All Grown Up

My fur child turned FOUR yesterday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MISS EMMY

xx

My Style : Then The Clouds Came In

What has happened to the warm, delicious sunshine that is summer?

The cold, cloudy weather has thrown me a fashion curve-ball this week..

Enter cute red skirt + black tights + shiny gold jewellery.

Then the clouds came in

xxby aburchell 

Unicorn Love

This was a true Laugh Out Loud moment for me.

Ninja Unicorn

Sometimes I am easily entertained...

Found here.

xx

Sometimes You Just Need a Chocolate Muffin

Choc Banana Muffins

What can I say ?

I had a craving for chocolate muffins! And everyone appreciates mid-week baking.

These are Choc Banana Muffins and they are delicious.

Wanna try them for yourself? It's super easy. 

Ingredients

2 ripe bananas

125ml vegetable oil

2 eggs

100g brown sugar

225g plain flour

2tbsp cocoa powder

60g grated dark chocolate

1tsp bi-carb soda

Here's what to do....

1. Preheat the oven to 190degrees celcius and line muffin tray

2. Mash bananas; add oil, eggs & sugar

3. Mix flour, cocoa powder and bicarb in a bowl; then add to banana mixture, mix gently.

4. Spoon into prepared papers; Bake for 15-20 minutes.

Enjoy!

xx

It's About the Journey

I learnt a lesson on the weekend.

Nothing profound or earth shattering, but it was definitely one of those moments where I found myself thinking "ohh.. now I get it".

And it was totally unexpected.. which is perhaps why I remain in such a philosophical mind-frame a two days later.

In short, I decided to visit my Nan. She lives over an hour away but was released from hospital on Friday, having been admitted prior to Christmas.

The drive is never particularly difficult and given the right playlist or company in the car and the trip can be fairly pleasant.

But let's face it... Visiting Nan is more about the destination than the car ride to get there. Total car time for the round trip is approximately 3 hours, which is usually more time than I actually spend with her. But, being the good granddaughter that I am, I decided to make the trek on Sunday despite not being able to convince anyone to keep me company.

I think the 'lesson' I learnt is very much an extension of this post from August last year when I discovered that spending time with myself can be hugely rewarding. I learn new things about myself everyday.

OK, are you ready for it ??

Live in the moment. 

Yep. I know it seems incredibly simple, but I think it's a philosophy that is so easy to forget, particularly if you're anything like me and seem to be constantly worried about the past or the future; the 'what-ifs' and the 'maybes'.

So, I've now realised that sometimes (not all the time, because.. well, I want to be realistic here....) I need to remind myself to focus and enjoy the journey, to be more aware of my surroundings.

I need to be less concerned about the destination and more aware of the journey to get there.

And I made this 'profound' discovery whilst travelling to my Nan's house - convertible-style.

Travel In Style

BTW - I'm sorry for using the word 'journey' in this post. I am of the opinion that this word is greatly over-used, particularly by reality television contestants (think Biggest Loser) and it makes me cringe a little. And think of tacky drinking games where the key word is 'journey'. But in this case, it was entirely necessary. So drink up.

xx

Girl Crush : Rachel Bilson

You know her from The OC..

But my appreciation of Rachel Bilson comes from her new show - Hart of Dixie.

Here's the deal - 

Fast-talking New Yorker Dr Zoe Hart (Rachel Bilson) graduates from college with dreams of becoming a cardio-thoracic surgeon just like her dad, but it doesn't work out quite the way she expected, so she accepts a job offer from a stranger to work with him at his small practice in Bluebell, Alabama. Upon arrival, Zoe finds out the kind man has passed away and she has inherited half his medical practice. 

Zoe soon discovers that not everyone is welcoming to newcomers, particularly young females doctors with impeccable style....

And yes (on and off the small screen) the girl has style.

ohmigod - LOOK at her.

And of course, there's the requisite mantastic eye-candy ...

Wilson Bethel - aka 'Wade'

Yeah - I'm speechless too...

Scott Porter - aka 'George Tucker'

Get on board..

You can thank me later.

xx

Unleashing My Inner-Artist

Lipstick inspired art.

I found it; I pinned it; I made it.

And now it hangs over my bed.

Ta-Dah!

So I was always a very creative little girl; Forever finishing one art project and moving on to the next. Painting, drawing, and yes decoupaging.. but over the years my artistic side has taken a back seat to more domestic projects like house renovations and gardening.

When I pinned this particular piece of art, I didn't really imagine that I would ever recreate it. But I got inspired to paint after Miss Pip started working on a project of her own.

And surprisingly (or not.. depending on how impressed you are with my painting skills) it didn't take me long at all.

Now that I have unleashed my inner-artist again, I'm in search of a new project. 

xx

I'd Like You To Meet Someone..

I'd like to introduce you to the newest member of our Share House family...

MAGGIE DEER

She is a true foodie who currently lives on our dining room table.

Isn't she pretty ?!

xx

(Gorgeous flowers courtesy of Miss Morgan. What a lovely surprise to receive a bunch of Cheer Up flowers when I'm feeling a little low!)

Project Healthy House : Raspberry & Almond Cake

Over the weekend, Mum cleaned out her freezer. This has resulted in a few meals of frozen soup and casseroles which were transferred to her place when I sold my house.

But more excitingly, she also gave me a few boxes of frozen berries.

My mind immediately began to think of all the berrylicious sweets I could make - Chocolate raspberry brownies, fruit smoothies, banana and berry bread...... Or even just icecream and berries - YUM!

But in keeping with the Project Healthy House theme, I decided to search for a recipe that would have the approval of my housemates.

(BTW - It's week two of Project Healthy House and since I've injured my shoulder and have to rest, making changes to my baking/eating habits is about as committed as it gets right now)


Anyway, back to the berries.....


I turned them into a cake.

Raspberry and Almond Cake

A relatively healthy, light, sweet cake.


Wanna try it for yourself ?


I think you should.

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups frozen raspberries, thawed

6 eggs

1 cup caster sugar

2 cups almond meal (ground almonds)

Yeah... That's it.  FOUR ingredients.

Super easy.

Method

Preheat oven to 160°C. 

Grease a 22cm round springform cake tin. 

Line base and side with baking paper.

Place 2 cups raspberries in a bowl. 

Using a fork, mash to combine.

Using an electric mixer, beat eggs and sugar on high speed for 8 to 10 minutes or until thick and glossy. 

Using a metal spoon, gently fold in raspberry and almond meal, alternately, until combined.

Pour into prepared tin. 

Bake for 60 minutes or until golden and firm. 

Cool in tin for 10 minutes. 

Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. 

Top with remaining raspberries. 

ENJOY!

xx