a Bloomsbury mood...

the lovely Mel from Styled Canvas had a Moodboard challenge this month  over on her blog.
Of course I had to give it a go.

I used to really enjoy collecting clippings of  inspiring fashion images - fashion layouts are like beautiful visual stories...so much thought into each look and image...
a collaboration between creatives!
lately for me its all about interiors and ideas for our new home
so it was nice to go through what I had on hand and create this moodboard...

some quiet time, a strong cup of tea and magazine clippings...
Enjoyable!

Smoothie showdown

Neo and I had a great time in the kitchen this afternoon!  We made not one, but two, different smoothies and thought it would be interesting to taste and rate...I found two recipes on Pinterest - one that was considerably healthy and one that was on calorie overload, serious stuff!
Neo couldn't wait to help but I think his idea of helping was eating...ha-ha it got messy!  We saved a glass for Peter who came home an hour later and my niece stopped by as well so we gave her a taste too and made her rate our creations...

Smoothie 1.
Healthy 'Banana Cream Pie'
2 bananas (frozen for an hour or two...)
1 cup vanilla yoghurt
good pinch of cinnamon
good splash of vanilla essence
1 cup almond milk
Blitz it all up until thick and creamy.
Serve with crushed biscuit (optional) and whipped cream (optional)

Average score out of ten.
Flavor 6.25
Texture 5.5
Smell 5.6 (only 3 of us scored this as my niece had a blocked nose...)
Satisfaction 6.75

I scored this quite high actually as it was a really yummy smoothie, the kids were really tough on this one

Next up we have the wicked smoothie...the real deal!
Smoothie2.  
Salty Pretzel and Chocolate Fudge Milkshake with Nutella and Malted whipped cream...phew!

Chocolate Fudge sauce:
150g dark chocolate
1/2 cup thick cream
2 Tblspns Brown sugar
splash of vanilla ess
Heat over a medium stove until thick and gooey - drizzle all over the inside of your serving glasses...
Milkshake:
1/4 cup pretzels - crushed
3/4 cup vanilla icecream
1/3 cup Nutella
1/2 cup almond milk
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Blitz it all up until thick and creamy.
Whip 1/2 cup thick cream until stiff and add 1 Tablespoon malted milk powder and some vanilla essence.  Fold gently.  Top the Milkshake with the Whipped malted cream and drizzle more of the chocolate Fudge sauce.
Enjoy!

Score for this indulgent smoothie...(yes it was a huge hit with the kids but no surprise there...)
Average
Flavour  8.5
Texture 7
Smell 8.6
Satisfaction 9

so I hope you liked our little Smoothie showdown...

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

Mood boards for Inspiration

Do mood boards help you get inspired?
They are a great way to get some focus - be it colour or theme or maybe a mood board for your next collection or project?  I love looking at other people's mood boards - I have a board here on pinterest
I was excited to see that Holly of Decor8 has started a Monday 'Mood board' challenge over on Instagram.
What a fun way to get inspired, a little creative and to join in on some fun with others - you can see her post with all the details here 
I'm going to try and join in each week - I need to get some creativity into my life!

*images
Top * 1/ 2/ 3/ 4/

Serious interior Envy!

We are building a house.
Yay!! It's finally happening.
After so many trips to display home estates, pouring over home plans and home websites we have signed off and its really going to happen!
There are a few new homes been built in our neighborhood so I’ve been eyeing in, observing the different stages and whilst I’m super excited for our turn soon,  I’m also super nervous.
This is a new experience for us and I’m trying really hard to focus on the end result so I don’t freak right out!
I think all these feelings are very normal and I need to take it all in and enjoy the process as it unfolds - hard for an impatient girl.
So as you know I’ve been collating images both on Pinterest (hello! Future Home) and also in a magazine clippings folder (old school Pinterest).


The dream home I have in my head and also what I’m visualising from interior decorated images (picture perfect) is a little silly - serious interior envy!
We don’t have an endless budget and we all know homes should be lived in and not a show home.

Creating a home that is comfortable and practical, warm and inviting is my focus.
Wish me luck!

*images via Pinterset
top -  Emily Henderson
Middle - Decor Pad/Domaine
Home
Bottom - Style at Home

Reflect

It's Monday! 
don't forget to be 
awesome.

(a little boost if the coffee isn't helping....)

Pinspire for colour

I'm getting a little colour inspiration tonight.
Its one of those quiet nights at home (not complaining at all...).  The TV is on but nothing to watch, hubby is reading...the boys are now asleep.
...I've jumped onto Pinterest to see what is inspiring people, what people are pinning and what is standing out for me!

Colour creates a mood within us - we shouldn't neglect the power of colour and what it can do!
here are some of my pins teamed up to create lovely feelings
Top: soft, cozy, quiet, minimal ...gentle  * Middle: bold, punchy, zesty, crisp...fresh
Bottom: unwind, boho, independant...free
* all images via my pinterest