just lovely

Now, while I don't tend to do anything special for Valentine's Day, these pretties I spied over at Martha's have got me mighty tempted...

and relax...

Okay, so I may be feeling a tad on the seedy side today - just a tad... We had friends for dinner last night and a fair amount of champagne washed down the french cheese, duck confit, pear, pecan and rocket salad {with a yummy dressing: apple cider vinegar, olive oil, seeded mustard, cinnamon, lime juice and honey - shaken and yum}. For afters our friends brought along a Apple in Wonderland cake - which was divine! It was quite the perfect night, except my friend's sister came along and I spent the whole night coveting her hair {yep, you guessed it, she's a gorgeous redhead}. I did have to explain to her my love of a titan hue so she didn't get too creeped out by my constant wistful gazing in her head's general direction.

I would quite like to be lying on this hammock today - but that shan't be happening. I have two gals to entertain this morning, then this afternoon my french study-buddy is coming over so we can do our french homework together {hopefully - it's already really difficult and we're only in week one!}

Tonight the gal's at a pal's for a sleepover so it's just me and hubby. We might even find ourselves something to do as we have free babysitting. Movies perhaps?

So, tell me all about you. What are your plans for this fabulous february weekend?

sweet tooth

Cupcakes spotted in a Melbourne patisserie.

I know.

{It's a dodgy, through the glass shot, after too many lemondrop martinis - but let me tell you, the quilting on the Chanel cupcake was TO-DIE!}

flowers for friday

I bought this gorgeous bunch of multi-coloured roses from the markets last Saturday. Popped into a little blue jug they are quite possibly perfection. A few have nodded and died off, but most of the bunch is still going strong. Fabulous.

sooooo sleeeeeeepy

Oh my - I seem to be having one of those "can't seem to wake-up" days. Best get some coffee in my system - stat!

what's cooking wednesday

I'm still not quite back into the swing of things - but I am loving the sense of normalcy that my gal being back at school brings. Ahhhhhh.

This week we're eating:

Tonight: Vietnamese chicken salad - I'm going to poach then shred some chicken breast, toss them with loads of finely julienned salad vegies, some peanuts and a yummy dressing.

Thursday: Salmon and salad

Friday: Friends to dinner. It's the first of our monthly "Duck Night" evenings. Duck confit, salad, potatoes roasted in duck fat - and a vegetarian option for one guest {I know - tragedy that she won't get to eat the duck!}

Saturday: BBQ steak and salad

Sunday: Roast chicken and vegies I think

Monday: Pork cutlets, mango and avocado salad

Tuesday: Busy day: French lessons and Ballet for the gal. Hubby can cook up steak and vegies.

So there you go. Aside from the duck it's a pretty light eating week. We're trying to lighten up our meals at the moment - and I'm determined to find the time to walk every day too. Gotta get fit for France!

bloggy birthday

Can you believe how quickly my bloggy baby's growing up? Yep, way back in 2008 I started this wee blog, just as a form of exercise really - and now, well, it's so much more than that. It's the perfect way of connecting when you work from home - even though lately I've been busy and haven't had much time for commenting {I'm still reading before and after work though!}. I've met friends through blogging that I have so much in common with. I've shared lives: ups, downs, sideways... I've learned so much from the world of blogging. I've been staggered by honesty and blown away by what some people are capable of.

You're all pretty damned awesome - you know that?

I really, really want to thank you all. For those who've been there almost since the start {Sara Rose - that'll be you} to all my more recent friends. Thank you. Sincerely.

my lovely valentin{o}

Oh me oh my, how I wish these were in my shoe closet. Oh Valentino, you do know how to make a gal smile...

about last night

The night started with blood orange martinis and lots of 80s eyeshadow. In the middle was an abundance of champagne and dancing, and it ended with gin and tonics and a loooooooooong wait for a taxi.

Last night was a friend's 40th and oh what a night. She frocked up in her Year 12 formal dress {I know!} and almost everyone dressed a la 1980s. What a sight and what a night. We moved from champagne and finger food on the terrace onto a club for a night of 80s music {the cool stuff}.

Awesome stuff.

Thankfully after a swim my head {and legs!} are starting to recover...

room for improvement

So, we're getting new couches soon. Woo hoo. So grown up! At the moment we've got a two seater couch that was just perfect for our teeny one bedroom apartment we started out in - but too small for this living room and our family. And a cane day bed that we're going to paint and pop in the pavillion by the pool. So we've bought two, pale french blue two and a half seater couches {long enough for me to stretch out and lay down on, and just a teensy bit shorter than a three seater. Perfect!}. They match perfectly with a Laura Ashley rug we bought on sale yonks ago - when we were thinking about buying a charcoal couch - so that's serendipitious. Now we just need colour.

I'd love some vintage french style cushions in grey and taupe - but I also need a pop of colour on there. Pale blue and cherry red are one of my fave colour combos - so I've been searching the net trying to find a suitable cushion.

Guess what? I found one in my own neighbourhood.

Driving home from Sydney last night I drove past one of my fave shops, Shabby Shelia's in Hamilton. Guess what's in the window? Big, plump white cushions with cherry red blowsy roses on them - just what I'd had in my head. We're off to check them out today. Now, just to count down the three weeks or so till we get the new couches!

friday flowers

Oh yes please! Peonies are always perfect, but when they're wrapped in crisp brown paper and offset with this gorgeous green {stuff} then they're trebly delicious.

Le sigh-a-rama.

whoah

Does this woman ever look anything other than awesome?

oh so awesome

Honestly, Kate Spade - so damned pretty. I love so many things about this image: and, naturally, the shoes and the bag in particular.

I'm also rather fond of that slogan. When was the last time you flirted? With adventure, your lover, your friends? Think about it - flirting, not teasing. It's got a lot to offer: avid attention, sweet smiles, tender touches, compliments. I think we all need a wee bit more flirting in our life. And I'm going to start, now.

{Hey, I like your hair like that...} x

what's cooking wednesday

Phew, back in the real world - at last. No more school holidays!! So it's back to normal cooking - and a new routine to account for after-school activities. Here goes:

Tonight: Last night we had a simple steak and salad, so tonight I might just cook up some salmon and salad on the bbq - I'm presuming this hot weather's continuing...

Thursday: Oh yes, I've done it again - invited friends for a mid-week dinner. The two couples {with kids} are bringing pre-dinner nibbles and dessert so I only have to worry about the main. I'll cook up an enormous pork belly and serve it with an apple, oak leaf lettuce and walnut salad, a lemon potato salad and lots of baguettes.

Friday: I'm in Sydney all day leaving hubby and daughter to cook. I think they'll whip up some Mexican. Perhaps chicken burritos - easy to heat when I come home.

Saturday: I'm off to a 40th - all 80s inspired. We're meant to frock up in 80s garb so I'm channelling early Madonna. Oh yes I am.

Sunday: Roast chicken, some roasted veg and salad sounds like a cleansing option.

Monday: Salmon patties and salad.

Tuesday: our new big day. The gal has ballet till 5.30 and I've got French Lessons starting at 6pm - so our paths shall barely cross. It's a slow-cooker or a "here's something I've prepared earlier" kinda night. Chorizo pasta bake perhaps...

Phew. How's your week panning out?

and ahhhhhh

I may well kiss the school gates this morning. Passionately. Yep, it's my gal's first day back at school {technically it's meant to be her second - but, um, we were still in Melbourne yesterday thanks to a typo in her school newsletter...}. She's beyond excited about going - and being a buddy to her little kinder friend. I still can't believe that my lil baby is going into year 6 - the last year of primary!!!

The lunchbox is packed, water's chilled and in her new stainless steel bottle, fruit break's ready {miraculously we had just enough green grapes in the fridge for her}. Phew.

Life's back to normal - gotta love that.

i'm back

Oh, I do love Melbourne. Despite a very short visit, steaming heat and so much to do, we had the most lovely time. I'll tell you all about it - soon...

In the meantime enjoy these. They're Gucci - and very pretty indeed.

flowers for friday

Apparently there's a rather glorious florist in London that goes by the name of Scarlet and Violet. This here's an image from said store and it does look 70 shades of fabulous don't you think?

PS: Jugs, buckets and old milk urns are about a gazillion times prettier than vases non?

leaving on a jet{star} plane

We're off to Melbourne tonight for a quick long-weekend catching up with the family. My brother has an art exhibition in progress that we're dying to check out - and we've got a lunchtime catch-up on Saturday with all my step-sisters and their families. Yay!

The gal's keen to go to the zoo, so we thought her grandparents would love to do that - after dropping hubby and I off in the city to stroll around the laneways {damn, I do love me some Melbourne laneways...}. Hopefully the weather will behave itself and not give me the stinking hot Melbourne summers I remember from my teenage years while on School Holidays down south...

I think we're all set. I made some pizza scrolls last night that are sitting in the freezer waiting for the gal's school lunch on Tuesday. Aaah, the return of school - gotta love it!

My in-laws are also coming down to stay here this weekend to look after the cat and the garden. They love a chance to get down by the beach - and my mother-in-law adores our cat {who loves her right back!}. So all's good. Enjoy your weekend x

aussie-as

I like to spend Australia Day celebrating what it is that I love about this country. Sure, it's not perfect, but it's on its way. I love how we band together in a tragedy, I love our dramatic coastlines and glorious stretches of surf. I'm more than a bit fond of streets lined with frangipani signally the height of summer. There's a lot to love about this country - including the fact that Pink Lamingtons can be considered a perfectly patriotic food.

Bless.

just bloody beautiful

Some things in this world are just delicious aren't they? Like this classic 1968 Vespa that I'm pretty sure has my name on it...

I need a little head-turning beauty in my daily life - don't you? It's why I chose the Macbook Air over less expensive laptops. Why my phone's an iPhone... {sensing a theme here? Mac designer's just get beauty}. It's why I love a great pair of shoes - and why I'm currently not enarmoured of anything in my wardrobe {oh, I am busting to shop - busting I say!}

It's why we're keen to finish off the backyard {think we're almost there - just have to paint the floorboards on the back veranda {white or matte charcoal...} and do the side yard - including the restoration of the 1920s iron setting {with loveheart backs - LOVEHEARTS}.

Ahhh, there's nothing like a bit of restoration and beautification to make a heart sing.

stitched up

I know, I'm all about Miu Miu at the moment aren't I? But honestly, would you expect anything different? Check out the stitching on these, and that strap detail that hugs over the platform. Love it. Love it to death.

Hey, guess what I did yesterday? Window shopping and I liked it! I know! It was purely accidental. We needed to buy a new mattress for our gal's bed. We'd bought in haste last time and it was just awful - too hard, too cold, too uncomfortable. To make up for it I'd bought a snuggly wool underlay and nice sheets, but after spending a night in there recently after a game of musical beds, I realised we had to buck up and buy her a new one.

As the sales are on we made Sunday the day and found, to our amazement, a whole new Homemaker's Centre has opened in a nearby suburb. Genius. We bought the mattress {and, um, one for our bed too... hubby's never been keen on ours, and I can't say that I was ever in love with it} and then spent some time in Freedom, Recollections {where I found a vanity that I must have when we renovate our bathroom} and a couple of other stores.

Bliss.

None of the shops were crowded, there was none of that "Mall Weirdness" you find at a shopping centre {you know, people walk too slowly/quickly, stop unexpectedly, and are just weird...}. Oh I liked it A LOT.

i'm pretty sure i need glasses

These glasses.

cheaty healthy

I've been making a cheat's version of bircher muesli the last few days, and boy, am I loving it sick. I love bircher, but I ALWAYS forget to soak the oats overnight. But the other day, I was craving the stuff so deeply I thought I'd try anyway. So I put a little oats in the bottom of my bowl {probably 1/3rd of a cup} and covered it with milk. Then I sliced up a peach, threw in a handful of blackberries and blueberries, dollopped on some plain yoghurt and topped with some pistachios. And it was delish!

It didn't have grated apple because I was too lazy to pull out an apple and grate it - but it was still ridiculously healthy, uber-delish and kept me satisfied for hours. So much so that I think I'd best go make myself a bowl now!

Do you get bored of breakfast? I do. I need variety - a lot of variety. I switch between cereals, toasts, muffins, crumpets, bagels, eggs... I have a very short food attention span {something you'd probably know if you read my weekly menu plans...}

The only things I don't get bored of are drinks: coffee, champagne and good old water are three of my favourite things {of course I do tend to consume more water than I do of those others by the way}.

Are you easily bored or a delightful creature of habit?

my eye view

These are my two intended views for the day: either in the pool, or on the daybed looking out at the pool.

I know.

ice cool

Martha and her team can do no wrong. Example: after all the years of people saying "Carnations are making a comeback", they've finally made Carnations cool. I found this image over at BellaMumma and haven't stopped drooling.

Damned genius.

how can it be friday?

People, how quickly is this week screaming by? I just cannot believe it's friday, and that I didn't post yesterday! How rude! We did have some lovely friends over for dinner last night - that's my excuse. Lots of fun, particularly as we watched the kids boogying away to Wii Dance - bless their little socks. I've said it before, but we are just ridiculously lucky to not only have such lovely friends, but they have some damned divine kids between them.

Do you like these flowers? I'm a big fan of the blowsy bloom. I don't like those tight, restrained buds - give me lush, gorgeous full-blown petals any day. Now, I'm back to work. Enjoy your friday my lovelies.

what's cooking wednesday

Of COURSE Dita Von Teese has the most deliriously pretty kitchen in the world {as featured in the February issue of InStyle}. I covet it on so many levels...

But, while I don't have this kitchen, I do still have to cook. So here's what we're eating this week:

Tonight: We had some leftover chicken and chorizo risotto so I formed it into balls, coated it in egg and panko breadcrumbs and the gal and I had it with sweet potato chips {mmmmm - hubby out on the town with friends tonight, so just a girly dinner}

Thursday: We've got friends coming tonight - so Nat - don't read this so you get a surprise! I'm making a rather spesh chicken dish and a couple of salads - just food that can be served with champagne...

Friday: I didn't get around to cooking salmon last week, as usual, and am craving the stuff. So it's salmon on the bbq with a lime glaze.

Saturday: BBQ again, but steaks this time. With roasted vegie salad.

Sunday: Markets - so I shall buy me some fat pig {pork belly}. Yes please. With rice and wilted greens I think.

Monday: We're off to my in-laws for dinner. Yay!

Tuesday: I'm at a meeting in Sydney all day so something easy I'd expect - takeaway on the way home perhaps.

And that's it. Now, how to convince my husband to go for a pale pink and clotted cream kitchen...

a right royal viewing experience

Oh bless! That's what I thought walking out of The King's Speech. Such a lovely film, with, as you'd expect, virtuoso performances. Colin Firth was, of course, perfection in the role. He played his part with restraint and delicacy - brilliant. Helena Bonham Carter was, again, as always, a delight. I'd always loved the Queen Mum and Helena's version did the lovely lady justice. Again, so restrained in her performance and yet so powerful. Geoffrey Rush is some kind of genius, one of the few who could have played this role.

If you have the chance, pop along and see it - while you may shed a tear or two along the way, I'm pretty sure you'll walk out wearing a smile.

oh photo bombing - you make me smile

I am very, very, very easily amused. And, I enjoy a giggle. Hence photo-bombing - source of much amusement.

I have a photo we took at some lovely castle in England, that even to this day will set me off in fits of hysterics as just at the right moment a duck stuck its head in shot. H.Y.S.T.E.R.I.C.S.

This photo of Jerry O'Connell and the People's Choice Awards had me snickering for days - so much to love. And this photo of Michael Douglas made me adore him even more than I did after his Will & Grace hilarity. This shot was skyped to me today as I was listening in on a very serious phone conference - thank god its opening coincided with a round of rapturous applause that disguised my snorting. {Ah, snorting, who doesn't love a good snort?}

busy, busy, buzz, buzz, buzz

Sorry guys, I've been neglecting you. Have a huge, important job on at the moment so it's taking up all my time. That said, I am off to check out The King's Speech tonight {oh Colin - love you!}. I'm also still somewhat flabbergasted that Ricky Gervais got away with so much last night - bless his socks. He made a normally boring awards show interesting - even the presenters bristled up and were more interesting that usual {except Robert Downey Jr who's always interesting - love him too}.

The Golden Globes are no longer poor relation to the Oscars - people will be talking about this ceremony for years to come. Bravo Mr Gervais.

Now, this bed - couldn't you just flop down on it for an afternoon nap? Oh, yes please...

red hot on the red carpet

Here are some of the looks I'm loving on the Golden Globes red carpet - and may I say that I'm very impressed that the red carpet has coincided with my lunchbreak. Very disappointed that the main shot up there wasn't actually Lea Michelle as I first thought {I've spared you the actual image of her - it's well, not great...}.

PS: You know how I love Helena and how she always brings it - seriously, too many flesh-toned, safe frocks on the red carpet for my liking. But you know what I'm loving most about her? The mis-matched shoes - LOVE. Head over to Go Fug Yourself for a typically hilarious recap of the red carpet - and check out the show Ricky Gervais is hosting so it's got to be brilliant.

shoe woo hoo

Excuse me, but have you seen a more outrageously pretty pair of shoes? I know - nor have I. This shade of green totally tickles my fancy, and you know I do love me a polka dot. I am now, officially in luuuuuuuurve.

splashing out

It certainly is swimming weather here today. Hot, steamy and with a lovely blue sky. Now, sadly I did not loll around my pool in this pretty Miu Miu bikini - but oh, a gal can only dream.

Couldn't you just...

Never one for camping, I could just picture myself Glamping in this pretty silver Airstream. After reading about a couple who have an Airstream in their backyard in Byron as guest accommodation {!!!!!!} I'm more than a bit besotted. So's my hubby.

Next holiday perhaps?

So, today? What's happening? I'm doing a bit of work, and am catching up with some school friends at a hotel on the harbour later today. Not too shabby...

simply pretty

A favourite flower of mine is the Cosmos. So pretty, in glorious shades of pink, with magnificent foliage that's the perfect background for their pretty faces. Simple to grow too - with none of the fuss of daisies {seriously, can you believe that I can't grow daisies?!}

There's a wee spot of space in my garden that's begging for a little colour. Cosmos just might do the trick don't you think?

hello prettiness

Now that's what I call a bridal bouquet. Peonies, roses and feathers - oh my!

lady in red

I love Rachel McAdams and adore a good frock {and a heel - natch} so this shot's a win/win all round. Do I mind that the frock is almost an identical colour to the curtains? Nah, not so much... She still looks gorgeous.

what's cooking wednesday

We're here again? Already? Okay then, here's the menu for this week...

Tonight: Glazed salmon, wilted spinach and sushi rice. The other night I made caramelised pork and served it on sushi rice {cooked and seasoned as if I were making sushi} as per Nigella's recommendation and it was soooooo good. Try it.

Thursday: Hubby and I are off on a date to have dinner and check out a performer - Adalita from Magic Dirt - oh yeah.

Friday: Garlic prawns, linguine and salad.

Saturday: Steak and roasted vegie salad.

Sunday: Off to the markets to find a suitable roasting meat. Mmmm.

Monday: I'm going to do that caramelised pork again. Let's hope I can remember the ingredients {I made a caramel with palm sugar and hot water, then added garlic, ginger, smoked chilli paste and ketchep manis. Smeared this over a pork fillet, salted it, marinated for 30 mins, then seared the fillet till golden. Then I sliced into thick slices, and added to the marinade to the pan and finished cooking the pork. Served on a bed of sushi rice with wilted chinese broccoli. Good stuff}.

Tuesday: Lamb salad.

Phew. You?

PS: Kitchen from Something's Gotta Give. Love.

some pretty breathing space

Sometimes you need to take a deep breath and smile.

in memoriam

Like most of the blogging community I'm lighting a candle and sending love out to Lori who lost her husband is such horrible, tragic circumstances. Rest in peace Tony.

I hold it true, whate'er befall;

I feel it when I sorrow most;

'Tis better to have loved and lost

Than never to have loved at all.

Lord Tennyson

a new beckham baby

Just after Posh was quoted in Vogue magazine as no longer trying for a baby girl - the Beckhams have announced that baby number four is on the way.

Bless.

They do make beautiful babies these two - and I don't think I've ever seen a celebrity father as genuinely affectionate with his kids as David is.