bite sized

I've tidied up the desktop on my computer today. I'm trying to make things a tad on the more organised side, and now, thanks to Gala Darling {www.galadarling.com}my desktop is not only super-organised - it's super-pretty too. Gala wrote about the most adorable desktop icons for Macs - and they're cupcakes! I know, dead-girly, but so am I. Looking over at the gorgeous little treats on my left - with all my documents that are "In Progress" designated by what looks suspiciously like a red velvet cupcake {with a cherry on top!} inspires me to work.

And I needed that today. After an evening of too much fun last night, with what are quite possibly the most hilarious people in Australia, I needed inspiration to propel me from the couch - or pool. Thankfully I was very restrained {for me} unlike some people... who stayed up till 4am... drinking red wine and port... you know who you are! So at least I'm just lethargic... not on the verge of death...

wonderful weekends

We've had a lazy morning today, but we're gearing up for a visit from friends, and dinner with more friends this evening. We're taking on the guest role tonight, so all I need to do is bring some wine and pudding. I was tossing up between trifle and the chocolate ice cream summer pudding - guess which won? Yes, couldn't help it, I had to go with ice cream studded with berries and shards of dark chocolate, encased in chocolate sponge. Yum.

The icecream's softening on the bench, so I'll put it together shortly. However, because there'll be  young 'uns sharing, I won't be swirling cassis through the mix - I'll sloosh in some Rose Syrup instead. Now that's even making me hungry... Off to make some roast beef and salad wraps for lunch. Enjoy your weekend. x

excess baggage

Oh boy, could I do with a good night's sleep. Insomnia's been my closest buddy for the last week again and while I've been doing a lot of lovely reading, I'd much prefer to be dozing. I'm not quite sure why my body seems to feel it's okay to be sleepy and dopey right up till bedtime until, shazam, I'm suddenly wide awake.

I've been doing all the right things, but obviously the one thing I can't do is get my darned brain to switch off. I think I'm going to try that old trick of keeping a notepad and pen by my bed so I can jot down any ideas or blog thoughts so they don't keep racing around my head, only to evaporate in the morning. 

Today's been spent tethered to the keyboard, so I'm looking forward to my evening walk. Since vowing to walk daily for 15 minutes I've found it ever-so-simple to get dressed and stride out the door. Most days I do only walk for 15 minutes, but one night it was so blissful I was out for nearly an hour. Obviously plenty of others agree as there were loads of people out walking, running, riding, scootering, swimming, surfing and kiteboarding at 7.15pm. 

I do have to admit that fulfilling a healthy new year's resolution is a helluva lot easier in Australia - where the warm weather beckons you to come outdoors. I'm also blessed to be living so close to such beautiful beaches - it's so soothing to walk by the shore. Walking really makes me feel thankful for what I have.

So even though today's grey, and a tad on the chilly side (well, it's under twenty degrees - chilly for an Aussie summer) I'm dead-keen to pop on my trainers and go for a walk. Perhaps it'll blow away my cobwebs and banish the bags from under my eyes.

happy feet

Whew, um, where did this week go? I can't believe it's Friday and I still hadn't graced you with a Shoe Of The Week. So here 'tis. It's a Miu Miu a name that makes me happy, and I must say, that this patent orange makes me smile. I'm also adoring on that wedge shape - and hello, peep toes? Gorgeosity. My Revlon Strawberry Electric toenails would love to pop out and say "Hey" in these.

the name game

Last night we went to dinner to a restaurant that had an appealing name - Meat & Wine Co. Simple, apt, adequately explains what to expect. Now, our friends who led us to this establishment suggested the ribs. No, not suggested, actively prodded us in the direction of the ribs, as apparently, this was one meat this restaurant did well. Of course, once the decision's made, that, yes, I'll have the ribs, comes the next conundrum - which ribs. Give me a choice between beef ribs and pork ribs and I'll find it difficult to decide, which of course this restaurant realised, hence the option of 1/2 beef, 1/2 pork. Perfect, sign me up.

Of course my sensible friend, who'd been before, opted purely for 1/2 beef - which when the massive platter was placed before her I realised meant "Half of the ribs that a cow owns," and, um, that's a lot. Now, a sensible person would expect that 1/2 beef, 1/2 pork would involve a half-size serving of each of these dishes. Sensibility didn't reign supreme in that kitchen.

Do you remember how at the end of every episode of The Flintstones, Fred's car nearly tips over at the drive-through thanks to his enormous plate of Brontosaurus Ribs? Yes, that'd be kind of indicative as to what was placed before me last night.

Don't worry, I soldiered on. Polished the bones clean before rolling home.

Bircher muesli and fruit salad for breakfast this morning...

love is

For your viewing pleasure, Mr Depp and Ms Paradis from the pages of French Glamour (doesn't that have a ring, French Glamour... sigh)

haberdashery dash

We don't have any haberdashery stores where I live - just Spotlight, the big fabric store. But I need me a little haberdashery store after watching my new fave show. You know Gok, from How To Look Better Naked? Well he's got a new show where he styles the bejeezus out of cheap clothes and makes them look kinda couture and utterly original. I was inspired to go out and buy dozens of teeny satin roses to sew around hems, until I realised that my sewing skills leave something to be desired. But all that's going to change this year - when I learn to sew properly (see earlier post This Year I Will...)

I'm giddily in love with Gok. He really has a passion for what he does - and I love how he's tracked down his fashion icons to interview about their style. Last night's ep had Geri Halliwell, but it's next week I'm hankering for - Joan Freakin' Collins. Loving her!

Last night also had an interview with the crazily kooky Roberto Cavalli (seriously, do all designers have to be a little nutso these days?). His house in Florence was insanely gorgeous, but he kind of lost me when he uttered one of my pet peeves. See, the girl interviewing him made the mistake of asking him what he thought of her frock and he replied "It's not really my style". Grrrr. Now, this is only minor, because she did actually ask, it wasn't an unsolicited "I don't like that" but still, surely you can always find something nice to say. 

I've never understood people who'll come into someone's home and comment about the walls, "Oh, it's a bit bright for me". Um, that's because it's not your home! Is it that these people have been whacked with the egocentric stick and believe that absolutely everything is about them? 

It's summed up best in The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when Frank N Furter asks Janet what he thinks about his creation Rocky. Her response? "I don't like men with too many muscles." To which Frank snarls, "I didn't make him for you!"

raising the bar

Isn't Paris just picture perfect? Here's a shot of my favourite bar, just around the corner from our apartment in The Marais. It was teeny tiny, with the most incredible zinc bar and has featured in many tales. There's just something about Paris that makes my heart swell and that calls me back. Maybe I should use this image as a screen saver to inspire me to work harder and faster to pay off the backyard renovation - and start saving for our next Parisian stay.

redecorating

You've probably noticed that I was bored with my old layout, so I'm trying this one out. The pink's probably a bit more lolly than I like, but I thought I'd ease us all into the change with the original blogger layout and then try tinkering with the colours. 

I also thought I'd pop on a few pics of stuff around my house - and didn't realise how much green I have in my house and wardrobe until I put them all together. I guess I spend so much time in my pretty blue study that I didn't realise that our bedroom, kitchen and living room are all painted in varying shades of a soothing verdant green - with plenty of pink accents.

ooh ah, just a little bit

Last year I wrote a story on the benefits of small bursts of exercise and have decided to make that my mantra this year. While we've long heard of the benefits of getting 30 - 45 minutes exercise three to five times a week, for most of us, that just seems impossible to squeeze into our busy days. That's why I've decided to go for a 15 minute walk every day. C'mon, 15 minutes is NOTHING, you're barely even leaving the house. It's easy peasy, so therefore, you'll do it. And once you've done that 15 minutes you'll get the benefits: a little cardio fitness, a little muscle tone, stress relief, a little vitamin D, mood elevation... and you'll want to do it again, and again.

The problem with most exercise programs is the huge amount of time we have to dedicate to them. There's the drive to the gym or park, finding somewhere to park the car, getting changed, then spending 45 minutes to an hour working out, then getting back in the car, then getting home, getting changed. Eeek. Most of the time it just seems too hard. That's why, this year, 15 minutes is my mantra. An easy, breezy walk down to the beach, along the shore, then home. That said, I'm also going to whip out my Pilates DVD, throw a yoga mat on the floor and strike a few poses, just once a week. Oh, and I do so want to box at the beach on Saturday mornings. Even though it's a 45 minute class, it's only a five minute walk to get there and I adore every second of it. 

I know that exercising makes me feel fabulous, so this year, I'm putting myself first and doing a little, more often.

acting out

From today I'm implementing a plan. I got up early and did a HUGE supermarket shop with ingredients for five different meals. Now, the plan is, that I'll cook those meals, using that exact food, and will only need to visit the butcher in a few days time for fresh meat stocks. Oh, and the fruit and veg store too. My intention is not to visit the supermarket for another full week - at least.

In the past, this hasn't worked. Mainly because I tend to cook to taste. I'll be in the mood for, say, lamb, and must-have lamb that night. My tastes are fickle, and variable, so hopefully I've got enough variety in my meal plan to last the week. There's sirloin steaks with bernaise sauce, home made oven-baked frites and a spinach and baby beet salad, chicken pad thai, organic beef burgers on buns with salad, haloumi and pancetta risotto and grown up mac and cheese (that's the new recipe I'm trying - with blue cheese, chorizo and roasted capsicum!)

I also stocked up on our new fave - mountain bread - the world's thinnest and most delish wraps. Our gal loves them rolled up with peanut butter or avocado, while we have them with salad and ham. They're so light they're barely there, but still fulfill that need for bread. Oh, and they make amazing pizza too.

lovin' oven

Actually, that title's somewhat misleading. As you know, I adore cooking shows - however, I often suffer from appliance envy. Copper saucepans? Oh I lust after. Vanilla Kitchen Aid mixer? Oh be still beating heart. Pots of fresh herbs on the windowsill? If only mine wouldn't cark it after a week. But nothing, oh nothing, turns me green quicker than the pristine, shiny ovens on cooking shows. With their gleaming silver racks, and sparkly glass windows they all look showroom fresh. And how? How I ask you?

See, I spent an hour this morning removing everything removable from my oven and scrubbing it in sudsy, scalding water. Then I sprayed my oven with my lovely, non-toxic cleaner, and scrubbed, and scrubbed, and scrubbed some more. It's cleaner, but it's lightyears away from showroom fresh. It's not because I neglect it either. I clean it pretty darned regularly, and have tried all manner of options - bi-carb soda and vinegar, enjo oven gloves, gumption... and so much elbow grease I should have the most toned biceps in town! 

Nope, it's a used oven, and maybe I just really need to get over it. Who needs a window you can see through anyway?

manic monday

Oh hi, sorry, I haven't forgotten you're here. It's been one of those days today. Productive, but kinda hectic. I've had my nose pressed firmly to the grindstone, or at least I've had my fingers tethered to the keyboard... I must say though, that my early preparation is paying off. Even when an editor emailed me this morning to ask if I could send in a story a week early, I wasn't fazed. With my new, super-dooper attitude to deadlines, and early preparation, I could say yes, and have it to her before 3pm. Not bad huh!

Of course this sounds like bragging, because it is! However, as a former straggler, who procrastinated right up till the last second, it's refreshing being organised. Seriously, why hasn't anyone told me about this before? 

this year I will...

* Try out a new recipe each week

* Go to outdoor boxing early each Saturday morning - boxing and the beach are the perfect combo

* Concentrate on cleaning one room in my house each day

* Smile every hour

* Do Pilates once a week - it works for Dita Von Teese and Kate Winslet, so that's enough for me

* Ride my bike once a week

* Try something new at least once a month

* Dedicate fridays as Friendship Friday and call one friend on a Friday evening

* Seek out more freelance work

* Learn conversational French

* Listen to more music

* Read a wider range of authors (maybe even some men - oooooh)

* Plan more dates with my hubby

* Continue to declutter my home and mind

* Go for a walk every day - for at least 15 minutes

* Learn how to sew - properly!

* Work smarter

* Do something special with my daughter every day

green fingers

Wow, I feel like I haven't been in my front garden for months... probably because I haven't. We've been focussing all our attention on the backyard renovation and the poor front garden is starting to sulk. It's mid-summer here and we've had some wild weather. The last few days have been reasonably hot, and today is hot and windy, so I think that later on I'll be lavishing some care on my poor, neglected garden beds. The heat and overnight showers have ensured that many of my roses are covered in black spot, so that needs to be removed. Dead flowerheads need to be snipped off. Plus, there's a spot of weeding in one corner that really needs attending to. While I'm there I might also throw on some manure and give the garden a good soak - while talking soothingly to my plants to let them know I haven't completely forgotten them!

happiness list

Today I'm happy because...

* my daughter's party was a fun-filled success

* I gave nearly all the leftover cake to friends as they collected their children, so I didn't snack on it mindlessly all day

* I'm ahead in my work

* I've come up with a system to keep track of my invoices and income

* Aside from a crunchy and sticky kitchen floor, my house is relatively clean and tidy

* I just made myself a really nice cup of tea

* I've just washed my hair

* I'm listening to girls singing and giggling happily

* We're off to our good friends' house tonight for duck confit and champagne

* I can spy flowers from every window in my study - frangipani to the left, delicate bottle brush dead ahead.

* I am blessed with wonderful friends who make my heart sing

* I live just up the road from one of the most magnificent beaches and ocean baths this glorious country has to offer

* I have a husband and child I adore, and who love me back

* My toenails are a pretty vibrant shade of strawberry pink

* I'm reading a new book by Marlena de Blasi - That Summer in Sicily and she's taking me back to Italy with her enthusiasm and pretty words

* I'm inspired to try a new recipe each week, yep, you read that right, recipe - not just create a meal, but follow a plan

* I'm filled with optimism about 2009 and look forward to enjoying every moment, of every single day

* Comments from you always make me smile! xx

 

party pooped

Phew, the last of the parties over for a while. Oh, and the Rock Star Party? It rocked! Smiling girls left with exultations of  "Best Party Ever!" ringing in our ears. Nice.

I adore planning parties. And it all starts with setting the scene. An invite has to set expectations. Our Rock Star VIP Lanyards really did the trick. They invited the girls to Party Like a Rock Star and the rsvp asked them to call me to "get on the VIP list" which they were pretty chuffed about. We had silver 'tinsel curtains' hanging over the front door, and the entry to the living room, giving it a bit of a backstage vibe. Twenty pale blue and silver helium balloons dotted the living room ceiling. At the front door, posters were set up with a big gold star and ROCK STAR VIP ZONE to set the mood again, and we posted up a few "set lists" with a rundown of events.

First, we got the girls to come up with a band name - which were all impressive - then we had the Rock Star makeovers (suitable for nine-year-olds). We had a range of nail polishes (black, red, dark blue, purple, fluoro pink, yellow) and coloured hair sprays, lip gloss and a eye shadow to do a subtle cats eye. After the makeovers were complete we did a Rock Star photo shoot - with all 10 girls, then each with the birthday girl, then solo - which Matt downloaded and printed out for later - when they were decorating their Concert Posters.

Next up the Wii got a workout. We put on Disney Sing-It and the girls formed Duos to belt out a number or two. After that it was Munch Time at 6pm with homemade pizza, sausage rolls, party pies and surprisingly popular carrot sticks and cherry tomatoes! All swilled down with jugs of water or lemonade. More singing followed, and then posters were decorated before the Cake came out. And that was it. Undoubtedly the most simple and fun party ever. Nibbles on the table were limited to very popular watermelon wedges and a couple of bowls of chips, and much water was consumed.

My gal came in and gave me the world's biggest hug and thank you before bedtime - which really makes it all worthwhile.

salad days

While I love a good salad, I've never really made one - until yesterday. I made a vietnamese chicken salad and it was mighty fine. Just in case you're interested, this is how I did it.

I grabbed two chicken breasts, poached them for 10 minutes, cooled, then shredded them. The I finely sliced 1/4 head of chinese cabbage,  sliced two lebanese cucumbers into thin batons, grated two carrots, sliced two green onions, chopped 1/2 bunch each of mint and coriander and then threw in 1/2 cup of salted peanuts. I then mixed the chicken through and dressed it with a dressing made from 60ml rice wine vinegar, 60ml fish sauce, 1/3 cup fresh lime juice and three tablespoons of caster sugar combined with two finely sliced birds eye chillis. It was very refreshing and healthy. So I followed it with a trifle!

Poached nectarine and raspberry trifle.

I poached the halved nectarines (6) in a syrup made from water, a couple of tablespoons of caster sugar, a vanilla pod and a good sloosh of rose syrup for 10 minutes (turning over halfway through cooking). Then I layered the nectarines on top of broken sponge cake (which I bought, I'm not crazy) and spooned the syrup over to moisten the cake. Then I studded raspberries in between the nectarines. I then spooned a whole tub of brandy custard over the top, then added another layer of sponge - moistened with the last of the syrup. I sprinkled more rapsberries over top and whipped up some cream to which I added the beans from the vanilla pod. All the cream was smoothed over the top and it was refrigerated for a couple of hours. It tasted damned good. Oh, if I wasn't hungover of course I would have added alcohol to the mix!

new year, new shoe

I'm a day late posting my shoe of the week - sorry! New year's hangovers, spontaneous dinner parties and birthday party preparations all conspired against me yesterday. So today, in honour of my new 'working from home wardrobe' here are a pretty pair of pink, patent Miu Miu shoes to make your tootsies really smile.

party, party, party on

Wow, it's 2009 and the parties haven't stopped. We had friends for dinner last night, and I've got Nigella's sour cream chocolate cake bubbling away in the oven for my daughter's Rock Star party this afternoon. There's pizzas to be made (thanks for that Sara!), decorations to be hung (an abundance of pale blue and silver helium balloons), mess to be stashed and lolly bags to be stuffed. All by 5pm. Eeeeeeek!

Hope everyone had a truly fabulous new year. I'm looking forward to sharing so much with you in 2009. Lxx