5/52 On top of the world

"a portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2014"

4/52

  "a portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2014"

An impromptu suprise baby shower calls for a batch of my highly requested Red Velvet cupcakes.

They are a favourite in this household and I always have an eager little helper.

Especially when it comes to adding red food dye.

On my "to do" list is attempting to make Red Velvet using beetroot as the natural food colour.

For now I know this recipe works, it's delicious and has people fighting the urge to have more than 1.

RED VELVET CUPCAKES

    INGREDIENTS

    11/4 cups SR flour, sifted                2 1/2 tablespoons red food colour

    1/4 cup cocoa                                1 teaspoon vanilla

    3/4 cup caster sugar                       1/2 cup buttermilk, room temerature

    3/4 cup vanilla yoghurt*                   1/2 teaspoon baking soda

    2 eggs, room temperature                1/2 teaspoon white vinegar

• preheat oven to 180/160 fan force. Line cupcake tins
• In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking soda and cocoa. Set aside
• combine sugar, yoghurt, eggs, vinegar and vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy (about 2 mins).
• gradually add flour mixture and mix on low speed until flour has been incorporated.
• slowly add buttermilk, then food colouring and beat until combined.
• divide batter among cupcake cases, about 2/3 full.
• Bake until cake tester inserted in the middle comes out clean (16 - 20 minutes)
• Remove from pans to cool on rack
• When completely cooled, ice with cream cheese frosting

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

500G icing sugar

100g unsalted butter, room temperature

250g cream cheese, cold

• beat icing sugar and butter together until well mixed
• add all cream cheese and beat until it's completely incorporated. Turn mixer to medium high and continue beating until light and fluffy. (add a splash of milk if you need)
• Don not overbeat though as it can quickly become runny.
• Pipe or spread over cooled cupcakes and ENJOY

And I'm convinced these always taste so good because they are cooked with extra love.

* you can use 3/4 cup of vegetable but we like the light and fluffy texture 

the yoghurt gives the cupcakes

Mojito Magic

If you've managed to avoid all the dashboard temperature photos across social media, you may not be aware that summer finally arrived in Melbourne.

The heat was hard to avoid, and being a freckle faced redhead, 
I'm not a huge fan of ongoing scorchers. 

In fact these 40+ degree days I prefer to hibernate.

I do however enjoy a nice cold bevvie on a warm day.

Right now it's all about the Mojito. Especially Passionfruit Mojitos.

So much so that I've even made myself a little Mojito station.

We have no plans on setting up a bar in the new house but I'm starting to 
think about extending my station into a small drinks/cocktail cart. 
I'm still in two minds about it though, so I thought I'd start gathering some ideas. 
Gosh I love pinterest!

It will involve a splash of hot pink and definitely a touch a glitter. 
I love the addition of fresh flowers and the bar/magazine stand 
combo caught my eye as well.
So many ideas.
I'm also loving this Mojito recipe poster 

from Down That Little Lane 

Then the only problem I have is keeping it well stocked!!!!

3/52 Keeping Cool

                                        "a portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2014"

With the mercury reaching beyond 40 everyday and being without a car for a few days we spent long days indoors and did what we could to stay cool. When your 5 this means the only clothing options required are undies or swimmers. 

Or if your my child, as many pieces of polyester you can find……..

2/52

                                     

"a portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2014"

Little girl, big bed.

13 into 14

gorgeous and FREE downloadable calendar from Oh the lovely things

Looking back I almost feel like 2013 is a write off.

It wasn't all bad, but to be honest it didn't pan out as I had planned.

It was supposed to be the year I pathed my "career" out, 

It was supposed to be the year we started building our beautiful home, 

it was supposed to be the year I threw self doubt out the window.

2013 wasn't all bad, I just lost my way a little. 

The "career" part is on hold while priority number one is to get my 
little/big girl easing into school transition. 
Gulp, I can't believe my baby starts school this year!

She is super eager to jump right on in because she wants to be able to "read properly".

The only first day tears will surely be mine.

Our house. My fingers are so intertwined from crossing them it's not funny.

Unexpected delays and waiting for people to dot the i's and cross the t's was not in my plans, but I know that with this (hopefully) final report we are waiting on it will soon be underway.

There's sure to be many a post on the progress, so stay tuned.

And the deal breaker - self doubt. That's something I'm working on and I'm armed with resources (many too many). 2014 will be about focus, I am constantly filled with great ideas but lack the follow through because I lack focus and clarity and that little voice of self doubt takes over. This year I'm working on me and silencing that voice of self doubt.

So 2014 not so much a new beginning but a fresh start.
Let's rock this!

1/52 A new beginning

"a portrait of my child, once a week, every week in 2014"

S drawing buy the light of a salt lamp

Most Sundays during 2013 I felt a twinge of disappointment 

as I viewed Jodi's  52 project posts.

I so wished that I had taken part.

 While I take thousands of photos of Miss S I was a little saddened with my lack of intention.

2013 was chaotic to say the least, and with many new ventures on the 

cards for 2014 I anticipate another whirlwind year.

I have many intentions for 2014, one of which is to join The 52 Project and see it through.

Of course a return to writing and taking beautiful photos are also on that long list.

Wish me luck, oh and 

HAPPY NEW YEAR BEAUTIFUL ONES ,

it's going to be a corker!

xoxo

RIP Dr Patrick

I was prepared, but I wasn't  ready -

 

I feel like I need a little therapy session so I can move on.

We watch Offspring because we can relate.

Sure we don't all have the ability to put an outfit together like Nina Proudman or are carrying the child of a sexy Dr. but there is something that is relateable for everyone.

Maybe it's the parents in the midst of a mid life crisis, an awkward co-worker, a sibling that's gone off the rails or like me someone  a little neurotic with a vivid imagination.

I'm a big cry baby and have shed many a tear watching Offspring - Billie's battle to have a baby, when Alfie was born and of course the happy tears at the end of last season when we saw Nina and Patrick and the ultrasound.

Last night the tears flowed like never before, well not since Molly Jones closed her eyes a sthe screen faded to black leaving Bredan running through a field in Wandin Valley.

After coming to grips with Patrick's death and going through half a box of tissues I found myself obsessively trawling the twittersphere. 

WOW were people mad "How would you" "How could you" "I'll never watch this show again". There were hundreds  thousands of comments exclaiming this was the worst thing Channel 10 has done. 

What a brave decision the writers of Offspring made to kill Dr Patrick,  right as he and Nina had found happiness, right before he was about to finally discover the joys of parenthood. 

Today was unofficially declared "Be nice to an Offspring fan" day as the majority of a nation spent the day mourning a fictitious character - I couldn't even talk about it with out the lump in my throat returning, but then I found myself getting angry as I turned to social media for some solace and group therapy. What angered me the most as I read through the various comments over social media were the comments like "How cruel, how will Nina cope?" 

I love this show even more because shit like this happens in real life and unfortunatley the very sudden and unexpected loss of a loved one is a tragedy I know all to well. 

Circumstances that we can't plan for happen and we have to keep on keepin on. I loved Offspring before Patrick and I imagine I'll continue to love it even if the perv factor has been dramatically reduced.I'm really curious to see what becomes of Nina Proudman.

I get that a lot of people think it's silly to be so upset about a bloody TV show but  don't care. I invite these characters into my lounge room every week and I feel the need to grieve with my pretend friends and say my final farewells.

So goodbye Patrick. 

Thank you for breaking my heart - putting it back together and then re shattering it into a million tiny pieces and thank you Matthew Le Nevez for the regular Wednesday night date and eye candy. 

You will both be missed.

The Great Gatsby

I read The Great Gatsby in high school.

I don't think I enjoyed it at the time.

Actually I don't think I actually enjoyed anything I read at high school.

I love to read and I was excited when literature was an offered subject.

 I think I lasted about a term in that class after realising I really 

disliked being told what I could read. 

Probably a bad move in hindsight - ce sera sera.

I remember being about 19 (ish)  when Romeo and Juliet came out in the cinemas. 

I was definitely a Leonardo DiCarprio fan after seeing The Baskeball Diaries 

- which I initially went to see for Mark Wahlberg and took my basketball loving cousin

 to see. He was in shock with the realisation that this wasn't a movie about basketball.
But we were both amazed by Leonardo.

ANYWAY, I went to see Romeo and Juliet the day it came out. I went alone, 

I had to see it there and then. I was not disappointed. I saw it at the cinemas 
twice more in the following weeks and countless times since. 
And the soundtrack became my life soundtrack

Last Thursday I skipped my afternoon class to see The Great Gatsby. 

This time it was more about Baz Luhrman and Catherine Martin

than Leo, but the combination is perfection.

The reviews are mixed but I LOVED IT.

After having the soundtrack on repeat for weeks it was awesome to hear the songs throughout the movie and the costumes - breathtaking.

Now I just need to find some free time to see it again and continue to obsess about this dress

I must add, one thing between the movie and the book that really struck me was Daisy's likeability. In the book her selfishness is more obvious and I really sympathised with her in the movie. I'm kind of glad though. How divine is Carey Mulligan?

mother's day 2013

??? mashed potato ???

Inspiring

"Life comes with many challenges. The ones that should not scare 

us are the ones we can take on and take control of."

This is too important to not share. READ THIS 

Edit -  I just wanted to add some links to some interesting articles.

 Cancer please F Off

Is this really prevention?

Solo

Last week I packed my bags and headed to Sydney.

On my own!

It was strange. I had been excited about some time alone, I planned 

to do some reading, watch a movie and enjoy a night with a whole bed to myself.

All this before spending ahighly anticipated day with The Creatives.

The reality was a little different than I had anticipated. 

I missed my little family, I left my chargers at home, which crossed the 
blog lovin and movie watching off the list and I didn't sleep very well.

I saw every hour on the bedside clock. I think it was a mix of anxiety and excitement.

After a restless night I got up before 6 and in a bid to erase the night before

I started the day with a little meditation. Then everything fell into place.

Like writing and blogging, meditation is something I am trying to fit in more of. 

Great start to the day. I then went for a morning walk through Manly to find a florist.

I started along the wharf, grabbed a coffee stop and after a couple of wrong
 turns ended along the beach, flowers in hand.

All before 8 a.m. 

I was ready for my adventure. 

After attending The Nursery with Tim last year I had super high expectations.

I can't even begin to articulate how amazing the day was.

Knowledge, yoga, tears, food for our bellies and food for the soul.

Beautiful people and sacred moments, two people leading the day

openly and honestly.

I didn't want it to end.

Loved turning online friends into real life friends

Manly I think i have a big fat crush on you

THE man, doing his thing and his beautiful family.

And a parting gift.

Like the nursery I left with so much more than knowledge.

A million thank you's.  To Tim and Jodi for all that they shared, to the beautiful Belinda who was more than an added bonus to finally meet. To the other gorgeous woman that I got to share the day with. You are all amazing.

And a big thank you to my mummy for getting my baby to kinder in time for story time.

You're the best xx.

My Wild

I had to share a recent find that I AM IN LOVE with 

 you are my wild 

I love how a photo can sum up a personality.

Here's a favourite shot of mine that I guess was inspired my You Are My Wild.

She really is my wild.

Next week I have a workshop booked in that I am super excited about.

I treated myself to The Creatives workshop for Christmas.

I attended The Nusery workshop ran by the wonderful Tim Coulson and didn't hesitate 

for a minute to book this. I thought I'd worry about the logistics later.

Not knowing the layout of Sydney I niavely thought I'd fly in on a super early flight and out again that night, but after working out getting from one side of Sydney to the other would be too stressful, I decided to treat myself to a night away. Trying to stay within budget and avoiding a shared bathroom was harder than expected but with a little research I have a place to lay my head free wifi and a whole bed to myself, fancy that!!!

I  need to devote more time to my creative side. I love taking photos but am always beating myself up with my lack of editing skills. The same goes for writing so I'm hoping this day can open my mind to turn those random scribbles into cohesive sentences, that not only make sense (always a bonus) but are entertaining as well.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous, but my nerves are overshadowed by the thought of the adventure and the added excitement of meeting an online friend in real life -

and who knows maybe this little old blog of mine won't be so neglected...........

April

Dear April,
WOW, you kind of came out of nowhere.
Is it just me or has one third of 2013 just zoomed by. 

It feels like only a couple of weeks ago that I started writing a post about becoming a uni student. Started I say, i never quite back to it and that was in February. 

So there have been lots of changes around here and as we start term 2 of the school year I feel like I'm only just starting to adjust now and working through the koas circulating my brain. This year my plate is full and so far 2013 has turned out to be chocka block!

The little lady started "big kid" kinder, while continually asking "When can I go to school?" and "Can we drive past school today?". It excites me and freaks me out equally. 

I love that she is so eager to learn and experience new things and hopefully it will be an easy transition to starting school, for her at least. I'm still struggling to think my baby is off to school, but enough of that talk today. I don't have any tissues within reach. (Not joking!!!)

Student life has been another huge adjustment and a source of lots of frustration. The study part is easy although not as stimulating as I had hoped. Dealing with the lack of organisation within the system has me pulling my hair out. Obviously government funding cuts have a lot to do with this but I fel like I could teach a few lessons in organisation and management. 

It's also taken a lot for me to adjust to working weekends. It's very quiet in the city on sunday mornings and I have a little mantra "It's only for  a few more months" that I play over in my head as I'm unlocking the doors when I'd rather be enjoying a lazy Sunday breakfast.

The icing on the full plate is we are currenty in the midst of finalising our plans to start building our new home. Again while that is SUPER exciting, another source of frustration as we are totally in the hands of council and the elements, and I won't even start the talk of budgets (BORING).

I feel like when my brain gets too full I turn to my blog in attempt to empty it a little. Maybe even some light relief. That usually happens for a week before it all gets too much again.

As I try to schedule catch ups with my friends I realise that life is just getting busier and busier for everyone. How did this happen, it doesn't feel like that long ago I could spend a few hours watching a Kardashians marathon. So while I do crave a little of nothingness there's a lot more excitement on the horizon for 2013 as I continue to perfect my juggling act.

If anyone has any tips on perfecting their juggling act, I'd love to hear them.

Happy Birthday to me

Birthdays are a funny thing.

It seems that as the years creep up, many people see the day of 

their birth as just another day.

Not me, no siree. 

It's time to celebrate, let loose, break rules, be treated like a princess 

and not feel guilty for eating a whole packet of peanut m&m's.

I'm not talking a tick-e-tate parade, but I love a bit of fanfare.

Knowing that I am surrounded by a majority that are of the "just another day" 

belief I decided to leave an open letter to my family.

I had already published a wish list, to make people's lives easier.

My theory has always been if someone s going to be spending their hard earned 

dollars, I would rather 20 bucks spent on something I want rather than 

$100 wasted on something random.

So this is what I left on the bench.

I was mocked for it, but it left little room for disappointed. I thought.
When it comes to birthdays I am the planner and the baker in my family, I figured this could help make my day "my day".

I often wonder where the line of high maintenance is.
Am I contradicting myself leaving a note so my expectations can be met, 
thinking it makes life easier or am I high maintenance?
Oh well I'll ponder that another day.

The point of my letter was proven though when late in the afternoon I caught 
the Mr paying a lot of atttention to his phone.
I asked if he had a new app. or if he was playing a game, to which he replied 
"No" but didn't elaborate. "Are you texting" I asked. With the speeding Yes that I got in reply I figured he was up to something.

After a little while he admitted that no one had organised a cake and he had been trying to work something out to no avail.

I wanted to be shitty I really did, but I decided it was my birthday and 

I wasn't going to ruin my day by putting myself in a bad mood.

So despite the little hiccup,the day was great.

 I spent time with my nearest and dearest, got to tick lots of things off my wish list and my day went according to plan, with an added mercy dash to Brunetti's.

I'd love to know if there's others out there who want to be showered in glitter on their birthday, because I certainly feel like I'm in the minority on this

Wish list

Apparently I am super hard to buy for but there is always something ridiculous I'm coverting.
I know I'm cutting it fine, but apparently some peeps are aiting for this.

There are plenty things that my heart desires - a new camera and the much dreamt about Chanel handbag but I thought I'd share a more realistic wishlist.

It's huge, impractical, beautiful and slightly ridiculous. 

So it's perfect for me!!!!

I freakin love it, I can't tell you how much I love this giant inflatable swan

It's as practical as plastic backyard flaimingos, but I love them too.

There's plenty of room on my arm for this bangle and this ring would TOTALLY rock my world. A girl can never have too much McQueen

I've been trying to track down a copy of this movie for years.

I'm loving these LOVESTAR vases SOOOO much. 

I have a thing for clear acrylic but the fluro pink........

Then of course these always room in my bookshelves for some new additions from my ever growing book depository wishlist.

xoxo