Farewell 2011

New Years Eve.

Urghh..

This post is difficult for me because this time of year makes me anxious. Like there's an elephant on my chest and I can't get enough oxygen into my lungs kind of anxious.

I stumbled across this quote on Pinterest yesterday.. And honestly ? It was made for me.

Pinned here

Most people you speak to will admit that New Years Eve is the most over-rated event in the calender. And every year it's a struggle to organise where to celebrate; how to get there; and possibly the most stressful decision - What to wear.

But as this year comes to a close, I've been a little blasé about the celebration side of things, instead involuntarily getting all up in my head about the past and also the future.

This year has been particularly challenging for me, so I know I should be saying goodbye and good riddance to 2011 and welcoming 2012 with open arms.. But I can't help but feel a little nervous. A little apprehensive. A little unsure.

It's like writing in a brand new notebook or diary - You don't want to make a mistake and ruin the perfect pages.

But this anxiety is exhausting me. And I know it's not particularly productive.

So tonight, as the countdown begins I'm going to focus on my new years resolution -

Pinned here

And to you, my lovely readers - I wish you a safe and happy New Year.

xx

Project Healthy House

I'm fairly confident that I'm not alone when I say that I have indulged in far too much food over the past few days.

My routine came easily - Melting Moments and Choc Caramel Slice for breakfast; Pavlova for lunch; Ice-cream and Custard for dessert. Fruit ? Barely. Not unless it was chocolate covered...

Oh!  There were pieces of strawberries in mum's Jelly Slice...!

Anyway, after solidly eating may way through the first half of my holidays, I am now turning my attention to a new plan.

Project Healthy House.

I live with 2 gorgeous girls, but the three of us have decided that if we work together to make healthy choices, the lifestyle will be easier to maintain.

Plus Miss Morgan was given Wii Zumba for Christmas and we're super excited to give it a try (Once we figure out how to get the Wii to work...)

I've posted about fitness before. And while it seems to conflict somewhat with my blog name, I have decided that it can/will be possible for me to bake my cupcakes and eat them too.

For me, it's about focus. It's about making choices that make me happy. It's about putting myself first.

So three cheers to Project Healthy House (and yes Miss Jodie, you can join in too).

How to Reach Your Fitness Goals. Pinned Here

xx

My Style : Sea, Sun, Stripes

Loving Summer Holidays... I've been dreaming of the sun and the sea for weeks.

I've also been dreaming about summer fashion.

I'm currently embracing all things nautical - I've noticed navy and white striped dresses, tank tops, bikinis, hats and jewellery creeping into my wardrobe.

This polyvore board is inspired by the many new additions to my clothing collection, specifically a cute pair of tan platforms which I've now worn three days in a row...

I'm now looking forward to the warmer weather that's forecast for the end of the week so that I can spend some quality time in the sun at the beach.

xx

The Weekend That 'Flew'

So, we had our work Christmas Party on Friday night - The theme was 'Australia'..

And The Cool Pod rocked it.

Our interpretation of the theme was a little outside the square, but you can read more on that over at LukaMish.

Saturday was a very quiet day.. and by quiet, I mean that I barely moved from the couch. Frozen coke was my saviour.

So today I felt like I needed to be super productive to make up for such a lazy Saturday. The days activities included Christmas shopping and lunch with mum.

Then I spent a few solid hours in the kitchen - simultaneously baking, singing and dancing around to my latest and greatest playlist.

The result ?

A candy house and a cake for dessert.

 Not bad, right?

Can you believe there's less than a week left until Christmas now?

There will be more baking, singing and dancing later in the week as I prepare some sweet treats for Christmas Day..

xx

Hen's Day Cupcakes

Miss Morgan hosted a Hen's Party at our place last weekend.

I contributed by baking some cupcakes. Hen's Day-appropriate cupcakes.

Please avert your eyes if you're easily embarrassed...

Oh, there are soooo many jokes I could make. But let's try to keep this clean shall we?

Admittedly, with these cakes, it's probably less about the taste and more about the looks, but I'll share the recipe anyway..

Chocolate and Almond Cupcakes

Ingredients

100g dark chocolate, chopped

50g ground almonds

90g self-raising flour

4 eggs, separated

115g caster sugar

2 tbsp warm milk

Method

Preheat oven to 180 degrees

Line muffin tray with patty pans

Place chocolate in food processor and process until finely ground

Add ground almonds and flour and process until just combined

Beat the egg yolks and sugar with an electric mixer for 2-3 minutes, until thick and pale

Stir in chocolate mixture

Stir in milk

Beat the egg whites in a clean bowl until soft peaks form

Gently fold whites into the mixture with a metal spoon until just combined

Divide mixture among the cases

Bake for 10-12 minutes

Cool on a wire rack.

And, yes - They were a HUGE hit. 

xx

Missing My Fur Child

I love my new living arrangements.

Sure, I had some reservations before I moved in. How could I not? I have never lived with anyone other than my ex in the past. I am used to my own space and the silence that comes with living alone. I wasn't sure how I would find living in a share house with two other people, but my housemates are both gorgeous and so far, all is good. I am loving our family dinners and having people to watch tv with. The endless supply of magazines and the equally limitless "That's what she said" jokes, because we're all super mature.

It's the simple things.

But today I am missing my fur child, who due to a silly clause in the lease agreement, can't live with us and join in the girly fun too.

xx

I believe...

i believe in pink

What else do I believe in?

Well, I believe in the power of retail therapy.

I believe in changing your nail polish to match your outfit.

I believe in spontaneous road trips and booking last minute airplane tickets.

I believe you can never own too many pairs of shoes.

I believe everyone looks better with a tan.

I believe in cheesy philosophical quotes like 'Everything happens for a reason'.

I believe in licking the bowl after making a cake and eating raw cookie dough.

I believe in splurging on delicious food at fancy restaurants.

I believe in forgoing the towel and letting the sun dry you off when you get out of the pool.

I believe in choc top icecreams at the cinema.

I believe in loving your surrounds - a pretty home is a happy home.

I believe in always saying what you mean and meaning what you say.

I believe in staying up late and waking up early.

I believe in telling the people you love that you love them.

And obviously, I believe in cupcakes.

xx

He's Chuck Bass

Chuck Bass.

Need I say more ?

We're gonna spend some time together this weekend.

Chuck Bass

On another note - this is my most re-pinned pin on Pinterest. Over 110 people have re-pinned this image because it's so fabulous.

Flowers, parcels and a foot-popping kiss. *swoon*

Happy weekend everyone.

xx

It's That Simple..

From Pinterest

We all say it.

Usually right after winter when the weather doesn't require us to wear quite so many layers of clothing.

And again, when we start to think about spending time on the beach throughout summer.

And usually right after Christmas when we've practically eaten our own body weight in food and indulged in far too many champagnes or cocktails at all of the parties during the festive season.

And ofcourse, there's the time right after the clock strikes 12 on New Years Day and we vow that this year will be the year that we go to the gym everyday and quit chocolate, cold turkey.

Well, I'm saying it now.

It's less of a resolution and more of a loose plan to feel better about myself.

See my inspiration here.

Wish me luck.

xx

Advice from Kate Spade

Having just recovered from the bubbles and cake that were included in my Birthday Week celebrations, I am super excited to have something to remind me of what was an amazing day/week/month and what how fabulous the next year will be.

My gorgeous sister gave me the BEST GIFT EVER - Three Kate Spade bangles. 

PINK Kate Spade bangles, no less. 

Kate Spade Bangles

They are just gorgeous and each includes a message that will inspire me throughout the next 12 months.

Live colourfully

This is the year to...

Make sparks fly

Be curious as a cat

Lose yourself in a good book

Add a twist

Play your cards right

The Jewel in the Crown

Even more exciting is that I included them in a Polyvore Board months ago.

I heart Kate Spade

But I heart my big sis even more!

xx

The World According to Pinterest

It's recently occurred to me that everything I need to know/learn/make can be sourced on Pinterest.

Infact, Pinterest is very wise and provides me with sound advice on all aspects of my life.


On Self-Protection :

On Fear :

On Seduction :

On Philosophy :

On Friends :

On Moving On :

On Fashion :

On Boys :

On Strength :

On Happiness :

xx

My Week in Photos : Birthday Week

Settlement Day - The Beginning of my new chapter; Coincidentally, it was also the day I noticed I had successfully grown a strawberry in my vegie patch... Oh, the irony.

Annual Schnauzer Fest - The none day every year that I realise that even compared to her relatives, Emmy is the cutest dog on the planet.

Moving Day - Amongst the Settlement Day Celebrations and the Birthday Week madness, I also threw in Moving Day. Because of the whole New Chapter thing.

Birthday Celebrations - Dinner at The River Cafe on the Torrens, Cupcakes, Cupcakes and more Cupcakes. And some champagne. And some cocktails... We also got a little Ultra Cultural and saw a Cabaret Show at La boheme - New Coat of Paint. Awesome.

xx

MAC o'clock

Miss Pip and I are heading to an industry Christmas Function tonight.

And on Wednesday, she gave me a birthday present - 

It's a macaroon.

Yeah. I know what you're thinking - "What on earth has a macaroon got to do with your birthday and a Christmas party?" 

Well... The lovely Pippa has organised for me to get my makeup done at MAC Cosmetics! 

Get it ?

MACaroon ?!

Yeah...... took me a while too.

Anyway, I'm super excited.

Thank you Miss Pip.

xx

A Day of Cupcakes and Cocktails

Feeling very spoilt already and it's only 10.30!

Cupcakes for breakfast - Life is good.

Much love to all my friends and family for making me feel sooo special.

xx

My Style : Neutral Navy

Brace yourselves people.. 

I bought a new skirt on the weekend and it's not black!

OK.. It's navy, which some would argue might as well be black, but in my head it's completely different and opens a whole world of outfit possibilities!

So inspired am I by this new addition to my wardrobe, I decided to create a new Polyvore Set - Neutral Navy.

I love it.

xx

Celebration Cheesecake

I promised my Cool Pod ladies celebration cheesecake today, so I whipped up this special treat on Sunday afternoon.

And let me tell you - It was the perfect cure to Monday-itis.



Baked Cheesecake with Chocolate Biscuit Base



The recipe is a combination of a few different methods...

Ingredients

100g butter, melted

300g choc ripple biscuits

500g cream cheese, at room temperature

200g caster sugar

1 tbsp cornflour

3 eggs

2 tbsp lemon juice

few drops pure vanilla, or vanilla extract to taste

pinch of salt

2 cups sour cream

This baked cheesecake is exceptionally creamy. Cheesecakes are prone to cracking; usually this means they have been baked at too high a temperature. The mixture should not be overbeaten, either, as this is likely to lead to the mixture sinking in the oven as the extra volume deflates.

Method

Preheat oven to 180C. Brush the base and sides of a 22cm x 6cm deep springform tin with a little of the melted butter. Remove the base from the tin.

Cut a round of baking paper to fit the base of the tin, brush the paper with a little butter and set aside.

Tear off an 80cm sheet of foil and double it over so it measures 40cm in length. Lay the foil over the base of the tin, then put the buttered round of paper on top. Sit the springform tin over the base and lock the sides into place, leaving excess foil outside the tin. Draw up the excess foil around the tin and fold the top out of the way. You now have a watertight container.

Crush the biscuits in a food processor. Add the remaining butter and process. Press the crumb mixture into the base of the tin, tapping firmly with the base of a glass tumbler or similar as you go.

Beat the cream cheese and sugar in an electric mixer until smooth. Beat in the cornflour, then add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating each time just until smooth.

Add the lemon juice, vanilla and salt.

Add the sour cream and beat briefly to combine.

Pour the batter into the tin and stand the tin in a large baking dish.

Pour boiling water into the dish to come halfway up the sides of the tin.

Bake for 50 minutes, then turn off the oven but do not open the door for a further hour.

Lift the tin from the water bath and flatten the foil away from the sides just in case there is any water trapped inside.

Cool completely in the tin on a wire rack and refrigerate for several hours or overnight before serving

There might even be some left over for morning tea tomorrow! Yum...

xx

Today's The Day

Welcome to the Next Chapter

xx

c/o Pinterest

Weekend Plans

Twilight Marathon.

This weekend.

In preparation for Breaking Dawn : Part 1.

Super excited.

Slightly embarassed.

Don't judge me.

xx

p.s. I'm totes Team Jacob

Images from here & here

Birthday Month

Birthday Month (November) is my favourite time of the year.

'Why?' you ask..

Because, well, obviously it's my Birthday.. so that means celebrations that include family, friends and ofcourse, cake! This year my big sis will also be in Adelaide to join in the festivities and we're planning on squeezing in an Endota Spa Treatment which equals bliss.

In November the weather starts to warm up so I can spend more time at the beach; We've switched our clocks to reflect daylight savings so I no longer have to drive home from work in the dark; And the social calendar starts to get busier with pre-Christmas functions and catch ups with friends before the December madness that often involves frantic last minute Christmas shopping and wrapping things up at work.

Birthday Month is especially exciting this year as it's also the month settlement happens on my house. The new owners take possession on Monday and I made sure it was empty, clean and ready for settlement before I went to Bali. Closure on the house means I will be single and mortgage free for the first time since I was 18.  This in itself makes November an amazing month.



Sing It - "All the single ladies.."

This weekend Emmy and I will be attending her Family Reunion (imagine 30+ related miniature schnauzers running around). The Annual Schnauzer Soiree is a chance for the breeders to invite all the puppies from their previous litters back to play. Emmy knows the other dogs are her relatives and watching them interract is mesmerising (I am planning on getting some video footage on my trusty iPhone camera).

November is also amazing because the Credit Union Christmas Pageant takes place on Saturday morning. Watching the pageant has been a tradition since I was little. Pageant Day represents the 'Official Countdown to Christmas' and has always been the day on which I put up the Christmas Tree and decorate the house with shiny baubles and sparkly tinsel like I'm living in Santa's Workshop.

So, after a stormy 7 months, I am glad that Birthday Month is here.

I'm looking forward to a bright and smiley November.

This is my new beginning.

xx

Images from here

Save The Date

Just so you know....

From bluntcard.com

Next Wednesday... Expect cake.

xx

Kelly Hoppen

Buying interior style books when you a) Don't have a house to style and b) Don't have anywhere to store said books seems crazy. But nobody ever said I was sane and I've just discovered an interior designer whose books need to be a part of my collection.

Kelly Hoppens.

South-African born, British interior designer.

Woman behind these amazing spaces.

If the pages of her books include images this stunning, I must buy them all.

I am sure that as with many thing, I am well behind the eight ball, so please let me know what you think of this woman and her work, or if you've got/seen any of her books.

In the meantime, I will be spending some time admiring more photos on her website....

xx

Images from here & here; Books from here