Happy Things

Here is a list of my loves this week:

 

This is a newish dress from Whistles UK.  The fabric is just lovely and I matched it with my round-toe heels by Mr Choo.  I really love simple classic clothing.  It costs less in the long run and looks great!

 

I have really enjoyed reading through our copy of Taschen’s London.  It brings back so many happy memories.  Taschen books are gorgeous to look at especially if you love photography or art.

It was my birthday recently and I was very excited to receive these gorgeous red Birkenstocks.  I actually did not want or need anything, however I am very grateful for these lovely colourful shoes. Merci Mr B!

Mr B also bought me some lovely flowers…

and he took me out for some delicious Japanese food.  We went to a restaurant in Brisbane called Sono - their sushi was delicious.

 

My friend W recently told me about a terrific environmentally-friendly cleaning brand created by two ladies here in Brisbane.  I love using them, as chemicals are now banned from the B residence.  

Plastic sandwich bags and plastic wrap are the next to go!

I love second-hand cookbooks.  Looking in second-hand bookstores is something I love to do and this New York Times Cookbook was a fabulous find.  

 I have started reading this book and I recently spotted the author in the brilliant food documentary 'Food Matters'. 

Also purchased this book for a bargain price in England and the recipes are easy to follow and delicious.

 

I have recently developed a new obsession with British band Bastille.  

Click here to listen.

I highly recommend the songs Pompeii, Things We Lost in the Fire & Weight of Living, Pt. II

 Finally I highly recommend viewing this brilliant food documentary - Hungry For Change.

My lovely beauty therapist (at Bare Therapies in Brisbane) told me about it and the film is currently free to watch on the internet until 31st March, 2013.  

If you are interested, I suggest visiting their website here.

I hope you are having a terrific week.

Fifi x

Foodie Favourites

Researching, sourcing, and of course preparing food is one of my greatest pleasures.

Voltaire once said...

“Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity.”

My daily food-balancing act is always one, which tries to harmonise the elements of health, quality, enjoyment, economy and gratitude into my daily cooking and eating rituals.

Most weekends follow a similar flow for me, brunch with friends, purchasing organic food from the markets and butcher and cooking many kitchen staples ready for the week ahead.  In addition to this, I spend time watching food documentaries, films and reading through cookbooks for inspiration.

Going out for dinner with my family and friends is also a much loved occasion, however I must admit, I am one of those people who takes photos of food while out and about… fortunately Mr B and my family and friends are used to it and I do try to be as quick and discrete as possible.  Furthermore, I am working on relinquishing my fixation with the Urbanspoon website.

Here are some of my favourite foodie delights: 

 This cookbook is from one of two restaurants I dream to visit one day.

  

Thomas Keller’s The French Laundry in Yountville, California &

Jiro Ono’s Sukiyabashi Jiro, a restaurant set in the basement of the Ginza Metro Station in Tokyo. 

Dessert preparation is not exactly a strength of mine.  Perhaps because I do not really enjoy eating them, however Nigella's Hazelnut/ Nutella cheesecake went down a treat at a recent family dinner. Everyone requested seconds. 

I am a fan of Barbara Cousin's cookbooks, however I know these might not be for everyone.

Yes, this is my favourite cooking utensil - The Zyliss cheese grater is so fun to use.

These are some of my weekly kitchen staples: spices, quinoa, nuts and coconut cream feature heavily in my cooking.

I have said it before and I will say it again, I LOVE making and eating homemade broth and do so most weekends. I use it in so many ways, whether it be to help flavour vegetables and meat in a stir-fry, as a drink by itself or as a base for other soup recipes.  Chicken broth is always found in Jewish/ Kosher and Chinese cookbooks.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and it refers to the famous J. Sheeky restaurant in London.  My parents took Mr B and I there for my 30th birthday, however sadly we were not permitted to take ANY photos, due to the restaurant's privacy policy, you know, just incase I took a photo of a celebrity's elbow whilst taking a quick snapshot of my Salmon gravlax with marinated cucumber.  Nevertheless, it was a sensational evening with outstanding food.

Brunch in Australia, is a rather delectable, creative and competitive eating experience.  Rarely can you book a table at any of the reputable brunch locations so getting a table and getting there early is paramount.  Here is brunch at Grub Street with my fabulous friends K and V.  

Pumpkin & haloumi fritters, sautéed spinach, hummus, hazelnut dukkah and grilled chorizo. Delicious.

 Going out for dinner is a real treat for me.  Here I am in my favourite little outfit: A five year old Whistles dress (there's a surprise) and black Lanvin flats.

Favourite restaurant to eat at in Brisbane? 

The Continental Cafe in New Farm.  Here is their delectable chicken liver pate with gluten free toast.

Currently enjoying Yotam Ottolenghi's television series (in Australia it is on SBS) called Ottolenghi's Mediterranean Feasts.  

 Two fabulously entertaining food films:  Big Night and Babette's Feast.

What are your favourite meals to prepare at home?

Mine are gluten-free pasta with a homemade tomato, chilli and olive sauce,

pumpkin and eggplant (aubergine) madras curry and roast chicken.

Have a lovely week ahead.

Fifi x

Images 11 12 & 13

Enjoying the moment.

My focus over the past few weeks has been to let go and surrender to the flow of life a bit more.  I have recently spent many hours in hospitals and nursing homes, which has been rather challenging and upsetting. Positively, my heart has been warmed by the kindness of healthcare workers, family members and friends who have helped my family greatly.  In the midst of hard times I am realising more and more the importance of enjoying the moment, being present and of course being grateful. 

Here are some things I am grateful for this week:   

This colourful $5 print from Croatia makes me smile each day.  Mr B and I had a magical holiday there a few years ago.  

Being able to prepare delicious French food at home.

This cookbook is fabulous and it reminds me of a lovely meal we had at the restaurant below.

One of my favourite meals in Paris was at this delightful little bistro called Les Fines Gueules.  Their specialty is Steak Tartare, however I ordered their grilled fish with vegetables and it was divine. 

 I recently had one of those evenings that really soothed the soul.  After a stressful few days, Mr B and I decided to go to the Continental Cafe in New Farm.  It was absolutely fantastic and I cannot wait to go back.  Here is a photo of their signature dish - Risotto aux fruits de mer, roast tomato & garlic, local prawns, fish, mussels.

Seeing Mr B smile whenever he reads this book or uses this wine thermometer.  I am not much of a wine drinker, however these gifts were a hit with Mr B at Christmas time.  Now I am not permitted to drink a glass of wine without him getting the temperature just right. 

Spending time with my mum. This is a photo of my mum and I on my wedding day.  Although she still knows who I am, my mum has been suffering from a rare form of dementia for the past fourteen years. Despite the sadness this situation brings, I am extremely grateful that there are so many wonderful doctors, nurses and carers who have helped us, especially over the past twelve months. My dad has been amazing too.

Great Apps.  One of my favourite apps is called Gratitude Journal.  I use it each night to create a list of ten things I have been grateful for that day. 

A fabulously simple outfit. This is a DKNY little black dress that I have owned for years. I love my new half-price Lanvin flats as well. 


I hope you are all having a great week and take care.

Fifi x

January's list of fabulous things.

After an extremely busy festive season and an even busier year, one with many ups and downs, Mr B and I decided it was time to get away for some much needed rest and relaxation. Here is a list of fabulous things I have discovered or experienced over the past month or so and I hope you enjoy reading about them.

Having a much needed break.

              I don't drink alcohol very often, however I do when on holidays. 

                                       Drinks and canapés on the deck. 

We went to Byron Bay again, as it is one of our favourite holiday 

destinations in Australia.

Beer and olives on a hot summer's evening was delectable. 

Spending time in nature.

We stayed in a lovely resort (The Byron at Byron Resort & Spa) which is surrounded by a lush rainforest and is also close to a long stretch of beautiful beaches.  Going for walks within and around the resort’s grounds was delightful, while also being extremely restorative.

   Eating delicious foods you wouldn't normally prepare at home.

The food at the resort was sublime.   

                                                Annual trips to a spa.

I love visiting reputable beauty salons or hamams and am a big fan of massage, facials and pedicures.  I don’t have them very often, just once or twice a year but LOVED the spa at the resort.  I had a pedicure, but always ask for no cuticle work – I have a phobia of it!

                                             My new favourite ballet flats.

After nearly falling off my chair when I noticed the price of these in a few Australian department stores, I decided to start saving and then became very excited when I found them half the price on the internet.  Although there was an interim period of requiring plasters, these shoes and I are now friends.  I LOVE THEM.

                                   Getting back on track post Christmas.

I am not sure about you, but I ate an insane amount of delicious but not so good for me food at Christmas (which is what life is about I suppose) but am now feeling the effects.  Therefore I am enjoying the following items a bit more during the month of January

                                                  Love this drink a lot.

I have been experimenting with Sauerkraut for a couple of years now but each time I try to prepare it at home ends in disaster.  Therefore I am going to try one last time and have purchased some from my favourite place on earth via the wonders of the Northey Street Organic Farmer's Markets.  I am not sure if this sauerkraut is right for everyone, including myself, but will give it one last go.

                                                               Dukkah

I am going to try and use this traditional Egyptian spice/nut blend a bit more in my cooking.  It is delicious with so many foods, especially fish or bread.  It contains hazelnuts, sesame seeds, coriander and cumin seeds as well as rock salt and pepper.  Delicious.

Happy Films

It was my turn to choose a film and even Mr B enjoyed it.

I highly recommend Paris - Manhattan.

Soothing Music

Are you enjoying the music from Nigella's new cooking series? 

I found this link to a website which explains where you can get some of the music from.  Click here to read.

As a result I am really enjoying the following album.

Click here to listen.

I particularly like track 11 - Gabriela.

Have a good week.

Fifi x

Images 11 & 12 

Ten Things I love this week

Here is a little list of things I love this week:

1.  Delicious brunches in Brisbane

Brunch on Sunday at Lady Marmalade was absolutely delicious.  

Haloumi, roast pumpkin, pesto, tomato and greenage on sourdough with a side of avocado and a potato & fetta hash

2.  Summer Colours

Orange is my new black.  This little number is still available from Whistles via asos.com.

3. Chilli

Here are some markets in Budapest where chilli is tres popular.  I cook with chilli a lot, the hotter the better is what I say.

4.  Daily Quiet Time

I am fairly certain that I am the worst meditator on this planet, however I am determined to keep going with this daily habit.  

5. Canapés

I love having people over for drinks and dinner, with starters being my absolute favourite meal.  

6.  Festive Cheer

My perfectionistic husband and I avoided arguments when decorating this lovely tree.  Our first real Christmas Tree in Australia and I am hoping this will become an annual tradition.  Real Christmas Trees at Ashgrove are brilliant.

7. Dello Mano Brownies

I am not a big sweets or dessert person, but these brownies are amazing.  I love Dello Mano in Brisbane and particularly like their new extended cafe.  I highly recommend this place for coffees and sweet treats.

                                              8.  Fantastic Films                                                                           

                             

            Annie Hall                             Food, Inc.                 The Royal Tenenbaums

              These are three terrific films in my opinion.

9.  Soothing Music

 I listen to this album on a daily basis, especially when driving.  I highly recommend it if you are a fan of classical music.  Click here to listen.


10.  Spending time with family and friends

 Spending time eating and drinking with my parents and Mr B is one of my favourite ways to celebrate the festive season.

I hope you have a wonderful December wherever you are in the world.

Fifi x