Life & Style Blog - Food
02 February 2012, by Rachael Ciccarelli
Image courtesy of Show Me Perth.
It's the most wonderful time of the year – and while Andy Williams might disagree with me on the dates, it's February in Perth and therefore, the time of All Things Great In The City. Yes my little ones, it's those few months where complaining there's nothing to do in the city are FORBIDDEN by LAW because if you're still playing that line, you clearly haven't done your research. Fringe Festival has officially kicked off, and it's mere moments until the Perth International Arts Festival which will bring some absolute favourites to our shores, including the darling Marieke Hardy for the Writer's Fest; and professional musician/sexpot Ryan Adams with the arts fest. It's an exciting time to be in Perth, and if I hear otherwise you're going straight to your room with no dessert. (Ps, speaking of Perth-isms, have y'all seen this? It's pretty nail-on-the-head: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpW1dv6rTgk
Forrest Place has been hosting it's own party in the form of the Twilight Hawker Markets since October – what can I say? After absolutely packing out Forrest Chase last march in the lead up to Eat Drink Perth (coming soon, people), they relaunched, giving the loyal shoppers of Forrest Chase something new to nibble on until March 31. If you haven't been yet, what exactly are you waiting for, guy? The atmosphere is bustling and fun, but more than that, there are some excellent morsels to be had. My totally-unbiased-although-the-owner-is-a-friend hot tip: Get there early for Marcelita's Empanadas – they pop up at various markets around town, but it's nice to have a time and place where deep-fried Colombian treats are concerned.
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Category: Featured
Tags: Food
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17 June 2011, by Rachael Ciccarelli
It's that time of year again: when everything you've had your eye on - and some magic new things you never noticed until their price halved - has gone on sale. New shiny things are slowly making their way in, so space must be made, and you should swoop in now while your prey is weak. That's right, fashion is now a bunch of wriggling worms and you're the eagle. Nice talons, guys!
Anyway, it's easy to make poor choices when you're dazzled by heaps of stock at low prices. Luckily, I am a sales master and am only too happy to impart some of my knowledge onto you, like an ethnic Mr. Miyagi with a credit card.
Image Source Bandit
1. Rule one:karate for defence only. Rule two: learn rule one.
Haha, sorry. I couldn't help myself. Rule one is to know thyself, and I don't think Miyagi ever said that. But basically, know your shape and colouring; have an idea of what you're going to look good and feel comfortable in. It'll make choices clearer.
2. Wax on, Wax off.
But without actual wax. Don't just pick anything up and bring it to the counter, actually try it on and make sure it fits and looks good on you. It's not a bargain if you can't zip it up. Similarly, don't be afraid to try something on that you're not sure about on the rack - it's the only way you'll know if it looks any good or not.
3. Never put passion before principle.
That is, don't be seduced by the idea or the brand name - make sure it has some sort of place in your wardrobe. What would you wear it with? Where are you going to wear it? I'm all for using sales an excuse to expand or add a bit of drama, just be sure you've got the know-how to actually rock it once you're out of the store.
4. What heart know, head forget.
Don't get spun out by the shiny fun bits and leave with 3 ball gowns and a top hat. Remember the basics: your wardrobe needs just as many well cut pairs of trousers, quality tees and pairs of knickers as it does fuzzy leopard overcoats. Sales are an excellent time to stock up on your everyday items, and if you can find it in great quality, so much the better.
ED - The Forrest Chase sale starts on June 20
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Category: Featured
Tags: Fashion, Food, Homewares, Kitchen, Live Clothing, Myer, Portmans, Pumpkin patch, Sportsgirl, Witchery
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10 June 2011, by Rachael Ciccarelli
Those cravatted, sweaty, "pretending something's gross before the ad break and then proclaiming it delicious afterward" (must pay Adam Hills his dues there) Masterchef dudes are well and truly back in our lives. With it returns the merciless character nitpicking (no, nobody ever wants a mum-like character to win); the hours arguing about whether Preston's chins are more Churchillian or Orwellian; and the "as seen on TV" dinner parties where we try not to poison our mates with various attempts at a Snow Egg.
I personally celebrate the mighty return of the dinner party - not only because I do actually love to cook and eat, but because I love having people around, drinking, talking and generally generating a bit of good house moo. Over the course of last year, my housemates and I hosted countless dinner parties (this is not counting our weekly 3am pasta cook-ups) and so, we have it down to a fine art and I'm willing to divulge my secrets to you. Great food and plenty of wine, that's a no brainer. But what about the setting? It's an oft-overlooked one, but the mood is just as important as the food (and maybe nearly as sort of important as the wine).
Fluted Glass Candelabra, $59.95, available at: Laura Ashley. White Table Cloth, available at: Bed Bath N' Table. Gosford Etched Vase, $89.95, available at: Laura Ashley
1. Light it up
The lighting is the first, and most important stop. Don't rep your usual fluro bulbs from hell. Flip that switch and bring the lights down low with candles on beautiful candelabras, or tea lights floating in cups. Heckloads of candles make for a cosy, pretty affair. Group them in clusters of odd numbers.
2. Lay down the linen
It's a fact* that the reason you pay more for fancy restaurants is those soft, linen tablecloths. They feel soft, stop your wine glasses and plates from clunking about the place and add a bit of class to that old beaten up IKEA table. If it's old-school style you want, you can't go past a white tablecloth. Subtle, stylish and a look that will last a lifetime - and don't forget the napkins. Paper serviettes are for lepers.
3. Razzle dazzle them
Once you've got those two sorted, seal the deal with a little special something. Think fresh flowers in a tall vase (under a mirror if you've got it), or serve your booze in coloured stemware. You could play a Rodrigo Y Gabriela CD in the background (Spanish guitar duo - look 'em up), or even just add something as simple as napkin rings - because those guys are coming back. Believe.
*not a fact
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Category: Featured
Tags: Food
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03 March 2011, by Rachael Ciccarelli
Because I'm sure you needed more instruction to eat and drink and do both of those things in Perth - you'll be pleased to discover that March is Eat Drink Perth month! Now, I know you're probably great at fending cuisine for yourself, but at least now you have an excuse with it's own website (eatdrinkperth.showmeperth.com.au) for when you want to dine like a hedonist for a month - if it's on the internet, it must be true. Ahem.
Prepare your belly as the city plans to come alive with tasty treats: every Friday evening Forrest Place will play host to hawker markets, there'll be wine tastings - some of which are accented with cheese, high teas, kid's cooking classes, and general celebrations of that which makes life worth living (anything edible, naturally).
But when it comes to nosh, consider Forrest Chase ahead of the grade curve - they've been filling the bellies of hungry Perthites for aeons now, and continue to with gems like Edo Shiki Japanese (I had their teriyaki tofu the other day and it was ace); Jaws (because one Japanese is never enough, especially at lunch); and no-muss, no-fuss vendors like Subway, Pasta House and notorious popcorn chicken dealer KFC.
So, start stretching your stomach out and prepare for a deluge of deliciousness as we put on our elastic waisted harem pants and celebrate Eat Drink Perth in Forrest Chase.
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Category: Featured
Tags: Food
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