tools of the trade

I seem to have a fascination with doors and locks. I met the man who owns these giant scissors and made this mint Turkish delight on a street in Istanbul when I was photographing a door on his street. He had seen me through his shop window and walked out to ask why I was taking pictures of something so boring with all the wonderful sights in the city. Anyway, Will and I ended up in his sweet shop, buying up a storm. Door and lock photos another time, perhaps?

Photo: Heidi Adnum

mumsrock

A couple of weeks ago, I had the pleasure of meeting the fabulous Gigi Eligoloff, founder of MumsRock, and her adorable little boy for a photo shoot at their lovely London home. Gigi has also reviewed my service and you can find her article here.

Photos: Heidi Adnum

sex and the city 2: london premier

Tonight was the big night for the premier of Sex and the City 2 in London. (Who can believe it's been two years since number one?) Mel and I were there, with front-fence views of all the star action. 

SJP arrives! Oh, those earrings...

Her shoes...

Smiling for the camera, wearing "British from head to toe", Alexander McQueen and Philip Treacy.

Then Cynthia arrived...

Chris was next...

Kristin...

Kim...

Mario...

And, finally, teeny, tiny Kylie Minogue surprised everyone, arriving right at the end.

We're catching the movie on Saturday. Hooray! How about you?

Photos: Heidi Adnum

greed and impatience

...Are two flaws that Nigella says she tries to put to good use. If you, like me, missed Nigella's app promo event at the Apple Store, Regent Street, but would love to hear what the Domestic Goddess had to say, catch up online here. You can also read through a recent web-chat here. Nigella's next book 'Kitchen: recipies from the heart of the home' is out in the UK in September. I had the opportunity to ask Nigella a question at a food show last year. Knowing that she had spend a lot of time in Italy, I asked her where in Italy was her favourite place to visit and Portofino was her answer. I've never been. Have you?

Portofino, Italy, Framed Photoprint by cherielester on Etsy.

vintage photo frames

Beth Zeigler at Apartment Therapy shares Hilda Grahnat's tips on creating a photo wall using vintage frames. Hilda has used different mounting techniques (paper, card, etc.) and has positioned the pictures wherever she liked within the frame, which, combined, creates a informal look/collection. It would look great in a hall or living area, don't you think? You may already have a collection of old frames (and old photos) at home just waiting to be lovingly promoted to the wall. If not, you could take a look in your local charity store.

Photo: Apartment Therapy

orange and lavender cake

The second cake made over the weekend was an Orange and Lavender cake. (I love having guests: more reasons to make cake.) I tried this cake once before at a cafe earlier in the year. It was so delicious that I went looking for the recipe and I think this might be the one. Will you try it? It's absolutely beautiful!

To view these images in better colour click here and here. Photos: Heidi Adnum

pistachio and rosewater semolina cake

With the help of a friend, over the weekend I made Yotam Ottolenghi's Pistachio and Rosewater Semolina Cake. Verdict: delicious! I really enjoy baking new things, especially using ingredients or techniques I use less often. I gave the sugared rose petals a miss but I'm sure they would look absolutely beautiful on top of the cake. Do you like the sound of this cake? I really wish we weren't already down to the last slice...

To view these images in better colour click here, here, here and here. Photos: Heidi Adnum

morning coffee

Turkish coffee. Photo: Heidi Adnum

a burger for your thoughts

London weather is predicted to be amazing this weekend: clear, sunny days, possibly even up to 27 degC - wow! The balmy night yesterday reminded me of Christmas Eve in Australia. My friend laughed and told me that it was 'definitely not that hot!'. Sometimes summer nights in Australia are so hot that you would rather sleep in the pool than in bed. Can anyone back me up on that?
This weekend, and inspired by Plenty, I'm going to make a cake or two, one by Ottolenghi and another I enjoyed at a cafe recently (I hope I've found the right recipe!). I've run out of time for Recipe of the Week, but if these two work I'll tell you all about them next week. The warmer weather (and the thought of BBQs, picnics and parties) inspired me to make burgers. I took a pretty picture and delivered it to my Etsy shop, along with three other new additions. I think I'm going to try fries next, to go with the burger. What do you think?

Photo: Heidi Adnum

plenty

Yotam Ottolenghi has released his second cookbook, 'Plenty', which is a collection of vegetarian recipes based on his column in The Guardian. It would make a great gift for you, don't you think? If not for you then perhaps the food-lover or vegetarian in your life. I browsed a copy in-store last week and can say that it looks excellent, just like the first one. Do you already own 'Plenty'? What do you think? I'd also love to know if Ottolenghi is popular in places other than the UK?

Photo: Ottolenghi

made by otto

Eight year old Swede, Otto, designs wallpaper to sell in his mum's lovely shop, Fine Little Day. What a great idea! And such a clever duo.

Via Design*Sponge. Photos: Fine Little Day

little greene

The Little Greene Paint Company make beautiful paint and wallpaper. They are an English company and work closely with English Heritage to reproduce paint colours and wallpaper designs from the early Georgian period through to the 1950s. The third picture below, for example, is a reproduction of a parrot motif wallpaper taken from a terrace house on Great Ormond Street, c1890. Their Flickr photostream is a great place to daydream find inspiration for interior design. The photography is superb and shows a range of options, from sublime neutrals to vibrant colours.

Photos: The Little Green on Flickr, Kitchen Design Pale Green Chair and Great Ormond Street Wallpaper

irving penn portraits

Visit the National Portrait Gallery until 6 June to enjoy Irving Penn Portraits, featuring images of Edith Piaf, Alfred Hitchcock and Pablo Picasso.

Photo: Irving Penn via NPG

happy monday

Purple rose tea, Spice Market, Istanbul, Turkey. Photo: Heidi Adnum

istanbul and inspiration

Thank you, Istanbul for these delights. What a wonderful city. Also this week, I really enjoyed these words from Elizabeth Gilbert speaking at O Magazine's 10th Anniversary Celebration and Ez's manilla tag freebie and bunting stamp tutorial, and hope you do, too. Have a fab weekend.

Photos: Heidi Adnum (velvet slippers, evil eyes, souvenir slippers, bejewelled lamp 1 and 2, spice market, mint turkish delight and scissors, man wrapping coffee, cushion covers, turkish coffee in silver by night)

the sartorialist of oz

The Sartorialist visited Australia recently, and, in addition to his street fashion shots (Sydney examples here and here), he's shared some lovely personal pictures of a visit to the 'halfback' here.

Photo: The Sartorialist

the gallery: men

On a recent trip to Istanbul, something that really stood out was the Turkish men. At first they looked rugged and stern but it seems that's just the outside. Apparently Turkish men are known to be very family-focused and comfortably in touch with their sensitive side (I understand it's not uncommon for two young male friends to walk arm in arm down the street). I love these four pictures, which, to me, all show a touch of sensitivity (or even femininity) and tell a little story...
This was taken in Galata just near closing time. I love how relaxed he is and the contrast of the yellow flowers against the beer crates and big, burly motor bike. 

I was waiting for Will (who was in line to buy Turkish coffee outside the Spice Market) when this man stood next to me. He had stepped aside his stall to enjoy his afternoon tea. Despite being a metal-wares seller and sporting spiky facial hair, he loves tea with the standard two white sugar cubes, stirred slowly and delicately in a dainty cup and floral saucer - like most of the other Turkish men we came across. 

This little angel had been screaming for the previous five minutes in Hagia Sofia. Her dad knew what exactly what to do, though, holding her gently until she eventually fell asleep.

This guy was great. We had just bought from him a bag of fresh pistachio nuts to snack on. He was so smily and friendly, I just had to have a photo of him. Well, he loved that idea, enthusiastically smiled and gave us a few free samples (apricots, dates...)! Before we left he dug out his brag book - full of photos of celebrity customers - and flipped to a photo of him with Sting - I love that he's in sunglasses and a cap! - and proudly asked "know him?!".

Do you know any Turkish men? What are they like? Tara Cain sets a theme each week for you, me, and anybody else who'd like to take part and share our pictures with each other in 'The Gallery' project. Photos: Heidi Adnum