DECONSTRUCT: The Season To Play

It's My Birthday.

Edition #25

Birthday week wishlist: objects of desire, moodboarded for my pleasure.

Wishlist

Top Left: Julia Heuer, Kenza Skirt Camarague

Daisy earring ,Sarah and Sebastian

Earrings Glitch Collection, Completed Works

The Hearts Window Necklace, Completed Works

Tibi Slip Dress, Muse Boutique

Dime World Hoodie, Fast Times

Marni Fussbett Fuchsia Slides, FRWD

The Rose Chair, Edra Official

Birthday Week: From Disappearing to Showing Up

For the last few years I wanted to disappear on my birthday. This year? I want more beetroot salad, birthday parties and Bollywood TV, fuchsia furry Marni sandals I can’t justify (really, they’ve sold out), and to swim in the ocean until my fingers buckle.

I feel lighter, I’ve got a spring in my step. Like I’m onto something. Like I’m finally tuning back on and I’m in the game.

I’ve been following The Artist’s Way again. I’m three weeks into acupuncture and getting beauty and balanced with Eliska. I’m styling myself with what I already have - and sometimes, yes, with things I absolutely don’t need but deeply want.

There’s a difference between hiding and choosing to be visible. This week, I’m a player.

We’re like the seasons. Sometimes we blossom, bright and fragrant. Other times we’re more like the eucalyptus - tall, still, steadfast, but quietly flowering when the time is right.

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A Season to Play: Tugarah Tuli

And what a week to play.

According to the Dharawal calendar, this is Tugarah Tuli - the coldest time, with the shortest days. It’s when the eucalyptus start to flower. Look up in the trees. Look down - the wind this week has snapped off branches. Take one home. Hang it in your shower. Bring the outside in.

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A Beetroot Salad to Eat with Your Eyes

This beetroot salad cracked open a colour palette I’ve been trying to pull together for weeks: the poppy red and lilac combo from our earlier style challenge. I ate my way to the answer.

Winter Roasted Beetroot Salad

With carrot, pomegranate, mint, dill and red onion. Recipe below.

Beetroot is the hero and pomegranate the jewel of this dish with a sour pop in your mouth. Carrot and mint are good mates and red onion brings the acidity and really sings.

The real magic here is the dressing with a sticky, sweet-and-sour pomegranate molasses & tangy lemon (ideally one that fell from a tree on John Street).

“Mum used to make me beetroot and salad cream sandwiches for lunch when I was a kid” James

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My take on Peaches and Cream

Five-Minute Magic: Peaches with a Spiritual Twist

This is a five-minute dessert fix: Grab some Royal Kerry peach halves in syrup, add a couple of dollops of thick, creamy yoghurt like Mungalli and sprinkle crushed pistachios on top.

Accidental Tip:
There was leftover cardamom in the spice grinder when I crushed the pistachios - just a hint, what a treat. Magical.

Cardamom is spiritual. Some people have spirit animals; I have spice. It's said to open the heart, clear the mind, and calm the body. A little lift for the spirit and the senses. I’ll take that.

Winter Swim, Thermal Style

New Gear: I upgraded to a thermal neoprene swim cap from Orca - extra insulation that keeps your head warm and dry in cold water.

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The See-Through Porn Star Martini

Watching James work behind the scenes creating food and bevs for Homer has been fascinating. It's a project we've been living and breathing, from the constant tasting to the meticulous testing - it's been a delicious ride.

Here's what you'll be sipping soon: The See-Through Porn Star Martini.

This isn't your usual. You'll be presented with a chilled, crystal-clear spirit topped with a delicate Champagne foam. This remarkable clarity, after all the flavours are mixed, is achieved through a modern milk-washing technique: a mix of fresh cow's milk, passionfruit syrup, lime juice, vanilla vodka, and sherry is combined, left to sit, and then meticulously strained clear.

Get ready for something truly unexpected.