Wish upon a star

Every year we go through the same thing:

"Write me a list, Kate. I don't know what you don't want for your birthday if you don't write a list"

So Mum and I were talking about my list last week, and these are some of the things we brainstormed . . . (might I add she laughed at most of my suggestions, but a girl can dream!)

Love love loving Florence and the Machine. I know. I'm slow off the blocks.

Just call me Kate Moss. Not sure which colour would be best though?

Flights to Hobart and/or Melbourne to visit my besties.

Some kind of artwork. I have been lusting after Bally posters for years.

Jewels. Love me some arm candy.

A weekend with Anna Spiro (plus a blank cheque for decorating!). She'd get my little shoebox in tip top shape in no time!

Feeling the love for florals lately. Some new perfume would be great.

Ever so cute. Kate Spade.

A facial. My skin is crying out for some love.

New cushions. See this post for inspiration!

Beautiful stationery. Wouldn't say no to a set of Kate Spade lovelies. Kate Spade anything, in fact.

Laguiole steak knives. The first time I've been able to combine my love of bright colours with my appreciation of red meat!

A new Longchamp. You've seen my 'pub scum' old one Mum, time for an upgrade.

As a Journalism graduate who did an internship at Cosmo, I think this is a must-own. Can't believe I STILL haven't seen it!

One day I'll have my own Pip Boydell beauty.

A Pixie coffee machine. Think of the money I'd save, Mum!

A frying pan with a lid. A must for this foodie.

New quiltcover. Haven't found one that's made my heart skip a beat yet, but I'm sure I could try harder . . .

New sunglasses. My Tom Fords have done me well, but time to mix things up a bit.

And I know he makes it on every year, but a boyfriend would be great thanks Mum. Any of the above trio will do as a son-in-law, don't you think? Thanks.

So there you have it. I'm not aiming high, am I? Ha ha ha. Me? Never! The big 2-9 is nothing special and with most of my best friends away from home, it's going to be a quiet celebration with the family this year. 

I'm making my famous honeycomb sponge for work on Thursday (so indulgent and naughty but really simple - I'll post the recipe later in the week) and then have another day at The Races on Saturday - Centrebet SA Derby Day. Hello black and white, lovers!

Have a great week, my dearies!

xo

Double celebration

Oh, and happy anniversary to Kate and Wills too!

Isn't my Mum lucky to share her birthday with their special day?

Pots of tea all round, people!

Hip hip hoorah!

Birthday love

Happy birthday Susie Q!

Love Kevin . . .

and me

xo

It's going to be a big day . . .

Okay. So I missed it.

My big opportunity to see her live, and I missed it!

Someone gave me a bum steer on the time of the press conference yesterday and I got there only to catch the tail end of Peter Moody's interview.

Devastated!

Do us proud today, BC! Don't let Adelaide be known as the town that broke your winning streak!

I've got my salmon with black polkadots flag at the ready (plus a new outfit thanks to Mr David Jones last night!).

It's going to be a big day . . .

Zoe The Cool

I'd just like to put it on the record that I was a fan of Zoe Foster even before Hamish Blake won the Gold Logie.

She oozes cool and sophistication and the fact she's dating the very funny and charming Hamish definitely upped her stocks, I have to admit.

But in her own right, I think she's fabulous!

I am currently reading her latest novel 'The Younger Man' and I love it! The characters in are friends that I want and she paints a picture of a very cool Sydney - I can admit in the company of close friends (that's you, dear readers) that I even checked out the price of rentals in Paddington where her heroine Abby lives! I want what she's having!

It's such a fun book that I'm having trouble putting it down, so need something else to transition to as soon as I flick the last page.

What's on your bedtime reading list at the moment? 

Not your average Caviar

Black Caviar owners gearing up for their trip to Royal Ascot

Do the words 'Black Caviar' mean anything to you?

Well, they've got Adelaide in a tizz with only two more sleeps until we see the champion sprinter try for a record 20th win at Morphettville on Saturday.

It's an exciting time to be working in the racing industry!

Now the question is, what to wear . . .

Pic here

Country fun

Ladies, they're baaa-aaack!

Farmer Wants A Wife is set to hit our screens again soon so I thought I'd get in early and pre-judge the bachelors.

No South Aussies in the cast this year which is disappointing . . . but Farmer Nikko from Queensland has caught my eye. Not enough to entice me to apply (remember how that went last time!?) but he will provide a bit of eye candy for the next few months.

Sounds like a pretty cool catch . . .

 "I have travelled / worked / partied in nearly every state throughout Australia, (Kimberlys NT, Goondiwindi QLD, Naracoorte SA, and slipped in two cheeky years at AG Uni in Geelong VIC). Loves a girl who is confident, willing to jump in and have a crack, fits into many crowds, thoughtful and can pull back and talk about anything, can yarn with the boys and gossip with the girls. I’m thoughtful, entertaining, cheeky, courageous, work hard and play hard."

Now that's a man after my own heart!

Here's to Wednesday nights on the couch with the girls x

What a cushy life

I'm working with Emma of White & Wander to create a cushion 'story' for my two IKEA couches.

One is a white Ektorp (so so comfy and a great shape) and the other is a burn-your-eyes-it's-so-bright pink Klippan.

I'm a sucker for pink and brights and bold patterns but Emma's teaching me to tone it down while staying true to my passion for 'loud'.

This picture perfect story above from none other than the fabulous Furbish Studio has provided some great inspiration. Emma, pay attention!

We're having lots of fun on Etsy, I could spend hours on the couch with that girl while she navigates through a maze of online beauties.

Stay tuned as we build my collection . . .

Eency weency teeny tiny . . .

I have a teeny tiny little place and am always complaining how my decorating options are limited because the lack of space.

Well, these guys have sure put me in my place, haven't they?

Apartment Therapy is holding its 8th Annual Smallest Coolest Home Competition and I've been majorly impressed by the character and personality of these postage stamp sized apartments.

Looks like I could learn a thing or two!

Go and vote for your favourite here.

Pics from Apartment Therapy

Pinkies swear

I'm a big fan of hot pink lips.

And now Glitter Guide's on the bandwagon. Yay!

Found a gorge Hourglass shade last year (Fever), but am looking for something a bit more fun and light, not so serious and 'I mean business'. It's a little bit too dark and 'confident'. 

Any recommendations for a new pink lippy?

Wish You Were Here

Last night I saw a movie that really touched me.

Not in a reach for the tissues kind of way, but in a 'that could happen to me' kind of way.

Wish You Were Here is an amazing Australian movie - they call it a 'psychological drama' but I think that makes it sound scary.

I didn't know anything about it, hadn't seen the trailer, didn't read the review. I knew Joel Edgerton was in it (I'm a Secret Life of Us fan from waaaay back so this excited me to no end!) as was one of SA's fave exports Teresa Palmer, but that's it.

And I was impressed. The acting was really good and the storyline was so unexpected. I think it was the fact that I have holidayed in South-East Asia and so have most of my friends (and the fact that my brother, sister-in-law and niece are in Bali at the moment . . . ) that they story seemed so real.

It made me realise how flippant Australian tourists are, so carefree and easy going and how any of my friends could've been characters in this story. That scares the life out of me.

Any mothers out there, please make your children see this movie before they leave for a South-East Asian adventure.

(Gosh, don't I sound old and boring?!?)

Anyone else, I can't say it's an enjoyable movie, but it's clever and there's some gorgeous scenery and the kids in it are super cute! And above all else, support the local film industry.

Pics from here

Duck?

Does anyone know where I can go in Adelaide to eat a whole peking duck?

You know what I mean, you book ahead and then they serve you a three or four course meal, using each and every part of the duck in a variety of dishes?

Pancakes, friend rice, soup etc.

I've got such a craving and have promised my favourite DINKS from Sydney that we'd have a cheap Chinatown adventure on Saturday night.

Hopefully someone can point me in the right direction!

Offspring into fun

Offspring is back.

Need I say any more?

Heading to the gorgeous Nic's tomorrow night for pizza, wine and girly gossip.

How are you celebrating the return of this quirky cult hit?

New crush

I have a crush.

On Sydney.

Just got back from a manic four days in the Harbour City and have so much to tell you!

There's also been a 'Festivus' and yes, some One Direction madness. But you'll have to stay tuned, I'm tired beyond all belief and am glued to the telly for the Logies.

Hope you all had great weekends.

All work and no play

I'm off to Sydney for work this afternoon for a two-day conference.

Stumbled across these beautiful pics that had me dreaming of a holiday romance in the Harbour City.

(See more pics and story behind the shoot here)

Wake up and smell the roses, Kate!

I'm hoping it won't be all work and no play . . . have entrusted some Adelaide ex-pats with the task of 'welcome drinks' tonight.

Sydney, I'm ready!

In pictures

I had a very busy, random yet fun-filled Easter long weekend.

Here are my adventures in pictures . . .

Donna Hay hot cross cookies that I took for morning tea at Flavs's wedding working bee on Good Friday

Quick cuddles with my niece in between social catch ups (she's yet to master the 'smile at the camera' command!). Was desperate to include this pic anyway, just to show off my fabulous new neon pink flower earrings thanks to Kimberlee. HOT.

Prawn and scallop pizza treats whipped up in the wood fired oven at Liam's annual JKL Good Friday 'linner' (reverse brunch ie. lunch mixed with dinner). 

He did well to cater for the Good Friday 'no meat' rule.

My Donna Hay pavlova with home made lemon curd, blueberries and strawbs. To quote Liam "best pav. ever." 

Why, thank you!

Early morning at Clare Easter Races - gorgeous Autumn day in the country. 

Think I bumped into every boy I've ever kissed. So Adelaide.

Easter Sunday Fashion at The Races at the Penola Cup on the Limestone Coast. 

So surreal bumping into Brooke from The House on Chambers. Felt like a bit of a stalker (and I'm sure Farmer Joe thought I was too!)

No rest for the wicked . . . up at 7am on Easter Monday to pick up my bestie from the airport. Awesome breakfast at Grind It in Glenelg.

Hot cross muffins for lunch with my Grandparents, Mum and Dad, bro and sister-in-law and cutie pie Ruby.

We also demolished a Donna Hay packet flourless chocolate truffle cake. Have you tried these? Out of control ah-mazing. Took the leftovers for dinner at my favourite DINKS house, Andy and Kristie.

And then I rolled into bed by 9.30pm (ridiculously early for me) and slept like a log.

I hope you all had stress-free and relaxing weekends surrounded by your loved ones.

I'm off to finish my bag of Haigh's Berry Chocs. So good.

Editor's note: My Mum did most of the cooking. She wanted me to add that.