slowly does it

You know what I love most about this whole cold weather scenario? Bringing out the slow cooker. This morning I chopped a few onions, a couple of potatoes and an orange capsicum, browned up a few chicken drumsticks and cut six thighs into bite-sized chunks and threw it all into the slow cooker with some coconut milk and a mild chicken curry slow cooker mix. Then I popped a layer of baking paper over the top {my slow cooker's huge, so I need the paper to keep in moisture and to let it bake more evenly} and seven hours later it smells divine.

So for dinner tonight all I'll need to do is throw a package of microwave basmati rice on and two minutes later a delicious and nutritious meal will be served.

Yesterday, after a rapturous phone call from my friend G, I hunted down the new Woman's Weekly slow cooker book. No, it's okay, I'll wait her while you go by it because it's a seriously damned good recipe book. Now you know me, I like to wing it and make things up but a slow cooker is a contrary soul - it's likes very, very specific recipes and if you don't follow recipes and ratios you end up with very bad things at the end of the day.

I want to try almost every single recipe in my new book - starting at the soups and finishing with chocolate puddings - eating everything in between. For $12 it's a rather lovely investment in my winter nourishment...

blast and damnation

You know how horrid and frustrating it is when you suddenly lose a follower? {As I did today - gained one "Hi Ben" and lost one "Bye-bye errant friend..."} Well, I reckon I've discovered something worse - being dropped off someone's blog-love-roll. However, I think I know how this happens.

See, the person {let's say their name's PinkPatentMaryJanes} decides to add some new blogs to her roll, ones she's been following and loves. So, it takes her heaps of time to track them down, add the urls, you know the drill. Anyway, so she does so and is very happy and trots off only to come back later and find many of her faves had dropped off.

Ahem.

So I've just spent yonks trying to reinstate everyone but if you were here - and now you're not - it's not because I don't love you. I've just lost you temporarily. Let me know and I'll put you back on.

easter bunny ideas

I know that the Hot Cross Buns have been in-store since Boxing Day, but I'm starting to plan my easter treats for the kiddies in the family. I've already bought little lactose-free easter bunnies for my dairy-free-niece and now I just need to find suitable treats to post OS to the England-based nieces. I think packaging them in cute little baggies such as these found over at Martha Stewart could be the secret to success. I might try for something pretty such as unusual lollies this year. Last year I gave the girls pastel easter-themed cookie cutters and wrote out two recipes for sugar cookies {one chocolate, one vanilla}. Sweet - but without the chocolate overload!

cult of celebrity

You know one of the things I liked best about the Oscars? The fact that it's filled with real celebrities - people who are famous for a reason. When I was growing up people had a reason for appearing on the covers of magazines - because they had a talent which made them famous. David Cassidy - star of The Partridge Family and singer. Easy. Celebrity.

But now, now we have Kardassians who are now famous because they have their own reality show, but they only got that reality show because of Kim's, um, xxx-capades. And Lara Bingle, why is someone who had a line in a tourist campaign being presented as Aussie's-own royalty? I care not one naught for her or her cricket-playing beau. Yes, what happened to her recently is pretty damned awful, but, well, maybe it's karmic... Tragically I reckon it'll just serve to make her more famous so that maybe she'll soon have Day-Of-The-Week Astin Martins. If she gets a television series out of this I'm seriously ditching the plasma.

I don't want to celebrate Reality Stars - I want real stars. And while we're at it bring back the HUGE, all-colour, life-sized posters. Bless - how cute were the 70s?

afternoon delights

I think I'm suffering a little post-Oscars-funk today. I'm still excited that a female director took out the Best Director category for the first time ever on International Women's Day {go girl power!} and the Oscar-wrap-up over at Lainey Gossip was superb. But I think that the fact that the Award Season has wrapped for another year is indicative of how quickly time is zooming by.

It's the final week of Celebrity MasterChef on Lifestyle Food, and oh, I'm utterly addicted. The final three are all mighty talented chefs but my fave is just a creative freak {meaning freak in a good way of course}. Last night they created a high tea at a Michelin Starred London restaurant and then afterwards were required to be inspired and create a trio of desserts.

My fave, Steve, created a plate inspired by childhood lolly shop favourites - including a pepper sherbet served in a torn brown paper bag. Raspberry lollypops on Vanilla pod sticks, wine jellys {including a basil jelly that had the judges in raptures} and an amazing banana marshmallow creation highlighted his inventiveness, playfulness and extraordinary grasp of culinary creativeness. While I'm happy for any of the three to win, I'm hoping that this exceptional talent prevails. And that he opens a restaurant in time for me to visit next year!

frock treatment

C'mon, who doesn't love Colin?
Cameron has for once, totally and utterly nailed it. The frock, the hair, the make-up - she's the total package and probably wins my best-dressed-gal award.
My love for RDJ isn't a silent one, and when I saw him in this glorious bow tie I did little squealy jumps of joy. And his presentation with Tina Fey was a moment of serious brilliance.
As Gabourey said, if dresses are porn this one's the money shot. She looks fabulous and I am now more than a little in love with her.
I can't imagine ever choosing to put these colours together, but Rachel looks utterly enchanting in this. When I saw it on-screen my hand did one of those little flutterly gestures toward my throat. Yep, I love it that much.
Helen Mirren can you just stop with the always looking so damned freaking amazing. How perfect is this dress - and she's standing with Captain Von Trapp - dammit all.
Meryl Streep pops out of the red carpet in this spectacularly draped white number. Although is that purse eating her fingers? Late-breaking news - apparently Project Runway's Chris March designed Meryl's frock. LOVE!
Tina Fey's frock looked spectacular when she walked out on stage - here it looks more leapard-printesque than I would normally care for {unless your surname's Collins - then you have carte blanche to rock it roots to tips...}. Plus, she and RDJ provided one of my favourite moments on-stage {aside from Neil Patrick Harris and the Botox and Nicole pairing in the opening number - ha!}
Molly's just as pretty in purple as she was in pink proving my point that redheads and colour are two of the nicest kind. She also got rather teary in the John Hughes tribute - so we're practically twins {I sobbed - c'mon, Molly and Ferris!}

Blogger's not letting me write below Sandy - but I do love her. This dress was marvelously pretty under the stage lights and I love how she loves her husband, and he right back at her {obviously I've had to retrospectively edit this. I did love her gorgeous words to her husband - but him? Erk}.

red carpet pretty

Yes, I'm busy, but not to busy to check out red carpet looks. Obviously I'm still fond of the pale, blush pink shades... Have been checking out the fug girls live blogging and am v looking forward to Sandra Bullock {in a good way} and Diane Kruger {who apparently has had a 'Oh, honey, no moment}.

heavy petting

I look at these buttery soft shoes from Burberry Prorsum and I just want to stroke them from now till my dying days. Oh, so, silky smooth. I'm pretty sure that you'd feel like your feet were being enfolded in the caress of the most wispy cloud when stepping out in these.

I'm feeling very fashion after yesterday's Alice In Wonderland screening. At one stage my daughter leaned over to her bestie and stage-whispered about Alice "I just LOVE her clothes" and I nearly screamed out "OH MY GOD - ME TOO!" because they were just fabulous.

I've just finished out writing my to-do list and was wondering if I should put in sections for "breathe" and "sleep". Busy times at the moment - LOVE IT. Tonight's my netball team's semi final and if we win we have to play in the grand final immediately afterwards. Eek! Shan't be walking tomorrow I imagine. I'll just park myself in my chair and try to place everything I need within easy reach.

Enjoy your Monday - and let me know what you thought of Alice. Go on, go see it now!

loved it

So freakin' fantastic that I could just walk back in and see it again. Tim Burton's created a fantastical world and the characters were all so perfectly crafted it was an utter pleasure to view. I'm in love with Crispin Glover again - oh, I've missed him... Alan Rickman's voice, oh, does it get any sexier? Johnny - perfection. Anne, so glorious. Helena - just right for the role... Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum showcased Matt Lucas's talents in the most delightful way.

Funny, freaky and utterly fabulous - this film was totally worth waiting for.

nice nibbles

Hi, I'm back! We've had a busy weekend, filled with tasty treats - so I thought I'd share some of the recipes with you.

On friday we went to a friend's house so the girls could swim, and we could sip champagne. I wanted to take some nibblies, but my cupboard was nearly bare. However, scraping around can help devise the most delicious combinations. I did find a chorizo, a tin of chickpeas, a few french eshallots and a lime. So I sauteed the diced eshallots, then added diced chorizo and let it all brown. Next I drained a tin a chickpeas and added that to the pan. I let it all cook through, added salt and pepper and a squeeze of lime.

While this cooked, I threw a few pieces of pita bread onto an oven tray, drizzled them with olive oil and sprinkled salt flakes over the top.

I piled the chickpeas and chorizo into a bowl, cut the crispy pita bread into chards and it was rather yummy. In fact, my 10-year-old was its most devoted fan.

Last night I went to a fabulous dinner party and took along red wine and thyme caramelised shallot, goat cheese and walnut tarts. I sliced the shallots thinly {6 largish french shallots} and slowly cooked them in butter and olive oil till transluscent {15 mins...}. Then I poured in some red wine, added a few sprigs of thyme and a spoonful of brown sugar. 10 minutes later it was beautiful.

I bought little tart cases from The Essential Ingredient and placed a dollop of the shallots in the bottom. I topped this with a dollop of goat cheese and then placed a walnut half of top of this {I'd cooked the walnuts in a little butter, some dried thyme and a little salt and sugar}. These little bites were rather nice with Violette Cocktails and champagne...

And your weekend? How was it? Tell me all...

food mood

I'm really in the foodie mood at the moment. Dead-off eating mind, but really into looking at it. Since my migraine episode last week my appetite's gone off somewhere - not sure where - but I wish it'd come back. When it comes to choosing meals I just feel a bit, meh. Luckily tonight we're out to dinner. Hopefully some duck confit or pork belly will entice me and then ravish my tastebuds into a state of excitement again.

I'm also cooking up some canapes on the weekend for a dinner - and you know I love me some little food. I'm thinking caramelised shallot, goat cheese and walnut tarts will go down well. A nice, rich caramelised shallot with thyme and red wine, the perfect smooth goat cheese and a toasted walnut in a shortcrust case makes for the perfect mouthful don't you think?

My current televisual obsession is MasterChef: The Professionals. Oh, it's good. Last night's episode was brilliant. The two chefs each prepared two final dishes that had both dishes in raptures and I couldn't possibly work out how they'd choose between the two of them to make it through to the semis. They didn't - they both went through. Woo hoooo! Some of the flavour combinations I've been watching on these shows have come ever-so-close to kicking my appetite back into gear. {And got me craving peas - I know! - pea veloute... mmmmm}

So, happy Friday, hope you have something fabulous planned - or plan on doing absolutely nothing. Whatever it is, enjoy!

you had to be there

I found this over at icanhazcheezburger giggled, and had to share. Obviously a touching homage to one of my favourite cartoons...

bathing beauty

Le wow. Have you ever seen a more glorious bathtub - in a bathroom that's apparently the size of my house! I'm unable to wake up this morning. My eyes are refusing to stay open and my bed is calling my name. I think I'll shower and wash my hair - that always works. And maybe have another coffee. I have bucketloads of work to get through today - and those articles aren't going to write themselves {lazy}.

if they're good enough for coco

I would love a camellia hedge. Coco Chanel adored camellias - so, obviously, I have to follow in her utterly exquisite shoes. Unfortunately the damned things grow so slowly I'd be in my dotage before they stopped being flowers on sticks and became the dense beauty you see above you. They do say that good things are worth waiting for though...

love a list

This week I've been the Queen of Faff. I've had so much to do that I honestly couldn't work out where to start. I don't know if it's residual migraine hangover, but I've been seriously scatterbrained and that just won't do.

So this morning I sat down and typed up a to-do list, dyed my hair so my white roots sodded off, hung out the towels that had festered in the machine for a few days {after re-washing} and set to striking off things on the list.

And it's worked. So far I've got more done in the past few hours than I did in the last two days. I do love me a list...

red carpet countdown

It's nearly time for the holy grail of red carpet shenanigans - the Oscars. Be still, oh heart of mine. Please let there be fabulous on the day. With purple the colour de jour I'm expecting it to rein supreme, but for me, I'd love to see someone rocking this silver jersey Halston number. Allow your eyes to feast upon perfection.

I love jersey, and it's a fabric I never see enough of in the stalls. Maybe I need to ramp up my sewing skills this winter...

good shopping karma

You know my theory about good op-shopping don't you? The secret is to drop off bags of really good quality items to donate, wander around not looking for anything in particular, and, before you know it, something fabulous will appear.

I'd gone through my bookshelves and had three massive green bags filled with books. My first thought was to sell them at a second-hand book store {where I virtually exchange as I head out with almost as many as I've taken in} but then I realised that the Salvos could do with the money more than me.

So off I trotted, on a soggy monday afternoon, dropped off my books and proceeded to wander through and find gold.

See that pretty green and pink fabric up the top? That's a rather fabulous cotton bedspread that now resides on the daybed in our living room. Eventually the plan is to buy a new foam cushion for the coach and I'll ask my mum to cover it in this pretty floral. It's delicious and only cost $5.

The second is a beautiful white cushion cover, with the most perfect white cotton crochet edging. It set me back $1.

Finally we have a regular pillow case with the prettiest embroidery. I'm going to chop a little off the top to make a typical square cushion. 50 cents. Seriously.

My aim is to have a pile of pretty mis-matched pillows scattered on the daybed - and the only way to happen upon mis-matched is via chance. You can't go out shopping for it.

Now, I've still got a massive box or two of books here - including a couple of old Donna Hay cookbooks I no longer want. Surely they'll generate some lovely karma indeed!

let's blame the white rabbit...

So, I'm a day late posting my shoe of the week. Sorry! To make up for it will you accept my offering of these utterly exquisite Oscar de la Renta. For you.

on the shelf

Know what I need? Shelving. I've been dwelling on it for sometime now and think it's time to act. I'm going to file away some images of what I need then draw up some plans and then move into action. Don't you think that anything would be possible with a room like this one?

Mainly because of how perfect the leadlight window is in this picture. I adore leadlight and always gaze admiringly when I spy it in a home. My mum and step-dad create gorgeous leadlights - and have made some amazing pieces for the mudbrick home they're building. I think leadlight's just the most amazing way to sneak a little colour into a home - and let's face it, a little colour's always appreciated.

wet, wet, wet

Hi, sorry I'm late! I woke to a soggy morning after a torrential downpour last night and I've been on Canteen duty at school all morning. I had a deliciously lazy day yesterday where I did absolutely NOTHING. I even had an afternoon nap - bliss. So now I'm all recharged and ready for a productive week.

You?