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.

green with envy

I've been turning a fetching shade of green due to envy a bit lately. Reading my friend G's facebook status updates have me being infused with emerald as she's currently in Paris with her hubby enjoying champagne, culture and far too much fabulous food. Bliss.

These Alaia shoes are just the most glorious shade of green don't you think? And pretty too...

house p*rn

I'm pretty forgiving of a film if it offers something for me to sigh over - particularly house-po*n. Last night I finally got around to watching It's Complicated and realised that nearly every film that has a house I lust over has one thing in common Nancy Meyer. Seriously, check out this blog that has an extensive list of Nancy Meyer films and gorgeous interior images from them.

Obviously, number one in the House P*rn category has to be Something's Gotta Give - honestly, that kitchen!! It'd have to be one of the most googled kitchen's in history. But I didn't realise that Nancy had a hand in The Holiday, although looking at this gorgeous living room I should have realised. Do you know how much I now NEED this ottoman? Perfection.

PS: It's complicated was fun. I realised how much I do like Meryl Streep. And what I love about her is how amazingly sexy she is - honestly, that's one woman who just seems so damned confident in her skin. And there were plenty of giggles on offer to. And the house po*n, let's not forget the house p*rn {and in this case, bakery po*n, mmmmmmm}.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to ward off tons of google searches here looking for something inappropriate... * Ha - edited to, well, edit that word. Honestly people - nothing to see here, move along...

what a doll

If I were a movie star, or a rock star, and somebody told me they were making a doll version of me I'd squeee. Yep, I'd be damned excited. But what happens when you get that weird doll that looks nothing like you?

For example, you may be wondering why I've posted a pretty pic of Winona and this weird, ugly-looking man doll above. That's because the weird, ugly-looking man doll is meant to be Winona... Um, right. Sure, the doll has a waist, and boobs, but apart from that they've really just chucked on some kind of low-rent GI Joe head!

No squeee from Winona - probably just a squeal I'd imagine...

{To see some more hilarious dolls from the 90s go here. Go on...}

what do you like about your house?

Last night we had some lovely friends over to dinner. It was one of those perfect nights. Everyone was relaxed, happy and in holiday mode. We sat up in the pavillion while the kids swam, and then, once it was dark we moved down to have our dinner on the back veranda while the kids ate inside and watched a DVD. Then, at about 8.30 the kids asked if they could go for another swim and we said "Why not?" and turned on the pool lights, and moved back up to the pavillion.

Bliss.

That's the kind of night memories are made of. I love that we've managed to make so many lovely friends who are also raising such gorgeous children. Seriously good kids. The two boys happily played with my gal, which is great as they'll be spending a week together in Provence, and our other friends have the most gorgeous little girl who enchanted us all. You know those children that are just so sweet, lovely, funny and fabulous that you can't take your eyes off them? That was Miss R. My gal hasn't stopped raving about her - she really was utterly enchanting. And so happy! She didn't have her swimmers, but happily sat there watching the big kids swim with the most beautiful little smile playing about her lips.

Bless.

But on to the topic of this post. What I love about our house is that it makes nights like that possible. Where the kids can have fun, the adults know their safe, and that we have enough changes of scene to keep things interesting.

You've got to be happy with that.

PS: this shot is not my house - but don't you love that candelabra in the corner? Why waste a spot when you can make it pretty?

flowers for friday

How glorious are parrot tulips? Watching The Tourist the other night made me remember how much I adore this flower. It also made me realise that Venice is a spectacularly beautiful city that I really do need to visit again. Another realisation: Johnny Depp is not always hot {I know! Wash out my mouth!}. Finally, Angelina Jolie - really needs to eat something. She's always been uber-thin, but she was distractingly so in this film...

But anyway - tulips - pretty!