This goes with that ...

Ok, I'm not a Mum (yet. cluck, cluck, cluck!). And I'm not even close to middle aged. Heck, some would say I still have a spring in my chicken step! But I have a confession - I shop at Sussan.

Have you seen their latest season's fashion? When the catalogue arrived in my letter box a few weeks ago I actually undid the plastic wrapping and read it cover to cover. Sexy YOUNG ladies scooting around Rome (gush!) on vespas, sipping lattes, and chatting up hunky hunky italianos!

Perhaps I'm still recovering from my post Europe holiday blues, but it had me hooked!

I'm not saying you can walk in there and find your little black dress for this weekend's hot cocktail event - but when it comes to basics, Sussan has some rocking stuff! I've already bought two long tops that cover the bad bits but show off the good - and I must say for a girl with *cough* a bit of a stomach - Sussan's jeans are a great fit! Don't believe me? Look!

And my picks for the season?

And the best bit? I walk out of the shop in a size 10 pair of jeans and size 'small' tops - gotta love the 'mature' sizing range!

still kicking...

Leaving my blog on that sour note was rather rude of me, yes?

Just to clarify, I didn't die from said illness. I'm still being poked and prodded at with no real answer in sight. Sigh...

Meanwhile, I've been ridiculously busy with social commitments that have kept me smiling throughout it all.

Will smother foxy in some love soon, for now I need to catch up on what I've been missing in bloggy-world!

xx

image via we♥it

taking it all for granted.

I haven't been around. I haven't had the desire to blog.

I took it all for granted. I stress and worry about all those around me, what they're doing, what they're putting in their bodies, how they're treating themselves, how they're treating others. I never turn the mirror on myself.

The one thing I should never take for granted and I did. My health.

It's a waiting game now. I try telling myself to stay positive, that it will be something minor, that it will all be over with in a week or two. Then that ugly face of worry rears its head. What if it's not ok? What if it can't be fixed? What if I can't be fixed? Too many what ifs, not enough answers. For that I have to wait. Patiently. Never my strong point.

It's been a crap week. But it has shown another side to those I feel closest to. Having support is one thing. Reaching a whole new depth of support is another. Seeing someone there next to me, who I thought I knew inside and out, seeing their love and support go one step deeper. I'm so blessed.

It could be nothing. There is every reason for me not to fear.

I need to fill that glass, instead of watch it empty.

It will be ok.

image via here

ADDICTION.

I have a confession to make.

My name is Beth, and I'm a frozen-raspberry-aholic.

I made the below Raspberry Eton Mess for dessert when a friend came over for dinner last weekend - and the 500g bag of frozen berries lasted all of 24hrs thereafter. We are now onto our second bag. If I eat a kilo of raspberries in a week will my skin begin to glow red? I sure hope not!

But they're so good! They're like little frozen treats of goodness that pop in your mouth! A small handful of these berries totally hits my evening sugar craving for six!

Enjoy the waist-friendly recipe below :)

RASPBERRY ETON MESS

Servings: 4
Preparation Time: 5 min

Ingredients
120 g Raspberries, fresh
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
2 tub(s) Weight Watchers , Ice Cream Mini Cups, French Vanilla, (290g)
30 g meringue, (3 x 10g nests), lightly crushed

Instructions
1. Reserve 8 raspberries to garnish. Place the remaining raspberries and juice in a medium bowl and lightly crush with a fork.

2. Fold in the ice-cream and meringue until just combined. Spoon Eton mess into four small serving glasses. Serve garnished with the reserved raspberries.

coffee and kilos

So, end of week 1 of the challenge and how did I fair? Dismal to say the least. I'm a bit annoyed, as I stuck to 'the plan' every day this week - and managed a 100g gain! I guess I need to step up the exercise. Hopefully next Tuesday I can report better news.

Speaking of news. Have you heard? The Broadsheet Cafe is coming to town! As part of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, this cafe will exist for 14 days and bring Melbournians the ultimate in coffee indulgence! I'm so excited - I LOVE my morning coffee and it will be well worth the trek over to Crossley St to order!

And I'm ashamed to admit that I only JUST discovered the Broadsheet website when a colleague told me about the cafe. It's a pretty awesome website which claims to be a "definitive guide to exploring Melbourne. These are some of our favourite spots, whether you're here for a day, a week or forever, check them out."

I'm sold!


image via here