imagine the research...

last night i went to the launch of a friend's book at one of my fave hangouts in melbourne, cherry. it started in the early evening and probably went through till the early wee hours (though i left just before eight). it was a lovely, feminine affair with a rock n' roll edge, much like my gorgeous friend. the book is called 'the cocktail' and is a collection of 200 cocktail recipes, illustrated not with pictures of drinks in glasses, but with fanciful representations of the women who might drink them. it's a beautiful hardcover book which (in my humble opinion) would make an excellent present - but the copy i have is destined for my bookshelf alone (and more than occasionally, i'm sure, the shelf in my kitchen).

now, the launch. i must admit a twinge of launch-envy when i walked into the darkness and saw the bar lined with multiple martini glasses filled with three shades of joy - very 'sex and the city', and we know how i've always wanted to be carrie. we said hello to jane and, squeezes and squeals exchanged, we picked our poisons and took up some seats. mark had a crushed ice concoction dubbed 'aprodite', and i had a froth-topped affogato in a glass, the honey espresso. i will not reveal the total list for fear of persecution, but we also know that i've always been a sucker for a pretty drink in a pretty glass.

at the end of the bar there were, suspended from the ceiling, several martini glasses in fishnet stockings (a la that james boags television ad with the woman on the balcony), with big red blossoms and bunches of sharp green leaves peeking out. very nice! helen razer launched the book, and it was an excellent evening. it's so good to see a friend have success and make a huge achievement, and i am so proud of her. she was on bert this morning, too - she's such a star. well done janey - love your work!