
Thursday, September 23, 2010
perfectly pretty

harry, harry, harry, harry, HARRY

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.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
pretty priorities

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.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
party time, excellent

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

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.
Monday, September 20, 2010
aiming high

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.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
to market, to market

Saturday, September 18, 2010
woo hoo weekend!

• 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, September 17, 2010
friday flowers
oh bless

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.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
shoe fetish
lip service

travelling in my imagination

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...
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
best read

bbbbbbbbbb busy

Enjoy your wednesday x
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
deep desires
cheap tricks

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

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

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...}
Monday, September 13, 2010
oh happy day

sneaky peek


Don't worry - I'm pinching myself too!
monday monday
Sunday, September 12, 2010
oh what a night!
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.
Friday, September 10, 2010
floral friday

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


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?
Thursday, September 09, 2010
quothe the raven
bridal party perfection
photo face

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.
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
perfectly provincale

Tuesday, September 07, 2010
studied elegance
I swear I'm working better now I'm in a pretty room...
easy entertaining

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!
Monday, September 06, 2010
woo hoo shoe
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!
Friday, September 03, 2010
utterly delicious
nine o two one OH

friday, on my mind

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
Thursday, September 02, 2010
early arrivals

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...
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
spring fling
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
this'll be interesting

Apparently the local court's already signed off stating that any cast member of Modern Family will not be charged with public nudity. Bets on who'll actually birthday-suit-up?
get OUT

Then I thought I'd best check out net-a-porter for some shoes I can't wear - and found these. Because, really, if you're going to look at shoes you can't wear why look at shoes with a measly 4 inch heel? No, why not go all the way and get sweaty and messy with six-inch Louboutin's that are so gobsmackingly gorgeous there's no need to say "I die" because, obviously, you're already dead.
Delirious? Um, yep, think so...
direct delivery
So today there will be fresh fruit and veg, meats {including free-range pork belly for my gal's welcome home dinner!} and yoghurt. Can. Not. Wait.
I think the worst part of being house-bound is the sheer boredom. Boredom of seeing nobody, but boredom of eating the same damned foods. Dinners have been simple so there's no leftovers for lunch, and my shopping lists for my husband have also been simple so he can quickly dash into Coles on his way home from work. I can't possibly eat another ham sandwich - toasted, pan fried or any way.
Husband has a work lunch so today I'm going back on the crutches in search of Sushi. Hopefully I'll find a nice, close park near the sushi store. My damned knee keeps swelling when I walk on it, so I'm still trying to keep my weigh off it. I'm seeing a surgeon on Friday re: reconstruction of the ligament I tore. I have fingers and toes crossed that I can just do rehabilitation as the recovery from the operation is six to 10 weeks which just seems unbearably long.
In good news it's warming up and my pool's starting to look mighty inviting. I'm looking forward to the swimming to build up the muscles to strengthen my knee - and for the cold water to help reduce the swelling. Bring it on.
Now, if you'll excuse me, there's an Emmy's opening I need to watch again...
Monday, August 30, 2010
be still my heart...

Love Jon Hamm? Love Glee? Love Tina Fey? Prepare to fall deeper and harder after watching the opening of the Emmys.
PS: You may not have noticed {ha!} but I thought the Emmy's this year were a damned fine spectacle. The red carpet rocked and Jimmy Fallon presented perfectly. What more can a gal ask for?
oh MAN
funny and fabulous
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