The white answer

I spend a lot of time in my kitchen and am in that terribly boring but oh so sensible position where my workspace doesn't need any work done to it, but I'd love to make some changes. As a result, I can't justify spending any money on it and I'm stuck in no man's land.

Sometimes I think it'd be easier if I'd bought a run down place so that I'd be forced to take some action and actually make it a home, not a house. But no, that would be tough. Hard work on your own. Instead, I have to admit I am very lucky and bought my little place about 15 months ago without having to lift a finger. Everything's in working order - the kitchen's practical, the floorboards are polished, the shower works. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, isn't that right?

Well, I'm bored! I so desperately want to put my own little flair on the place and feel proud to call it home. At the moment, I just feel like a lodger going through the motions.

So back to the kitchen - I want to be inspired! I want colour and flavour and a scene to excite the senses! My cooking's gone to the dogs and the slow cooker can't even get me out of my frump.

I need a change. But that all seems too hard at the moment though - kitchens are spenny! So I'm starting with the family room. The orange feature wall I loved at the first open inspection now gives me a headache, and although I adore my brother's Year 12 handiwork, the coffee table and bookshelf don't really shout 'style'.

So I'm seeking inspiration from Anna Spiro at Absolutely Beautiful Things. I. AM. IN. LOVE. Her house is exactly what I'm after - a white canvas upon which she's built layer upon layer of gorgeous colour, texture and pattern. I am PINK with envy! Her pics above completely capture what I'm after. And can you get enough of those pink bar stools? Ah-mazing! Just imagine the colourful salads, decadent desserts and precious canapes I could prepare in that environment!

So now that I've settled on my white base - just how on earth do I choose the right white? They talk of warm whites, cold whites, sterile whites and off-whites, but what's the right one for me? Any tips? Let's hope a coat of paint can help me find my blogging 'mojo' and get me back in the kitchen.

Pics from Absolutely Beautiful Things - check out Anna's 'white' collection. Heavenly!

The icing on the cake

So I'm indulging in a bit of engagement ecstasy at the moment. Excuse me for stealing the bride's thunder, but I did help out with THE proposal of the year and can't help but share my excitement! Let's just say it involved some creative design, some beautiful words, a weekend brunch . . . and a gigantic rock! Congrats to JC and the S man, job well done!

Another wedding to research and dream about! No, not my own (point taken), but don't you dare deny me the pleasure of checking Green Wedding Shoes and A Summer Picnic Wedding every day for inspiration - even if it's on someone else's behalf!

JC sent me through this pic above today - we just love the concept of self-serve dessert or bonbonniere buffets. My boss had a dessert banquet at her wedding and it just looked divine. Amy Atlas is the queen of these masterpieces, so now the challenge is to channel the creativity locally - and on a much lower budget!

Pic from Ainjil and Chris's Vineyard Wedding on Green Wedding Shoes.

With a cherry on the top

Pretty blossoms from here

The girls are back in town after a couple of crazy weeks in the States and Me-hi-co. So jealous! Can't wait to see their pics - I'm expecting SATC honeymoon (or not) hotels with crystal clear water and cocktails to boot!

So tomorrow night, it's off to Ying Chow for the best cheap Chinese in town. Yum!

On another note, have been on the hunt for cherry blossom this week. Am busy helping to organise my friend's hens night and just love tall vases of cherry blossom to soften a room and add a hint of romance. It's all about the timing though - think I'll be too late for Spring blossoms.

As for my internet, still down. Hating technology right now! Thank goodness for dinner at Mum and Dad's to give me access to the big old web!

Happy weekends x

Winter blues

It's cold and it's miserable and all I want is comforting, indulgent, hearty food. Like this tagine above. Yum! Think I might have to invest in one of these Moroccan dishes - they just look so good when presenting food, and the fact you can cook in them . . . gold! I'm all about one pot cooking - and as few dishes as possible!

But with three weddings in three months time . . . I'm afraid it's goodbye indulgence and hello calorie counting! Headed out to the Gepps Cross markets with Bree on Sunday for a hilarious little adventure. Spent $20 and came back with two big green bags FULL of goodies. Bargain hunting at its best.

Now I'm facing a week of invention tests - how many different recipes can I come up with that include veggies? So far it's 'every vegetable imaginable' soup, stuffed tomatoes, steamed Asian greens, and maybe a slow cooked curry (I might even lash out and serve it on some cous cous!).

Wish me luck xo

Pic from wheelandbarrow.com.au (divine!)

Sunday sensations

Paper bag menus, flavoured water and fresh as fresh flowers. Heaven on a table.

I just can't get enough of the prettiness of newly discovered blog Sunday Suppers. Seriously, would you get a load of this? STUNNING. With a capital S.

Food styling and presentation is something I've always adored and these guys hit it spot on. What a fabulous concept - food, friends and fun. My kind of night out. I'd love to set up one of these studio/workshop/restaurants in Adelaide. I looked into cooking classes for my birthday this year, but they were just way expensive and even though lots of them pegged themselves as 'classes', they were more demonstrations.

This blog is just so right up my alley - fabulous recipes, beautiful colours and amazing theming and colour. They just do it oh-so-well in the States, don't they?

Check out more images and recipes from Sunday Suppers here.

H2-Oh

It's no secret. I like to drink. A lot. But not everyone has the same appreciation of alcohol that I do, and that's okay.

But I will not stand for my sober sisters settling for boring booze-free options (try saying that after a bottle of fizz!). There is no reason why non-alcoholic options can't be sexy, so I thought I'd put together a collection of some inspiring 'straight' drinks. These are great alternatives to lemon, lime and bitters. Serve them at your next do and your Desi Driver friends will thank you.

Donna Hay brilliance - jugs of water flavoured with ginger, lemongrass, and lots of fruit. Bring on Summer!

Spice up your Winter with an interesting take on a hot chocolate - put a skewer through a vanilla bean and then wrap it in a cinnamon quill to use it as a stirrer.

Mint tea, classic. Looks fab wrapped up in a bundle rather than hidden in a tea pot.

Make drinks fun for those not 'drinking'. These DIY mochas are kind of like the beverage version of an affogatto!

Add some zest to your water pitcher with slices of fruit, and your favourite herb. Here, Sunday Suppers has combined lemon, orange and lime with sprigs of fresh thyme. Best if left for a couple of hours for the flavour to intensify.

Flavoured mint water not only cleanses the palate but also serves as a stunning centrepiece.

From Sunday Suppers

Snaps for Carla

Hello people! I am still alive! My internet may not be, but I'm still kicking and screaming and full of enthusiasm!

A fun weekend up ahead and gosh, don't I need it after this draining week that's included the final Grey's for the season (sob - tears are NOT good on a fresh spray tan!), a week's worth of MasterChef tension and the launch of a new CRM at work. Someone hand this girl a champagne!

So this weekend, I'm indulging in some glamour at our mid-year ball. Glamour and charisma is the name of the game at this oo7 James Bond themed bash. Still haven't decided what I'm wearing, but I want some colour - like the stunning bridesmaid dresses above.

Speaking of which, big cheer for me. Have just bought my dress for my brother's wedding in October. So excited! I've got the big job of MC and am consumed by fear and concern that it's going to turn into a Bridget Jones comedy act. Please God, no!

So yay for me and yay for Carla who has come through with the goods and managed to give me a waist. Bless.

Oh, back to the photo above. Spotted it on Green Wedding Shoes - my new fave daily blog fix. JC and I religiously check it every morning - 'check out that hair piece Kate', or 'JC - love the photo booth. Ah-mazing'. Such a lovely start to the day. And this wedding in particular got the tall one and I tres excited.

So I encourage you all to stop by and soak up the love on GWS. Romance is alive and well. I can sleep easy.

Happy weekend xo