Ga ga for gumboots

So we all know I'm a little ga ga for gumboots at the moment.

Nearly choked on my green tea when I came across this fabulous Irish wedding with the bridesmaids in wellies!

Love it!

From here

Heavenly hydrangeas

My latest bunch from Granny's garden.

Totally gorge.

One day I will make the effort to arrange a stunning vignette to complement my pretty posies!

Couch time

My new housemate has moved in. Yay!

And I got rid of the club lounge suite. Yay!

But now I'm down to one couch. Boo!

And it's very 'cosy' with my new housemate. Boo!

This weekend, I'll be spending my time looking for a replacement couch. I already have a white three seater Ektorp from Ikea (SUCH a bargain and I still love it, all these months on - although fake tan does show up rather obviously!) so I just need a little two seater to sit in the bay window of my lounge room.

I love love love the couch above. The colour is sublime and the cushions look so deep that you'd struggle to bend your legs over the edge. I love that - always makes me feel like Alice in Wonderland in terribly oversized furniture!

Then there are stripes which hold such a soft spot with me. The single chair is also divine - I think a wingback would make a nice feature in front of my bookcase. And I just adore the mix of sripes and floral (well, it's not floral but I'm no design head and don't now how else to describe it!).

Anna's gorgeous find in New York is spot on. Gorgeous.

Okay, there's definitely a pink theme going on here. Not deliberate, I swear! Love the salmon pink of this couch. Looks uber comfy.

Here we go - something a bit different. Okay, it's still stripes, but navy this time. Love love love.

And I always come back to this Black & Spiro one. Hands down favey couch of all time.

So I've spotted a strawberry pink microfibre two seater that I really liked, and am sending in Dad to negotiate with price tomorrow. Hate that I'm a single gal on a budget. Why oh why can't I have a custom made couch made with my choice of heavenly fabric? Up-style it, as all you gurus would say.

The time will come, until then, thank goodness for hard-ball Dads and their bartering skills.

Here, here and here

Peachy heaven

My Granny and Grandpa have more peaches than they know what to do with at the moment. The birds love them and if you're not quick, they ruin the fruit before you have time to run out the back door. I've been eating peaches from dawn til dusk - with yoghurt for breakfast, in slices after lunch and with icecream at dinner time.

I was all peached out and needed to use up my umpteenth bucket before they went off - it would be such a waste!

Housesitting Mum and Dad's last weekend, I felt the urge to bake. Now, I'm no baker. I don't have it in me, there's a science to it, a real artform. And I don't have the gift, I'm afraid.

So I hunted for an easy recipe and found one that looked relatively simple. And it was.

So I tried to make them 'cafe' style with paper cases. Looking good in the oven.

And while they baked, our little dog Dougall kept me company.

I prepared for the afternoon snack with a fabulous Nespresso break . . .

And got a little bit excited when they came out looking like this. Yummo!

But what a disappointment! They were the most bland, boring, disappointing, waste of time muffins in the world. I don't know where I went wrong! I think it's Mum's electric oven - muffins and cakes just don't go crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle. They're all kind of blah and doughy and kind of rubbery. And no, I didn't overmix if that's what you're thinking!

So, I'm not even going to bother to share the recipe with you - it was just one I googled and found on taste.com.au which I normally love. But I figured I went to the effort of taking the pics so I might as well post them - as heartbreaking as it is to admit defeat!

Oh well, perhaps I'll stick with what I know best and steer clear of sweets in favour of awesome haloumi platters and fabulous salads.

It would be easier if it was 'What Kate Didn't Eat' . . . the list would be shorter

I get such a sense of patriotism when I find a blog that gets my heart racing and ticks all the right boxes. Maybe it was the big, fat, slab of red meat I saw above. No no, it was more than that . . .

So often in bloggy world I find myself consumed by international blogs - Scandinavian design blogs, French foodie blogs, American preppy blogs etc etc.

I mean, they're all fabulous, don't get me wrong - but I love some home grown talent promoting all that is great about this awesome country of ours.

My new blog love this week is 'What Katie Ate' and I have to admit, I actually have Sam's Table to thank for this introduction.

Katie is fabulous and is the perfect example of why I wish I could take better photos - it really makes a great blog a wonderful blog.

Enjoy xo

PS. Who's off to Orange with me? That place looks fab!

Me likey

You too should likey.

The fabulous Emma at White & Wander is hosting her first giveaway on her blog. Yippee!

The super talented stylist x design guru x event coordinator extraordinaire is one step closer to setting up shop with her Mama and has set up a Facebook page to keep us fans up to date with her latest ventures.

Check it out here and try your luck in her comp here.

Yay for my talented friends xo

Hoi hoi hoisin!

JB and I went to the opening of an art exhibition last week and were starved by the time we got home. The glass of rose at the opening probably exacerbated the issue!

Lucky for us, I'd planned a scrummy dinner that was both healthy and filling. I'm just sorry my photo doesn't do it justice!

Hoisin pork with watercress salad

250g pork fillet
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
cooking-oil spray
350g watercress, trimmed
1/2 cup coarsely topped fresh mint
1 small green apple, sliced thinly
1/2 small red onion, sliced thinly
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 tablespoon light soy sauce
2cm piece fresh ginger, grated (I use jar stuff - about 1/2 teaspoon)
1 fresh small red thai chilli, chopped finely (if you don't have any available, sweet chilli sauce works nearly as well)

**NB. I also added radishes because when I rang Mum from the supermarket in my lunch break to find out the ingredients, she swore black and blue radishes were in the salad. I didn't agree, but Mums are always right so obliged and got home to confirm I was right, but liked the colour combo so added them anyway. They're not offensive, don't add much, but good for colour and texture.

1. Spread pork with hoisin sauce. Spray medium frying pan with cooking oil; heat pan, cook pork (takes a lot longer than you think!). Cover pork; stand five minutes.
2. Meanwhile, combine watercress, mint, apple and onion in medium bowl.
3. Combine juice, soy sauce, ginger and chilli n small jug. Add to salad; toss to combine.
4. Serve salad topped with sliced pork.

Recipe from The Australian Women's Weekly 'The 21-Day Wonder Diet'. It's fabulous. You wouldn't even know you were on a diet. Yet to actually lose any weight on it though. Go figure.

Wet weather wary

I've said it before and I'll say it again.

I need to get me some wellies!

Off to Kangaroo Island today for the Coopers Kangaroo Island Cup. Fingers crossed the weather holds out and we have a gorgeous day on the rails . . . I haven't had time to get to the shops to invest in some boots and with Friday's races washed out, things aren't looking . . . well . . . dry!

My heart skipped a beat when I saw that Jigsaw now stocks Hunters in their Australian stores. Hellllooooo lover! Me thinks they'll be top of the birthday wish list this year.

Question is, which colour?

Pic from here

*** 10am update: Races called off due to wet weather. I'm starting to think I'm a bad luck charm! Hello lazy afternoon on the couch catching up on Foxtel trash ***

A Royal Affair

I am such a fan of the Royals.

Totally excited about the announcement of Wills and Kate's engagement last year.

And then on Valentine's Day there was the release of the bridal party. Devo not to be included - I mean, I am a professional bridesmaid after all and know all the tricks of the trade.

Katherine Heigl, eat your heart out!

Love that they have an official Facebook page. Gold. Have just 'liked' it. Look forward to my regular updates.

The big day's on my Mum's birthday this year. I plan on organising a positively regal party for her - complete with tiaras, Pimms and all things hoi hoi!

So jealous of Ace who'll be over there in the flesh. Send my best to Lizzie!

Pic from here

New blog love

So so so excited to find another foodie blog out there in cyberspace.

Sam's Table is fab!

Food. Family. Friends. That's pretty much my mantra too!

The fact that it's the handiwork of the brother of Anna Spiro and my favourite blog in the whole wide world, Absolutely Beautiful Things, makes it even more special.

Plus, my brother, too, is called Sam so there's a natural affiliation with it.

Can't wait to stay tuned and see what he's got in store.

Welcome Ruby May!

HOT OFF THE PRESS!

My beautiful niece, Little Miss Ruby May has arrived.

Heading to the hospital to visit her and my little bro and sister-in-law now.

Gush xo

All the single ladies!

Loved this on Prepfection on the big V Day.

Hear, hear I say!

From here

Twirl

Kate Spade.

Stunning as always.

Happy Valentine's Day xo

Vid from katespadenewyork youtube channel

The big wet

When I said that Melbourne was in lockdown with the four of us Adelaide chicklets in town last week, I didn't literally mean 'lockdown'.

Lockdown it was with flash flooding bringing the city to a halt on Friday night. We were enjoying pre-wedding drinks on the deck when all of a sudden, the heavens opened and we witnessed a downpour that I haven't seen in years.

Gutters overflowed, shopfronts were flooded, shoes were soaked - it was out of control!

Lucky for us we had a few drinks under our belt and made the most of the photo ops down on the street.

Just call me Gwynnie in Glee . . .

Fabulous with a Capital K

Bree and I stumbled across the most fabulous casual dining experience at Chadstone on the weekend.

As if Chadstone wasn't brilliant enough as it was!

I'm sure lots has been written about Capital Kitchen, just opposite Gap in the 'posh' end of the shopping centre, but I just have to give my two bobs' worth.

I loved it.

It was chic, it was fresh, innovative, delicious and classic.

It's a shame I didn't think to get my camera out earlier and have to guts to take some proper shots, but I adored my plate of salads (beetroot and bean, curried chicken and mango, Asian beef, and pumpkin and chickpea) and Bree's chicken Caesar burger was a big hit - great fries.

We were impressed with the self-serve tap water in cool jugs and the funky table centrepieces - loved our chillies.

How I'd LOVE to open up a place like this in the Rad - bar cross coffee shop cross patisserie cross homewares cross pantry extension. The fit out was sublime - yellow and white striped boxes and awesome coffee cups.

Their website is very disappointing so I hope they get their act together soon - it's not fair to be so far away and not able to indulge in my new crush!

Bree - set up the fold out bed, I'll be over again soon!

It's back!

If Farmer Kieran is anything to go by, I'm moving to Young!

Is anyone else completely smitten by this yummy young chap?

I'm open to set-ups!

Friends - should you know anyone in this boy's league, please, show them my way (but perhaps best to keep the blog a secret on the first date!)

Farmer Wants a Wife. Oh how I've missed you!

xo

Here

Proper dining

I can't remember the last time I ate dinner at the dining table. How tragic is that? I guess it's the joy of living on your own - you can blog, eat dinner and watch tv whilst painting your nails - and all of this from the comfort of your couch!

Having said all that, I do love a properly set table and fell head over heels in love with Emersonmade's personalised linen sets.

Settled on a pretty little set for Sal and Tim for their wedding on the weekend - stamped with S&T.

This, from their website:

Proper. This is how we like to set a table. You set a Proper Table and you take a seat and suddenly its a Special Occasion and it's really only Tuesday and it's just the familiar family mugs staring back at you, but Special Occasion it is! And let's face it: those are the special people, anyway. Your inner circle. In some cases, the only circle. That's right! Anyway, getting back to the point: you need some nice Linens to pluck off the plate, lay across your knees and punctuate the fact that this meal is starting and So Far, So Good!

Divine!

PS. Update - check out Miss Brown Button's summary of the fabulous wedding here

Pics from emersonmade.com

Yum yum dumplings

Happy Chinese New Year!

I think I'm a few days late on the old blog, but we managed to fit in some festivities during our Melbourne getaway.

Had lunch AND dinner at Shanghai Village on Thursday (with two different groups of people who assured me they were Melbourne's best dumplings). And how right they were - no complaints from me to head back there for dinner!

Lovely to catch up with the Melbourne crew when in town.

Especially nice to drink beer out of tea cups and wine glasses. Classy.

Oh to feel at home!

I'm baaaaack!

Slipped right into my usual Melbourne routine last weekend with the obligatory skinny flat white and citron tart at my home away from home, Laurent on Little Collins Street.

Lovely to catch up with the gorgeous Bree who's moved from steamy Darwin to the equally steamy Melbourne this week.

More pics of our fabulous girls' mini-break to come.

Note Bree's gorge Emersonmade flower brooch - someone got lucky on their birthday this year!

It's a beautiful night . . .

Melbourne is in lockdown - Pip, Emma, Kim and your's truly all in the one city celebrating the very special occasion of Sally and Tim's wedding this weekend!

White & Wander is event styling - can't WAIT to see what Emma has in mind.

I'd so love to dance down the aisle to this song - Glee cast and all!

Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall . . .

Remember this little cutie and her fabulous 1st birthday last year? How could you forget - the bird theme was divine and certainly raised the bar when it comes to kids' birthday parties!

Well, her darling Mum Kelly was at it again this year, working her magic on a red and green Humpty Dumpty themed partay for Zara's 2nd birthday.

What a spread! Even the adults were loving the sugar high by the end of the day!

Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall . . .

A delicious Bluebird Bakery (a Walker family favourite) cake that was decorated by Kelly and her lovely Mum.

Too good to eat . . . let's just say there was no putting Humpty back together again!

The guest of honour and her Mum.

Humpty biscuits!

Bree (in town for a few days before she moves to Melbourne) and I tucked in to the macarons like you wouldn't believe - stunning mint choc masterpieces from From Scratch at the Adelaide Showground Farmers Markets.



Loved the banana smoothies in the milk bottles, complete with gorgeous green and white striped paper straws.

And for the adults - bocconcini, tomato (homegrown thanks to Abby's fabulous veggie patch!) and basil salads with balsamic dressing. YUM!

Such a fun day! Well done to the Walker clan for putting together another fabulous event.

And thanks Rodda for keeping my glass topped up!

Watch out Nigella!

Snaps to the fabulous Emily who delivered her first ever dinner party on Sunday night.

She planned a three course menu, set the table with great style (using Vogue Living mags as placemats - divine!) and kept her cool despite the 43 degree heat!

Entree was a selection of three different pizzas - classic margherita; pumpkin, fetta, pinenuts and spinach; and lamb yiros with tzatziki and rocket.

Ah-mazing.

Then we were treated to Donna Hay's chicken, haloumi and lemon skewers with a yummy citrus cous cous salad and rocket, pear and parmesan salad.

Topped off with those gorgeous little gelati cones covered in chocolate - you know, those TINY ones that you don't even feel guilty for eating?!

Anyway, the skewers were a hit and definitely worth adding to the recipe bank.

Well done, Miss Em!

Chicken, Haloumi and Lemon Skewers

Serves 4

2 x 200g chicken breast fillets, trimmed and cut into pieces
500g haloumi, cut into pieces
¼ cup (60ml) lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped preserved lemon, flesh removed and rind rinsed (we just used normal lemon rind)
2 cloves garlic, crushed
sea salt and cracked black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil, extra
1 bunch oregano
pita bread. to serve
baby spinach leaves, to serve
lemon wedges, to serve

Place the chicken, haloumi, lemon juice, olive oil, preserved lemon, garlic, salt and pepper in a bowl and toss to combine. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Heat the extra oil in a large non-stick frying pan or barbecue hot plate over medium heat. Thread the chicken, haloumi and oregano onto skewers and cook for 2–3 minutes each side or until the chicken is cooked through. Serve with pita bread, baby spinach leaves and lemon wedges.

Belles of the Business

Stumbled across this gorgeous ad in Matchbook Mag last week and was completely taken by the charm of the bloke in the ad. The whole mood of the scene was just gorgeous and had me thinking "I'll have what they're having!"

So a bit of research let me to Southern Proper, a gorgeous American label that specialises in men's ties and bowties.

The gorgeous gals behind the scenes (or "Belles of the Business" as they like to call themselves!) are Emilie Henderson Howard and Reagan Hardy Howell - just their names alone are enough to inspire great style and class!

I loved their little bios and felt like I'd found my kindred spirits . . .

If women can be described without insult by a recipe, then Emmie has all the ingredients for a cool, glass of lemonade. Her style is classic and refreshing, with a touch of prim sweetness. Born and raised on a farm in Ripley, Tennessee, Emmie's demeanor is as soft and simple as the cotton she helped harvest during her childhood. Whether she's planting or politicking, Emmie casually flips her collars and delicately drapes her sweaters.

With a twist of pearls and a twang of spirit, Reagan is all sass and shag. Her eclectic wardrobe is silky and strawberry, with a little bit of posh tucked in the corners of her closet. Raised in Kinston, North Carolina, Reagan spent most of her time on the front porches of the Carolina Coast. Her graceful and extravagant style is best for walking after midnight, and if you meet her on the path, you realize she might still have a little sand in her too-high heels.

How divine!

Love a boy in a bow tie. And vests? Divine! They even have a collection dedicated entirely to Gingham! Hooray!

According to the girls . . .

Men of the south have always been noted for their distinguishable décor and dress. Their honey-soaked accents and captivating manners charm women from all parts of the world. However, it's the tradition of sophisticated and influential attire that completes their status as gentlemen; for field or fancy, men of the South are always well-dressed.

Aussie boys, take note!

Pics from matchbook and southern proper