With Valentines Day just around the corner, love is most definitely in the air. Although my single friends call the Valentines Day phenomena 'Singles Awareness Day', regardless of whether you are single or bonded at the hip, its always nice to celebrate love in all its different forms. This week we have made a list of our latest 'love' items. Some are attainable right now, and others are on the 'Bucket List'...regardless, its nice to dream and draw inspiration from beautiful things, places and styles.
Light Up Your Life
With our latest arrival. This stunning Chandelier is available whilst stocks last. What a focal point to add drama to a dining room! We are loving this!
Create a Beguiling Mix of Form and Function with.....
Our stunning Iron Based Dining Table. This gorgeous piece will not last!
Whats new in colour??
Our friends at Porters Paints are always surprising and delighting with the emergence of new and exciting colour options. The design team are particularly in love with Porters newest shade...Donkey Grey. Such a subtle tone, yet completely classic and usable. Here it has been masterfully merged with Porters Macaroon and Milk. Love it, Love it, Love it!
LUXE GETAWAY
When a girl starts dreaming about the ultimate holiday destination, the first thought that comes to mind is luxury, shopping, food and hello!..day spa! This hotel in the home of luxury and indulgence, Dubai, hits the spot in more ways than one.
Madinat Jumeirah Al Qasr Hotel
As part of the Madinat Jumeirah complex in Dubai, the Al Qasr Hotel is located on Jumeirah Beach and offers elevated views over the Arabian Gulf.
The hotel is surrounded by water and is accessible from the other two hotels in the complex by waterway. Each of the 292 guest rooms and suites offer private balconies and sumptuous Arabian décor and fabrics.
This stunning accommodation includes shopping until you are dropping, nine restaurants and bars and most importantly a rooftop bar area offering spectacular views of the ocean, pool and gardens.
And for the grand total of $1600 per night, this place is definitely going on the Bucket List. Dubai is just one of those exotic, mysterious places that you have to visit at least once.
COCKTAIL FRIDAY
This week, we take advantage of the hot weather and have created something cool and refreshing, yet relaxing and sexy....as all cocktails should be. Whilst daydreaming of our next sojourn in Dubai, we were inspired to make one of these little pieces of Friday cocktail heaven. The Peach Princess....enjoy!
2 oz Absolut® peach vodka
1/2 oz peach schnapps
4 oz orange juice
1/2 oz peach schnapps
4 oz orange juice
Fill glass with ice. Pour ingredients over ice, insert straw and enjoy! For a sweeter drink, substibute Original Sunny Delight for Orange Juice.
Serve in: A tall Cocktail Glass that matches the height of your heels :-)
ADORING AVOCADO RIGHT NOW.....
Avocado is in season at the moment and dont we just love it! Jen and Pete the Greek have it every morning smashed on toast with a bit of lemon and pepper. Others enjoy it as a topper over an egg on toast with a slice of proscuitto and haloumi. Great in salads and hey...even mashed up and on your face...there is a lot to be said for the Avocado. Once a luxury food in Australia, it is now eaten in most households. A great source of 'good' fats and packed with Vitamins. The Avocado gets the thumbs up from us.
This salad is so easy and super healthy. Its actually not a very light salad, and so works well as a meal in itself rather than having it on the side as an accompaniment. And in this hot weather that we are experiencing right now, its the perfect way to end the day.
ENJOYING...THE AVOCADO AND POTATO SALAD
Ingredients (serves 6)
- 150g small green beans, trimmed
- 150g small butter beans, trimmed
- 800g kipfler potatoes, scrubbed
- 100g sliced pancetta
- 2 avocados, halved, stones removed, peeled, sliced
- 1/3 cup whole-egg mayonnaise
- 1 large lime, rind finely grated, juiced
- 1/3 cup dill sprigs
Method
- Bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil over high heat.Add
green beans and butter beans. Cook for 3 minutes or until bright green and tender. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a colander and refresh under cold water. Pat dry with paper towel. Return water to the boil. - Add potatoes to saucepan and cook for 12 minutes or until just tender. Drain and set aside to cool slightly. Cut in half lengthways.
- Preheat grill on high heat. Place pancetta on a baking tray and grill for 5 minutes or until crisp. Drain on paper towel. Tear into small pieces.
- Arrange beans, potatoes, pancetta and avocado on a platter. Combine mayonnaise, lime rind and 1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice in a bowl. Pour dressing over salad. Season with salt and pepper and sprinkle over dill. Serve with pan-fried, grilled or barbecued fish.
And so, the end of another week.....dont forget we are open Saturday and Sunday. Giving thanks this week that everyone was safe from Cyclone Yasi, and our hearts go out to those who lost property and had their businesses etc...affected. It certainly does feel like poor old Queensland has copped a battering this Summer. Now on to bigger and better things!
xxx
