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

now you are one...

Dear little A - Saturday 16 July 2011 saw you turn one year old. I cannot believe that at this time, 12 months ago, I was eagerly awaiting news of your arrival, thinking of your Mumma and Dadda and how much they wanted and loved you already. These past 12 months have flown by and I have been privileged to watch you grow and develop and explore the world. Although only one, you have a wealth of wisdom beyond your years, and it is a joy to behold.

Happy first birthday little A!

xoxo

the night before, and the morning after...

So Saturday was a special double-birthday celebration for my sister and Mum - and as today (Sunday) is my brother's birthday, we celebrated last night with a big party for all 3 of them! A group family and close friends converged on my parents' house at around 6pm, everyone bringing a plate for dinner (pot luck!), and the fun began from there...

Presents! I lurve giving birthday presents. These were well-received by all (phew!)

Birthdays needs must be celebrated with French bubbles - is it wrong that I lost count of how many glasses I had, but I believe I may have consumed the lion's share?

A special Whitestone cheese platter - think I've raved about this cheese before, its from Omaru in NZ and people, its amaaaazing! Check it out in your local Woolies!

Seafood extravaganza!

Lets just take a moment to appreciate the crayfish goodness - are you dying yet? Seriously, SO good!

Many, many nommy desserts and a Very Fancy Cheese. I should add, several other main courses were also served but somehow escaped my camera-notice, dammit!

At this point my camera was left on a table somewhere, and not found again until shortly before 12am when V and I finally grabbed out things and headed home...

Having arrived home after midnight, V and I were exhausted this morning, and required coffee, stat! In giant mugs, naturally

'Twas chilly today! A really wintery day, sunny and bright but still sharply cold. I actually kind of loving dressing for this type of weather

This was right after I managed to spike myself in the head with one of those big succulent plants outside our house - I believe my concern was more for my 'do than my head

♥ Marcs dress

♥ Country Road cardigan

♥ Diana Ferrari ballet flats

♥ Fuzzy Designs mirror brooch

♥ Cotton On sunglasses

♥ Jag satchel with Oroton silk scarf

Happy Sunday to all in Blogland! Hope the weekend was kind to you. Looking forward to an especially loooong weekend this time next week!

xoxo

birthday celebrations...

Happy birthday to my gorgeous sister R and my gorgeous Mum! We are having a nice big dinner tonight with family and friends, and today my family all met up in Sydney for a day of eating and shopping...

Sitting on the train, zzzzzzzz.... What? Oh yes, I also read a book. Love these heart-print tights beyond all measure!

After a 6:30am start, I needed a super-GRANDE caramel macchiato! And super-grande sunglasses to hide my tired eyes LOL

We had high tea at the QVB Tea Rooms, a little family celebration for R and my Mum...

Ohhhh scones with jam and clotted cream, heaven!

Mmmmm nommy! My brother P reports that the super oolong was especially yum ;)

Three guesses where we detoured to on the way home? I seriously squeeed when we arrived at Zumbo. And my parents thought I was too old to embarrass them any more...

Yeeeeesss, we finally make it inside! Only a 15min wait, not bad Zumbo!

I just died a little bit...

My excitement cannot be contained at this point. I bought a dozen, one of each of the nine flavours they had and a few extras. I am pleased to announce that many, many macarons were consumed during the drive home. Satay was surprisingly yummy, albeit strange. Palm sugar was truly beyond description, divine.

El bizarro pose and facial expression!

Goofing around for the camera...

'Scuse the crap photo quality, the light was shocking!

ZOMG my hand iz meeeelting!!!

♥ Sewn shorts

♥ Wrangler shadows knit

♥ Leona Edmiston tights

♥ Diana Ferrari "shandi" booties

♥ Cotton On sunglasses

♥ Jag leather satchel with Oroton silk scarf

♥ Tiffany&Co rings

♥ OPI Mrs O'Leary's BBQ on nails

I'm such a ham (and yes, my back did get cold today in Sydney!)

Happy weekend all!

xoxo