new home: boutiquewithbaby.wordpress.com

I haven’t really been blogging here at all over the past, well, really long time.

This is because I have had a baby and my life has been consumed with baby things.

So, I am naturally now writing about all that is baby and fun. Find me here:

http://boutiquewithbaby.wordpress.com

: )

dad and bub at the Tate

your very own ultimate guest-impresser

Foosball table, as new, available for pick up in Surry Hills. Great for those Tuesday nights when nothing is on TV (beats the hell out of any CSI episode) and can help improve motor skills. Keep the World Cup dream alive from the comfort of your own living room. $75.

the ultimate guest-impresser

View ad on Gumtree

appeal: home needed for cute kitties

Sorry for the spam but I am just putting some feelers out as my hubby and I are in a bit of a sticky situation.

Our first baby is arriving in two weeks (or less!) and we have also just purchased a new property. A lot of change happening – change which our two lovely little kitties are not coping with well and we fear it will only get worse  when mum’s time to cuddle cats will be cut significantly.

As a lot of you know, I am obsessed with these cats and it is a very hard decision – I tried to call some happy cat farm to inquire about “surrendering” them and I was blubbering so much on the phone I couldn’t even tell them the cats’ names.

We were hoping to find someone in the Sydney city area who would like to trial having kitties for a while – we were thinking until November/December (six months), once we have moved and settled into our place and the baby is a bit older and maybe into more of a routine.

The cats:

Michael Jackson – five years, very friendly, meows a lot and likes to eat, doesn’t like to be held but will sit on your lap and demand cuddles when he wants them, runs to greet you at the door, more like clumsy dog. Gets along very well with people and likes to show off in a crowd.

Muriel – five years, a bit timid at first but also very friendly and once you get to know her she will let you cuddle her and pick her up whenever you like. She’s a little purr machine and likes to sleep with you. She is all black with little white socks. She can’t really meow and makes a really cute peeping sound. Her fur is like the softest thing on earth.

They are both healthy, youthful, affectionate, don’t scratch things and are best buddies who keep each other company.

Photos below.

Please feel free to pass on as well

best friends

michael jackson, just being cute

muriel doing what she does best - cuddling

remembering mj

One year on. Finally framed and hung my precious knitted Michael Jackson portrait.

MJ lives on in my Knitting

a night at tetsuya’s (feed me)

After another long absence, my recent dining experience at Tetsuya’s seemed like an appropriate comeback topic.

Our delectable degustation menu:

Avocado soup with potato ice-cream and mountain caviar

Warm salad of kingfish with blackbean and orange

NZ scampi with shellfish and tarragon sauce Waku Ghin

Confit petuna ocean trout with konbu, celery and apple

Cuttlefish with beansprouts, ink and botarga

Grilled fillet of barramundi with braised wood ear and chestnut mushrooms

Twice-cooked deboned spitchcock with foie gras

Grass-fed Tasmanian angus beef with Swiss browns and porcini

Cream cheese and fig ice cream with caramelised fig

Cannellini beans with mascarpone and soy caramel

Salted sable with lemon scented leatherwood honey

Coffee or tea and petit fours

I’m normally a shutterbug but didn’t feel comfortable taking any photos. I did, however, sneak home a few macaroons for my husband to try

Tetsuya’s Restaurant

529 Kent Street Sydney

+61 2 9267 2900

www.tetsuyas.com

*Due to open the end of this month is Chef Tetsuya’s second restaurant, Waku Ghin, at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore.

meeting a giant seal on the boardwalk, cape town (just because)

The only thing better than cute animals is cute animals in people places.

Poppy (just because)

Yes, it has been a lot time since I have done anything. Have been on the road, so have some fun updates from Vancouver, Miami and Newfoundland to come.

The thing I felt most important to share after all this time is my awesome Poppy who lives just outside of Gander, Newfoundland. He is 80. He still builds houses, bakes and cleans and is very competent on his laptop.

Favourtie quote: I was teaching him new things about Facebook and he said: “Stop now, you’re confusing me. Pretty soon I won’t know the Wall from the floor.”

Oh to be able to dance like this when I am 80.

Poppy gettin' his bake on.

Who needs a mixer - after 60+ years of building houses his hands are in pretty good nick.

Tonight's dessert a la Poppy.

Also featured on photos of old people

Caffe Artigiano, Vancouver (feed me)

Since January 2000 this original location has expanded to a franchise of 14 and counting, but the quality of the espresso (yes, not filter) coffee has not been compromised. “It’s the best coffee in Vancouver; I saw Renee Zewellger here last Saturday” – endorsement from the guy sitting next to us, who has been coming since it opened. The 8am line-ups are even longer than those at Tim Horton’s (just don’t tell anyone from Toronto; you might shock them).
Website

Caffe Artigiano
1101 West Pender Street.
+1 604 685 5333.

Latte and a whole wheat raspberry scone.

And so the cue begins.

 Also featured on Qantas Travel Insider

Launceston (round-ups)

In Tassie for the week – first stop, Launceston and the highlights go something like this: dinner (and dessert) at Stillwater (Ritchies Mill, Paterson Street, +61 3 6331 4153); early morning coffee at Relish (Shop 1, 43 Arthur Street, + 61 3 6331 3122) followed by pastries at tant pour tant (226 Charles Street, +61 3 6334 9884); retail therapy to the tune of Willow, Camilla & Marc, Gorman, Ginger and Smart, etc, at Homebody (68 Charles Street, +61 3 6334 9944); a brisk walk around Cataract Gorge; and then a late lunch and wine tasting at the Josef Chromy cellar door cafe (370 Relbia Rd, Relbia, +61 3 6335 8700).

 

Dinner at Stillwater

Relish cafe

tant pour tant

Homebody

Cataract Gorge

Wine, food and views at the Josepf Chromy cafe

Featured on Qantas Travel Insider

Bikes rock (just because)

Images from the Bikes Rock gig at the Factory Theatre, Marrickville, November 11. Featuring: Lions at your Door, Deep Sea Arcade, Jonathan Boulet and Bridezilla.

Lions at your Door

The amazing Sweetie from Lions at your Door

Deep Sea Arcade

Deep Sea Arcade

Deep Sea Arcade

Jonathan Boulet

Jonathan Boulet

Bridezilla

Bridezilla

Bridezilla

Bike valet service (how fancy)

Gathering before the show