Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Real living July issue








































The Real Living July issue is out now and I was pretty excited to see this gorgeous shot of our Inka bedlinen in Smoke! I have been tossing up whether to get Inka for home and its a done deal now I think this looks great - and Im loving the Mustard wall back with it. Thanks Real Living! 

Monday, June 20, 2011

Costa Lanta Krabi






There is an obvious reason why I have the need to talk about holidays on Monday mornings im sure! Hubby and I are searching for a romantic getaway and yesterday I found this to die for location - Costa Lanta, on Koh Lanta - please take me here!!! Years ago we went to Koh Lanta on advice from our very good friends and loved it - I remember paying for our room in the dinner bill as the room was $7! Things have gone up abit on Koh Lanta the rooms at the Costa Lanta are 3200- 4900Baht $98-$151 AUD (but make sure to go before October 31st as it then doubles in price) a bargin if you ask me. I am loving the concrete walls and the wooden walls which push back to let you lye in bed surrounded by nature. Ahh yes please.

Friday, June 17, 2011

Table settings for the weekend!















































Above these lovely shots of tableware by Trine Thorsen are inspiring me today - loving the top shot especially with the yellow hints mixed back with purples, gold and black - thats my kind of table setting! 

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Bring on some chilli please!





















So after watching Master Chef last night I have a sudden need for Asian flavours and a bit of spice in my life - maybe it will help this awful flu leave my body!

Above is a beautiful, crisp, fresh & colourful looking dish of Pumpkin flower salad with Prawn and Pork from The Songs of Sapa by Luke Nguyen featured in Instyle magazine. I'II be trying this one tonight!



Pickled Vegetables

625ml rice vinegar
440g sugar
2 Lebanese cucumber
1 carrot
1 small daikon
1 celery stalk
1/2 lemon, cut into thin wedges

In a saucepan, combine the rice vinegar, sugar and 1 tablespoon slat, stir well and bring to the boil. Remove from the heat and set aside to cook. Cut the cucumbers in half lengthways and scrape out the seeds with a spoon. Cut the cucumber, carrot, daikon and celery into 5cm x 5mm batons. Combine the lemon wedges with the vegetables and place in a 1 litre container. Pour the cooled pickling liquid over the vegetable to submerge them. Cover with a lid, place in the fried and allow to pickle for 3 days before use. Store any leftover pickled vegetables in the fridge for up to one week.

Dipping Fish Sauce

3 tablespoons fish sauce
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 bird's eye chilli, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons lime juice

Combine the fish sauce, rice vinegar, sugar and 125 ml (4 fl oz/1/2 cup) of water in a saucepan and place over medium heat. Stir well and cook until just before boiling point is reached, then remove from the heat and allow to cool. To serve, add the garlic and chilli, then stir in the lime juice. Store, tightly sealed in a jar in the fridge, for up to 5 days. Makes about 250 ml (9 fl oz/1 cup)

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Zara finally here







































Well the day has finally arrived that Zara has blessed us Melbournites with her presence, heres a shot taken in the city today of the crowds looking pretty excited and looking like they dont mind abit of a wait! With the newly renovated Myer and David Jones and now Zara - there's 3 good reasons to start shopping in Melbourne city centre again! 

Sunday, June 12, 2011

My Heart Wanders




































I struggle to read, I want to read, but I just struggle in my day to day life to put the time aside for reading. But being ill this week (and through the long weekend- not great!) has given me time to read Pia Jane Bijkerk's lovely book "My Heart Wanders" - I was actually visiting a bike shop a couple of weeks ago and it happened to be across the road from the very lovely Scarlet Jones, where I managed to buy a Matta dupatta scarf that I have always admired and this lovely signed copy of Pia's book.

Pia's book was very easy to read, I loved the opening of the book in which she described being at a fork in the road, one way lead to her normal everyday life, the other to a new exciting but somewhat scary adventure. An adventure that we should all at least consider for ourselves one day. A very honest rendition of her life moving around with her family and then by herself, a pleasure to read and admire the lovely shots all taken by Pia.

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Dreaming of being in Spain










































































Melbournes nasty weather may have taken its toll on me, stuck in bed with the flu and all I can dream about is getting away to the sun, destinations like the lovely Hotel Escondrijo in the Costa De La Luz in Spain could do the trick! 

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Bike ideas



















I've been doing abit of research lately on a new bike, after managing to sell my mountain bike on ebay so now I have the exciting challenge ahead of finding a new one. Looking around I have found out that ladies bikes have definately become a total fashion statement of style! What to ride? There are seriously some stylish bikes around and some are really built for looking lovely over speed - I fancy abit of both to be honest. Above, I'm loving the pearlescent Aqua Blue of this beautiful Neorealista a sporty Italian hand made bike from the Bella Ciao collection, and below the luxury cromed Moscova bike! This could be just a touch to "show off" for me.






















Below is the Pilen Special, looking lovely in cream, "Pilen bikes are about Love - of bicycle riding, of the craftmanship, of the materials and of the people who own them". 


















This beauty below is the Victoria Balloon from Velorbis - "the most prestigious two wheels you will ever own" the Victoria comes with these very cool brown Fat Frank balloon tyres, and luxurious brown leather accessories, a beautiful brooks saddle, handle trims and mud flaps. With a swan like shape it is stunning and i do fancy those leather satchels - made in Germany, this would definately set me back a few bob!



And my favorite at the moment is definately below, the Electra Ticino - I have been googling for weeks and if looks are anything to go by this beautiful lady is the winner - i'm loving the diamond shaped frame and the cool graceful vintage design but still looking very sporty. I think I will head out this weekend for some test riding to make a decision. Now I just have to be able to find one to ride? But dont worry you will never see me doning the lycra on this baby!