Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Monday, August 4, 2014
TINY HOUSES
I am currently completely obsessed with tiny houses after watching an awesome doco on Netflix about a guy who built one.
They're not practical for everyone - I don't think I could live with M in a tiny house and never with children/a family, but so much of what they represent appeals to me.
Despite the blog name, I hate actual 'stuff'. I can't stand clutter or too many belongings. When I traveled earlier this year everyone told me how much I would buy. I really didn't. I can't really bring myself to buy something I already own and only need one of (like shoes for exercise, or a camera). It just seems wasteful and silly. I'm not a very good shopper as a result! I'd make a totally terrible fashion blogger. I find giving things away and throwing things out incredibly relaxing. I don't like too much in my wardrobe or pantry or house, and if I've had a stressful day or week, or am trying to make a big decision, I clean and de-clutter. I have to, it's my natural reaction.
We own a small-ish 3 bedroom house. It has an en suite and separate bathroom - it's not a tiny house by any measure, but it's not at all big. Of course M will have a say, but I will never seek a 5 bedroom 2 living area kind of house (if we have children). It's just so unnecessary. I really love the challenge of keeping all your belongings neatly in a smaller space, being forced to be organised and smart.
I wasn't always like this. I used to love to shop, love lots of shoes and clothes and options for bed linen. I changed as I got older. When I see giant walk in robes crammed with neatly stacked shoes and clothing and handbags on the internet and people wishing they had that? I couldn't think of anything worse.
I am a 1 handbag and 1 clutch kind of girl. Really. I just don't get it.
Anyone else with me?
I am blabbing.
Let's see tiny houses!
Maybe I will create a tiny house as a holiday home one day.
All images from Pinterest
They're not practical for everyone - I don't think I could live with M in a tiny house and never with children/a family, but so much of what they represent appeals to me.
Despite the blog name, I hate actual 'stuff'. I can't stand clutter or too many belongings. When I traveled earlier this year everyone told me how much I would buy. I really didn't. I can't really bring myself to buy something I already own and only need one of (like shoes for exercise, or a camera). It just seems wasteful and silly. I'm not a very good shopper as a result! I'd make a totally terrible fashion blogger. I find giving things away and throwing things out incredibly relaxing. I don't like too much in my wardrobe or pantry or house, and if I've had a stressful day or week, or am trying to make a big decision, I clean and de-clutter. I have to, it's my natural reaction.
We own a small-ish 3 bedroom house. It has an en suite and separate bathroom - it's not a tiny house by any measure, but it's not at all big. Of course M will have a say, but I will never seek a 5 bedroom 2 living area kind of house (if we have children). It's just so unnecessary. I really love the challenge of keeping all your belongings neatly in a smaller space, being forced to be organised and smart.
I wasn't always like this. I used to love to shop, love lots of shoes and clothes and options for bed linen. I changed as I got older. When I see giant walk in robes crammed with neatly stacked shoes and clothing and handbags on the internet and people wishing they had that? I couldn't think of anything worse.
I am a 1 handbag and 1 clutch kind of girl. Really. I just don't get it.
Anyone else with me?
I am blabbing.
Let's see tiny houses!
Maybe I will create a tiny house as a holiday home one day.
All images from Pinterest
Sunday, August 3, 2014
(EXPERIMENTAL) PUMPKIN CAKES
So it's probably well established now that I love to cook. I never have meal plans or routines, I don't think it's very challenging and I don't think it's the way to expand my cooking skills, so I always buy what is fresh/in season/on special, keep a few basics and every spice and herb you can imagine (and my herb garden), and go from there. I love it.
Every Sunday I cook a bunch of stuff I love (see what I did there?!) so weekday working meals aren't a bore or a take-out (M and I are both lucky enough to sit at desks all day and leave and arrive home in the dark... ya, hoo).
This past Sunday I made these pumpkin patties.
They came about because I had half a pumpkin left over from my garden and I found giant bunches of fresh coriander on special at the market for .99c (I know - they were huge too and had the roots still attached!). And so these were born.
EXPERIMENTAL PUMPKIN CAKES
I apologise in advance for the extreme vagueness of this poor excuse for a recipe and once again remind myself to start writing stuff down...
- Half a small pumpkin, grated, and zapped in the microwave for 1-2 minutes (until softened but not soggy. If you're not into microwaving, you could steam it a little)
- About 2 tablespoons of finely chopped coriander root and stem, plus a few leaves for colour
- About a tablespoon of shredded coconut
- 1 whole egg, beaten
- About half a cup of quick oats (or regular oats chopped up in your food processor)
- A little (1/4 of a tsp) of finely grated lime zest (I used a microplane if you have one)
- Flour and oil of your choice for coating and frying (I used rye and coconut)
Method;
1. Combine all the ingredients except the flour and oil together. Add a little salt to taste. if the mixture is too wet, add more quick oats.
2. With hands covered in cold water (which you'll need to keep wetting between patties), form patties and coat in flour. I needed to be pretty forceful in compacting them together, but I didn't want to add any more egg or any flour to the mix.
3. Fry the patties in a little oil until golden on both sides and sit on paper towel once they're done to soak up the excess oil (unless you love oil, then don't do this).
Ingredients;
- Half a small pumpkin, grated, and zapped in the microwave for 1-2 minutes (until softened but not soggy. If you're not into microwaving, you could steam it a little)
- About 2 tablespoons of finely chopped coriander root and stem, plus a few leaves for colour
- About a tablespoon of shredded coconut
- 1 whole egg, beaten
- About half a cup of quick oats (or regular oats chopped up in your food processor)
- A little (1/4 of a tsp) of finely grated lime zest (I used a microplane if you have one)
- Flour and oil of your choice for coating and frying (I used rye and coconut)
Method;
1. Combine all the ingredients except the flour and oil together. Add a little salt to taste. if the mixture is too wet, add more quick oats.
2. With hands covered in cold water (which you'll need to keep wetting between patties), form patties and coat in flour. I needed to be pretty forceful in compacting them together, but I didn't want to add any more egg or any flour to the mix.
3. Fry the patties in a little oil until golden on both sides and sit on paper towel once they're done to soak up the excess oil (unless you love oil, then don't do this).
When I made these it only made 4 patties, next time I will definitely make more.
All done!
I took the above photo because it showed the patties, but I ended up adding left over roast veg, plain yoghurt, more fresh coriander (I am obsessed) and a quick home made guac (well, avocado mashed up with a little oil, salt, lime juice and garlic).
I was a fan, hopefully you are too!
All done!
I took the above photo because it showed the patties, but I ended up adding left over roast veg, plain yoghurt, more fresh coriander (I am obsessed) and a quick home made guac (well, avocado mashed up with a little oil, salt, lime juice and garlic).
I was a fan, hopefully you are too!
Patties are so so easy to make. Combine pretty much whatever you want, use oats/flour/cook rice/grated carrot (squeeze out the juice) to bulk them up, and egg to thin them out. Just experiment! You can't go too wrong, and if you're scared of frying you can oven them on baking paper (a little spray oil will help).
Do you do a Sunday cook up?
Mine always takes a couple of hours as the thought of eating the same thing every day bores me to tears so I have to make a few different things and usually a meat-y option for M (I only eat fish these days and haven't touched red meat or chicken in 10 years).
Nat x
Do you do a Sunday cook up?
Mine always takes a couple of hours as the thought of eating the same thing every day bores me to tears so I have to make a few different things and usually a meat-y option for M (I only eat fish these days and haven't touched red meat or chicken in 10 years).
Nat x
Saturday, August 2, 2014
I'M GETTING MARRIED!
This time next year, after 13 years with my absolute best friend, I will be his Mrs.
He proposed in the wee hours of New Years Day this year. I was seriously shocked, I did not expect it at all (after this long, I did not expect it ever). I was never the kind of girl that dreamed of a wedding... I didn't know where to start and avoided the whole planning thing for ages ("after America!" I kept saying). But now, with venues, photographer, celebrant, music and my dress (my dresssss) locked in, and my beautiful friend T's wedding coming up later this year (how fun it is to be engaged at the same time as one of my most precious friends), I am starting to get excited.
I won't talk about the specifics of our day here as it's going to be a small gathering and I want it to be a surprise to all of our nearest and dearest, but I am sure I will bother everyone's eyes with way too much 'inspo' and wedding pinterest results.
We have everything big locked in, but I am super not looking forward to all the details - I just can't wait to be introduced by M as his wife. Oh what a feeling..
13 years later and I honestly still feel like the 15 year old girl who missed him when he went to rowing practice on a Thursday afternoon. Just so happy and so lucky.
So who else is getting married?
Anything you're stuck on?
The dress, music and food are the most important elements for me (apart from becoming Mrs. and the family being there which is all that really matters). The only thing I think I'll have trouble with is the flowers but I'm sure that'll change once I speak to a florist..
Stay tuned and would love to hear about your plans or or what you loved about your wedding day!
Nat x
He proposed in the wee hours of New Years Day this year. I was seriously shocked, I did not expect it at all (after this long, I did not expect it ever). I was never the kind of girl that dreamed of a wedding... I didn't know where to start and avoided the whole planning thing for ages ("after America!" I kept saying). But now, with venues, photographer, celebrant, music and my dress (my dresssss) locked in, and my beautiful friend T's wedding coming up later this year (how fun it is to be engaged at the same time as one of my most precious friends), I am starting to get excited.
I won't talk about the specifics of our day here as it's going to be a small gathering and I want it to be a surprise to all of our nearest and dearest, but I am sure I will bother everyone's eyes with way too much 'inspo' and wedding pinterest results.
We have everything big locked in, but I am super not looking forward to all the details - I just can't wait to be introduced by M as his wife. Oh what a feeling..
13 years later and I honestly still feel like the 15 year old girl who missed him when he went to rowing practice on a Thursday afternoon. Just so happy and so lucky.
So who else is getting married?
Anything you're stuck on?
The dress, music and food are the most important elements for me (apart from becoming Mrs. and the family being there which is all that really matters). The only thing I think I'll have trouble with is the flowers but I'm sure that'll change once I speak to a florist..
Stay tuned and would love to hear about your plans or or what you loved about your wedding day!
Nat x
Friday, August 1, 2014
FRIDAY
The eighth month already... wow.
How was your week?
Mine has been really busy. I am really tired and can feel myself getting a bit run down. Not quite a cold, but the whole 'throat's a bit sore at night and sinuses hurt' deal. Work has been busy in that way where I've had to think a lot for 2 weeks, which is good! But tiring. I want wine most nights. Red wine, just the bottom of a glass, every night.
Plus I found out yesterday I need a wisdom tooth 'pretty urgently' pulled. I am not a good dental patient at the best of times, so this isn't sitting well with me. I don't feel relaxed because I am all, 'yes, but you need a wisdom tooth pulled.. you can't relax knowing that!'. I'm not booked in yet, I'll think about it after the weekend.
How much do you want to curl up on this bed all weekend and watch the rain?
So perfect.
It's so cold in Melbourne right now. It was OK a couple of days ago and 19 degrees... now it is freezing. 1 month of winter left.
I hope you all have a beautiful relaxing weekend.
.. and if you have any comforting words or advice on wisdom tooth removal, send them my way.
Nat x
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
BLACK & WHITE BEDROOM
SHOP
Country Road Alma Throw / The Hall Cement Pot Plant / Jenna Kutcher Print / Ikea Stockholm Cushion / Zanui Rug / Tracie Ellis Quilt Cover / Matt Blatt Light / Matt Blatt Tables
all images pinterest
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
BEETROOT BOWL
Do you like Beetroot?
I love it. So much.
M does not.
So when M was interstate on business last week and I had 2 big fresh beets in the fridge and no motivation to cook, I make the below super easy, super healthy and for me, super yummy din.
(Disclaimer; This may be referred to as 'Natty Food' - a description invented by M to described foodstuff that only I could possibly think is yummy. In his mind, anyway).
So what is this...
Well, it's roasted beetroots (olive oil and salt)
Roasted garlic (whole clove (don't peel!), roast with the beetroots, squeeze it out when it's done and mix through the warm beetroots)
There's butter beans (but you could use chickpeas - I think lentils would be too strong but up to you)
There's fresh dill (it's in my garden, it grows like a weed)
And there's natural yoghurt (if I had greek yoghurt or feta, I would've used that).
Do you think I'm mad?
Maybe you'd have more acceptance for it if it were made as a side or a salad.. but I am a 'let's have 2 beetroots for dinner' kind of girl.
Anyone with me?
Nat x
I love it. So much.
M does not.
So when M was interstate on business last week and I had 2 big fresh beets in the fridge and no motivation to cook, I make the below super easy, super healthy and for me, super yummy din.
(Disclaimer; This may be referred to as 'Natty Food' - a description invented by M to described foodstuff that only I could possibly think is yummy. In his mind, anyway).
So what is this...
BEETROOT BOWL
Well, it's roasted beetroots (olive oil and salt)
Roasted garlic (whole clove (don't peel!), roast with the beetroots, squeeze it out when it's done and mix through the warm beetroots)
There's butter beans (but you could use chickpeas - I think lentils would be too strong but up to you)
There's fresh dill (it's in my garden, it grows like a weed)
And there's natural yoghurt (if I had greek yoghurt or feta, I would've used that).
Do you think I'm mad?
Maybe you'd have more acceptance for it if it were made as a side or a salad.. but I am a 'let's have 2 beetroots for dinner' kind of girl.
Anyone with me?
Nat x
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