en paris

So we're in Paris. C'est parfait. Sure, I'm not being driven around in this gorgeous Citroen, but I did see it and squeal at it within moments of wandering around our arrondissment.

We've explored gorgeous galeries - the laneways that are rich in the most divine architecture and feature hidden treasures...

And look at those tiles. On the right is Legrand Filles et Fils - a wine bar stocked with the most mouth-watering bottles. The menu is simple, but apparently you can treat this gorgeous store as a bottle shop and select something fabulous to accompany your nibbles. Shall we try this one night?

Hello Didier Ludot - vintage heaven. I do apologise for those who followed me and tripped and slipped in the drool I left at the base of these windows. Who needs museums when you have beauties like this to gaze out. You want more?

Vintage Chanel? Seriously?

There may be something in the world more delectable than this vintage Dior - but I can't possibly imagine what it is.

Now, if you'll excuse me, after a busy day of Eurostar, unpacking, wandering the rues we're now sipping Moet in our apartment {ridiculously cheap} and nibbling on cheese, ham and poilane bread while our gal has a well-deserved early night.

Tomorrow's a wee spot of shopping at the Soldes {sales!}, a lunch on the Eiffel Tower {!!!} and the ballet at the Opera Garnier. {squeeeeee!}

PS: The Parisians are LOVING my attempts at French. I had a brief conversation with the Taxi driver {who gave me a "Parfait" when I said the name of my street - much more than my french teacher offers!}, and everyone's been just gorgeous. I also successfully ordered my husband an espresso at a sidewalk café without checking the menu {un noisette}. It's hot though - even though it's only 29 degrees - and no humidity so my hair has NO IDEA what's going on. A bientot x

waiting for the eurostar...

We had a mad dash to make it to the Eurostar terminal this morning. My iPhone alarm, set for 5.45am failed to go off thanks to an inexplicable battery fail. Eek. Luckily I woke at 6.20am and after a mad flurry, we were out the door and on the way to the station by 6.30!

Next blog from our apartment in Paris - squeeeeeeeeeeee! Fingers crossed that it actually does have free Wi-Fi.

lots of flowers for friday

We went to the Hampton Court Palace Flower show and positively swooned at the blooms on display. Would you look at these giant alliums in the bottom shot! I must have some of those in my garden - love their big, fat, fluffy heads.

Must dash - off to Cornwall for the weekend. Seaside delights await. Then off to Paris on Monday where the French part of our journey awaits. Parfait!

Petersham nurseries close up

A few iPhone shots at Petersham nurseries. Note that someone there loves roses as much as I do.

Rose lemonade is to die for!

Also, please note the feather dusters - wouldn't they make cleaning a delight?

petersham nurseries part one

We had lunch and a wander around Petersham Nursery today. Oh my! Would you believe it was even more gorgeous than I'd hoped. More shots to come - they're on my phone - we both went a bit snap-happy. Who could blame us?

big red

There are many things I love about English produce {seriously, the supermarkets here make me salivate} but it's the berries that are the real beauties. Have a look at these rich, red strawberries {no hard white centres} and these raspberries that are the size of golf balls. We're off shopping this afternoon where I'm going to buy more black raspberries {oh my!}, currents and every other type of berry on the shelf.

We're all totally bursting with antioxidants at the moment. Loving!

g&t on a sunny sunday

Hendricks gin, tonic, ice and a few slices of cucumber.

Not a bad way to while away a Sunday afternoon is it?

coulda, shoulda prada

Last night we went into the city and wandered from Victoria Street Station to Royal Albert Hall to see if Miss Jackson really was still nasty (she was more than a bit awesome actually - who knew?)

My sister-in-law is a Janet Jackson fan, and hubby and I were happy to go check her out at such a fabulous venue. She danced her lil heart out bless her - and, as it was the Number One's tour, we actually recognised a number of the songs. Boy she has some excitable fans though - the true definition of "FAN-atics".

We walked the two miles to the venue and on the way we passed many jaw-dropping windows including this one at Prada. These SHOES! Utter perfection non?

Off to Hever Castle today to soak up some history. Enjoy your day.

oh i do like to be beside the seaside

Can you imagine my delight when we alighted at the seaside today to find beach huts? Squeeeeee. Even more gorgeous in real life.

I do believe that I mentally owned and decorated quite a few of these pretties today.


Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

flowers for friday

Glittery {real} roses spotted in Tesco! Showgirl Roses! Loving London already...

PS: Jetlag update = minimal jetlag - hurrah. I had a 90 min nap yesterday afternoon then went to bed at a very respectable 9.30pm and slept till 8.30am - hurrah hurrah! Gal stayed up till 9pm and woke at 8am Beautiful. I swear that sitting out in the beautiful sunshine yesterday and going for a walk helped. So off to the seaside we go.

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

we're here

We've touched down in London. It's gorgeous here today - blue skies, flower beds out - including PEONIES in a house just up the road from my family.

I'd really like to become a squillionaire so I could fly first or business class. While our flight was lovely I'm pretty sure I only got about 2 hours of broken sleep. Oh well. We're here, we're unpacked {!} and I've showered and washed my hair - honestly, is there anything better than clean hair? Oh yeah, coffee - thankfully brother-in-law's just bought the world's fanciest espresso machine and hubby's doing his best to master it.

Off to the seaside tomorrow if jetlag allows. I'll be sure to snap some photos and blog a bit. If not, then the seaside will have to wait till the following weekend when we're off to Cornwall for four days - including a planned lunch at Rick Stein's restaurant. I do love lunching with celebrity chefs {even if it's in name only...}

xx

up up and away...

Well, I'm a bit beside myself. Today's the day we're flying out. I'm hoping for a spot of service like this {champagne madame?} but will be content with catching up on my movie viewing and hopefully getting a wee bit of sleep.

Ready for my travel blog? Once I'm over my jetlag I'll be sharing all. See you soon my lovelies xx

squeeeeeee it's tomorrow!

Okay, we're onto the home straight. The packing; the money changing; the getting the house in order for the housesitters! It's going to be a busy day but so, so, so exciting!

two more sleeps...

Image from here.

Okay, we're really at the pointy end now - two more sleeps till we fly to England! Of course, on Friday morning my gal developed a fever and her cough worsened. A trip to the Dr confirmed mild pneumonia. She's on antibiotics and has made a rapid recover in the last two days. Apparently if she was going to have any kind of complication pneumonia's the best to fly with... Non contagious and won't be affected by pressure. She's also just told me she feels 100 times better!

On Saturday I woke with a killer cough. Chest infection. Antibiotics should kick its butt by the time we fly. Husband's fine!

Lots of work to do before we leave. Bags aren't packed... Let's hope tomorrow's a brighter day.

flowers for friday

Image from here

Oh this'd be nice. A lovely garden setting, a spot of sunshine... Can't you just imaging sitting here catching up with a group of gals? Bliss.

have you seen bridesmaids yet?

Please go and see it.

Now.

Go!

You don't need excuses - you need to find a way to get you to a cinema. I've never laughed so hard, so long and so much at a movie EVER. I missed dialogue I laughed so much. I stopped breathing I laughed so much. I SNORTED I laughed so much. I keep trying to include the letter T in laugh I laughed so much.

Brilliant.

I need to see it again.

my travel blog

Image from here

Whenever we go overseas I swear I'll keep a travel diary so I can keep track of where we've been, what was amazing, and keep the memories alive.

I never do.

Instead, years later I'll be looking back through my photos thinking - "What was that castle again?" This time's going to be different. The laptop's coming with me and I've decided that blogging's got to be the best form of travel diary possible.

I hope you'll come along for the ride {seven more sleeps - squeeeeeeeee!}

PS: that image above? It's from a Vespa rental company - you can rent a Vespa to zoom around Paris! Imagine!!

ridiculously beautiful

This is one of the reasons why I love Paris. Wondering where this is? Why it's the café in the Musee D'Orsay.

Fingers crossed* we'll be eating dinner here on Bastille Day - followed by a nighttime squizz at the Manet exhibition before wandering off to watch the Fireworks on the Eiffel Tower.

I know, sounds terrible - but someone's got to do it...

*Booking just confirmed - squeeeeeeeeee!

oh what a pretty shoe

I love a fine line in a shoe. Something swooshy and a little bit special. That's why these Miu Miu numbers caught my eye while I was 'licking the windows' * over at net-a-porter.

Pretty!

* Apparently the French term for window shopping {faire du leche-vitrine} is translated as Licking the windows - love it!

sunday suppers

Okay, last full week of menu planning before we head off. Eeep! Here's what we're eating this week:
Tonight: off to my in-laws for dinner. We're borrowing some luggage from them, so we're picking it up tonight - ready to pack!
Monday: I'm in Sydney for a meeting. Luckily I ordered some pork sausages from Aussie Farmers this week. Hubby and gal can cook them up with some mash, broccoli and roasted pumpkin.
Tuesday: It's my last French lesson of the season, and we all take along French nibblies - haven't decided what I'm making/taking yet. For dinner the family can have a spaghetti carbonara {Nigella's recipe}
Wednesday: My last netball training before I go {sob - I'll miss my gals...} But I'm going our for dinner with girly friends after watching Bridesmaids {hurrah!} Hubby and child can make pizzas.
Thursday: I'll make a seven hour leg of lamb. Served with french lentils and green beans.
Friday: Still haven't eaten the barramundi - luckily it's vaccuum sealed. I'm intending on serving it with a salsa verde and lemon potatoes. And a green salad.
Saturday: Apparently there's something fabulous happening in the city to do with the Winter Heat festival. Best make a big pot of minestrone to warm us up before we rug up and head out to see what's on offer.

splashing out

So, I had to go and get my international drivers licence in another, rarely-visited suburb and as I pull out to drive home I spy, out of the corner of my eye, a mannequin wearing my DREAM swimsuit. Of course I couldn't stop so today, after netball, my gal and I went back and I tried it on.

Oh my.

Soft, ruffled, retro and oh-so-fabulous.

Honestly, have you ever seen a swimsuit more ideally suited to lounging poolside in Provence?

It's by Seafolly and also comes in black, with more colours coming out over summer. But, for moi, this blue just screamed my name.

Now, to find a pair of red cat-eye sunnies to complete the look...

i need a laff

I am beyond desperate to see Bridesmaids before I go on holidays. Every single thing I see, hear or read about it makes me even more keen {and, um, yes, a shirtless Jon Hamm is one of those things...}.

I'm booking in next wednesday to go see it - now to track down some gals who love a giggle to join me.

i'm walkin' on sunshine

Oh, the sky is just completely and utterly blue today and we're drenched in sunshine. After what felt like months of torrential downpours {but was really only about a week} it's so, so nice to see the sun. I'm also looking forward to seeing my gal alight from the bus after three days in Canberra. I'm sure she's had a ball, but boy, have I missed her.

I hope your weekend's filled with sunshine. Enjoy!

Image from it's a wedding tumblr.

totally delicious

The first time we went overseas was in 1999. Our research for the UK was based on a book from the British Embassy, a book by Bill Bryson {and the reason we went to Durham - well worth it!} and advice from our real estate agent on must-see places in Paris.

The second time was in 2006, and the internet was our guide. We booked an amazing chateau in the Dordogne in South West France to stay, and uncovered so many gems.

This time I'm doing a lot of research through blogs. Hurrah! After I'd decided that we really should eat a lunch at a restaurant in the Eiffel Tower, and then failing to make a lunch reservation, it was a blog that alerted me to the fact that there's no need to reserve a table at lunch - just rock on up. It's also a blog that caused me the most outrageous salivation and guffaws this evening. I found Paris Patisseries via a link from French Vogue and spent a few hours tonight going through every single post. Aside from the most extraordinary photography {these macarons above are just one of his drool-worthy pics - wait till you see his gorgeous close-up detail shos!}, I just love this guy's style. He's hilarious and has the most incredible way with words.

He's also going to be responsible for me eating my way through some incredible patisseries in Paris - how could I not? Please go have a look - but not on an empty stomach - I had to leave mid-peruse and make a nutella crepe...

a little ray of sunshine

Rain, wind, rain, wind. Oh my it's grey and soggy in this neck of the woods. I also had to wake at 5.30am to get my gal to school by 6.15am and on a bus to Canberra. Thankfully the rain held off for long enough for the kids to get boarded - and for tired-eyed parents to wave them off. Oh those poor teachers who'll be supervising for three days - hope they have a nice bottle of wine ready for their return on friday night.

I could do with a spot of sunshine, which is why this gorgeous image from Martha Stewart caught my eye. Don't you love this poppy belt? I think it'd add a dash of pretty to any outfit.

all frocked up

Look at this bottle of Piper all frocked up by John Paul Gaultier. It's Rocky Horror meets fabulous - love it!

the real paris

This time next month I'll be in Paris. I know! We'll be there for the Bastille Day celebrations {squeeee!} and also for the sales {double squeeeeeeee!}

So obviously I'd be mad not to stock up on some Parisian classics. Checking out the Galeries Lafeyete website I stumbled upon these pretties. Galeries Lafeyete Paris - yep, that's their name. I know, stop it. Could there be a more parisian nom? And look at them - such a classic pair of grey wedges.

Luckily we've got a 30kg luggage limit - I'll be taking 2kg of luggage from Australia...

sunday suppers

I tell you what, I am LOVING my Aussie Farmers Direct deliveries. Every Thursday there's a rather fabulous black cardboard box filled with a surprising selection of fruit and veg {and those black boxes are being put to good use as storage - they're fabulous!}. They even made me learn to like green capsicum - true. Slowly simmered with onions and garlic, and diced finely, they're actually rather lovely. Today I had a ham, cheese and tomato sandwich with all my freshly delivered ingredients and it was delish. Simply delish.

It's also making meal planning easier - I know what vegies I have and can go from there. Here's what we're eating this week:
Sunday: Pork roast {from Aussie Farmers}, crash hot potatoes {par-boiled baby potatoes, squashed down with a masher, and topped with olive oil, garlic and dried chillies and baked till golden}, parsnip puree and roasted carrots with thyme and garlic.
Monday: Chicken casserole topped with herb dumplings served with pumpkin and spinach.
Tuesday: I need to feed up my gal - she's off for a three day school excursion to canberra tomorrow {eeek!}. I'll make beef bourginon, it's her favourite. Served with mash and green beans.
Wednesday: No gal tonight {sob!} just the two of us. We'll have barramundi {from Aussie farmers} and I'm going to try baking it on a bed of potatoes, lemon, garlic and tomatoes.
Thursday: No gal again, so no ballet. I think hubby and I should head out to dinner don't you?
Friday: Okay, today's the day I'm off to Sydney {not last week}. I'm going to have all the prep done for chicken noodle soup for when my lass gets off the bus late at night.
Saturday: Hubby's got a catch-up with school friends. I think the gal and I will make Gourmet Girlfriend's gnocci. Mmmm.