Celebratory Dinner

Last weekend we invited some friends over for dinner to celebrate the coming holidays, my graduation and birthday.  We agreed that as birthday boy I would choose the menu and be chef du jour for the main course; lamb loin with couscous and capsicum chutney.  Meanwhile Helen prepared the entree and the all important birthday cake.  Earlier in the week Cathryn had directed me to a recipe for Fruit Tingle cake (the Fruit Tingles, otherwise known as Lifesavers, are the round sherbet lollies on the top, recipe from Sydney baking blog Raspberri Cupcakes).  The recipe called for three layers of orange cake with butter cream icing infused with crushed up fruit tingles.  Thankfully Helen was keen to try the recipe so now I have my own one. Yum!  It was a great evening shared with good friends.

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A Beach Cottage

Cake Days

It was James' birthday on Friday and we have been busy making cakes all week!  James and I put in a team effort on Thursday evening to whip up this coffee walnut layer cake to take in to the office for birthday morning tea.  I loved the way it looked with the coffee buttercream, chocolate shavings and fresh strawberries.  It definitely tasted very decadent!  Another cake to follow shortly...

Manly Marina and Afternoon Tea

A few weeks back we met up with Dad and Leonie for lunch and sweet treats.  The week prior had finally signalled the end of our studies for the year so we had no guilt in eating, drinking and chatting the afternoon away.  We headed down to the William Gunn Jetty at Manly Marina for a seafood lunch before returning to the family home to continue celebrations over afternoon tea and plenty of sparkling wine.  The bay is so beautiful on a bright sunny day.

Sunday Breakfast with A+O

A+O invited us to Sunday breakfast at their lovely home yesterday.  You may remember that James contributed to the initial design concept for the house and it really appears like it's all coming together quite well after almost a year.  Their garden is thriving, furnishings are in, everything feels homely and lived in now.  French toast made with the yummiest brioche, homemade ricotta and fresh berries were so delicious...

The table setting on the deck was beautiful in my favourite colour scheme of course... blue and white!  How can you go wrong?  So summery...

O+A recently put their vintage scalloped mirrors up in their entrance way... I love the way it all looks!

I had fun wrapping our Christmas gifts for A+O in this bright turquoise patterned paper... the pattern reminds me of David Hicks wallpaper...  I hope they like what's inside too!  

It was the loveliest start to Sunday and a much needed break from working at the office all weekend to hit today's project deadline.  I felt refreshed and recharged.  Thanks again A+O!

Sunshine Beach and the Australian PGA

We have just arrived home after spending our first weekend at the beach since the end of winter... and it was divine!  James bought tickets to attend the PGA at Coolum and organised for us to stay at Sunshine Beach just south of Noosa.  I love the fact that Sunshine Beach is much more tranquil and tucked away than the busy Hastings Street stretch Noosa is known for.  The perfectly hot Queensland summer weather is definitely upon us.  This is how we spent most of our time...

This is the view from the top of the beach...

The water felt amazing...

We spent a lot of time looking at this view...

And of course some time watching these amazing golf players.  There were so many people at the Hyatt Regency Coolum!  It was really hot walking around the course so we found a shady spot for a bit of lunch with a good view of all the players coming in.  This is Robert Allenby on the 18th green just before the playoff.  Greg Chalmers won the championship...

I stopped in at Montville on our way back to Brisbane today.  I have always loved this cafe called the Poet's Corner.  The food is ok but the setting is what is amazing, amongst lush hinterland greenery overlooking the Sunshine Coast stretching way out below.  It's usually packed with people on weekends but it was lovely and tranquil on a Monday afternoon.

Back to work tomorrow but looking forwards to many more summer weekends just like this one!

Design Project

For me it is time for celebration.  Last week I presented my final pieces of assessment for my Master of Architecture.  Here are some images of my final design project.  The proposition was for a trade centre in my home town of Brisbane comprising various function spaces, cafes, restaurants and a commercial office tower.

Purple Hydrangeas

We visited Sandra and Wayne on Saturday for belated birthday celebrations.  We picked up a lovely pot of flowering hydrangea for Sandy's garden.  The bright purple colour was certainly attention grabbing at the florist.  Hopefully they will thrive and be a source of fresh cut flowers when next in season.  For lunch we enjoyed fresh barbecued salmon with roasted vegetables followed by Sandy's famous chocolate cake.  I must ask for the recipe next time.  Happy birthday Sandy!

Ramen Lunch

I have been working out of a project office over the past two months and really miss having lunch with James, a nice advantage when you work in the same practice with your partner!  Our main office is only a short walk away but it seems far when there are deadlines pressing and all we want is a quick bite close by.  However, today was not a mad deadlines sort of day and James suggested we try a little out of the way Japanese ramen noodle house located on Adelaide Street between the two offices.  I have walked past Taro Ramen Cafe many times and always wondered about the food.  It was very tasty and I'm definitely keen to try some of the other noodle dishes on offer, yum!

Peony Season

This weekend has been the first one in a long time we could both enjoy without deadlines looming large.  We took advantage of every moment to catch up with friends and family.  The day started with a morning run along the river with a couple of friends from work followed by brunch.  We then headed out to enjoy barefoot bowls under sunny skies and invited friends over for afternoon drinks.  Homemade lemonade is always a favourite.  James bought me beautiful pink peonies.  They are so luxurious to have as the season is so short.  I wish they were always available!

Cushion Colour

Hello!  It's been a long time between posts, I know.  The past couple of months can only be described as mad and I'm afraid the blog has been somewhat neglected.  I'm hoping to be back posting much more now that things have settled down a little.  We need to get our home back in order after turning it into a work studio so I'm looking for a bit of change to the whole arrangement.  Firstly of course I am embracing all the beautiful colour that's around.  Who isn't? As much as I love blue and white summer in Brisbane is definitely about bright colour.  I fell in love with the pattern and embroidery on these cushion covers I found last evening.  I need infills for the large eye-popping pink ones, love the funny little yellow pom poms!  

Happy weekend everyone!

Music for October

Here are some new albums which are helping me keep cool and inspired.  Each album is fantastic in its own way.  What is even more cool?  In less than a month my ten years of part time study will be over.  I can't wait!  It only means good things; more life, more fun, more music and perhaps even more importantly, healthy amounts of sleep!

Spring Weather

I can't believe it's already near the end of September but I am glad for all the warm weather.  Summer definitely feels like it's just around the corner.  This weekend we went out for brunch by the river at Bulimba and a wander through the Powerhouse farmers' markets where I picked up fruit and flowers.  James and I then strolled across to South Bank where we found a tranquil comfortable spot overlooking gardens and the water to while away the afternoon with cold glasses of Campari and soda and a chance for me to catch up on the latest issue of Vogue.  Clear blue skies, sunshine and water must be one of the most mood enhancing combinations, I wish I could always enjoy these kind of days as we did on Saturday. Here are a few snippets from around the apartment this weekend including market flowers in some old jam jars, our vintage sunburst clock in its new spot above the bamboo desk and my new straw hat I purchased at South Bank for a steal sitting happily at the entry.

Island Living at King's Treat

The latest Lonny Magazine features one of David Flint Wood and India Hick's Harbour Island homes, King's Treat.  I love the style of these light airy interiors that speak of relaxed coastal living, not overly decorated but with lots of interesting features.  It definitely embodies my ideal island living!