Alannah Hill on the move

Australian fashion designer Alannah Hill is selling her home. Located in trendy South Yarra, the beautiful Victorian terrace is opposite Fawkner Park and a short walk to Domain Road.

It's no surprise that the home is decked out in Alannah's signature flamboyant style - plenty of pink, florals, antiques and girly glamour. Check out the speckled pink tiles in the bathroom, so much fun!!

Summer loving

It's been a while since my last post. I ve been busy enjoying our amazing Melbourne Summer. We've been blessed with unusually beautiful weather - I know this because 1. It's been too warm for jeans and 2. I ve been to the pool and beach a lot more than most years.

One of my summer purchases was 'Super Natural Every Day' by Heidi Swanson, also from 101 Cookbooks. It's my kind of eating – natural, whole and minimal sugar. It's rare for me to buy ready made sauces, pastes and dressings. I much prefer to make my own, so I avoid all the nasties. Of course I indulge occasionally because for me it's all about balance, but after having low amounts of sugar in my diet for such a long time I just don't have the cravings, or desires like I use to. 

Husband and toddler LOVED the 'Baked Quinoa Patties'. I adore how they are oven baked, so no standing over a stove flipping patties. I added grated beetroot to mine and they were delicious!! Perfect for a light dinner or the lunch box.

Baked Quinoa Patties

2 1/2 cups / 12 oz /340 g cooked quinoa, at room temperature*
5 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon fine-grain sea salt

1/3 cup/ .5 oz /15 g finely chopped fresh chives
1/3 cup /.5 oz /15 g finely chopped fresh dill
1 cup / 1.5 oz /45 g finely chopped kale
1 yellow or white onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 teaspoon (toasted) cumin
1 teaspoons baking powder

1 cup / 3.5 oz /100 g whole grain bread crumbs, plus more if needed
water or a bit of flour, if needed

1/3 cup / .5 oz / 15 g crumbled feta

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil or clarified butter

Preheat oven to 400F / 200C.

Combine the quinoa, eggs, and salt in a medium bowl. Stir in the chives, dill, kale, onion, garlic, and cumin. Stir well.

Add the baking powder and bread crumbs, stir, and let sit for a few minutes so the crumbs can absorb some of the moisture.

Gently stir in the feta.

At this point, you should have a mixture you can easily form into twelve 1-inch / 2.5cm thick patties. I err on the very moist side because it makes for a not-overly-dry patty, but you can add more bread crumbs, a bit at a time, to firm up the mixture, if need be. Conversely, a bit more beaten egg or water can be used to moisten the mixture. If you're still having trouble getting the mixture to hold - mix in flour, a couple tablespoons at a time.

Oil a baking sheet, and arrange the patties with a bit of space between each. Bake for ~20 minutes, or until the bottoms are brown. Flip and bake for another 5 minutes.

Enjoy hot, or allow to cool to room temperature on a cooling rack.

Moon Under Water

Pic via Herald Sun

We had a special dinner at Moon Under Water with my Dad a few days before Christmas. After reading John Lethlean's review in The Australian we were inspired to dine. It's not often he scores a restaurant 5/5.

The five courses which included an additional cheese plate, were paired with superbly matching wines. This isn't everyday kind of food. Skilled chefs Andrew McConnell and Josh Murphy cleverly create flavours that most of us wouldn't have the time, or technical knowledge to do at home. Intricate yet seemingly uncomplicated. Our menu consisted of:

• Whipped eggplant, shitake, shaved cuttlefish & crab
• Marinated vegetables, fromage blanc, roast tomato and jamon
• Roast veal, smoked potato & onion
• Fig leaf cream, iced lovage & berries

A calming decor created by one of my favourite Melbourne design houes Project Of Imagination. A mainly all white decor with contrasting black Thonet chairs and lovely soft grey curtains and leather banquette seating. 

It's not often a restaurant pulls together amazing food, decor and service. With a seasonal menu, I look forward to venturing back.

Marinated vegetables, fromage blanc, roast tomato and jamon

Roast veal, smoked potato & onion

Fig leaf cream, iced lovage & berries

Moon Under Water
211 Gertrude Street
Fitzroy Victoria 3065
Phone +61 3 9417 7700

High Street, Armadale

I stumbled across a gorgeous little store on High Street, Armadale (next door to Armadale Cellars). A  unique collaboration between a group of Melbourne stylists and designers.

Tori Allen, Melbourne based stylist and visual merchandiser has collected the most beautiful array of flowers and herbs. Perfect for the home, or a 'thank you for having me' gift.

Pleine Nature features the most spectacular Parisian light pendants - check out the coloured bird on wire frame! Belgium's Henry Dean glassware, stools, candles and garden planters. Handblown glass in the most fabulous colours.

Haveloch dresses by Melbourne Designer Georgina Clark. Classic dresses with a modern twist in the most delicate linen and silk fabrics. 

The most exquisite French inspired children's clothing by Little Chillies. Beautiful classic style in soft muted colours.

Beautifully decorated gingerbread houses and treats from Kuna's Pure Food. All handmade in Victoria using an old family recipe.

Inspired by France, Lily & Lulu homewares and lifestyle pieces.

The oak dining table is the softest blonde colour and would be a fantastic spot for Christmas lunch.

Be quick because this clever bunch shut up shop Friday 21st December 2012.

811 High Street

Armadale Victoria 3143
*Open Wednesday 19th, Thursday 20th & Friday 21st December until 8pm.

It''s beginning to look a lot like christmas...

The old Puma store on Chapel Street continues to reinvent itself with various pop-up shops. Loving the most recent 'Festival' by Vixen & Velvet shop which will be set up until early January. It was incredibly refreshing to see some eccentric Christmas propping, absolutely no tinsel in sight!! Instead, Christmas trees created with a variety of faux flowers and birds. My photos really don't do it justice.

If your decorations are sorted, perhaps some gifts - check out the moroccan inspired light fittings, vintage looking tailor's mannequins, mirrors, hall stands, storage trunks and so many other cool little finds.