Nu-jazz, latin jazz

My second music purchase for this month was Disposition by Nils Krogh.  A short but very cool nu-jazz record.  I found this one by chance and as it happens I had heard one of the tracks before.  Now I'm trying to remember where...  Also on the jazz front, Anton led me to some more Chucho Valdes records last week.  We saw him perform during the Brisbane Festival late last year.  Definitely a highlight.

Cocktails at Salon

Last night I caught up with Caroline for drinks at Salon in Teneriffe.  We had Watermelon Mojitos, Negronis and Caipiroskas, yum!  The watermelon Mojito was so refreshing I had a craving today and attempted to recreate them.  I think I may need a few more attempts to perfect this one!  Caroline and Vinnie are heading off to Brazil next week to visit Vinnie's family and attend Carnivale.

Image source:
http://www.yourrestaurants.com.au/guide/salon/
http://www.bestrestaurants.com.au/restaurants/QLD-Brisbane-saloneuropeandining.aspx

Carrot Cupcakes

On the Australia Day holiday Tammy came to visit for morning tea and to watch a little of the BBC production of Pride and Prejudice.  Tammy recently bought the Penguin hardcover version and was keen to get a better idea before she starts the great Austen classic.  I  made carrot cupcakes with cream cheese icing and Tammy helped me decorate them with crushed walnuts and cinnamon topped with sugar flowers.  I'm not sure how "Aussie" carrot cupcakes with iced green tea and Pride and Prejudice is but all the same it was a nice way to relax on a hot January day. 

Guitar Distortion

I was particularly impressed with Rudi Mantofani's distorted guirars at APT 6 last week.  Up close there are no visible joints in the neck of the elongated guitars.  Would be a great card to be able to play one...

APT 6 at GOMA

James and I wandered across the river to the Gallery of Modern Art yesterday to see the 6th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art.  I always highly anticipate this exhibition when it comes around every three years and have been attending since APT 2 1996.  One of the artworks I found the most striking from APT 6 is definitely Ji Wenyu and Zhu Weibing's People holding flowers 2007.  With backgrounds in fashion design and painting, these two Chinese artists have been making textile-based sculptures together since 2003.  The amount of detail up close is amazing on these four hundred black suit-clad figurines holding soft sculptural flowers.  The effect is at once joyous and ominous.

Very Berry Cupcakes

Perfect summery weekend weather!  We invited Ange over for morning tea yesterday and decided that berry cupcakes would be the very thing with big glasses of iced tea.  I made this recipe once before and love decorating the cream cheese icing with all the sugar frosted berries.  We bought a tea from Kenchington called Summer Pudding so a definite berry theme was happening!

d&K Jazz

The latest addition to my music collection: dZihan & Kamien 'Fakes' (Jazz LP) performed by the Brut Imperial Quintet.  Smooth, jazzy versions of some dZihan & Kamien tracks.  I first discovered the duo back in 2002.  I heard their song 'Stiff Jazz' playing on Triple J radio while driving in my val.  I immediately pulled over and wrote down the name.  Seven and a half years later, they are still my favourite DJ's and 'Live in Vienna' is still my favourite album.

Dinner on the Deck

Last night Anton and Oi Lai joined us for dinner.  They had just returned from a holiday in South Korea and the cravings for Korean food were strong.  We started with afternoon drinks of Campari, lemon and soda and Pimms No. 1.  Perfect for a warm summers day.  Chinese bakeries and mahjong followed and for dinner we combined our Shabu Shabu with their Korean BBQ.  Tasty!

Wine and Dine at 1889

We dined with Andrew at 1889 Enoteca on Wednesday night this week. The food, wine, fitout and company was fabulous.  Our table was set between floor to ceiling shelves stocked with wine of various eye catching labels.  We love this little restaurant/wine bar.
Photos care of the restaurant's website.

Sunday Sunset Cocktails

Our warm sunny Sunday began with breakfast at the Pearl Cafe for Helen and Tammy.  I took the opportunity to catch up on a little sleep and potter around the apartment.  An impromptu lunch followed with the wedding revelers from the night before.  It was breezy and relaxing by the river.  We fare-welled Tom and Jenni and then headed home for some cocktails with Ben who was visiting from Melbourne.  The two stars of the afternoon being Pimms No. 1 with cucumber and an array of fresh fruit, and of course, Mojitos!

Tom and Jenni's Wedding Cupcakes

Last night we celebrated Tom and Jenni's recent marriage.  It was a great event, a reunion for some and a farewell to the happy couple who have recently moved to Boston Falls in the USA.  We managed to bring a couple miniature cupcakes home for enjoyment today.  They are very cute.  Thank you Tom and Jenni!  We hope to meet up in Germany later this year.

Carnation Moment

I've never been a huge fan of carnations but ever since watching Picnic at Hanging Rock again I'm definitely having a carnation moment particularly with spray carnations displayed in ginger jars.  Somehow they are so much more appealing against the blue and white.  These red-tipped blooms are especially lovely.

Desert Rose in Bloom

Our Desert Rose is currently in full bloom.  Apparently our plant is doing particularly well.  After seeing ours my Dad said that he will move his plant to a similar spot to see if it decides to flower as well.  Perhaps even after years of city living, Helen has a green thumb.  Perhaps I do too!  Pretty.

Chinese Garden Stool

I finally managed to find a vintage Chinese garden stool to my liking just before Christmas.  With the help of Ruen the stool managed to arrive safely from Sydney.  I know it has been very du jour to have these stools in interiors and there are all sorts of colours and styles now available for exorbitant prices in all the designer-y interiors stores.  However, I remember them growing up in their traditional garden setting usually consisting of four to six stools in blue and white or a famille rose pattern around a matching ceramic garden table.  Call me conservative or maybe just nostalgic but I much prefer the garden stools in the styles I remember rather than these modern styles in metallics etc. The last image is one I found at an antiques auction listing site.  I do admit I like the modern Vietnamese Craft Link version second from the top.  Tammy's family in Malaysia has a beautiful setting in their garden.  I wish I had photographed it when I was visiting, must remember next time!

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Jos Kivits Still Life

I only recently discovered the work of Dutch artist Jos Kivits and immediately fell in love with his still life paintings.  Kivits uses the painstaking techniques of the Dutch Old Masters to beautiful effect.  The colour, composition and detail are amazing and I love the juxtaposition of Eastern style ceramics with more Western objects like leadlight and stemware.  Now, if only I had a spare $10,000 to splash out on a piece!  

Snapper Dinner

Dinner tonight was baked snapper and potato salad with green olive dressing.  I made these dishes similar to those we served for dinner at our New Year's Eve party.  Bruschetta and sauteed lemon garlic tiger prawns were starters on the night.  Pesto penne salad as well as a green bean and broccoli salad with sesame dressing also accompanied.  Caroline brought fresh mango trifle and Vanessa brought caramel baked cheesecake for dessert.  It was definitely an indulgent evening of food and of course lots of bubbly!

Afternoon Tea at Versace

This morning we decided to meet with Ruen, Michael and Kevin for afternoon tea at Palazzo Versace on the Gold Coast.  Still recovering from hosting our New Year's Eve party we decided it was a good idea to get away for the day.  It was also a good opportunity to catchup again before they return home to Sydney.  The consensus was that the ostentatious furnishings work well in context with the hotel.  One would need to think twice before attempting the look at home.  We also managed a successful shopping stint at the newly refurbished Marina Mirage.

Image source from top:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/teohyc/2036096415/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/teohyc/2036889842/in/photostream/

New Music

Helen's sister Karin gave us an album each for Christmas, Two Suns by Bat for Lashes and Veckatimest by Grizzly Bear.  We have been listening to them in the car over the past few days.  Helen says some of the vocals on Two Suns is reminiscent of Bjork.  Both albums have a drifting '80s feel layered with more edgy beats.  Thank you Karin!