Food Obsession

In London I became obsessed with a salad from Pizza Express. So much so that whenever we ate there (not often, Craig doesn't believe in fancy pizzas) my order was exactly the same.

Dough Balls, Pollo Salad, a glass of Pinot Grigio Blush, and Lemon Sorbet.

After months and months of trial and a lot of error, I've finally made one that I like just as much as the Pollo. All the basics are there but ...



Kalamata Olives
Red Capsicum
Lettuce (mesclun? I never know)
Toasted Slivered Almonds
Chicken Breasts



Prenzel original salad dressing.




Or rather, the ingredients. I think it's just Balsamic Vinaigrette with Soya Sauce.




OBSESSED!

Stephanie Simek



In September 2007, Sir C declared that I was crazier than usual. I had bought a necklace made with human hair and he felt it was just tootoo crazy. I had moved beyond charmingly-eccentric-(but don't trust her with knives) to flat out Crazy with a capital C.

And then he saw it. And found me charming all over again.







A little closed eye with pearlescent tears.



I don't remember where I first came across the work of Stephanie Simek, I think it was through the lovely Kris Atomic who wore Simek's closed eyes necklace and I fell deeply in lust with it.





$38 USD



There is scant information out there about Stephanie Simek, she is based in the US, her jewellery has been featured on blogs and magazines from around the world, and uhh … did I mention she is based in the US?

I like that she's a woman of mystery!



In my mind her bio is as follows:

Stephanie Simek lives in a little cottage halfway between the city and the country. Close enough to walk to her favourite coffee shop to sit and watch the world go by, but equally close to walk to her favourite fields and forests where she explores with her bunny friends and gathers treasures and inspiration.

She works frantically in her sunny studio, at a desk below the window facing the field behind her house, the setting sun is golden as it pours through the window, her fingers glow golden as they fly through her work, a twig is caught in her russet hair, and a cat winds around her ankles.



Stephanie Simek uses unusual materials in her jewellery, human hair, egg shells, pussywillow, things from nature which we can see as beautiful but which don't end up worn as adornment all that often. I love that she is slowly rectifying that.



These are a few of my favourite things*:





$175 USD



A Quail's egg shell glows from within. Lined with 23K gold leaf and coated in plastic for strength.

I love how delicate it looks, and the gold brings out the warm beige & brown tones of the Quail egg.





$95 USD



Powder Necklace - a pearlised Turbo Cinereus shell (approx 1 inch in diameter) has tiny holes drilled into the bottom of it. Using the teeny little silver funnel attached to the clasp, it can be filled with sparkling silver mineral cosmetic powder (or the powder of your choice!) so that, when tapped, the little shell sprinkles a light dusting of sparkling silver on the wearer's chest.







I lovelovelove this idea, and I think the shell itself is beautiful, but I cannot for the life of me bear to wear sparkly lipstick because I hate ending up with random sparkles across my face. I imagine that I would be just as frustrated by this necklace. Sigh.





$125 USD



Pussy Willow Earrings! They look like soft little bunny feet!



But the item that sent my heart a-flutter and necessitated this post was this:





285 USD



Milk & Honey Necklace

A golden honeycomb beeswax pendant (encase in plastic) with a chain, interwoven with a milk protein based fibre.

AMAZING. I love the golden colour and the milk fibre? an inspired touch to create a themed necklace.



I do think, perhaps, eventually, maybe, someday, I might need to add another eyelash necklace to my collection. I adore the one I currently own but I don't wear it as often as I could/should because I am terrified of breaking it. And, at $30 - $40 USD they are so well priced for intricate jewellery from an independent designer.





(an ooooold photo)







p.s. She also has the most beautiful handwriting











*Yes, intentional the Sound of Music reference.

Today was a no good, very bad day ...

indexed.com

Sometimes, the universe is amazing and sends things your way which help keep your life in perspective.

Today it kept me going through work even though I felt like a zombie. Seriously, without the urge to eat brains but unable to form complex sentences and stumbling about the place.



p.s. Don't panic. I'm not in the grips of some deathly palsy, I'm simply lacking on sleep this week (I can't seem to catch up with myself) and, with rehearsals for the play almost in freefall before opening night (THIRTEEN DAYS!! (get your tickets now! 0832 77790!)) on top of the steep learning curve in my new job (why didn't I ever pay attention to the workings of the New Zealand Government??) I am left with scant brain cells to do the important things like staying upright and sentient unless on stage or at my desk.

From the Archives

Because I have approximately SEVEN MINUTES to post this, eat SOMETHING, ANYTHING and then get my cute little self to rehearsal, the explanation for these photos is scant to say the least.

London, September 2007

pink

Reason 7432891 why I love my Husband

On Saturday night I told him I was no longer obsessed with his moustache. The VERY NEXT DAY it was gone.

He kept his moustache for two whole months longer than he needed to (since the end of MO-Vember) without a single complaint just because I really liked it


seriously, how lucky am I?




My submissions to i love you more than blank.com

Week Five

Sunday
After another all day rehearsal, Kat and I went to Day's Bay and stood in the water. Dreaming of the beach-worthy day we'd missed.


Monday
I ignored my better judgement (I HAVE TO DRESS LIKE A FARMER!!) and advertised my play at work.


Tuesday
Fairy Lights outside our backyard. Or perhaps I just almost forgot to take a photo.


Wednesday
A beautiful afternoon. Showcasing Wellington's architecture.


Thursday
Speed Chess. A hippie girl and a stylish guy playing speed chess to music. She was playing free speed chess to raise money to go to Madagascar to be with her dying mother. Or to see the trees. Either way, I gave her money before I took the photo.


Friday
Went on the staff tour of Parliament and we were given a chocolate shaped like the Beehive. It tasted horrible.


Saturday
I should have been going over my lines but I couldn't stop reading Rockabye.


&