Soup-y!

Soup! Is there anything nicer on a cold day...?
Its the most perfect simple meal that fills that hungry spot.  Packed with goodness.
I made two different types of soups on the weekend 'Roasted Vegetable' and 'French Onion'.

I don't always get the chance to cook ahead but I spent Sunday afternoon cooking since it was freezing outside -  its so great not to have to scramble in the kitchen after a tiring day at work during the week.
I'm always happy having a bowl of soup to eat!

French Onion soup
(my easy version)
a small knob of butter
3-4 onions, thinly sliced
dollop of olive oil
Add all to heavy saucepan and caramelise, over low heat stirring often for about 15-20mins until soft and fragrant.
Add 1 litre Vegie (or Beef) stock
Add a bay leaf or two and gently bring to the boil.
Remove Bay leaf and
season with Salt & Pepper.

Grate some Parmesan cheese (or other strong cheese) and sprinkle over the soup of the hot soup.
Serve straight away!



More yummy Soups (click away...)

*Lemon, Chicken and Ozro soup

*Mick's easy Pumpkin soup

*Tuscan white bean soup - 2 ways

*Restorative Vegetable broth

Summer's End

Goodbye Summer!
What a scorching weekend, we had plans for the beach today but after a late night and waking up to another steamy hot morning, the thought of sitting in the sun was not that appealing...instead we ventured out for a late lazy lunch and then hung out at home.
lucky! because this afternoon there was a wild storm that swept through the whole city...crazy winds and a downpour!
Hope everyone stayed safe.

This and that...
this afternoon the hubs and I watched 'Drive' (2011)  - I'm not a huge Ryan Gosling fan but he was very good in this, although the movie was quite violent, dark and gory.
I also loved 'The Place beyond the Pines' which also stars Ryan, so very sad.

I cooked this for dinner today, a real hit!

an interesting yet funny read  

these free printable sandwich wraps are colourful and fun - step it up on your next picnic outing or surprise the kids in their lunchbox!

Beautiful food styling 

This master bedroom makeover - Wow!! from scary to gorgeous!
have a great week ahead everyone!

Image - A Daytana Beach, Florida, 1954 by Berenice Abbott

Spring Fling

With Spring finally here I'm looking forward to spending lots of time outdoors.  Spring always gets me in the mood to 'do' things - spring clean, go on a picnic, visit a new cafe...I thought it was be a nice chance to collaborate with the lovely Catherine and Mel to feature something 'Spring' related on our blogs today.
On Saturday I headed to 'Ramsgate Farmer's market' with my sister.  I love how Farmer's Markets are so popular now, they seem to be popping up in many suburbs each week.   Its not just a trend - I really think people becoming more aware and informed about where their food comes from.  We also want to eat well ...i know I do - more real food! less of processed stuff please!
Not only is visiting the Farmer's Market a chance to shop from local farmers and buy food that is in season, its a perfect way too discover foodies with a real passion, making and selling some interesting and tasty things!
The 'Farmer's Market' has been up and running a few years now - its my sister's local market and everyone seems to know her as she's there every Saturday!
The produce is always excellent, there's the Cheese guy (French and cute!) who also makes the best yoghurt (so good!)  a few butchers, lots of fruit & vegetable stands...there's the juicers and cake bakers. Older locals offering some delicious treats from their homeland and the hipster raw food sellers selling healthy alternatives...oh and great coffee on offer too!
Its a wonderful way to spend a Saturday morning - with the warmer weather I hope to visit the Farmer's market more often!

Please go visit Catherine's blog 'FarmHouse Home' and
Mel's blog
'Armoire, Pegs and Casserole' 
to see their Spring inspired blog posts...

Fresh, crisp
Fruit & Veggies in all sorts of wonderful colours!

...in the thick of it..

baby its cold outside....
sure is!
its been freezing lately!

I do love Winter but hate that it takes me forever to adjust and climatise until I can finally feel warm and comfortable...and then its probably time to head outside again.
...it doesn't even snow in Sydney, imagine having that Winter element to deal with everyday...

Some lovely Winter looks for inspiration...
layers of warmth,
wool, booties...coats, jackets and knits...beautiful!

images via
Pinterest
via 1 /2 /3 /4 /5

Toasty

I think the long awaited cold snap has finally hit Sydney...we’ve been lucky with very mild weather lately, It’s been wonderful to have lots of sunshine but I don’t mind that there will be a change coming through.
 ... as long as it doesn’t rain too much (frizzy hair people!), it’s nice to experience the seasons as they should be.
I say ‘Embrace it!’ ...change is inevitable right and who doesn't love toasty socks, warm drinks and home comforts...

My 11yr old set off for 3-day school camp this morning and I ensured he took warm layers, snacks and deodorant (haha..)
I think I drove him crazy with mother worry (= love).
I’m always so nervous when my kids are away from home which isn’t often, I really miss them and yes, I worry like crazy that they are fed, warm, safe.
It doesn’t matter how busy we are, we always find time to worry...I need to ‘chill’ a little.
He was super excited to go, he felt very grown up, very excited to be with his friends, so I’ll be here waiting...

How delicious does this soup below look? I found it on the 'What Katie Ate' blog  - Chorizo Lentils and Roasted Tomato - Oh yum!  I'm getting hungry thinking about it, I'll have to try it this weekend.
I've been working on some Cards and gift-tags for the Sydney Etsy Team's 
‘Etsy Craft Party 2014’ held this Friday – the theme this year is ‘Recapture’ and we have 4 projects on offer.
I’ve been meaning to take some WIP pics to share with you all but I’ve been getting home late and it’s too dark for photo taking... Its going to be a great night, I’ll take lots of photos!
I’ve also signed up do Sarah Wilson’s , ‘I quit Sugar’ 8week program.
..part of me says ‘Yes, bring it on!! My body and digestion really need this...’ and part of me says ‘WTF are you doing girl..??’
More to come....

* images Top/ Bottom

Goodbye Summer - Hello Autumn!

The last day of Summer...and its raining in Sydney so I'm glad I started the day early, finished the weekly grocery shopping and am now enjoying the rest of my day at home and out of the wet.
So hello Autumn! I love your changing colours and am looking forward to more movie nights, comfort food and warm drinks, fragrant candles and cozy cardigans...as well as a stack of new books to read on cooler days and nights...

I love this image to the left - it has a carefree vibe with the flowing dress and neutral booties..a pretty 'Transitional' look!
and below are some fashionable Etsy picks for the new season.
Leather clutch in Teal Green by Iragrant
Moth necklace by MySelvagedLife
Aqua Teal Leather Bangles by
byJodi

top image via Frank Vinyl

Its a little Nippy outside....

I'm snuggled up in my warm pyjamas as I type this...hot tea by my side!  a comfortable setting and  the best way to blog...
It was really cold today, we had a simple bean stew for dinner tonight served with crusty bread -  perfect for such a nippy day.
… I came across this image on Pinterest - I adore cable knit jumpers, her complete outfit is adorable dont you think? but I love the idea of a cozy bakery on a chilly day...the smell of warm dough in the air...

speaking of bakeries have you ever tried to make a batch of French croissants ...from scratch?
'Why bother?'  you ask,
when its so easy to buy one somewhere nearby...?
I just think it would be a nice  challenge Id like to try sometime...and the image below is from 'Adventures in Cooking' blog - the recipe looks easy enough?
I must admit I really enjoy
baking more than cooking- I came back from our USA trip  eager to learn to bake Cinnamon rolls (yes, we ate many rolls during our trip! SO good!)
I made coconut bread last week - it took 4hrs in total but was so satisfying and my loaf looked awesome - I was so proud!  It was also a big hit with  my boys - we ate the whole loaf by the end of the day!

*images via Pinterest 

(Fresh) Chamomile
...Im not a huge fan of Chamomile tea...I think it goes back to my childhood when it was always offered if I had an upset tummy...
My parents and grandparents always drank fresh herbal teas - me? Im not really a fan, I prefer my black tea (bag) with a splash of milk.

I do however think fresh Chamomile flowers are so pretty - how lovely do they look all  bunched up together - fresh indeed!

*images by SheWhoEats blog

Early Spring
Lilac beauty....

The transition to a new season always seems so slow so this trip to California was perfect timing.
We've headed straight into Spring, one of my favorite seasons.
Its like a
re-awakening!
....people just want to get out of hibernation and into the fresh air.

Beautiful fresh flowers in pretty shades always makes it feel like Spring has finally arrived!

*images via DreamyWhites

Spring
...is here!!
The first day of Spring and the Sun was present all day, a lovely day!
.. but it's still chilly outside ...the transition from Winter to Summer always leaves me confused in how to dress, but its always exciting knowing whats to come...
Warmer weather and long days....
Blooming flowers, Thin t-Shirts and cotton skirts, outdoor activities and chilled drinks...

Tomorrow is
Fathers Day in Australia and we're planning a picnic outdoors!
Can't wait!...

*image by
 Monika Norrby

Looks like its going to be a pastel Summer!
yes, it sure looks that way...all the shops are displaying clothes in the sweet powdery shades - is all so very 1980s to me!  (...been there done that)
Do you like pastels?
I think i prefer them in the home than on my body, how pretty is that table setting below?
Being a brunette I prefer to wear lots of primary colours  - black, white, blue, purple and I like to observe trends but I dont always follow them...I'm kind of unadventurous like that but anyway bring on Summer!  Cant wait!

 

 

images  one , two, three, four, five, six

the week that was....

not much of a Summer holiday up the coast - it rained and rained some more... but life was so slow and leisurely I wasn't complaining!

We still managed to go for long walks on the beach everyday (great for those leg muscles), we played card games, the boys went hunting for sea creatures among the beach rocks, Andrew and I celebrated 12 years of marriage....lots of great family time and yummy food in a great house with a huge deck and an awesome view- bliss!

Whilst it rained I had many coffee and tea breaks and managed to read some

great books!

back home now, we're back at work, boys went back to school

....life is back to normal!

Shades of a new season....

I'm embracing the changes but sadly not the hay fever....

I'm suffering so badly but I'm

stocked up on my antihistamine tablets so that'll get me through the next few weeks.

I spotted this wonderful green growth

in-between our garden pavers the other day

....a quick reminder that when it comes to Man vs Nature,

...Nature always wins!

i love how they have forced their prettiness through the heavy concrete slabs....

and to finish off this Happy Tuesday post, some new 'SPRING in your step' items added to my shop!!

Well hello Spring!!

first day of Spring on this side of the world...I love the changes you sense, feel and see when a new season begins...looking forward to warmer days and spending more time outdoors.



Just to push things along I say yay to
fresh flowers in the home
open windows to let that breeze in and winter damp out - i do this daily even when Im at work (no fear!)
maybe its time to change the bedcovers to something lighter and softer in colour...

happy Spring!

*images
by Victoria Pearson for HouseBeautiful and bottom image by Micky Hoyle

Well, it's winter in Australia and absolutely freezing cold (at least in the south). Actually, it's meant to be the coldest winter we've had in decades. Now,I know the phrase "Australian winter" might seem like an oxymoron but this year is expected to be the coldest winter that we've had in decades meaning it will be the best one yet!

I say "best one yet" with lots of excitement because I, and my lovely family simply adore winter. We love the snuggling, the layers of blankets and reading in bed. I spend hours (truely) redecorating my house for winter but most of my time is spent in the bedroom...decorating it. I love warm colours, deep reds and pinks, all delicious and enveloping. I love cushions and quilts, so pretty and cosy. I love garlands and lamps, OH the lamps! GAH! So much gorgeousness!

So, here are some of my favourite winter decorating inspiration photos.

click on each image for more information

Now you can get to work creating your own dream space using the polyvore editor below. Just drag the items from below the CREATE space and have fun! Then click on Gallery to see what others are creating!

Get your own Mini Editor from Polyvore

Thank you so much for reading my very first ever guest post. I hope that I did my fabulous blogging friend proud.

Rachel x