Saturday, September 22, 2012

The girl's in love playlist

  1. Goreki — Lamb
  2. Perfect Day — Lou Reed
  3. This Old Love — Lior
  4. In your Arms — Kina Grannis
  5. Stuck on You — Lionel Ritchie
  6. Love You –– Maxwell
  7. Heat Wave (love is like a) — Martha and the Vandella's
  8. The Sweetest Taboo — Sade
  9. Love at First Sight — Kylie Minogue
  10. Crazy in Love — Beyonce
  11. Feel so Close — Calvin Harris
  12. Don’t Look Back — Tommie Sunshine & Disco Fries
  13. Walking on a Dream — Empire of the Sun
To celebrate love, life and the promise of a lifetime of happiness. For Bestie Couture's wedding to her beloved and amazing soul mate.

Listen to it on YouTube.

Saturday, August 11, 2012

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Tea for one


A birthday present for Bestie Couture
Velvet Couture pattern: Tiny cat paw cosy 

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Tidying not

I promised Mr Couture that I would tidy up this afternoon. Of course, to me, this meant sorting through and organising my yarn, sewing some buttons on a cardigan that I finished a couple of weeks ago, taking photos of some finished projects with my new camera, picking up a dropped stitch and just doing a 'few' rows to make sure everything was in order, and finishing off a fine pot of tea.

I should tidy up more often.
















Thursday, August 2, 2012

The cake bet

Coming first place on the footy tipping ladder for six weeks went straight to my head. Sadly, I couldn’t handle the pressure of success and have slid down a few spots. But this doesn’t stop me mouthing off before every round about making a comeback to take the glory of first place at the end of the season. Or making crazy bets with people when our teams play that my team will win.

My team did not win. And I am the loser of the cake bet.

Round 21: Bulldogs V Cowyboys

Chocolate orange cupcakes

Monday, July 30, 2012

A winter hat

In the office I was asking after a colleague who went into hospital unexpectedly for an operation. "I should knit her something..." I remarked without thinking in that off-handed way. "Yeah, she likes hats" was the reply. 

Challenge accepted. 


Pattern source:
The Meret
Woolly Wormhead


Saturday, July 21, 2012

A shawl

A lady from work lost her husband recently. I could not express in words my sorrow for her loss and emptiness. I knitted her a shawl so she would know I was thinking of her and sent it with prayers of love and courage.



The Sunlight Shawl for Sad People

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Cake of origin

It's the highlight of the footy season. Although for some it's about a tri-series game.

Red Velvet cupcakes in team colours (and a couple of referees)

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Keeping warm

Warm café, laughs, yarn & cake... the perfect remedy for a cold windy day.

Saturday knitting group, 2pm

Monday, May 14, 2012

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Mothers day playlist

1. Somebody That I Used to Know (feat. Kimbra) – Gotye 
2. Rolling In The Deep – Adele
3. Oh! Hark! – Lisa Mitchell
4. Shake It Out – Florence + the Machine
5. Black Sheep – Gin Wigmore
6. Wild Love – Gossling
7. Met Before – Chairlift
8. Rosebud – The Jezabels
9. Cloudbusting – Kate Bush
10Breathe Me –  Sia
11. Hold On – Angus & Julia Stone
12. Perfect World - Gossip
13. Creepin' In - Nora Jones (feat. Dolly Parton)
14. Central Reservation (William Orbit remix) – Beth Orton

Perfect for a cold rainy day, mum and seafood paella.


Wednesday, April 25, 2012

The spirit the ANZACs left behind

The spirit of ANZAC is often spoken of. In its purity it recognises the qualities of courage, mateship and sacrifice that were demonstrated at the Gallipoli landing. But to many it means so much more.

In 2001, I spent ANZAC day at Gallipoli. It was so moving, beautiful and so eerie – an experience I will never forget. Atatürk's beautiful tribute to the ANZACs stands proud at ANZAC Cove. It shows the grief and respect shown to all men of the battle.

Those heroes that shed their blood And lost their lives...
 You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country.
 Therefore, rest in peace.
 There is no difference between the Johnnies
 And the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side,
 Here in this country of ours.
 You, the mothers, who sent their sons from far away countries...
Wipe away your tears. 
Your sons are now lying in our bosom And are in peace.
 After having lost their lives on this land, they have
 Become our sons as well.
M. Kemal Atatürk, 1934

Today I think of the service men and women and their families; their courage, sacrifice and pride. And I think of that ANZAC spirit.


Lest we forget.

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Toast: the modern day luxury

In a time where every weekday morning I scoop my muesli into my mouth as if to break the world record for eating the fastest breakfast possible, I look forward to the more leisurely weekend meal of toast and a pot of tea.


Friday, January 6, 2012

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Bike family

L-R: Mike, Christina, Ruby Belle Charlotte, Mal, Mary-Anne

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Benefits of a bicycle



Not sure who to credit here (sorry cleaver illustrator)... but I love it!

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Christmas eve 2011

I love the anticipation of Christmas morning. Even though now I'm officially all grown up, it's anticipation of a different kind. Of looking forward to the hustle and bustle of a hot kitchen, of nieces and nephews running underfoot with new toys, of just taking time out to spend with family.

This Christmas I am thankful for love, family and health. And know that I am blessed.


Friday, December 2, 2011

Christmas tree day

I love putting the Christmas tree up on the 1st of December. It’s a pretty big job and it’s nice to enjoy the tree for the whole month (plus those days in January, where I delay pulling it down as long as possible).

In my house, putting the tree up is quite the occasion – bad Christmas movies, typically sung Christmas music, special champagne and delicious party food. It’s an annual tradition that started the first Christmas Mr Couture and I were in our home.

For me, it also signals the start of the festive season. From here until New Year’s Day I will be full of festive cheer and excitement (read: partying, socialising and indulging).

Festive greetings!



Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Sunshine

After the rain, the sun shines through with the promise of warmth and hope.


Friday, November 11, 2011

Afternoon tea

My family knows how to put on a big spectacular spread. A couple of weeks ago we had a big afternoon tea for close family, visiting family, visiting inlaws, little ones and bigger ones. It spanned four generations and was a fabulous afternoon of laughter and conversation.


Portuguese custard tarts are quickly becoming my speciality. They're so delicious and are surprisingly easy to make. 
 
 
Portuguese custard tarts
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 1 whole egg
  • ½ cup caster sugar
  • 2 tbsp cornflour
  • 400ml Milk
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • One sheet of puff pastry

1. Grease a 12-hole muffin tray with soft butter.
 
2. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and continue whisking as you gradually add in the sugar then cornflour until you have a nice smooth paste. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth.

3. Pour custard mixure into a pan over a medium heat and cook, stirring, until the mixture thickens and comes to the boil. Remove from the heat, transfer the custard to a bowl and whisk through the vanilla extract. Cover the surface with cling wrap to prevent a skin forming and let cool.
 
4. Preheat the oven to 200C.

5. Fold the sheet of pastry in ½ and roll up tight from the short end. Cut 12 slices off the roll. On a floured surface and using a rolling pin, roll out each slice to a circle-ish shape and fit into each muffin hole.

6. Spoon in the custard and roll the pastry sides in slightly. Cook for about 20 minutes or until the custard starts to brown.

Enjoy with friends.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Buy nothing new month: over and out

This last month was surprisingly easy. Highlights included cleaning out my over-full wardrobe and donating 3 garbage bags full of clothing I no longer need to charity, not replacing old/small/wrong clothes immediately and then realising that I don't even need to; and remodelling a fascinator that I’ve had for years with some extra tuille I had stashed in the craft box to wear for the office Melbourne Cup festivities.

Buying nothing new is so much more fun with craft!

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Buy nothing new month: the home straight

I've been avoiding thinking about this non-spending business too much in an effort to avoid the seemingly long lists of things I'll be rushing to the shops for in November.

But seriously, this month has been good. I've unsubscribed to a lot of fashion type emails I don't really read and it's nice not to hear about every sale going on for shops I don't really frequent. Of course I've kept connected to my favorite labels that are always top of my list.

So will I be rushing to the shops, credit card in hand at 9am on the 1st of November? Many (including Mr Couture) would say yes. But I'm not so sure. I've been enjoying the down time.

Monday, October 10, 2011

The second anniversary is cotton

The traditional gift for the second wedding anniversary is cotton. It is said that as both durable and versatile, cotton represents these two important qualities in a successful marriage and is seen as a symbol of great prosperity.

Mr Couture and I are not big present givers, preferring instead to spend some time together sipping a fabulous wine, sharing a delicious meal and chatting away enjoying a beautiful scenery.

This anniversary was spent lunching at Southern Highland Winery. There’s something so delightfully decadent about lunching on such a beautiful estate looking over vines, playful calfs and lush green fields; wearing simple, durable cotton.

Credit: iStockphoto

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Buy nothing new month: one week down

So immediately after I took the pledge to buy nothing new in October my shopping self went into survival mode: I was mentally making lists of all the things I absolutely needed... couldn’t live a moment longer without. I was cursing all my favourite shops sending me emails that proudly described the fabulous sales they were having – as if to mock me.

New dress this, gorgeous shoes that.... never to be repeated sale this weekend only...

Deep breaths. And the initial panic subsided.

I’m even planning to look in the back of the wardrobe to see if there’s anything I’ve forgotten about and can drag out to wear for the weekend. I’m pretty sure there is...