it's all about contrast

Don't you just love a bit of contrast? I adore the way this lavender pops against this pale green shutter, which co-ordinates just beautifully with the stone wall.

I think I need to bring a little bit of Provence back to my spot in Merewether...

meal planning monday

Okay, getting organised again. Honestly, if I don't meal-plan my whole week seems to fall apart, so here we go.

Tonight: I couldn't be bothered leaving the house so we had a 'pantry meal' of potato, capsicum and chorizo tortilla. Served with a simple green salad. Yum.
Tuesday: The gal and I are taking her cousin to see the Verona Theatre Group's version of Pinocchio and getting a rather fabbo Italian meal with it. Last year this company came out and performed The Little Prince. Half in Italian, half in English - I was fully in tears. Bless.
Wednesday: I think I have to make a risotto as there is some kick-ass home-made chicken stock in my fridge that's begging to be used. Lemon chicken and haloumi risotto you think?
Thursday: My gal's last ballet lesson before her ballet exam on Saturday {why yes, it IS right after her netball grand final... BIG weekend} Best make her happy and make up a Shephard's pie for dinner.
Friday: Now, chances are that I've invited friends for dinner tonight. If so, there will be duck confit, potatoes and green beans. If not, well, why not have duck confit...
Saturday: There's a celebration at the local club for the end of the netball year. Nibbles will be available - so I'll have a curry at home in the slow cooker ready for our return.
Sunday: Roast beef. Yep, with plenty of veg - am LOVING roasted carrots and beetroot alongside my meat. You?

how many?

People, a moment please: this is, wait for it - my 2000st blog post. I KNOW!

I never realised, when I started this blog for a bit of fun a few years back, that I'd still be blogging 2000 posts later. I also had no idea that I'd form such incredible friendships, and discover so many fabulous aussie blogs.

So, woo hoo, here's to 2000 - and the next 2000. Thanks for sticking around x

flowers for friday

Later on I'll be popping out to buy some daffodils for Daffodil Day. But, until I have their pretty yellow faces popping over a pale blue jug, I'll have to fill this space with some provencal lavender.

le bol

A bowl of coffee, in a pretty bol purchased in Menerbes in Provence, my sweet new mousemat {purchased at Typo at Charlestown... doesn't have the same ring... but still - pretty!} and you have the perfect combination for a good morning's work.

Thanks Gourmet Girlfriend for a timely reminder that a big bowl of coffee is sometimes all you need.

here?

Excuse me, but how divine is this? There's a spot on my veranda that's just crying out for one of these babies {and the charcoal boards too - divine!}

colour coded

Should you ever be curious about the next hottest nail colour you only need to look to Chanel. Ever since Uma Thurman's nails in Pulp Fiction set the fashion world alight, Chanel have been the go-to for what's hot on nails.

While Rouge Noir is still one of the highest selling nail colours {what's not to love about a red so deep it's almost black} each season Chanel has fashionistas salivating in anticipation of their newest release.

Now, I didn't go for last season's citron yellow {when you have olive skin, yellows tend to bring out the jaundice effect...} I think I could be inspired to paint on this Coco Blue.

Or Blue Boy...

Blue Rebel?

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to stalk the Chanel counter...

a cameo role

When you have long, black, curly hair that you tend to wear just, you know, hanging, earrings tend to get lost.

But I think I'd be persuaded to wear an up-do for these!

Helloooooooooo lovely {Dolce and Gabbana clip-ons via net-a-porter.com - yum!}

Farewell Harry and friends

So, I finally got to the cinema for the final Harry Potter. Genius.

I was worried I'd feel let down, but once again the team came up trumps and created a fitting finale. I do feel sad that it's over, but thankfully the film did provide some closure.

Now I think it's time to revisit the books, then start all over with the movies again...

sweet saturday

Oh my it's a glorious day in sunny Newcastle today. We had our netball semi final against the top team, we lost, but boy, did we play well. That means that next week we'll play against the winner of the other semi-final and then, hopefully, onto the Grand Final. Woo hoooo!

And tonight I'm off to a Year 6 mums' night out. Yes, Year 6. Goodness. It does mean that I'm missing a fabulous blogger's bash in Sydney tonight to welcome back the BlogHer goddesses Mrs Woog and Eden - but I'm sure they'll have a fabbo time and I can live vicariously through blog posts and twitter feeds.

Now, I'm off to paint my nails - what goes with tapas? I'm thinking grey as I'm wearing a black vintage frock with white piping, red shoes, red lips and probably red bag. Too much red? Sorry, that's just not possible.

You?

eye spy

Because what's funnier than a cat with a "What you talkin' about Willis?" expression.

Nothing.

Thank you Isson Eyewear spring-summer 2012 catalogue. Not only is your eyewear pretty damn fine, you brought a giggle to my grey ol' day.

PS: Beware, link contains not only more rather fabulous shades; but a pug {!!!} and guinea pigs... You've been warned.

PPS: At first I thought that cat was lounging back and wearing a leather jacket. My die...

do you like scary movies?

I used to be a HUGE fan of scary movies. In my teens I swallowed them up: Texas Chainsaw Massacre, all the Nightmare on Elmstreet films, Friday the 13th... But when I fell pregnant, that was it - no more. I couldn't bear anything scary or remotely horrifying.

Of all these films, one sticks in my mind for the serious scare-you-out-of-your-skin factor: The Woman In Black. Scary. Seriously.

And now it's been remade, with a rather dashing Daniel Radcliffe in the lead {seriously, that boy is growing into his looks...}.

Dare I?

a weekend project

We saw this vegie garden at the Hampton Court flower show and fell in luuuurve. That's what I want for our side yard - including a wee bench to sit back and gaze adoringly at the produce.

back in the real world...

Well, I think the post-holiday glow's officially worn off now. I'm back to normal sleeping patterns, back to boring old shopping in Australian supermarkets {where's the 4 euro bottles of rosé people?} and cooking in my kitchen - which is nowhere near as glamorous as cooking in Provence...

Luckily I have a new job that I LOVE, and the weather's looking mighty fine in this neck of the woods. Yep, life back in Aus isn't too shabby at all really...

wearing red for daniel

It's been hard not to be touched by the story of Daniel Morcombe who disappeared all those years ago in 2003. Thinking of his family, and what they've been through, is just heart-wrenching. Losing a family member must be indescribably difficult, but when you don't know what happened, or where they are, the pain must be magnified.

With the arrest of a person of interest, hopefully the Morcombe family are closer to closure.

In honour of Daniel's memory, the Morcombe family have called for people to wear red in his memory. After reading the call from Nikki from Styling You on Twitter I knew I'd be able to find something red.

For you, Daniel, and your family, may you finally have some peace.

sunday suppers

Okay, another week, another meal plan. Let's get into it shall we?

Sunday: tonight we've been invited to drinks at our dear friends' house. I've made some canapes of caramelised onions with thyme and red-wine poached pears on little rounds of puff pastry {ah, the things you can create from very little} and they're supplying French cheese and champagne. Yum. When we get home I've got some chilli prawns from Aussie Farmer's Direct in the fridge - I'll cook them up and serve them with spaghetti with garlic breadcrumbs, lemon zest and parsley.
Monday: there's a cyber-bullying workshop at my gal's school. Early dinner of chorizo and potato tortilla with green salad I think.
Tuesday: I didn't make a roasted chicken last week - best do it tonight. I do have a hankering...
Wednesday: Netball training - pork curry!
Thursday: I think I'd best make a risotto - bacon and mushroom perhaps.
Friday: I'm off to Sydney for a meeting, so when I get home I'm hoping hubby and the gal will make me a Mexican feast.
Saturday: I'm off to a mum's night for school - my last mum's night out at this school {sob!} We're having tapas - and perhaps a drink or two...

You?

they need to change the title...

To capital F for fabulous. LOVE this look on Kristen Stewart. Young Liz Taylor anyone?

sweet, sweet saturday

Can you smell it? Can you feel it? That hint of Spring in the air...

We've got our last round of netball for the season today, with the semis starting next week {and we're in woo hooooooo!}. This afternoon we're doing the last of the unpacking, and moving our new {old} dining table into its correct place {why yes I do have an 1840 French Farmhouse table in my bedroom - don't you?}

I'm dead keen to get into the garden too: currently the irises are out, my rose sticks are shooting, and THIS is the year we're getting the veggie garden happening.

I think I need those floral wellies to help me garden don't you think?

flowers for friday

It's grey and drizzly here today, so I thought it only fitting that I should take us back to Paris to a gorgeous store we found in the Marais - Le Nom de la Rose. Just roses, in all their guises. Sweetly scented and oh-so-pretty. Go on, take a deep breath - can't you just smell the perfume?

happy birthday to...

Me!

I'm not one of those people to meekly keep quiet about my birthday, oh no, I'll shout it from the rooftop and my blog.

What's not to love about a day that's all about you, and filled with treats and love?

panic on the streets of london

This time last week we were on the London Eye, checking out that gorgeous city. Today the town's in turmoil. My heart and prayers are with all of those involved, and I hope that the violence is quelled soon and sanity is restored.

in the swing...

Okay, so I'm trying to get back into the swing of real life. Yesterday I flew to Melbourne for work for my first day back, which helped delay the inevitable - back-in-the-real-world-issues. And I'm still getting over my jetlag {I feel okay, I just wake ridiculously early!}. So today, rather than lying in bed fighting my early-wakening, I rose at 6.15am and went for a walk along the beach. Beautiful. The hot orange sun was rising over the water, perfectly-formed waves rolled in, surfers caught those perfectly-formed waves, and I walked off my jetlag, my stiff, travel-weary limbs and got myself ready for the day.

It's going to be a good week.

PS: Did you catch Mrs Woog and Eden on George Negus last night? Awesome and awe-inspiring. Love those gals.

image via housetohome.co.uk

Back to work

Back to work today, made much more bearable in my cute new London-bought shoes!

sunday suppers

Back home, back to reality. My gal and I woke at 4.30am, so we've been sitting on the couch watching Charlie and Lola and sipping a quiet cup of tea. I quite like this early morning waking scenario - I might just continue it after my jetlag is long gone...

Back to school tomorrow, so baking begins for school lunches. My gal's requested chorizo and potato tarts {easier than they sound - cut a piece of puff pastry in four, prick it, spread it with garlic olive oil and slices of potato that've been par boiled. Then add slices of chorizo, a little rosemary and bake in a hot oven for 10 minutes until golden. Sprinkle with a little sea salt and pop in the lunchbox.

Now, for the meals...

Sunday: I'm flying to Melbourne for a work thingy tonight. The gal and the hubby will have some soothing chicken noodle soup to ease them into the week.

Monday: Arriving home late from the airport - hubby and gal shall fend for themselves, let's hope I can find something suitable en-route.

Tuesday: Ballet again, and it's late. I think I'll cook up a roast chicken for dinner. With lots of greens in a salad. Sound okay?

Wednesday: Netball training - our last game before we play the semi-finals. Beef and cashew stirfry with noodles and lots of greens {sense a theme?}

Thursday: Oooh, it's my birthday! But as we seriously splurged on a 2 Michelin star meal in London {Marcus Wareing at The Berkeley - oh MY!} we probably won't be doing our usual Bistro Tartine birthday meal. So whatever my family cook up for me really...

Friday: BBQ steak, duck-fat potatoes and salad.

Saturday: Salmon on the bbq, with salad - lots of it.

And that'll do - a nice way to ease my way back into reality don't you think?

image: housetohome.co.uk - I think I need that Aga.

there's no place like home...

We're home again after the most exquisite holiday ever. Thank you so much for sharing it. I loved, loved, loved every single one of your comments - sorry I couldn't respond, but I found it difficult enough squishing in time for blogging.

I learned a lot from this holiday: things I plan on taking into my everyday life.

♥ I learned that beauty really is everywhere, if you're prepared to slow down, look out for it and appreciate it.

♥ I'm in love with the French idea of the midday siesta. Every day stores would close at 12 and reopen around 2pm so the French could slowly enjoy a leisurely lunch and a rest - ready to start again, all revived and fabulous.

♥ Simple foods can be perfect. A perfectly grilled steak, a small amount of fries, and a perfectly-dressed pile of salad leaves. Yum.

♥ Booking your airline flight through a travel agent can see you with an extra 10kg luggage allowance per person. Yep, we used every gram of it {one extra suitcase!}

♥ I can quite happily get by with a lot less: television, internet, stress, food - but can also happily get by with more: shoes, rosé, champagne and sunshine.

♥ Travel really does broaden your horizons - and can help you realise just how lucky you are to come home to such a beautiful place.

it's the little things

We visited the hilltop town of Menerbes two days ago. And no, we didn't try to track down Peter Mayle's house {author of A Year In Provence} although I totally understand why he settled there...

We wandered the laneways and came across this gorgeous little place l'atelier.

Oh my.

Inside were all manner of pretty things, two teeny tables and four chairs. And a menu.

We had to.

This is the pretty floral salad that accompanied our plates of meats: home-made duck rillettes, pate en croute, terrine and yummy french air-dried ham.

Was it followed by three scoops of home-made icecream, served in a pretty jar, topped with chantilly cream, flowers and thin slivers of toasted almonds? With raspberries, strawberries and delicate kisses of meringue? Why yes it was. Was it heaven on a spoon? OH YES IT WAS.

We did not walk out empty-handed. We bought gorgeous floral coffee bowls, ceramic spoons to match, a cast-iron trivet in the shape of a heart, a cute lil jug and a jar of homemade confit de rose petales {rose jelly!}. That's what holidays are for. Once in a lifetime experiences that seem made just for you.

gordes: provence

Another pretty provencal town full of gorgeous sights. 

Cuteness outside the café where we had a delicious lunch.

The view of Gourdes from afar. Breathtaking isn't it?

The church was just delightful. The exterior was very simple, but inside it was filled with delicate colours, gorgeous iconic statutory - and this pretty altar. The history, when you come from a new country like Australia, is awe-inspiring.

l'isle sur la sorgue

We've found a most magical place in Provence. Last night, for dinner, we checked out L'isle sur la Sorgue. Oh my. Gorgeous by day, at twilight it's sublime.

We found this menu - with three courses for 17 euros - no, not a misprint. We took a table by the canal and waited for our choices to arrive.

Goat cheese and fig paste wrapped in crispy pastry on a bed of salad with a balsamic and honey glaze. One of the best things I've ever eaten. Main was steak on a bed of fresh tagliatelle with a cream and peppercorn sauce. Delish - and gobbled up too quickly to photograph.

Chocolate fondant with crispy almonds and a salted caramel sauce - I know - STOP IT! And what if I said it tasted even better than it looked?

Strolling down here afterwards to walk off the three courses and 5 euro pitchet of rosé - sounds mighty fine to me. Look at that sky - no photoshopping here - it really was that incredible midnight blue.

Magical.

our new home in provence

Here are a few shots of the exterior of our new house in Provence - just a rental - we haven't bought it!

This is where we're staying this week, and yes, it's just as pretty inside as out. Think beams, stone walls, armoires and more. Interior shots to come - stay tuned.

abundance in provence

So much prettiness in Provence. Everywhere you look there's something else to delight your visual senses. I've been relatively restrained with my shopping - although open a bag, any bag, and you'll be assaulted with the sweet scent of lavender...

This busker got a lot of Euros from the kids. And he deserved it, playing with a cat draped over his shoulders. Bless.

I fell truly, madly, deeply in love with these massive sacs of herbs and spices. If it weren't our last day over in that side of provence I would have bought up big.

And oh, the deep purple provencal garlic. Love this stuff. I did bring a head over to this side of provence - and it came in very handy when cooking up some chicken on the bbq last night. We said farewell to our friends last night - and the boys came home in the RV after watching Cadel Evans take out the Tour de France. What an experience to actually be in the same country while this amazing sporting event took place - and as for my husband and his friends - to be within metres as an Aussie took the winner's jersey for the first time ever. They're still on a high. We might be paying off this holiday for some time, but oh, the memories are worth it.

We've now settled into our second house with our family: sister-in-law, brother-in-law and our two nieces. Our new house is gorgeous, with amazing gardens - pics to follow. We're having a lazy day today - after P and I dashed to the supermarché before the 12.30pm Sunday closing - nearly no dinner!

PS: I LOVE French Supermarkets. Wine for 3 to 5 euros - real champagne starting at 12 euros - and serious stuff like Veuve, Mumm, Pommery and Moet for the mid 20s... And I just discovered that the Aussie dollar is even stronger against the Euro than when we left. Best get spending...