the inside story

Not having a camera at the moment means that I'm missing out on a lot of shots. The iPhone camera's great, but in low light it's lacking a flash. That meant I'd missed a focussed shot of the interior of the rainbow cake. Luckily there was a teeny, tiny sliver left and I snapped this for you. Yes, ideally it would be styled on a pretty cake plate with a teeny fork, but you'll forgive the rather rustic background of my well-worn chopping board won't you? After all, the colours are soooooo pretty!

taste teste

Have you tried the Etsy Taste Test yet? I did and look what it decided I'd like. Yes, thank you Etsy I do like this very much indeed.

over the rainbow

If there's a birthday cake guaranteed to bring out the ooohs, the aaahs and the 'awesome' it's this. Our rainbow cake with white royal icing {and a hundreds and thousands 'rainbow' on top} was a smashing success. I found the recipe over at not quite nigella and I must send her a big thank you. It was a simple butter cake coloured with gel icing {very important - these are vivid colour yet don't affect the taste or texture of the batter}.

The cake topped off a wildly successful party. The girls had fun making rainbow bracelets with the different coloured strings I'd bought {beads, not so sucessful, some of the holes too teeny to thread}. Then there was a riotous game of Celebrity Heads {my husband's inclusion of the school principal was inspired - hilarious}. Then the food. The sushi platter I'd ordered in was swooped on. The honey chicken wings gobbled up, as were the pizza and the pesto pinwheels. The surprise love was the olive oil and balsamic dipping bowl I'd put out with the baguettes - obviously a lot of restaurant-savvy kids as it needed constant topping up.

Then there was a spot of dusk swimming, despite the weather. And some beautiful, thoughtful presents.

My kitchen may still need mopping of some multi-coloured icing messes, but it was ever-so-worth it. Now, bring on Christmas shall we?

flowers for friday

My hydrangea from last year is still kicking on. Still teensy, but it does have flower heads {these are from last year}. Hopefully a bit more love, water and sunshine and they'll take off.

It's my gal's birthday party today. The rainbow cake's made {and looks awesome!}, cupcakes are baked and all the shopping's done. All we have to do is cut up the salad stuff {vegies and fruit} and throw a few things in the oven at 5.30. Oh, and cross all our fingers and toes that the sun breaks through this grey old day. Pool parties could quite do with some sunshine - even some twilight ones!

money matters

At this time of the year I tend to get a bit reflective when I have a spare moment. There's nothing like Christmas craziness to make you assess what's important. Last year, when I was frantic around Christmas I asked myself a question, "If I don't do this will anybody cry or die?" if the answer was no, then obviously it wasn't worth bothering myself over.

Lately I've been pondering money, and what's worth spending money on. Obviously I feel very strongly that holidays are the perfect thing to spend money on: you're broadening your horizons, experiencing something new and creating memories that'll last long after you've paid the bills. Our holiday next year in France and England is going to be worth every cent - and I'm determined to savour every second.

It's interesting to watch people and ponder their priorities. I never like to judge, we're all different and we all have differing things that make us happy. But sometimes you've got to wonder how many people really stop and think about what makes them happy. Truly happy.

Is it a high paying or high status job that means they have to spend hours and hours and hours working? And when they stop working how often do they immerse themself in something that makes them feel joyous? That money they're earning, are they spending it on something that makes them smile?

I'm working hard at the moment. Harder than I have in a long time. I'm doing something I've never really done before and it's a steep learning curve. But it's enjoyable. I'm creating something and feel like I'm achieving. I'm also making sure I still spend time doing things that matter. Today I took a break and went and swam some laps in the pool. I love our pool, and our backyard, every dollar we poured into it was worth it. I loved swimming those leisurely laps, and tomorrow I'll swim with my gal, watching her do handstands, racing her and then sitting by the side while she plays her imaginary mermaid games.

You can't put a price on those moments.

They're what make me happy.

nothing but the truth

what's cooking wednesday

Well, it's 5.45am and I'm just back from dropping my parents at the airport. What a lovely week's holiday we've had. Sure, I was working while they were here - but at least I got to have coffee and lunch breaks with them which I wouldn't have if I were working in an office. After a week of functions, picnics and outings it's time to get back into some form of reality. Here's what we'll eat this week:

tonight: chicken provencale with roasted vegies and green salad

Thursday: Husband's off to a cocktail party {as you do} and the gal and I shall be baking cupcakes and birthday cake. I think I'll do some salmon on the bbq.

Friday: The big birthday party - 5pm to 8pm. We'll be eating party food - but as there's sushi on the menu that's not a bad thing at all.

Saturday: Nothing planned - bliss. Easy dinner of lime and pepper chicken breasts on the bbq with a shredded vegie salad.

Sunday: I have a hankering for seven hour leg of lamb - so that is what I shall be cooking.

Monday: poached chicken, mango and avocado salad.

Tuesday: Let's try for fish on the bbq again - a white fish this time. And mango salsa {c'mon, it's mango season, best make the most of it...}

Then Wednesday my hubby's out with some boys - so we gals and the kidlets are catching up at a friends for dinner and bubbles and swimming. Noice.

You?

how many sleeps?

How are you going with the Christmas craziness? Today's our last day of school, and last night we had the school christmas concert {which was just adorable}. I think I'm all prepared for my gal's birthday party Friday night. I've ordered the Sushi platter, I'm going to buy in some honey soy chicken wings {Christmas is nothing if not a time to be realistic}, and we've bought the gift bags, complete with rainbow coloured nailpolishes. Thursday night will be cooking night when we'll bake the rainbow cake {yes, I'll post pics} and make the pesto and cheese and the pizza pinwheels.

Phew. So how goes it with you?

monday, hello?

Wow, now that's what I'd call a weekend. Our lunch for our friend's 30th was amazing. The venue was divine - and the food! We started off with zucchini flowers stuffed with a ricotta and heavenly truffle mixture, which were then encased in a seasoned tempura batter and served on a bed of wilted bitter greens. Divine. Then we had mahi mahi fillets, perfectly cooked, accompanied by rosemary and garlic roasted veg and an incredible 'coleslaw'. Mmmmm. The meal was finished off with a delicious pear and ricotta tart. Oh yes. Then we kicked on at a very fashionable Surry Hills pub, spied a few MasterChef alumni {Adam, bless, Callum, bless, and Matt, um, not so bless. Seriously, dude, sunglasses after dusk?}. We kicked on till close enough to midnight to satisfy and then wandered back to our hotel.

Next morning we found the most divine cafe housed in a gorgeous old weatherboard house - RoboCog - owned by the friendliest bike-loving, robot-loving guys you'll ever meet. We'd stopped in for a quick coffee on the Saturday afternoon and when we rocked in with our friends the waiter greeted us like long-lost friends and remembered out coffee order. Bless. I wanted to take him home...

Now, onto important things: these shoes. They're by Alexandre Birman and I think they'd make me mighty happy should they ever find their way onto my feet. Aren't they just the most glorious shade of smile-inducing tangerine?

birthday celebrations

We're off to Sydney today to celebrate a friend's 30th {bless}. We're having lunch here: a place called Table For 20 in Surry Hills, then we'll go freshen up at our hotel before heading off for drinks at a pub to complete the night.

My new frock's ready to go. My hair's washed and will hopefully dry in a reasonable state {damn you frizz-inducing humidity!}. Can't wait to catch up over good food with good friends.

Enjoy your weekend!

well stocked

Oh, I'm so loving having my parents up at the moment. Mum's been cleaning and I have a sparkling clean bathroom for the first time in eons and floors that are mopped when they need it, not after me stepping over it saying, "Damn, I really need to mop that floor". We've also moved our newest bookshelf into the kitchen for the time being. And look, I've set it up with all the essentials {including the ingredients for a violette martini - vodka, cointreau and violette syrup!}.

Cookbooks need to be moved to lower shelves, but that can be done later. Oh, I am loving this sense of order. Do you think I can convince them to stay?

my prima balllerina

My gal took to the stage of the Civic Theatre last night and the smile never left her face. She danced beautifully in this gorgeous theatre and we couldn't have been more proud of her. I also had a totally proud parent moment when two girls in her class received special trophys. When both were announced my gal grinned, applauded, and called over "Well done!" Bless. Just like Sienna from MasterChef Jr. Couldn't be happier.

frock on

So, you know how I hate shopping - but love an accidental buy? Well, how's this? Today's my daughter's ballet concert, so OF COURSE her jazz shoes decided to spontaneously combust in an extraordinary fashion and need replacing. On the day of the concert.

Well, we dashed into the new, cheaper ballet shop in town, bought a new pair of jazz shoes that may last her into early next year and as we were leaving I spied a gorgeous floral frock hanging in Tree of Life. C'mon, who can ignore a floral frock? So I grabbed it from the rack, and then spied another nearby - with POM POMS on the hem. Now, I do love me some haberdashery so I thought I'd best try it on too.

Do I love? OH I love. The perfect summer sundress with pink roses, cotton crochet work, pretty buttons, a full skirt, pom poms AND rik rak.

You know that party I'm going to on Saturday? Well, now I have a party frock. Colour me happy!

what's cooking wednesday

Okay, it's that time again. What we're eating this week. This time it's going to be a little different than usual. I called my doctor today to finally ask after the results of the ultrasound. As expected I have one enormous gallstone. Just the one. He told me to avoid tomatoes, cucumber and onions. ONIONS. People, how am I to cook without onions? And salad without cucumber and tomato - oh, you know I'm crappy with salads - this is going to really force me to spread my wings... Also, my mum and step-dad are with us for a week which means vegetarian meals are on the menu - and hopefully my step-dad will be doing a lot of that cooking!

Wednesday: it's the night of the ballet concert. Hurrah. It finishes at 8pm so we're all coming back here for dinner. Think I'll have a salad ready and pizzas ready to go into the oven.

Thursday: My last French class of the year - everyone can fend for themselves, I'll be nibbling on a wee spot of French goodies I'll imagine.

Friday: There's a Twilight gathering down the road - with latin dancing, and other festivities. Best have an early BBQ and go check it out.

Saturday: Hubby and I are off to Sydney for a friend's 30th. Bless. I think I'll send my parents and my gal out to the Red Lantern Twilight Markets.

Sunday: My gal's performing in a choir at a local church service. Hello picnic dinner.

Monday: Um, my gal's school Christmas Concert. Yep, picnic dinner again.

Tuesday: Parent's last night - some kind of vegetarian feast is called for.

Whew - busy much?

wedding anniversary

It's our wedding anniversary today. Nine years married to such a lovely man. Seventeen and a half years after we met he still makes me smile and sigh.

school daze

One thing I'm ever-so-looking-forward-to is the end to all the teetering piles of school stuff around my house. The bag, the lunchboxes, drink bottles, 8000 pencil cases, pieces of paper... And having to keep track of said stuff. Oy.

But wouldn't these pretty railway shelves help? And a retro Cath Kidston backpack would make clutter seem cuter would it not? Once again - why do I not live in London?

peony perfection

How could you not love a market that allows you to buy blood red peonies for $10 a bunch. I know - $10!!!! Last bunch I bought from the florist were {whisper} $25 - and not all the buggers opened. They were still worth it though - damn, I do love me a peony.

well heeled

These YSL wedges have taken to seriously rocking my world. These with an electric blue maxi dress would make sumer seem so much more sensational don't you think?

I've realised that next weekend we've got a friend's birthday do, his 30th mind, in a very swooshy Surry Hills venue. And do I have anything suitably swooshy and Surry Hills-esque? I think not. Eeeep. Surely something will leap out of my wardrobe for me before the day - won't it?

to market, to market

Markets have seriously taken off in Newcastle. There's the Farmer's Markets held nearly every Sunday which are our must-visit place, there's the Red Lantern Markets in Hunter Street Mall which we experienced last weekend {fabulous: glowing red lanterns strung from trees and stalls, rickshaw rides and plenty of amazingly crafted or interesting products}. Then, last night my gal and I hit the Olive Tree Twilight Markets while hubby played golf and caught up with friends.

We saw some gorgeous things, nibbled on salted caramel macarons {oh MY!} and finished off with some gozleme for dinner. Perfection. And they're so well-patronised it makes my heart sing. After spending far too much time in the soulless expanse of the local shopping centre {with stupid concrete paving that makes your back, knees and ankles ache if you shop for any period of time} it's nice to connect with the people who make what they love - and then sell it to those who also fall in love.

Bless.

I'm doing a smidgen of work this morning, then we're off to the Farmer's Markets to stock up on gallstone friendly fruits and vegies - and hopefully buy one last pesky pressie. Then it's back to spend the afternoon working to finally make up for my sick day on Tuesday.

Oh, and in exciting news my gal's party's all set. Invites are made, magnetic strips stuck on back and they're in envelopes ready to be hand-delivered this afternoon. We've also decided on the menu: sushi, honey soy chicken, salad and fruit platters and pizza pinwheels and cheese and pesto pinwheels. Sorted! That's one more tick for the month which makes me very happy indeed.

feeling festive

So, most of my Christmas shopping was crossed off in one stealth attack yesterday {except for one mis-labled pair of pjs that I have to take back today}. So the gal and I are doing the Christmas cards this morning - I'm hoping to get them all done and ready to post on Monday.

I'm looking forward to Wednesday when I pick up my mum and step-dad from the airport in the early hours of the morning. Luckily they're happy to do the weekend drive-around to look at Christmas lights, one of our family traditions.

Oh, it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas alright!

friday flowers

How pretty is this? Damn it - how do Martha and her team do it? Obviously having bucketloads of cash to throw about helps - I don't even want to think how much it'd cost to buy this many white roses and fresh cranberries {should I happen to find fresh cranberries in my neck of the woods}. But still, it does make me think about painting the inside of an old glass jar a rich, vibrant red and then popping in an extravagant bunch of white flowers.

Frighteningly festive non?

pretty damned gorgeous

So, here I am, watching the Rachel Zoe project when I nearly fall backwards in my seat as shoe designer Brian Atwood walks on screen. Seriously, why has nobody told me how gorgeous this man is? And also, can somebody also tell him that apparently he and his boyfriend Nate Berkus own my livingroom. Hello - shoes as decor? Oh I think so.

world aids day

When Sydney saw red...

what's cooking wednesday

Happy first of December everyone. And I would say, "Happy first day of Summer" but if your place is anything like my place {cold, soggy} then that's not the best idea...

I went to the Dr last night and he seems to think I might have a problem with my gall bladder - hence the continued sickness {noice} so until I have an ultrasound and confirmation I'll be keeping the cooking pretty fat-free. We don't really have high fat foods {except when I go out and pounce on pork belly and duck confit} so hopefully I won't have to change my menu plans too much. Here's the plan:

Wednesday: grilled lime and garlic chicken breast strips with salad.

Thursday: second last French class of the year. Am I speaking fluently? I am not... But I have improved. Dinner, I'll have some fruit and low fat yoghurt because it starts so early.

Friday: We're off to a friends' housewarming party to a German BBQ they won at the school ball auction. Chances of finding low-fat food at a German BBQ? Yep, slim. Oh well, you've gotta live...

Saturday: BBQ Salmon and salad. My gal loves salmon, so I really should make an effort to serve it up more often for her.

Sunday: Guess the traditional roast isn't an option. Grilled lean steak and salad perhaps?

Monday: No more twilight netball {hurrah!} let's have lamb rump with salad tonight.

Tuesday: A poached chicken breast salad tonight - with mango, pink grapefruit and baby spinach.

On wednesday my parent's fly in from Melbourne, so it's a week of vegetarian meals while they're with us. It's my gal's ballet concert on Wednesday night - so I might make a couple of tarts to have cold with some salad after the concert. Yes?

Enjoy your week.

sick of it

You know how I had an awful virus thing a few weeks ago? Well, apparently once was not enough and I have it again. Off to the Dr tonight to see if he's got something to cure my ills.

classic wedges

These shoes have tickled my fancy this week. Classic suede wedges with a teeny bit of sparkle. Oh yes, I could see these adorning my feet quite nicely...

Now, onto important things. Harry Potter. Saw it yesterday. LOVED. I screamed, I squealed, I held my breath, I sighed, I cried - I coveted Helena Bonham Carter's curls... {and the wardrobe of 90 per cent of the female cast when dressed formally. Oh. My. WORD!}

Today? Oh it's a grey, miserable monday of course. Luckily my gal has her theatre rehearsal today and I have an article to write that I've been researching all weekend. So I'll knuckle down, then get her all ready for the chance to dance on a beautiful stage. Only a week till the concert - I just can't wait!

cake off

Here's the cake my niece decorated her Friday night for her son's birthday party yesterday - isn't it awesome? She had the icing topper made up in the US, and made a mudcake which was then covered in fondant icing dyed blue. Then check out all the amazing shells and seaweed she made out of coloured fondant using only chopsticks as a tool. Cool huh? The 'sand' is sugar coloured with food colouring, there are a few Guylian seashells around the base - and those cute little sugar fishy lollies. I can't believe that this was her first cake.

I only supplied the house, the KitchenAid, the oven, the colours and the cheer-squadding - she did all the amazing decorating herself and I think she did a fabulous job. He had quite the party yesterday!

say aaaaahhhhhh

Oh, I do so love the weekend. Last night our gal had a friend over for a sleepover so while they swam in the pool hubby and I sat in the pavilion and ate chips and sipped on an icy cold beer. Hello, bliss. I also helped my niece make her cake - well, I supplied the fondant, colourings and KitchenAid - and lots of ooohs and aaahs. It looks fabulous - I'll try to snap off a shot tonight.

Today hubby's taking the gals to buy the birthday pressie - while I do a little more work - just a tad. Then it's party followed by a trip to the Red Lantern Markets - I'll tell you what, Newcastle's market scene is positively blossoming at the moment. Love it!

So, you, what are you up to? Tell me, tell me, tell me do.

fabulously friday

Hurrah, oh weekend, I do love you so. We've got another busy one planned. Tonight my niece is coming down and we're baking and decorating the cake for her son's birthday party tomorrow. The gorgeous little fella will be one so he's having a nemo-themed party. Bless. There will be fondant, there will be painted fondant, there will be fondant formed into seaweed... Wish us luck...

Saturday afternoon we have his party, which, as it starts at 4pm will take us into the evening. Then on Sunday afternoon I'm finally off to see Harry. I know!!! I'm also giving the new Gold Class cinemas a whirl which I'm really looking forward to.

In between there shall also be swimming. Ahhhhhhhhh.

oui, oui, OUI!

Tom Ford is guest-editing the Christmas edition of French Vogue. Surely I can expect this in my Christmas stocking?

the whole tooth

I remember when I was pregnant I spent a lot of time wishing and hoping that my child would have my husband's teeth. See, mine have caused me a lot of grief over the years, but realistically that's mainly because of antibiotics that I was given when I was a baby caused some of my second teeth to grow through weird. Luckily the stains and pitting are all covered up thanks to cosmetic dentistry. But my husband has lovely white, straight teeth - and I knew he'd never had braces - but I didn't know he'd had plenty of teeth removed.

Sure enough our child has inherited her father's teeth - and our dentist has inherited a patient who helps fund his European holidays. Yesterday I got a call from the school to say Miss A had chipped a tooth - but vertically, taking off a whole slice. Of course I quickly called the dentist to book in for an emergency appointment and picked up the gal.

The poor little poppet had to have the tooth removed - the third tooth she's had extracted as the damned things don't really like to come out on their own accord. That's three times I've held her hand while she's bravely had huge needles inserted in her gums and a tooth reefed out. Ouch.

But on the bright side, at least the tooth fairy pays double for an extraction...

lip service

I do not do nude lips. I need some gloss, some balm, or, when the fancy takes me - lipstick. Ordinarily I'm a lipstick at night and a gloss or tint during the day kinda gal. Lipstick feels too heavy for daytime. But allow me to introduce you to my new paramour.

These Benefit Full-Finish Lipsticks are so creamy and delicious that you'll want to sleep in them. Now I just so happen to have found the perfect summer pink - Pillow Talk - oh, it's pretty. It looks bright and rosy, and on your lips it just so happens to morph into the ideal summer shade that brings a fresh glow to your entire face. I am in love.

Benefit always win me over with their foxy packaging - and these were no different. The matt black with white polkadots on the box had me squealing with delight. A lippy costs $34 so when you do a cost-per-week factor taking in all your festive functions it's worth every penny.

Go on, give your face a fresh new look and check these out - you won't be sorry {ps: Saucy? You're the next shade on my list...}

what's cooking this week?

And let the festivities commence. We're just home from dress rehearsal and photos for my daughter's ballet concert, and that always signifies the start of the festive season for me. Next week we've got the theatre rehearsal and then, before we know it - the concert. After seven years I'm finally getting the hang of it all: three dances mean three costume changes, but this year, there's only two hairstyle changes which is a bonus.

Here's what we're eating this week:

Wednesday: Chicken schnitzel, mash and broccoli.

Thursday: After a two-week absence I'm attending French lessons. Hubby can cook he and the gal steak and salad. Because it starts early and ends late I'll just have toast.

Friday: Prawn linguine

Saturday: We're off to our nephew's 4th birthday party at 4pm - so I imagine we'll just grab some takeaway on the way home.

Sunday: Pork belly and roasted vegies - have I been craving pork belly lately. Mmmmmm.

Monday: Theatre rehearsal from 4.30 to 7pm for the ballet concert. Something simple I think. Let's say bbq chicken salad.

Tuesday: Final ballet lesson for the year - chicken and chorizo bake with rice.

Phew.

magnificently maggie

I was just one of the throngs of voices who screamed "Nooooooooooooooooooo" when hearing that Maggie Alderson's column would no longer be appearing in my Good Weekend {presumably they'll be changing the name to just Weekend...}. But, excitedly, Maggie's going to be posting each week on her new site Maggie Alderson Style Notes. Quick, go check it out and subscribe. Ahhh, Saturday mornings shall return to normal. Bless.

gorgeously gucci

I just so happen to like these ruched suede Gucci shoes.

A lot.

oh stella

Oh, how I'd love to wander up Stella McCartney's garden path. Isn't it just positively delicious?

house-keeping

I think it's important to regularly invite guests to your home - just so you can do a 'kick-your-butt-into-gear' serious clean every so often. My step-sister and her partner are arriving any moment now so husband and I have worked like maniacs to get the house ready. Not in a weird show home way, just in a 'good lord how on earth did the floorboards in the pavillion get into that state?' kind of way.

So now, front of house looking good. Guest bed made up. Kitchen looking okay - with a big chunk of beef marinating in red wine, thyme and garlic ready for bbqing tonight. The pavillion by the pool is pristine again, the bar fridge in the pavillion packed with beer, french bubbles and wine. Yep. We're ready.

Hopefully this nice weather will hold so we can eat on the newly cleaned back veranda. If not, no worries, I'll simply cook the beef and potatoes inside and we'll eat in here as well.

How about you? What are your plans for the weekend?

this is literally high-lair-ius

Thank you Reality Raver for finding this Uh-Maze-Ing clip. I die. I literally die.

guest posting

See this pretty pic of my gal? You can read more about it over at Corinne's Daze of my Life where I just so happen to be guest posting today. Go on, tell her I said "hi".

friday flowers

If you need a garden shed {as we do} why not make it a wee, pretty one encircled by flowers and shrubs so it's hidden away? Doesn't this look intriguing?

if you'll excuse me...

I've had quite a busy week, gee, wouldn't mind a wee bit of a kip in this...

rachel zoe is pregnant

As soon as I saw this photo over at Crazy Days and Nights I knew. After watching the show last night and seeing Rachel's terrifyingly skinny chest I couldn't imagine how she'd actually be carrying enough weight to menstruate, but she's just confirmed on Twitter that she's pregnant. And look at this shot - no, not the tummy, the chest - not airbrushed and there are no visible bones.

Wow, Rodger must be over the moon and I hope it all goes well for them...

pink peonies: so pretty

My desk is currently overwhelmed with prettiness thanks to my beautiful bunch of peonies. Oh, they are just the most incredible flower. I love their tightly budded heads - so tight that you can't imagine how on earth they possibly hold so much promise inside - and then, when they bloom, oh it's magnificent.

Yesterday I was doing some work, and my gal sat beside me filling out her Christmas cards {all the gals in her class get a card so she wanted to get started early - and actually finished!} and I heard this funny little sound. I looked over and realised it was my peony unfurling!!!!! We actually sat and watched it, like some macro-time-elapsed photography on a wild-life documentary - but in real life. Absolutely magical.

I don't buy flowers often enough, even though they bring me such joy. I think I need to rectify that.