A chimichunga kinda week

It's Thursday, right? I tell you it feels like there have been a bundle of weeks thrown into just a few days. It's been a whirlwind of a week!

On Monday Hubby got a new tattoo to honour his Dad, so it was a bit of an emotional {and ouchy} day. Just before he left to go and get inked I had a meeting {which involved me locking myself in the quiet of my bedroom, under my blankets and dialing into the office} and a whirlwind of events and announcements occurred afterwards.

Then my little sister got engaged on Monday and my mind has been swirling with ideas for weddings and celebrations. Oh my. I'm in heaven. I was in my element with planning my wedding, but this is about to get seriously fun. I'm going to be a bridesmaid too! My first time ever!

My big sis has also had a big week launching her bestie's {Zoe Foster} new book Amazing Face. Big Sis, Sarah, recently followed her dream to become an event manager, and she's very busy organising big events and this one was very special. I'm very proud of her.

Here's Big Sis being all event manager-ish at the launch. I've only skimmed through the book, but it looks brilliant so far, and I did learn one very important thing. My skin always goes hay-wire in Winter and I always get particularly dry skin around my mouth. So this past weekend I was lathering lotion upon potion trying to fix it. One quick flick through the book diagnosed my skin as thirsty not dehydrated so a few litres of water each day later and I'm back to normal. Phew.

Last night we had dinner with my cousin and her beau at a little Mexican place near home, and then headed home to crash with bellies full of Chimichunga {seriously that is my new most favourite word. I want to say it a trillion times over cos it's all sorts of funny}.

How has your week been? And have you ever been a bridesmaid, cos I might kinda need your best tips...

{photos by Nick May - courtesy of Big Sis}

Conversations with strangers

Yesterday I had to hot foot it to a meeting in the City so I booked a cab, and waited in the cold out the front of my house for it to arrive. Moments later a taxi pulled up with a driver that looked very similar to my dear father-in-law.

We're still in the midst of grieving in our home {it still feels very surreal}, so I was near tears as soon as I sat down and put my seat belt on. The taxi driver and I chatted the whole way into the City. It actually felt like such a long journey, when it was only $24.50 worth of driving.

The driver chatted about things just like my father-in-law used to, having lived a very similar life {time in the army/navy, living in the Eastern suburbs, moving up north}. He asked questions just like my father-in-law used to too. It was a very surreal trip. He must have a trillion passengers sit in his cab over time, but he talked with real care & love in his voice.

I don't know why I'm sharing this. There's no amazing ending, or real point to my little tale. It was just one of those moments that was a little bit magical and a whole lot of lovely. To be in the middle of the craziness of Sydney, but to feel so at home.

I'll talk to anyone, much to the embarrassment of others. I just find other people so intriguing, and sometimes you just get moments of magic like yesterday. As I paid my fare and said goodbye, he said to me, "Say Hello to your husband." I don't know why he said it, and I don't actually care... but it was special.

Do you have conversations with strangers?

{hello speech bubble stamp by eatpraycreate}

Good news day!

I'm giddy with excitement! My little sister is getting married. I'm so excited. Last night her beautiful boyfriend fiance proposed and they're getting hitched!

I can't stop smiling. xx

{image}

Bake it: Cake in a jar

You may be saying Cake in a jar? Why? But I say, Cake in a jar, why not?

I thought Hubby might have thought I'd gone bonkers when I decided to make cake in a jar after spotting it on Babble over the weekend. Lacey had been pestering to make cake for days on end, so I thought this would be a novel way to entertain her.

Early Sunday morning I started raiding the fridge for perfectly shaped & sized half-empty jars, and then started soaking them ready for a bit of baking fun.

After the jars were soaked, cleaned and dried, we whipped up a batch of Donna Hay's patty cakes {recipe below}. We then divided them into batches. In the first batch we tossed in some broken up Lindt caramel milk chocolate and then filled the jar two-thirds full.

Whilst this one was made for Hubby, I did have a taste-test and I can assure you after topping with some icing it's deliciously delectable. The perfect mix of golden on the outside, and soft & just cooked in the middle.

For Lacey's little creation we wanted to go a little more colourful, so it was rainbow all the way. We separated the batter into 5 small bowls and coloured them each green, yellow, red, blue {with sparkles} and purple.

Unfortunately the vibrant colours don't look as beautiful once cooked from the outside, but once Lacey dipped her spoon in the brightness was just being shy and hiding inside. We topped it with some neon yellow icing to finish it off.

I am thinking they'd be great for parties served in little Heinz baby food jars with plain icing, letting the kids decorate them as a party activity.

Donna Hay Patty Cakes
1 1/2 cups SR flour
2/3 cup caster sugar
155g butter, at room temperature
3 eggs lightly beaten
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

♥ Place all ingredients into a bowl and mix with an electric mixer until well combined.

♥ To make cake in a jar, create your fillings and place into the jar until two-thirds full. Place in an oven at 160 degrees celcius and watch carefully. I knew our cakes were ready once they were golden on the outside and risen to the top. Be careful not to overfill or it will spill. If it does, simply scoop out a little and put icing on top.

♥ Eat with a spoon & a smile on your face.


What creation do you think you'd be tempted to put into your cake mix? Choc-chip? Brownies? Something else?

Ice Capades

Ever since returning from Disney World earlier this year Lacey likes to tell anyone who will listen that she went there. In particular she has some shoes that light up and are covered in glitter, and she stomps her feet so they'll light up and people will ask her where they came from, "Disney World" she says with an air of confidence. I don't have the heart to tell her that they actually came from some outlet shopping mall in Orlando, so Disney World it is.

When were were recently offered tickets to see Disney on Ice, we jumped at the chance even though it meant taking the trek to Newcastle to see the show.

While we waited for the doors to open we were amazed at how much paraphernalia there was to purchase and how families afforded to buy their children something {they're never cheap} and pay for the tickets. Of course, we then bought Lacey a light-up wand for $26 and did as everyone else was doing. Suckers.

First up was the guys from Cars. Lacey hasn't seen the movie, but she still thought they were pretty cool. I laughed because as adults you stop being awed by the amazingness {so a word} of everything and start to wonder how everything happens. "Do you think those are motorised?" I muttered to Hubby.

"I think there are people in them. I can see someone moving," he informed me.

Lacey's jaw dropped when this queen from Tinkerbell came out from the sky. She was amazed.

The show has a mix of Cars, Tinkerbell, Ariel the Mermaid and The Lion King, as well appearances from Mickey and Minnie & the gang. We enjoyed it, and Lacey had a blast.

If was a fun weekend, but after so many weekends away in a row... we're looking for a bit of time at home over the next few weeks.


How did you spend your weekend? At home or away?

How to cook a soft-boiled egg

This is one of those simple things that we should all probably know how to do, but unfortunately for too many years I didn't. When I was a Nanny eggs & soldiers {we call them dippy eggs} were a treat for breakfast, but too many times I disappointed the kids by making the eggs too hard. Never fear... I now have the process down pat, and you can too.

♥ Place room temperature eggs into a saucepan {the smaller the better so the eggs don't rattle about} and fill saucepan with cold water until the eggs are covered {don't overfill - just 1cm over the eggs is perfect}. Place on medium heat.

♥ Put your toast in the toaster while your eggs come to the boil. Once water is boiling turn to a simmer.

♥ Simmer for 3 minutes {use a timer, even if it's a freebie like mine}. Drain water from saucepan and remove eggs. Place in eggs cups and chop the top off, revealing a oozy egg yolk perfect for dipping. Serve with warm buttered toast.

For really runny eggs simmer for just 2 minutes & for a set yolk simmer for 4 minutes.

Hubby hates the idea of dippy eggs. Do you like them? How do you prefer yours, runny or hard?

Four blogs that I can't get enough of

The blog world seems so noisy of late. Lots of talk about being successful, working with brands, sponsored posts, giveaways and professional blogging. I think this is exciting. I know the blogging world is going places, as are the bloggers within it. It can only be a good thing. I know I'm guilty of contributing to the noise. I'll put my hand up and admit that.

Sometimes though, I just love escaping to real, authentic & simple blogging. By that I mean blogging without brands. Just beautiful words, pictures and sharing. No disclosures. No pimping things. Just beautiful blogging. I find it beyond inspiring... and can't get enough. These are the four blogs that inspire me to be better, blog better and to just enjoy...


Saks In The City
Meet Sakina. Isn't she beyond stunning? I check Saks In The City a few times a day, dying for a new post. I can't get enough. Sakina blogs about fashion, particularly plus-size fashion, and is the most photogenic being ever. She blogs in French and English as well.

Salvation Jane
Get ready for a colour & inspiration explosion. Jane Hall {oh yes, the Jane Hall!} is quite the decorator and lover of colour. On her blog, Salvation Jane, you'll find decorating ideas, furniture makeovers and beautifully written posts about improving her home, and exploring design ideas and more. I love that Jane stalks the hard rubbish, because I have to admit... I've been known to do the same too. Joy!

The Beetle Shack
Emily is the most beautiful mama and wife, and I just love the way she blogs. I stumbled across her last week and it was love at first sight. I can't wait to pour a cup of green tea {or seven} and go through the archives. Bliss.

Baby Mac
I love this blog. I've loved it for a while, but it's been a well-kept little secret. Beth is refreshingly honest, takes beautiful pics and lives in the most gorgeous house ever. I've also met Beth and she's so lovable and cool {feels like an understatement}. She took a wee blogging break last week, and I had withdrawals. So sad!


Enjoy these beautiful blogs, just like I do. x

Win a sweet dress, scents & a Lego set!

Happy Hump Day!

I've got three lovely little prizes to giveaway today. Read about them below and then let me know which you'd like to win in the comments and why. You're free to enter once for each prize, just leave a separate comment for each prize. Enjoy these lovely goodies!

The lovely Louise is the owner of Naughts & Crosses, an online store selling beautiful frocks for little girls. She decided to start creating these sweet frocks when she noticed that kids didn't seem to be wearing their best clothes for parties like they used to. Aren't they cute?

One lucky winner will receive one dress of their choice from Naughts & Crosses, and a matching headband too. You can visit the Naughts & Crosses store here, or 'Like' their Facebook page to be kept up-to-date on all their goings on.

***

I was recently sent a bunch of these new scents and they're different from any other spray I've used, more subtle and beautiful. Hubby keeps one in his car because he likes it so much. The clever team at Ambi-Pur have created a range of light & fresh fragrances that not only smell great, but they also eliminate odours at the same time {due to some fancy technology}. The people that created these air effects are also the brains behind some designer frangrances like Dolce & Gabbana and Gucci.

One lucky winner will receive the whole Ambi Pur Air Effects range {valued at $48} and a bunch of beautiful flowers from Grandiflora {valued at over $100}.

***

The nurse is on her way! Check out this cute little Lego nurse in her car with her medical bag, ready to go! There are three to be won, valued at $18 each.

So go on and enter! Enjoy. xx

The winners of this competition are:

Ambi Pur: DanniiBeauty
Dress: Chelley
Lego: Simone, Sapna and Miss Mandy


{boring bits}
Competition open to Australian residents only.
Competition closes July 12th 11:59pm

The troubles with tagging

Nothing instils a sense of panic more than a notification that I've been tagged in a photo on Facebook. Gone are the days of film where there was a week turn-a-round on photos from celebrations - when one had to finish the film, take it to the chemist to get it processed, wait & then share them with whoever it was they ran into. The digital age has me quivering in my tubby boots, someone can snap a photo, upload it to Facebook & tag it before I've had time to remove spinach dip from my teeth. Photos can go viral quicker than you can actually catch a virus itself.

It always seems to happen when I'm offline or unable to un-tag myself. I remember when I was heavily pregnant, feeling like a hippopotamus, when I received a text from Hubby: 'So-and-so just tagged you in a photo on Facebook - you might wanna check it.'

In other words it meant: 'Someone tagged you on Facebook and the photo is crap. Do something. Quick. Panic.'

This happened pre-iPhone days, so it meant a major operation entailing dramatic phone calls, texts, un-tagging and embarrassment. The incriminating photo was promptly removed and all was well. Looking back now I do wonder if I was being a little too-dramatic, I was pregnant after all.

I've since learnt from the tagging adventure. When people are snapping unassuming photos at BBQs and parties, I quickly request "No Facebook, OK?" Of course, quite often my requests are ignored and the photos reach the world wide web and are shared with all to see. By all I mean friends and friends of friends, no one more {I hope}.

I long for the days of film to return, or Facebook to create a policy where we have to approve the photo before it's allowed to be published. Until then I always ensure my teeth are spinach-free, that the photographers are shooting me from my best angle, that I'm in the bathroom when the camera comes our or I'm the one behind the lens. Or I'll just continue to live in fear of that pesky notification: 'You've been tagged'.


Have you ever been tagged in an unflattering photo? Have you ever tagged someone else and created problems for the tagee?

Donna Hay's Roast Pumpkin Soup

I think everyone has their own pumpkin soup recipe that they swear by, that it almost becomes like a competitive sport to see who makes the best pumpkin soup and what secret ingredients they add into it. Hubby is the pumpkin soup maker in our family, and his recipe is really simple {pumpkin, onion, garlic, stock - so I'm told}. Lacey can't get enough of the golden orange goodness, which I'm rather grateful for.

When I saw this recipe on Donna Hay's show on the Lifestyle channel, I had to try it. It's easy, delicious and has a different level of flavour than a non-roasted pumpkin soup. I'd make it again, of course only if Hubby hasn't offered to make his up first.

Ingredients
1 x 2kg butternut pumpkin
1 onion
Olive oil for drizzling
sea salt
3 1/2 cups chicken stock
1 cup cream
1 tbs honey
sour cream to serve

♥ Preheat oven to 200 degrees celcius. Cut pumpkin in half lengthways. Scoop out seeds. Place pumpkin {cut side up} & onion on baking tray. Drizzle with oil and salt & bake for 1 hour, or until golden and roasted through.

♥ Once pumpkin has cooled slightly, scoop pumpkin into a saucepan. Scoop onion into saucepan.

♥ Add stock to saucepan. Add cream and honey. Puree with a stick blender. Turn on a medium heat. Heat through. Serve with a dollop of sour cream. Enjoy. xx

So reveal, what's in your pumpkin soup recipe?

A day in the life of a 31 year-old

It is true. I turned 31 yesterday. And while I thought I didn't want fuss or fanfare, it turns out a little bit is just fine {and a whole lot of lovely}. I snapped away on my special day, and now I'm sharing it with you...

Wake up time! Lacey has an ear infection so there wasn't much sleep involved. But hey, what's new?

I got ready for the day listening to my current favourite song {someone like you : adele} & scooted Lacey off to Kindy so I could head off to a work meeting. Of course I stopped in for a Monday magazine purchase.

And then I was off, via the scenic route. We really do live in a beautiful part of the world {can you tell I was wearing my happy pants on my birthday? Everything was sunshiney and wonderful}.

I got lost and was late for the meeting {a whole 2 minutes}. I hate being late. But I had my sunshine-y attitude on, so all was well.

Once the meeting was over and done with, my lovely workmates serenaded me and presented me with the most delicious ricotta cheesecake the world has ever seen. I'll be going back here and grabbing one for whenever the next occasion calls for it. I hope it's soon.

Home time! Not a cloud in the sky for my birthday. Lucky me!

I wore my favourite cardigan to celebrate my day of days. As you do.

I love snail mail, especially on my birthday. My letterbox was filled with lovely cards. People have such great timing, don't they?

A lonesome {but I love lonesome!} lunch {sandwich on soft white bread} and a little bit of trash TV while I work. Bliss.

And work. I'm thinking of emailing Julia Gillard and proposing that we all have our birthdays off from work. Doesn't that sound about right? Can't believe nobody has thought of it before.

Don't mind if I do! My favourites are the hazelnut coated chocolates {no praline though, please}.

Hubby was stuck at work so I scooted off to pick up Lacey as the sun went down.

I get so excited walking up this path. Lacey gets equally excited as she spots me walking into the room {every time!}. It's one of my favourite moments ever, catching her unawares and interacting.

Hubby arrived home just as Lacey and I did, and then we headed off to Ma's for dinner with my Big Sis. They spoilt me. Candles everywhere, 80's music playing and the yummiest food. Hubby picked up this cake for me. He told me it just turned out they had a cake out the back with my name on it. Lucky!

Chocolate fudge cake with vanilla biscuits scattered throughout. I'm all caked out! Seriously, there's such a thing!

And home again, jiggety jig. Being 31 is pretty rad. Or cowabunga even.

When is your birthday? How do you plan on spending your next special day?