happy easter

Oliver, the winner of the Easter Pets competition over at Martha Stewart would like to join me in wishing you a happy, happy easter. I know that I'm going to spend the next five days sleeping, resting and spending some time with my man and my gal.

You?

helen mirren: style guru

THIS!

This is why I love Helen Mirren. This woman defies any conservative conventions about how women should dress over 40. Honestly, if someone said to you "Yeah, an over 60-year-old can totally rock a leopard print maxi dress and a leather biker jacket!" you'd look at them like they were insane. And here she is, not just rocking the look, but totally and utterly owning it.

I don't know who her stylist is but they're some kind of genius. Which probably isn't too hard when you consider what they've got to work with. But I'm in love with so many aspects of this outfit - including the hair, the make-up and accessories.

No wonder Russell keeps on finding opportunities to snog her. Lord knows that given any kind of a chance I'd be doing the same.

LOVE!

nail file

Sure, my basket of nailpolishes might be seriously overflowing - but I'd make space for these. Sweet Peacock is my absolute favourite, but I'm also loving on Sea Girl and Lucky Duck {oh, and Fowl Play - which really only leaves the coral and the beige - which are also kinda fabulous...} I think I deserve these.

what's cooking wednesday

Do you have any idea how much I need a pale green, retro Smeg Fridge? A. Lot. Crazy beautiful. But I don't. I have a rather ordinary Fisher&Paykel, which does the job - just not very attractively. Sigh. But I have planned the next week's meals. That's good.

Wednesday: I have a hankering so deep, so wide and so strong for lamb shanks - so I'm going to make them.*

Thursday: I'm making pea and ham soup. I have yellow split peas and bacon bones. All I need now is the world's most amazing sourdough. Luckily I live not a five minute drive from Sourdough Baker in Newcastle. Mmmmm.

Friday: well, c'mon, it's got to be fish. I have bought the world's most enormous tin of tuna and shall be making spicy thai fish cakes. With some noodles strewn with vegies. And sweet chilli sauce. Oh yeah.

Saturday: Nigella makes this amazing lamb casserole with green beens. That's what I'll be making too - just need to find the recipe.

Sunday: Okay, today's the day we're going on an egg hunt at the Hunter Valley Gardens. I really should organise something for the slow cooker. Minestrone?

Monday: I didn't make the orichette with broccoli and anchovies last week - that's a crime. So I'd best make it tonight. And grate some lemon zest over it as penance.

Tuesday: Best give my husband a simple steak and vegie night. As you can see, I like my fancy schmancy and so does he, but he does crave a bit of simple. Best offer it up.

*Okay, the slow roasted lamb shanks with lentils recipe was so good, it deserves writing down. Coat frenched lamb shanks in a liberal dose of seasoned flour {plenty of salt and pepper}. Then, in a heavy bottom pan, brown them in a little olive oil. Really brown them. Next, add one litre of beef stock, 1 cup of red wine, one whole anchovy {trust: it'll melt}, two cloves of crushed garlic and three bay leaves. Add one cup of french lentils du puy. Add loads of freshly ground pepper. Stir and then bring to the boil. Cover tightly {I cooked this in my le crueset french oven} and pop in a low oven {140 celcius} for at least 3 hours. Serve with creamy french mash and green beans. So good. My husband said it's as good as duck confit and in my house there is no higher praise.

a royal sapphire

Hey, you know how I'm going to a Royal Wedding party at the end of the month? Well, I've created a cocktail in its honour. A Royal Sapphire. First of all I'll dip the martini glass in egg white and then put a sparkling rim of caster sugar around the edge {you know, like diamonds}. Then I'll combine this deep blue liqueur I saw the other day {deeper than curacao - not sure what it's called}, some Gin {probably Hendricks - that's royal}, a splash of lemon and top it up with champagne.

It's just like Kate's engagement ring! I KNOW!

Seriously, I should take a patent out on that - how freakin' awesome does it sound? Feel free to make one yourself. Cheers.

lessons learnt

Wow, this has been a big month on the learning scale. Now, allow me to tell you something. I'm not really one of those astrological people {if I was, hey, as a Leo would I really have married a Taurean? Probably not, but so far it's turned out pretty awesome!}. But, my point, and I do have one, is that there are two astrological events that I always listen out for: Saturn Return and Mercury Retrograde. When it's the Saturn Return period I'm extra, super-dooper careful around electrical appliance because if they're going to cark it - this is when. I lost a TV, a computer and a dishwasher in two days in one Saturn Return {bastard}.

The other phase is when Mercury is Retrograde. You know those arguments that go "That's not what I said!" - "Well it's what you meant!" {!!!!!} well I can pretty much guarantee you that they'll have taken place while Mercury is retrograde. See, Mercury rules communication - so when he's going backwards, well, strange things are afoot at the Circle K {see, I'll even thrown in an obscure Bill and Ted's reference - random}

So, if you've been feeling misunderstand, misrepresented and just plain misheard - come and stand in line behind me. If an argument starts brewing, bite your tongue and run in the opposite direction. And don't worry - it's nearly over. Phew.

take my breath away

Guys, seriously, I'm going to need to be hooked up to an oxygen tank soon - there are only so many breathtaking moments a gal can take...

I just love how these Valentino beauties look like you've stepped into a bridal bouquet - honestly, what are shoes for if not to be utterly fabulous? {What's that? Protection from the elements, warmth, decorum? Pshaw.}

I'm going to take this image and hold it to my heart all day - oh hell, all week. I need me some pretty.

hand-sewn book covers

Excuse me for a second while I fan myself - have you seen the hand-sewn covers of Penguin classics? Beautiful. Just so beautiful. Three classics: Emma, Black Beauty and The Secret Garden will be released with these gorgeous limited edition covers designed by artist Jillian Tamaki. They're released in the US in fall 2011, and I plan on being first in-line, on-line to buy one. Go here to find out more.

Oh, if I owned one of these beauties I would pet it, I would love it, I would name it George {wait, that could be confusing for Emma - let's just say there'll be a lot of petting and loving...}

I would, once again, like to thank The Fug Girls for bringing such fabulousness to my attention - seriously, is there anything they can't do?

sweet, sweet sunday

Hey, how's things? Grey? Drizzly? Sunny? Oh, I'm hoping you've got a sunny. It's very odd here - grey out the front and blue out the back. But I can't complain as I'm keen to get in and get the house in a bit of order - it's scaring me at the moment.

We're dropping the gal off for a few days at her grandparents' later this afternoon. She loves her holidays with her Nana and Pa. There's baking, pottering, playing cards and just generally reveling in their company. Gotta love that.

Enjoy your weekend x

flowers for friday

Some days you need more than just a bunch of flowers - you need a spread like this! How's this for an Easter table? I found it over at Martha and it's so pretty it's almost distracting me from a to-do list that's about 7km long. Almost.

Luckily my gal had a sleepover at our friends' last night, so she's entertained for the day. Leaving me to knuckle down and get onto it. And get onto it I shall.

a right royal wedding party

The only thing that gets me more excited than a party - is a theme party. Seriously, I LOVE THEM. So, imagine, if you will, the level of my excitedness when I received an invitation to a Royal Freakin' Wedding Party {um, the actual invitation may have left out the 'freakin' part}

So yes, there will be Pin The Ring on the Bride {not, the groom!}, and champagne glasses will be decorated with wee lil Kate and Wills teabag toppers, and yes, I make take along some treats inspired by the Hilton Park Lane Podium Restaurant Royal Wedding Sapphire Tea. How could you not?

Now, as you all know, I do like to match my nails to my drinks - or, more accurately, I like to contrast my nails with my drinks. Should I be drinking rosé then chances are that I'll be sporting pink nails. With champagne I like a rich Chanel red. Well, hello Kate and Wills nail decals - you are somewhat hilarious.

Dare I?

mais oui

I've been starting to get excited about our upcoming holiday - it's really coming upon us quickly. So can you imagine my excitement when I spied these two photos in my in-box this morning? It's the Mas, or farmhouse, that we're staying in for a week in Provence. I know - shut UP! Picture perfect non?

what's cooking wednesday

School holidays huh. Yep, again. Only consolation is that there's no rushing around to after-school activities to take into consideration when plotting the meals. So here's what we'll be noshing on this week:

Wednesday: chicken and lemon risotto. I'm going to poach some chicken breasts in herb-laden chicken stock and cut them into chunks. Then I'll use that stock to cook the risotto. I'll stir in the chunks of cooked chicken at the end, make a paste with an egg yolk, parmesan and lemon, and stir that in before serving. Hello.

Thursday: We're having friends over for 'duck night'. Duck confit, and I'm going to make a caramelised pear, potato and crispy pancetta to serve it with. I'll also do peas and lettuce cooked in chicken stock. Yum.

Friday: It's my father-in-law's birthday so we're headed up to Maitland to help celebrate.

Saturday: we're sleeping over at my in-laws then heading off to Hunter Valley Gardens to check out their easter options. Bless. We'll be home late so I'll just have a couple of steaks in the fridge and buy a baguette on the way home and serve up steak sandwiches.

Sunday: I haven't done a lamb roast for yonks. Best. Shall do my seven hour lamb - on the bed of lentils, with roasted carrots - purple and orange {my coles has the purple carrots - they are awesome. My gal took some to school in sticks for fruit break - big success!}

Monday: Orichette with broccoli, anchovies and crispy pancetta. Mmmmm.

Tuesday: No french lessons during holidays so I'll finally be able to watch Survivor live rather than sitting up till 1am watching the replay on Saturday nights {our DVD doesn't record HD programmes - that sucks}. I'll do a fish dish, with rice, and lotsa greens.

And that'll do.

the king and queen of camp

I desperately need to get myself to England at Panto time. Honestly, I think I would explode at the fabulousness that is Joan Collins and Julien Clary on stage beclothed in much feathers, fur and sequins.

Bless.

I found this on Julien Clary's twitter feed - which made me realise how much I miss him...

And Joan - bless her - would you have a look at how well she's carrying off wearing a gigantic fluffy animal on her head? Legend.

vive la france

Tonight's the end of the first term of my second year of French lessons. I'd love to say that I'm becoming more fluent in French, but, seriously, it's a damned difficult language to learn. And my brain is ridiculously resistant to learning new stuff.

But as tonight's the final night of the term we always have a wee party - with food, and champagne. Fingers crossed that the bubbles will loosen my tongue and help engage my brain!

i ♥ kate spade

There are some designers that I have an ineffable affection for. Kate Spade is one. I ♥ her so. Look at these pretty purple patent pumps - so pretty.

Love.

in short

I find the concept of formal shorts amusing.

However, these silk, Gucci harem shorts are HYSTERICAL.

So hysterical that they totally distracted me from finding my shoe of the week. Selfish.

an organised linen closet

This is not my linen closet - oh, but I wish it was. My linen closet is a black hole, a very large walk-in cupboard, probably the size of most house's second toilet - if not slightly bigger. It's got shelves around three sides that go way up to the ceiling - over 12 feet. Sound like a dream? Well welcome to my nightmare.

Of course the larger the linen closet, the more crap you store in it. Ideally it'd be stored in lovingly organised piles, tied with pretty ribbons if I had my way. But no, it's horrendous.

See, my linen closet gets a clean out three to four times per year: when the summer school uniforms are due, when the winter school uniforms are due, and when I need to find the Santa Sack for Christmas Eve.

Every. Single. Time I swear that "THIS IS IT" I am going to get that closet organised and sort things out. And I do. Currently I have lovely piles of pale bath towels, dark bath towels and beach towels. On the shelf above I have pillow slips, single sheets, double sheets and queen sheets. Then blankets. Sounds v Martha doesn't it? Well, sadly, that's where the organisation ends and the hell begins. Oh, no, hold on, I do also have the two shoeboxes - one with cards and one with gift-wrapping ribbon. That's good.

Now, for the bad. There are bags, and bags of clothes in there. Small bags. Bags with snow gear, bags with outgrown, sentimental clothing {I just found my gal's first pair of Mary Janes - bless!}, out-of-season clothing - and, apparently, out-of-season uniforms {and two limited edition Barbie dolls still in their boxes - I need a pool room for those...}

After two hours the floor of the closet's tidy. Picnic baskets and punch bowls on one side, overnight bags, three cricket bats {there were four, I whittled him down to four. How long since he's played cricket you ask? Well, let's put it this way, our daughter's never seen him play. Our 11 year old daughter...} camping chairs and sewing machines around the others. I've also dragged out bags of photos - now I have a scanner that's a new to-do task. I found heaps of stuff - just not my gal's winter uniform. Thankfully tonight's the first official night of the school holidays - and I've got two and a half weeks to pop on a miner's hat and find* the damned thing. Wish me luck - lots of it...

* Found it. In a bag, on a shelf with ALL the other bags of clothes. Right next to the door, in a bright red bag I'd obviously decided to overlook earlier. I know... Next stop, buying lots of clear plastic containers for the clothes. With labels. I know...

sweet, sweet sunday

Oh wow, it's one of those spectacular autumn days here today. Crisp morning, blue sky and a bit of heat in the afternoon. Parfait. I survived yesterday with my gal's solo trip with friends to the movies. She enjoyed it, although she had a 3D headache - seriously, what IS it with the fact that every damned kids' movie has to be in 3D - deserved or not. I can't bear it, they always give me a headache, and I hate sitting there with those glasses on waiting for one dodgy thing to come out the screen at me. Big whoop. {sorry, had an accidental rant there...}

Anyway, today we're off to the Farmer's Markets. My favourite baker in Newcastle, Alice from Baked Uprising, has a stall so I shall be stocking up. Yum. I also need gozleme for lunch - and some farm fresh fruit and veg.

Late yesterday afternoon I took off on a solo bike ride. It was nothing like my husband's lycra-clad 70km extravaganzas, nope, it was slow, meandering and just glorious. This afternoon I'll be taking the gal for a pedal around the streets of our suburb - and a few neighbouring ones. Only the tree-lined and gorgeous ones of course.

Hope you're enjoying your weekend. xx

sunny saturday!

Oh, there's a blue sky outside, birds are singing away and I've got a BIG day planned. Netball first, with two of my girls umpiring. Now, I don't know if you've ever been anywhere near a netball game, but let me tell you - there are times when umpires aren't treated with the utmost of respect. Mine will be. I'll be there, and my co-coach will be there, to make sure these 11-year-olds who are umpiring a game of 9-year-olds receive nothing but encouragement and respect from those on the court and the sideline. It's something I've drummed into my girls when I first started coaching - and should be the first thing ever coach insists on.

Then it's our second game of the season before the school holiday break {oh, school holidays... so long...}

This afternoon I'm attempting not to be a helicopter parent, and am letting my gal fly. She's off to see the new Justin B**ber movie with 15 girls from her school - and they're going in alone. Yep. I'm nervous, but the parents who are driving will be right beside the theatre, in a café - and there are a lot of responsible girls there - my own included. I think the only problem will be the assault to the ears of the patrons in the cinema when the Beebs walks on screen, cue to much squealing.

Wow, they grow up so fast. Parenting's such a fine balance of knowing when to hold them back, when to hold them, and when to let them go. Wish me luck - and remind me to breathe...