crunchy macadamias are studded throughout while plump dried cranberries, coconut and dates provide the perfect accompaniment to a vanilla taste so pure and delicious you'd swear you were supping on a vanilla-bean pannacotta.

This, my friends, is Muesli Nirvana. AND it's Aussie-made. If you're seeking the ideal breakfast allow me to implore you to give this a shot {oh, and it's also available in honey flavoured if vanilla ain't your thang...}

oh happy day

Hey, guess what? It's Roald Dahl day today. To celebrate his birthday let's pause for a moment to reflect on a man with a joyous imagination and the ability to capture it in words and share it with the world. For Matilda, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach and so many more, Mr Dahl, thank you x

sneaky peek

Psssst. You know how I said I wanted to rent a villa in the south of france with blue shutters, lavender, a sweeping drive and a pool. See this? That's our villa - deposit paid and booking taken. Seven nights with two other families {four without the dads while they head off for the Alps in a motor home to follow the Tour}.

Don't worry - I'm pinching myself too!

monday monday

Normally I love living in Australia, except when I hear about fabulous collaborations between designer's and affordable stores. Check out these seriously fierce Mary Janes by Christian Siriano for Payless. Payless! Have you ever seen anything like this at your local Payless? Oh, not I!

Le sigh...

oh what a night!

It's taken me a while to post about the ball, mainly because I spent yesterday, {ahem} recovering. It was quite the night. Firstly, I must say that I'm pretty sure I was on the best-dressed table. All my gal pals looked completely and utterly gorgeous. My fabulous friend Ms G had the most perfectly fingerwaved hairstyle, art deco-esque earrings {$5 from Diva no less} and the most perfect black french lace bolero over her frock. Ms R looked ravishingly beautiful, as always, in a frock with the most perfect neckline the world has ever seen and a smokey eye that would make many a make-up artist weep with envy. Gorgeous friend J looked smoking in a wafty wasabi frock that was made for spinning up a storm on the dance floor. Finally, and I'm saving this one, my glorious friend N won the prize for most covetable footwear. Check out those beauties. Set off with a stunning frock complete with tulle {!} underskirt she flashed those pins with the pride they deserved.

We bid and won on a few auction items, we tend to get a bit overexcited at these events - could have something to do with the amount of champagne consumed by the time the bidding starts. So we're off to another day at the races where we gals shall studiously ignore the horsies, because we're too busy concentrating on our champagne and giggling - and hopefully the husbands will bet smart and help us end up ahead like they did last time.

I did do the glittery eye. Eyes rimmed in a fabulous Mac shadow - delft blue - and then my Make Up Forever glitter pen {clear with multi-coloured glitter} over the top. And oh yeah, I also went with the red glossy lip - gotta rock that drag-queen look. I can't say my pics turned out great - the iPhone's handy, but take great close-up shots it does not. So you'll just have to imagine it - or I'll post a blurry shot later on.

I missed the dancing. Oh, I missed the dancing. There are few people in this world who get as excited about dancing as me and it nearly killed me to not be able to dance. Luckily I couldn't really hear the band because of the sound system, so at least I wasn't tempted by any fave tunes busting out to limp onto the dance floor.

The night reinforced how blessed with are with such fabulous friends. I mightn't have been able to dance, but the night was still a blast thanks to a table of utterly gorgeous people.

floral friday

I'm really starting to get excited about the ball tonight - and have found some inspiration on-line {naturally}. How's this swept-aside hair with ginormous flowers tickle your fancy? It's certainly tickling mine. Hey, if I can't wear skyscraper heels something has to make a statement so why not pretty fleurs?

I've also started slowly deciding on my make-up. Toenails with be painted in a red glitter shade that will set off the grey silk sandals, fingernails in the new OPI rose-gold {loving their range - LOVING} and I'll be doing a smokey eye in a deep blue - with glitter too naturally. I'm pretty sure my glitter-loving days are fast coming to a close, so best make the most of them.

I'll take a shot of the make-up later on for you to have a squizz at - I LOVE playing painting with make-up...

raving about reality

It's no secret that I love reality television. I also love when it throws out gems that are captured and embraced by the mainstream. Which is why I'm in love with Christian Siriano. The moment I spied him on Project Runway I fell deeply in amour, and as I saw his creative genius, well, I moved into seriously besotted territory.

His latest show just took place in New York and would you look at this delicious red crinoline that froths and fluffs for miles. Bliss. I'm also adoring the hair by Antoinette Beenders for Aveda - it's what they're calling a modern bun, brimming with attitude, crimping and fabulousness. Should I try for something similar for the ball tonight? Dare I?

quothe the raven

You know how much I do love an excuse to dress up - so check out this piece of exquisitely fabulous Halloween costume couture I found over at MarthaStewart.com

Magnifique non?

bridal party perfection

Of course! If anyone were to do a wedding to perfection it would be Christina Hendricks. I found this shot this morning, and can't believe that nobody told me she had bridesmaids frocked out in fabulous vintage.

Parfait!

photo face

So, I'm getting my legs waxed this morning, chatting with my beautician about this and that when I'm struck with the realisation that my driver's license was due for renewal. Last month. Whoopsies. Luckily I've been unable to drive for most of that period. So, with legs freshly waxed I tripped off to the RTA, slicking on a coat of red lipstick and some mascara to make myself presentable....

Were you aware there are new rules for license photos? Such as no smiling - eek! Head straight on to camera - double eek. Hair away from face - are you freakin' kidding me? Now, I'm smiley. I like to smile - particularly in photos, you know, it's a sign of friendliness. And the first rule of taking a good photo is never to face front on, you always need to tilt your head - jeez, they let you do that in mugshots {if Paris Hilton's recent is any indication...} And finally, if I can't smile or tilt my head at least let me frame my face with my hair...

So, sigh, I now have a license for five years that looks worse than a mugshot. I had to push my head right to the back of the chair so my neck looks like a rugby player's - noice. At least I had my lovely red YSL lippy and had dyed my hair last night - gotta be thankful for small mercies.

perfectly provincale

We're plotting our OS trip in earnest now. We've got a shortlist of two provincial homes near the Alps for the Tour de France part of the trip where we're sharing with two other families, and now we just need to find a home in provence to share with our sister- and brother-in-law and their two gals. I'd love to find a blue-shuttered beauty like this one, complete with lavender-bordered path. Utter bliss...

studied elegance

Have I told you lately how much I love my study? Oh, I do. And now it's all-but-complete {just awaiting a blind.} I now have a sparkly new chandelier to brighten up my days, rather than a bare bulb hanging on the end of a stick which makes it much better. Sorry about the quality of the desk photo - there's a large window over my desk with only the top pane covered with an antique white tablecloth, so too much light sneaks in and renders the image dark - particularly when it's just a phone photo - but you can get the idea can't you?

I swear I'm working better now I'm in a pretty room...

easy entertaining

I started off my morning earlier than I have in a long time. I had to drive 20 minutes to my 7am appointment for my MRI on my knee. Yep, SEVEN A. M. Thankfully it's over and done with now, and hopefully tomorrow I'll take the film and report to my physio and find out what's actually wrong with my knee.

We've got guests today. Mum's best friend from way back is popping in for afternoon tea, so I'm going to whip up some madelines as a sweet treat. These little French shell-shaped treats are so simple and delicious, and because they're teeny tiny only take around 3 minutes to bake. I'll make a double batch so my gal can take some to school for the rest of the week. I'll make some regular, some rose petal and a few lemon I think. Mmmmmmm.

PS: my squeal-worth moment today? My email saying "Don Draper is following you on Twitter!" Yeah baby!

hot damn mr hamm

Corinne, you've made my day/life/year... Go here for more...

woo hoo shoe

Now, you know I have to attend a black-tie ball on Friday night, and you know that I was inconsolable about having to wear flat shoes {le sob, le sigh} but look what I've found.

Yesterday we went to Morpeth, my first outing in what seems like months {but was only weeks} and in a store my eyes alighted on the first pair of flats ever to elicit a squee from me. One pair, in my size, in a colour so perfect I could cry {I've photographed them on the skirt I'm wearning, and see how beautifully the grey of the shoes matches the grey trim on the skirt? Same material and everything!!!} They've even got a hint of a heel {1cm maybe} so they don't feel totally flat and frumpalicious.

Happy days!

utterly delicious

Lifestyle Food I think I love you for bringing The Delicious Miss Dahl to my screen from Monday September 20. I plan on drinking in every single bit of the six episodes. Doesn't it look so pretty and perfect even in this single shot?

Prettiness!

nine o two one OH

Today, in the US, the date is officially 9. 02. 10. Weeeeeeeeee. I LOVED Beverly Hills 90210. Brenda! Dylan! and all the craziness that ensued. For an hilarious trip down memory lane head over to gofugyourself - quick sticks!

friday, on my mind

So, spring came in, popped its head around the corner to say "hi" and then quickly nicked off - what's all that about? Today's grey, drizzly and just a bit blerk - not what I'm after in a start to the weekend.

I'm off to see the surgeon this afternoon, where he'll hopefully tell me I can be treated conservatively and without reconstructive surgery on my knee. I really am dead over it. I did make it to French last night, to sit at a table mouth agape while I realised how much I missed in just one lesson. Past participles = eeep! Luckily my friend also missed last week's lesson, so we could pull faces and shrug our shoulders at each other whenever something new and scary and unintelligible was mentioned {um, that'd be every single word out of our teacher's mouth}.

Father's day and my mother's birthday on Sunday - guess how organised I am for it? Ouch. I'm going to go shopping with my mum and daughter to buy a surprise pressie for hubby - and let mum choose her own present for her birthday, that's the best option.

So, tell me all about your plans for the weekend. Let me live vicariously x

early arrivals

My gal and I were up bright and early this morning to collect my mum and step-dad who've flown up for the week for a visit - and to help me out. Woo hoo. Although the poor things won't know what's hit them with the mountains of washing {both to-do and to-put-away...}

The gal's having the day off today to recover from her school camp, which coincides just nicely with her grandparents' visit. Hopefully the day will clear up so they can wander down to the beach and do a few fun things. Me? Work. Lots. Best get on with it...