Sanity

My favorite read in the whole wide world. Volume 1 & 2.
Yes, they are cook books and yes I read them just as you read novels.

Peek a boo

Sneaky peeky

A quick snap of a small part of our new kitchen which is currently under development.

I am in total love, I just sit in it, stare and admire. Our kitchen really reflects on our personalities, who we are and how we feel about life. We have covered every aspect together and made our decisions with ease.
Michael has really impressed me with his design skills, I'm a dreamer and have a glamorous, whimsical and flamboyant side (I'm also stubborn, surprise, surprise). Michael has been able to share my vision and turn my ideas into something that is practical and useable without loosing site of my initial vision. He really has done a magnificent job. I must admit, my ideas haven't always been the most practical!

I love to cook, emphasis on bake, and my kitchen has been designed and built around me.
In this picture my sink and tap are just sitting in place, we are about two weeks off installation of these and a sample piece of our granite is just to the side, although final product will be twice the thickness and unpolished. I want everything to be natural. Cupboards are mostly installed and handles are on.

Obsessed with my obsession. Kitchen design.

Retail therapy of the fresh kind

One of the things that I love most about the area I live in is that it's only a very short walk to my local shopping strip.
I've mentioned previously that I go to my local bakery cafe in the mornings, my morning coffee spot is located on the same strip.

This morning I walked around my local golf course and stopped by to do some shopping for me and my Yiayia, of course I stopped for a coffee along the way. My green grocer is family owned and it's full of fresh produce, juices and has a great selection of continental deli items. I must admit, for my deli items I go to the amazing deli a few doors down. It's nothing short of a luxury and again the Italian family that own it are beautiful people.

I'm not a fan of shopping centers and prefer to street shop.

Here's to a lovely morning.

Under the Christmas tree

Have to stop and have a coffee by the Christmas trees.
Reminds me of my last trip to Hong Kong, we travelled at Christmas time and our hotel was decorated with the most elaborate of Christmas decorations. Even the air was scented with a signature Christmas scent. Each night before bed we would sit by the most beautiful Christmas tree and drink hot chocolate. Straight out of a movie I tell you.

A door of inspiration

I'm always occupying my time with design, I loose track of entire days sometimes.

I have found this door, a home in Melbourne, a family of four. To me, this door looks like home and happiness.

Inspiration for the day, thank-you very much.

Petite France

On the border of Switzerland and Germany is Colmar. To me, Colmar looks to be magical and romantic. I've researched for a thousand hours and have decided that I will go here. Another place to add to our European vacation.

Hello Wang!

Vera Wang's upcoming bridal collection can finally be viewed in its entirety at Crown Towers in Melbourne.
About time Wang!

Pretty Christmas

No margaritas today

While some serious magic is happening inside my almost kitchen, I am sitting outside inspecting my beautiful lemon tree. First thing that is going to happen in my new kitchen, after the champagne, is the mumma of all lemon cakes.
I already have the recipe stashed and I even have my eye on a few lemons that might be just about perfect by cake o'clock.

Our time

Sunday morning means one thing, Breaky out with just us.
Time to catch up on the weeks news, read Lifestyle, search for design and do one of the things we are really really good at - be together.

Got ink?

Someone's got some new ink! Fresh from the ink shop and another million hours to go. He said it hurt, a lot!

Afternoon delight

Best way to spend a Saturday afternoon. Chill out beachside, fav reads, best coffee. I had some delish berry and white chocolate cake to!

Mentor maybe?

Looky what I found in the Saturday paper - best breaky and coffee reading - and yes, breaky was out.

Catriona Rowntree is an Aussie TV presenter and I happen to think she is fabulous.
As a presenter myself I take much pleasure in watching Catriona, I can't help but study her every move and always find myself thinking 'whatta lady, so smart, so honest, I want to be just like her, but me'.

If I could buddy up and mentor with anyone I'd choose her.
Ahh inspiration, love it.

Under the vines

Krasi in the Greek language means wine. Growing up my grandparents always had a grape vine growing and it was about this time of year that the vines would start to adorn big, luscious, green leaves and purple grapes.
We'd do two things with the grapes; make krasi by hand and eat them. I remember each bunch of grapes weighing around 2kg each! That's a lot of wine!
Last year, or possibly the year before, my Yiayia (grandmother) decided it was time to cut down the grape vine.

I remember how much of a simple pleasure sitting under the grape vines on a hot summer afternoon was, these vines are part of almost all of my childhood memories.
I remember my grandfather playing his guitar and singing to Greek music under the vines, I also recall racing snails under the shade of the vines when I was 3 years old, my grandfather and I built a small wooden seat under those vines and my Yiayia would serve us lunch under the shade. I could go on and on.

Over the past few months I've had my eye on one corner of the pre existing grape vine and guess what - it's flourished, the leaves are beautiful, bright and luscious AND I think we might have some grapes soon!

I'm relying on this one little corner to provide me with what might be my last opportunity to drink krasi made from my own vine.

After the fact

I have a morning ritual that marks the beginning of my day and has done so for at least the past five years.
Morning coffee, out.
Paper a must.
Same table as always.
I can't cope with not sitting at MY table!

The cafe I go to is also a great little Italian bakery and is only a short walk from my parents home and luckily
only around the corner from my very own new home. Its really nothing spectacular
but they know my name and order and leave me in peace to read my paper! I always feel so far away when I'm sitting here drinking coffee and scoffing almond macaroons.

And yes, I've decided to post after the fact. Cheeky, I know.

Two of my four favorite things

Here are two out of four of my favorite things.

1. My beautiful Staffordshire is just as much of a foodie as his mumma. He's my happiness.

2. Michael - simply put is my greatest love.

This is us doing what we do best - sunday morning breakfast, out.

A tiny cup of coffee & alotta inspiration

We can't always be as driven and motivated as what we'd like to be but having friends who are always helps..so does big trees..coffee..good food..amazing kitchens.