Fashion Smashion: I'm old, aren't I?

This is Whitney Port (apparently the star of some US reality show I've never seen because I don't have time to watch all the free-to-air shows I like let alone pay for tv) featured as one of US Instyle magazine's Looks of the Day on February 17.

I think she looks like she's off to a fancy dress party as Pirate Fairy Barbie - clearly I'm very out of touch with "fashion" - or maybe I just have taste. Thoughts?

The Dirtinator

I have been rather remiss not mentioning my lovely husband Drew, the real domestic god of our household, before now. This is probably due to subconscious resentment that he is a cleaning whiz whilst I have absolutely no talent in this area.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not a slob...I love things to be tidy and in their place but I just don't have the eye for detail that real clean freaks have. The Dirtinator does. In spades. And it's looking likely that at least one of our daughters has inherited his OCD tendencies...last night she hopped out of the shower to straighten the bathmat because one of the corners was folded under. I foresee trouble ahead.

My darling Dirtinator makes up for my lack of cleaning nouse by giving the house a once over every Saturday - filling me with a strange mix of gratitude and guilt. Here he is in action this afternoon...

Belated Valentine's Boasting

So, one thing I have pretty much in the bag is cooking. Spending a day in the kitchen whipping up a gourmet feast is one of my true pleasures and something I find incredibly therapeutic. Some people jog...I cook.

My husband took some great pics of our Valentine's Day dinner meal - it's the first time in about nine years we haven't been at some fabby restaurant so I was determined to make it something special. It was absolutely delish!

For the record: Entree - Prawn and Scallop Ravioli with Tomato and Basil Vinaigrette; Main - Seared Tuna with Soy and Mirin Dressing; Dessert - Vanilla Pannacotta with mixed berries.

Allow me to introduce myself...

If you'd have asked me a year ago what my plans for March 2009 were, I would have told you that I'd be gearing up to return to my job as a Communications Director after the birth of our second child. Things didn't exactly go to plan.

On 31 July 2008 our daughter Sophia entered the world 10 weeks early (having already forced her mum into hospital for bed rest five weeks earlier) and turned our world upside down. I won't bore you with the details...it was a hard long slog until we got her home two days after her due date but she is now doing beautifully.

Her lungs, however, are still quite dodgy so childcare is not an option for at least another year - maybe two. And that means no return to work for me for at least another year - maybe two...and so, despite now having two beautiful girls under three (Olivia was born in July 2006) to look after, I have some time on my hands...not to mention a lot of creative energy to expend!

So, what to do with myself? I've decided to blog about my attempts to become a modern domestic goddess...I've got the cooking bit under control (I love ANYTHING to do with food) but could do with a bit of help in the cleaning and sewing departments. And, let's face it, we all have more to learn when it comes to child-rearing!

And what domestic goddess would be complete without a solid knowledge of world affairs (particularly things fashion and entertainment related). Expect a fair serve of celebrity content plus the odd thing of interest to we girls.

I hope you enjoy the blog, find something in it that you can relate to, and join in if you've got something to say!

Amanda

p.s. check out the lights of my life below...