i'm off to Duran Duran

Well I'm a bit excited about Duran Duran tonight. Have no idea what I'm wearing, and I'm leaving for Sydney in an hour...

Can't believe it's been almost 30 years since I saw them last {why yes I do feel positively ancient...}

Perhaps I should buy an album or two on iTunes to listen to on the way down.

Yes?

meal planning monday

Sorry I'm late, again. Goodness, where is time going? Busy week again, here's what's on the menu:

Tonight I was toired. So we had Mucho Nacho takeaway nachos. They were fine, not great, but fine.

Tuesday: I shall be at Duran Duran (hurrah) so hubby and daughter are possibly fending for themselves, or possibly not. My gal came home sick today and may not be recovered tomorrow. And hubby has a day of meetings, so my in-laws {bless them} may be coming down to help look after poor poorly miss.

Wednesday: I shall be out. Again. At a cocktail party for bloggers. I know, don't hate me. It's for work.

Thursday: Home again, finally. Best make salmon patties for my gal to make up for being away.

Friday: Goodness, I'm going out again. With my fab friend A to a French film. Shall have an early dinner of steak and salad I'd imagine.

Saturday: Um, going out. Again. With my husband this time to a fab friend's 40th.

Sunday: Hmmm, would you believe me if I said I'm going out again? Not sure really as I've tried to make a reservation at Subo for dinner for hubby and two of our fave friends. Will we get a reservation? We shall see...

Goodness, that is a big week isn't it. Think I'll need a bex and a lie down...

sweet, sweet saturday

Well hey, how's things? Is it as gloriously gorgeous a day in your neck of the woods as it is here? Oh my it's pretty in Merewether today. We started the day early with an umpiring clinic for the gals in my netball team, so I went along for support, and to learn a few things. Sitting outside while the gals played and umpired was a mighty fine start to the day let me tell you. 

This afternoon my hubby's painting the new gate on the side veranda that my step dad built - yay!

I'm catching up on washing, cleaning, shopping, tidying etc and then tonight we're off to my in-laws for dinner and a sleepover as hubby has an early morning Maitland ride tomorrow. While we're up there we'll drop into my favourite nursery, Heritage Gardens where I'd love to pick up something like the arrangement above for my front veranda - prettiness!

Enjoy your weekend x

oh provence

Sometimes, when things are stressed and frantic I like to stop and take a little holiday in my mind. Want to come with me? 

Today we're going to L'ilse sur la Sourgue in Provence. Well, why wouldn't you? See that sky? That's the exact shade at around 9.30pm. Isn't it just exquisite? No wonder so many artists were drawn to Provence, the colours are just like nothing you've ever seen. And look at all those restaurants - so fabulous. Also the scene of our cheapest and one of the best meals in provence - seventeen euros for three courses. I know - craziness isn't it? The French really know how to eat.

I think I need to go back again. For real.

so much awesome

Hubby and I went here for a date. Cute huh? How much do you love this wall of awesome? Must admit, I had most of these albums as a youngster...

Hubby ate this sandwich of awesome.

I ate this: hotdog of awesome. 

See that? That's exquisite caramelised onion and feta. 

I know!

Chips in wee spotty melamine latte cups? Oh, if you insist. Where is it?

Frankie's Place, Darby Street, Cooks Hill.

Awesome.

meal planning monday

Can't believe it's already the start of another week, another busy week... Here's what's happening and what we're eating:

Monday: I have some salmon that I couldn't be bothered cooking on Friday night. So we shall be eating it tonight. With a nice rocket and lemon salad.

Tuesday: Big ballet day for my gal. I'll make mexican for her - chicken burritos perhaps. With a fresh-corn salsa.

Wednesday: My gal's first official day of netball training. She'll be starvational afterwards. Best make Nigella's carbonara don't you think?

Thursday: I am off meeting a new pal for an $11 steak at a pub overseas {well, over river really - at Stockton}. Best leave hubby and gal some steak to cook up or they'll be jealous at missing out.

Friday: I'm off to celebrate a friend's birthday at Merewether Surf House. Might whip up a pizza first - always best to prepare for drinkies with pizza.

Saturday: My gal's a big fan of anything slow cooked with a wine sauce - if the weather's chilly I'll go for a beef in red wine casserole. Warmer days might call for chicken with 40 cloves of garlic.

Sunday: We went to a friends' for duck and champagne last sunday night so missed the lamb roast. I'll make it this week to make up.

What's on the menu in your neck of the woods?

sweet sunday

Hi, how's your weekend treating you? Mine? Great, thank you. Yesterday my gal went off with some pals to the local shopping centre {hello teenager-hood} so hubby and I got stuck into putting stuff into our new cupboards - we're nearly there...

Today it's gloriously sunny so I'm catching up on the washing. While my mum was here I didn't have to wash a thing as it's one of her fave things to do. So I was a little bit shocked at the state of our dirty clothes baskets {I had done towels two days ago - and clean sheet day isn't until tomorrow...} So one load's drying in the breeze and sunshine, and another's cleaning as we speak. Joy.

Tonight we're off to our friends for duck and champagne night. Normally whoever is the guest buys a dessert, but I had some pears I wanted to use so I'm 'cheating' and baking a pear and almond tart. The pastry's chilling in the fridge, and all I have to do is poach the pears and make an almond paste with almond meal and a few other bits and pieces and bake it. Tres Francais non?

Now, do you just love this window seat above? Every now and again I ponder one of these in the bay window in our bedroom. At the moment we have a 1920s french bistro setting there {tres jolie} but it tends to accumulate 'stuff'. I'm going to get in there now and clean it off and see how I go. Might also give the windows a bit of a polish when the sun goes away a little. Oooh, and pop some champagne in the fridge to take tonight. I'm thinking it's a Pommery kind of evening don't you?

cool thing

So, the other night I was here.

And when we left my friends pointed out this...

Why hasn't anyone told me this existed?

I do love a funky space and the Royal Exchange may well be one of Newcastle's most fabulous. We stood outside for a few minutes listening to an Irish singer performing in To Be Sure, To Be Sure. How fab!

i do love a classic

I love a classic film - for so many reasons. Primarily, the clothes. Would you look at this fabulous frock on Grace Kelly in Dial M For Murder. Divine. 

So, imagine my excitement when I found out Event Cinemas are doing Masters of Hollywood this year. Classic films prefaced by drinks and canapes. Hello! Next Wednesday is this very film in Newcastle - and I think I'd best attend.

Also on the list are many must-sees - including my beloved Cinema Paradiso. 

An excuse to frock up and hit the cinema? I barely need one - but this will do just nicely thank you very much indeed.

flowers for friday

I know I normally go for pastel and pretty, but when I saw these fleurs on a tweet from Leona Edmiston this morning, well, c'mon - who could resist? Aren't they magnificent! They remind me of the fabulous glitter roses I found in Tesco last year - roses are already so lush - I don't mind if they pump up the volume on the odd occasion. 

So, it's Friday hey? Wow. Where'd the week go? I had a fun night last night at the book launch for Two Feet Forward {blog post to come} at the ever-fabulous Greg & Audrey's Garage. So inspiring. Afterwards I caught up with two friends I haven't seen in forever over champagne and nibbles at Bar Petite - so fun.

We have little planned over the weekend - just lots of painting! And I'm taking to the gal to the local show for a squizz. We'll finish up our weekend with a duck and champagne night at our friends  {what? too much champagne? no such thing!}

Enjoy your day, hope you get to sprinkle a bit of technicolour wherever you go. 

kate spade polka dot nails

How utterly, utterly adorable are these Kate Spade polka dot fingernails? Complete with navy and white polka dot blouse and an Eiffel Tower brooch. Divine!

I think I need to channel something of this look tonight when I'm headed out to a book launch.

meal planning monday

Whew, what a week it's been. My mum and step-dad have blitzed this house - so many jobs done it's brilliant. {Photos this week - promise!} Plus, we've sold heaps of stuff on eBay which makes me very happy indeed. Not only did we make enough money to almost cover the costs of the two new wardobes {seriously!} we've also freed up heaps of space in the house. It's fabulous.

Tonight's the last night with my parents, I'm driving them to the airport tomorrow {:(} Last night I made home-made pasta with my "new" $4 pasta maker from the Salvos. Mum and I dropped off bags of stuff and I spied a cute little pale blue and stainless steel pasta machine. Bargain! We cooked up ricotta and herb ravioli with fresh pesto last night. Bliss.

So, this week:

Monday: Roasted thyme and garlic vegies with haloumi. Yum.

Tuesday: bbq salmon and ramen noodle salad.

Wednesday: Chicken and leek pies

Thursday: I'm off to a book launch at Greg & Audrey's Garage. Mexican for my gal and hubby.

Friday: Cassoulet. Yum.

Saturday: Oooh, St Pat's Day. Should do something with that shouldn't I? Irish Stew and Colcannon mash {stereotypical - but hey, I'm typing this up quickly in my lunchbreak!}

Sunday: Roast lamb and vegies.

Yep, that'll do me. You?

flowers for friday

Oh yay, it's friday! It's been a big, busy week. I have my parents up from Melbourne so we've been hang in out, my mum's been washing everything in sight and my stepdad's plumbed in the new fridge {I know have cold, filtered water in the door - and ICE!}, moved in all our new wardrobes and is making a gate in the side veranda to the veggie garden. Yay!

On Wednesday night I had the most fun night. Don't get jealous, but I went on a Newy/Central Coast bloggers meet. It was beyond fab. Honestly, bloggers are the best people. We're already excitedly planning our next catch-up and a Christmas Party! Woo hoo! I'm not going to name names {as I don't have all of them - and I don't want to leave anyone out} but I will say this - they were all just absolutely lovely. Laughing, chatting, eating tapas and drinking - what's better than that?

I love, love, LOVE catching up with people I've met on the internet. I'm never disappointed. From the fabulous bloggers I've met IRL to all the tweeps I've caught up with - they always live up to my expectations {and my expectations are always Sky High}.

I think there needs to be more of it - don't you? Tell me, when are you coming to Newcastle? We'll catch up then. x

my week with marilyn

Do you have a wee bit of a crush on Michelle Williams? Then don't see this movie otherwise your wee crush will turn into a hardcore obsession. Oh my, she is magnificent. I saw this last night with my mama and oh, what a film. It was a genuine delight. Michelle Williams plays Marilyn with all the nuances the character requires, but subtly, and magnificently.

I walked out on a cloud, wanting her eyebrows {look at 'em, aren't they stunning!} and at least one of her frocks. Fabulous supporting performances by Dame Judi Dench and Emma Watson being cute as a box of buttons round out the film. Oh, and the lead actor's freckled nose? Cute-as!

Loved.

meal planning monday

Oooh, really, it's monday night? Today's flown by! I have my vegetarian parents up this week, so there's a lot of vego meals on the menu. Here's what we're eating:

Monday: tonight we made home-made pizza. Fresh tomato and basil sauce, slices of pumpkin roasted with thyme, pine nuts, caramelised onion with a dash or raspberry vinegar to finish it off - and a little freshly grated cheddar over top. Yum.

Tuesday: Mum and I are off to an early movie to check out My Week With Marilyn. So we'll grab a late dinner on Darby Street. The rest of the family will have to fend for themselves. They might make pasta with fresh pesto - seriously, I have A LOT of basil in the garden.

Wednesday: I'm off to meet up with some Newy bloggers. Yay. There shall be tapas, double yay!

Thursday: Might have to make a spinach and feta pie with a carrot salad don't you think?

Friday: We're going out to dinner - a Vietnamese place that offers loads of vegetarian options.

Saturday: Picnic dinner while we watch Shakespeare in the Park. Nice. To eat? Lotsa cheeses, baguettes, salad and fruits. No wine :(

Sunday: Roasted vegies for the vegetarians, with haloumi. For the non-vegos I'll do some lamb on the bbq.

Monday: Last night for my parentals. I might make a chickpea curry and indian bread for dinner.

How about you? What's on your menu? Share?

flowers for friday

Don't pansies just have the prettiest lil faces?

the cutest thing you ever will see

My friend Kristin sent me this yesterday and I may have watched it, oh, about 10 times. I showed Miss A, my daughter who's also French-obsessed, and we may have sat on the couch last night - me on laptop, she on iPad, watching this over, and over again.

Be prepared to die from cuteness.

perfection

I am now officially in love with Kelly Osborne's lavender hair. And combined with that gorgeous soft lemon frock? Fabulous. Paired with the always-glorious Dita? Le sigh.

everything's better with a cape

Actually, the title of this post could technically be a lie as this dress was even more smokin' on stage without the cape - but damn, how cool would life be wearing a cape like this every day?

Whether you're living out superhero fantasies or princess dreams, cape are certainly the ideal accoutrement. Can't believe I neglected to post this yesterday. I broke into spontaneous applause when I saw it yesterday {alone, on the couch - hey, you'd do it too} and I tweeted joyously about it - but blog? I did not.

So here, I give you the cape, the frock, Tom Ford and Gwyneth - officially a match made in some kind of delicious sartorial heaven.

ps: check out the face of lady in the background with black bottom, sparkly silver top. Yep.

kate spade lippy

I do love Kate Spade, there's just something about her aesthete that makes me happy. And you know what'd make me really happy? This supercalifragilipstick {best. name. ever}

frocktastic oscars

I'm calling it: best Oscars frock show ever.

PS: Emma Stone presenting with Ben Stiller? Fabulous. Love her.

red carpet michelle williams - love

The best frocks always cause division and perhaps a wee bit of derision - but this, this I love. Can't imagine anyone else carrying it off - but oh, that colour, the frills, that wee little bow. Love. Apparently it's Louis Vuitton - well played.

So far, other looks I'm loving are Jessica Chastain, who went with black, heavily, heavily embroidered with gold, and Melissa McCarthy - in a frock that didn't play it safe.

George Clooney's gal Stacey Kiebler also wore a Marchesa frock that made my heart sing with it's colour and texture - liquid, molten gold.

meal planning monday

Okay, well, the gal's room is painted! Yep, two coats on the ceiling and cornices, two undercoats to hide the deep pink walls and then two coats of pretty pale blue {not too dissimilar to the chairs in this pic actually...} Now we've just got the tough bit - moving everything back in. Eek. We just moved all the heavy furniture to the middle of the room, and last night we pushed that back, but now we've got the whole bring everything else back in. Eep. At least it's looking pretty. Pics to come when complete.

This week here's the plan:
Monday: Something light. Like a maniac I cooked up beef bourgignon last night for dinner, as you do when you've been painting all weekend. Eedjit. So, tonight it's salmon on the bbq and salad.

Tuesday: There's a year 7 info night at our gal's school, and we both want to attend, so I'm asking my in-laws down to look after the gal while we go. Sure, she's probably old enough to stay on her own, but it'll be dark, let's not ask her to do that. For dinner? It'll be early, so something easy. Perhaps steak and salad.

Wednesday: Netball fitness training for my gal and her team. She'll be a hungry hippo afterwards. Best do her some pasta. Perhaps chicken bolognaise.

Thursday: Ballet - late. Caramelised pork loin, wilted asian greens and ramen noodles. Mmmmm.

Friday: Fish and chips, or thai takeaway, I'm going to be tired. I just know it.

Saturday: My mum and step-dad fly in from Melbourne for 10 days - yay! I'll make some roasted pumpkin and goat cheese quesadillas. {and chicken and cheese ones for my pumpkin-loathing child}

Sunday: Big bbq, with lots of roasted veggies for my vegetarian parents. And haloumi. Mmmmmm.

painting days

We've got a busy weekend planned - painting our gal's bedroom. Yes, high school means that the pretty pink primary school bedroom is out the window - and in with the Frenchy ice blue bedroom. Wish us luck...

wish i were in london...

How.

Good.

Would.

This.

Be?

And it's the day after my birthday!

oscars soiree anyone?

You know how I love an awards season - well, obviously the Elizabeth Taylor-esque jewel in the season is The Oscars. It's where the stylists save all the best frocks {what movies? It's totally about the frocks - and the odd tux...}

So guess how excited I was to see this clever idea - red carpet frocks on the big screen. Clever! Sadly I'll be working, but if it's on next year I think I'll grab a gang of gals and frock up.

Who's your prediction for best frock? I am DYING to see Michelle Williams, but am hoping there'll be some gasp-worthy-gorgeousness on display.

smart shoe storage

So, we've paid for the new wardrobe and it'll be delivered in about a week or so - squeeeee! Now, as I said, it's the perfect size for our bedroom wall - almost like it was made for it - but there's a gap of around 40cm. Which, is pretty perfect as there's a space of adjoining wall next to our door that's just crying out for something like this!

Picture rails for hanging your heels - hello - perfection.

meal planning monday

Wow, what a weekend. We did nothing - but everything. We've been slowly working our way through the house getting things organised. Cleaning out heaps of STUFF. For a while now we've been thinking of getting a built-in wardrobe in our bedroom. It's a massive room, and our 1920s wardrobe just isn't cutting it for storage space. But oh, the cost! See, I don't want melamine doors - I want real timber. And inside I don't want plastic - again, I want timber. And that's mighty expensive - like, a trip to Paris expensive. So hubby thought outside the square and went on ebay. Last night we won this massive wardrobe, complete with shoe racks and made from solid timber - for a song. Oh, a song. It's got incredible detailing on the doors so once we paint it, it'll look so gorgeous and French. V excited! Photos will come.

But enough about storage, let's discuss food.

Monday: My tarragon is currently in a war with mint to see who can take over the veggie garden {just quietly, I think mint'll win}. So I'm going to hack some off and make tarragon chicken for dinner tonight. Served with a creamy polenta and glazed carrots.

Tuesday: Netball general meeting tonight, so I'll prepare an early dinner of Spaghetti Bolognaise. It's also the gal's loooooooong ballet lesson - 5.15 to 7.15 - she'll need sustenance.

Wednesday: You know those lemongrass and garlic prawns I bought from Aussie Farmers last week? So good, so I bought some more. Served on a bed of sushi rice and accompanied by greens cooked in garlic, with some soy and almonds - yum.

Thursday: Leg of lamb with a lentil salad tonight I think.

Friday: We're off to dinner at the local bowling club with our group of friends from school. Kids and parents shall have a ball.

Saturday: Pork ribs on the bbq.

Sunday: Roast - probably chicken. Last night I didn't get organised enough to make a roast, instead we had homemade burgers made by the gal. She seasoned the patties liberally with herbs from the garden and they were DELISH.

Okay, and that's it for me. Oooh, except how cool would it be to own a polka dot Aga? Wouldn't cooking be an absolute joy?

i love tiffany

There's just something about that little blue box isn't there? Tiffany is a brand that I'll always adore. And now, guess what? They've added a new precious metal to their range - Rubedo {or, as I read on French Vogue Le nouveau métal précieux de Tiffany & Co.}

I adore rose gold. My wedding band's rose gold, and I think any special jewellery I've received since I was 18 is rose gold.

Hmmm, can you imagine the prettiness of popping open a Tiffany blue box to discover rose gold inside?

flowers for friday

I don't know about you - but this week I really NEED a riotous bunch of fabulous fleurs.

There, feel better already.

my week with marilyn

I am dead-keen to check out My Week With Marilyn. Love Michelle Williams - and cannot wait to see what she wears to the Oscars {10 days and counting - squeeeeeee}

I think a trip to the cinema's in order this weekend. Don't you?

favourite love story

I just LOVE a good love story. LOVE IT. Given a choice of movies I will always choose something that makes my heart sing. Now, I may have given you a bit of a hint with the image above - but oh, The Notebook. Yes please.

Others?

I do not think I've ever cried so much in a montage as I did in this one in Up. Damn, beautiful, and damn, sad. But lovely. Just lovely. {Oops, getting teary}

What? Shut up - I love this movie. "Whoopsie daisies". How cute is Hugh? Cute. But it's not just them I love - it's all the peripheral love stories. The man who carries his wife upstairs? Gorgeous. Kooky sister and kookier flatmate? Gorgeous.

A classic {and whoops, yes, Hugh Grant does seem to feature again...}

And so, so many more.

This is part of day 15 of the Love 29 Days challenge. Tell me, what's your fave love story?

wish I were here

Fabulous vintage painting on my bedroom wall. Ah, there's no place like Paris...

a day of love

Awww, Valentines Day - I do love a celebration that revolves around lovehearts and the colours red and pink. The Love 29 Days challenge denotes today as a day of love - and who am I to argue? I'll be diving into it by loving everything I do.

Have a happy, lovely day.

black, white and a hit of pink

Am LOVING Michelle Williams at the BAFTAs. She always rocks a classic look with an elfin twist. And those scarlet lips - oh my.

J'adore Tilda Swinton. This is as classic as I've ever seen her look - but she makes it work. Such a glorious shoulder line on this frock {is that a term? Should be}

Oh yes please Viola - this candy pink looks just fabulous on the red carpet - and on her.

And, of course, Mr Firth and his lovely wife Lydia. I do love a man in a good suit and I swear that this man wears a tux like no other.

Ah, award season - is there a better time of the year? I think not.

meal-planning monday

I've stocked up on my essentials now. Phew. So those pretty storage jars above are now filled with the requisite sugar, flour, coffee, pasta and tea. I feel better now. I also feel organised and ready for the week ahead. Here's what's happening:

Monday: my gal's home sick from school today. Poor little floss. I've got some chicken breast in the fridge, so I think I'll make chicken pies for dinner.

Tuesday: I know it's valentines day, but really, we don't do anything soppy to celebrate. Instead, we're having hubby's parents over for a sleepover. They've got a busy couple of days in Newcastle this week, so to save them driving back and forth I thought they should spend a night here in the guest room. I'll make shepherd's pie for dinner - easy, and it's my father-in-law's fave.

Wednesday: I bought some lemongrass and chilli prawns from Aussie Farmers this week. We'll have them with some asian greens and ramen noodles for dinner tonight.

Thursday: Ballet's back {well, officially it's back on Tuesday - but that was a busy day to describe} so we'll have pork sausages {again from Aussie Farmers} with mash, peas and crushed carrots.

Friday: I have a photo exhibition opening to attend {oooh la la}. One of the speakers from TEDxNewy, Conor Ashleigh, has an exhibition opening at the library and I'm keen to check out his work. He's a young lad who's intensely inspirational with a beautiful eye and a desire to tell stories that normally remain untold. Can't wait. We'll have homemade pizza either before, or after. I need to check twitter for opening times.

Saturday: I didn't get around to a bbq last weekend, so I'll do it this weekend. Steaks, bernaise, salad.

Sunday: We had a red wine and pepper marinated beef roast last week. This week it's back to roast chicken I think.

pantry essentials

We had flash flooding here yesterday afternoon. It was incredible. My daughter and her friend were on their way home from school on the bus and the sky looked a threatening shade of grey/green. I texted my gal to ask if she wanted me to pick her up from the bus stop and she said 'only if it's raining'. Two minutes later there was a crack of thunder, so I grabbed my keys and ran to the door.

By the time I reached the bus stop in the car two blocks later it started bucketing, and bucketing, and hailing! I couldn't see 30cm in front of me. Luckily the girls were waiting in the newsagent, nice and dry. By the time I picked them up and drove home I couldn't park the car - the roads had flooded knee deep with water and I couldn't park and open the doors, so we went to Coles and luckily the rains stopped.

But it got me worried as it rained heavily again in the night. I'm not ready for another flood {as if you're ever ready, but hear me out}. My pantry is bare. When we had the last flood I easily had enough food to last us for a week. This time, I'd be lucky to scrape up a meal. I need to do a real shop as I'm out of all the essentials: no cereal, no sugar, no flour, no pasta. I'm staple-free.

My gal loves baking, and I love that she can look up a recipe and whip up pretty much anything from the pantry. I always have a good array of baking ingredients. But now I'm out of caster sugar, out of vanilla paste and have no flour.

I need to get to the shops. Oh, and I also need a pretty piece of vintage lace to put up in my pantry window - prettiness!