Button Love

Photo A Day | Day 8 | My Sky | #janphotoaday

2012-01-08T12:37:00.001+11:00

{day 8: my sky}

Photo a Day | Day 7 | Favourite | #janphotoaday

2012-01-07T10:26:00.000+11:00

{Day 7: Favourite}

Photo A Day | Day 6 | Makes you smile | #janphotoaday

2012-01-06T12:10:00.000+11:00

{day 6: makes you smile}

Mmm beer ;)

Photo A Day | Day 5 | #janphotoaday | Something you wore

2012-01-05T08:17:00.001+11:00

{day 5: something you wore}

My favourite ring

Photo A Day | Day 4 | #janphotoaday

2012-01-04T08:23:00.001+11:00

{Day 4: Letterbox}

Photo A Day | Day 3 | Something you adore #janphotoaday

2012-01-03T09:02:00.000+11:00

Day 3: Something you adore

Photo A Day: Day 2 | #janphotoaday

2012-01-02T07:33:00.001+11:00

{Day 2: Breakfast}

Photo A Day: Day 1 ~ #janphotoaday

2012-01-01T07:11:00.000+11:00

January Photo A Day Challenge{Day 1: You}

Blog Changes

2011-08-25T08:06:00.000+10:00

I have decided to start a new blog just for nail polish stuff and keep this blog for home, garden, lifestyle stuff.

I don't really expect anyone to read either blog, but it is a good record for me.

The new nail polish blog is Mani-Mad http://manimad.blogspot.com/ and I will keep updating this with my repaints and other nail polish / manicure info.

Thanks for reading. :)

Spring is coming...

2011-08-25T07:52:00.001+10:00

It is certainly starting to look like springtime in my garden.

I thought my magnolias that I blogged about here had passed away, but to my surprise last night I found that both of them are flowering.

Magnolia Lennei Alba Magnificence:

More flowers to come!

Magnolia San Jose:

2 big flowers coming out:

And my hyacinths are well and truly out and looking gorgeous:

The bulbs are yet to come out, hopefully they won't be far away!

OPI ~ Chocolate Moose

2011-08-23T08:14:00.001+10:00

Didn't think I'd love this colour as much as I do! Looks much better on than in the bottle.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Repaint: China Glaze ~ Metro Collection ~Traffic Jam

2011-08-18T07:27:00.001+10:00

Scuse the messy edges again, am still mastering the art of painting with my right hand after my operation.

This is Traffic Jam from China Glaze's Metro collection

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Repaint: Revitanail ~ Miss Scarlet

2011-08-11T07:52:00.001+10:00

Another messy manicure thanks to a very shaky right hand. I'm thinking that doing manicures is good for regaining strength and muscle control in my wrist after the operation so am continuing on with them... Even though they're messy!

This is "Miss Scarlet" by Revitanail. It's meant to be a strengthening polish. This is 3 coats and I can still see the whites of my nail tips through the polish. I really need to start undercoating red polishes with grey.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Repaint: China Glaze ~ Metro Collection ~ Urban Night

2011-08-08T20:45:00.001+10:00

My nails are terribly short as I cut them short prior to having carpal tunnel surgery the week before last. It was all very sudden due to a cancellation and as the surgery was on my right hand I have struggled to paint my nails neatly as the ligament across the base of my palm was cut! So please excuse the mess!

This is from China Glaze's Fall 2011 Metro Collection and is called Urban Night.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Nail Polishes For Sale!

2011-07-23T16:48:00.000+10:00

I have decided that if my collection is going to grow {which it is}, I am going to have to get rid of some colours that don't suit me. So I am selling these polishes:

OPI Give Me Moor - $9

Image by Scrangie

OPI Japanese Rose Garden - $9

OPI California Raspberry - $9

Image by metrobloggen

OPI Suzi Skis In The Pyrenees - $9

Image by Nailinit

OPI Lincoln Park After Dark - $9

Image by Life and Style Madrid

China Glaze Sugar High - $7

Image by The Swatchaholic

OPI Brand New Skates - $9

Image by Scrangie

Revlon Minted - $5

Image by WeAreFish

Australis Blue Tiger - $5

Image by Steffels

Sally Hansen Cyber - $5

Image by MollyHell

Comment or email me annie_taz @ hotmail.com if you wish to buy any!

Repaint: Zoya "Caitlin"

2011-07-22T20:57:00.002+10:00

Gorgeous greyish purple colour from Zoya called Caitlin. I usually just go for greyer shades but this one is a bit prettier.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Repaint: China Glaze "Seduce Me"

2011-07-20T19:37:00.000+10:00

Had some "nail mail" today and this is one of the colours that arrived.

China Glaze ~ Seduce Me

Nail Polish Storage #2

2011-07-19T12:57:00.002+10:00

My fantastic husband did this for me on the weekend:

He even {mostly} replaced the polishes in order of colour that I'd originally put them in after he'd hung it.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Repaint: China Glaze "Recycle"

2011-07-18T20:54:00.001+10:00

Love this China Glaze polish called Recycle. Have made a bit of a mess of my repaint tonight but love the colour.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Repaint: Portmans 'Combat'

2011-07-17T21:12:00.002+10:00

Had to buy a couple of polishes yesterday when I was buying something else at Portmans, and am really happy with all the colours I got. This is one called Combat. It is pale grey with a real sheen and sparkle to it.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

OPI Brand New Skates

2011-07-14T22:02:00.001+10:00

Another new OPI colour Brand New Skates from the Toyland range. This is 3 coats and I think it needs a 4th but I really like it.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Nail Polish Storage Solution

2011-07-14T09:35:00.001+10:00

I've been looking for the right storage for my nail polish collection for a while. I wanted something where I could see all the colours without having to pick them up.

I found this online a few weeks ago and after a bit of research, decided it was the right one for me.

It arrived yesterday and is yet to be hung on the wall but I couldn't help myself and filled it with {most of} my polishes.

I love it!

It's now full though so I may need another one!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

OPI "Skull & Glossbones"

2011-07-11T14:05:00.001+10:00

This is "Skull &Glossbones" from OPIs Pirates of the Caribbean range. I have done 2 coats in these pics but think it needs another one. It's a nice neutral shade, I really like it!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Repaint: OPI Lincoln Park After Dark Suede

2011-07-08T16:32:00.000+10:00

This is another one of my new polishes. I have the normal OPI Lincoln Park After Dark, but this is the newer suede version of it. It has a matte effect to it, so it isn't overly sparkly, which I love. You can always put top coat over it to make it sparkle though!

Repaint: Sally Hansen "Tyin' The Knot"

2011-07-07T20:24:00.001+10:00

I bought this colour yesterday when I was wandering in my lunch hour and I just love it. It is Sally Hansen "Tyin' The Knot" from the Diamond Strength range.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

I love getting parcels!

2011-07-07T08:25:00.002+10:00

I have placed a few online orders lately that are slowly trickling in to my letterbox. I just love getting parcels!

One that arrived yesterday was another nail polish order from the USA.

{excuse the messy desk}

Included in this order were the following polishes:

China Glaze:
Cracked concrete
Swing baby
Below deck
Sea spray
Recycle
Bogie
Jitterbug
Robotica

Orly:
Iron Butterfly
Goth

OPI:
Bastille my heart
Brand new skates
Lincoln Park After Dark suede
Skull & glossbones

Just a few to add to the collection!

Unfortunately one bottle smashed in transit, so everything got a bit covered but some nail polish remover fixed all that!

I bought a grey crackle (China Glaze Cracked Concrete) to try to get myself into crackle polishes but I think they are just not my thing. I tried it over the red I was wearing yesterday and I think it just looks strange!

Hopefully some more parcels show up soon!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Make Do Fix

2011-07-05T08:20:00.001+10:00

Last week, by proxy, my husband wrecked one of my favourite Cue blouses.

Ok, so it may have been me wielding the iron and melting my shirt, but it was his iron, so he felt suitably bad about it and told me to go to Cue and buy myself a replacement. Which I happily did.

This is the one I bought:

I spoke to my friend about the iron debacle and she suggested that since it is my favourite shirt, maybe I could use a brooch to cover the melted spot. I have heaps of brooches that I don't wear that often so decided I should give it a try. And it works!

Noone will be any the wiser {unless they read this post}.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Repaint: OPI A Oui Bit of Red

2011-07-04T20:08:00.002+10:00

This is my new favourite colour, OPI's 'A Oui Bit of Red'. It is the perfect red.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Day 14

2011-06-14T07:10:00.000+10:00

{eyes}
14~06~2011

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Day 12

2011-06-12T07:59:00.000+10:00

{sunset}
12~06~2011
I haven't been able to catch a sunset so here is a sunrise over a chilly Hobart CBD.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Day 11 @fatmumslim

2011-06-11T11:30:00.000+10:00

{something blue}
11~06~2011

My new thongs, so cute!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Day 10 @fatmumslim

2011-06-10T10:22:00.000+10:00

{childhood memory}
10~06~2011

When we were kids, we celebrated mum and dad's anniversary as a family, with everyone giving and receiving presents. One year when I was about 10, my older brother bought me "Around the World in 80 Days". I was deeply disappointed as, even though I loved reading, getting a book as a present didn't seem very exciting. Years later, I found this book on a box of my "special things" and decided to read it. I loved it. I wish I'd appreciated the gift of this book more at the time I was given it, but I have read it dozens of times since and love it for the classic story it is.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Day 9 @fatmumslim

2011-06-09T18:59:00.001+10:00

{someone you love}
09~06~2011

Couldn't pick one... Here are two someones I love <3

Showing off their new jackets... Which lasted on them all of about 2 minutes!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Day 8 @fatmumslim

2011-06-08T18:57:00.001+10:00

{bad habit}
08~06~2011

So bad but so good.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Day 7 @fatmumslim

2011-06-07T09:32:00.001+10:00

{fruit}
07~06~2011

I don't really like fruit. Fruit for me means raspberry lollies, quince paste with some strong cheddar and banana smoothies. But combine fruit and chocolate and I am there!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Day 6 @fatmumslim

2011-06-06T13:18:00.001+10:00

{from a low angle}
06~06~2011

The building I work in

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

30 Day Photography Challenge - Day 5 @fatmumslim

2011-06-05T20:21:00.001+10:00

{from a high angle}
05~06~2011

My smaller jewellery items in pretty dishes on my dressing table.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

30 Day Photography Challenge - Day 4 @fatmumslim

2011-06-04T19:04:00.001+10:00

{something green}
04~06~2011

It's been an exhausting day. Garage sale at our place and it's been a long day after an early morning, and we're all cold and sore! My sister invited us over for dinner to save us the trouble of cooking, and we're watching our beautiful nephews play with each other and their toys.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Day 3

2011-06-03T08:09:00.001+10:00

{clouds}
03~06~2011

This is the panorama from my front step this morning.

We've had some amazing sunrises lately. Yesterday this was the view, we were above the fog for a change:

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

30 Day Photography Challenge ~ Day 2

2011-06-02T20:00:00.000+10:00

{what I wore today}
02~06~2011

It's getting colder and colder. Walking to work is icy so gloves are definitely required!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

30 Day Photography Challenge - Day 1

2011-06-02T08:24:00.002+10:00

{selfportrait}

01-06-2011

Join in over at Fat Mum Slim

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

30 Day Photography Challenge

2011-06-01T08:14:00.000+10:00

I'm joining in with Fat Mum Slim's 30 Day Photography Challenge

You can too, the rules are here:

Looking forward to seeing your photos!

Boy In A Box

2011-05-17T16:50:00.001+10:00

I've been busy and stressed and away and my blog has been neglected. I got back on Sunday and will get stuck into it again soon.

Until then, thought I'd post this pic of Billy the brat, he's getting big but can still fit into some tiny spaces!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Repaint: OPI La Paz-itively Hot

2011-05-09T14:15:00.000+10:00

Love this colour! OPI La Paz-itively Hot.

This polish hasn't chipped and still looks perfect 3 days after I put it on. Keeper!

Wedding Memories

2011-04-30T08:49:00.001+10:00

After watching the stunning Royal Wedding last night, and with some inspiration from the gorgeous Telle over at Fat Mum Slim, I have decided to post some photos from our wedding.

It was a freezing cold February day in Hobart, 11 degrees and snow on the mountain!

We had dozens of chandeliers hanging on silver ribbons around the edge of the rotunda,

they swung madly when the wind picked up!

Ahh happy memories!

~24-02-2008~

World's Comfiest Shoes!

2011-04-18T11:07:00.010+10:00

These shoes are just so comfortable.

They go with everything - jeans, skirts, shorts - and look super cute on!

Dinner Plans

2011-04-17T12:27:00.001+10:00

My BFF Megs and her hubby are coming down for the Easter long weekend. I can't wait to see them!

They are coming for dinner at ours while they're here so I have been hunting through recipe books and trying to create the perfect menu.

I have decided to go with Asian style dishes. One old favourite, and trying some new recipes too.

~
Entree: Thai Coconut Scallops

2 tablespoons peanut oil
24 scallops without roe (600g)
1 shallot, chopped finely
2cm piece fresh ginger, grated
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tablespoons red curry paste
400ml can coconut milk
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon grated palm sugar
1 fresh kaffir lime leaf, torn

Herb Salad
1/2 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves
1/2 cup loosely packed thai basil leaves
1/2 cup shaved fresh coconut
2 fresh long red chillies, shredded finely
1 green onion, sliced thinly

* Combine ingredients for herb salad in large bowl
* Heat half the oil in medium frying pan; cook scallops in batches until browned
* Heat remaining oil in same pan; cook shallot, ginger and garlic, stirring until shallot softens. Add paste; cook, stirring until fragrant. Add coconut milk, sauce, juice, sugar and lime leaf, bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered about 5 minutes or until sauce thickens slightly. Add scallops, reheat gently.
* Divide scallops among serving plates, pour sauce around scallops, serve with salad.

~
Main: Prawn and Peanut Panfried Udon
(I have mentioned this recipe before, but will post it again here)

300g dried udon noodles, or 500g fresh

Vegetable oil
4 shallots, very finely sliced
2 large red chillies, seeded and thinly sliced
2 teaspoons sesame oil
300g large cooked prawns, peeled
200g fresh bean sprouts
½ cup coriander leaves
2 fresh limes, cut into wedges, for serving

Peanut Sauce
200g salted roasted peanuts
2 garlic cloves, peeled
2.5cm ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
200 mls coconut cream
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon hot chilli sauce

Method:

* Plunge the noodles into a large pan of boiling water. Bring back to the boil, simmer for 1 minute until tender, then drain well. Cool under cold water.

Peanut Sauce:
* Place the peanuts, garlic and ginger in a food processor and whiz until finely chopped. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the coconut cream. Add the soy and chilli sauces to taste.
* Heat 1 cm of vegetable oil in a wok or large frying-pan. When the oil is very hot, add the shallots and chillies and cook for 3 - 4 minutes until crisp and golden brown. Drain on kitchen paper.
* Pour most of the oil out of the wok, leaving just a thin coating , then add the sesame oil. Cook the noodles for 1 - 2 minutes, then stir in the prawns and peanut sauce. Stir through enough water (200 - 300 mls) to make a thick, glossy sauce and cook for 3 - 4 minutes until piping hot.
* Stir in the bean sprouts and coriander. Divide between plates and scatter over the crispy shallot mixture. Serve with wedges of lime for squeezing over.

~
Dessert: Pineapple, Coconut and Thai Basil Semifreddo

Makes 1 litre

6 egg yolks
1 cup caster sugar
1/2 cup pineapple juice
1 cup coconut cream
1 cup cream
2 Tbs dessicated coconut
1/2 cup fresh pineapple, finely chopped, plus extra to serve
1 Tbs Thai basil, finely chopped, plus extra to garnish

* Put the yolks into a bowl and, using electric beaters, beat until very pale.
* Put the sugar and pineapple juice into a saucepan and heat while stirring, to dissolve the sugar. Pour the hot syrup on to the egg mixture and beat until cool.
* Whip the coconut cream and the cream together then fold through with the dessicated coconut, chopped fresh pineapple and the basil.
* Freeze in a lined loaf tin for at least 4 hours before serving with extra pineapple and basil.

I am not 100% decided on the dessert yet. I want to make something light after two rich courses, but am just not sure if this recipe is the one. If you have any suggestions for a nice light (preferably Asian inspired) dessert I'd love to hear them!

Repaint: OPI My Private Jet

2011-04-16T14:27:00.000+10:00

Love this colour! Yet another from the OPI collection, "My Private Jet".

Weekend

2011-04-11T16:39:00.001+10:00

Where did the weekend go?

Mine was filled with study, lecture catch up, tests and not a whole lot else. I'm so over this semester, I can't wait for it to finish!

Hubby took me out for a coffee yesterday as a break from all the stresses of Uni. It was so nice to get out of the house and away from the textbooks!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Nasi (goreng) Night

2011-04-09T18:49:00.002+10:00

We love nasi goreng in this house. Our addiction began in Bali on our honeymoon where we ate it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Literally.

I made it for hubby tonight even though I am on a low carb diet and can't eat it. Yes, I know, I'm Wife of the Year material.

Here is my recipe:

Rice - enough for however many you're feeding

Vegies - I like to use a packet of bean sprouts, half a capsicum (diced), bunch of spring onions (chopped), handful of spinach, 1 carrot (julienned), 1/4-1/2 cup coriander leaves, and about a cup of cabbage thinly sliced.

Soy sauce

Indofoods Nasi Goreng paste

1 heaped tspn chicken stock powder

Sesame oil

Cook your rice. I used 1 cup of rice and 1.5 cups of water in my rice cooker tonight. Once it is cooking and the water is hot, add the chicken stock powder and stir through.

Heat some oil in a wok. Beat 2 eggs lightly and pour into hot oil. Allow to cook through on one side then flip and cook other side. Remove from wok.

Add some more oil to the wok if you need to and add your vegies.

Stirfry for a few minutes until cooked to your liking.

Add some soy sauce to the veg and stir through. Tonight I added some leftover roast pork loin at this point too.

Chop up your egg and mix through vegies.

Once rice is cooked mix nasi goreng paste through it.

Add rice and a splash of sesame oil to vegies and mix through until combined.

Enjoy!

Note: Tonight I didn't use the vegies I usually use as we have run out. Instead I used frozen mixed veg, green capsicum, broccoli and cabbage. I only used 1 egg and 1 cup of (uncooked) rice as it was only for hubby. It has still made enough for him to have two bowls full and there is lots leftover for tomorrow!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Repaint: Revlon Cotton Candy

2011-04-05T20:27:00.002+10:00

This gorgeous colour was sent to me by one of my beautiful friends, Camilla. It is from a new Revlon range which are actually scented. This one really smells like it's name, Cotton Candy!

Love it! Thanks Cam! xx

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Struggle Street

2011-04-04T21:33:00.000+10:00

Uni is so full on right now, I feel like it is taking over my life. Work is just as bad. Between the two, I have no social life, and am a ball of stress... and tears, at times.

Thankfully, I am in week 7 of the semester, which means about 5 or 6 weeks to go. And they can't go by quickly enough for my liking.

I am really looking forward to that, but also to some time away that is coming up in the next couple of months.

Hubby and I are going to Canberra and Sydney for a week in May. My best friend Megs lives in Canberra and I can't wait to see her.

I will catch up with some of my girls in Sydney while we are there as well, and then heading back to Sydney with just the girls for a weekend in June.

Can't wait to see all my beautiful girls, just need to get through the "now".

Repaint: Diva "I'm a Survivor"

2011-04-03T14:24:00.003+10:00

New cheapie from Diva called "I'm a Survivor".

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Two Little Boys Went Out One Day...

2011-03-30T16:01:00.000+11:00

Over the hill and... to the vet.

My two kittens went to the vet today to be desexed. I would normally have waited a bit longer until they were a little older but Billy is trying to dominate Roy by wrestling with him all the time now, as well as marking his territory inside the house, which is just unbearable.

So today was D-Day.

They went off happily enough, all cosied up in the cage together meowing merrily as I drove them to ~~their doom~~ the vet. But they have come home very woozy and sorry for themselves. They are very clingy but have no energy to follow me around so I keep finding them flopped in unusual positions or places.

Like Billy here...

As I got closer, I saw he was really passed out.

And Roy wasn't much better off, though he was in a more comfortable spot:

Both boys are now completely passed out on my lap, Billy has just flaked it:

While Roy is asleep with his eyes half open:

Hopefully they are back to their normal playful selves soon,

but I'm enjoying the snuggles for now!

Op Shop Find!

2011-03-29T15:21:00.003+11:00

In a trawl through the op shops with my sister on Saturday, I found an old beauty case like the one my grandmother used to own and couldn't resist buying it.

So I brought it home, cleaned it up and filled it...

It is the perfect size for all my nail polishes and mani/pedi supplies, though it is quite heavy now!

Isn't it cute?

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Missing

2011-03-26T15:20:00.000+11:00

A couple of days ago I went to my lecture at Uni as normal but left early as my back was hurting. I decided to drop in and see grandpa on the way back to work as I had a few spare minutes. Turned off into the street where the hospital is and drove a few metres before realising...

He's not there anymore.

It hit me all of a sudden, and I felt so bad that I'd forgotten. Mostly though I just felt so desperately sad that he is gone.

I really didn't realise it would be this hard and that there would be just so much I want to tell him. I think about him every day and miss him terribly.

On Tuesday it is 5 months since he died, and it feels like forever since I last saw him but also feels like no time at all has passed as the pain is still so bad.

Does it ever get easier?

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Repaint: OPI Eiffel For This Color

2011-03-26T09:31:00.003+11:00

Another blackish burgundy purpley colour... I have quite a few of these! Love this:

Yin and Yang

2011-03-25T21:08:00.001+11:00

Beautiful boys

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Weekend Intentions

2011-03-25T14:20:00.000+11:00

What a long week this has been! I have been busy with uni / work / bad back / life... you know how it is.

This weekend my intentions are:

1. Study for two tests - one is due Sunday night (online) and the other is mid-week.

2. Catch up on lectures I have missed - the most boring task of all.

3. Get out into the garden - it is meant to be a gorgeous weekend here, after a rainy week so I will be making the most of it.

4. Go out for dinner with hubby - or maybe just get some yummy takeaway and have a nice night in together.

5. Watch The King's Speech - I have been meaning to see this for ages but things keep cropping up to get in the way.

What do you have planned for the weekend?

Low-Carb Crunchy Nut Bar

2011-03-21T20:34:00.001+11:00

I've made this slice plenty of times but the one I made yesterday was the best ever.

It is adapted from the recipe here: Healthy Indulgences

Crunchy Nut Bar

1/2 cup walnuts

1/2 cup pecans

1/2 cup slivered almonds

1/4 cup desiccated coconut

1/4 cup almond butter (or peanut butter)

1/4 cup coconut oil

3 tbspns xylitol

1 sachet powdered stevia

2 tspns vanilla essence

Pinch of salt

Chocolate icing

4 squares Lindt 85% chocolate

2 tbspns butter

2 sachets powdered stevia

Toast nuts and coconut until fragrant, and pulse in a food processor until all chopped up.

Melt coconut oil and almond/peanut butter in microwave and stir until smooth.

Add vanilla essence, salt and sweeteners to oil and stir.

Pour into nut mixture and mix through thoroughly.

Press into a rectangle tray and flatten with a spatula. Place in freezer for 20 mins to set.

Melt chocolate and butter together in the microwave for 30 seconds.

Stir until chocolate is completely melted. Add stevia and mix through.

Spread over cold slice straightaway. Slice up and store in the fridge.

Enjoy! :D

Tunnel Vision

2011-03-21T20:06:00.001+11:00

Billy and Roy love their play tunnel and spend hours playing in it... Or sleeping in it, like Billy is tonight.

Tuckered out after a day of playing outside with his brother!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Weekend Intentions

2011-03-14T10:58:00.000+11:00

I am a bit late with my weekend intentions this week! Due to a back injury and an impromptu trip away, I didn't really make a plan for the weekend, besides getting home and getting better. There were a few things which I needed to achieve this weekend though, which were:

* Catch up on study for the Uni subject I am doing by correspondence and complete an online assessment.

* Try and get ahead by a few weeks on this subject by listening to the lectures and starting my assignment.

* Tidy up my study and get it in a state that I can actually use for Uni work (we've been using it as a guest room).

* Write a meal plan for the coming week.

I have completed the first one and made a start on the second one. Thankfully today is a public holiday so my weekend is not officially over yet and I can get the other plans finished today.

Join in on Weekend Intentions every Friday at Chocolate & Bubbles!

Dessert Time: Toblerone Mousse

2011-03-12T20:46:00.003+11:00

Last night I made Toblerone Mousse for the in-laws...

It is delicious! Creamy and chocolatey but with crunchy little pieces of nougat all through it. Yum!

Toblerone Mousse

300mL thickened cream
3 egg whites
300g Toblerone

* Whip the cream until thick and fluffy.
* Beat the egg whites until soft peaks form.
* Melt 250grams of the chocolate.
* Chop the remaining 50g of chocolate and set aside.
* Fold the whipped cream into the melted chocolate until combined.
* Fold in the beaten egg whites until the mixture is fully combined and fluffy.
* Pour into serving dishes and sprinkle with chopped chocolate.
* Place in fridge to chill until set.

Enjoy!!

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Repaint: OPI Have You Seen My Limo?

2011-03-12T08:38:00.002+11:00

This colour looks quite different in the bottle. It has a real greenish shimmer to it, but when it is actually on your nails it isn't as noticeable. I quite like it for something dark but a bit different!

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Friday Flowers

2011-03-11T16:24:00.002+11:00

One of my beautiful friends, Milly, is an amazing mum of gorgeous 1 year old twins, a boy and a girl.

The little girl has been very unwell, and in hospital for the past 2 weeks. We live at different ends of the state but I'm in their area today so dropped in to the hospital to visit.

My mother in law is a florist so I had her arrange a stunning bunch of flowers for them, that I knew Milly would love. She loved vintage style and classic colours, and this is what MIL came up with:

A beautiful mix of ivory hydrangeas, cream roses and jonquils.

Just stunning flowers for a Friday! <3

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Trying something new...

2011-03-09T19:45:00.000+11:00

I have decided to make a few changes around here. I started this blog as something different from what it has become. I planned to talk about home designs inspired by French country style, and to document the renovations to my home with that theme in mind.

Things change though. We have moved house, and the blog has evolved into something else. Change is good, and I am happy with where I am right now, so I am going to make the change, and introduce:

I hope you continue this journey with me!

Repaint: OPI California Raspberry

2011-03-07T22:19:00.003+11:00

This polish is very sheer, I can see the whites of my nails through three coats. I think I will try one more coat and see how I go...

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Horto's Caramel Slice

2011-03-07T16:04:00.004+11:00

This is my workmate Horto. Say hi to Horto everyone!

Horto loves to cook and brought in a sample of his latest creation, his version of caramel slice. It was amazing! Creamy and crumbly and just delicious!

Here is his recipe:

Horto's Caramel Slice

200g macadamia shortbread
100g butter
1 tin condensed milk
1 handful walnuts

· Bring a saucepan of water to the boil then simmer.
· Remove label from tin of condensed milk and add tin to the simmering water. Leave for two hours with lid on saucepan.
· Crush shortbread into a reasonably fine crumb. For a more rustic feel, leave larger chunks of shortbread in the mixture.
· Melt 100g butter and add to crumb mixture, combine evenly.
· Press mixture evenly into the base of a medium sized container (approx 15cm x 15cm) and place in fridge for 30 mins to set.
· Once condensed milk has been simmering for two hours, remove from heat and spoon contents evenly over shortbread base. The condensed milk should have turned into a caramel with a much thicker consistency than condensed milk.
· Roughly crush walnuts and sprinkle over the caramel then sit in the fridge for a further 30 mins to set.

* Obviously shortbread flavour is to taste so could substitute with any flavour.
* Another variation of this which I just made up would be instead of the walnuts, maybe thinly slice some banana, spread evenly over the caramel and finish with some crushed peanuts. That would be awesome too!

Thanks Horto!!

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Lush Low Carb Cheesecakes

2011-03-06T19:02:00.000+11:00

On a low-carb diet there aren't a whole lot of sweet things you can eat without a whole lot of effort. One very popular dessert / snack with low-carbers is cheesecake! Cream cheese is very low-carb, and as long as the things you add to it are too, you can make a yummy dessert that is within your plan. Here are a few of my favourites:

Cherry Ripe Cheesecake (my favourite)

250g cream cheese (full fat)

1 sachet sugar free dark cherry jelly crystals

1 Tbspn cocoa

1tspn coconut essence

3 squares Lindt 85% dark chocolate

Soften cream cheese in microwave and beat with electric mixer until completely smooth and lump free.

Dissolve jelly sachet in 1/2 cup boiling water. Add to cream cheese.

Add cocoa and coconut essence to cream cheese and jelly mix and beat until fully combined.

Very finely chop chocolate and mix through cheesecake mix. Pour into a bowl or individual serving cups and place in fridge to set.

White Chocolate & Strawberry Cheesecake

250g cream cheese (full fat)

1/2 Cup cream (full fat)

1 block Blues Sugarfree White Chocolate with Strawberries

1/3 block Blues White Chocolate

1 tspn strawberry essence

Soften cream cheese in microwave and beat with electric mixer until completely smooth and lump free.

Add cream and beat through.

Melt the block of strawberry white chocolate and half of the white chocolate. Stir this and the essence through the cream cheese mix.

Very finely chop the remaining white chocolate and stir through cheesecake mix. Pour into a bowl or individual serving cups and place in fridge to set.

Strawberry Cheesecake

250g cream cheese (full fat)

1 sachet sugar free strawberry jelly crystals

1/2 punnet strawberries

Soften cream cheese in microwave and beat with electric mixer until completely smooth and lump free.

Dissolve jelly sachet in 1/2 cup boiling water. Beat jelly into cream cheese.

Chop strawberries and mix through cheesecake mix. Pour into a bowl or individual serving cups and place in fridge to set.

You can make low carb bases using almond meal, butter and sweetener, but I prefer not to add the carbs. You can make easy cheesecakes just using cream cheese and sugar free jelly, and these are delicious. I like tweaking the mixes though for yummier flavours!

Herbal tea

2011-03-06T09:27:00.001+11:00

Loving herbal and flavoured teas right now.

I've just made this one to enjoy in the sunshine. We have to make the most of all the sunshine we get in Hobart!

I've been addicted to chai tea for a while and also like green tea on occasion, but have been trying fruit tea lately and am just loving it.

It would be perfect to make iced tea with, but hot tea is so much nicer when it has been so cold here.

Have a great Sunday!

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Delicious Low Carb Sugar Free Pancakes

2011-03-05T10:00:00.002+11:00

I've been getting sick of eggs for breakfast so I decided to try my hand at making some low carb pancakes for breakfast since it's the weekend and I have some more time. I altered a recipe I found online and was so happy with the result!

Delicious Low Carb Pancakes

1 Cup almond meal
2 eggs
1 tspn vanilla essence
1 Tbspn xylitol (or equiv other sweetener)
1/4 tspn salt
1/4 cup soda water (or cold water)

Mix ingredients together until fully combined.

Spray a frypan with oil and bring to medium heat.

Pour in 1/4 of the mixture and allow to cook on one side. This takes a few minutes.

Carefully flip pancake to other side and allow to brown.

When browned on both sides, flip onto a plate and continue with the remaining mixture. Keep the cooked pancakes somewhere warm until all are done.

Top the pancake stack with butter and sugar free maple syrup.

Enjoy! I did!

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Weekend Intentions

2011-03-04T08:16:00.001+11:00

Gorgeous Ali over at Chocolate & Bubbles has started Weekend Intentions:

"I'm sure most of us do it.. At the beginning of the weekend you have a list of things you are going to do over the next 2 days. You know, to make the most of your days off. Somehow, Monday comes along and you didn't do any of it. I know I do this. And once Monday shows its ugly face, I tend to feel like I wasted my weekend.

So, I thought I'd start 'Weekend Intentions'. The goal is to list at least 3 things that you want to do over the weekend. Whether it be to catch up on the TV shows you've taped during the week or paint that wall you've been staring at for 6 months. Link it back to here & then on Monday share how you went with completing that list."

-----
So, here goes:

My Weekend Intentions:

1. Plant the new flowers I have bought and do some more garden tidying

2. Tidy my study and get stuck into some Uni work, including studying for the test next week!

3. Get up to date with both the ironing and the shows I haven't caught up on, preferably at the same time!

4. Get to the gym *at least* once

Join in by posting your Weekend Intentions on your blog, and sharing the post back at Chocolate & Bubbles!

-----

Repaint: OPI Japanese Rose Garden

2011-03-03T08:31:00.002+11:00

Another new OPI colour, Japanese Rose Garden. I bought lots of pinks this time so there will be a few similar coloured posts coming up!

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Cute and Cuter

2011-03-01T09:51:00.001+11:00

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Repaint: OPI From A to Z-urich

2011-02-28T19:00:00.001+11:00

A new shipment of OPI has arrived... bringing my OPI collection to 30 bottkes... and my total nail polish collection to a number that I don't want my husband to know. ;)

Love this colour, it is OPI's From A to Z-urich.

Sunday in the Garden

2011-02-28T04:45:00.000+11:00

I did some more work on filling in the gaps in the garden, but got a little carried away with all the bulbs I bought and ended up doing more work on planting them than anything else.

These are the bulbs I planted:

Dutch Iris (my favourite flower)

"Lady Derby" Hyacinth

Ranunculus "White Cloud"

Snowflakes White Bells

Hyacinth "L'Innocence"

Anemone "Pretty Pink"

I have planted them in a line in front of the house, but got a little carried away and also couldn't remember what I had planted where, so they will probably grow all over the place. I don't mind though. I put some in pots too, so we should have a bit of colour round the grounds!

I also bought these too to add to the collection of "man-fern-hiding" plants:

Hebe "Annie's Winter Wonder"

and a Holly Fern:

I really don't enjoy gardening. It is such hard work and gets SO much dirt under my fingernails. I am sure that when I start to see flowers growing and man-ferns being hidden, I will feel like it has been worthwhile!!

Anniversary Love

2011-02-27T18:31:00.000+11:00

On Thursday it was our 3rd wedding anniversary. We don't stick to tradition here, we buy each other what they want, whether it is in line with the traditions or not.

I was completely spoiled. Hubby did some amazing wrapping:

I finally have a GHD and I LOVE it!

We both took the day off work on Friday to spend the day together. Hubby told me he had organised a lunch and dinner somewhere but wouldn't give me any clues. Just as we were about to leave, he told me to pack a bag, as we were going away for the night!

He wouldn't tell me where, but I was so happy to arrive at Piermont Retreat in Swansea on the East Coast and find he had booked us into a gorgeous spa cabin for the night.

The weather was a bit murky but our cabin was cosy and the spa was warm!

Hubby took me to a nice little bakery for lunch and we were booked in for dinner at a gorgeous restaurant, called The Banc, which is housed in an old bank building:

It is beautiful inside, and the meal was just fantastic.

We shared a taste plate for entree, which included gravlax ocean trout on seaweed salad, broccolini with balsamic vinaigrette, chicken satay on fried noodles, and lamb kofta. We both had the same main, which was (quoting the menu here) "dry aged grass fed black angus beef - aged minimum 21 days – roasted pink eye potatoes, banc aioli & mixed salad & house dressing". Amazing.

Dessert was white chocolate brulee with fresh local raspberries for me, and a mixed iced gelto plate with chocolate wafers for the husband.

It was such a perfect little break, and a huge surprise for me. I feel very spoiled and so lucky to have such a wonderful husband. :)

In my garden...

2011-02-27T11:44:00.000+11:00

In my garden there are manferns galore. I am not a fan. I find them to be beastly horrible furry things that just stand there looking quite creepy.

I have been wanting to get rid of them since we moved in, and a few weeks ago, after attempting to knock one over through the use of a shovel, mattock, hoe, and when all else failed, a well-placed kick or two(!), a friend of mine staged an intervention. She loves man-fern and decided that it was time to come over and commence "The Great Man Fern Rescue". They took 5 of the enormous beasts, which leaves another 5 or 6 "men" in our garden.

I was planning on getting rid of those last ones too, but they provide so much privacy from the neighbours that I have decided to stop fighting them, and embrace them instead.

I still don't like the fact that they look so stark standing around in the garden so have begun work on filling in underneath them. I want lots of greenery, some bushes that hide the ugly brown trunks, and a few flowers here and there.

This is the site:

I have planted two little plants so far, a cordyline and a hydrangea. They don't make any difference whatsoever yet but I can't wait for them to start growing and fill up some space.

Cordyline:

Hydrangea:

Ugly spiky hairy man-ferns:

And we also finally planted my white magnolia:

It has a few buds on it and seems to be going strong in its new spot.

I bought some new pants yesterday and some bulbs too. Mum is coming over this afternoon to give me her opinion on where to plant them.

Hubby bought a greenhouse yesterday and has started transplanting his seedlings into it, so if all goes to plan, soon we should have vegetables coming out of our ears.

Have you entered...

2011-02-21T18:22:00.000+11:00

Birdie Blue's one fresh giveaway competition

to win a gorgeous sewing prize?

I have!

You should too!

Mummy's Boys

2011-02-18T16:32:00.002+11:00

<3 these little monkeys

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Repaint: OPI Just A Little Rosti At This

2011-02-17T22:25:00.002+11:00

Love love love this colour. Such a gorgeous deep cherry red, I usually have it on my toes but decided to go all out tonight!

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Dreaming Of...

2011-02-17T07:27:00.002+11:00

A new handbag...

Sunshiney beach weather...

A weekend away with the boy...

A new hair straightener...

Some time to relax...

The end of my detox so I can enjoy some of this...

Nom nom, can't wait.

xx

February Update

2011-02-16T19:17:00.000+11:00

February has been a crazy busy month. It started witha girls long weekend to the Gold Coast, where I had a bad fall and sprained my left wrist and both arms! Besides that (which happened on the last morning there) it was an amazing trip, filled with lots of girl time and fun... shopping, champagne, pedicures, gossip magazines, cocktails, eating, and dancing 'til our feet ached.

This was followed by another enormous weekend which started on Saturday with breakfast out with hubby, a day of shopping for new bits and pieces for my garden and hubby's greenhouse project (the latest obsession), dinner out with friends and then on to a cocktail party and lots of champagne...

LOTS of champagne...!

My friends and I even made it into the paper's society pages at the cocktail party:

Sunday was the Hobart Cup. I love the races! Love the atmosphere, dressing up, wearing a pretty hat, sipping champagne, watching the horses prepare and run, everything about it!

We had such a fun day, hubby had a few wins and I had a few wines. I think that makes a good day all round. ;)

Thankfully Monday was a public holiday and we had a relaxing day... did some gardening, cleared some old plants out, planted some of the new flowers we bought, hubby set up some more seedlings, and then... we rested. :)

Repaint - OPI Over the Taupe

2011-02-01T14:21:00.002+11:00

Current nail colour is OPI's Over the Taupe. I think it looks like melted chocolate so it is quite distracting and causes a few cravings!

Here it is:

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3 More Sleeps...

2011-01-31T22:07:00.000+11:00

...'til my Girls Trip to Surfers Paradise.

My beautiful friends, Ali, Camilla and I are

heading north for a bit of a mini-break.

3 nights and 4 days of relaxing, shopping, swimming, wining,

dining and dancing... bring it on!

These are a few of my favourite things...

2011-01-26T08:00:00.005+11:00

These are just a few of my favourite things of the moment...

{WINE}

Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc &

Waipara Hills Marlborough Cuvee Sauvignon Blanc (sparkling)

{NAIL POLISH}

OPI Just a Little Rosti at This

{TRASH TV}

Jerseylicious

{FOOD}

Noodles

{SHOES}

These ones

{BIG SUNNIES}

Cheapies (5 dollar!) from Cotton On

{SMELL}

Ecoya French Pear Jar Candle

Happy days, bunnies!

Study Time

2011-01-25T18:04:00.000+11:00

I have been neglecting my study since Uni ended for the year.

We have had to put a bed in there for guests who have visited a

few times in the past couple of months.

The bed will be moved downstairs shortly into the

special space I want to create for guests.

I use my desk for wrapping gifts, but besides that,

it hasn't seen a lot of activity.

On Sunday I started tidying it up a little and

sat for a minute looking around me.

I love my little space, it is getting organised

and starting to really come together.

Uni starts up again mid-March so I have a bit of time to get it

ready for some serious study time!

So I get to start buying stationery again shortly

{my favourite part of going to Uni!}.

^ This is above my desk.

A little collection of things I treasure.

It makes me happy to look at it. <3

Repaint: Diva - Catch up for Coffee

2011-01-24T22:24:00.002+11:00

This is a cheapie from Diva (yes, the cheapo jewellery shop) called "Catch up for Coffee". I love this colour, it is nice and neutral and goes with everything. And the colour reminds me of chocolate Paddlepops (yum!).

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Cricket, Chairs & Couches

2011-01-23T20:02:00.000+11:00

My weekend started at midday on Friday as we took the afternoon off to go to the cricket. It was pouring with rain though so we thought it would be either delayed or cancelled. Then the sun came out and it turned into a perfect day.

Had so much fun, there's nothing like watching a live game of cricket.

Our little garden is coming along. Slowly. We picked our first tomato.

Well, we didn't pick it, it fell off its little tree.

We made the final decision about couches and are ordering them this week. This is the style we're going with:

In this fabric:

I am so excited! Can't wait for them to get here {cue the seven week wait}.

How was your weekend?

Repaint: OPI Suzi Skis in the Pyrenees

2011-01-18T21:44:00.001+11:00

I have just finished doing my nails with OPI 'Suzi Skis in the Pyrenees', and I must say I am not a huge fan of this colour.

It looks quite nice and charcoally grey but is actually v dark and almost black. I didn't want another black, I only have about 37,000 varieties!

It will do for now but as soon as it chips, I'll be repainting. Again.

Weekend

2011-01-18T15:09:00.001+11:00

Has it really been and gone already?!

We had amazing weather this weekend so we were out and about enjoying the sunshine and blue skies.

On Saturday Husband and I went to the local home base and spent hours wandering the stores looking at furniture, electrical things, plumbing, hardware, camping goods, and more.

We picked a new couch and armchairs for our loungeroom (YAY!).

We spent some time with family burying my Grandpa's ashes on my uncle's beautiful property by the river that Grandpa loved and spent so much time on.

We watched some movies:

^ Confusing.

^ Crap

We took more photos of our beautiful boys! Yes more!

Oh I LOVE weekends... just wish they weren't so far apart!

Repaint

2011-01-16T13:55:00.000+11:00

I am slightly addicted to nail polish... Just slightly...

Just some of my collection! ;)

Today's Repaint on my fingers is OPI Lincoln Park At Midnight

I love!

Ahhhh...

2011-01-13T15:34:00.000+11:00

I can't tell where one ends and the other begins.

My beautiful boys! <3

Look at me. I'm Stylish.

2011-01-13T09:42:00.000+11:00

A big THANK YOU to April from A Bird's Eye View
for nominating me for a
Stylish Blogger Award.

The conditions of receiving this award are:
* Thank and link back to the person(s) who gave me this award.
* Share 7 things about myself.
* Pay it forward to 15 recently discovered great bloggers.
* Contact those bloggers and tell them about the award.

7 Things About Me:
1. There are 5 children in my family. 2 boys, one at each end of the family, and 3 girls in the middle. I am second youngest and therefore the youngest girl. Mum and dad still call me "baby girl" even though I am 28 years old. I like it.

2. I work as an auditor in a state government department. What they say about auditors is true. You should meet my workmates. I have a personality and therefore am an exception to the rule.

3. My wedding dress was dark grey. Everyone said it was too unusual and that I would regret not wearing white. White has never suited me, I am too pale. I loved my dress and wouldn't change it for the world.

4. My husband and I were only going out for 7 months when we got engaged, and we got married 3 months after that. On our first date he took me to my favourite restaurant, then we went for a walk and sat on a park bench drinking hot chocolates and people-watching. He proposed to me on that same bench.

5. My best friend and I have known each other since we were babies. Our older brothers and sisters were all friends so when we were born later on (a fortnight apart), it was a natural progression for us to be friends too. BFFs. :)

6. I have 3 nephews, the eldest is 5, middle one is 3 and youngest is 2. The middle one lives in England so besides their short visit here over the New Year break, we only get to see him on Skype. The other two live 5 houses away from us so we see them most days. I adore all my nephews, they are such beautiful, sweet, funny boys!

7. We don't want to have children. As much as my MIL, family and others try to convince us otherwise, we are not planning to have children and we are happy in our own little bubble, loving our nephews to bits and cherishing our time with them and on our own.

15 Blogs I Love:
Blighty
Chocolate & Bubbles
Cupkates
Dachsboard
Days Like These
Diary of a Girl Abroad
Fat Mum Slim
Faux Fuschia
Lola Constance Evelyn
Love, bubs and life on our lilttle farm
Ninja Tales
Semi Expat in Oz
She Will Have Her Way
The Red Deer
We Heart Life

xx

The Llama Thing

2011-01-11T22:27:00.000+11:00

My husband has a bit of a thing for llamas. Nothing weird. They are just his favourite animal.

His website has llama in its title.

When we went to NZ I organised a Llama Trek as a surprise for him.

He loved it, this was his chance to be at one with the llama.

I even did the trek with him. Now I like llamas too.

I am not one to buy crappy presents, especially if they are going to be displayed in our house. I had this photo framed for our 1st wedding anniversary.

As I don't want to turn our home into a Llama Shrine, I am selective with what I buy him.

But every now and then, something catches my eye and I can't resist.

I found this on eBay a few weeks ago and had to purchase.

And I couldn't really leave this one behind, entitled "Llama in Cab New York City" (love the vintage cars)

Then I found this little guy, and I knew he would fit in well in Husband's study

And then I stopped, as I realised I was showing something nearing Husband's obsession, and that is never wise.

Kitty-cats. Gift wrapping. Monday Pain. Blog award.

2011-01-10T21:57:00.001+11:00

Our kittens, Roy and Billy, are settling in so well.

They love each other so much and seem to be pretty happy with us too!

We love them, they are such great company, they make us laugh and sigh in adoration over and over again.

Just recently a beautiful friend of mine lost a very dear pet. I sent her a little gift to let her know I was thinking of her.

It arrived today. She said she loves it. :)

Was today the longest day ever? I think so. I seriously struggled to make it through. The light at the end of my Monday-tunnel today was lettuce burgers for dinner. Since making the burgers yesterday, I couldn't wait to eat them tonight. Small things.

One last thing. A big THANK YOU to April over at Birds Eye View for the Stylish Blogger Award. I will answer this and pass it on in my next post. Thanks April!

Taco Salad, Lettuce Burgers & Other LC Delicacies

2011-01-09T19:51:00.002+11:00

Since I have been introducing more low-carb meals into my life, I have come up with some variations to our favourite meals.

Instead of tacos, we have Taco Salad:

Mexican Mince

500g beef mince

1 garlic clove, crushed

1 birds eye chilli, diced

1tspn ground cumin seed

1tspn ground coriander

1Tbspn tomato paste

Brown mince, add garlic and chilli and stir through, for 2 minutes. Add remaining herbs, tomato paste and 1/2 a cup of water and simmer until fully combined and cooked through. (Measurements are approximates, so add your spices to taste, and use chilli powder instead if that is what you have.)

Salad

Iceberg lettuce

Tomato

Red onion

Red and green capsicum

Cucumber

Grated cheese

Sour cream

Salsa

Shred the lettuce, place in the bottom of a large bowl for each person. Top with mince. Dice the tomato, onion, capsicum and cucumber and sprinkle over mince. Top with grated cheese, a big dollop of sour cream and some salsa. Enjoy!

I also make it with chicken coated in the same spices:

Lettuce Burgers

Mince

Salt & pepper

Lettuce

Onion

Tomato

Cheese

Mayo

Tomato sauce

Combine mince, salt and pepper. Shape into a burger and cook through. Take a full lettuce leaf and layer with tomato slices and onion.

Top with burger, cheese, slices of onion,and top with tomato sauce and mayo.

Fold lettuce leaf around contents and enjoy!

Obviously not the most thrilling menus, but they make yummy quick alternatives to higher carb meals that we love.

Another really quick and yummy recipe is Low Carb Cheesecake:

250g cream cheese

1 sachet diet jelly

Soften cream cheese in microwave for 40 seconds. Mix jelly into 1/2 cup boiling water until dissolved. Beat cream cheese with electric beaters until completely smooth.Mix jelly through cream cheese until completely combined. Place in fridge until set. Any flavour is great but Mango & Passionfruit is especially delicious!

My weekend

2011-01-09T11:50:00.001+11:00

I can't believe it is almost over. I try to make the most of my weekends but sometimes it is just too hard to get out of bed and use my time more productively!

Yesterday was a huge day. 3 friends and I went to a music festival. It was stinking hot before we left, it hit 33 degrees at 11:30. We went to the pub for pre-festival lunch and drinks, during which a cool change came and it dropped 10 degrees by 12:30. As the day went on it got colder and started to bucket down, so we got soaked and the festival grounds turned to mud and mush. Luckily there was some shelter and we made the most of it in between acts.

This is us before the rain hit:

Things got muddy:

And messy:

Besides the cold, the rain, the mud and it being a long day, we had lots of fun, and I feel like we are back in Festival Mode. Looking forward to the next.

Since I had no hangover this morning and wanted to make the most of my Sunday, I woke up earlyish and cooked up some Mexican Mince :

for my famous (only in my household) Taco Salad:

and also used my Tupperware hamburger press to prepare some burgers for cooking later on today:

Now I am sitting on the couch, watching the kittens taunt each other, playing on Facebook and Twitter, and being generally unproductive.

Speaking of the kitty-brats:

Me and Roy

Billy

Better go do... something... before this weekend is over!

Kitty love

2011-01-03T17:16:00.000+11:00

My sister and I went into the city the other day to go shopping, and to visit the annual food and wine festival known as The Taste of Tasmania. It was a beautiful sunny day, and driving home we decided to stop in at the cat's home to see if there were any new cats or kittens there needing a home.

There were. 3 kittens had been brought in from the same litter, they had been fostered in a carer's home, but brought in for adoption. One was tiny, obviously the runt of the litter, and craving affection. When I picked him up he curled up in my palm and fell asleep, and did the same when I gave him to my sister to hold. His brother and sister were absolutely gorgeous too but this little one had stolen my heart, so I brought him home.

Here is Roy:

He is a beautiful loving kitten and when I brought him home he had fun exploring but was very timid and shy. So the next day I decided to go back and get another one to keep him company. I wanted to get his sister but she had been adopted, so we brought home his big brother instead.

Meet Billy:

They adore each other, and spend every moment playing, cuddling, wrestling and grooming the other. We are so happy to have these beautiful boys in our life!

2011

2011-01-03T15:55:00.001+11:00

Happy new year!

Happy New Year!

I don't make new year's resolutions, they mean no more than any of my other goals, and get forgotten as easily as my other wishes and plans. Do you make them? What are yours?

However... I have decided to turn over a new leaf. New year, fresh start.

I have joined the gym.

I have written a meal plan.

I have washed all my gym gear and packed my gym bag.

I have written my exercise plan and worked out my routine for gymming.

I have ignored the banoffee pie and triple chocolate cheesecake in the fridge {in the last 30 minutes anyway}.

It's all a good start and I am going to keep it up.

In 4 weeks I am going to the Gold Coast with some beautiful girls, and I am setting a mini goal to lose weight before then. I don't want to be embarrassed by how I look, and I have started working on getting to that point.

It has been such a busy break, I can't believe how quickly it has flown by. I go back to work on Wednesday, so am heading off now to enjoy the time I have left.