happy easter...

And happy 4-day long weekend! It has been so, so lovely to have V home all this time - we have had such a wonderful break so far (trying not to think too much about him leaving for Newcastle again on Tuesday!)

The long weekend has been pretty low-key and relaxing for us - and has involved lots of yoga for me, and lots of surfing for V. And a shedload of baking which is always fun!

This is a surprisingly arduous task - made all the more difficult by the husband constantly sneaking up and nabbing the peeled eggs, dammit!

Mini caramel egg muffins! Nom!

Yes, I did bake enough for a small army, what of it?

Lemon-thyme salmon on Friday night...

And the most sinful Easter hot cross bun pudding evah! Seriously, this about killed us - so, so good but so rich! Exercise extreme caution with this one - I recommend making this one for a crowd, not just for two...

Saturday, we kicked back to childhood and headed for the Easter show

I've always loved the CWA kitchen - the scone count was looking promising only two days in!

Mmmmm best scones in the world

I was chuffed when V bought me the CWA cookbook! It is a complete gem, I especially love the photos and anecdotes. Cannot wait to get baking!

I had to take a photo of this poodle because, I mean, really - the little fluffy bits over its bum just about had me in stitches

Even after a whole morning of grazing our way around the food hall, we still found room for a cappuccino and freckle cookie at lee&me cafe in the afternoon...

A cheese plate is a perfectly balanced dinner, right? I mean look, it has apple and pear, and, umm, 4 types of cheese! Perfect!

The Easter bunny came to call in our house this morning...

I am a sucker for a fuzzy chicken...

We had my family over for breakfast...

Yes, I served chocolate easter egg muffins for breakfast! If you can't eat chocolate for breakfast at Easter, when can you?

Taking the Lindt theme to a whole other level...

Currently relaxing with a pot of tea - the perfect antidote to lots of chocolate!

Hope you are all having a wonderful long weekend

xoxo

oh baby...

Today was my lovely sister's baby shower! I had so much fun organising, buying lots of pretty little things, decorating the house - such a perfect day! Even the weather cooperated and provided us with a gorgeous sunny day

Flowers arranged by me! I actually had a lot of fun doing this, although its harder than I would have thought (thorns on the roses do NOT help!)

Drinks table! Totes in love with those striped pink-and-white paper straws, from the donna hay general store...

We had a high tea theme - lots of gorgeous antique china and yummy little cakes and sandwiches

Pom-poms and bunting! (again, courtesy of the donna hay general store)

Sooooo many yummy goodies!

Amazeballs strawberry and chocolate mousse meringue cake - sophie the giraffe features in this photo, actually several sophies were present at the party (note to self: sophie is clearly the chewing toy du jour!)

Tips and well wishes for the expectant mum!

Macarons and sandwiches and tea cakes, oh my!

Mmmmmm mille-feuille...

The tea buffet - we had a huge selection of T2 teas for the guests to enjoy

Everything tastes better drunk through a stripey pink-and-white straw!

No party would be complete with lolly bags

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

xoxo

australia day...

xoxo

happy 2012!

We had some friends and family around for dinner and drinks on New Years Eve

The drinks buffet...

Nice boutique beer...

Nibbles!

V's amazeballs seafood platter!

Donna Hay's rose petal and prosecco punch...

Later, we walked down to the harbourfront and watched the fireworks...

And played with sparklers...

Happy New Years to all in Blogland!

xoxo

in which I am completely spot-free, and celebrate christmas, ACAGAN style...

Greetings from the land of the laptop-less! I have been completely MIA, as my poor laptop took a little tumble off the couch and its hinge got sightly munted, so its in the computer hospital being repaired. Meaning I have to snatch whatever blog-opportunities I can get, on whichever computer I can find - tonight, being on my Dad's laptop. So here is a belated Christmas post!

PS: I do not have chicken-pox and danced in my concert quite happily - photos to follow when I get the chance!

Being the sad little Christmas-fan I am, I always wear my Peter Alexander Christmas kitten PJ's on Christmas eve - laugh all you want, but I think they are kewt!

Presents! V's gift was a brand new, custom-made surfboard - which he christened in spectacular style on Boxing Day by splitting his head open and requiring 3 stitches, the duffer

Wheeeee, Kindle! My Christmas present from V! Totally love it, and have already downloaded (and read) 3 books on it

My sister and brother-in-law gave me this gorgeous bronze and coral Samantha Wills bracelet (the burnt orange skirt in the background is from Veronika Maine, a gift from my parents)

Delish perfume from V...

Coolest book EVAH! from my little brother...

Christmas nails! OPI Quarter of a Cent-Cherry, with OPI Teenage Dream over the top

After breakfast and presents at my parents' house, we got everything set up for lunch - my brother made this totally amazeballs punch, which involved pink grapefruit juice and lots of fruit. Divine!

Drinkies!

My first-ever attempt at a glazed ham! Hello, gorgeous!

I may or may not have eaten this entire plateful of lunch - and then gone back for seconds

Dessert buffet - I was very proud of my little Christmas jellies and mini-pavlovas. My nectarine and vanilla bean trifle was very well-received, but is unfortunately barely visible in this photo...

My brother gets into the festive spirit...

You all know my thoughts on how essential Pink Bubbles are for celebrations!

Christmas Boo!

Kaiser thumb! Seriously no explanation for this photo, except a combination of alcohol and chocolate wrappers

Merry belated Christmas! I hope you all ate and drank lots of good food and wine, and had a fabulous day!

xoxo