The Market Collections is like stepping in to one of those chic yet relaxed Bondi abodes with a colour scheme of lime wash and nautical accents. From an elegantly hung straw hat to a fabulous lamp made from driftwood you can spend much longer than you anticipated rifling through the vast array of treasures. The eclectic mix homewares furniture and accessories make it the perfect place to find chic pieces for home or unique gifts for fussy friends. I found this divine sea shell table runner/door hanger/candle decoration thing-a-me-jig which has made a perfect little something for my home and a great gift idea for a friend. Even my children ask to stop there to paw through the endless array of beautiful things that are forever changing. It's almost impossible to walk out without purchasing, as my husband and his credit card bill know only too well!

I was out of ingredients for a soup I wanted to make and by complete accident made this with what I had on hand. It's so delicious it's gone straight to the entertaining really good guests menu! (which is naturally served in the good dining room with the good crockery, the special occasion napery and hoity toity manners)

Matching Wine - Stoneleigh Marlborough Pinot Noir 2009

What's Hot?

Sophie Moran's sweet new range of sweaters that are super smart and selling like hot cakes. (Despite the fact I don't actually know anywhere I can get hot cakes...I guess be because they sell so fast!)

What's Not?

You if you're not wearing them!

Miskin Martinez

Miskin Martinez is a new swimwear label by Eve Miskin and Sarah Martinez, two avid swimwear collectors who have joined forces to create lucious swimwear that is a glamorous, modern collection in shades of precious jewels that epitomise high-end luxury. With it's signature bright green lining, titanium rings and MM motif the label has a modern edge that is timeless yet sexy. The collection features two one pieces and six bikinis in a colour palate that is sublime. If you are heading to Hamilton Island race week you can see this hot new range at the Qualia resort shop.

Mrs Walsh’s Stuffed Mushrooms

This is one of my signature dishes. It is a great winter meal on it’s own if you are after a light dinner or a great entree for dinner parties as a lot of the preparation can be done prior to your guests arriving. It will make you look like some kind of kitchen magician!

Matching Wine - Rabbit Ranch Pinot

Lamb back strap is a family favourite at Casa del Walsh. The kids love it, husband adores it and this vegetarian strangely does a good job of cooking it.

Matching Wine - Woodlands 2008 Cabernet Merlot

The world's best Champagne, divine food, chic setting and great company pretty much sums up this night in a sentence. What a perfectly wonderful evening was had by a mixture of Sydney social types, high end Sommeliers and food media at the very chic Sepia restaurant and bar in Sydney's CBD for Laurent-Perrier...

Coming out of Michelle

The last time I did a Robert Oatley wine tasting was at Audi Hamilton Island race week. For the uninitiated this is a spectacular event staged annually at Hamilton Island which combines sensational action out on the water with the yacht racing and equal measures of fun on land with fashion shows, chic dinners and of course wine tasting!

The Fat Bastard is a delicious fatty little friend that is a comforting snack or served with custard a fabulous desert. Made with plenty of butter and sugar they are guaranteed to have you turning in to a fat bastard if you don't stop at one. They are gluten free and served with some gluten free custard they are the perfect dinner party desert for any of your gluten free friends. The gluten free flour you will never taste the difference, gluten free custard Hmmmm you definately will.

The Ship Tavern, London

My husband and I discovered the ship tavern after a long day at Portobello markets. We had bought everything from a view master circa 1910 to a leather tape measure, set of dominos and some boxing gloves! With our booty of bits we decided, a cleansing ale at the pub might not be such a bad idea and stumbled on this brilliant old classic English pub. As they had a restaurant section upstairs we decided to stay for a pie and a pint whilst having a game of dominos with our super new set. A bottle of red, two pies and several games later we started playing with all our new purchases much to the amusement of the bar staff. It was only when my husband got up to measure something that one of the staff told him to put it away as the pub has been here since 1549 and it doesn't need measuring! We got to know the very friendly bar folk over our week long stay and can not just recommend it for a quick beer or light dinner but thoroughly endorse it as being one of the highlights of my last trip.

www.theshiptavern.co.uk  12 Gate Street Holborn