Brekky bites

So I've just downloaded the blogger app on my iPhone and am having a play with it while I watch the same Olympic wrap up for the third time. Apologies if it's a bit random, the features are limited!

Oh the joys of daytime tv when you're home sick! I love love love the olympics but mark nicholas's Olympic gold segment is not as exciting the second time.

Did you get up early for the opening ceremony?

I was up at 4.30am making blueberry muffins so that they'd be hot out the oven when Emma arrived. I ate my way through the day, totally delirious with exhaustion, only magnified by a scary late night drive home from the Barossa in the thickest of fogs. It was scary!

I felt hungover (without a single drink!) and cranky all weekend - I have a newfound respect for mums with bubs!

But back to the food ... my signature corn fritters came out to play for the opening ceremony.

And so did ham and cheese croissants, complete with green and gold cutlery!!! Merci l'aguiole!

Looking forward to lots more late nights on the couch over the next fortnight.

Let the Games begin!

Hoorah!

Emma's coming over bright and early at 5am tomorrow morning to watch the Olympic Opening Ceremony with me. I'm setting up camp in the living room complete with quilts and pillows and she's under strict instructions to still be in her pjs when she gets here.

No frills at that hour of the morning! I might be able to muster some bling earrings for the occasion though . . .

I've cooked sweetcorn fritters tonight and have treats at the ready for a lazy morning on the couch - ham and cheese croissants, toasted turkish pide with peanut butter, smoked ocean trout and chorizo to go with the fritters, then of course a sweet finish with Donna Hay blueberry muffins and scones with jam and cream if we so desire.

Have I gone overboard a little? Never!

Congrats to Lauren Jackson. What a special moment to carry the Australian Flag.

Let the games begin!

Pic from the Glitter Guide

The final countdown

I love all the hype that surrounds the Olympics - especially the way the community can get involved in the torch relay.

I remember back in 2000, I'd just got back from my Year 12 Ski Trip and no sooner was I off the bus than Mum and Dad bundled me up to see the torch pass near my house on Unley Road.

It was so exciting, a real sense of history and patriotism.

But for a dose of fun and colour, I like this take on the Olympic Torch Relay.

Check out Sant and Abel's Olympic Countdown . . .

One week to go and the Olympic torch has abseiled into London. We're keeping track of its whereabouts in the countdown to the opening ceremony.

Day 7: Hackney, London, E8 1AE

Big Red Sleep Shorts

Torchbearer: Andrew Hayes

Day 6: The London Eye, Minster Court, SE1 7JB

Ben Braddock PJ Pants

Torchbearer: Chris Pratt 

Day 5: Centre Court, Wimbledon, SW19 5AE

Mr Muster & Mini Muster Sleep Shorts

Torchbearers: Charles Chirnside & Sam Chirnside

Day 4: Walpole Park, Ealing, W5 5EQ

The Green Fairies PJ Pants

Torchbearers: Annie Hammer and Sooze Smart 

Day 3: Middlesex University, London, NW4 4BT

Bakso Man PJ Pants

Torchbearer: Chris Terry / Rupert Grint

Day 2: 10 Downing Street, London SW1A 2AA

Piccadilly Polka & The Navy Jets PJ Pants

Torchbearers: Ceci Bennett & Tom Jeffries

Day 1: Opening Ceremony - Lighting of the cauldron

Ben Braddock PJ Pants

Torchbearer: Wippa 

Check out Sant and Abel's gorgeous line of pyjamas here

And enjoy the hoopla of the Opening Ceremony tomorrow!

Pics from Sant and Abel's Facebook page

Beef dreaming

Happy birthday Kristie!

Off to dinner at Concubine tonight to celebrate the occasion.

I've been dreaming of their wagyu beef all week.

And their whole barra is pretty good too . . .

Get in my belly.

I still call Australia home

So Qantas has paid ex-Silverchair frontman Daniel Johns a whole heap of cash to compose its new theme song.

I'm not sure if I'm sold on it yet.

But I'll give it time.

And is it just me, or does it remind anyone else of Chris Lilley's opening credits for the classic 'We Can Be Heroes'? ABC TV show?

The way it pans in from above and the kind of choir like melody . . .

Just saying.

Weekend wonder

How was your weekend?

Mine was lazy to the max, it was great.

Housesitting Mum and Dad's place so there was lots of lying on the couch and catching up with old mate Dougall (my little Schnoodle pup). 

We went for a walk around the block, we made soup, we nearly finished Fifty Shades of Grey (I protected Dougs from the naughty parts!) and we called in on Granny and Grandpa with scones and jam and cream . . . but came home and ate them all ourselves because they weren't home! Whoops.

Back to bootcamp tomorrow . . .

Pinterest

Seriously spot-on

I'd like this to be my uniform for The Polkadot Pantry.

Oh so chic.

And the perfect shade of not-too-red lippy.

TGIF!

Get your hands on this J.Crew pretty here

Bastille Day

 

Welcome to breakfast at L'atelier de Monsieur Truffe.

One minute you're walking along a cold, wet street in funky Brunswick, feeling a little worse for wear after making good use of your Golden Ticket the night before . . . 

. . . and the next your friend pushes you through an unassuming red door and you're whisked away into the most unexpected world of deliciousness.

Let me take you back to last weekend when Lill treated me to a Bastille Day gastromic experience of French proportions.

Monsieur Truffe is known for its chocolates - even producing them on site behind a glass viewing screen (check out the cool red machinery!) - but its extended menu is what floated my boat.

I didn't know where to start - savoury vs sweet breakfast options (I know, it throws me every time) or do I venture into the lunch menu? And what about the specials of the day?

 I needed something hearty after shaking my booty at Mr McClelland's Finishing School the night before and knew we were in for another large night taking advantage of my second Gold Ticket.

So I chose the chorizittos with spiced beans and a poached egg on sourdough. Wowzers. Totes hit the spot.

Lill and I swapped half way through so I got to try her croque monsieur that was seriously out of this world. Glad I only had half. Oh la la.

We also got chatting to a friendly German/American girl at our bench and she had the avocado, persian fetta, vine ripened tomatoes and basil on olive bread. Tres bien.

Other interesting menu items included eggs cooked in a jar complete with truffles, and pork ribs with slaw.

My only regret is eating so much that I couldn't fit in one of their famous hot chocolates. Guess I'll have to head back again . . .

Pics mine and from here

All I want for Christmas . . .

All I want for Christmas is . . . collarbones.

Wouldn't mind a pair like the Duchess.

Isn't she divine?

So I've started bootcamp this morning.

And I'm in a world of pain after four days in Melbourne.

Wish me luck!

Whoopa!

Excuse me while I indulge in a bit of Greek Island love.

I'm just getting in the mood for tonight.

Heading to Hellenic Republic with Lill.

Excited much? I'm like a kid before Christmas!

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Girls just wanna have fun

Off to Melbourne tomorrow to spend some QT (quality time) with one of my oldest and most favourite friends, Lill.

I've left her in charge of restaurant bookings and our itinerary. No doubt there'll be lots of eating and drinking involved. 

Thank goodness Mum has bought me a golden ticket for Dry July. If anyone else wants to sponsor me a night out, feel free to dig deep!

And I hear it's cold. Like, gloves and coat cold. Brrrrrr!

Pinterest

What's behind the Red Door?

  

Hello Christmas!

Red Door Bakery has opened in my 'hood!

I'm so excited, you haven't tasted pastries until you've tried Red Door.

They're a bit of a new Adelaide institution - making a name for themselves at pop up markets and in the groovy industrial 'burbs. Seriously, check out the lineup out the front door. There were all cleaned out by 1.45pm. Talk about popular!

Their sausage rolls are out of this world. Hay Valley lamb and Moroccan eggplant brilliance. And the classic Berkshire free range pork and sage is a winner too.

And the pies, ooooh the pies. They're not your stock standard sort. Sure, they've nailed the traditional beef but do yourself a favour and try the chorizo, chicken and white bean or the beef, shiraz and mushroom (and I don't even like mushroom!). The pastry is something else, buttery and flaky. And perfect.

And the sweets deserve a post all of their own. Wow.

I tried out the new digs on Saturday with my gorgeous GS (that's Godson Maxie) and his fam. We bought a little bit of everything so we could sample it all.

They were sold out of their first batch so we had to wait for the next lot to come out of the oven. While we waited, we snacked on pizza that was awesome - they folded it in half and toasted it so it was deliciously crispy on the outside. I think it was a Greek lamb special with yummy minted yoghurt.

A good start.

We tried each of the pies I listed above plus the pork sausage roll. No holding back there!

We also loaded up on a plate of sweets to share.

The chocolate brick with salted caramel is out of this world. You should see the oozy middle collapse when you bit in. Heavenly!

We also had a Belgium chocolate and hazelnut tart, lemon curd tart and banana and caramel muffin.

Zara the butterfly was in her element (I'm just glad there wasn't a picture of me stuffing my gob!)

We walked away with a stunning spiced fruit sourdough and caramelised and chorizo bread stick. And to think we didn't even sample a quarter of the menu!

Oh stop it. I can't talk about the goodness anymore! Just get yourself there . . . and don't forget the original Croydon home! If you're lucky, they'll also make an appearance at the next Bowerbird Bazaar.

Red Door Bakery

Some like it hot

How are you all coping with Winter? I love the comfort food that's associated with this time of year but am getting sick of the same old same old sides - heavy, stodgy and waist-line hating evils.

Yes, I'm talking potato gratin, duck fat roast potatoes, creamy mash and the lot.

There seem to be so many more options in Summer.

I am a meat and three veg girl from way back and have found a way to combine the warming nature of roast veggies with the lightness of a salad.

This salad is perfect with pork and I'd love some speck or chorizo tossed through. I have served with roast lamb and marinated chicken breast too, so easy!

Now, I've kind of adopted this recipe and made it my own with no clear cut measurements. So apologies if you're a precise kind of cook and this drives you nuts!

Roast pear and fennel balsamic salad

Serves 3-4

1-2 beurre bosc pears, cored and sliced into wedges

1 fennel bulb, sliced into wedges

1 red onion, peeled and chopped into wedges

half a bag of baby spinach

1 Tbspn olive oil (or a light spray)

1-2 Tbspn balsamic vinegar

salt and pepper

1. Lightly spray a roasting tray and put the oven on at 180C
2. Scatter the pear, onion and fennel pieces over the roasting tray
3. Pour the olive oil and balsamic vinegar over the fruit and veg and scatter with salt and pepper
4. Put tray in the oven for about 35 mins or so or until the pears are soft and slightly coloured
5. Remove from oven and add spinach leaves to warm mixture, stir through  until spinach slightly wilted
6. Best enjoyed still warm with a side of pork

Roost

I love finding a new foodie blog. Especially one that masters the art of the written word as well as the beauty of great styling and photography.

Roost is my new favey.

Check out Coco's beautiful use of the English language . . .

"So now as I write these words in the dark of the night, the crickets coo their mellifluous lullabies while the cold, bitter air lures me back under the billowy down. I close my eyes, allowing my thoughts to slowly slip away leaving my mind void and still.  I drift into a dreamless night anticipating the tranquil dawn that will come all too soon."

It's poetry! Reminds me of how Nigella expresses her love of food and cooking.

Think I'm going to have to try those crispy thyme zucchini fries. . .

And make sure you check out Coco's pinterest - it's a beautifully curated collection full of so much inspiration.

Home theatre

Loved my latest issue of Vogue Living and was especially taken by this Italian transformation of a turn-of-the-century theatre into a modern loft.

All that light, it's just gorgeous!

Got me thinking of how I love high ceilings and a sense of grandeur.

And also how much I love it when a 'venue' is used in the most unexpected fashion. Like a church for a home, or an old tomato tin for a herb planter.

This recycled theatre concept is used beautifully in Adelaide at One Rundle Trading Co.

Those ceilings are just beautiful. Really adds to the shopping experience.

I'd love to set up a tea house in such an establishment - like The Tea Room in Sydney's QVB. Just gorgeous.

Cucumber sandwiches, citrus tarts, scones and jam and cream . . .

On that note, anyone for a cuppa? (My drink of choice during Dry July!)

Pics

Ring my bluebellgray

This cushion business is really throwing me in to a spin.

Emma from White & Wander sent through some wonderful suggestions for my hot pink and white couches and I'm slowly chipping away and buying one cushion every pay packet or so. I was also very lucky to receive some gorgeous additions to my collection for my birthday.

Emma's palm inspired find was so 'en vogue' this month - literally! One of the first stories in the latest issue of Vogue Living raved about how 'in' tropical inspired palms are!

She is a clever little cookie, that one!

I really have to love each and every cushion I buy and am concerned I'm being a bit too 'formula' and there's not enough contrast in my collection. Everything's quite bold and graphic and I should really pay more attention to the stories Em's created. Give credit to mis-matched perfection, experiment with clashing. Be brave!

But the Taurean in me is stubborn and when I'm on to something, I stick with it!

Anyway, I've stumbled across Bluebellgray who has shaken things up a bit. Softer edges, muted palettes, dreamy florals. Quite different to the spots and stripes I've been attracted to.

Aren't they divine?

And lucky me . . . I get paid tomorrow!