Eat Drink Chic

So, I'm no cook. However, it has occurred to me that honing my culinary skills would be immeasurably useful. Sure, I can follow a recipe, but construct a meal sans-instruction and it's a hit and miss affair.

Browsing through Avenue Bookstore in South Melbourne (a somewhat dangerous endeavour, judging by the number of books I ended up purchasing), I stumbled across "The Flavour Thesaurus" by Niki Segnit- A gorgeous hardcover reference that contains descriptions of the qualities and resulting flavours of hundreds of food pairings. My first thought was 'Brilliant!". It's exactly what an aspiring, often-times clueless cook, such as myself, needs!

In order to create a vaguely edible dish, it obviously helps to have knowledge of what flavours successfully complement each other and also to be aware of the more unconventional and unexpected combinations that are possible. (Chocolate and bacon, anyone?) Although I still may be lacking in technique, I truly believe that this compendium brings me a step closer to full culinary enlightenment.

It also just makes a rather interesting read. The author combines the more serious, historical facts with personal anecdotes and witty observations. Included are also handy recipes and cooking tips. Heston Blumenthal describes it as "An original and inspiring resource". Definitely a must for even the most adept cook.

And, what kind of style-obsessive would I be if I didn't remark on the gorgeous book cover design by Peter Dawson of Grade Design. It was, of course, the pretty rainbow of colours on the cover that initially drew me to the book. A beautiful gift idea.

Brains paired with beauty, just the kind of flavour I love!

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Note: This post contains a link to 'The Flavour Thesaurus' on Amazon. I am an Amazon affiliate which means that I receive a small percentage of any sales made when readers click on this link. This helps to keep this website alive. However, please note that I would only ever review and suggest books that I personally recommend.

{ all photos by Amy Moss }

01  Sweet Dreams teapot and teacup set in 'Ice Blue' from T2

02  Creme Royale collection from Sohum

03  Cushion cover from H&M

04  Limoges tea sets from The Cooking Company

05  Royale Savon Bon Bon collection from Sohum

06  Macarons from Paulette Macarons

07  Madeline Chair from Urban Outfitters

08  Pavlova dress from Review

09  Perfectly packaged P.J.'s from Peter Alexander

01 Blue plate from Perfect Pieces

02 Crisp Folded Dress by Marnie Skillings

03 3d Petal Pouffe from Marks and Spencer

04 Mast Brothers Chocolate packaging, via Lovely Package

05 Colour Etch Letters from Urban Outfitters

06 Mrs Godfrey Chair from Jonathan Adler

07 Petal Shoes from Kling

Love this pretty illustration of vintage candy jars for Day 350 over at A Collection a Day by Lisa Congdon. Such beautiful colours!

These tea towels by Charlotte Farmer look good enough to eat. Available at To Dry For.

Styling goddess, Donna Hay recently launched her new website. Some cute + irresistable things for parties and entertaining in her online store.

Beautiful colours in these gorgeous wall illustrations for Marks and Spencers by Emily Robertson

I love the style of Sydney photographer Katie Quinn Davies. With each shot so beautifully composed, Katie's food photography leaves me feeling inspired... and hungry! There are even more appetising pics (and recipes) on her blog.

Oh boy! When I spotted these beautiful creations from Magpie's Cake on Simplesong, I was so smitten I felt they were definitely worth a mention here also! These are stunning!

A few key things happened after I got married.

A change of title from Miss to Mrs, an update to 'married' on my facebook status, a brief pondering of what will become of my now redundant 'I heart my boyfriend' t-shirt, and the strangest of all-  a sudden and inexplicable explosion of sweet and sugary foods in my diet.

I kid you not, the day immediately after the wedding, it was sugar overload.

Although I've heard of the phenomenon, I've always thought myself immune to the seductive advances of the 'I can finally let myself go now that I'm married' club but, seriously, what other explanation can there be?

This sunny Tuesday afternoon I succumbed to the temptation of delicious honey from New Zealand brand J. Friend and Co. which I acquired during a Saturday shopping trip to Simon Johnson. I was drawn to the pretty packaging and interesting varieties with odd little names like 'Vipers Bugloss' that I struggle to pronounce. The poetic description on the back reads 'light pollen and floral notes with a distinctive vanilla taste'. Sounds good right? Well, boy is it ever. It can be eaten straight from the jar. No need for useless intermediary items like toast or crackers... or a spoon. Nuh-uh.

However, I can't go past the combination of honey and lemon tea. One of my faves.

For a less conventional serving suggestion (that I discovered only just today) -place a generous dollop of honey directly onto a slice of lemon and enjoy. Where has this concept been my whole life?

{ photos by amy moss }

Ice-Cream Sandwiches are among my favourites in the "Ice-Cream" family.

After an exquisite meal at an elegant french restaurant, I have been known to politely refuse a chef prepared crème brûlée, under the pretext of 'fullness', in order to leave early and take an ungraceful dive into the nearest 7-eleven to acquire a, somewhat less fancy but, in my opinion, equally delicious, mass-produced dessert known as The Monaco Bar Ice-Cream Sandwich.

I am not ashamed by this fact. I stand by my love for these delectable creatures.

So, you can imagine my delight when I stumbled upon this recipe for ice-cream sandwich goodness on Tartelette!

Firstly, Helen has used my Ice-Cream Parlour cup designs in her beautiful photos! 5 points right there already.

Secondly, she provides a gluten free recipe for the cookies! "Hooray!" shouts my supposed wheat allergy.

Perhaps now, instead of indulging in convenience store, pre-prepared packages of sin I can instead learn to make these delightful goodies for myself and also avoid the minor wheat-related tummy ailments. Now all that's left to do is actually get me in the kitchen.

{ photography by Helene Dujardin }

I think I'm in love.

Love the labelled jars for homemade jam, marmalade, chutney, pickles and home-grown herbs from Burgon & Ball.

Described as being "a gathering place for sea goers who seek warmth", San Francisco's Outerlands looks like the ideal cafe for a cosy brunch with comforting, homey fare. Great name too! If only I lived in SF.

Last year I was approached by The Cool Hunter to style some photos for a pitch to McDonalds for an upmarket pop-up restaurant for fashion week. The concept was to give McDonalds food a complete makeover and re-brand the fast food giant with an aesthetic suitable for a 5 star restaurant. (Read more about it here). I designed packaging that incorporates familiar high-end fashion branding and worked with photographer Marija Ivkovic to create some wonderful shots!

Above are the various concepts we came up with including Paul Smith Sundaes that incorporates a gorgeous cupcake wrapper design by The Cupcake Wrapper Co. Just in case you're interested, the cutlery used in these shots are Seletti disposables that we spray painted white.

We also did a whole series of a black packaging alternatives but I think the white ended up being the most effective.

McFancy is such a fantastic concept and I felt extremely honoured to be a part of the team that brought it to life. It was also amazing to meet talented photographer Marija Ivkovic whose enthusiasm and constant positive energy made her a real joy to work with. Check out her amazing Photobooth for event hire.

Loads of colourful inspiration in a series of visual books depicting various aspects of Paris lifestyle. By family run Japanese publishing house Paumes. I'd love to collect them all!

I've long been a fan of Sanna Annukka's gorgeous folk art inspired illustrations. I'm really loving her tin designs for Marks and Spencer's biscuits (top) and Paulig Coffee (bottom).

A hand-blended combination of two of my favourite things- belgian chocolate and gourmet teas- what could be better? I love the pretty water-colour illustrations on the packaging too. Choclatea bars from Smile Chocolatiers

Meet Mr and Mrs Egghead. An impulse purchase that was the combined result of sifting through cheap kitsch in touristy beachside shops and a kind of crazed frivolity that comes with finally being on holiday. Maybe it was just a little too much sun, I don't know, but I thought these eggcups found in Phillip Island, Victoria were the most adorable little things ever and I instantly had to have them. And now I do.

The Penguin Parade was AMAZING, by the way.

One of my favourite blogs of all time is A Field Journal. I'm sure many of you have seen it before and are well aware of just how truly inspiring it is! Through her breathtaking photo-styling and the most adorable creative projects, Livy conjures up a perfect little world in which to get lost.

Last week was 'Apple Week' where Livy provided some tempting autumn-inspired apple recipes accompanied, of course, by her signature gorgeous imagery.

Feast your eyes on these: Apple Cider, Candied Apples, Caramel Apples and Apple Crisp. Yum. Yum. Yum.