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

Bali Break

Back from a last minute trip to Bali. Feeling refreshed.

OK... that last part's a lie.

I'm actually horribly sunburnt and tired from spending too much time in various airports in the last 24 hours (thanks Jetstar for cancelling our flight home).

Nonetheless, I am thankful that I was able to spend a week lying by a pool drinking cocktails and soaking up (a little too much) sun.

I am even more thankful that I'm home now and back in my own bed.

xx