This Weekend

I had an early birthday lunch at meadowbank today with my parents, luckily the rain held off and the sun came out. The view across the valley and the vineyard is beautiful, as was the food, champagne to drink with stuffed zucchini flowers, and then duck and lamb dishes to share. Later at home I sat and listened to the rain and made some mini pom poms.
Now I'm listening to the new PJ Harvey, she's so great!

Grey Saturday

it's one of those grey rainy days where the washing is hanging in front of the heater, the dishes need doing and I'm still in my pyjama's. I've been watching Twilight on dvd (and now I HAVE to read the books!) and opening an exciting parcel from Dublin. See it's my birthday on monday, and I love birthdays, mostly I love other people's and buying gifts for them, but this time I have indulged myself and through my aunt's in-laws in Dublin scored some beautiful Cath Kidston goodies.

Macarons

I made macarons this past weekend and well let’s just say… it was a first attempt and I demand a re-match because they look nothing like they should! You must need to put a LOT of food colour in because my mix was a pretty pink and then once I added the almond meal they went a not so pretty pinky/brown. I think next time I will try this recipe after seeing Jordan's amazing batch. On the positive side I made a white chocolate ganache for the filling and that was perfect.

Because you so kindly asked, and I love your comments, the shoes in my previous post are vintage Thom AcAm's I bought on etsy. And while we are on shoes what do you think of the beauties above? I think they are on my list.

PS this is the store I bought mine from, there are so many great shoes here.

This Weekend

1. Chrysanthemums in my mum's garden. Amazingly she still has some strawberries coming through, as well as tomatoes and rhubarb. Yum.
2. My saturday breakfast (late saturday).
3. Love those shoes, but they rub so bad.
4. The obligatory kitchen table shot. I love how pretty the tulip has become.

Bonne Maman

Lots of beautiful photographs with the super cute bonne maman jars. Does everyone around the world all buy the same jam? But then it is the best tasting shop jam I've had.
1, 2, 3, 4

A Rainbow

Found via the lulu bird (a lovely blog).
Also I've been meaning to mention that for those locally my picture postcards are available at Funky Homes.
Happy saturday!

Jamie Oliver

I love the design, packaging and clean lines of the Jme range by Jamie Oliver. I hadn't seen it till yesterday when I was flipping through his new magazine. Unfortunately (fortunately?!!!) there is no shipping available to Australia yet.

Ben Kweller

Wow is it Thursday already! I am definitely a strong supporter of three day work weeks, it has flown by. I’m feeling a little sleepy today, I got to see the sweet and lovely Ben Kweller last night. It was great he played all the best: wasted and ready, family tree, penny on the train track, sundress. His voice is so gorgeous, and I love his lyrics. I felt a little besotted like one of the love struck 18 year old fans in the front row. Sadly he didn’t play thirteen but did promise to play it next time he was here, as long as he comes back I'm happy.

Winter Home Wish List

Ok so it's not technically winter here yet, and given that I've worn sandals all weekend it still seemed a way off until today! Anyway I keep seeing all these things that would be nice to make my little flat cosy during the colder months. So here is my (current) winter/autumn home wish list:

1. A nice cosy sheep skin for my chair
2. Placemats (I really love these)
3. Owl softie, just 'cause
4. Book ends, much needed for my side table and I haven't found any decent ones anywhere yet, but these might do the job.
5. Toast goodness! Well a bowl and some napkins
6. Comfy arm chair
7. Books to read in said chair Thrifty Chic and Simply Country
8. Alyson Fox print

I'd love to hear what is on everyone else's list, also not included is some really nice hot drinking chocolate (I've no idea where to get some from). Any ideas?

Two Things (Tuesday)

1. A good mail day: little watercolour from Amy, I think it's so sweet, I love her work.
2. I went and saw The Boat that Rocked, it was great for a laugh and it's been a while since I had a laugh. I would recommend it (plus there is some good old rock and roll in it!)

Cactus

I hope everyone had a wonderful break. Mine has been so quiet but that's exactly what I wanted, and not a single easter egg have I consumed. So impressed (the chocolate cake on friday was well and truly enough)! I had plans to make a few things I've been thinking about, but so far all that has been produced is this little cactus. It's really not how I imagined but it's kinda cute....there's still tomorrow.

This Week in Pictures

top: wool felt beads, I found a shop with bowls of them, it was impossible to choose, the colours were gorgeous.
middle: lunch with little cousins, pumpkin soup, bread and butter and chocolate easter egg cake
bottom: a present for my oldest friend

I hope everyone has a wonderful easter break x

Ten Days

My neighbourhood has been filled with these public notices for the past Ten Days. The first few times I walked past them and thought they were all the same and then I realised in fact each was completely unique to the people who live in the house. It's a wonderful idea, these three are my particular favourites but there are some other lovely decisions (such as one taking a picture of all the dogs who walk past and having them on the fence, another was a chart for people to write down all the birds they have seen).
The above read:

1. For ten days the residents of this home will bake a batch of cookies each day and deliver them to friends and family

2. For ten days the residents of this home will dance together in the evenings

3. For ten days the owner will post a hand-written letter to friends every day

This Weekend

This afternoon it felt like we had completely by-passed autumn and headed straight into winter (including light snow dusting on the mountain). I have been thinking and talking about making roasted tomato soup for ages, so today was perfect for it. The smell was amazing while the tomatoes roasted. I think this is the easiest recipe ever, but next time I think I will add some onions in the oven and use basil instead of mint.

If you are keen to try:

Preheat the over to 180 celcius.
Cut in half 2.5 kilos of ripe tomatoes and place on baking trays, sprinkle with fresh oregano and salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil. Place in the oven for 45 minutes to an hour. Once done add tomatoes to a pan and add 2 cups of chicken stock, 1 tablespoon sugar, 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar and use an electric hand mixer to blend. Once smooth add a handful of fresh mint chopped and then simmer for a few minutes to allow the flavours to combine.

Little Things

Happy friday!
Thank you for all your kind comments, I think the pink is here to stay a little longer. This week has been a quiet week, and I guess I've been a little quiet here, I think March was one of the hardest months mentally and emotionally for me. April might not be any easier but at least we have a lovely long easter break coming up, so I can take some time out. Anyway... on to lovely things, 'cause that's what this blog is about : )

I thought I'd share a few links to some bits and pieces I am loving right now:

music, specifically: Trophy by Bat for Lashes, (I love her voice, this song is so old school Bjork-like, Venus as a Boy style), Tony Adams by Joe Strummer, and Blood Bank by Bon Iver.

my flickr favourites

Petite watermelons (via Frankie)

This, this and this book,

and

A little deer brooch.

Have a wonderful weekend.