Heidi Middleton of Sass and Bide's Home

Like many I get much enjoyment seeing the inside of designer and celebrity homes. Heidi Middleton of Sass and Bide is one designer in particular I was particularly interested in seeing her home. Her home is on the lovely Palm Beach in Sydney. Each and every photo of this home is worth pinning. Love the feel of it, the location, the level of detail in each and every piece, everything. Wow! This post is very photo heavy. Apologies. 

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Be sure to check out the rest of the pics here. 

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Photos via Tales of Endearment

Ladurée is coming to Sydney

If you haven't already heard, good news! Ladurée is finally coming to Australia. First stop is Sydney. The store will be opening in July this year. Yet to hear whether there will be any other stores opening nationally. With stores in Europe, the Middle East, the US and Asia.... finally we get to share in the sweet delights! Looks like Australia is finally catching up with the rest of the world in the retail stakes. 

Photos via Ladurée online, Pinterest and Google Images

Chanel Earrings For Sale

I don't often post about what I'm selling on ebay. Although these babies are too special not to post about. It's with much reluctance that I must part with these stunning earrings. They are authentic and come with the original receipt from the Sydney Castlereagh Street store. Check out the listing here. Worn once. Purchased for $560, selling for $450 via a buy it now listing. Proceeds from the sale are to go to a very special purchase (crossing fingers).

Apologies for the crapola photos!

Lamb San Choy Bau

Today's recipe no isn't deconstructed. What's up with Masterchef and the deconstructed san choy bau a few nights ago. Since when does everything have to be deconstructed?! Just chuck it all together, not much to deconstruct. 

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This recipe uses lamb mince but of course you can use chicken, pork or beef mince. It was a bad idea using lamb. It wasn't lean so it was oh so fatty. I think in other dishes it's alright to use normal lamb mince but not in something so salad-like. Lean would be best. It was still delicious. 

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Adapted Recipe from Food Ideas Magazine

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Ingredients (serves 4)

1 tablespoon peanut oil

2 garlic cloves, crushed

2cm piece ginger, finely grated

500g lamb mince (or any other minced protein)

2 tablespoons oyster sauce

1 tablespoon soy sauce

3 green onions, thinly sliced

1/2 lime, juiced

1 teaspoon sesame oil

1 cup beansprouts, trimmed

1/4 cup fresh coriander leaves, chopped (I didn't have any at the time)

12 large butter lettuce or iceberg leaves

1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts

1/2 tin water chestnuts 

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Method

1. Heat wok over high heat until hot. Add peanut oil and swirl to coat. Add garlic, ginger and pork. Stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes or until lamb just changes colour.

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2. Combine oyster sauce and soy sauce in a jug. Add onions, sauce mixture, 2 teaspoons of lime juice and sesame oil to wok. Stir-fry for 3 minutes or until heated through. Stir in beansprouts, chestnuts and coriander.

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3. Spoon lamb mixture into lettuce leaves. Sprinkle with peanuts and serve.

Nicholas AW12 Lookbook

Been looking at their lookbook and drooling over the fur. Beautiful. 

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Photos via Green with Envy & Nicholas facebook pages

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.Check out their facebook page here. Green With Envy and Shopbop stock Nicholas. For further stockist details email info@nicholasthelabel.com.au. 

Carpaccio of Beetroot, Orange, Walnuts and Dill

What a lovely day in Sydney town today. I honestly couldn't bare to go back in doors after being out in the sun during lunch. 

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I think it's been a while since I've posted a recipe, oops! Plenty to come. Today's recipe brings a lovely way to use beetroot in a salad. The beetroot here is boiled in an assortment of spices, herbs and orange. Yum!

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The original of this recipe used soft goat's milk feta. I was vegan at the time so I skipped that. Feel free to add a white cheese. It would work really well. 

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Recipe adapted from Gourmet Traveller Magazine
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Ingredients
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4 beetroot (about 100gm each), scrubbed
1 litre (4 cups) red wine vinegar
220 gm (1 cup) caster sugar
1 bunch thyme
2 fresh bay leaves
Finely grated rind and juice of 1 orange
10 gm (2cm piece) ginger, thinly sliced
1 cinnamon quill
1 star anise
40 gm walnut halves
1 orange, segmented 
Handful of dill 
Extra-virgin olive oil
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Method
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1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Bring beetroot, vinegar, sugar, thyme, bay leaves, orange rind and juice, ginger, cinnamon, star anise and 1 litre water to the boil in a saucepan over high heat. Then reduce heat to medium and simmer until beetroot are tender, after about 30 minutes. Be careful not to let the liquid reduce. Drain and reserve cooking liquid. Set aside the liquid to cool. 

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2. Meanwhile, roast walnuts on an oven tray in the oven, shaking occasionally, until golden (2-4 minutes), set aside to cool, then coarsely chop.

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3. Peel and thinly slice the beetroot on a mandolin. Please don't laugh at my awful attempt at slicing the beetroot! Very bad. Set aside the beetroot once sliced.

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4. Strain 80ml cooking liquid through a fine sieve into a saucepan. Discard solids and remaining liquid. Bring the liquid to a simmer over high heat, reduce to a syrup (5-7 minutes) and set aside.

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5. Divide beetroot slices among plates and top with the orange, dill, walnuts and feta (optional). Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, beetroot reduction and tiny bit of juice from the orange. Season to taste and serve.

Shoe Watch May 2012

There are so many amazing shoes around at the moment. Lots of gold, pvc, points and ankle straps. While putting this post together I have been in shoe heaven.
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Alexander Wang
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Alexander Wang Liya in black suede

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Alexander Wang Liya stingray, leather and suede pumps via Netaporter

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Alexander Wang Bianca high slash pump via Green with Envy

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Alexander Wang Joan ankle-wrap pump in black leather via Aloha Rag

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Alexander Wang Colette vamp suede via Green with Envy

.Alexander Wang Summer/Spring 2012

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Gucci

Gucci Cracked-leather and suede sandals via Netaporter

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Gucci Suede and metallic peep-toe sandals via Netaporter

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Yves Saint Laurent

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Yves Saint Laurent Ingénue Swarovski crystal-embellished satin slingbacks via Netaporter

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Yves Saint Laurent Candide paneled satin pumps via Netaporter

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Christian Louboutin

Christian Louboutin Un Bout 100 patent leather and PVC pumps

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Christian Louboutin Bois Dore 140mm via Christian Louboutin Online Store

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Theyskens' Theory 

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Theyskens' Theory Aven Pointy Toe Pumps via Shopbop