pump up the volume

With another busy week on the horizon I thought these fully fierce Miu Miu pumps were just the thing to get off to a good start. Is there an outfit they wouldn't up the vamp factor in by about a million volts?

I have a very sore and sorry husband after he lugged tonnes of convict sandstone and soil around in the side yard over the weekend - but wow, you should see how it's looking. Still a work in progress, but aspects are looking fabulous. I'm also pretty chuffed with myself as I managed to vacuum and mop all the floors while husband and gal worked outside in the yard. So clean, so lovely...

Today I'm working this morning, then dashing out to Bibina - this massive food warehouse home of absolutely every foodstuff you can dream of. Last time I was there I bought Violette Syrup {$3 a bottle less than at Essential Ingredient}, violet food colour, murray river pink salt and a few other bibs and bobs. This time I'm going to venture into both the cheese room and the chocolate room. Yum.

Hope you enjoyed your weekend.

a gardener's life

Busy morning this morning. Netball game followed by lunch with my in-laws and now we're doing a spot of gardening. Darling husband is out shifting sandstone blocks in the side yard and I'm watering the trees in the backyard and then plan on getting a bit stinky by adding manure to the roses.

The day is utterly glorious - it's a shame not to enjoy it.

on a sunny saturday

It's a sunny winter's day here in Newcastle, chilly, but with enough warmth from the sun to allow it to feel pleasant. In two hours I'm being collected in a taxi by two fabulous friends and we're headed off to a bar on Newcastle's sparkly harbour foreshore. There, we'll catch up with a few more year 5 mums for cocktails and champagne before eating a meal and coming home. Sounds lovely doesn't it?

In case you're wondering why on earth I've included a picture of nailpolish here - it's because this is the exact colour that's going to be adorning my nails this afternoon. I'm also wearing a fiery red frock, so I'm obviously not in wallflower mode.

Hope you're enjoying your sunny saturday.

woo hoooo weekend!

Phew, a busy week shall be bookended by another busy weekend. I don't know about you, but long weekends tend to throw my working week into turmoil. I feel like I've been frantically chasing butterflies this week - so it's time to slow down. Soon.

This afternoon it's school report day. Can't wait to see what my gal's teacher has to share with us. Then we're going to dash off to Westfield {eek!} to buy a birthday present for the sleepover party my gal's attending tonight. I have to pick her up at 9am for a netball game - and then we've got another game on Sunday {no lolling around for breakfast in bed!}. My husband's parents are coming down to watch her play on Sunday and are then coming back here for brunch. Still haven't contemplated food options - should probably get onto that shouldn't I?

Saturday night we'll be watching Australia redeem themselves in the World Cup. We will, won't we? I'm also going out for 'mother's drinks' with some lovely lasses from school. Drinks in a harbourside bar sure sounds like a fine way to spend an early Saturday afternoon.

There'll also be the obligatory gardening and housecleaning. Sigh. Can't these things ever start to look after themselves?

How about you? Plans?

somebody who?

A few months back I blogged about how I made myself snap out of my "I should" phase and move into "I will". I've worked out I've got another pet peeve - the phrases "people should..." or "somebody should..."

You're only responsible for your own actions. If you see a dangerous piece of footpath, rather than muttering "somebody should fix this..." then you call the council and start the action yourself. See rubbish on the beach? Pick it up and put it in a bin. Of course people shouldn't litter, and yes, things should be maintained so they're not dangerous, but stuff happens.

I think it's dangerous to be a "people should..." person. All the anger and bitterness builds up inside so that even when "someone does" do something, you're too busy tutting and about-timing to take the time and appreciate it.

I don't want to be a "somebody should" person - I want to be an "I'll do it" person. Much better non?

wizarding wow

I think I need to step away from Twitter at the moment. See, I follow Lainey, from LaineyGossip and at the moment she's deep inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and every single tweet is turning me a deeper shade of green. Currently I'm such a dark shade of emerald that in certain light I appear black.

Check out her rundown here. And tell me, when are we going?

PS: This pic, with all the Weasleys in their titian-haired perfection? Making my life.

baked delight

As you have probably guessed, I'm a huge fan of cooking. There's nothing I like better than coming up with a delicious meal. What I'm particularly fond of is coming up with something creative. I can do this with savoury foods, but baked goods elude me. Probably because I don't have the background knowledge to help guide me. I have made pastry, but not often enough to be able to do so without a recipe. And there's no way I'd be game enough to experiment - it's just outside my comfort zone. So imagine my joy at finding someone who loves to experiment with baking. Now, first of all go here to see a creative baking genius at work.

Then, no matter where you live, make plans to come here to Newcastle and visit a few of the cafés clever enough to stock her creations {III Bean, Lotus and Suspension}. I had the sour cherry and pistachio tart today after my cassoulet at lunch {mmmm} and it was a revelation. The cassoulet was rich, sensuous and every mouthful was a delight - but I knew that if this tart was on offer I'd have to give it a go. I expected it to taste delicious but this went beyond delicious. It was the perfect balance of flavours and textures - and looked gorgeous. It's a very clever person who can balance flavours so well. I'm in love and think I may have to return for another bite tomorrow...

fashion jackpot

Apparently the entire contents of Isabella Blow's wardrobe, due for auction, have been snapped up by Daphne Guinness. Lucky gal - can you imagine the fun you'd have playing in that wardrobe? And ps: how amazing is this shot of Blow and Alexander McQueen by David LaChapelle - that dude sure can stage a shot.

sweet stuff

Sometimes life just seems to throw too much gristly stuff at us. It's hard to chew and doesn't taste too pleasant. When that happens, I reckon a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down. We all have different sugar that appeals. For me, today, it was as simple as hosing off the exterior of my study window. It's now lighter, brighter and makes everything seem a little bit more do-able.

Find your sugar and take a bite.

mag must have

How beautiful is the July 2010 Vogue starring Marion? Just so utterly exquisite...

tasty tuesday

Here's what we're eating this week:

Tonight: due to popular demand - beef stroganoff. Thank you MasterChef for putting the cravings deep inside our family's bellies.

Wednesday: we might be checking out Cassolet night at III Bean

Thursday: chorizo pasta bake with salad

Friday: home-made burgers

Saturday: Chicken Schnitzel with lemon baked potatoes and a green salad {my first ever schnitzel were a huge success - my gal's been asking for them every day since Saturday night. Recipe below...}

Sunday: Roast dinner

Monday: early game of netball - tuna chilli pasta sounds good

My first-ever chicken schnitzel. Now, this is a bit of a no-brainer - but the girls were so enthusiastic in their praise {niece apparently raved about it when she got home, husband also besotted} so I'll share. Cheap and easy.

Serves 4.

Two Lillydale freerange chicken breasts, or organic chicken breasts

Flour

Egg

Panko Breadcrumbs

Olive oil

Salt and pepper

Lemon

Cut the chicken breasts in halves through the middle from end-to-end then place between two sheets of clingfilm and bash with a meat mallet {or a rolling pin if you're like me and don't have a meat mallet. They'll look messy, but they'll taste great. I bashed mine out to around 1cm thick.}

Next, dip the chicken breasts in flour that's been seasoned with salt and pepper. Then pop them into beaten egg. Finally, press them into the panko crumbs - ensuring they're completely covered and that the crumbs stay in place.

Heat around 1cm of olive oil in a frypan and put two schnitzel in at a time. Cook till golden brown and then turn, cooking the other side. It should take around 4 minutes in total - and mine were completely cooked through. Check by cutting a little off a thick end and tasting - cook's prerogative. When done, pop them on a tray and place them in an oven to stay warm.

I served them with chunky potato and sweet potato chips - baked in a hot oven sprinkled with a little olive oil, chunks of lemon to squeeze over the top and a green salad.

please explain

Just how does Helen Mirren always manage to look so hot, elegant and yet still age appropriate?

shiny shiny

When it comes to fashion Cate the Great can do no wrong. Who else could pull off a plunging silver pantsuit? And c'mon - it's for the Tony Awards, talk about event-appropriate.

shoe business

I may have mentioned before that I don't do boots - haven't done them since my Doc Martins died a very slow and horrible death in my mid-twenties. Since then I've just been a shoe gal. However, if I could justify the expense, these would change my mind. Pretty! The zip, the ruching, the baby-soft leather - oh my!

Now, let's not discuss the Australia vs Germany match that I woke at 4.30am to watch with hubby. Man, I knew Germany would have to win, but c'mon - that was a shocker. And that red card for Tim Cahill? Poor poppet, his world cup dreams are now shattered that he's out for the next two matches. Boo hoo. Let's hope we can get back on track in six days time.

Long weekend Monday today and husbands playing in a golf comp, gal and I have just finished our omelettes and I have two articles due. I know - public holiday {generally speaking journalists don't really get public holidays - just a longer annual holiday}. They're virtually done, just need editing and tweaking so shouldn't take long. Gal's off for a playdate at 1pm and then I'm hoping to do a little in the garden. My darling husband spent ages yesterday dividing the irises and moving them to more suitable locations so now we have some plants to give to our friends whose garden just needs a few spots filled in.

Oh, and did I tell you about our delicious afternoon tea on Saturday {HUNGER SPOILER ALERT}. French cheese, blueberry cupcakes topped with whipped cream, raspberries and crushed meringues {just like Eton Mess - mmmmm} and a superb flourless chocolate cake served with mascapone that had an espresso shot and coffee liquer stirred through. Perfection.

Best get on with it. Tell me about your long weekend. I'm dying to hear about all the relaxation and quaffing that went on...

ma macarons

Well, here they are - our first attempt at macarons. Now, while they're not perfect {oven temperature too hot} they're glossy, chewy in the middle and damned delicious. Some have lemon curd filling and others have rose buttercream and we ended up just making rose flavoured macarons. We had fun and now we're looking forward to trying again next time in search of perfection!

cuteness incorporated

Isla Fisher is just utterly adorable. Last night, hubby was in the study plotting his world cup viewing so I thought I'd watch a wee bit of fluff. Luckily for me, for once Foxtel heeded my call and was screening Confessions of a Shopaholic. A fluffy film saved by the absolute delight that is Isla Fisher. It was a fine film, a few cute ideas, cute lead, cute clothes - but Isla's just mesmerising. So gorgeous, with that HAIR and with a delightful sense of comedic timing.

One day when I was lying on the couch with some illness or other I came across another of her films, one with Ryan Reynolds. And again, she was just so danged gorgeous in it. She's my new crush.

welcome weekend

Sleep-in: check. Leisurely coffee: check. Now, just have to wait for husband to awaken {he got up at 4am to watch a World Cup game} and get outside and garden. The sky's blue and there doesn't seem to be too much wind, so hopefully it'll be good gardening weather. We should fit in a chunk of work before going to afternoon tea and then we're picking up our niece so the gals can have a sleepover.

Oh, before I go, I must tell you about last night's dinner. The most tender scotch fillet steaks cooked meltingly medium rare, with a shallot and red wine jus and garlic mashed potatoes. But that's not the best bit - no, the best bit was that after I'd bought the steaks to room temperature I seasoned them with a little olive oil and then some thyme salt. Yep, thyme salt. I stripped the leaves off three sprigs of thyme and put them in the mortar and pestle with some pink murray river sea salt and ground till it became the most delicate green powder. I sprinkled it over the steaks, pushed it in and then cooked the steaks. Now, I'm not sure if they were just good steaks, or if this salt had special magical powers - but you could cut them with a butter knife they were so tender. Mmmmmm.

Tonight I've decided to attempt to make chicken schnitzel {yes, you read that right, I've never attempted it}. I'll make it with a similar crumbing to my panko/gremolata pork cutlets and serve it with chunky home-made chips and an iceberg lettuce. That cheese fondue on MasterChef last night has me feeling all retro... And as my niece is younger than my gal, and lactose intolerant, I reckon this'll be a child-pleasing meal that'll make everyone happy.

Enjoy your day x

blog redecoration

My blog make-over is well-overdue. Hope you like it! I think it's still pretty, and while it needs a tweek or two, I think it's kinda cute and classic.

long weekend woo hoo

I don't know about you, but I'm dead excited about this here long weekend. Three whole days with nothing to do. No netball so we can sleep in on Saturday. No plans so we can sleep in on Sunday. And no work or school so we can sleep in on Monday. See a theme here? Oh yes, there will be sleeping in!

There will also be gardening. Just a spot of weeding, some pruning and a lot of fertilising. All that rain's washed away all the nutrients in the soil and my leaves are all looking a wee bit on the yellow side. Luckily we've got bags of manure ready to lay down. Stinky, but essential.

My gal's also got a few playdates planned for the weekend, which will keep her entertained. And we will be making a date with Where the Wild Things Are on Foxtel at some stage over the weekend. We're also going around to visit some friends and check out their architect's ideas for their home and offer up a spot of garden advice. French cheese will be on offer which always makes me happy.

This weekend is also the time when I'm intending on making macarons. There's a few ingredients I need to track down, but surely I'll find them somewhere. I will be photographing and blogging.

Enjoy your long weekend. Hope it's filled with happy times and champagne x

floral fantasies

So far as I'm concerned there is no such thing as too much floral. Flowers make me happy. Inside and outside I need an abundance of blooms. So that's why I think that this weekend we need to make the trek to our favourite nursery in Maitland to buy some flowering plants to fill a couple of gaps in the garden. Or maybe the farmer's markets will be an option.

Now, quick question - how cold is it? Last night I returned home from netball training actually physically chilled to the bone. It took me ages to warm up - despite my home being nice and toasty. Winter's certainly burst into our lives with all the verve and vibrancy of Liza at a gay wedding.