I'm thankful for...

We definitely aren't Americans but that didn't stop me from hosting a Thanksgiving Dinner on Friday (American time, you know?).

As you are probably aware, The Husband is obsessed with American sports and declared on Thursday that he would like to eat some turkey to which my brother Joey got on board and low and behold, I was shopping for a turkey by 5pm. 

I also hustled to USA Foods in Moorabbin for some pumpkin pie in a can. I won't lie, I went to coles and looked for pumpkin in a can per the american recipe. What a doofus.

I arrived at USA Foods before they even opened the doors and just loitered out the front until the flipped the sign to 'open'. I can't believe I have never been there before, I was in and out in a flash but am looking forward to going back for some more artery clogging goodness.

Pumpkin Pie in a can. I like how the Americans think. 

I won't lie to you, I was freaking out about cooking a turkey. 

All internet articles mentioned that turkeys are notoriously dry and to just keep on basting them but let me tell you, my turkey was freaking good.

I surprised myself, and everyone else I am betting.

This is the recipe that I followed however my turkey was only about 2.5kg and I cooked it for 2.5 hours, basting it twice. 

No matter what, I always set my cutlery incorrectly. 

I know that it's wrong, I remind myself before I automatically do it, but I still go wrong.

I don't even eat left handed it's just the way my brain functions for some odd reason.

The Husband says "if you know it's wrong, change it" but it's just not that simple.

I didn't have any Thanksgiving themed decorations or place mats so I wrapped the place mats that I do have in a simple yet effective wrapping paper. I'm pretty impressed with my efforts, lets be honest.

It's nice to use the nicer things that don't get love every day. 

Salt & Pepper shakers - Whitehill

Champagne flutes - Vera Wang

Water jug - Don Sheil 

Vases - old spice containers (perfect bud vases)

Serving platters - Vera Wang

Filler flowers? Perhaps. 

Only $8 a bunch at coles? Definitely. 

I sauteed green beans in a shed load of butter and topped with slivered almonds.

Once again, they were delicious and I surprised myself.

My sister in law made delicious cauliflower and cheese, carrots and mash.

I had attempted to make cranberry sauce but it ended up like toffee with hard cranberries. 

Nothing that a can of the premade stuff couldn't sort out.

Joey took this photo of me and my weird bendy fingers without me knowing and Nelly cracks me up, just hanging out chewing on a bean. 

Does this photo make you want to wipe your computer screen? Me too.

Okay so I cheated on the pumpkin pie by using a can and a pre made base and it came back to bite me in the butt.  After cooling the prepared pie for two hours I tried to take it out of the aluminium casing, causing it to crack and begin to die. 

I propped up the cracked part with a teething rusk borrowed from Nelly and though that whipped cream would hide the situation.

A word of advice? Don't cover in whipped cream, it just sinks into the pumpkin pie filling and looks terrible. 

I have to say, I am not a fan of pumpkin pie. It just didn't feel like something that should be a dessert, or eaten at all for the matter. 

Perhaps its an acquired taste, like oysters.

Anyway, our faux thanksgiving was a success and I have too much in my life to be thankful for so I wont detail them here or we will be here all damn day.

Did you whip up a thanksgiving dinner? Where did I go wrong with my cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie?

Kim Kardashian & Kris Humphries Wedding!

Ya’ll know that I love me a little bit of the Kardashians.

I can’t help it, I love the circus that is their lives.

I could honestly lose my self for hours watching their shows.



After years of hearing Kim complain about wanting to get married, I think we were all a little relived when her and Kris got engaged after dating for a few months. So many people think it is just a publicity sham but I like to see the best in every relationship.



Can you even begin to imagine how hard life must be with everything in the public eye, being scrutinized? Even if they do bring it upon themselves…

Poor Kris does not even get a mention, forget having a photo of him on the wedding day.

Seriously, not cool. I'm sure that Kim and the Kardashian Klan would have chosen which photos to use.

At least when Khloe and Lamar got married, Lamar was in the background of Khloe, Kim & Kourtney.

I love me some tulle. I’m sure that if you have seen the pictures from my dress fitting this is quite obvious. Whilst I love the tulle, I don’t love the way the bodice goes into a ‘V’ around her hips. I also feel like the bodice does not fit her around the bust that well. Regardless, she looks beautiful.

So, she wanted her bridesmaids to wear white/ivory to be like The Royal Wedding. We all know that, but I think she took it too far!! I do love the bridesmaids dresses though. Everyone looks stunning.

The Third Vera Wang Dress.



I like it. Very flattering on her bust, in this photo at least.

Whilst I may not like the black and white, and the cake, I still think it all looks really lovely.

What is the deal with Kris Jenners bow? Come on Vera Wang, let's not put anyone over 40 in a massive bow. Do the world a favour.

I adore this photo. It is stunning. The best I have seen from the day so far.

Her hair looks beautiful, make up is stunning and they genuinely look so happy (and why shouldn't they?!)

Mazel Tov!

I love her make up, sure, we have seen it a million times on her before but that's why I like it!

I must admit, I dislike the head piece. I just don't get it.

Also, why such a massive wedding band? That thing is HUGE.

I like the dress on the right, but think it would look better if the train was not so long.

I really do like the dress on the left, very Hollywood Glamour.

Okay. He is grabbing her ass. She loves it. She looks beautiful.

Kris is also bending his legs awkwardly so that he is in the shot.

Lets be honest here, he is pleased he is in the shot, it's not all about Kimmy!!!

I hate reading all the critics saying they will last 6 months. Obviously we don't know them, and maybe they are so deeply in love they will last forever?

Time will tell!!

Did you like the wedding? Did it live up to your expectations?

Necklace Hunting

After the disaster which was the Vera Wang Necklace I have been spending too much time trawling every Internet site out there for a back up plan. These are the necklaces I have saved on my work computer, there is 100 more at home.

I have honestly searched Etsy, eBay and every designer website in between.

I am leaning towards more brightly coloured stuff now. Why not.

My reception dress is so plain and white that I think it will work.

I am going hunting in Melbourne boutiques, starting with Toorak Rd and High Street, to see what I can find. Fingers crossed, before I go insane. Like Homer Simpson in the haunted house.

No necklace makes Mez go, something something.

Insane?

DON'T MIND IF I DO!!!

Thank you so much to all the readers who gave me suggestions, they have really helped!

Kate Spade Enchanted Garden Necklace - eBay

J Crew Palm Necklace - eBay

Kate Spade Crystal Necklace - eBay.

I quite like this, but S hates green. Must be something to do with the Celtics haha.

J Crew Bib Necklace - eBay

Siman Tu Aqua Glass Necklace

Funnily enough, I actually blogged about the matching earrings to these in March 2010, so I feel like it is a sign to get this!!!

I love the colour, it is also S's favourite colour.

I think that it could look great. This is my fave so far. I keep looking at it.

I also have similar colouring to Vanessa, and it works on her. I don't know if it would drip down too low though.

Dannijo Stella

I'm not loving the metal look, but it's still on a back up list.

Dannijo Bramley

If you need a reminder of what my reception dress looks like, click here

Vera Wang

I had been deliberating whether or not to buy this Vera Wang Over sized Bead Necklace for a few weeks when Geefa said he was going to America and would collect it whilst he was there. He forgot.

That should have been my sign to forget about it.

The picture online.

It looks clear and silver, and all grouped together to create a substantial statement necklace.

Well, I bought it online from Bergdorf Goodman and 5 days later it arrived.

I ripped into the box, with a few girls from work looking on, them knowing what was in the box and being excited to see it.

It was like pass the parcel, so many different layers or tissue paper and then another box, and then another bag within the box, and then a black Velvet pouch within the bag.

Prepare to be disappointed.

Are you prepared? Okay, well you are now ready to look on...

This was what lay in the pouch.

It honestly looks like a necklace from Diva that you might pay $9.95 for, not $895.

Disappointment plagued me all day.

I had so many images of the stunning necklace with my otherwise quite plain reception dress.

Sigh.

I thought that if buying Vera Wang, you could expect quality?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it is not a nice necklace, but I don't think the quality, or style is what was represented in the photos, and by the price.

Thankfully Bergdorf offer a full refund within 60 days of purchase.

It's back to the drawing board for me when it comes to reception necklaces.

Does anyone have any good suggestions?

I figure that if this is the worst thing to happen to my wedding planning, I'm doing well so far!!