what's cooking wednesday

Sorry, late again. Frantically busy - sorry! Here's what we're eating this week.

Tonight: it's my darling husband's birthday (bless) so we're off to our favourite French spot - Bistro Tartine. Apparently cassoulet is on the menu - and oh, this is cassoulet weather!

Thursday: We're trialling a new home-delivery service and have ordered barramundi as part of the deal. Let's have that with roasted potatoes, green beans and perhaps some roasted carrots too.

Friday: It's a friend's birthday so we're off to play laser tag {ha!} then we're going back to their place for curries and champagne {champagne goes with everything...}

Saturday: my vegetarian parents will be here for a week. Tonight I'll make a roasted red capsicum and potato tortilla and a big green salad.

Sunday: We'll find something fabbo at the farmer's markets - and someone else will cook as it's mother's day!

Monday: orichette pasta with roasted broccoli, pinenut and blue cheese.

Tuesday: Whatever my step-father cooks - I have French lessons to attend {and it'll be eight weeks till we fly out - mon dieu!}

You?

things that make you go squeeeeee

Quite possibly the most awesome delivery my postman has ever made.

Can you hear me squeeing from your house?

Yeah baby, I'm going to a performance at the Paris Opera House. I know, I'm jealous of me too...

oy tupperware

Pretty please bring out a pastel range again.

fiercly fabulous

Okay, lots and lots and lots and lots to do this week. Lots. So I need some shoes to stomp all over these pesky tasks. These Miu Miu will do {do}. Have a look at that leather will you? Strokeable, seriously strokeable {why yes, I am making up a helluva lot of words tonight aren't I?} Well, it's late, but there's no time for a post in the morning, and heaven forbid I should neglect our weekly spot of shoe candy. So here, from me, to you, enjoy x

no excuse for bad manners

I'm sure I'm not alone in thinking good manners are vital social lubrication. But I've realised today that there are two types of ill-mannered beings: those who are born into it {not taught good manners as a child} and those who grow into it. I met one of those who grew into it this morning.

As I was standing in line to buy milk at the service station the man in front of me was huffing, shuffling and generally having that air of very-important-person-with-very-important-things-to-do. When it was his turn he burst straight out with "You didn't give me my receipt. I need my receipt." Nice. So the girl asked him how much his petrol was, so she could go out the back and print it out - the registers only save two transactions in a row apparently. He huffed, he puffed, he flustered - and didn't say a word. So the girl asked him which bowser he was at. He huffed, he puffed, he blustered - and waved toward the company car out front.

She went out, printed out his receipt and handed it to him. He snatched it and walked out. No thank you - not a word. Just more huffing - he's-very-busy-and-important you see. Girl on checkout one turned to girl on checkout two and said "If he'd stopped talking on his phone for a second while I served him he might have noticed he didn't have a receipt."

How rude. Apparently he didn't pay the person serving him one ounce of respect. Didn't look her in the eye, say thank you {or even mouth thank you} or even nod his head. That's outrageous behaviour. Imagine what that would do to the self-esteem of the people working behind the counter. They're there, on a Sunday, working for your convenience and you don't even acknowledge it. That's just awful.

Manners cost nothing. Even if you are Very Important. Probably especially if you're very important.

stop it!

♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

oh bless

I make no secret of my love of the Beckhams. I love Posh, and after reading her biography fell for her even more. Combine that with her mini-documentary and cute comments on Twitter and I kid you not I will not hear a bad word against her. Love.

Love this look, that beautiful deep navy frock. And bless her socks will you look at those heels!

And Becks. Whew baby - that is one man who can carry off any look to perfection.

holy royal wedding batman

Now that's what I call a wedding frock. Absolutely flawless. And it was Sarah Burton for McQueen. Bliss. There is no detail that I'm not in love with - from the modestly pretty neckline, the row of covered buttons, the glorious weight of the fabric, the pretty bustle. Divine.

And the bouquet is just so pretty. Is it Lilly of the Valley do you think? Whatever, it's just lovely - a simple posy that doesn't overwhelm the outfit.

Oh, and the TREES in Westminster Abbey - I loved that. Now please, head over to GoFugYourself and immerse yourself in all their fabulous photos and usual genius commentary.

Sigh.

wedding fever

Now, of course my eyes will be keenly focussed on Kate - mainly to check out her frock {which, so far, on Twitter, has been confirmed as being made by one of six designers - fingers crossed its McQueen...}. But I'm sure I won't be alone in having one eye turned toward this one as he frocks up in a tux. Two of my fave gossip bloggers {Lainey and Michael K over at Dlisted} have the cutest and most apt names for my fave Prince - hot Prince Ginge or Hot Harry on a Horse.

Bring it.

{royal wedding-esque} flowers for friday

I hope Kate's carrying something fabulous like this down the aisle today! Hands up who's watching the Royal Wedding tonight? Hands up who's going to a party and frocking up to watch? Have fun, I'll raise a glass of my Royal Sapphire Martini {recipe a few posts below in case you missed it} to you all.

paris opera garnier

So, I'm doing my research for our trip to Paris in July when I thought I'd research tours of the Paris Opera House. I've seen it from the outside on previous trips, and thought that checking out the inside was a must this time. While on their website I thought I'd just see if there was anything playing while we were there. Oh yes there was. A ballet, Les enfants du paradise. So tickets were hastily bought and my husband, my gal and I are off to the Opera in Paris.

Considering that I like to frock up for the Sydney Opera House can you imagine the wardrobe dilemmas I'm having? At least the shoes are easy - my Manolos totally deserve an outing here.

I'm swooning at the thought already guys.

what's cooking wednesday

Back to school - woo hoooo!

Tonight my parents are popping in for a night on their way from Melbourne to Nimbin so I'll make up a big pot of pumpkin soup - served with crusty sourdough.

Thursday: Steak and salad.

Friday: Royal wedding party - we're taking red velvet cupcakes and making Royal Sapphire martinis.

Saturday: I'm catching up with friends for dinner.

Sunday: Roast chicken and vegies.

Monday: Crispy pancetta and spinach risotto.

Tuesday: Back to french lessons - lamb and bean casserole.

Enjoy your week.

a bun in the oven

My gal loves a finger bun - loves 'em. So when I heard that Baker's Delight were donating 100 per cent of the profits from the sales of their pink finger buns to raise funds for breast cancer - well, hello, time to buy up big. From tomorrow, for a whole week, pink buns will help fund the breast cancer network.

C'mon, pink's always tasty - why not get sweet for a good cause.

spotty shoes make me smile

I think it's been about 400 years since I've posted a pair of Marc Jacobs shoes - how remiss of me. So to make up for it, I present you not only with Marc Jacobs, not only wedges, not only t-bar but SPOTTY!

You're welcome.

hydrangea cupcakes

How clever and beautiful are these cupcakes? Check them out over here.

easter egg hunting

Happy Easter! We're off to the Hunter Valley Gardens this morning so our gal can do a spot more egg hunting. It's a glorious day today so quite the day to visit the gardens.

Hope the Easter Bunny brought you some yummy chocolate {luckily our Easter Bunny seems fond of Lindt easter chocolate - yum}. Enjoy x

come fly with me

Obviously I need no encouragement to fly to Paris, but for those who do, don't you think these fabulous posters by David Klein would help the travel bug hit hard? There's a gorgeous range of his work over at Flavorwire - check it out.

PS: my other faves are Los Vegas and Spain {ole!}

flowers for friday {night}

Whoops - late! But it's my third post for the day so surely I'm forgiven - and they're PEONIES. A pretty mixed pastel bunch of peonies no less.

Sigh, I need to move to a colder climate so I can grow these things...

sweetie, darling!

So apparently I'm also going to spend this Easter catching up on my blogging. But GUESS WHAT? There are going to be three new Ab Fab episodes hitting our screens. Lord knows when we'll get them in Aus, but they're on-screen in the US in their summer.

Anyone with friends at the ABC? Do some hassling will you?

Oh, and bring out the Bolly darling.

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?