shoe story

This cold snap's finally enabled me to bring out the winter woolies. And oh, can you imagine these with a grey flannel pencil skirt and a deep ruby pair of tights? Me too. Jimmy Choo - I think I love you!

oh venizia

Everyone's who's known me for five minutes, or opened this blog for 20 seconds knows that I'm a Francophile. Love it. Adore it. But luckily I've just had a reminder of how Italy inspires me. I've just been over at FrankyFiesty's place {in the blog-world} and reading her tale of her Italian and French journey made me fall in love with Italy all over again.

Venice. Oh, how I love Venizia. It's magical. One night my husband and I had dinner in the trattoria you can see pictured on the left of this photo. We sat in a teeny table by the canal and ate Frito Misto and Linguine Vongole and sipped wine. Bliss. The calls of "Gondola, Gondola" were quietened once the crowds had left for the day, but I still heard the swish they made as they glided past, taking their enraptured passengers through this enchanting city.

Sure, a gondola ride costs a damned fortune - but it's a fortune well-spent as I can still remember every moment of our ride - including its conclusion when we went from tiny little residential canals to the expansive and exquisite opening that is the Grand Canal.

Bliss.

Oh, and guess what? I've reached the magical 100 followers! So I'd like to send out a pressie to one lucky follower. Let me know your favourite colours and skin type and I'll send out some beauty booty and other bits and pieces to one follower I'll draw at random from my commenters over the next week. Leave your blog address - because I'm going to check you out to make sure I understand your taste before choosing your goodies.

Bonne chance!

sizzling saturday

My frantic Saturday morning has concluded, and I'm sitting here a little dazed. I was out the door at 8am to get to the netball courts in plenty of time to supervise my young player who had to umpire. She did beautifully. After being abused last time by a horrid mother on the sidelines she stepped up with confidence - I'm so proud of her. The self-assurance she has at 10 is astonishing - I've barely got it over 40!

Then my team played in a very tight match, only losing by one goal. Then I had to sit at a stall to sell tickets for a fundraiser and now I'm home. Phew. Need a nap I think.

Last night's French film at the festival was amazing. It's called Laughing Out Loud (LOL) and was a fabulous insight into teenagers {and somewhat horrifying!} and the mother/daughter relationship. Sophie Marceau played the mother and every single time she came on the screen I wondered at how incredibly beautiful she was. Actually, it was a very beautiful cast - the teenage boys and girls were all exquisite French teens with individual style that was heartbreakingly gorgeous. Oh, and the soundtrack! Lots of Blur, a bit of vintage Stones and the Kinks and Supergrass for a stunning couple of scenes set in London.

It's out on video next month, or July - if you're a Francophile like me look out for it. If only for one of the closing scenes that takes place on the Seine - seriously I'll never get used to sighting the Eiffel Tower, it blows me away every time I see it. Oh, but it's rated MA15+ for a reason - so think twice before sharing it with kids. It'd be great to watch it first, then watch it with your older teen - but it could be confrontational for a first viewing {which is why I hope the couple that attended the screening last night with their under-10-year-old left before the action got really raunchy - honestly, it's a rating - not a loose guideline...}

Another film tonight - The Girl From Monaco, from the director of Coco Avant Chanel. Then finally, sunday afternoon the final film. French bliss.

bloggers without make-up

In honour of Bloggers Without Make-up day here I am as most people see me every day. I tend not to wear make-up during the day - except gloss on my lips, I can't abide dry lips. I love make-up when heading out, but of a day I'm happy to be seen as just me.

However, if there's a Bloggers Without Hair-Product day don't sign me up for that - oh, I'd never be brave enough for that...

Thanks Jodie at MummyMahem for coming up with this idea. I've tended to be pretty incognito on this here blog. No particular reason, I just wanted to keep my blogging and my working separate. However, most of you know who I am now so really, there's no point in hiding is there? Are you playing today?

fabulously friday

T'is Friday, already! I had an odd day yesterday. I'm pretty sure I must have blacked out at varying stages throughout the day as I try valiantly to remember what I did. It was one of those fiddly, bitsy days where it feels like nothing's completed, but this morning when I ran through my day I realised I'd got a fair bit done.

I booked the car we're selling into the panel beater's to have it tidied up to sell. When we bought it the rear bumper was repaired in a dead-dodgy manner {think crumpled up paper and silver spray paint and you start to get the idea}. So I'll get a new one to make the car look purty and more appealing to its target market {Uni students - it's a 2003 Hyundai Getz - zippy little bugger}. I also wrote the Netball Newsletter {have to work out how to do a mass mail merge on hotmail today and send it} and wrote 3/4 of an article due today. Oh, and I took my gal for afternoon tea after school and washed the car, and studied for French. So really - busy!

This weekend's much of the same. French Film Festival starts tonight and runs till Sunday night. Netball from 8.15am tomorrow as one of my girls is umpiring and I'm going to stand beside her an ensure everyone's kind. You'd think that parents of 7-year-olds would naturally be kind and understanding of a 10-year-old who's learning to umpire wouldn't you? Sadly not. But I'll be there and won't take any rubbish - not even a roll of eyes in her direction. Next our team will play, then I'm hanging around for an hour to sell tickets to a charity screening of SATC 2 {woo hoo}. Sunday it's my mother-in-law's birthday so we'll take up some flowers and make some scones to take up for morning tea. Busy - but good non?

Okay, so today's Bloggers Without Make-up Day. I'm charging my camera's battery and will be regaling you with my make-up free face later today. I did wonder if I could slightly alter the title to: Bloggers Without Make-up {but just a touch of mascara, and maybe a tinted foundation, and a tinted gloss...} But no, that won't cut it. I'll be brave. Stay tuned...

gimme, gimme, gimme

Excuse me people, may I have your attention please.

Tom Ford has a lipstick range coming out.

That is all, back to what you were doing...

PS: If it were my birthday today, like it is Rob's, I'd totally put this on my wish-list.

stairway to heaven

Would it be wrong to build a second level on my perfectly well-sized home just so I could have stairs like these?

st tropez + chanel = heavenly

Karl's obviously paying homage to Bridget Bardot with these divine lil bikinis. Oh, ooh la la!

dry idea

This transeasonal weather has left my skin so dry, so parched, so damned dehydrated that I contemplated a milk-bath to quench its thirst. However, after finding this image of a women obviously murdered by her milk bath I decided on a shower and a rich slathering of moisturiser instead...

what's cooking wednesday?

So, it's wednesday already and I need to come up with a list of meals for the week. Luckily {I guess} last week we missed a few meals for various reasons so I've got a few of last week's meals set to repeat. Here's the dish:

Tonight: netball training - Liss's 'not butter chicken' butter chicken curry

Thursday: French Lessons - lamb chops, sweet potato fries, almond brocollini

Friday: First night of Alliance Francais Film Festival - so a quick steak, frites and salad

Saturday: Second night of Alliance Francais Film Festival - chicken provencal

Sunday: Final night of Alliance Francais Film Festival - pork rib roast and vegies

Monday: Early game of netball - spaghetti bolognaise

Tuesday: Ballet, followed by a starving child - salmon en papillotte, lemon potatoes, garlic spinach.

Hurrah, Mercury's no longer retrograde. I was superstitious and waited till today to drop my coffee machine off for repairs {if things break down during mercury retrograde why trust a repair during this time?} so hopefully it won't be too long a wait for the repair.

We're out of coffee beans so I'm going to treat myself to a nice coffee at the Silver Spoon cafe before shopping. Then I'll come home, put the slow cooker on and settle down to an afternoon of working before netball training this afternoon. Hopefully this wind'll die down - kids become that extra little bit crazy in the wind don't you think?

What are you eating this week?

one more day...

I'm not big into astrology, but there are some aspects that can't be ignored - such as Mercury Retrograde. Whenever Mercury is retrograde crap will occur. Electrical items {such as my coffee machine} will break down and communication will be muddled and confused {I swear that lately I can't get a sentence out correctly - and don't even think about trying for an erudite argument at this time...}

So, tomorrow Mercury is no longer retrograde so things shall return to normal. In the meantime I'm doing what I can to prepare. I have a phone interview this afternoon for which I'll write out complete questions - rather than just a dot list of prompts. I'm also trying to pause before saying anything, and getting it straight-ish in my head first.

Also, I'm pretty sure I need this fabulous thing in the photo above - seriously, how much better would life be with such a fabulous 'thing" {see, words fail me - handy when you write for a living...}

a glamorous life

C'est magnifique. A bit of 90s supermodel always perks me up in the afternoon.

grey linen lovelies

These are so cute they are now on my wish list!!! {So says my 10-year-old who just typed over my shoulder!}. And I can't say I blame her. The cool elegance of the grey linen and white almost makes you forget how teeteringly high they are.

I'm all recharged after a gorgeous mother's day yesterday. Wait till I show you some photos of the delicious creations my two loved-ones cooked up for me - bless their socks. They also cleaned and tidied the living room and kitchen which means I've got a deliciously clean slate to start off the week.

Did you enjoy your weekend? What's on the to-do list this week?

me likey

Sitting here, replete after eating a rolled, butterflied leg of saltbush lamb, stuffed with eshallots and swiss mushrooms and mustard, followed by a chocolate tart, washed down with french champagne {MasterChef meal cooked by darling husband and dearest daughter} I stumbled upon a few shots of Carrie and Big's apartment in Sex and the City 2 {got your tickets yet? I've got mine for June 2 - squeeeeeee}. I'm loving this couch and mirrored table - and the simple muslin curtains in the rear of the shot. Pretty stylish.

happy mothers' day

Hope you're all having a beautiful sunday. I've been spoiled with breakfast in bed {french toast, bacon and a big bowl of cafe au lait...} and now we're off to the market to buy some saltbush lamb for my lovelies to cook for dinner tonight. Enjoy x

bonne chance

I tend to think we make our own success, but sometimes we need a wee spot of help along the way. This here's for anyone who might just need it today...

Plans? I've got netball shortly - two players are away so we'll be taking the court with only six players - I've worked out my strategy to deal with this, so hopefully we'll still have a good game. This afternoon I'm expecting a last-minute burst of mother's day shopping from certain members of this family - including stocking up on ingredients for a super-yummy breakfast.

Speaking of yummy, boy I have a hankering for the boudin blanc with truffles created on MasterChef last night. Mmmmmm.

Enjoy your day my lovelies, can't wait to hear all about it!

i wanna be a swinger

No, not in the 'keys in the bowl' way, but I would love a hanging chair of some description that I could just kick back in and relax. Can you imagine how blissful this would be? PS am now seriously contemplating painting our boards on the front veranda in this deep charcoal. Mmm.

fabulously friday

Glorious weather at the moment isn't it? I've just returned from a lovely mother's day breakfast at school where we were served a pancake topped with stewed berries - which was rather delish. Tables were set up and clothed in pink and white and it was a rather lovely way to spend a morning.

I had to dash off to do my phone interview - 10 minutes till I need to call, so perhaps I can squish in another coffee first.

So, another weekend is presented to us - what are your plans?

ditch the diet

Today's No Diet Day so I think it's only appropriate to muse on a few things I read today. Jennifer Aniston's filming a new movie at the moment and, apparently, to get herself "in shape" for it {you know, cos she'd really let herself go before....} she followed the advice of Gwyneth's guru Tracey Anderson. Guess what the theory is? Nope - can't possibly think? It's the baby food diet. Yep, eat 14 servings of pureed baby food and then you can eat a normal meal.

Yum.

No spices, no oils, no herbs, no flavour. Um, no life.

Next on my 'what the?' list was reading about a US publication and its regular "Bikini Body issue". Yep, they're still doing those. So, apparently a few times this year they've pointed to this reality star's heavy cocaine use. Word is she's not subtle about her love of the white powder and we all know that as well as melting septums, cocaine is an appetite suppressant {for years models have followed the Triple C diet, cigs, cocaine and diet Coke}.

So, after pointing this chick out as a heavy cocaine user what's the next step? Featuring her on the cover with a coverline screaching "How to get Kristen's Bikini Body" {funnily enough exercise and eating in moderation were mentioned - nothing about the blow...}.

We always see these stars with these incredible bodies - but so rarely do we hear about what they go through to get them. Amanda Seyfried recently pointed out that she's always starving, because that's what's expected of an A-lister. Julianne Moore's said the same. Unless you're lucky enough to be on the cast of Mad Men there is an expectation on star's bodies - female and male. They require a lot of time, a lot of energy, and little real food.

But I'm no Hollywood star. I'll eat what I can to stay healthy. I play netball for the love of it, and walk because I know exercise has benefits to my body, mind and wellbeing. But I'll also never say no to a champagne, pork belly or duck confit. If one of my fave puddings are on the menu then I'll eat it without a "Oh, I really shouldn't..." crossing my lips.

Sure, I'm not the size 10 I was in my early 20s, but I'm not hungry all the time either. I'll eat rather than have a cigarette to dampen the hunger. I'm probably healthier, and chances are I'm even fitter. And, as I've said before, a lil padding on the butt means you fill out those wrinkles without the need for botox and fillers.

For No Diet Day let's all just accept our bodies for today. They hold in our organs, help us move around and keep our clothes from falling to the ground. If you want to be healthier then take small steps to doing so, but today take that body of yours on a nice, long walk. Dress it in something that makes you look and feel fabulous and raise a toast to what it's helped you achieve so far.

Love your body - it's the only one you've got.

frock fabulosity

Here are two looks I LOVED from the Met Gala costume ball. Loving how Marion's all covered up, yet looks utterly delicious. This glittery Dior frock hearkens back to another era and shows off her curves rather delightfully. And, that hair! Swoon. {and the bearded, hatted dude behind her is rather cute too non?}

Emma's frock is asymmetrical, and yes, that's one helluva slit up the front, but that's precisely why I love it. And that pleated detailing over the hips is divine. This gal knows how to dress.

sweet, sweet nectar

There are many things I love, but few that I love with such an all-consuming passion as coffee. It wakes me, it warms me, it delights me. At the moment we're checking out holiday homes in Provence and possibly The Lot for our holiday next year - and I must admit, one of the things I'm looking for in the kitchen shots is a coffee machine.

In Paris, that's not so important - everywhere is a mere moment from a café.

This holiday's going to be different to all the rest. On our first holiday I took note of those guidebooks who told me to drink my coffee standing up at a bar, not sitting at the expensive seats out the front. Bah. How can you put a price on people watching in Paris from a lil bistro table with a cafe au lait in front of you?

Now, if you'll excuse me, I think my coffee machine is emitting a siren song once again and calling me back for another cup. I can't possibly ignore her call can I?

balancing act

I'm trying to remain calm, serene and in-control - but boy, doesn't life sometimes seem to conspire to ensure you don't? Wearing so many hats can be confusing sometimes, every now and again I seem to put on the 'mother' hat when I'm with my husband - leaving him confused and feeling like a 10-year-old... I also try to get out of 'brisk, efficient, freelancer's' hat when I collect my daughter from school - but feel like I need some kind of 'transeasonal beret' to help ease the transition.

I have shopped, unpacked and am getting ready to cook up the chilli con carne for tonight's dinner {I decided on making it in the le crueset rather than the slowcooker}. I'm making it up as I go along, but following Nigella's lead and popping a few squares of Lindt dark chocolate in, and throwing a cinnamon stick in as well.

I've had to try to squish in a phone interview into a very brief window of time. I'm going out for a girly lunch tomorrow for a friend's birthday, so couldn't fit the interview in halfway through that, therefore I'm going to have to leave the school's mother's day breakfast after the croissant, but before the liturgy {whoopsies}. I've tried to make as many as possible, but sometimes, something has to give and I've just got to try to dedicate equal time to varying important tasks.

Seems like so many blogs are pondering big questions at the moment - obviously we're all going through 'stuff'. I'm going to chill now and go dice up my mirepoix for my chilli {onions, celery and carrots} - thank goodness for relaxed cooking, where I can think, chill and just be in the moment.

What's your one saviour?

what's cooking wednesday?

Boy, do I need to go shopping today. There are only two varieties of cereal in my pantry {I normally like to have five or six on the go - love variety} and my gal's going to school with carrot sticks for fruit break {thought a vegie was preferable to slices of lemon which was the only other option...}. After my big fridge clean-out it seems my pantry followed suit and now my cupboard is bare.

Here's what we'll eat this week:

Tonight: Netball training till 5.30 as my netball club are putting on a shooting session from 4.30, so we'll be home late and probably starving. Chilli con carne in the slow cooker will do.

Thursday: French lessons so I leave at 5.30 and get home at 8.30. Hubby can cook steak and vegies and I'll have some toast before I leave and yoghurt and fruit when I get home.

Friday: I keep planning salmon and forgetting to have it. Not this week. Salmon, chipped potatoes and crushed, minted peas - NO MATTER WHAT.

Saturday: Something yummy from the new Provencal cookbook we bought for my husband for his birthday.

Sunday: roast chicken I think - depends on what's on last night's menu

Monday: chorizo pasta bake as I've got an early game of netball.

Tuesday: Salmon patties, mashed pumpkin, wilted spinach and salad.

for good

Do you have gorgeous things that you save for a truly magnificent event? Or, do you prefer to spice up the everyday with something special? I think every day should be celebrate with a spritz of gorgeous perfume. I think tea tastes nicer in a porcelain cup and saucer. I'm happy to use a cloth tablecloth and napkins every day - they only need a wash and I feel better settling down to a dinner set with something lovely.

The other week we went to my in-laws for a dinner for my father-in-law. When we arrived the table was set with all the cutlery laid out, fresh roses from the garden in vases, silver salt and pepper shakers dotted here and there. It looked lovely. But I didn't think to comment.

When we came home my gal said, "I like Nana. {pause} No, I love Nana. She always goes to the effort to make everything look nice. Like the table, we had two forks, a knife and lots of pretty flowers - it makes everything so special." And it was. I'm glad my gal notices things like that. No matter what the family event the table's always set beautifully and it makes every meal taste nicer and makes you sit up that little bit straighter to enjoy it.

What are you going to do to make your day special?

nostalgie

Over at LifeInAPinkFibro yesterday Allison mused about birthdays past, and also entertained us all with tales of knickerbockers. Seemed we all had a knickerbocker tale to take from our closets. Obviously Pete here took that nostalgia and raised it a notch...

That said, Ashlee's look - I'm liking very much indeed.

The knickerbockers? They can stay in my memory closet - they look better there.

happy birthday to my boy

It's my lovely, lovely husband's birthday today. Hurrah. Pressies are wrapped and ready to go, bacon and eggs in the fridge ready to cook up for breakfast and dinner's booked at our fave restaurant for dinner {hmmmm, duck confit or pork belly?}

I remember one of the first times I'd even seen him was when he was out for his 21st birthday {bless!}. It was my friend's birthday too so we were out doing the rounds of Newcastle's drinking establishments in celebration. As we were walking in to one venue, he was walking out. I noticed his hair first, then his cherry red docs, then his lovely smile. A few months later we finally got together, and by the end of the year we were ready to move in together. Now, here we are so many years later and I've been blessed to spend so many birthdays with such a lovely man.

Joyeux anniversaire mon cheri.

rock on

I'm a very patriotic Aussie. Very. I'll always do what I can to support anything Australian. I'm also nostalgic about the days in my youth I spent hanging out checking out bands in pubs - some of my greatest nights were spent in the mosh pit of Aussie bands such as You Am I, The Hard Ons, Beasts of Bourbon, Tumbleweed, and local bands like Terraplanes, Sponge and The Wash. Ah memories. In my head I'm still that rock chick in her Docs and vintage petticoats. I will also do absolutely anything for my friends and support them no matter what they do.

So, tonight on ABC2 a NEW Aussie TV show will air at 9pm. It's about rock bands playing in the venues of my semi-youth - Newtown, the Annandale etc. It's also directed/produced/co-written by the extremely cool Beth's uber-talented husband Rob - so how can I not only not watch it - but not implore all of you to switch over at 9pm tonight and raise a scotch and dry at the screen. Or vodka tonic - I'm not fussed. Cask moselle? Oh, you're stretching the friendship but feel free. {No fluffy ducks though - that's for girls}.

I Rock - so should you.

PS: not me in the pic...

perfectly pretty

Yesterday we went shopping for shoes for my husband's birthday and when we were in Aldo I managed to restrain myself and only try on one pretty pair of Mary Janes {you know, because it was his birthday - I can't make it all about me}. But believe me, I'll be going back before mother's day to slip a few pairs on. Look at this pair of perfectly precious jade beauties. I'm in love...

Off to canteen this morning - wish me luck!

just do it

Today was a damned fine day to get a buttload of stuff out of the way. So far this weekend I've ticked off some awful jobs that taunted me when I couldn't do anything about it. The overflowing recycling bin is now emptied into the big bin, ready for collection tomorrow. Now I don't have to trip over the overflow everytime I walked into the pantry. Also, yesterday I gave my fridge a long, long, long overdue clean-out. And oh boy, it was Nasty. Shelves are now scrubbed, loads of stuff tossed, jars soaking and ready for reuse {five jars of leftover home made salad dressing were on one shelf - who does that?}.

We tackled the big shopping centre and managed to buy the last few pressies for my lovely man's birthday on Tuesday {shoes, he needed to try on} and bought our gal the cutest outfit in the world from my new fave kids store - Gumboots. Then a lovely bagel lunch at Sprocket - one of my new fave cafes - then finishing off some washing and tidying the kitchen. The house is finally looking more homely.

Lovely husband's out painting the front fence - in the waning sunset-infused light. As predicted the fog did herald a gorgeous day. And from my perch on the hill I can look out over the suburb and see the most glorious hot peach tinted sky. Bliss.

Tomorrow I'm on canteen which lets me off the lunch-making duty as canteen day is always a lunch-order day. Then I'll drop off the coffee machine for repairs and come home to finish off and send another article. The to-do list is looking a little better - and boy, that makes me one happy chappy.

sunny sunday

We woke to a gloriously foggy morning - which always heralds a beautiful day. My gal and four of her teammates and a few other friends, are down at the netball clinic for the day and my main man and I are off shopping. The afternoon will be topped off with a walk by the beach - surely it'll be a glorious sunset.

Enjoy your Sunday - hope you do something fabulous.

day one

One thing I am very, very remiss at is responding to and passing on awards. Honestly, it's beyond embarrassing. Which is why, when I was over at Corinne's I noticed I'd be tagged and thought I'd best play - before I forgot what the game was about. My first post was on February 8 2008 - wow, long time huh. I loved reading blogs, but couldn't imagine writing one myself. Now, I can't imagine not writing one.

Blogging has introduced me to a whole range of new friends. I feel like I know some of my blog friends better than some of my real life friends - mainly because there's such startling honesty on so many blogs - and there's no need for me to ask questions {because I do it for a living, I'm hopeless at asking questions in real life - but I'm trying to get better...}

Here's my first post - a list of things I adore and those I abhor. Nothing much has changed in that time. Although there's probably a few things I'd add to both lists - I'll get back to you on that.

Would you like to play? Please join in. Corinne's tagged a few friends I'd like to see, but I'm also keen to hear from Darnonymous, Kakka, Rhiana, Sara Rose {in the hope her fabulous blog will become public again - pretty please!}, Kate, and anyone else who'd be keen {as I said, some of you have already participated - and boy, it's been fun.}

Now, my first post...

Feb 8, 2008

adore/abhor

starting a blog is far more terrifying than writing any article. so i thought the best way to start is with a 'getting to know you (me)' list...

i adore:

coffee in a bowl

peonies, roses and violets

pink

giggling with my fabulous friends

champagne

shoes

slow-cooked food

rosé

creating scrummy meals for friends

my hubby and gorgeous girl

i abhor:

too much rain

4WD owners with an 'i'm more important than you' attitude

people who've been hit with the negative stick

it's raining, but not pouring

After it bucketed down last night the rain managed to hold off for my gals' netball game today. And what a game. Seriously, I can't believe how impressed I am with a team. Each week every single player improves and puts in a little bit more. Today, they were on fire. We won with an impressive score of 23 to 16 - with one of our shooters scoring 20 of those goals - legend.

I love watching their confidence grow and seeing them put skills they learn in training into action. Honestly, I should have to pay for having this experience. Now that I've coached for a year I feel I've got my head in the right place. Last year I was so concerned about being 'fair' and not considered one of those 'netball mums' that I stepped back a little. But this year I know what the girls need and feel confident I can give it to them.

My husband's off to play in his second golf comp today, bless his socks. My gal's currently showing her grandmother her skills on the Wii fit and I'm contemplating the rest of my day. Tomorrow there's a full-day netball skills clinic - so my gal will be going to that - leaving my husband and I free to do a little bit of shopping for his birthday - and maybe just a little bumming around.

There are markets on down the road, perhaps a wander down to The Junction is in order. You?

flirty friday

Oh, it's a glorious day outside. Utterly magical. I'm now completely besotted with this season: cold enough for flannelette pjs at night, warm enough for short sleeves and long walks during the day. Bliss.

I had a bit of a whizzy this week about the state of various things: a pile of recycling that threatened to take over the world, piles of washing that would vie with the recycling for supremacy, family things that needed to be attended to, my husband's impending birthday, handing an emotional-just-because-she's-10 gal, a cat with an expensive weeping eye {and now the need to apply eye cream four times a day - yeah, that'll happen without tears} and far too many tears on MasterChef {I love a good blub - but seriously, edit some of the tears out!}.

But now the recycling's in the outside bin where it belongs, I've started to clean out the fridge, and the sheets are in the wash, with another load to follow {two a day, that's my aim - and has been for the past three days}. I've bought all but one of my husband's pressies for his birthday on Tuesday, have a meal planned, am calmly dealing with child {having been there, done that, sobbed about the choice of t-shirt on offer} and have agreed to hold cat while husband applies said cream. As for MasterChef, well, hopefully the editors will listen to the pleas on twitter, facebook and reality ravings and show some cooking instead of reformatting the show as MasterSook.

I also wish I was out riding a pretty pistachio green bike around the streets today - but that's not going to happen. Instead I'll finish off the article that's due this afternoon and keep plodding away getting this house in order. I'm also going to make up a to-do list so I can cross off all the things I've already done {like my netball game plan for tomorrow with all positions and substitutions accounted for - yay!}.

You?

go sandra

I love Sandra Bullock. Always have, and now, always will. She kept a dignified silence for months after that sleaze of a husband betrayed her in such an awful manner, and now she's revealed that before all that - she adopted this absolutely beautiful boy. Yep, before the Oscar, before the breakdown Sandra {and her soon-to-be-ex} adopted this bundle of cute. I'm tearing up just thinking about it.

wacky and wonderful

You know who I love? Juliette Lewis {obviously, you know, with the image I've posted and all}. But see, I always forget that I love her until I discover her afresh. On Sunday, because I was angry with myself for having a migraine and missing the Roller Derby bout, I watched Whip It - the Drew Barrymore directed film that included plenty of roller derby - and not enough Juliette Lewis. Although her semi-limited screen time was understandable because she was just so freaking awesome that anyone else who appeared alongside her tended to just fade away. And then, for the next five minutes I'd sit there thinking, "Man, is that Juliette Lewis awesome. How can I forget that I love her" and realise that I'd missed a crucial plot point {although not the underwater love scene - that was COOL}.

There's nothing better than rediscovering lost loves. Because my short-term memory is somewhat porous, I tend to find things anew quite regularly. And it's a joyful experience. Like lemons, I know I love lemons, but still, every time I taste one I'm suffused with joy. I truly believe there is nothing that is not improved without the addition of lemons. This morning I nearly ruined my keyboard reading about lemon, thyme and honey tarts at baked uprising. I can't imagine a better conclusion to an autumnal meal of meatballs {which, unsurprisingly, is on the menu at our house tonight - veal meatballs with orange zest and made with day-old bread soaked in milk simmered in a rich tomato sauce}. My dad and step-mother have trekked down from Queensland and are arriving sometime later today - so I can't get over to the III Bean meatball night in Hamilton - I'll just have to create it here.

Okay, I'm off for a quick walk to the beach. I drove past this morning when dropping the car off for a service and it's spectacularly beautiful. Enjoy your day - what've you got planned?

ode to a cobbler

Getting dressed for my coffee morning was so much easier this morning as my favourite shoes have been resurrected. They were dead, which saddened me immensely as good mary janes with a wee heel are nary impossible to find. I found these in a wee shop in Surry Hills one day as I was trekking up the hill to Fifi Foveaux for lunch. They called my name these samples, particularly as there was only one pair - and they were a size 37 - my size!

I call these my Chanel shoes, because they're oh-so-reminiscent of something Coco would create. Today I matched them with black opaques, a pencil skirt, black and white stripey tee and a black cardi. So french. A smearing of grey eyeshadow around my eyes and I was ready for anything.

Hurrah for my friend Ms M's cobbler who for $40 resoled my beauties and have given me another couple of seasons with my one true love. Good shoes - what would we do without them?

ta-da tuesday

Morning all. I'm off to catch up for coffee with my best friend from school where we'll finally get to do a run-down from the school reunion. I know! It's frosty this morning 13 degrees, so I'm still tossing up what to wear. Oh, did I mention our tragedy? Our coffee machine is on the fritz and I'm beside myself. It's only 18 months old - but it does have a five year warranty on the pump {hopefully the pump is what actually drives the steam}. It still makes the espresso - but no milk so when I want a latte I need to use the microwave {quelle horreur}.

Now, we must get together soon and discuss MasterChef. I'm loving some of this year's contestants and think the standard of cooking seems higher. So, later today perhaps?

m.i.a. monday

Sorry everyone - I've been out of action. That nap I needed turned into a two-day migraine that kept me grounded for the weekend. Sigh. At least I've kept track of dates and turns out that my migraines turn up when I relax after a busy spell, exactly seven days after the onset of my period. So it's hormonal and stress-induced. Noice. Now at least I know what to tell the doctor when I visit...

So, for a giggle, here are some Jaws-inspired Louboutins - a bit of fabulosity for a holiday monday. Enjoy - and have a great week.

and so to bed...

Hey all. Whew, think all this work and play has finally caught up with me. I could do with a nana-nap of Rip Van Winkle proportions. Had a fab night at cocktails last night. Chatted, laughed and drank rather yummy cosmopolitans. Then it was off to dinner where I enjoyed a squid stuffed with chorizo followed by spatchcock {I resisted the pork belly in order to try something new...}. This morning was netball umpiring followed by the game. We played one of the best teams in the comp and my girls played valiantly, but were defeated.

Then I went off to shop and lunch with my best pal who's up from Sydney. We had delicious bagels at a cafe I've seen mentioned on Twitter {still don't understand twitter - but damn it's useful}. Now it's 3pm and I need a sneaky sleep before hitting the roller derby bout. Can I sleep while three gals are dancing along with the Wii? Pretty sure I can give it my best shot.

gold rush

So, here I am, pondering exactly which shade of nailpolish will co-ordinate nicely with my cocktails this evening {what? Doesn't everyone?} when over on twitter vogue.com.au are nice enough to direct me to Chanel's new shades. And oh, I do like this a lot. C'est tragique but I cut my nails way too short for Monday night's netball to do this utterly glorious version of the French Manicure - but oh, it'll be stored away for future events don't you worry. But I think I'm a bit in love with the eyes. Gold dusted lids with a cats-eye could be the ultimate cocktail look don't you think?

a fitting tribute

Now that's what I call going out In Style. The funeral procession for Malcolm McLaren was just as you'd expect it to be. Black plumed horses drew an elegant carriage carrying a grafittied coffin while a London Double Decker followed with friends packed into the seats. Punks and ordinary folk lined the streets to pay tribute and check out the spectacle that only he could create in death as in life. Mourners such as his ex-partner Vivienne Westwood and Adam Ant joined a bunch of people representing musical diversity in celebrating a man whose life was pretty damned large. Rest in peace you fabulous fella you.

fabulously friday

It mayn't even be 9am yet already my thoughts are turning to cocktails. Well, I do have friends coming over later today. This look I love. Bless Martha's socks, you can always guarantee the pretty over her way. I'm thinking of following her lead with a little rose syrup and a rose petal in a glass of champagne to start the evening off. What do you think? Organic roses naturally, from my garden, where the only pest control features pretty lil ladybirds.

My gal and I went shopping at Westfield yesterday where I finally acknowledged that I'm officially missing a gene. I can't bear shopping. Can't abide it. My worse torture would be if you were to set me free in a great big shopping centre for a whole day - I think I'm breaking out in hives just thinking about it. It's just all too much. The crowds, the muzak, the staff who just really couldn't be bothered actually helping... or maybe that's just the staff I find.

We were successful though. We bought lots of pressies for my husband's birthday in a few weeks time and my gal found the perfect pair of cross trainers {after three stores and lots of trials}. But in Rebel Sport we did finally find someone who went to an effort. We'd taken her old shoes along and he found the pair that were this year's model of the same shoe, checked out the wear on her shoe to make sure it suited her and understood that for a 10-year-old girl, how a shoe looks is going to be important. So we bought them, and I'll be going back to find the pair in my size {one size up from my daughter's, but $100 more expensive}.

Friends for cocktails and then out for dinner tonight. Netball from 8.30am tomorrow, then a Roller Derby bout to check out tomorrow night. FUN! Sunday shall involve chilling - I'm determined. So, what are you up to then?

hanging about

One of the things I adore about living in a Victorian home is the picture rails. But, silly me, I've just been using them to hang pictures.

Love this idea. Love it.

Husband may take some convincing, and obviously it'll take me longer to get ready - what with having to find the ladder so I can grab some heels...

come to mama...

Here's a mother's day offer that appeals to this mama. I love, love, love the Jurlique hand cream. Adore the stuff. The scent actually smells like a bouquet of my favourite fleurs and it's richly moisturising without being sticky or leaving your hands slippery {don't know about you, but as soon as I've moisturised I need to do SOMETHING with my hands...}.

So, for mother's day there'll be installations at selected Jurlique stores {including the gorgeous Strand Arcade store} featuring organic roses. Divine.

But if I can't visit then I'll need some of this for mother's day. Hand cream and Love Balm for $49 for the set. Bargain. This stuff lasts for years, as a teensy baby pea sized drop keeps your hands moisturised all day. And the Love Balm? Haven't tried it but am pretty sure it'd keep my lips eminently kissable - and good husbands who buy lovely gifts really should be rewarded with rose-scented smooches.

you ol' tart

As promised, here's my recipe for tarte au citron - or lemon tart. Worth it, seriously. This is a slice on day two, so not quite as photogenic as day one - but still just as delicious. I could live on this stuff.

Sweet pastry (make your own - go on, just once, it makes this tart)

340g (2 and a half cups) of plan flour

small pinch of salt

150g (5 and a half ounces) of unsalted butter

90g 9 (3/4 cup) icing (confectioner's) sugar

2 eggs, beaten

Sift the flour and salt onto a work surface and make a well in the centre. Put the butter into the well and work, using a pecking action with your fingertips and thumb, until it is very soft. Add the sugar to the butter and mix together, add the eggs to the butter and mix together.

GRADUALLY incorporate the flour, flicking it onto the mixture and then chopping through it until you have a rough dough. Bring together with your hands and knead a few times to make a smooth dough. Roll into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour.

Roll out the pastry into a circle on a lightly floured surface and use to line a tart tin. Trim the edge and pinch up the edge to make an even border raised slightly above the rim of the tin. Slide onto a baking tray and rest in the fridge for 20 minutes.

FILLING

4 eggs

2 egg yolks

285 grams (1 and a 1/4 cups) of caster (superfine) sugar

185ml thick (heavy/double) cream

250ml (1 cup) lemon juice

finely grated zest of 3 lemons (grate zest before juicing - I beg of you)

Preheat the oven to 190 degrees celcius.

Whisk together the eggs, egg yolks and sugar. Add the cream, whisking all the time and then the lemon juice and zest.

Line the pastry shell with a piece of greaseproof paper and baking beads (or rice, or dried beans, or, if you're like me and have none of those, chuck in a few egg rings!) Blind bake the pastry for 10 minutes, remove the paper and beads and bake for a further 3 to 5 minutes - or until the pastry is just cooked but still very pale. Remove from oven and reduce the temperature to 150 degrees celcius.

Carefully pour the filling into the pastry case. Return to the oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until the filling has set. Leave to cool completely before serving.

I dusted this with icing sugar to serve and it was magnificent. Otherwise I'd serve it with some natural yoghurt infused with vanilla beans and maybe some poached raspberries.

Follow your bliss and try this. So. Damned. GOOD!

thinking floral

Whew, Thursday, where in the hell did you come from? It's been quite the few weeks hasn't it? I've started off the morning with a lovely visit from a dear friend - one where we determined to schedule in more time together. It's so easy for weeks to pass without more than the odd "hi" and "bye" as you dash past each other.

This weekend gorgeous friends of mine are up from Sydney so I'm determined to see them in style. There's a fabulous new bar that's opened in Newcastle in one of its most beautiful buildings. The Airforce Club was the place to visit when I was at uni. They'd form a stage on top of a couple of pool tables and the place would be packed to capacity and beyond with people moshing, pogoing and slam dancing on the 'dance floor'. Now it's been restored by the same brains behind my favourite gorgeous restaurant Bacchus and is apparently utterly beautiful.

Now, you know I love my cocktails, and you know I love beautiful things so I'm pretty sure that there can't be anything better than the two combined. I'll let you know how I get on.

In the meantime I'm going to remove the droopy pale pink roses in the vase on my desk. I got nearly a week out of them, so I've got to be happy with that. I'm going to save a few of the petals and place them in a ruby red bowl - happy colours!

le love

Over le here for more.

what's cooking wednesday?

Can I tell you how much I really, really, really feel like cooking beef wellington after last night's MasterChef - a lot. But, unfortunately, I shan't. Here's what I shall:

tonight: gremolata and panko crumbed pork cutlets with mashed pumpkin and broccolini

Thursday: Nigella's spaghetti carbonara

Friday: Chicken curry in the slow cooker with rice, wilted spinach and naan

Saturday: Off to watch a roller derby bout so an early dinner of steak and salad is called for

Sunday: Roast chicken and vegies

Monday: lamb cutlets, braised lentils du puy, roasted sweet potato and braised cabbage

Tuesday: spanish chicken, rice and salad

I have netball training with my gals today. I'm pretty sure they're going to be on a high from Saturday's win - and so they should be. We'll do lots of fun stuff at training today - that'll still boost their skills. It's my gal's first day of real training now her cast's removed - fingers crossed it all goes well. We'll take it easy, but her physio says it's healed really well so she should be fine.

It was a foggy morning, which points to a beautiful day ahead. I've got loads of washing to do - but I'll try to limit it to just the one. Then there's another article to complete as well as trying to something about the state of the kitchen floor {locking the door and moving seems like a viable option... or I could sweep and mop}.

Enjoy your Wednesday. What are your plans for this glorious mid-week day?