Storage woes...

So our place is small, and I like to hoard.

Not the greatest marriage.

Our living area is home to a number of mismatched items: a dark brown really big couch; a pine wood tv stand; a dark brown/walnut coffee table; a dark brown wooden table...you get the picture.

With our small bookshelf overcrowding and my collection of junk ever-growing, I've been looking at the Ikea expdit series to help solve some of our storage woes. The only problem is - which colour do I go?

In my ideal world our whole house would be white with light/natural/taupe pieces of furniture (like my obsession with these couches which are popping up more and more). But our rented walls are green and the furniture that we have is dark...so I should go with the dark option, right? Keeping everything same same and possibly making the room look even smaller with all the dark heavy pieces?

Or do I throw caution to the wind and start my collection of white pieces - so that gradually I can start changing things over to how I really want the place to be. I've always wanted to get my DIY-hat on and paint the table white, after seeing too many cool examples in Real Living over the years, and I could easily paint the TV stand white. Or is that just a lot of unnecessary work?

But look at how pretty the white shelves can look:

But then the dark are not too bad either:

Oh decisions, decisions. I seem awfully incapable of making them these days!

Paris; she stole my heart...

I could have stayed forever...with my love, in the city of love...bliss!

But now I'm back, after seven glorious weeks exploring all that Europe had to offer. So many highlights, so many surprises, so much fun. I'll be sure to share some more...

I've decided to put together a scrapbook of my Europe travels, so plenty of research to be done - I've never scrapbooked before! I want to make a beautiful collection of the best photos and memorabilia that I collected along the way - a fun little project to keep my mind from the 'post travel blues' !!

Are you a scrapbook pro? Any hints or tips to get me started?!

(Ali I think I'll be stalking your blog for the next little while...!!)

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.