šuti

Šuti means "shut up" in Croatian and I heard it a lot on Christmas day. Uncle Ivan, seventy-something and rather tipsy, was explaining in detail how to tell if your fish monger is ripping you off (there's a complicated equation with the price of a fillet versus the price of a whole fish). His son, Stefan, bounded upstairs with a present: "Šuti!" he shoved the present into Ivan's lap, "Open this, old man!".

In between talking about fish prices, Dalmatia and the act of being Dalmatian (if you get a bunch of elder Dalmatians together, I swear, its all they talk about) I ate a pile of kroštule, otherwise known as hrvoštule. They're little pastry bows, deep fried until just golden and dusted with icing sugar. My Aunty Marlene is the only person in our family who makes them and has promised to teach me the recipe before she dies. A cousin said I'll only receive it on Marlene's death-bed because "Marlene wants to be the only person alive who knows the recipe", which I think is true! There are recipes here and here but I doubt they are anywhere near as good as the one locked away in Aunty Marlene's head.

a little hiatus

happy holidays you guys! Han and I probably won't be around for a couple of weeks because after christmas, she's coming to Melbourne and we'll be too busy lying next to the pool to post... See you in 2011! xx

This photo is by mädchen, via Lolita

stars in my eyes

I like this print too. I don't know where it comes from or I would try to buy it, I found the picture in a folder of mine called 'space is the place', which is a fact. I would like the Nasa Hubble book that Zoe brought to my attention. I saw Hubble 3D at the Imax when my mother was visiting and it was so good I hyperventalated and almost spilled my giant coke. It was so good I'm going to go again.

I'll send you a postcard from space/the future, suckers.

chrismukkah, oy humbug!

I've watched: 

The Shop Around the Corner, Bad Santa, Home Alone 2, Love Actually,the Melrose Place Christmas episode,* both of the Chrismukkah episodes from the OC and the episode of Seinfeld where Elaine accidentally slips a nip on her Christmas card. Two words: SETH COHEN.

I've eaten:

Steamed Czech dumplings filled with strawberries, doused in melted butter with a dollop of cream cheese. Roast wild boar, covered in a rosemary and thyme herb oil, served with whipped potatoes and red cabbage, followed with licorice ice cream and fra angelico on ice. A burger with bacon and cheese, also a sausage pizza, cheese pizza with extra mushrooms. Frozen coke. A suspicious tasting "ginger bread" frappaccino on the most humid day so far. I went to Winehot with my Pa and had a simple pork belly with new potatoes and (more) cabbage. At flat christmas, where several of the movies above were watched, I ate mushroom and ricotta empanadas and drank horchata for the first time (delicious!)
*"Does this gift cross the line between friendship and...romance?"

picket fence

wood floors // white walls // natural light // outdoor space // a window seat // glass fronted cabinets // tiled bathroom // one or two or three bedrooms // gas stove // window seat // fireplace // built in shelves // a pantry // pot plants // bathtub // a name at the top // art on the walls // a shelf in the kitchen for cookbooks

the pictures are all from Convoy

edges

I've just given myself a modified version of this spiky manicure (with paint, rather than clippers), and would do anything right now for that sweet, scalloped bedspread.

Not sure where the nails are from but the bed comes from this tumblr which I'm currently obsessed with.

a good thing to do

Is to go to Empress Garden chinese restaurant on Jervois Road, pre-order two Peking Ducks and then bring ten of your friends along to eat them with over three courses. You need to drink lots of Tsing Tao for optimum results. Empress Garden is in a pretty villa and has Lazy Susan facilities(messy as!)

underthings

I got my first ever strapless bra today*. Han and I are both 'lucky' enough that we can go without whenever a bra's straps might cause issue, however the Lonely Hearts dress I just bought has these lovely lacy ladders up the bodice which show a little too clearly any lack of support or, ah, coverage. So the very helpful girl in the shop pointed me towards cotton on body as the best place for 'a good cheap strapless bra' and I got one. That's all.

*I technically already owned one but it was a hand-me-down from my mother from about eight years ago and besides being not my size, it features scraggly lace and no padding (which I understand is kind of a useful reinforcement in strapless situations), instead it just has elastic along the top which creates a boobtube-like sausage breast effect. This is not desirable. I should have thrown it out a long time ago.

all i want for christmas is my two front teeth

I've never done a 'gift guide' before. And this is hardly a very helpful one, but I was inspired by this I'm Revolting guest post on Etsy, particularly this line This is for the one whose absence is keenly felt in those moments when the only sound is the city traffic beyond your window and you need to talk to someone and be understood. Because it made me think of you han, and made me want to get you the rug. And so here:

 

For the one that I admire from afar, compose text messages and emails to in my head when I'm walking, chat to all day, every day, about nothing. The one who loves all the best and some of the worst food, who can pull off every style, trend and item I never could, who calls me when she's drunk, high, and screams down the phone, who calls me sober, from work, to play me the carols being sung in her office (it'll be a tradition). The one who once called me her heart,  the one who I get to see in 14 days and counting. If I could I would buy her a pair of Opening Ceremony shoes, some Arnsdorf Jeans or this Navajo bag from Need Supply but I'm far more likely to give her a Trotski and Ash calendar, a candle from Lover, or, realistically, a bucket of gin and tonic and my bed.

Christmas is not for spending on onesself. If someone else wished to spend on me though they could get me some pretty jewelry like the smokey quartz on silk cord from Vamoose or the beautiful Morse Code necklace by Coatt (it spells 'love me do' in morse code!), or if they were feeling very generous I would accept the gold, diamond and turquoise ring by Mociun, from Magpie and Rye (I would accept anything from M&R, or Mociun for that matter, thanks). Even though it's kind of similar to one I got from Ruby in October, I would still love the Viva Vena Mustard Seed t shirt, because I have already worn the Madame Hawke one to death, and the back is special! It's sold out (probably thanks to I'm Revolting) but I would have love love loved the Moon print and lastly, I am actually considering buying the smokey quartz in geode for myself, because who doesn't love a chunk of rock?

oldies but goodies

Look at this collection of behind the scenes photos of old hollywood. I love how in most of them people are just hanging out, smoking, playing miniature board games, reading books, looking like I would like to be friends with them.

acting

The internet has gone crazy for James Franco pashing himself in a series called Fourteen Actors Acting. And rightly so! You'd think the moustache would detract from his handsomeness but, astonishingly, it just makes him better looking. The NY Times hooked me with Franco + mirror but reeled me in with Vincent Kassel + chair. What a graceful man!

bikini babes

Man, it is H.O.T here. I've been frequenting the beach and the Parnell Baths, which makes me think about swimwear. My current bikini is a black number from Glassons, it has little frills and cost me $20. It's fine, but is made out of quite a thick, cheap fabric, and I think the ties are a little short. I don't really "get" spending lots of money on bikinis. I mean, I would love to, just like I'd like to spend lots of money on everything I buy. But bikinis are just so unsubstantial and small. Like you're paying $20 per square inch of fabric, if not more.* And yet, I imagine having a really nice one would probably make me feel sassy and confident. Maybe one with an underwire? A pattern? Perhaps Tigerlily, or Insight have good ones?

This is an unrelated picture because its hot and I can't find any photos of nice togs that aren't from Lover.*

*I'm sorry Lover, but I'm not spending AU$350 on a bikini. Thank you, and good night.

please please please

I'm going to Shout Out Louds in January and Warpaint in February and I'm looking forward to both shows ever so much. I'm especially looking forward to Shout Out Louds because Han is coming!

it has been a while

Things I have done recently that might be of interest:

Went to an incredible food show at Victoria Park. We had free tickets and wandered around stuffing our faces with cured meats and cheeses and ciders and breads and chocolates and NO VEGETABLES. There was an unattended table with a giant plate of shredded roast duck on it and I ate heaps of it. It made me spin around slowly with my arms stretched out in the fashion of Bill Murray in Ghostbusters after he meets up with Sigorney Weaver after her orchestra rehearsal. If you know what I mean. Oh and fried HALOUMI, too. We stayed there, just eating, for four hours. Four of the best hours of my life. 

Then I went to Tawaharanui with some pals and we basked in the sun and New Zealand's ridiculous beauty and built a boat out of sand. Seriously, that beach is one of the most beautiful in the world. New Zealand's beaches tend to be surrounded by rolling hills covered in little sheep, which is pretty idyllic. The water was clear and warm. It was a nice way to end a really sad week. I know two people who lost loved ones last week and along with the horribly sad Pike River Mine...well, I think we were all in dire need a good surf battering. 

oh ho ho HO

Auckland Zoo is getting a pygmy marmoset (or dwarf monkey) next year.

i'm going to win this thing

I told you a while ago about The Vamoose. So now she's having a bit of a giveaway and I'm crossing my fingers because a) I never win anything and b) those necklaces are lovely!

It was pretty much impossible for me to choose just one (these three are maybe my best) but I went for the bug chunk of turquoise, just to be different... What would you choose if you could?

Have a look right here for details of the competition. I will forgive you if you win.

leo fuchs

 Tres chic photos by Leo Fuchs of some of my favourite Hollywood dreamboats. More here.

good things to do on a lunch break

• lunch time manicures (I favour Sassi Nail on Lorne St).
• eat a burger, or perhaps some dumplings or even some noodles.
• go to chain stores like Glassons and Wild Pair and find hidden gems
• tour of lunch
• sunbathe in Myers Park, go to the beach
• put an extravagant thing on layby
• buy a lipstick or some fancy socks
• go to the library if it is rainy or read books in a nice bookshop that isn't Borders or Whitcoulls
• lunchtime yoga - I haven't done this but plan to
• or else go to an art gallery, which is usually accompanied by a sweet cafe
• get your eyebrows threaded (but never any kind of wax, it feels weird to go back to the office after having your privates dealt to - trust me)

Bad things to do on a lunch break:

• watch a pigeon eat a mince and cheese pie at a traffic light (witnessed today)
• watch a person walk down the street drinking straight out of a giant bottle of milk (witnessed about two months ago)
• see a girl wearing a t shirt that said "I WISH THESE WERE BRAINS" on the boob part (witnessed concurrent with milk drinking two months ago)
• see apprentice hairdressers drinking heaps of energy drinks and smoking cigarettes outside Farmers = depressing
• walk down Queen Street
• stay in the office and eat a toasted sandwich at your desk (the worst)

two pastas

On Saturday we were shells of our former selves. Husks. So hungover that there was nothing to do but draw the curtains, drink some beer, and make two different types of cheesy pastas to eat while watching Enchanted. The first one was nominally "healthy" in that there were vegetables in it. We roasted some of those teensy capsicums that are sweet and delicious with some mushrooms, onion and garlic. Then we put some fettuccine in the roasting dish (out of the oven, obvs) and mixed it together. But then, THEN, we got a wheel of brie, chopped it up, stirred it through until it melted, then ate it with piles of rocket on top. Good. Goood. The second pasta, made simultaneously, was a classic macaroni cheese. We eschewed all onion, garlic, mushroom and whatever else you put in a mac n' cheese to make it feel respectable, and replaced it with a ridiculous amount of cheesy bechamel (which I happen to make incredibly well, using the Silver Spoon's technique). We  topped it with parmesan, then a layer of chunky ciabatta (leftover) breadcrumbs which soaked up the cheese juices, some fresh thyme and a sprinkling of nutmeg, and finished it off with some more parmesan. It looked so adorable when it came out of the oven in my beautiful pastel coloured pie dish that it was almost a shame to have to eat it - the thyme made it look and smell reassuringly rustic. When we cut through the cheese crust the pasta made a very satisfying squelching sound. We ate the whole thing, in stages, between 2pm and 1.30am. These pictures are from Smitten Kitchen's mac 'n cheese, which looks very good and also quite similar to our one.

you said it

You are probably going to be a very successful computer person. But you're going to go through life thinking that girls don't like you because you're a nerd. And I want you to know, from the bottom of my heart, that that won't be true. It'll be because you're an asshole. 

i know this matters to you

(besides an unfortunate bratwurst incident at Camberwell yesterday) all I ate this weekend was strawberries and avocado.

space is the place

The other day I was looking on the internet for the planetarium because I thought going there would be a fun activity for my workmates (we do outings like this sometimes, go karting, cooking classes too) or friends. I accidentally searched for observatory though, not thinking about the difference, and found this and then this. The fact that a website called places of astronomical interest in Australia even exists was enough to be a highlight of my week, but it gets better. It turns out the Old Melbourne Observatory is open every Monday in spring for tours called Gallilleo's Satellites and I'm going, tomorrow night.

You may not know this about me, if you don't know me at all, but, I LOVE SPACE. I have no idea what goes on on these tours and the weather's been kind of shitty which doesn't bode well for a building with no ceiling, but I am still incredibly excited. It helps that the tours are conducted by members of the Astronomical Society - "a volunteer organisation for astronomical enthusiasts" - people who I am excited to meet.

The cat/space posters are by a woman named Boya who I was loosely aquainted to quite a few years ago, I love them and plan to buy and frame them.

not listening when you say GOODBYYYYE

Talk about face palm.

Saw our lovely Kate do a monologue last night, she was fantastic! We followed this up by going to the seediest karaoke parlour we could find and getting on the whisks. It turns out that I can do Semi-Charmed Life by seminal 90s band Third Eye Blind really well accurately, even while shaking a light-up tambourine. I like the bit where he raps the best. 

p-p-p-aceeyy

I'm halfway through the last ever episode of Dawson's Creek. All I can say is: the answer is ALWAYS Pacey. To celebrate, the immortal music of Sophie B Hawkins.

an ode

Dear Spring, I love you
I love your beans and peas, your zucchini, asparagus and artichoke, I love your lemons
I love your wisteria, your clematis and your roses
I love your pimms cups, your long necks, your optimism
I love your bare legs, your surprise showers, your cool mornings and your longer days
I love your open windows
I love your bike rides and your plans for summer and your clean sheets
I love your parties and your promise

I took the top photo in my grandma's garden and the bottom one in my old backyard

forgot to mention asparagus

After the not-a-good-choice lammington I had some skinny spears with lemon juice, butter and parmesan. I ate it with my fingers, while watching An Education in my track pants and wishing I could have a sixties makeover like Carey Mulligan. And Sezza, you are SO right about Nigel. Pictures from here.

Saaarsssgaaaaarrrrrd

reeepeat

(This is not a food blog.)

Foods I have eaten recently:

grilled lamb cutlets with mint, feta and thyme, it was simply the best and the fat rocked my world (I like fat, OK? I'm not sorry, it tastes too good)/ciabatta with hummus and fresh orange juice for breakfast all week, because I have heard that hummus is the healthiest spread for toast/scones made by mum with lots of butter and cream/vegetarian eggs benedict with a huge slice of avocado and parsley pesto (by far the best eggs benedict I've ever had, perfectly balanced and not at all sickening). You can get it from a cafe near the Parnell rose gardens/chicken livers with red onion. I liked the flavour but not the texture/a lammington from the Fridge - a hungover choice I lived to regret/countless pepperoni rolls from sals, the pepperoni fat crystallises at the bottom of the roll, making it a perfect cheesy juicy meaty scone-like treat and they're only $3 or two for $5/lemon pasta, this time without cream. You whisk olive oil, lemon juice and parmesan together, then mix it through the pasta with a huge pile of fresh basil/about 7 bubblegum flavoured iceblocks from the asian supermarket on K Road dipped in vodka/pork chops with thyme butter made with feta, thyme and a squeeze of lemon juice, melted in the pan with the pork juices, eaten with more ciabatta and a pile of rocket to make me feel less guilty/strawberry oreos(gross yet oddly compelling)/a hamburgini from Burger Fuel, which is a teensy burger (not quite a monkey fist) that has aioli, melted cheese, bread and butter pickles and tomato sauce, and is basically the most moreish thing you can eat for $4.95/avocado and feta with pesto on toast for an after dinner snack/sour lollies/rocket and cheddar scone at the art gallery with a short black and trashy mag/oh and last night I went to a bbq for my friend Max's birthday and the boys surprised everyone by getting all the meat from the organic butcher in West Lynn, so I ate a fairly rare steak and it was incredible.

Most things I cooked were taken from The Kitchen Diaries, which I bought last week, which takes my Nigel Slater recipe book tally up to three, which is possibly too many? Or NOT ENOUGH. <3 u Nigel.

ice cream and applesauce just before bed

I listened to this song twice while I walked home today. There were eleven rainbow lorikeets in a tree on the corner of my street. I've eaten asparagus every day for a week.

This photo was taken by Michelle

let the world know of my majesty

Ashik Kerib (1988), a movie I would like to see. Pinched from Mafia-Hunt. Reminds me of this.