Sydney Weekender

Hello world!

Hope you're still with me cuz I know it's been a little while between drinks. So, you know I had an awesome but incredibly busy time in Sydney over Easter. Somehow in the space of three days we managed to:

• pick up the ultimate nanna blanket on the way to Sydney, via a market at Exeter

• schlep to our fave daggy Asian joint, Harry's Singapore Chilli Crab (yes, that's the ACTUAL name) and consume a 2.2 kilo mud crab between the three of us (oh man, the sweetness of the crab, with the fiery chilli sauce was so good)

• race through the Museum of Contemporary Art, where I unfortunately missed the Anish Kapoor exhibition, but managed to eat the most delicious eggs cocotte at the MCA cafe

• meander around the The Rocks market, where I picked up a beautiful Silk Diva Tunic  from Anna Pryor

• scoff one of my fave dishes of all time, the roti canai, at the once hatted, yet still awesome Mamak 

• Nip into the Sydney Antiques Centre, where as someone who collects tea pots and vintage tins,  picked up the Holy Grail = a tin tea pot (what are the chances?!)

• Dash through IKEA, because I physically do not know how to visit a city without nipping into a furniture store (oh I also went to Matt Blatt on Oxford Street). AND to top it off...
• attend a Big Fat wedding of 500 (yep that's 50 with an extra 0)

Phew! Summing it all up, I'm not sure how we managed to do it without going insane, well we kinda did, but that's what happens when you travel with an 8 year old and my Mother.

Oh did I not mention that my Mother, who also travelled from Canberra, insisted we visit a random distant relative with her, in some unknown part of Sydney, because you know, we had so much spare time.

When picturing said Mother, think, Imelda Marcos/Margaret Thatcher/Martha Stewart/Oprah Winfrey rolled into one. So basically a scary perfectionist dictator with a penchant for shoes and a heart of gold, who always gets what she wants. Bless.

I'm hoping this weekend will be way less cray cray, but ya never know with me!

Until next time...Rose. xx

Tis the season

Hello world!

And so here we are yet again, another year almost past. Hope you’ve all enjoyed, or are still enjoying, a blissful holiday season. I know I am!

Though Christmas 2012 may be gone, its spirit is still lingering in the house of Rose, thanks to a turkey load of left-over turkey. And while I would love to fill these pages with scores of leftover turkey recipes (think turkey omelette, turkey pie, turkey breast stuffed with turkey, turkey mince, shall I go on?) I shall restrain myself and instead share with you my “other” favourite moments of Christmas 2012.

 

My love of decorating really went into overdrive this Christmas, with the perfect summer Christmas dinner planned. Up went the fairy lights on the deck, accented by yellow and white lanterns, down came the table setting with plum tree ferns and traditional red poinsettia’s, pop would go the beautiful French bon bons and...belly up would go all these plans come Christmas day, because lo and behold, mother nature decided to literally rain on my parade. Boo!

So while the much longed for outdoor dinner was never to be, here’s a glimpse of the festive table on the day:

 

Quick tip, if you’re looking to create an abundant centrepiece without splashing out on an enormous flower arrangement, why not use potted flowering plants, ferns and other au natural products
i.e candles, to create a decor fit for an...abundant centrepiece!    

I also have to confess that I did very well the Christmas present front.

A quick rundown of my kitty includes, my beloved Lily gifting me with the gorgeous interior design book Couture Interiors by Marnie Fogg. Though the Husband may have his faults (as we all do), present giving is not one of them. See glimpse of black and white stripey ballet flats and cute doggy slippers, courtesy of Country Road and eponymous sleepwear label, Peter Alexander below.  

 

Our family’s collective love of Paris and Manhattan extended to my present giving, with Lily receiving a pin from the recent Toulouse Lautrec exhibition and a pillow with references to the streets of Manhattan, and the Husband receiving a block of salted caramel chocolates, straight from the chocolatiers of France.

These items were also a reminder of our amazing holiday last year, which saw us visit these wonderful cities as one big fat family (Lily, me, our mum and dad, Petite Rose and the Husband). And while it was an unforgettable trip, it was all the more special because of the people I got to share it with. So, on that note, here’s to all your families in all its crazy shapes and forms, and a safe and happy New Year shared with those you love!

Until 2013...Rose. xx

Malaysia Truly Asia

Hello world! 

It’s Lily here back from a fantastic Malaysian adventure. I’m sorry I did not bid adieu before I left but now I’m home I’m ready to share some of my wonderful experiences. My trip to Malaysia was the result of a hasty decision made by my good friend Miss G and I, after we found sale fares online and decided on the spot that we wanted to do a week long holiday in the middle of our semester break. Here’s to spontaneity! The holiday was fabulous, with us spending four nights in Kuala Lampur doing all things touristy, and three nights in Langkawi doing all things beachey, pool sidey, and loungey. Here is a selection of some holiday snaps. I want to note at the outset that my pictures may be dominated by food, but a wish to indulge in delicious Malaysian cuisine was half the reason we went on holiday...and indulge we did! :) 

Clockwise -fresh coconut juice, cheese and garlic naan, chilli crab (which was to die for!) 

Just in case you were getting hungry here is a picture of fish nibbling at our feet

G browsing in one of the many wonderful markets in KL 

Antique Tea House where we sipped authentically brewed green tea  

Vegetable Roti 

Chilli snapper, the deliciousness of which cannot be described 

Clockwise - beautiful Langkawi as seen from our hotel, on a yacht, and atop a mountain courtesy of a ride in cable cars

 

Whilst I would have loved to share all of my photos, I hope these snaps give you a taste of what we did. I haven't included all the wonderful photos from the temples, mosques, museums, monuments, and palace, but I can assure you Malaysia has a rich culture which we loved exploring.

Upon my return home I couldn't stop singing the praises of my holiday to Rose, which I believe I did successfully as the sister is now planning a Malaysian holiday of her own! Until next time.

Xx, Lily