Spoon full of medicine.

Thank goodness for the weekend!! I've been quite unwell over the past week which meant every morning was a serious struggle to crawl out of the house and travel to the city for classes. Even after pill popping to the extreme it STILL feels like there has been no improvement. Whyyy body why!! 

On another note: this morning it was 'my turn' to look after Topi (he likes to wake up eaaaarly and whine til the sun comes up), so a walk it was! - followed by some ball fetching, toy wrestling and the general hundred hugs he likes to give every minute of the day. 

The mornings are definitely getting a lot cooler over here (including the nights) and I've noticed a few hot chocolate circle stains already on cups in the house. Personally I love to start my day off with hot water and freshly squeezed lemon. There are some amazing benefits to such an idea (for those who have never tried it and are thinking whaaat?) which include the lemons ability to:

1. Boost your immune system (they are high in vitamin C and potassium) 

2. Balance pH levels (reduce your body's overall acidity, yes it's true!) 

3. Helps aid weight loss (high in pectin fibre, which helps fight hunger cravings) 

4. Aids digestion (flushes out those nasty toxins) 

5. Clears skin (bingo! there is also a myth that you can apply lemon directly to scars to help reduce their appearance...not sure if that's 100% accurate but if anyone knows something more about it -> let us know!) 

6. Is a diuretic: if you have a weak bladder, this may be a problem ;) 

7. Freshens breath

8. Relieves respiratory problems

9. May help with coffee addiction (can always give it a go right?) 

As a last bit of knowledge on the subject - Jethro Kloss in his book Back to Eden;

“The medicinal value of the lemon is as follows: It is an antiseptic, or is an agent that prevents sepsis [the presence of pathogenic bacteria] or putrefaction [decomposition of tissue]. It is also anti-scorbutic, a term meaning a remedy which will prevent disease and assist in cleansing the system of impurities.”

So there you have it! Some may like it, some may not. I definitely recommend giving it a go if you never have. Now off to go and start the day in proper fashion by smashing these assessment pieces out for once and for all! (gotta try keep the enthusiasm levels up ;D...) 

♥♥♥

Keep on going and the chances are you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it. I have never heard of anyone stumbling on something sitting down.

- Charles Kettering

Uh oh...

I was a little naughty today - I spent a teeny bit more money than I intended (money that I didn't necessarily have...) But isn't it just one of those funny things? You say you won't spend a dollar and then you end up spending three. I have been feeling quite under the weather lately (how can I get a cold when it's not even Winter?) so to make myself feel better, I've justified today's shopping as self pity purchases ;D 

I LOVE plum coloured clothes hence I couldn't resist the gorgeous SABA peter pan collared shirt I spotted in David Jones. The material is so soft and the fit is as versatile as any shirt - can be tucked in, tucked out, worn by itself...you name it ;D The sheer blouse is by Mink Pink and is a beautiful shade of pink with lace detail lining the buttons and pockets. The witchery loafers were another 'too good to resist' offer and again, are a perfect shade of plum to compliment all my neutral favourites. Oh Witchery... you never disappoint! 


Hopefully everyone has had a lovely start to the week! :D 

Hey Pretty Pumpkin.

It has been such a nice weekend! The reward of a tough study session all day on Saturday was going and finally seeing The Hunger Games in the evening. And boy was it oh so worth it! The night itself just had such a chill feeling to it, with my sister, her friend, and one of my close friend's who I hadn't seen in a few weeks coming along. And as for the movie: all I can do is give it a big thumbs up! Each actor/actress played their parts perfectly and even though I personally felt some bits dragged out (just a tad), the movie overall covered a crazily high amount of content from the books in very nice fashion. Can't wait til the next one!

It wasn't much of a lazy Sunday either with what was meant to be a 'quick shopping trip,' instead taking up almost half the day. Inspired by the GoodFood magazine, I decided to try my hand at making their Roast Pumpkin and Chilli Soup. It turned out to be the perfect 'I promised Mum I'd make...' dinner, with a small amount of ingredients all combined together to make one tasty dish. For those who'd like to try it out, I've copied the recipe below!

Other than that, I have a stack of other magazines piling up that I'd like to read (I suppose it doesn't help that I bought more today) and after today's shopping, a new Models Prefer bronzer brush and Retractable Eyebrow Liner to try out. Hopefully you all had a lovely weekend and wake up refreshed on Monday for a brand new week ahead!

Roast Pumpkin and Chilli Soup

1kg butternut (I used Kent) pumpkin, peeled, coarsely chopped

2 tbsp olive oil (or however much you think is needed)

2 onions, finely chopped

I also added in a few strands of spring onions, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, sliced

2 long red chillies, seeds removed, finely chopped

4 cups (1L) salt-reduced vegetable stock

1/3 cup sour light cream 

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Combine pumpkin with oil (all pieces covered) and place evenly over baking tray. Bake for 30 minutes, turning pieces over once and until golden. 

2. Whilst waiting for pumpkin pieces, heat oil in a large pan and cook onions on medium heat for 5 minutes, until softened. Add garlic and chilli, cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Reduce heat to quite low and let simmer for 10-15 minutes (or until onion caramelises). 

3. Add pumpkin pieces and vegetable stock with onion mixture and bring to the boil (high heat). Remove from heat and let slightly cool before transferring into a deep bowl. Using a hand mixer, blend ingredients together until nice and smooth. 

4. Stir in 1/3 cup of sour light cream and season. 

For the seasoning I used a bit of black pepper, cumin and onion salt. 

Bona-petite! 

 

Rain Rain, Go Away.

First assessment for uni = conquered! Feeling mega pleased with how it went and my stress levels have been reduced by a notch. Tomorrow there's another exam (online quiz) to look forward to with regards to film history (eeeek!) and I'm not sure whether I've read/studied enough. After all, with SO much content covered each week, how do they expect us to remember every single detail? I guess I'll find out ;) 

But in the end, there's nothing better than the feeling of a long, heavy day behind you. When I got home I was not only greeted by a cheeky little Topi (ready with thousands of kisses), but an abundance of my ultimate favourites (as mentioned in the previous entry).

Calories, shmalories. They were just too good to resist!!

Wishing you all a very Happy Thursday. x 

Soba Time.

As my sister mentioned the other day, health and fitness is considerably the 'in trend' these days. Wherever I go I see 'organic' this or 'kettle-bell' that. Over the last five (or so) years, I can definitely say that personally I have really turned a corner with food choices and through trial and error, found benefits in a variety of training techniques and more nutritious, cleaner foods than previously. My family included. 

I don't mean that before I would eat a packet of chips for lunch and drink coke with every meal; definitely not! My mother was especially concerned with making sure that even as tiny toddlers, we learnt the importance of eating vegetables, fruits, whole-grain meals and keeping the word moderation in our minds when it came to all her delicious Finnish goodies (though when hillomunkit are present, restraint goes out the window). Simple and subtle changes regarding brands, quantities and even a variety of cooking choices/techniques have really proven to change the way I feel daily. 

I absolutely adore cooking and love experimenting with different flavours and recipes, hence I thought it'd be a great idea to add in a few of my thoughts on the good, the bad and the ugly dishes that come out of my kitchen. 

To start off with, this afternoon I decided to try make a simple stir-fry out of organic soba noodles and anything and everything green+red that I could find out of the fridge. The result? Delicious! And it literally took me 10 minutes to chop all vegetables, marinate some chicken and boil the water ready for the noodles. 

Many of you have probably eaten soba noodles a hundred times before (it's an Asian cooking staple after all) however, I have rarely found noodles to my taste. Soba noodles (for those not too sure) are a Japanese pasta made from buckwheat. The good points are:

• That they contain a high source of antioxidants, magnesium, iron, vitamin B, fibre and protein.
• Can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels as well as reduce the risk of diabetes, aid the digestion process, prevent gallstones and increase energy levels. 
• GREAT wheat/gluten free alternative for those suffering from allergies. Do always check the packaging though for information regarding whether they are a wheat/gluten free brand. 
• Can be eaten hot or cold and be worked into stir-fries, soups and salads. 

Keep in mind as you can see in the image below, these noodles also contain a lot of carbohydrates. Hence portion control and exercising is essential. So take it nice and easy, experiment with your own favourite choice of vegetables and marinade (if preferred) and enjoy the lovely taste of these thin, nutritious noodles!

Ps, I should add - just before serving, I sprinkled what I thought was the tiniest amount of sesame oil to give it that extra kick. As a warning for others - make sure you don't mix too much in! I didn't realise how strong the flavour of the oil would be and it almost took over the entire dish. If you know of a particular flavour that goes well with these noodles, gives us a buzz in the comments :) To everyone reading, have a great morning/day/night! 

For more information and source: http://www.hakubaku.com/content/view/52/74/

Source: http://www.eatfitfood.com.au/

 

Wardrobe Inspiration.

In my mind, my dream home will not only be top notch modern, stylish and in the perfect location (har-di-har, dream is definitely the word) but it would have the perfect wardrobe where I could have all my clothes organised from tip to toe (and not just stuffed in wherever I find room - aka. the corner). We have been meaning to renovate my room and add in a larger wardrobe for a while, however time just keeps flying by and IKEA furniture 'aint getting any cheaper (even though I would still fork out whatever price they ask for as I love the shop too much). So, whilst I wait I  continue to search for photographs to inspire some kind of idea and today I managed to find a bunch of some fairly nice walk-in-wardrobes that I thought I'd share with you. Which one is your favourite? 

Source: http://freshome.com/2011/10/04/33-exceptional-walk-in-closets-to-accentuate-your-fashion-collections/

The Count Down is on...

So Excited.

Source: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_hunger_games/pictures/

Happy Fryyydai.

What a long yet refreshing day it's been. Film History is definitely one interesting subject! I can't say it's always pleasant sitting through a lecture, screening and tutorial (especially on the last day of the week) however, it's amazing how much knowledge is thrown right in my direction via these classes. 

In order to get my head out of the books I treated myself to a slight shopping spree, which uh ironically ended with me buying a few more novels to add to my growing collection: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy by John le Carré and the 4th instalment of the A Song of Ice and Fire series 'A Feast for Crows' by George R. R. Martin. I'm particularly keen to read Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy after it was released last year as a major motion picture and stars some of my favourite actors - Colin Firth, Gary Oldman, Benedict Cumberbatch and (eye-candy) Tom Hardy! I tend to like reading novels that have been turned into motion pictures BEFORE seeing them on screen for obvious reasons. If the movie is terrible, at least I still have my own imagination to lean upon! 

I also bought a pair of Nike Tempo Track Running Shorts in black. I remember originally seeing them first in Dubai and was about to buy a dark blue pair, however I left them "til next time" (turns out there never was a 'next time' because something else in the monstrous Dubai Mall caught my eye...). The Middle East definitely had a greater range in the colours available, however I'm pretty happy with the black pair at this stage. The fabric is made from Dri-FIT 100% polyester and is perfect for keeping you comfortable and dry whilst running. I'm hoping these shorts won't ride up much (my other Nike shorts tend to do that a bit too much for my taste) but I have no doubt they will be great to move in. 

I couldn't help but snap away and laugh my head off as Topi (our little puppy) was being the little terror he always is. He is bound for stardom... in a 'death by dog' horror/thriller film or something. 

To end the night - a lovely treat of cut up banana pieces dipped in Lindt 85% dark chocolate and rolled in coconut flakes or chopped california walnuts. Best before eating to freeze until hard. Served cold = sooo delicious. And if eaten in moderation, no calorie counting necessary ;) 

Wishing everyone a lovely weekend ahead! x

Burberry Bliss.

To start off another rainy day, here are some (already amazing!!) behind the scenes images of the Burberry Spring/Summer 2012 Campaign. Featuring the gorgeous Cara Delevingne and Eddie Redmayne. Shot in London by the very talented Mario Testino. 

To have a look at more, 'like' the Burberry Official Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/burberry

I would buy any of those coats regardless of the season!

Keen for Keane.

It's amazing how the weather in Australia likes to change in the blink of an eye. It was looking like another hot/sticky day after my morning run, however now it's pouring down buckets! Glad I don't have to go into Uni (yaaay for days off!) but that's no excuse to not drag out the books and start studying. 

On another note, I've always been a big fan of the English band Keane, hence why I'm really looking forward to the release of their next album Strangeland out May 7th 2012. They've released a video of one of the album's songs 'Silenced by the Night' which I've linked just below. You can also pre-order Strangeland from here: http://store.keanemusic.com/Store/DII-3818-4-strangeland+(cd+expanded+version)+preorder.html.

If you've never listened to them before, I suggest you check out their older albums first - Hopes and Fears (2004) and Under the Iron Sea (2006) to name a few. I can't help but add in a couple of my ultimate favourites from these two particular albums! Hope you enjoy! 

The Bold and the Beautiful.

Here are some lovely updates from the L'Oreal Paris Runway Four at LMFF (L'Oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival). My favourite would have to be Dion Lee's collection (surprise surprise!) But really, how gorgeous is that first dress? So bright, so bold and perfect for every season! I love the tailored/print style combination most of these particular designers seem to have gone for as well. 

Now off to de-stress and play a few hours of indoor volleyball! -> One of my major loves right there! 

Each image belongs to Lucas Dawson's Photography and can be found here: http://www.lucasdawson.com.au/main.php

Dion Lee

Josh Goot

Christopher Esber

Therese Rawsthorne

Ellery

Monday'itis!

Not going to lie, today I had a severe case of Monday'itis. It felt like the day would never end! Only positive note was that I managed to score myself a job trial after a very casual interview this Thursday at Mövenpick (Swiss ice-cream franchise). I have been desperately searching for a job since moving back home (Quick background info: I moved to Darwin after finishing high school and worked as a flight attendant flying the Australian defence force to Dubai! Not a bad gap year) hence I am very happy to have possibly found a workplace near my uni campus! And  besides, with ice cream involved who has time to complain? ;D 

Ps, I think I know where I would have preferred to study today!

BIG basics.

Oh how lovely it was to wake up to a gorgeous (albeit, slightly too hot) Saturday morning here in Brisbane. Actually, there's a small lie in that - I really woke up to our little Schnauzer (Topi) whining to get into my room. Either way, after a nice brisk walk I'm feeling set to study hard and get on top of a few assignments. I keep coming home every afternoon feeling incredibly fortunate to be learning skills and techniques from some amazing lecturers/people in general. My family is probably already getting annoyed at me re-capping my lessons, especially regarding the history of film... 'hey mum, did you know in 1929...'

During my routine facebook/email/online shopping checks this morning, I realised how much I can not wait for Winter to hurry up and come here to Australia! Below are some examples that I believe to be fundamental basics for the autumn/winter seasons and that I am hoping to get my hands on at some stage. My favourite though would have to be the book-inspired candle by Assouline. What a delightful idea! Perfect for a cold winter's afternoon. I wonder how authentic the smell really is?

Assouline Book Scented Candle: 75 Euros, Witchery 'Leather Trim' Shirt: $129.95, Witchery 'Box Stripe Raglan' Knit: $99.95, Witchery 'Draped Leather' Skirt: $299.95, M.A.C Mineralise Eye-Shadow Shade: Gift by Association: $19.97, Witchery 'Horizontal Stitch Pullover', $129.95. 

Witchery 'Pippa' Boot: $229.95, M.A.C Mineralise Eye-Shadow Duo (Limited Edition) Shade: Joy and Laughter: $19.97

Witchery 'Structured Lace' Dress: $269.95, Sass and Bide 'Stand and Deliver' Jacket: $490, Witchery 'Trapeze Seam Front' Top: $119.95  .