Proof of the "cuddly" years.

Not to name names but I fear I may be following suit to the likes of a certain Wellington food blogger. In other words, this will be the last of any self indulgent, narcissistic, shameless posts. Ah well, it's diva day. Treat Yo' Self.

While I may have the lead, I am the "cuddliest". 

Scene of the crime. Cookie in hand. Bliss. 

Oh so cuddly. Little has changed. I am partial to a good Frock on Bike. 

DEAN'S BEANS

HOMAGE TO A LIFETIME OF DINNER PARTIES

My kryptonite, the 'baked good'. 

Dearest Friends, Foes and Fancies, 

You are cordially invited to a European party hosted by Lady Cecilia Josephine Darling III of Dunedin, Wellington, Denmark and Budapest. 

Beverages shall include: Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, possibly Vodka (for Pushkin lovers), soy milk, loose leaf teas and disgustingly black and ridiculously overpriced coffee. 

Please refrain from bringing a “plate”. Although the term “buffet” certainly looks French, lining up for food is distasteful. Rather, an appetizing salad with rogue exotic fruits shall be provided alongside a wonderfully buttery main course. The aforementioned shall be accompanied by the densest, seediest, blackest bread known to man and, finances permitting, anything of the cheese family shall join the party. 

Clause 1: You mustn’t find yourself in the awkward position of actually eating the food. Europeans are commonly waif-like and extremely attractive. Pick at it. Play with it. Photograph it. Otherwise, a crane may be needed to hoist you onto your Danish bicycle for the ride home. 

Costume is mandatory: bow ties, stripes, polka dots and glasses are ideal. High-waisted skirts might also prove useful (to hide potential food baby). Think Burberry. Think Chanel. Think minimalism. If you are not of the private school ilk go for the “shabby chic” or “poor but sexy” look. 

My 21st birthday party. The theme was rock'n'roll. Fun, but somewhat regrettable. 

Etiquette at such soirees includes smoking and posing, naturally. Overuse the phrase ooh la la and import yes, no, please and thank you in any foreign language. It is best to avoid discussing politics, religion or money at the dinner table. However, if you are so inclined perhaps lighten up the conversation by mentioning the follies of Berlusconi, Sarkozy, and his petit amis, Carla Bruni, and their new offspring. To contribute to the elitist feeling in the room, subtly intimate your affluent ancestry, that your cousin’s brother’s dog’s owner’s great grandfather was James Cook himself – either that, or you spotted Paul Henry in Sydney last weekend. This infers that you are a genuine “jet-setter” and you know absolutely everyone worth knowing. 

Clause 2: If you are hoping to pop over to the fabulous Northern continent in the future – be warned, don’t follow the above instructions verbatim. Emulating a European does not hide the fact that you are a New Zealander. You will look the fool standing in front of the Eiffel Tower, sporting stripes, a beret, and baguette in hand. Take it from my experience. 

Regards, 

The Pretentious Urban Liberal Herself

Kiss kiss

Apartment circa 2010. I lived above a shop on George Street. T'was bliss.

My humble abode in Aarhus, Denmark. 2011

My ginormous apartment at $100 pw in Budapest, Hungary

Mid winter Christmas with "creative" tree. 

This was actually a 'gah I need to make do' occasion at my hall of residence, Knox College, Dunedin. 

I do indeed have a floral disposition

Pine Hill by day. The architecture was very 'thunderbirds-esque'. 

CHEERS TO THE HOUSE OF CHAIRS

Hark! A new food blog. How original. This is long overdue, however. I have spent far too many years salivating and gorging over delicious things not to follow suit to the likes of the lovely Nigella and company.

Today I purchased yet another chair for my humble abode. The mustard little minx will sit well among its 25 brothers and sisters. And so it was, my lovely house in Newtown has 25 chairs and is ideally suited for wonderful dinner soirées, twerking dance classes and copious amounts of bubbly. Being of the Russian/Irish variety I have a rather unfortunate alcoholic disposition. Add a dash of journalism and my love of baking and you have the start of something beautiful.

Ingredients:

Lindauer Rose
Charlie's raspberry thirst quencher
Mint leaves
Frozen berries of any variety 
A dash of ginger beer for good measure

Mix the aforementioned and Bob's your uncle.