Joy.

It is goddamn busy at work. Nowadays I only got one, maximum two days off a week, and they're always packed with sleeping in, tidying up the flat, groceries shopping, catching up with friends and other things for which there hadn't been enough time. That's exactly why I always got loads and loads of blog material piling up on my computer - if only a day had more than 24 hours. But then again I'd probably just spend more time at work.


Anyway, when Diego was back in town I again made Curtis Stone's Tiramisu. You would never believe how easy it is, and it is so light and fluffy that you will definitely be willing to sacrifice some more of your future half hours to make it again, again and again.

* Combine 2/3 cup of cold strong brewed espresso and 1/2 cup of brandy.

* Fill a saucepan halfway with water; bring to a simmer. Set a shallow bowl on top and beat 4 large egg yolks and 1 1/2 tablespoons of sugar in the bowl with a handheld electric mixer for about 4 minutes, until pale and thick. Remove from heat, let it cool for 5 minutes.

* Place 2 cups of mascarpone (around 400g; at room temperature) in a large bowl. Stir in half of the egg yolk to lighten it, then fold in the remaining part.

* In another bowl using clean beaters, beat 2 large egg whites and 1 1/2  tablespoons of sugar with the electric mixer just until stiff peaks form; fold into the mascarpone mixture.

* Spoon a thin layer of the mascarpone mixture over the bottom of a 6 cup trifle bowl (I use a 25-cm square tray). Quickly submerge enough sponge finger biscuits (should be around 20-30 in total) for a layer in the espresso-brandy mixture, and arrange them in a single layer over the mascarpone. Spread more mascarpone mixture over the biscuits, and repeat with the remaining biscuits and mascarpone to form new layers, ending with the mascarpone mixture. Grate some bittersweet chocolate or sift some chocolate powder over the tiramisu. Refrigerate for around 2 hours, until set.

[From "Relaxed Cooking with Curtis Stone"]

Last Saturday Laurent picked me up from work and took me on a half-day surprise "trip". We went to the MCA to see the Annie Leibovitz exhibition, enjoyed the afternoon sun and the amazing Opera House and Harbour Bridge views from the Botanical Gardens, and had the funnest and bestest dinner ever at Bodega. It's amazing how such a simple day could bring so much joy.

Bodega fish fingers. A dream on toast.

The chefs at Bodega look like sexy rock stars and artists. It was so much fun watching them make the dishes (we had seats at the open kitchen), and they had fun with us too, as we were literally hanging at the bar losing our saliva - everything looked sooo fricken tasty. Even the olive oil that came with the bread tasted like green apple and banana, how cool is that?

Their version of banana split. Nowhere close to a classic one, but sets you into an euphoric state.

Other pleasures...

* Shopping for Christmas presents at Ariel and strolling around Surry Hills and Paddington with Susan.

* Polly's chicken mushroom risotto. I could have it for breakfast now.

* Making thịt kho (mom you should be proud of me!) and muffins in one night and seeing everything vanish.

* Browsing the internet for hours for more Christmas gift ideas. Results in lack of sleep but oh well.

* Looking at pictures of my baby sister, who's effin 1.28m now, and missing her. Can't wait to see her.

* Watching How I Met Your Mother with Laurent and laughing our asses off. I know we're quite a bit behind but epic shows stay epic. Better late than never.

Ok, time to finish up. My uncle and my aunt are coming to see me in Manly today so I have to do the quickest massive clean-up of my life now (because it's 10.30 am already and I have no idea when they're arriving, and our flat looks like a bomb site. Although we just cleaned up this week.), and then I wanted to make some cookies. Will be back soon with my Christmas wish list - I know nobody's gonna help me fulfil my dreams anyway, but I'm just gonna do it for myself so there's something to keep the spirit up at work; people call it goal setting.

Curlin' up in Curl Curl

Currently addicted to:

John Legend * Another Again / Ordinary People / Save Room

I've been working all week (literally all week - I'm rostered for 9 days straight) so I didn't have much time to retouch my pictures from last weekend. Laurent and I were supposed to make a day trip to Palm Beach last Saturday, but because it would've taken us ages to get there and he had to work that night, we decided to go to Curl Curl instead. Everything was so pretty and peaceful - the weather, the beach, the cliffs, the ocean water pool, the breaking waves. I felt like I was on holiday.

Looking at these pictures makes me think of some words I've picked up from all those times holding the line when I tried to reach Marriott Reservations: refreshed, revived and reenergised. I hope I picked them up correctly though.

I'm hardly at home these days; I love it when both my work and social lives are busy, but I'm kinda looking forward to having a few lazy days soon some time. I miss sleeping in, having big fat brunches, strolling around Manly and lying at the beach all day. But I'm not complaining at all, I enjoy work :) and Christmas is coming up soon so I need to save some money!

Just a few random pictures from my phone - Chelsea is so right; there are moments that just won't wait for you to grab a proper camera.

Prep for our favourite pasta

Tiramisu I made last week

Polly, Diego and me at Wharf Bar. Diegi is going back to Brazil soon :( we're gonna miss him so much.

Manly wharf, the place I fall in love with over and over again.

Me at the Ivy Changeroom

Tamara's studio in sun light

On my way home after work tonight

My eyes are getting heavy. And I'm hungry. Time to sleep.

Oh I forgot - this was my Curl Curl outfit. :) Yes, still lookbooking.

Day off and other pleasures

Today I had a lunch date with Susan and Tamara from work. We went to Baroque in the Rocks, which I'd heard so much about and always wanted to check out. The open kitchen bistro also had a dessert and macaron bar (so that we wouldn't have to walk all the way to its famous sister La Renaissance for a guilty pleasure), but we weren't paying so much attention to the chefs as we chose to get warm and cozy in the funky dining area further inside. We just fell in love with the blackboards, lamps and surprisingly comfy pink plastic chairs.

 The menu

But it got even better when our food came out. The plat du jour today was "Nose to tail", a lamb dish with tomato, zucchini and olives - and was an absolute bliss. The tender meat harmonised perfectly with the vegetables and tasty jus, and the potato puff was a delicate little surprise. Even the baby tomatoes were still on their stalk!

And of course, how could we not have any macarons for dessert. Like little lip balm tins, they're so cute and colourful that you could just sit there and look at them all day. But then once you've had a taste, there's no turning back.

The only (sadly not very pretty) way to share. 

After the overly satisfying lunch, I went for a stroll with the two pretty ladies. I could feel the summer come a bit closer today - the weather was just absolutely fabulous.

How cute are the claws beneath Susan's Ferré bag?

I myself was sporting an outfit from my recent wardrobe - I'm pretty glad about how I've been able to mix and match my new pieces I've bought for this spring and summer. As I was going out with two fashionistas I felt like I had to dress the part,  but to keep the chill look I matched my dress pants and wedges with an airy boyfriend shirt.

Sabre sunglasses, Subtitled two-toned shirt, Witchery dress pants, Mooloola bag, Rubi wedges (yes, Rubi!), Diva giraffe necklace (worn as a bracelet), handmade bracelet from Manly market.

*Big thanks to Suze for understanding and taking pictures of me. ;)