Honestly, The Reason I'm Not Getting Foxtel Is

...so I can spend more when I travel next year. It's on my mind, and, I'm excited!

And then I read Sophia Coppola's Paris (nothing new of course, but nice photos), and the article starts with Rue Madame, where I stayed three years ago, and my god how things were different back then...


She interned at Chanel for chrissakes

Long Weekend #2

I really couldn't care less about the footy this weekend. I don't think I'll watch either. Instead...

Picnic with Marianna; bender #1; beach; bender #2; movies. Bliss.

Joyeaux Anniversaire BB

Je vous aime toujours.

Fash Snippets

Marni, mi amore. I get butterflies when I think of Marni - I truly heart the label. It actually angers me when I see blatant rip-offs (yea, I'm finger pointing at you Veronika Maine). There's something that pulls at my heart strings over the fluids lines, the cut of necklines, sleeves, hems, the belts that drape it all in, the block colours, like this collection's silky taupes and clean whites. To be honest I don't see much 'spring' in Spring 2007 and I was more wowed this time last year, but there's a lot to likey too.


My idol, Consuela


I want this coat yesterday

Also, APC has a few pieces on sale, none of which I looked twice at except for this completely must-have dress:

Available in orange and black, on sale for 160E

OMGOMGOMG

Good Food Month starts shortly and...

We just got in to a Gordon Ramsey lunch!!!

You can keep your Brad Pitts and Wentworth Miller heartthrobs...this is the most exciting thing I can think of. I've even convinced Kath to come with me and we're both a-flutter. He'll no doubt spot me and fall in love with me, a la:

Four Seasons Hotel, October 23, 12.30pm. $68 includes two-course meal, wine and coffee.

We've also booked in for a market tour with the cute-as-a-button Giovanni Pilu. I was hesitant at the 5.45am start (that time of day is only good for being at the airport to start a holiday) but it's a fantastic opportunity to discover the fish and Flemington markets with one of the most passionate Italian (Sardinian) chefs in the country.

October 26, 5.45am-9.30am, $40 includes entry, transport parking, coffee and pastries.

This Week

Reading: The Nasty Bits, Anthony Bourdain mon amour.
Listening To: 80s/90s metal.
Starting: Using cold-pressed sesame oil as a cleanser, makeup remover and moisturiser. Heard it was brilliant so thought I'd give it a go. Will report back.
New Perfume For The Season: Arancia di Capri, Acqua di Parma. Bought in Milan, must stock up as it instantly makes my happy and transports me back to Capri (and via Montenapoleone).
Bought: Witchery blazer, Asics runners, Girl, Interrupted DVD, Country Road floppy hat for the races.

When I Was A Little Girl

All I wanted to be was the Warrant Cherry Pie girl. She was so hot, so sexy, and she fucked the whole band, who I adored. I was also in lust with Vince Neil, and Bret Michaels.

Let's take a look:


Warrant - Cherry Pie


Poison - Unskinny Bop


Motley Crue - Girls Girls Girls

Last week I finished reading Motley Crue's autobiography The Dirt (best book EVER) and today I downloaded Warrant and Poison. I was 11-12 when this stuff came out. Looking back, the guys look like shit but my god the music is just as good as ever. Rock on!!!

Jo's Hens Weekend

Oh what a great weekend! No bullshit, just a bunch of fun girls all in love with Jo and out for a good time. I've never seen such a group of close friends and it was really refreshing.

The weekend went flawlessly - we got up there Friday afternoon and the house was beyond spectacular, brand new, right on the beach. Jo was blown away. We spent the next 48 hours eating, drinking, smoking, chilling out, having a laugh, playing games, dancing to 80s video clips, sucking on anything cold to keep ourselves from going insane from the heat. Some highlights:

+ Guys trying to gate-crash and throwing beef stock cubes (?) at the windows. They do it differently out of the city
+ The blender exploding pina coladas all over my face
+ Embarassing Jo by dressing her up as her beloved Vicky Pollard, complete with Union Jack fake nails, blonde wig and bright eyeshadow, and taking her out for lunch
+ Dancing to the video clip of New Kids on the Block Hangin' Tough (whoa oh oh oh oh)
+ Jo getting all the answers correct in the 'how well does she know her future husband' game, including the most ambiguous crazy replies. They are made for each other *awww*

4 bridesmaids and a bride

Line 'em up

Our beach

Jo and I

Long Weekend #1

It's rare for timing to be so spot on: if ever I needed to get out of the city for a weekend it's this one.

Tomorrow it's Jo's hen's weekend and we've rented a beautiful holiday home at Copacobana beach till Sunday. Driving up with a fab bridesmaid who loves being single and loves Motley Crue - snap! - followed by two days of hanging out with great gals, barbecues, making silly cocktails, drinking games, karaoke and chick flicks. Later gater.

Girl, Interrupted

I thought I was ready for a relationship.

I was, when I dipped my toe into the pool.

But now I feel like I'm drowning, not waving.

I've met the best and worst of men and I need a break.

It used to be easier, non?

Passport Photo

"I've Wanted To Do This For So Long"

So he said to me as I dropped him home. What seems like an eternity ago, we had both wanted it, in a moment that was beautiful in it's wrongness. "If things were different" never seemed truer that night, under a Sydney summer black sky, with a boyfriend at home but not for much longer. And here we are, years later, and he's telling me words that you want to hear at certain times in your life, but they're not coming from the right person.

You open your eyes and it's just not the right person.

Oui-mper

Yes, please. I renege on any other crush. Romain is my original and best crush. Merci Nicole, to be honest I haven't read the article yet, but I will when I can tear my eyes away.

PS has anyone got Charlotte's new album yet?

1 To 10

1. Since I am now addicted to coffee for the first time in my life, try bombon coffee.
2. Start tax. Have anxiety attack. Drink more coffee. Have a cigarette. Do more tax. Feel calmer.
3. Make the most incredible potato and leek soup in less than 20 minutes. For 2-3 servings, dice 3 potatoes, slice one leek, half an onion and 2 garlic cloves, and add to a pot. Saute with a little butter until the onions and leek soften. Add about 400ml of stock (I used chicken), pop the lid on and simmer until the potatoes are cooked. Process with a hand blender until completely smooth. You can add cream at this point, but with enough processing the soup will be creamy enough. Season. In the bowl, sprinkle with chopped chives, and if you're lucky enough to be given a huge wedge of pecorino flavoured with truffles, add a few thin slices, but don't stir, let the warmth of the soup melt this wonderfully heady cheese.
I'm on a roll, so then make the easiest, cutest, chewy Jam Drops. Preheat oven to 180C. In a bowl mix 200g of self-raising flour, 5 Tablespoons of butter, 5 Tablespoons of sugar and 1 egg. Roll mixture into little balls (the size of big walnuts) and pop onto a baking sheet. Press down into the centre with your thumb knuckle, making a small indent, and spoon a little strawberry jam. Bake for about 12 minutes, until pale golden brown. Enjoy with a glass of cold milk - heaven!
5. Buy stunning, gorgeous, love-of-my-life Marni clutch online satisfied this is your reward for doing tax.
6. Lie on couch all night thanks to horrible back pain.
7. Wake up on Sunday morning with the worst headache. Head feels like it's in a clamp all day.
8. Make vegetable stock with leftover scraps from the soup.
9. Go for a big walk, along the beautiful Bay Run. Feels fantastic. The view is gorgeous, as are the men. Must buy sexy exercise gear.
10. End the weekend with a bowl of buttered pilmeni, Extras and going crazy with headache.

Bombon coffee = espresso with condensed milk = good

Potato and leek soup

Jam Drops about to go in the oven

However...

...it does lead you to find bills like this, of which I'd be happy to have more of:

Thinking Of Starting Your Own Business, Or Two?

It doesn't feel very 'fulfilling' right now...

Tragic.jpg

The spring/summer pieces are starting to arrive and it's very exciting because the collections I bought are beautiful and I invested a lot into this season. Whether I'm right or wrong my philosophy is to believe in each piece I buy, and to go for what's special rather than one-hit wonders. Well, I don't mind the occassional one-hit wonder, say bubble skirts, because with the confidence and right attitude you can make them work for years to come. But, for example, jumpsuits. I did not buy even one. I don't care what's been said about them, how glorified they've been in photoshoots, I won't sell them. The fact is, they are a blink-and-you'll-miss-'em trend that only look good in a quirky way on size 6 girls for about two minutes. You can't do much with them, and I don't know any girlfriends that would wear them. Especially not for $300+. I know I'm in the minority, because I just received a newsletter from a leading boutique with this as one of their season highlights:

If you just saw this picture on its own you'd think it was taken at the methadone clinic, with the 'ensemble' plucked from Target's pyjama collection circa 1982. Instead, it's probably several hundred dollars and absolutely fabulous, dah-link. Actually, I can so see Eddy in this.

I love fashion - the good, the bad, and the tragic.

My New Morning Ritual

Large flat white with mini cupcake. The cupcakes are plain sponge with a thin layer of icing, and the only decent item at the local bakery. The coffee is good and strong and not sweet and hot.

What will I do, when the weekend comes...

Leftovers

Despite the recent cooking posts, my fridge rarely has more than half a dozen items in it. And I think I was determined to use every one of them up last night. The result? Delicious creamed corn and bacon fritters, topped with avocado and roast tomato, with Greek yoghurt. They're pretty to look at and go down a treat.

Fritters are the easiest thing to make and so good for using up whatever you have in the pantry and fridge. I used to make them with 2 minute noodles. I threw in Eumundi Smokehouse bacon (the best), creamed corn, fetta and chives, and while they were gently frying, slow roasted some mini roma tomatoes and made a basic salsa with diced avocado. Top with a dollop of Greek yoghurt, or sour cream.

Fritter goodness

And it being Friday, that makes it one whole working week of cooking at home! This hasn't happened since before I moved in more than a year ago. And glancing through my cookbooks as I put them away into my new bookshelf last night reminds me to keep it up, I love cooking.

Not A Martha Stewart, Not Yet A Domestic Goddess

Just to prove I am not morphing into Martha, what with all the cooking posts...

Today I'm having a Carrie day: "...I was looking for the perfect $7 dress to go with my $400 shoes". Because today I am wearing a $1 BNWT Witchery grey shift with my $300 Bottega Veneta heels.

I want coloured patent heels, like these from Miu Miu:

And I want to wear them with white cotton dresses, or my black mini bow dress from Topshop. I just realised I saw these in Florence and didn't pick them up, idiot!

TV Dinners

There hasn't been anything to watch on TV for yonks, and now, there's an eruption of goodness.

Last night, Rick Stein's French Odyssey started and I've been waiting an age for this. I love his passion, his cooking, his philosophy. And I love Chalky! but he's not in this series. Also on Wednesday is Thank God You're Here, which can be really funny. Tonight starts Jamie's Kitchen Australia, and the original London series was must-see TV, so I can't wait for this local one. Passionate chefs, snotty disadvataged youth, the heat of the kitchen, what more could you want! And...one of my favourite ever shows, Oz, resumes on SBS next Monday after the longest hiatus, yippee!

So for the start of good TV, a perfect TV dinner. Roast garlic mash with perfectly-seared grain-fed scotch fillet, served with horseradish parsley butter. I'd been wanting to buy fresh horseradish for a while, and finally got my mitts on some at the Providores Market this weekend. Grate an inch of horseradish into a small ramekin, and add finely chopped parsley and warm salted butter (the Gympie salted butter is just a bit too good). Pop back into the fridge to harden, and serve a dollop on top of steak. It would be gorgeous swirled through mash or on top of green vegies too.

The Butcher

I have a love affair with food shops: providores (Fratelli Fresh), markets, the fish markets, good bakeries, down to the humble suburban deli. And lately, where to buy good meat has been my interest du jour. I just can't buy meat from the supermarket anymore (or fruit or vegetables either); I'd rather buy quality meat even if it's more expensive than the unknown sold at Coles. This is one of the very few areas I actually have a conscious about: I want my meat coming from small farms, after watching Rick Stein passionately discuss large-scale abatoirs; and I want my meat to come from animals not pumped up with more chemicals than I can do on a summer's Saturday night. At first I thought I would rather pay more, just eat a little less, until I looked into it and found quality meat is often cheaper than the supermarkets. My favourite butcher at the moment is A&S Select Meats at Mascot (next door to those delicious Vietnamese pork rolls), and yesterday was another big stock-up of gorgeous meat. And the butchers are cheeky and flirty and that's what you want.

Spring means lamb and I couldn't wait to try some, especially in combination with the large couscous (moghrabieh) I picked up at Simon Johnson's Providores Market on the weekend. The lamb was as good as my tastebuds were hoping for, and this dish is perfect for mid-week dinner or weekend lunch in any season. It's robust, healthy, so quick to make, and lets the produce shine.

Large couscous and seared lamb salad
Cook the large couscous, or moghrabieh, according to the packet (it cooks like pasta, not couscous). At the same time season one lamb backstrap with either salt and pepper, or Moroccan spices. Sear in a hot pan for about 10-12 minutes, but do not overcook. Remove and let the lamb rest while you prepare the rest of the salad. In a large bowl mix together a few handfuls of baby spinach leaves, halved truss/cherry tomatoes, chopped parsley and the moghrabieh. On an angle slice the lamb (I like 1cm slices) and add to the salad. Crumble some fetta over the top and gently toss to combine. The pan juices are enough to flavour the salad, or some lemon would be nice too. Pine nuts, boconcini and cucumber would also go well in this salad.

Yum

Tax Or Treat?

I cannot take any more anxiety attacks and so this weekend I am doing my tax. I have put it off long enough. I have waited for those rainy weekends, got there, then got cosy with TV and chocolate.

That's it no more. I am staying in all weekend. I'm not going out Friday or Saturday night in case they lead to the slightest excuse. This is IT.

And I think it will help if I treat myself to something on completion. A carrot to dangle in front of me. Even though I don't want, need anything - my whole life is a treat - I can come up with something.

Viktor and Rolf's Flower Bomb?
Chanel's latest mascara and eyeshadow quad?
A pair of patent Louboutins?

Suggestions and votes welcome.

Miscs This Week

+ Time for a new name. Relookage was a word that jumped out at me, at a time when I was coming into a new phase of life. The relookage of me. Now, I feel like it's time for Initiales J.B. It had to be something Gainsbourg. My showers take place to the soundtrack of L'Homme A Tete Du Chou (almost the full album, I'm no environmentalist) and it was either this or Pauvre Idiote.
+ Black clouds again come and go.
+ This weather is perfect for last-minute winter cookery. Monday night was Bill 'Cheesy Grin White Pants' Granger's baked sausages with kipfler potatoes, but with venison sausages instead of Italian and truss tomatoes thrown in towards the end. Really good.
+ There are few people I could be bothered hating more than 9/11 conspiracy theorists.

On This Miserable Weekend:

The Comedy Store; yum cha x 2; my new bookshelf; huddling in front of the heater with SATC and the repeat of France v Italy (take that Azzuris!); too much hot whiskey and rum.

Simple Pleasures

Give me yachts and double-digit carat necklaces and Beluga and I'll still prefer a life of simple pleasures.

Like coming home in the cold and making the most delicious dinner, and eat it curled up on the couch with Sex and the City.

Butter a large ramekin and spread leftover mash potatoes, mixed with chopped chives, on the bottom. Halve some truss tomatoes and pop them over the mash, skin side down. Break a duck egg over the tomatoes, season, and pour a little cream over the top. Bake until set.

OK, So...

Sitemeter tells me someone is looking for my blog, I'm guessing on the sly.

Who are you? Email me, anonymously if you prefer.

Flattering, Of Sorts

Going to a gay club midweek and being picked up.

Oh God

Kate Moss for Agent Provocateur.

Sign up to watch the whole Dream movie. If I'm going to get any Spam it might as well be Agent Provocateur Spam.

Geesus

I just downloaded Hips Don't Lie. Who woulda thought. It's the song that I think of when I think of Europe this year, as along with Gnarles Barkley's Crazy, was played everywhere, radios, waiting for buses in Sicily. It's a perfect summer song, candy for driving under the blue sky.

This Week

Starting The Week With A Compliment: "I've been told you've got a GST." "Huh?" "A great set of tits". From a client, bless.
Bought And Listening To: Nouvelle Vague, first and new albums.
Last Night: Had a wedding hair trial at Jo's. Soft curls are hawt. Such a great bunch of girls, no bullshit, so refreshing.
Small World: Sharing grandma's hospital room is a mother and daughter from New Caledonia. We were chatting about the place that fills my heart when the French priest walks in, speaking Russian, and comes over for a chat and starts blessing grandma. I tried to hold back the laughs but couldn't when grandma leant forward after he left and said: "is he a little bit crazy?".
Wearing: Inappropriately low cut tops. Thank gawd, as there were so many hot doctors there today and usually I look like what the cat dragged in.

Cooking From The Markets Part I

Penne With Smoked Barramundi, Asparagus, Sugar Snap Peas and Tomato

When I was in Thailand, a.k.a the holiday from hell, I was trying out the spas in Phuket, allegedly for an article I was writing. I went up to the Banyan Tree, which had been awarded best spa in the world, for three hours of bliss (but the rustic Hideaway Spa in the foothills of Patong, was the best by far). Afterwards, I treated myself to lunch in the hotel's more casual restaurant, and had one of the most superb pasta dishes, which I still dream about. Penne with swordish and asparagus, in a light cream sauce. Having bought a whole smoked barramundi at the markets on Saturday, I thought I'd try to recreate this dish. Of course I didn't, but it was still a tremendous pasta dish enhanced by the smokey, meaty but not oily barramundi, that would be equally delicious in risotto, a salad, or as a pate.

While cooking the pasta, steam a bunch of asparagus sliced into inch-long pieces and/or sugar snap peas until al dente. Quarter a handful of cherry tomatoes. Flake a whole smoked barramundi and add to the cooked pasta, along with the vegetables, with a good splash of cream. Add some chopped chives as they go really well with these flavours. Season only with pepper, as the smoked barramuni is quite salty, and serve with shaved parmiggiana.

Snob

Kapow! The Bentley, which I just raved about two posts down has been awarded two hats, as well as Best New Restaurant, in this year's Good Food Guide, published today. I told you!

As usual I have to count my hat tally: 22.

Father's Day

Eat

I love an 'it' restaurant, and what better opportunity to check one out than when you just start seeing somebody. You dress up, order the best of everything, drink good wine, and canoodle amongst the candlelight.

And that was Friday night, as Airport Guy and I went up the road to The Bentley. I'd heard mixed things but lately have been keen to check it out. Loved it. Even to the extent of using my signature phrase "it's my new favourite". We took a seat at a tapas table and ordered away: silky Clair de Lune oysters; incredible meaty black jamon; soft boiled egg rolled in toasted almond crumbs; these delectable toothpicks adorned with curled anchovies, coated in pistachio praline (as they were out of the signature sardines on toast); kingfish sashimi drizzled with liquid wasabi; and two servings of their other signature, popcorn chicken, because it was just so more-ish. To top it off the noise level was perfect, sadly rare in Sydney, and staff friendly and attentive. I hope they change the menu often because I'd love to go back.

Oysters, black jamon and anchovies. So good.

Kingfish with liquid wasabi (which definitely wasn't yellow, fucking phones)

Soft boiled egg in almond crunch. I want one every day.

Popcorn chicken. We almost asked for a bucket of it.

Saturday was up early for Kath and I's girly day, starting with the Good Living Growers' Markets which I've been meaning to go to all year, but never got around to. So worth it - they're incredible. Stalls and stalls of farmers and providores, teasing and seducing with the best of local produce. K, J, little Marianna (baby's first fresh food market) and I were ga-ga at the raw and smoked ducks, live SA mussels, tender lamb, gorgeous sourdoughs, earthy-fresh fruit and vegetables, and satisfied our growling tummies with a very carnivorous bacon and sauage roll from Eumundi Smokehouse - owner David was so lovely and that bacon is out of this world.

Bacon, sausage, rocket and tomato roll.
And you wonder why I could never date a vegetarian.

To market, to market

J and Marianna head home

My loot:
A whole smoked barramundi
Duck eggs
A pack of organic lamb patties
Venison sausages
Cultured salted butter and creme fraiche from Gympie Dairy
Watercress
Double smoked bacon, Russian sauage, smoked duck breast with Dijon, herb and almond brioche crust from Eumundi Smokehouse

Lots of samples and sensory overload meant we decided to skip yum cha and just shop, before heading to Estee Lauder for a Tom Ford Azuree makeover. I was good and didn't buy anything, even though I worhsip Tom Ford. Last stop was the Lindt Cafe - finally. Very European chocolate cafe, and a pleasant spot to rest weary shopping feet. Delicious panini with prosciutto, egg mayonnaise, watercress and mustard, washed down in no time with a Lindt milk chocolate milkshake. And lots of take-home Lindt balls (peanut butter, mmm) and a Champagne truffle for the way out.

Who goes to the Lindt cafe and eats non-chocolate?
But when the panini are this good...

Lindt milk chocolate milkshake.
I want to have a bath in this goodness.

Saturday night was a yea whatever. In my books if you're invited out by a friend they should also have the courtesy of calling during the day and letting you know the what whens. So a big yea whatever to that.

So I stayed in and had a grand time, dyed my hair dark auburn and watched my beloved I Vitelloni, which I found on DVD this week. This is one of my Top 10 films and having not seen it in a few years, watching it again just reminded me how beautiful it is, and in so many ways it's the perfect film. Funny, moving, cheeky, seductive, and that Nina Rota music.

Father's Day, and I always think of those who for today is a hard day, and I kind of wish we didn't have these days. We went over and had breakfast at dad's fab local cafe, and I planned to go to the beach but it had clouded over by the time I'd got home. Decided to go to the movies, so hopped online for session times. Wanted to see Thank You For Smoking, but read "if you smoke you won't after this movie". I wasn't quite ready to not smoke again, so chose 49 Up. Walked up to the cinema, amidst the sunshine and blaring gay music that is my little corner of the earth, and really enjoyed this latest offering, especially as mostly everyone seemed happy and content at this stage. The purveying theme was family, and I can't help but feel isolated from that notion of gathering happiness from your family (ie your children, etc). Will I be enough, into older age?

Oh, and ended up at Una's for dinner because I don't think there was enough eating this weekend.

Deep fried camembert and Grolsch. Life is good.

Swiss sausage, sauerkraut and rosti.

Sexy Tunes

It's time to start planning N and I's joint birthday bash and this year's theme, following last year's inaugural 'summer', is 'sex'. The invite is a CD with our favourite themed songs (5 each plus one mutual), so today was thinking up my favourite sexy songs. I've come up with:

Basement Jaxx - Get Me Off (pill to this and try not to feel sexy)
Madonna - Skin (ultimate pilling sexy song)
Gainsbourg - L'Eau A La Bouche (pure seduction)
Blood Sugar Sex Magik - RHCP (this one just popped in my head and now I can't get it out as a 'sexy song'. It's dark and rough)
Led Zeppelin - Whole Lotta Love, or something from Motley Crue (heavier rock is pure sex)

What are yours?