Good Food Affare...

There is nothing like a good day out surrounded by family, sparkling chandeliers, stunning homewares, festive Christmas decorations, French antiques, as well as a delectable and sumptuous feast of gourmet foods and wine to bring a person back to a happy state of mind.

Thats exactly what the 'Good Food Affare" did on saturday. Sponsored by Domayne furniture and Australian Good Food magazine, this was a growers market only seen annually on a scale this grand.

From the website - Good Food Affare is three days of heaven for food lovers. The most beautiful and original food event ever seen in this country, The good Food Affare is a growers market, it's gorgeous restaurants and cafes, it is Australia's most celebrated chefs and cooks live on stage, and so much more.

The first tent I entered was decorated ever so beautifully with a stunning selection of chandeliers, modern and traditional christmas trees and table after table selling some heavenly homewares. My eyes were darting in every direction, I didn't know where to look or what to absorb first.

This stage was set up at the back for demonstrations throughout the day on christmas decorating and gift wrapping.







Although I always consider myself a very traditional girl I have to say I'm loving these sparkly gold and silver trees with glass jewels more and more.



There were a couple of purchases to be had from this display ;)





The chandeliers were AMAZING! This one was in another tent serving devonshire teas and although you can't see it, it is actually the most lovely girly pink colour.



Here is the Parisian style flower market - GORGEOUS!






Skye's cafe definately was the star attraction. I nearly died when I saw it, it was one of the most superb sights I have ever seen.



From the website - A beautiful replica of Skye Gyngell's cafe at Petersham nurseries in England's green and pleasant Surrey will be the stunning centrepiece of Good Food Affare.
Skye Gyngell herself, one of the most inspirational chefs in the world today, will bring the cafe's delectable flavours to the table.
Skye's fresh and original approach to cooking results in simple but intensely flavoursome food inspired by the seasonsand the produce she grows in her garden.

Oh how I LOVE rusty scrolly iron!

Never before have I seen so many breathtakingly beautiful pieces of furniture all mishmashed together under the one tin roof.

It was an absolute feast for the eyes......

I truly hope someone someday sets up a more permanent restaurant in Sydney with this heavenly concept.

Of course had I known what to expect I would have most certainly pre booked, but alas I was too late.....nvm next year!

Some opulent antique settings looked fit for royalty brilliantly juxtaposed with ornate garden furniture! When I laid eyes on that venetian etched glass table with the scrolly iron legs I had visions of me driving home with it tied to my roof racks lol It was SUBLIME!!!!!

We enjoyed a mocha and strawberry tart for morning tea instead.

Again, I loved the mix of black and white French repro furniture all from Domayne.

They even had poodle stencils on the concrete.....CUTE!

Awww look, just like my bakers stand...cept mines bigger :P

LOVE the coffee bar!...wait, is coffee guy picking his nose? ew! ;)

Stunning high gloss black louis style pieces.

Next, onto garden outdoor furniture and sculptures.

And finally THE FOOD!

It was extremely hard to get close enough to the food stalls to even buy anything let alone take photo's, the crowds were insane!

How exquisite is THIS?! ^^^ these apple sized chocolate coated strawberries blew my mind!

My one goal for the day was to find some authentic French baguettes and I did! Ever since my return from Paris I haven't been able to find bread sticks to equal those of the famous Parisian recipe.

After that I couldn't wait to get home and make my chicken, brie and lettuce baguette.....mmmm it was worth the years wait :)

Another reason to smile, my nextdoor neighbour came over to give us the wonderful news of the birth of their first child, ZOE :) I can't wait to see and hold her. Congratulations Gordon and Susie!

All photo's by Villa Anna.

Feeling a little sombre lately...

The last couple of days have really brought me down and made me sit and reflect. With the storms in Brisbane, the wharf tragedy and the mother dying after the balcony collapse as well as most of my weekends spent cleaning and packing up our beloved holiday home as it gets closer to auction date, I find myself saying over and over why do these things have to happen? The sale of our home is a completely seperate issue but I feel with the news tragedy's, these poor people have been made examples of....In the cruelest of ways.

As a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister and a friend, It sadens me that it's times like these that really hit me hard and make me give so much thanks for my life. My heart is absolutely aching for the families who are in so much pain and sorrow right now but I suppose I shouldn't dwell on it too much and really enjoy and embrace the good health and happiness my family endures.

My woes with the sale of our lake house seems ever so trivial compared to the greater picture but nevertheless it's still a hard time in my life.

I thought I'd post some more pics of our "happy place". It's nothing fancy, most of the furniture remains from when my grandparents resided. As it was used as a weekender after their passing we never felt the need to refurnish it. My mother for a long while had plans to retire there herself and renovate it then but she has now since decided she wants to retire closer to the city, and us, on the northern beaches of Sydney, where all the action is... And I don't blame her. This unfortunately means she needs all the money she can get as this area aint cheap. She's worked extremely hard all her life and always put her children and grandchildren first so now is her time and she truly deserves the best retirement possible.

As you can see for 26years we have enjoyed the most beautiful panoramic views of Tuggerah lake. Bird life is in abundance here and my favourites are definately the pelicans and black swans.

There are no fences ajoining the properties.

I love to sit and read at the dining table and stare out the window as the sun sets.

The main livingroom is very open plan. Something quite new of it's time in the 80's.

My grandfather built all the kitchen cabinetry himself downstairs in the garage. It still looks brand new even today 26yrs later. If I lived here permanently I would keep the cupboards but paint them white and replace the counter tops, knobs and flooring.

My mum's room.

My grandparents old room...bedroom 2.

The bathroom definately needs updating but it is clean and functional.

It'll be another busy weekend for me but I plan to make the most of it. I hope you all have a wonderful wonderful happy, memorable and safe weekend too.

images courtesy of realestate.com