Friday, February 25, 2011

OUR OSCAR PARTY...SEARCHING FOR KATHARINE HEPBURN...MORE ON OUR SALE..SALE..SALE!...BOTTOMS UP TO THE SIDECAR AND DIVINE BLINI AND SALMON SNACKS JUST FOR YOU! HAPPY FRIDAY AND THE WINNER IS.......???



I miss the old fashioned glamour, intrigue and mystique of the Oscars.  I feel my age with the fact that I dont really know who this years Oscar hosts (being held this coming week in LA) are??  

When I think of the Oscars, I think of fashion and glamorous gowns flowing, handsome and stylish actors in Tuxedos, beautiful augmentation free actresses resplendant in their own beauty and not needing much more than a good 'up-do' to look completely stunning....oh how I wish life was just one long Mad Men series....

For me, the Oscars will always be Katharine Hepburn.  Hepburn holds the record for the most Best Actress Oscar wins with four out of 12 nominations. In 1999, she was ranked by the American Film Institute as the greatest female star in the history of American cinema.  I will never forget her final speech up on the Oscars stage.  

It was rumoured that she had succumbed to Parkinsons Disease in her later years because of the characteristic head shaking, but this was untrue and according to the lady herself "I inherited my shaking head from my grandfather Hepburn. I discovered that whisky helps stop the shaking. Problem is, if you're not careful, it stops the rest of you too. My head just shakes, but I promise you, it ain't gonna fall off!"
Hepburn started wearing long high-waisted pants before it was fashionable to do so.

  Playing strong independent women with minds of their own.
She was a woman of style with a lot of brassiness thrown in for balance.  We celebrate her for her strength and non-conformist character.  As in her own words....'If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun'. 

Enjoy our Oscars Party food and cocktail suggestions below in our weekly Cocktail Friday section....plus!  The best Blini with Salmon and Mascarpone to munch on with your friends whilst watching the Academy dramas unfold! Who will wear the most hideous dress this year?....and horror of horrors..who will wear the same dress!!??


OUR RELOCATION SALE CONTINUES 

Last weekend, we literally had items running out the door...and thats no exaggeration!  This weekend is set to be no different.  Please be sure to pop in and say hi...check out all the beautiful pieces that we have on offer at truly discounted prices.  That much admired piece could finally be yours!


 Castor Coffee Table

 The Beautiful 'Mona' Table

 The 'Enzo' Sofa...drastically reduced to sell

 Our stunning 'Lola' Sofa in sumptuous velvet fabric...must sell!

Louis Ghost Chair...selected items on sale now

The 'Boas' Loose Cover Sofa.  Drastic price reduction. Must Sell!

 Moroccan Lanterns....An eclectic mix of styles now on Sale!
 Reductions off all our Lighting range, including this beautiful example of new and old combined to craft a stunning chandelier.  Now on Sale!


Our 3 Piece Outdoor Setting Range now on Sale!

While not quite as high-pressure as a walk down the red carpet on Oscar night, a party in honor of the 82nd Academy Awards just won't be complete without the perfect hors d'oeuvres.
Get fancy with this super easy recipe.  The little pikelets can be whisked up in a flash and once done, the toppings only take about 10 minutes to put together.  Pop in the fridge and wait for the pseudo celebs to arrive!


Makes

24

Ingredients (serves 8)

  • 1/3 cup buckwheat flour
  • 1/4 cup plain flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 2/3 cup buttermilk
  • 25g butter, melted
  • olive oil cooking spray
  • 1/3 cup mascarpone cheese
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill
  • 100g smoked salmon, thickly sliced
  • fresh dill sprigs and lemon zest, to serve

Method

  1. Sift flours and baking powder into a bowl. Gradually whisk in egg and buttermilk until smooth. Stir in butter.
  2. Spray a large frying pan with oil. Heat over medium-high heat. Using 2 teaspoons mixture per blini, cook 6 blini for 2 minutes each side or until browned. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Repeat to make 24 blini.
  3. Combine mascarpone, lemon juice and chopped dill in a bowl. Place blini on a platter. Spread each with 1 teaspoon mascarpone mixture. Top with salmon and dill sprigs. Sprinkle with lemon zest. Serve.

COCKTAIL FRIDAY



Get your glam on this February 27th for the 83rd Annual Oscars night and imbibe in one this 1930's cocktail classic...the Side Car.  Pop your best vintage frock on...pinch your cheeks...relax and enjoy the festivities of the evening.  Grab a bunch of friends and create your own night of nights!



The Sidecar
1 measure Cointreau
1 measure brandy/cognac
1 measure lemon juice
Shake with ice and strain into sugar-rimmed cocktail (martini) glass and garnish with a strip of lemon rind.

Until next week.....enjoy your Oscars soiree...Here's fingers crossed that our super talented and ever young Jackie Weaver gets the statue for best actress for her role in Animal Kingdom.  If she wins...well you will hear me screaming with happiness!

And before we sign off the blog for the week, here's me being self indulgent again and another pic from the vineyard wedding of me and Pete the Greek...this one though just says...peace, tranquility and rest...love it!  Taken from the marquee looking over the vineyard in SA!