Kids In The Kitchen With Tetsuya

Last week the Doctor and I went on a date. To Tetsuya's.

I know. Right?!

Electrolux invited us to enjoy a Kids in the Kitchen Masterclass with Tets. Who was I to decline?

We enjoyed such a wonderful night learning from the master - two easy recipes - scrambled eggs with ricotta, creamed corn and truffles, and twice cooked chicken with bread sauce. So easy and accessible you can get the kidlets involved cooking dinner. Plus - those eggs, oh em gee peeps. Make them for Father's Day. I am telling you, they are a winner.

As well as enjoying the gentle company of Tetsuya, we learnt about the Electrolux Induction Cooktop. If you are in the market for a new kitchen - check it out. You will thank me. Yes. Yes you will.

There's no use crying over spilt milk, because if you're boiling milk on your Electrolux cooktop it won't bake it on to the stove. The heat is only retained where the saucepan has a magnetic field. Pretty cool if you ask me. Plus it distributes heat evenly which means perfectly cooked pancakes and scrambled eggs. This is clearly a big deal for me because we are a family that loves pancakes and scrambled eggs.

The Doctor got a behind-the-scenes tour of the restaurant with Rich (see bottom two pics by the Doctor). Rich is beyond genius and his passion, enthusiasm and knowledge just blows you out of the water. Not to mention his supersonic hearing abilities.  Big thanks to Electrolux for hosting such a wonderful evening. This was a date night to remember with my little man.

PS - Do not tell Tets that the Doctor's highlight was riding in the hire car. It filled him with such glee. Boys and cars baby, boys and cars.


Please note: This is not a sponsored post. Electrolux invited me for dinner. I loved it. I went. I wanted to share.

The Queen:: The Olympics

How great is Queen Elizabeth II? How great was her entrance to the Olympics? How great was the whole Opening Ceremony? Brilliant. So superbly executed, I was giggling, jaw gaping, loving it the whole time. It held me captive. I loved it so much.

Danny Boyle, you are a clever, clever man. And clearly the Queen has a brilliant sense of humour.

Of course my fabourite part was Bond and the Queen. What a riot.

Are you watching the Olympics like I am? I am determined to watch as much as possible.

How pretty was that pale peach confection? I don't think she ever puts a stylish foot out of place. And I loved the black gloves, clutch and heels - she is one cool grandmother.

Here's more on how they kept the Queen's cameo a secret since April!

Pantone Queen

If you follow me on Instagram, know me, or work with me and see me squirrelling away Pantone samples, or patting the Pantone book, you'll know I love Pantone colour charts.

Which is why I was so full of glee when I discovered a couple of months ago that Pantone had created this limited-edition numbered colour guide to celebrate some of the Queen's most splendid colour choices and to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

One could say the Queen is absolutely dedicated to her pastels. And I love her for it!

You can read more here over at The Inspiration Room.

Fashion Friday:: Grey Gardens

I am nothing if I am not dedicated to Fashion Friday.

I mean, what? Who is that? Little or Big Edie? It's Little Edie. Looking sullen. With an oversized fork. And looking decidely frumpy.

The looks I scored for looking this way. My colleagues asked if I had a theme today. If it was nana. And then I educated them on Grey Gardens. About how actually I was a socialite meets cat lady. About how my house was overrun with garbage. Bonafide garbage, not just heirlooms masquerading as garbage. Although there are some of those scattered amongst the detritus too.

Look at me. Method acting. I went without sleep. I woke in the middle of the night for long periods just to get those sunken eyes, those dark 'sleeping bags' as my children kindly call them.

I had to work at this look. And these are probably the worst photos I have ever shared of myself on my blog. You're just lucky I didn't wear my sunray pleat skirt as a top as I first thought. Little Edie would have. I even contemplated wearing some old pantihose on my head as my scarf. Little Edie did.

Nope instead I went almost purely vintage. And tired. And like I just woke up under a pile of cats and newspapers.

You can thank me later.

No. Wait. Thank me now. This is called pure dedication. It's rare these days.

Jacket: vintage
Top: Country Road
Beads: Vintage Sportsgirl
Skirt: Genuine vintage
Fork: From McSpork

Next week's theme: TOOTSIE. I love that film. (Are you playing or what?!)

Send Teegs To Mexico

Being part of the blogging community, you get to know really awesome people. Like you. And you. And you dear reader.


AND like Tegan. I 'met' Tegan of Ink & Spindle fame - gosh, must be at least four years ago. She is vivacious, tenacious, enthuasiastic, uber talented, intelligent and beautiful to boot. And she's funny.

Teegs has the opportunity to travel to Mexico for a traditional Mexican textile artist residency. If you can help fund her trip that would be so super ace. You can pledge as little as $1 to help her on her way.

I will let her video do the talking, because she is good at that too. Very eloquent. WOOT!

Click here to help send Teegs abroad and continue her learning and her art-making.

Carly Rae Jepson VS Cookie Monster

Who doesn't love this mash up of Sesame Street's Cookie Monster singing Call Me Maybe? Raise your right hand if you dare. I'll raise you a cookie or two.

Fashion Friday:: Theme Time

Friends of Fashion Friday!

I've just realised I didn't announce the theme for Fashion Friday. YIKES! You now have two days to prep yourselves.

It's Grey Gardens.

LEGO LEGO LEGO: And It's the School Holidays

What better way to celebrate the school holidays than with one of our favourite, most enduring toys of all time, LEGO!

These holidays have seen the Doctor madly reading Harry Potter, and falling in love with the characters and the magic. Next stop he wants to read Lord of the Rings. He's already started saving his pocket money for the biggest set of LEGO Lord of the Rings imaginable.

I've never been much for mystical fantasy - however with a seven year old who is crazy for it, I can't help but go along for the ride. I am hooked!

So if you have a like-minded small child who would be keen for some sweet Lord of the Rings LEGO action, this is for you!

You could win 1 of 5 LEGO Lord of the Rings Prize Packs including:



Shelob Attacks RRP $39.99

Gandalf Arrives RRP $22.99
 
 

 
To enter, all you have to do is tell me in 25 words or less if you were the Lord or Lady of something - what would it be? And why?

----------------------------
Open only to Australian residents.
Must be 25 words or less to be eligible to enter.
Please ensure you leave your email address.
Total prize pool is valued at $314.90. Each prize pack is valued at $63.98.
Competition runs from Tuesday 10th July 2012 - Monday 16th July 2012. Winners will be announced on PMM on Sunday  July, 2012 and notified by email.

Take This Waltz:: Date Night

My Mum and Dad are looking after the smalls for the weekend - Matt and I drove back together on Friday, and I must say, life feels very empty without the little peeps.

So last night we went to the movies. Old school date night. We're fancy and crazy like that. I wore Matt's jumper and my Chucks. Hardly dressed up, but goodness, it was so nice to hang together and not have to worry about our littles.

Anyone who follows PottyMouthMama on Facebook knows that I love Michelle Williams. I never ever watched Dawson's Creek, so I only know her from Heath Ledger love and a great selection of indie films.

'Take This Waltz' is a beautiful demonstration of Michelle Williams.

I felt like I was part of the movie. It's beautiful and raw, sad yet very funny, and it will make your heart ache.

Plus there is the deliciously talented eye candy of Luke Kirby. Say hello to Luke Kirby. His sparkly eyes are tres magnifique (this photo doesn't do justice to the magnificence that is Luke Kirby).

But back to the movie. So, so good. I want to see it again. Visually it's a pleasure. And ever since walking out Matt and I have been talking about it. It was that, that good.

Have you seen any good movies lately?  Next on my hit list is Hysteria.

A BIG and BRIGHT Day!

Tomorrow is a big and beautiful day. My awesome Dad retires after 48 years. That's a huge achievement I do believe. Congratulations Dad!

I've been thinking about how very few people nowadays will ever be able to say that they've worked 48 years in one place. I certainly can't.

And I've been thinking about how... odd retirement must be. But also like a fresh breath of air. A new and fresh adventure awaits you.

Tomorrow is also my birthday. As Nan so eloquently stitched on to this crown - Let the wild rumpus start!

What shall one wear on one's birthday? Besides a birthday suit. Inspiration, puh-lease.

Fashion Friday:: The Librarian

Oh crumbs! You've spotted me - I had a sneaky sleepover with the Art Teacher, and I'm racing to get all the books back on the shelf, plus the Dewey decimal system back in order before the first class.


What's this?! Your books are late! Well my friend. We all know what that means. Late fees. That's what.

We fellow librarians have got to stick together (just like the pages of some books - ergh). Don't return your books with dog ears. Don't bend the covers back on your paperbacks. And don't even think about talking in my library.

SHHHHHHH!

Dress: vintage - my Mum's frock. Man I love this frock.
Scarf: vintage
Belt: vintage
Tights: er don't know
Pencil: Freedom
Boots: Very old Costume National (my favourites)

Next week's theme::  Pirates. ARGH!

New Hair

I got a new 'do!

Do blondes have more fun? I switched to blonde when I was about 17. For a couple of years. And then I switched back. I have more fun being a brunette. It's less maintenance, and I just like my own dark tresses.

But here I am with a Newtown assymetrical do.
Thoughts?

Hellz YEAH!:: New Sussan

Draw your chair up nice and close to the computer, because you have to listen up.

There I was this afternoon, just checking out what was happening on Facebook (not much) until Sussan popped up in my feed.

All I heard was a blasting chorus of 'Halleluljah!' - and I was hooked. (Or maybe I imagined it. Either way, it was hot.)

And what was that I spied? Pops of yellow. A glimpse of a neon yellow lining coupled with stripes.

Hot. Or HOT!?

Remember when I did that sponsored post with Sussan? Well that jacket is definitely, hands-down my favourite piece in my wardrobe at the moment. And the jeans? I wear them all. The. Time. I get loads of compliments on both pieces.

So you're thinking - yes, yes PMM, another sponsored post. Well hellz no! This is me, telling you out of the pure goodness of my heart, giving you a royal heads up - hot foot it into Sussan. I love the look of some of these jackets that are going to be SO perfect for work. I don't do corporate. I do do colour.

Here are my top 5 picks from Sussan from this new injection:

1. Printed pant - get onboard to one of the hottest trends right now. These are fab!
2. Sequin top - I love sparkle - morning, noon or night. Gimme gimme sparkle.
3. Lady Cape - big loving the colour and look of a classic trench - with a modern twist. And it's called a lady cape. For all superhero women.
4. Textured crop jacket - for months I have been looking for a jacket to wear to work. Something that looked smart, but not too corporate. I think I just met my match
5. Tailored blazer - in this sunshine yellow. Well I can just pretend it's not pouring with rain and frizzling cold when I put this on. Maybe this one's the answer to my jacket dreams.

More Coloured Jeans?

For the last few months I have devoted myself to coloured and print jeans. I am hooked. Like an unhealthy obsession. I am feverish for denim in all its guises.

Which is why it's incredibly good news that Jeanswest are introducing Colourful Curves as of mid-July for a sweet $69.99. Hello coloured jeans, hello!

What makes them even sweeter? They're engineered to fit girls with small waists while hugging the curves of your hips and thighs in all the right spots to create the perfect fit.

The Positivity Parade

I don't know about you, but more and more I see this quagmire of negativity and hate being rained down on people on Facebook. It's becoming an ugly place where people use it as a springboard to whinge and whine about what you didn't get. What happened to me? Poor me! Boo hoo!


Seriously. What happened to you to leave a trail of demoralising comments.


It's crippling.


Someone on the other end of the interwebz is receiving your negativity - and they have to deal with it. Negativity can be crippling.


Today I'm making it the International Day of the Positivity Parade. Let your good will shine! Let it shine! Leave a trail of positive comments on Facebook today! For friends. For companies. For everyone. I'm officially sick of the hate brigade.

There is more power in the Positivity Parade.

PS - Photo? Fab things for today: pink pens make me positively perky, stripey beauty bag - perfectly punchy, Donna Hay twine - because it's precisely peppy, and the photo is me posing at a Toni&Guy launch last night. More on that later because it's perfectly good news all 'round.

Tiny Style Tips:: Socks On, Socks Off

It is a red letter day indeed.

Straight to the top of the style stakes goes Tiny - wearing, for possibly the first time in about three years - socks.

Those things you and I take for granted and wear many days, are the same things that disgust her - as do stockings, tights and leggings.

But today - a revelation.

Perhaps it was the chilly weather. Perhaps it was the yearning for cotton under her toes. Or maybe it was just the need for hot pink with gold - Bollywood style.

But whatever it is. Tiny is wearing socks today. And she told me to tell the world girls.

Really Rather Super

How cool is this video for Pottery Barn?

The simplicity. The palette. The print and pattern. The small people. And the illustration.

I think I've gone to heaven.

Call Me, Maybe?

Have you noticed I have a wee obsession with this song? But it's the covers that are killing it. Seriously. I love them. And Barack Obama? Slayed it.

But what's this? More? The Harvard Baseball team are up to their elbows in car-choreography you say? Well let's check this out. Jock straps dancing? I am there!


Have I just ear-wormed you? Sorry about that.

Giddy On The High: Etsy Success

Well that was the weekend that was folks. I'd been looking forward to Etsy Success for many weeks, and now #BOOM it's over.

I had such a blast meeting so many creative people, 300 of them, all buzzing in the one room. It was electric. It was such a coup to be part of it - one which I am grateful for. I got to meet so many excellent people - and on the flip side, endured the hangover from hell.

Someone really should have stopped me.

Hangovers are not my friend (are they anyone's?), and given I am a lightweight in the booze department, I feel they are totally unwarranted. I barely have a slurp of champagne before I've got to start tossing back the Nurofen.

But back to Etsy Success. The success of Etsy Success is really down to the people. I've said it before - Etsy has enabled so many creatives to come together and create a global community and business, that they would otherwise not have. Sure you can have a blog, and create community from that, or a Facebook page, but Etsy truly is the meeting place, the marketplace for creative geniuses to come together and share. And sell.

As a buyer, Etsy is like falling down Alice's rabbit hole. I can click through for hours finding more and more gold, right from the comfort of my couch.

In the coming week I'll be posting some more info on DIY PR. I promise I won't mention the goldfish again.

Fashion Friday:: The Wedding Singer (AKA Bridesmaids)

Holler! It's Fashion Friday where we get to play dress ups for a day.

This week's theme was tied in with one of the gals in the office getting hitched this weekend.

So what did I pull out of my wardrobe to conjure a mega-watt wedding singer? Why this leopard print, halter-neck, backless cat suit of course. What else would I wear?!

And my hair? Drawing inspiration from Jane Bennett of Pride and Prejudice fame meets 80s cabaret star - it contained way too much hair spray and some ridiculous curls as executed by my largely unused curling irons.

That bottle of Veuve? Well it would be crass to be holding a bottle of Passion Pop at 11am, right?!

There's a common theme eventuating: leopard print. I didn't realise I had more in my wardrobe. Et voila! Hey presto - cougar on tap.

Check out the other players of Fashion Friday over yonder in my blog roll. Want to play too? Next week's theme is: JUBILEE. Time to dig out your tiara baby.