League of their own

I'm back in the Rads for one of my dearest friend's Hen's Days. It's going to be a hoot - Ivy League themed. 

I might have had a little something to do with that flavour, hard to believe, hey? 

But most importantly, it totally suits the bride and I think she'll love it.

Ladies, let me indulge in some preppy deliciousness for a moment. Blazers, ties, lots of stripes, cardis over the shoulders, chambray, spots . . . do I need to go on?

Above and beyond all this fun, I've also stocked up on Lady Chatterley's Affair and Kiel James Patrick for the occasion. My suitcase is a beautiful rainbow of pinks, lemon, salmon, aqua, kelly green and navy. Still not sure what I'm going to wear on the day, but I'll be sure to post some pics soon.

Bottoms up!

Start of something

Hi!

Remember me!? Yep, it's been a long time between drinks but I'm not sorry - I've been busy!

I've been living and loving and learning and having a ball.

What have you all been up to? So much has happened since we last caught up. I don't know where to start . . .

But I know you're going to love these floral necklaces we made for Jourdanne's hen's day last week. I'll post more soon. And give some hot tips on what to do. Burning yourself on the tips of ever finger with the hot glue gun is not recommended.

Are you hot where you are? It's 35 here today. And I'm home sick with an earache. Doc says it might be from flying. Might have to give up on those dreams of being a flight attendant after all. Ha!

Did you watch the Super Bowl? Bruno Mars was incredible! 

Happy Monday!

Do the happy hen dance

Happy happy Hen's Day to the darling Flavs today.

We're celebrating with a garden party this afternoon and then some cheeky karaoke later tonight. Will be a hoot with girls arriving from all over the country to celebrate this special occasion.

Enjoy, my dear!

See full gallery of this fabulous hen's day here

Pics from Style Me Pretty

How sweet it is

Isn't this the most fabulously glitzy bridal shower ever?

The guest of honour was none other Dylan Lauren - daughter of the King of Prep, Ralph Lauren.

The candy bar theme was totally cute but I loved how they took it to the next level with the whole jewel flavour. The caviar bling, the pink diamond ring pops, the crown jewels. It was gorgeous how they paid homage to Dylan's candy business success with lolly mosaics and DIY goody bags.

For more pics of this 'sweet' bridal shower and Dylan's stunning wedding, check out Martha Stewart (of course!)

And yes, I thought fiance Paul (above) was rather 'sweet' too!

Cock a doodle hen!

Happy Hen's Day for tomorrow Kelly!

Sorry I can't be there, but I shall have a drink for you!!!

xo

Pinterest

This little piggy . . .

There's nothing like a birthday to try out a new restaurant you've been hanging to visit for ages.

The Pink Pig is an Adelaide institution yet I'd never found a reason to stop by.

Kristie's birthday changed all that - she and her fiance Andy are newcomers to the Rad so I'm the self appointed tour guide for the delightful couple and suggested a Pink Pig outing - bibs and all!

Sally and Tim joined us on this sensory experience - forget about the cutlery, it was finger lickin' good!

 The Pink Pig is famous for their ribs and chicken wings so we dove in head first and ordered the 'Pink Pig Marriage'.

Friday nights they're also known for their 'Gigs at the Pig'. Gold.

The boys were in seventh heaven.

You've never seen so much meat.

And they managed to polish it all off. Chips and all.

Good work team!

Such a fun night out with new friends.

And the fun continues tonight with Kristie's Radelaide Hen's Night . . . we are East End bound.

Look out!

Melt in your mouth

Celebrated the Hen's Night of a dear friend on the weekend and we stuffed ourselves silly with the most ah-mazing pizza and tapas at Melt, one of my fave local hangouts and now, conveniently also in the city.

The tapas included fried haloumi with pickled red onions, hommus with ground beef and tortilla, chilli and anchovy green beans and frittata. The pizzas were fab as always with the prawn and harissa one topping my list. The side salad of spinach with red onion, tomato and buffalo mozarella is also a hands down favourite.

To top it all off, chocolate, pistacchio and vanilla bean cream pizza for dessert. Sensational.

Happy Hen's, Stors!

xo

You say tomato . . .

My friend Anna is crazy for macarons and has already decided she's having a tower for her wedding cake.

Not too sure on Adriano's kalamata olive take on the classic!

There seems to be some confusion in the food fraternity (or perhaps it's outside the fraternity where the confusion lies!)

Is it macaron . . . or macaroon?

Wikipedia says:

A macaron is a sweet confectionery. Its name is derived from an Italian word "maccarone" or "maccherone". This word is itself derived from ammaccare, meaning crush or beat, used here in reference to the almond paste which is the principal ingredient. It is meringue-based: made from a mixture of egg whites, almond flour, and both granulated and confectionery sugar.

The confectionery is characterized by its smooth, domed top, ruffled circumference, and flat base. Connoisseurs prize a delicate, egg shell-like crust that yields to a moist and airy interior. The French macaron differs from macaroons in that it is filled with cream or butter like a sandwich cookie, and can be found in a wider variety of flavors that range from the traditional (raspberry, chocolate) to the exotic (truffle, matcha tea).

The Melbourne Gastronome agrees:

Yes, I'm one of those food wankers that goes cuckoo for macarons. And yes, I'm a tiresome pedant when it comes to calling them 'macarons', NOT 'macaroons'. If you found this page by googling "best macaroooooons in Melbourne", I submit the following for your consideration:

A macaron is a variety of French petit four made from two halves of almond meringue with a filling (often a ganache) in the middle.

A macaroon is most commonly a sort of chunky biscuit, often containing large quantities of desiccated coconut (or sometimes almond), popular in Scotland and the US.

Her blog on the best sort in Melbourne is fabulous and definitely worth checking out here.

Wouldn't these make a gorgeous present, when you're not really giving a gift?

So I'll stick with the foodies and call them macarons from now on. I just know that someone will correct me and act all smart and 'French', but I'll stick Claire on to them and see how they fare!





Wouldn't these be fab take home gifts at a baby shower, 60th birthday or Bastille Day celebration?



Macarons are all the buzz since the Masterchef special, but I've been on the bandwagon for ages. I just love them, they're so colourful and decadent yet delicate and sinful.



I'm yet to attempt to make them myself, but am planning a working bee with the girls to perfect the art. I think they'll make lovely Christmas presents and figure I've got five months to get my technique sorted!

The shop window of the Champs Elysees Laduree boutique. Ah-mazing.

Scouring the internet for flavour inspiration and colour combinations, I saw the name 'Laduree' pop up again and again.

It is the godfather of all things macaron and with stores all over the world, it prides itself on its perfect macarons and other pastries.

Can you imagine dining in such an elegant setting? You'd feel like Marie Antoinette!

The salon at the Champs Elysees store

Their flavours include:

Chocolate - Bitter Chocolate - Vanilla - Coffee - Rose - Pistachio - Raspberry - Blackcurrant Violet - Caramel with salted butter - Red Fruits - Orange Blossom - Liquorice - Lemon

And they celebrate each season with a new flavour such as Jasmin Mango

The store in Harrods, London. Squeal!

From Scratch has a stall at the Adelaide Showground Farmers Markets every Sunday

Here in Adelaide, we've been swept up in the macaron craze and have the farmers markets and street stalls to thank for our obsession with the crisp little treats.

From Scratch Patisserie has a lot to answer for with Radelaideans going crazy over their colourful range. For me, it's their presentation that impresses - they package them up in egg cartons and string for you to take home, and display them in old round wooden cheese cases, highlighting the rainbow of colours and flavours on offer.

The strawberry macarons with white chocolate and strawberry puree cream were a hit at Bree's farewell brunch and doubled as a gorgeous centrepiece for the table.

So while you say tomato, I'll say macaron.

Pics from weheartit.com, From Scratch and Laduree

Let's do the happy hen dance!

When it comes to hen's days, I'm in my element. Especially when you combine some pretty cool theming, a stunning venue and ah-mazing food.

Which is exactly what we were treated to when we celbrated Michelle's hen's day a couple of weeks ago at Hentley Farm in the Barossa. OMG. What a beautiful setting. My photos simply don't do it justice, but hopefully you get the drift.

We stuck with black, white and yellow for our colours, with stripes, polka dots and florals featuring heavily in our decorating. The fun started on the bus ride up and then guests were treated to pre-lunch drinks and nibbles on the verandah of the recently renovated farm house at Hentley, before finding their seats at the long table under umbrellas.

Lunch was divine - Phoebe sure spoilt us, and the game of bocce after we indulged was good to get us out of our chairs to work off some of the decadence of lunch! The 'survival kits' were a God-send - equipping our guests with water, jelly beans and Hydrodol - anti hangover tablets. Talk about investing in the next day! We had all bases covered.

It was a gorgeous day all round and thank you to Beth and Kelly for all the trouble they went to to help pull it off.

Boo, remember me?

Yes, I'm still alive! Albeit up to my armpits in change and madness - what a few big weeks it's been! I'll elaborate over the next few posts, but basically, I've been to New Zealand, got a new job, lost a housemate and helped host the most amazing hen's day ever (even if I do say so myself!)

Have some gorgeous pics I can't wait to share but need to get on top of things in this crazy life of mine, so polkadot will have to be patient!

Enjoy this sneak peek of Miss M's hen's day . . . .