Welcome to the Charcoal Interiors Style in the City blog. We have had a lot of interest in the blog this week, and we welcome our new readers.
This week, we have something for everyone...Fashion, Food, Beautiful Homewares and Christmas Gift Ideas, Christmas Cocktail Recipes and more......so read on and we hope that you find something to inspire. If its not the great Christmas Prawn Recipe with Lime Mayo, then it may be our Christmas Frock feature.
The week started on a bit of a sour note with the theft of my purse. And so I thought it might be fun to start off today with some of our recommended torture methods...to be used once we get our hands on the thief!
Our number one favourite is to sit him down and make him listen to a womens group discussion on feelings....or perhaps worse still, sit him in front of the telly and replay the Celine Dion concert of 1996 DVD over and over and over again....we welcome other suggestions.
Festive Frocks...what's a girl to wear?
When I was a little girl, the thrill of Christmas was always enhanced by the knowledge that you were going to be wearing something new and shiny for the whole day. I always got a new dress for Christmas, and although I look back on the hideousnes of it now, I can remember the feeling of having something special to wear on the day. My kids would joke that this was around the time that clothes werent even invented yet, so how could I possibly even remember, as I am just so completely ancient. But even though it was quite a few decades ago, I still feel excited when I know that I have something new to wear for Christmas Day....preferably with buttons that can be undone around the waist area for easily release of the Turkey laden belly.
As you know, Cathie, Colette and I have our 'Happy Place' (aka Sass and Bide). We are fortunate to have some amazing frock shops in just metres of the showroom. Here's a few tempters that we found this week. Now we just have to make a decision on which frock.
This is a great time to pop into the Doggett/James Street precinct of Fortitude Valley. Shop till you drop, grab a bargain or two from us and then lunch with friends....go on...you deserve it!
Sass and Bide...loving this jumpsuit look.
Scanlan and Theodore...Style after our own hearts
Alice McCall thanks to the wonderful Jules and Roc store on James Street
Jules and Roc Sequin Dress in neutrals....Merry Christmas to Me!
Our Beach House Tables are selling quicker than we can custom make them. This one arrived at the showroom this morning and voila!...sold! More to come into stock soon. We make these tables to your customized measurements and they look incredible.
More Previously Sold Out Stock Has Arrived!
We have more Stone Based Hurricane Lanterns in stock, plus a new Tapered Style in varying sizings.
Our Stone Candlesticks make a fabulous feature to the Christmas Table Setting and the price will surprise.
FEED ME!
Stuck for food to dazzle the rellies this Christmas? Well, we are featuring a selection of sumptuous recipes in every 'Style In The City' blog leading up to Christmas. This week we feature a gorgeous prawn recipe that has been rated by the 3 of us 5 Star Fare.
BUTTERFLIED HERB PRAWNS WITH LIME MAYO
Ingredients (serves 4)
- 750g green prawns, peeled, tails intact
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 slices white bread
- 1 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves
- 1/2 cup dill sprigs
- 1/2 cup oregano leaves
- olive oil cooking spray
- rocket salad and lime wedges, to serve
Lime mayonnaise
- 3/4 cup whole-egg mayonnaise
- 1 lime, rind finely grated, juiced
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- 3 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
Method
- Using a sharp knife, cut prawns along back from top to tail (do not cut all the way through). Remove vein and open prawns flat. Place prawns and oil in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Turn prawns to coat.
- Place bread, parsley, dill and oregano in a food processor. Process until finely chopped. Transfer to a large plate. Coat prawns, 1 at a time, in herb crumbs, pressing on with your fingers. Place on a tray lined with baking paper.
- Make lime mayonnaise: Place mayonnaise, lime rind, 1 tablespoon lime juice, garlic and worcestershire sauce in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Preheat a barbecue plate on medium heat. Spray prawns with oil. Barbecue prawns for 2 to 3 minutes each side or until golden and crisp. Serve with lime mayonnaise, rocket salad and lime wedges.
Perfect as an Entree on Christmas Day, and this light dish works in well with the obligatory glass of Champagne to toast in Christmas, Family and Friends.
Did you know that the worlds most expensive Christmas cocktail can be found in one of Londons most ritzy clubs, well frequented by the elite and uber rich at a cost of $71,000AUD.
“Ingredients in the costly cocktail include a large measure of Louis XII cognac, half a bottle of Cristal Rose champagne, some brown sugar, angostura bitters and a few flakes of 24-carat edible gold leaf, according to The Guardian,” the Mail said.
“But the real extravagance is an 11-carat white diamond ring - which can be found at the bottom of the glass.
“But the real extravagance is an 11-carat white diamond ring - which can be found at the bottom of the glass.
Fortunately for Cocktail Friday lovers, we offer up a recipe this week, that is just as deliciously indulgent, but at a fraction of the price.
THE CLASSIC CHRISTMAS CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL
This easy Cocktail recipe serves 4 people
It's worth getting good champagne for this celebratory cocktail. Add the champagne just before serving so you get the dissolving sugar cube effect in each flute. There should be enough left in the champagne bottle for a little top up!
Ingredients
4 Sugar Cubes
2 - 3 dashes of Angostura Bitters
1 Bottle of good quality Champagne and that doesnt mean it has to be expensive either. We like Grandin, or for something special try Veuve Clicquot. Anything Australian with Methode Champenoise on the label should be good drinking.
Method
1. Drop a sugar cube in the bottom of each champagne flute and add a couple of dashes of bitters to it.
2. Add 1/2 a nip of brandy/cognac to each glass.
3. Fill with Champagne....Toast..Clink and Drink
Next week on the Style and The City Blog: Christmas Table Setting Ideas, More Great Christmas Recipe Ideas and more....
Until next week! We wish you all a great weekend. Dont stress while you shop...smile at that person who cuts in the queue in front of you. Dont get hot and bothered when the sales person leaves the security tag on that purchase and you get all the way home before you realise...and then they question your purchase when you treck back to the shop...as happened to me this week....I just sent that 15 year old sales assistant with the bad attitude love and Christmas cheer...albeit it through gritted teeth :-)
Jen's off to Adelaide for the weekend to organise more wedding stuff. This time she's dragging Pete the Greek with her. I am sure there will be some stories out of this for next weeks entries.
