Child Labour?

Poor Louis, all he wants to do is be outside and play but he's been forced to work for his meals. OK, not really. I bet he is having so much fun here - he's helping prettify the Perry's new(ish) Sydney joint. Can't wait to see it in November.

Decals

Aren't these cute. I saw them Design Sponge this morning. Lovely for a child's room, but I might get some for our kitchen walls. $8 for 3 seems pretty reasonable to me. Available here.

Cute Bags

I feel like I have so many day bags but these ones, from Japan, are rather cute. Just saw them on the oh joy blog and they are available here.

Spiderman

Phoebe has developed an odd fascination with spiderman. So when we saw this blow up version recently, Nick decided we had to send it. Looks like he is a popular edition to the Larter household.

Perbacco

I was just reading about this place and the chef. Looks interesting. Saving the details here so we go. If anyone goes, or has been, thoughts?

Perbacco
234 E. 4th St., New York, NY 10009
nr. Ave. B See Map | Subway Directions
212-253-2038

Brunch

We always end up going to the same places - the diner on the corner or more recently a place called giorgione 508, but that's about to shut. This is a list from the NY Post. Not that inspiring, but may get us out of the hood on the weekend. Anyone have any favorites we should check out?

Chocolate and raspberry tart

One of my favorite flavor combos. I doubt I will ever make this, but I so want to. You just know it would taste divine.
From martha, here

Grilled Asparagus, Zucchini and Halloumi Salad

I'm in serious recipe mode at the moment. I think its because Whole Foods just opened and it has everything you could imagine. This looks like a great salad. I first had halloumi at Simone's house on the bbq. Not being a cheese eater i was pleasantly surprised. She covered it in something delicious, maybe harrisa? simone? anyway, this looks pretty good too.
recipe here

Roasted Garlic and Prawn Pasta

Nick likes the look of this one - as do I. Will let you know when we make it. Recipe here

Grapefruit and fennel scallops

I love scallops. One of my favorite things ever. I will try and make it like this next time. And it gives me a chance to use my shiny new mandoline.
Recipe here

The Perfect Bike

I am getting a bike from Nick. It's for my birthday but we have just had trouble finding what I want. I really wanted a second hand one as they look nicer but I haven't found the perfect one that I would feel comfortable on given our awful streets. And, if we wanted to go for a bit of a trek, I don't think it would last the distance as they are more for 'town' riding. And I want a girls bike. I found this one. Isn't it perfect? Absolutely perfect I think. I was on the monacle site so I should have known it would be above the budget. $1750. Its a Swedish brand called Skeppshult. Don't think I will be getting it somehow.

Raspberry Napolean with lemon cream

Have to try this soon. Lovely, simple looking desert and its berry season here at the moment.
Recipe here

Fit flops

Remember I put these on the blog a while back, debating whether to get them? they are the fit flops that are meant to help tone your legs. Well, they have just come out, and boy am I glad I didn't get them. Fugly, no? Julianne looks rather haggy doesn't she.

Candlestick

Just saw this on DesignSponge. Think I might have to get it. Thinking it will go in the farm house (haha) but until then, quite nice for the apt.

Kombucha Tea

Mum and Wendy used to drink this years ago. The homemade kind where you drink it from a mushroom or something. This is the bottled version which I am loving. I only drink water and wine usually, but started to think I was drinking too much wine (as I don't love water) so needed to find something else. I wont drink out of plastic and I don't want artificial stuff, so this is perfect. In glass, all natural and delicious. Is it in Oz. Mum/Wendy, do I try and start brewing my own? I remember it being a pain in the butt to do.

A 'Good Thing'

As Martha would say. This isn't one of hers, but it should be. So I have found another use for my beloved espresso machine. The steam is great at cleaning jewellery. I don't think it damages as it's just steam, but I will have to ask Meg or Jodie who would know better than I. Girls?

Pretty Wall for Kitchen

I can't remember where I found this, but isn't it lovely? It's from the Vilandry shop/restaurant in London. Great for a farm-house kitchen me thinks.

Another Aluminum-Free Deodorant

This one is working better then the Tom's of Maine one. It's the spray version of the 'crystal'. And contains nothing bad. I recommend this one - Nick and I are both using it. Especially in winter when you don't need it as much. I think the aluminum is really bad so you should avoid if you can.

Nicole Kidman

I just saw this picture, two weeks after birth. i am starting to believe those rumours that say she wasn't really pregnant. so tiny.
whatdoyathink?

Potato Salad

I made my granny's potato salad last night. So yummy, just potato, onion and apple cider vinegar and a little olive oil. Not rich and full of fat. I love indian flavors so this might be what i try next. lots of yummy spices and made with fat-free greek yoghurt so i bet it still tastes good.
Recipe here

Spinach Soup - raw food

Recipe here

Zucchini Fritters

yum. recipe here

Table Runner

I know exactly what the new apt is going to look like, we just have to start the renovations. I found a great white table at Bludot that i love. (and that nick is growing to love). and i think this runner will look lovely on it. Rubber, so it's practical. what do we think, pink or black? or green? green is my favorite colour but i don't think it's as nice in this style. maybe it's because it's the table cloth and not the runner, so too much of it. Thoughts? Reactions?
Available here

Polenta Shrimp

Another recipe from the same episode.
recipe here

goat cheese and sundried tomato profiteroles

these look like a nice starter. and simple to make. from Giada. all her stuff is so good.
will report back after i make a batch.
Recipe here.

Cute for the loo

something to do with the loo rolls if there's no space in the cupboard. Looks cute.

Another white been dip

looks yum. with pine nuts and olives. has too much oil in it, will leave that out.
recipe here. from Martha (so, it's a good thing!)

Cute Bag

Found here. Only 12 euro which seems like a good price.

Kath & Kim

Have you heard they are doing a US version. Not due on tv for ages, but getting horrible reviews. Can't say I am looking forward to it. It really feels like it is something that wont translate well. I think it is just going to come across as really really bad acting. Selma Blair is just wrong wrong wrong. But, look at The Office. Huge hit here.

Lake Cottage

How beautiful is this house and the location? Makes me want a house on a lake now. Haven't seen anything worth posting yet, but i will be on the lookout. If only this was for sale and cheap! This is from the new Domino magazine which I love. There's another great house I will post later.

Swingtown

This is a new show that I like. About a swinging couple, but really it's about Chicago in the 70's, so great sets and fashion. Nothing rude about it - it's on a network, so when it comes to Oz, check it out. Recognize the guy with the moustache ??

My new perfume

I said to myself that I wouldn't buy any more fragrances until I finished the ones I have. Simone gave me Flowerbomb! which is divine, I have some enJOY from my 30th birthday, and Youth Dew from Estee Lauder, an old woman's perfume, but one i have been wearing for years.. Anyway, I have always liked the Khiels Musk. I guess because it is similar to Youth Dew, so I got it when we were in the store recently. I love it. And I love the bottle too. Almost masculine, but refreshingly ungirly. Try it when you are next at the perfume counter

Matt and Peter

How funny is this photo of Matt with Peter Garret? If you are wandering what they are doing, Matt's new agency has devised an action for Whale Week (or something like that) and they are doing it. Very whale-like. Boy did i chuckle at this picture though. Looks like the boys are being fashion models and framing their pretty faces.

Weekender

This is another one we are interested in seeing. No pool, and not as pretty on the outside but 13 acres and a cute house. Looks lovely and cosy. Hopefully not too wintery. Definitely the type of house where you have to make your own bread and jams. Very oldey-worldey. Very romantic bedroom.

It's a circa 1783 stone farmhouse sited on 13.3 acres, with 3 BR and 2 1/2 BA, and only 1.5 hours from The City.
copper plumbing, 200-amp electric, wideboard floors, new septic and cedar shake roof, and on and on.

Whole Foods

Life as we know it has changed. As much as we love the 'hood we live in, we have been deprived of anything resembling a proper grocery store. We have a large deli sized store around the corner called Armish Markets where we can get some half decent fruit and veg but it is so limited and expensive ($4 for a small bag of organic peas!!!). And not great for meat/fish. In the summer we can get do quite well at the farmer's market, and we will continue to shop there on Saturday's and Wednesdays, but now, for the other days, we can go to our brand new super market, 3 short blocks away. There are other Whole Foods in the city, but it's a hassle to travel somewhere for groceries. It's amazing. Here are a few pictures from it. The fridge shot is just of the bottled beers!!! And Nick, a mighty cheese eater couldn't be happier at the cheese selection. It's so hard to go in there without spending a bundle. The last shot is the sushi bar.
I've already been in 3 times in the last 24hrs. Some call it Whole Paycheck!!!

Brasserie TenTen

is the name of the French place we had lunch at here in Boulder. Lovely place. And so cheap. You don't realise how much we pay in NY until you leave. Wine was $3.25 a glass!!! instead of the $12 we have to pay. and nice food. Anyway, i was just excited so I had to share.