Roma, roma, roma!

Last day of work today! Three more sleeps and I'm out of here! Shame my travelling wardrobe won't be filled with this kind of Italian glamour!

Ahhh, Italy! 30 degrees at the moment in Rome - perfecto!

images via here.

a week in time..

I'm starting to fret - it's only a week until I leave! So much to do, so little time...



Image via here.

Saying no to the french pastries...

That time of the week again - Diminishing Lucy's Fat to Fit blog hop! Oh, I wish I had stories of greatness to report! But after a weekend of over indulgence with my parents in town things aren't looking the best.

And I'm about to go into damage control: EUROPE HOLIDAY!

How does a girl survive 7 weeks touring Europe - with the most amazing of food cultures - and not put weight on? I know I'll be doing heaps of walking, but how do I avoid the amazing pastries in France or churros in Spain!?!

Some advice from the handy team at Weight Watchers below!

How to keep healthy on holiday

1. Keep it simple
For starters, instead of aiming to lose weight on holiday simply focus on not gaining instead.

2. Beware the breakfast buffet
If you're staying somewhere that offers breakfast, remember you don't have to eat everything on the buffet. Go for wholegrain breads over pastries; boiled or scrambled eggs instead of cheeses and meats; and take advantage of seasonal fruits and low-fat yoghurt. As long as you make smart choices, you can still enjoy a filling, healthy breakfast.

3. Keep moving
Regular exercise can actually be easier when you're away from the constrictions of everyday life. Many resorts have an on-site gym and/or swimming pool, perfect for an early morning workout.
If it's a beach holiday, take advantage of the ocean. Go for a swim or a brisk walk along the sand - both are great ways to get your heart-rate up.

4. Get around on foot
Rather than taking taxis or public transport, do as much walking as you can. Plot a map of the sites and attractions you want to see each day and walk to the furthest, then work your way back to the hotel. You'll experience more of the local culture and probably discover things that aren't even on the map! Remember to pack good walking shoes.

5. Eat out
Don't avoid lovely restaurants but do dine out creatively. Instead of a giant main, have two starters or a starter and a salad. Also, ask that dressings and sauces are served on the side.

6. Drink and snack wisely
Skip the false economy of a bargain-basement carafe. Order a great wine by the glass and savour it. Avoid creamy cocktails if you can.

If snacking before dinner, opt for fresh produce (in small doses) over chips and salted nuts. It's a great way to taste the local delicacies and experience new flavours.

And finally...
Don't stress if you have an ice-cream by the pool or an extra glass of wine. Just don't overdo it and try to keep track of what you've eaten throughout the day. Most important of all, have a wonderful time!

image via here.

Paris Paris Paris GET OUT OF MY HEAD!

Of course I had to discover these two websites at work today...

Hello work productivity? o.u.t t.h.e w.i.n.d.o.w!

12 more sleeps!

Day-dreaming of a glamorous life in the 1950s

Louis Vuitton AW 2010 advertising campaign....

*sigh*

images via here

A girl can dream, right?

Speaking of dreaming - my idea of jewellery perfection was materialised today as I looked through Coco+Kelly's back catalogue...

This was a post about dreaming...right? :P

Tasty Tuesday: home-made sausage rolls!

This weekend, being the Australian Federal Election weekend, LB and I have decided to host an Election Party!

While the party will have an election flavour (hello blue balloons decorations!) it won't be all polly-waffle! LB plans on perfecting his wintry mulled wine for the occasion too!

In preparation I've started on some baking to feed the troops - and what better way to add an Australian feel to the party than with home made sausage rolls! I'm sure everyone knows this recipe - but just to make your mouth water a little...here it is!




HOME-MADE SAUSAGE ROLLS
Recipe from http://www.taste.com.au/
Preparation Time25 - 40 minutes
Cooking Time40 minutes
Makes20

Ingredients
2 sheets (25 x 25cm) frozen ready-rolled puff pastry, thawed
500g pork or sausage mince
70g (1 cup) fresh breadcrumbs (made from day-old bread)
1 small brown onion, finely chopped
2 tsp chopped fresh thyme
1 egg, lightly beaten
2 tbs poppy seeds

Method
Line 2 baking trays with non-stick baking paper. Cut pastry sheets in half. Combine the mince, breadcrumbs, onion, thyme and reserved chutney in a large bowl and season with salt and pepper. Divide the mince mixture into 4 portions and shape each portion into a 25cm log.

Arrange sausage logs along the centres of pastry sheets.

Brush 1 long side of the pastry with the egg. Roll up to enclose the filling. Cut each roll evenly into 5 pieces. Place rolls, seam-side down, on the lined trays.

Preheat oven to 220°C. Brush the rolls with the remaining egg and sprinkle with poppy seeds.

Bake in oven for 30 minutes or until golden. Serve with tomato sauce (in our case - my grandpa's home made tomato sauce!)

And as for the election...may the best man win! (can I say that? did I just say that? I think I just said that....)

the 'heel' dilemma...

Packing for 7 weeks, 10 countries and a whole 'lotta different weather proves a daunting task!

The biggest dilemma so far has been when it comes to shoes. Thongs, casual shoes, running shoes, flat black shoes, boots, heels, sandals...hmmm...you get the drift....

With only 20kgs of room available (and a back not worth breaking) - I thought I had narrowed it down to thongs, converse casuals and black flats. But my travelling buddy mentioned that she was taking a pair of heels - after all, who wants to be seen out on the town after dark in Paris in flats? :P

Then, while browsing over some of my latest (awesome!) blog finds - I was totally drawn to Kirsten from my.happy.home's latest purchase:

Needless to say, when I wandered through bourke st mall at lunch time today, I couldn't walk past Myer without a quick sneak peak - and once these Diana Ferrari beauties were on my foot they really didn't want to come off!

Small heel for Europe: check.

thoughts of no other...

I can't stop day dreaming...it's so close I can almost feel it; reach out and touch it...breathe in its air...

Did I mention cherry blossoms were one of my favourite? I saw a cherry blossom tree today and willed to pull over and bundle up a few branches to bring home for my dining room table. I have big plans for cherry blossoms one of these days ;)

images by Francoise Rachez via Lanalou.

foxy frollics at foxey's!

My folks have come to stay with LB and I this weekend - a quick catch up before I set sail!

Today we're off for a drive along the Mornington Peninsula where we'll be sure to stop by a winery or two (or three)...one of which has caught my eye: Foxey's Hangout!

I'm sure this little fox will feel right at home here:

While I'm off sipping this year's best vintage, what do you think of these lovely fabrics sitting in my fat quarter shopping cart:

images via here and here

30th Wedding Anniversary surprise!

So I was pretty lucky growing up - my folks are still quite smitten with one another.

Mum and Dad married on 6 September 1980 - and 30 years on they have four happy children and appear pretty darn happy with life themselves. Not a lot phases them, they're good country people and don't bother with a lot of fuss nor fancy.

That's why for their 30th wedding anniversary my siblings and I are sending them off for a romantic weekend away in Daylesford - with all the frills!

As I will be away (oohhh, 2 weeks and I'm in Rome, baby!!) - I've had to organise everything now (and I took the lead as I don't trust my older brother's taste :P nor my younger sister's attention to detail :P :P) So this is where we'll be sending them!

Pendower House -Spring Spa Escape





I'm totally jealous! Four course breakfast and luxurious spa for two at this romantic B&B which I know Mum will love! They won't know themselves - and that makes me smile! 30 years of marriage - that's the kind of stuff worth celebrating! If I'm lucky enough to have ever-lasting love like theirs I will count my blessings every day!

For my 24th b'day LB took me away to Daylesford and I fell in love with the beauty of this little town.

I must say - I plan on making quite a few return ventures there myself! One place in particular which has caught my eye (and garnered a lot of press) is the white house.


*gush*

images via here and here.

Could gold really be the silver lining?

Ok, so I hate to bang on about the silly telephone table any longer...

BUT

I keep going back to Camila's High-heeled Foot In the Door and looking at this blog post.

Camila re-upholstered a little stool - AND left the legs GOLD!

Perhaps I should leave my little seat gold (just give it a recoat so that it shines) - and then simply give it a fresh face of fabric?

American Wom(e)n!

I know, supporting Aussie Bloggers is best. But boy-oh-boy have I had a fun lunch break browsing over a few newly discovered American blogs!

Be sure to drop on by if you haven't already - so many tips for the home and so much PRETTINESS!

I discovered all three blogs via one of my all time favourites - Coco+Kelly. Man that girl (and her contributors) has style!

Back to work I go...

Tasty Tuesday: She's a lemon, tart!

Who said watching your weight meant a diet of celery sticks and lettuce leaves?

Check out this lemon tart - I made little mini ones for LB and I over the weekend and they were Divine! Might have to whip up another over the weekend as Mum and Dad are coming to visit!

Ginger nut biscuits always make me think of my Pa (below). Pa is a legend. At 86 he's still as sharp as a tack and by far the wisest person I know. Growing up I have fond memories of Pa sitting at the head of his laminated table, sipping Lipton tea and crunching down on a few ginger nut bikkies. I thought they tasted terrible at the time, but now - they make for a great tart base!

Creamy lemon tart

As featured on Weight Watchers

POINTS® Value: 3

Servings: 10

Preparation Time: 15 min

Cooking Time: 15 min

Ingredients

100 g ginger biscuit

25 g butter

405 g Nestle Skim Sweetened Condensed Milk

1 whole whole egg, lightly beaten

1 serve (s) egg white, (1 egg white)

2 medium lemon, rind finely grated, plus juice

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 180C. Place the biscuits in a food processor and pulse until fine. Transfer to a bowl.

Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add the biscuit crumbs and carefully press the mixture into the base of a 23cm cake tin. Refrigerate until required.

Place the condensed milk and eggs in a bowl. Beat until smooth. Add the lemon zest and juice and stir well. The mixture will begin to thicken. Pour into the prepared base. Bake the tart for 20 minutes, then remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. Refrigerate until set.

Decorate with a slice of lemon just before serving.

Ta-da!

Telephone table inspiration

So after this weekend's find at the Camberwell Markets, I've been toying around with the idea of painting the telephone table white, using a velvet fabric for the seat (and maybe extending it to make the seat fill more of the empty space next to it and between the table), and a colour matching print for the tabletop (using wallpaper). With pink and red being my two favourite colours, here's two alternative inspiration boards that I have put together - using a white telephone chair that I stumbled across.




The red is totally based on my love of Viv's (from awesome blog Ish and Chi) amazing makeover of this stunning two seater.


This is just my first round of ideas. The other thought is to paint it white and just use one patterned fabric for the seat, and paint the tabletop plain white. The apartment we currently live in has mint green walls - so a few of these would suit it much better than red which would look terrible together. Although if we move at the end of the year I don't want to have restricted myself on the colour just because of the mint green walls - and knowing me I may not even be finished it by the time we move!


I'm in love with these Amy butler fabrics - so maybe just the seat recovered in one of these (and painted white):



I also haven't ruled out painting it black - but I do much prefer white furniture! Just not sure how the frame would come up in white...


As you can tell I'm totally throwing around too many ideas and realistically may not be able to achieve any of them. Would love some further help from the blogging world!

Market finds: telephone table!

So LB and I slept through the initial alarm for 7.30 but made it to Camberwell Markets by a little closer to 9am. I told you I'm hopeless at making it there early!

Nevertheless, a fun morning was had! I still struggled with the crowds though.

And what did I find? This funky 1960s telephone table! (excuse the photo quality, not the best!)

At the moment it's sitting in our very narrow entryway. For a cheap $35 I couldn't leave it at the stall!

I recalled seeing one of these tables recovered in really funky fabric - but of course now that I search through my favourite blogs I cannot find the exact image for inspiration. But there's a few good DIY examples online - a few of which I've featured below. Only problem is that most of them are wooden tables - which would be easy to paint white.

What do you think? Should I leave the original gold frame or strip it back and paint it? And the cushion? What kind of fabric? And the table top? Should I find some funky wall paper to use on the top? obviously it would have to suit the cushion...hmmm, decisions, decisions...time to go blog hunting for more inspiration I think!!

Design*Sponge

Design*Sponge

Design*Sponge

Not beige

Thoughts and opinions definitely welcome!

all round cuteness!

I went for a wander up the street at lunch time and picked up some PINK cushions, following on from my latest obsession. On special - gotta love that! Looking forward to spruking up the loungeroom tonight - not sure what LB will think of all the PINK!

While on the topic of cuteness...um, hello! Thank you Decor8 for bring this room to my attention :)