Pucker Up

I'm always on the hunt for clever ad campaigns and love what Burberry has done with Google recently.

Maybe it's because I'm a romantic at heart, or maybe it's because I'm a proud owner of a new Burberry trench (which I must add, I got dirty with makeup today - any tips for how to get it off the collar? Grrrr!)

Check this out . . .

Isn't it sweet?

You can read more about it on the Google Blog here or check out the Burberry Kisses website here.

Take charge

Like I needed any more justification to be a 'yes' girl . . .

From The Londoner, my new fave blog thanks to an introduction by Sally x

Off the shelf

One of the best bits about a holiday is choosing a book to get lost in.

I picked this one up because a) I liked the cover (shallow of me, I know) and b) I trusted the testimonials on the front and back (good use of the word 'feisty', Mia)

I'm LOVING it. I'm about halfway and have had really strong reactions to the choices of the main characters. It's really real and raw and I love the London element. 

Unfinished love is an interesting topic and I find myself getting really angry with the main characters.

The grass isn't always greener.

I love a book that can evoke so many strong emotions in a reader. Having said that, I'm nervous to find out what happens in the end.

I don't want it to finish! Oh well, there's always the excitement of discovering another great read.

Any suggestions?

*** Stop the press! I scheduled this post last week when I was about half way through the book. I've since finished it and am so disappointed, so angry about the ending. It was devastating, I feel so betrayed and let down! I feel so disillusioned, like all hope for happy endings has gone. A dear friend and I were talking about this the other night - are our expectations too high? Is the real world not all it's cracked up to be? Please don't let it be true! And don't read this book if you prefer to look at the world through rose coloured glasses - like me!

An old friend

I don't want them to end!

The London Olympics have been wonderful (I just wish the time zone had been friendlier!)

I've been a mess watching the Olympians run around my old home town - I seriously had tears in my eyes watching the marathon the other night. Oh the memories! I pity anyone who watched with me . . .

"That's where I used to catch the bus! There's my old workplace! If you turn left at that intersection, you'll head towards my old house! I've had lunch on those lawns!"

Annoying commentary, yes!

I love the fact we've excelled in sports that otherwise wouldn't get much coverage - the sailing has been fantastic, hasn't it!? I wonder how many enquiries the sailing clubs across the country have received in this last week? 

As much as I would've loved to have done well in swimming  (if not only to have seen James Magnussen smile his beautiful smile more often!), I've enjoyed cheering on our heroes in the lesser known sports such as the 10k swim (ew, not sure I'd want to swim in that lake but HELLO Ky Hurst!) and the 50k walk (wiggle those hips, why don't you!)

I would've loved to have camped on the couch to watch the Closing Ceremony but alas, I've got to work up a sweat of my own at bootcamp.

Can't wait to see the Spice Girls in full swing!

Pic

There she goes again

The Duchess of Cambridge.

Or just Kate.

She is a knock out, isn't she?

Never sets a foot wrong. And the Olympics are bringing out the best in her.

Classic, yet she puts her own mark on it. And doesn't she love the red, white and blue of the Union Jack! A great Ambassador for Team GB.

And it all started all those months ago in that dress . . .

Let the Games begin!

Fabulous even in a sports polo . . .

Pics here

Two ingredients

First there were those gorgeous Mumsy types who revolutionised a four ingredient recipe concept.

Now a two ingredient (well, food item) craze is taking over the world - and London is leading the cause.

At an event at the Art Gallery last week, Emma's sister was telling me about Burger and Lobster, a London restaurant that only serves, you guessed it, burgers and lobster. Sounds fabulous! 

It's in Mayfair in London which is very hoi hoi but I love that everyone's on the same level in the restaurant (if they can bear to wait for up to three hours for a table!) because everything on the menu is 20 pounds.

Another new one that is popping up is called bubbledogs - again, in London, posh Fitzrovia at that - set to open in late July this year. Suddenly it's become cool to blend daggy with high society. Imagine sipping on a decadent glass of champagne (real champagne, that is) and then wolfing down a hot dog! I love the idea!

And then there's Tramshed in East London

Tramshed, like the other two - focuses on two core menu options. As the picture suggests, chicken or beef.

Ahhh, a meat wholesaler's daughter's dream!

So it got me thinking, what two menu items would I offer in my own restaurant? Maybe beer and mussels? Or ribs and cider? Cheese and wine would always prove popular - especially in South Australia. 

Eggs would be versatile, but I'm not sure they're sexy enough. And what could go with them? Maybe pizza and pies as a fun combination. That would be a boy's dream!

No, I still haven't landed on that quirky success story that teeters on the edge of 'common' whilst somehow embracing an exclusivity like no other.

Any other suggestions?

Diamonds are a girl's best friend

Chin chin!

To say I'm excited about the Diamond Jubilee is the understatement of the year.

How I wish I was over there to be celebrating with the best of them!

I shall indulge in some Pimms in Her Majesty's honour. And maybe some cucumber sandwiches.

Tally ho!

Pic and interesting story about the Royal Mail stamp here

Birthday beers

Happy birthday Big John {aka Dad}

Can you believe this was us nearly seven years ago?

With The Ashes. Yep. Gush. One of the best days of my life.

Tour of Lords with Dad in the morning, High Tea at The Ritz with Mum in the afternoon.

What's even harder to believe is it's the big 6-0 next year, old man!

Suffice to say, you're a bit greyer (and dare I say portlier!) than you were in this pic!

xo

Dear Kate

The gorgeous Miss Kate turns 30 today.

Didn't she look elegant in her Alice Temperley gown on the red carpet last night at the premiere of Steven Spielberg's War Horse? I can't wait to see the movie, but fear it'll be another Marley & Me, Red Dog tearjerker.

Anyway, as my big 3-0 draws closer (17 months and counting), I thought this little article in The Telegraph was a lovely little reflection on what it means to enter your fourth decade.

"Dear Kate Middleton, the best is yet to come

As the Duchess of Cambridge turns 30, we ask 15 wise women for their advice to a girl embarking on that important fourth decade. (No pressure, then, Kate.)"

 

I love Jilly Cooper's flashback - only she who indulges in high society scandals in her fabulously decadent novels - could wish she'd 'gone to bed with half of London'!

Read the article here

. . . and then take a deep breath and realise everything will be okay.

Pic

What time is it?

Someone in the office just mentioned Pimms.

And now I have a sudden craving for the festive beverage in a tall glass filled with ice and lots of yummy garnish - especially cucumber.

Reminds me of Sunday afternoons at the pub in London.

And sun soaked days at the cricket.

Bottoms up!

When there's a Wills, there's a way

If I was in London this year, this is where I'd be doing my Christmas shopping.

Oh how I love a Jack Wills gift!

Made in Chelsea

I have a guilty pleasure to confess to.

I love Made in Chelsea.

It's a terrible new reality TV show on Foxtel, similar to The Hills, The City and dare I say . . . The Only Way is Essex.

But this is something different. It's so opulent, indulgent, excessive and over the top I'm mesmerised.

The girls are totally catty and boys have arrogance to boot. And the wealth . . . oh em gee.

Eton alumni Spencer Matthew is seriously bad news . . . but how could you say no!? Just look at him!

Read on . . .

It's time to peek behind the designer curtains of South West London and meet London's young socially elite, Made in Chelsea.

Yes, they're immaculately dressed; yes, they are fiercely ambitious; and of course they party hard. But beyond the posh accents, fast cars and polo parties, life isn't all champagne and canapés.

Doesn't it sound fabulous!? Yet completely ridiculous!

 

I'm especially taken by the show because Chelsea is one of my favourite places in the whole world. When I first landed in London seven years ago, I stayed with my friend Holly at the Chelsea Potter pub on the Kings Road for two weeks.

It was something else, walking through Sloane Square on the way to Harrod's, peering through the window of Tiffany's every day and growing accustomed to the gorgeous accents of the rich and famous.

Polo was Poh-loh and Ralph Lauren was what you wore when you felt like wearing your 'daggy clothes'

And thanks to Spencer, Caggie, Ollie et al, I can relive it every week - maybe even with a Pimms in hand!

Bill at his best

I've shared my love for Bill Granger way back when, and now that I've got Foxtel IQ at my disposal at my housesitting house, I'm free to indulge in all things Bill whenever I like!

Bill's Tasty Weekends is a gorgeous little show that is dear to my heart as it follows the Granger family's adventures in the UK.

Last week, he took his girls (don't you just love their names - Edie, Ines and Bunny) to the Isle of Wight where they stayed in the most gorgeous little cottage - The Lighthouse.

Makes me long for warmish beers, pasties and salty sea spray.

All aboard!

So excited to be hitting up some art tonight.

We're off to depARTure at the Art Gallery of South Australia.

The Saatchi Gallery is in town. Excited much?!

How cool does this sound . . .

"Get on board the London underground and get up close and personal with the hottest British contemporary art in the blockbuster exhibition Saatchi Gallery in Adelaide: British Art Now. Join co-curators Jane Messenger and Maria Zagala on guided tours through the biggest exhibition ever staged at the Gallery as they take the pulse on the ‘right now’ of contemporary art."

All this with some yummy snacks, interesting drinks and a very cool crowd . . . plus a virtual trip back to old London town. Oh how I miss thee!

Strawberries and cream

While most people think of legends like Roger Federer and Pete Sampras and home grown heroes like John Newcombe when they think of Wimbledon, I think of strawberries and cream.

  

Oh, and totally cute preppy boys!

Pic from here and here

Inside out

Do you remember my excitement at scoring a fabulous Ikea Klippan from the equally as fabulous Amy a  little while back? I'd toyed with dyeing the cover but settled on a new 'Liberace' pink instead.

Well, the dyeing option might be something I have to revisit later - just ask Jimmie Martin whose uber cool London flat is featured in the current issue of Adore Home Online Magazine.

It was during my Saturday morning 'blogging in bed' (noone was going to bring me breakfast, so I needed another excuse to stay under the covers!) that I noticed his fab couch with colourful cushions. When I read it was an Ikea couch, I was overjoyed! How clever to turn the cover inside out to expose the seams.

This, people, is why I'm no decorator - I would never have thought of that!

Pics from Adore

Can't get enough . . .

Too much royal wedding is never enough!

Got my hands on a copy of the special edition Woman's Day today and have tenderly worked my way through the wedding album.

To see the official pics from the big day, see the British Monarchy flickr photostream.

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

Super Sunday

Sundays make my heart sing. I love them.

My gorge sister-in-law, brother and Toby the super dog!

Woke up to my brother's dog Cooper giving me a sloppy big kiss this morning - spent the night in the Adelaide Hills at my brother and sister-in-law's place, they always spoil me rotten and you leave feeling so refreshed and rejuvenated after a little country air.

Love my 'Made by Cheeky' flats

Great lazy breakfast at a little place in Aldgate, then off on the All Paws Walk in support of the local animal shelter (with Toby the Super Dog {who thinks he's a lap dog} leading the way).

My black and white suede ballet flats are a bit worse for wear!

Okay, I know these are peonies, but it's the only pic I could find on file of me with my Granny!

The Sunday fun continued with a quick visit to drop off some of the first David Austin roses of the season to my Granny and Grandpa.

I love giving the gift of flowers, they can really brighten someone's day.

Then a fabulous afternoon followed at the pub with a dear old friend who I haven't had a proper catch up with in months. The sun was out, we enjoyed a few drinks and talked ourselves silly.

Great work to Kimbo from BBT who features in this month's Ivy & Piper online mag. LOVE her striped pillowcases

Five hours later got home to slip into crisp, clean sheets and catch up on my blog reading in bed.

Perfect Sunday!

Just got a text from the gorgeous Ace in London who's heading out for a Sunday lunch in the country. Sunday lunches in the London countryside always make me think of 'The Holiday' - one of my all time favourite movies. Could Jude Law get any more handsome?

How did you spend your Super Sunday?

Today . . .

. . . I miss London. It's all I can think about. Another dear friend is heading off soon and I'm green with envy. I ache with jealousy!

Masterchef is to blame for this bout of homesickness - although you can't really call it homesickness when you are actually at home and want to send yourself to the other side of the world, miles from friends and family. It's more London-sickness. Or Portabello Pains. What about Marble Arch Migraine? It could even be Fulham Flu or Chelsea Cough or Notting Hill Nausea.

Whatever it is, I'm sick for the place, I know that much!

Pic from here