in notting hill

Today we went to Notting Hill and strolled up Portabello Road. There may have been swooning at all the pretty coloured houses. Interspersed with the odd squeal.

Why can't we have pretty things like this in Australia? Can we make it a law that people have to paint their houses in pretty pastels?

Don't you feel sorry for the beige jobbies in the middle here? Sure, they're pretty in a jersey caramel way - but I prefer the bright sweeties on the edges. Even when the sky's grey they bring happiness!

Speaking of happiness, is this the cutest taxi you ever did see? It is isn't it? I need to adorn my car's bumper bar with flowers!

And this is the interior. I couldn't help thinking of my friends Alex and Alastair when I saw this!

At the end of our walk we sat down at a café for a coffee and a croissant and who should be behind us but Kirsty Allsopp! We love her! My husband had to take about 15 photos of our gal before he finally got a clearish shot of Kirsty with her fabulous frock and divine shoes.

What a day!

We're off to Paris tomorrow so we need to repack our bags, print out boarding passes etc and generally get orgainsed. I can't believe we've already had one week in London. It's flown by, but we've loved every second and packed a lot into it. Oh, and have boosted the British Economy tremendously. So now it's off to spend up big on euros in France for two weeks.

CAN.

Not.

WAIT!

flower power

Yesterday we went to two utterly gorgeous nurseries. The Medicine Garden in Cobham, and Petersham Nurseries, in, well, Petersham. Hello photogenic places.

Now, I may have had a Veruca Salt moment when I saw this "I want a vintage silver airstream café in my garden and I want one NOW!"

Have.

You.

Ever?

No. You haven't.

 The medicine garden is very pretty. And very zen.

Hello.

 And have you ever seen a cat choose a more perfect spot for a snooze? Her name's Fifi.

And here's Petersham Nurseries. It's just sublime. I'm not going to add words - who needs them? Just drool over the pics for a while.

I need all of this in my garden. ALL OF IT.

Today we're off to Notting Hill for a wander and a shop. It's a bit grey today, and we had rain overnight. But I shan't let that dampen my spirits. It's NOTTING HILL! We even watched the movie again before we left to get in the mood.

retail therapy

For, and this is no exaggeration, pretty much my whole life, I have been searching for the perfect sandal. And it has evaded me. For years they'd be too clunky, or too thong-like, or too black, white or natural leather coloured.

They were my nemesis.

Until I spied THESE!

LOOK - the perfect sandal. It's gold, silver, and a kinda antique silver, with a floral (padded!) innersole. And they're Hush Puppies aka the most comfortable shoes in the world.

I am so happy.

I couldn't resist this frock. So pretty - so soft. And, excuse me, but how PERFECTLY will it go with my new sandals (answer: perfectly).

And while we were in Carnaby Street, in London, we stumbled upon the Dr Martens store. Now, the day before my gal had spied a pair of pale pink Doc boots that she'd fallen in love with - and I'd seen these Mary Janes months ago online. My gal's heart was torn between pale pink and baby blue - but we went with the baby blue. I noticed that these had either the black bows OR white with black polka dots - how to decide? Luckily I didn't have to as my shoes came with BOTH!

ps: English lawn, with daisies - best photographic backdrop ever yes?

london love

Today we were total tourists and took an open top double decker bus around London. My word it's pretty. Everywhere you look is just something so bloody amazingly gorgeous.

Like Big Ben, peeping through a glorious canopy of trees.

Or this gigantic, random blue rooster outside the Gallery in Trafalgar Square. It makes a quirky addition to the massive lions that normally flank it. It's a work by Katharina Fritsch entitled Hahn/Cock. The ultramarine blue and the rooster are both symbols of France, defeated in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

Speaking of blue, man I love the colour of the blue on Tower Bridge. This is a shot I snapped off while we were riding over it. So pretty.

Why yes, here's Big Ben again. A clearer view this time. 

We also stopped off for a shop in Carnaby Street. Loving, loving, loving Shakespeare's pub at the end. My gal and I both stopped into the Dr Marten's shop and just couldn't help ourselves. I bought the black patent mary janes with the bows (!!!) I've been coveting. And my gal got a pair of baby blue boots with cream ribbons. So sweet.

We also had to check out Liberty London - in the most gloriously tudor building I've ever seen. PS: am in love with all the gloriously floral-laden hanging baskets in this city. They're a riot of colour and fabulousness.

Even cupcakes have an attitude in this neck of the woods!

Can you believe the weather we've brought to this country? Oh, btw, sorry that it's meant that Australia's weather is a bit crap in return.

Tomorrow's a bit of a rest day - particularly as yesterday also revolved around shopping - in Kingston (where I *may* have bought a frock and a perfect pair of silver and gold sandals with a floral innersole - Hush Puppies so VERY sensible).

summertime at sissinghurst

Today we visited Vita Sackville West's home - Sissinghurst. Oh my word - what a garden. I do love an historic home with a garden, and this is just one of the most magnificient. Look at these glorious towers which housed Vita's study. Can you imagine what one could get done with a room of one's own with such a magnificent view? Divine.

Probably the most famous of all the gardens at Sissinghurst is the white garden. Deservedly so. It's just so beautifully formed. Have a look at this glorious white poppy. Simply stunning.

 And here's the view of the white garden from the top of the tower - check out that flowering spectacular in the centre. So divine.

Every detail was picturesque - from the beautiful structures dotted around, to the ramshackle fences.

 Nothing is prettier than a rambling pink rose amidst red bricks. Nothing.

I loved wandering in Vita Sackville West's footsteps today - even if it was in inappropriate red wedges (and my red and white Leona frock - day 1, frock one). Tonight we're having Pimms in the garden (hello Athena, Cathy and Jayne!) with a bbq. Tomorrow we're off for a ramble and a picnic at Box Hill.

Day two and we seem to have escaped jetlag. Yesterday I had an hour and a half nap in the afternoon, and went to bed at the reasonably respectable hour of 9pm. It's now 6pm and we're all still soldiering on. But, must admit, I'm ready for my Pimms!

greetings from sunny london

Well hello! We've touched down in London after what felt like 9 million hours of travel. The weather's a glorious 24 degrees, strawberries look like this and are red the whole way through and we're starting off on five weeks of adventure.

I'm ridiculously excited.

I'm not sure what's in store for the weekend. Picnicing certainly. Wandering around nearby villages is a must. And many, many pics will be taken and much delicious fruit will be eaten. Seriously, this is like the fruit of my childhood - rich with scents, colour and taste.

Is it actually possible to eat too much fruit?

I shall report back later...

and so to bed

I like forward planning. When we return from our holiday we're planning on buying a new bed. Something a little like this (we don't do basic in our house). When we do, we can finally paint the wardrobe in our bedroom - it's fabulously ornate, a bit like this screen in the pic above, but currently just stained, darkish timber.

Perhaps the room should also be painted in a pale, ballerina pink. And yes, we do have plans for matte white floorboards.

Ahhh, perchance to dream.

* I should note, hubby's the one who found this bed. How lucky am I that we share the same taste?

when in paris...

Permit me to whet your appetite with some of what you'll be seeing on my blog over the next six weeks. (Yes, I know I'm only holidaying for five, but the next week will be the build up!) We caught up with our friends T, G and C (who we're holidaying with in Paris) on the weekend to plot out our must-see, must-dos for Paris. As my friend G works as a guide at an Art Gallery, obviously a guided tour of curated sections from The Louvre was a must. And, to follow, dinner here - at Café Marly.

How's that location?

There shall be a cocktail consumed right about here I'd imagine.

We're doing a few things I've always wanted to do - like lazily wander around the flea markets at St Ouen on the Sunday. We're also planning on having an early dinner one night, then climbing up the Eiffel Tower at night - before sitting at the Champagne Bar watching the night lights over Paris.

Hello.

We're managing to squish a fair bit of fabulous into one week, I think I'll even be cooking twice, which I should as we have a VERY large (by Parisian standards) kitchen. And, as G has offered to take both the teenagers to Eurodisney for us, the least I can offer her upon return is a chilled champagne and a Parisian dinner.

I'm doing my best not to explode with excitement before we leave.

meal planning monday

Guys, this is my last full-week at home before we head off overseas, and the housesitters come and look after m house. Eeep! I *think* we're organised. Ish. Well, our passports are up-to-date, we've booked all the accommodation and travel that we need and I've packed my bag! So here's what we'll be eating this week:

monday: I'm down in Sydney visiting friends, so I'll be home late-ish. Shall have makings for burritos available so hubby and daughter can prepare.

tuesday: last netball training for my gal before we head off. I'll make chicken breasts with a bourbon sauce on the grill and serve with a salad and fresh corn salsa.

wednesday: last netball training that I'll have with my 11-year-olds. I'll come home to bolognaise that I'll cook up in the slow cooker.

thursday: steak and vegies tonight.

friday: chicken with 40 cloves of garlic sounds like a nice friday night dinner don't you think?

saturday: I'm catching up with some twitter friends tonight. So we'll have fixings for pizza for the fam.

sunday: I'm off to see Henry Wagons with my music-loving buddies. I have no idea if dinner's included with the ticket, really should check that. But I'll make a roast beef dinner anyway.

Phew. That's it.

image: housetohome.co.uk

five weeks ten frocks

Okay, so my challenge, which I have chosen to accept, is to holiday in France and England for five weeks, with only 10 frocks. Here they are. They range from very casual (top left) down to very dressy (middle bottom). There are four wrap dresses, and most are jersey or t-shirt material (aside from my stretchy lace) - so easy to wash, stuff in a bag, and wear.

I'll be jazzing them up with different coloured beads and my shoes.

I'm also taking my padded hangers, two pairs of swimmers, five pairs of shoes and two cardis. Add in some undies and toiletries and I'm set to go.

Can I do it? I reckon I can.

Particularly as I have full intention of buying clothes when I'm over there.

Eleven more sleeps people!

looooooong weekend

Is there anything that brings more joy to a full-time worker's heart than a long weekend? Especially one without netball (as much as I love it). I'm looking forward to a bit of relaxing and a meander down to the Olive Tree Markets (where I am totally going to indulge in a Doughheads Maple Pig Doughnut - yep, maple syrup icing and bacon!). See that chair? I'm going to sit in it and read. Oh yes I am.

I'm also going to catch up with many friends (friday night, sunday morning, sunday afternoon, then monday) and hang out with my family. My bike will also get a workout.

And there will be holiday planning. Do you know, that this time, in a fortnight, I will be at Hong Kong airport en-route to London. EEP! We have a six hour stopover, so we've booked into a private lounge where I shall be enjoying a hot shower and the chance to change clothes and stretch my legs.

Bliss.

Hurrah for long weekends!

vintage tweed ride

Hey, remember last year I went on the Vintage Tweed Ride? And loved it? Well guess what? It's on AGAIN! Yes, Sunday June 22 in fact.

It starts at 10am in Islington Park and should be smashing (9am registration, 10am ride!)

Last year loads of people on vintage (or awesome) bikes, dressed up in tweed, vintage (or awesome) outfits and rode at a sedate pace along a rather fabulous bike path along Throsby Creek then along Honeysuckle before ending with a bbq and picnic at Nobbys.

This year there is MORE. There will be music! And refreshments available for sale from Maudie Mac's Travelling Tea House!!!! (Seriously, this deserves ALL THE EXCLAMS!)

It will be so so awesome.

Sadly I shan't be frocking up and flinging on my vintage red wool cape to participate (but don't cry for me, as I shall be in London at the time!)

Seriously, you should totally go to this if you have a bike.

Or if you're thinking about buying a bike you should totally buy a bike and go to this.

paris when it sizzles

Pretty soon I'm going to have to stop pinching myself that I'll be in Paris soon - probably when I'm actually IN Paris I'd imagine.

There will be drinks here: Au petit fer a cheval - with its long, curved zinc bar. And there'll be plenty of baguettes from boulongerie such as these. Oh my. I'm desperately trying to work out my must-sees, luckily, as it's our fourth trip we've already ticked off a few things in the past.

Another dinner in the Musee d'Orsay is a must. And a trip up the Eiffel Tower - however, we might do it at night this time. Perhaps having dinner up there?

Any must-sees in Paris you have for me?

meal planning monday

We have surprise visitors this week. My mum texted yesterday to say they'd like to stop off for a few days on their way back from their Kombi trek to Uluru. Of course, we jumped at the chance. So now I have to whip up a meal plan involving vegetarian dishes.

Onto it!

Monday: I have some lamb chops I didn't use the other night, but need to. So I'll coat them in chilli flakes and lemon zest and grill them on the bbq. I'll also make a potato and capsicum tortilla - with a green salad. Perfect.

Tuesday: We'll have mexican tonight. I have chicken breasts I need to use, so I'll flatten that, coat it with herbs and spices and grill. Then I'll whip up a spicy bean mix and lots of salad and we'll have those with tacos.

Wednesday: Purely vego tonight. I'll make a chickpea, pumpkin and potato curry with rice.

Thursday: quinoa and carrot fritters. I saw something like this made the other night on telly - how hard can it be? With green salad. And garlic aoli.

Friday: we should go to dinner somewhere. Probs Napoli Centrale Pizza.

Saturday: bbq.

Sunday: Roast dinner. Beef perhaps - with veg. I'm assuming our house guests will have toddled off by now.

image: housetohome.co.uk

meal planning monday

Goodness, Monday? Again? And (shhhhh, don't tell anyone) I think I missed last week. Despite desperate attempts, time isn't slowing down. So I guess I'd best just get over it. And plan some meals. Yes? Okay, this week:

Monday: this is probably the night of the week I have the most time to cook and serve up a meal - so I'll make paella. My gal finishes ballet at 7:15, so I'll have it on the table when she gets home.

Tuesday: I'm leading a workshop tonight, so I won't be home till around 8pm. Husband and child can cook up spaghetti bolognaise.

Wednesday: my 11 year old's netball training, so I'm home at 6:15pm. I ordered meats from Aussie Farmers Direct last week and this week and there's chicken burgers in the mix. Shall buy some breadrolls, whip up some guacamole, make a salsa and have mexican chicken burgers tonight.

Thursday: my gal and I are off to the theatre to see Romeo and Juliet with a bunch of my friends, and some of their kids too. FUN! We'll have an early dinner. I think I ordered lamb chops, so we'll have Nigella's Greek Lamb Chops tonight - with green salad.

Friday: hubby and I are off to Sydney to see one of my all-time-fave bands play at the Opera House - Pixies! So excited. We'll eat beforehand at the Opera Bar. My in-laws are coming to stay with my gal and feed her something scrummy.

Saturday: it's Sydney Writers Festival so I'll stay down in Sydney and see a few things, then catch up with friends for an early dinner before catching the train home.

Sunday: I ordered a chook - so we'll have roast chook for dinner! With all the vegie trimmings.

That's it. You?

image: housetohome.co.uk

38 days...

Oh my goodness, in just 38 days we're flying out for a five week holiday! Three weeks in England, a week in Paris and a week in The Lot in the South of France. The housesitters are booked, so are our flights, accommodation and a few other bits and pieces. Eeep! This lovely room above is our Paris apartment. We're staying in The Marais again this time. It's my favourite part of this beautiful city with just the right amount of bustle to make me feel we're really in Paris.

We're staying with good friends, whose daughter is the same age as our gal - they've been friends since pre-school - and have gone through all levels of schooling together. How cute is that! 

We're currently trying to book car hire, but we've decided to leave that up to our travel agent. As we're picking the car up in Paris, then driving down to The Lot, and dropping it at Bordeaux airport it's a little complex. Now, see this house? It's our place for a week in the lot.

This is the view over the town of Saint Cirq la Poppie.

 And yes, this is the view from the pool. I know. I am pinching myself too. 

We're keen to make this visit a mix of relaxation, and seeing as much as possible. Basing ourselves in the one spot for a week at a time means we can toddle off to various towns to check out their markets, have a spot of lunch, then come home for a bbq dinner with champagne poolside. (Well, not in Paris, but our apartment does have a terrace that overlooks a garden courtyard).

Squeeeee!