Monday, January 11, 2010

Changed Priorities

So as I'm coming up to 30 soon (under two years - argh!) I've been re-evaluating my life.
Going over that list of things you wanted to do before you hit the big 3 0.

I don't think I've done more than two items. Sure, I can't find the list - well, one of the many I wrote, but know pretty much what's there. two out of 10. Not that good!

Be multi-lingual - No
Learn the acoustic guitar - No
Live overseas for a year - No
Be married - No (my life goal is to make it to 50 years of marriage - so I figured 30 is the age!)
Own a house - No
Have my own pets - YAY!

and probably the other usual ones like "Be skinny" etc - this one is obviously a work in progress, haha.

And it's not that the last 12 years have been unproductive. I moved out of home, in with friends, lived in a different state to my family, moved in with a boyfriend, moved back home with the family to Sydney, losing a boyfriend and started afresh in Sydney. I became more confident. Lost weight. Learned to love myself. Going through bad depression and pulling myself out of it.

I thought I would hate Sydney. It was my least favourite city ion Australia. I had only been here once, but I was certain I would hate it, and that it would hate me.

I was wrong. I am always wrong about things I am stubborn about.

The place was cold and scary to start off with, I won't lie to you. The first year here was damn hard. Not knowing anyone other than family, and trying to find friends of my own. To try and fit in. Not knowing that there was such a thing called the Vogue forums until two years ago. The horror!! ;o)

And then I realised I could be whoever I wanted here. I could be that person I WANTED to be in Brisbane. Confident. Funny. Try to be stylish. Cool and strong willed. To not be pushed around anymore.

So I decided to try.

And you know, Sydney has paid me back. I have some wonderful friends, my bestie E has moved here after gallivanting across the world alone (good on her I say!), and because of my wonderful friends I met here, I met MrDior.

Isn't it amazing how everything we do in life leads us somewhere? To think, if I hadn't decided to just move to Sydney (I was gone from Brisbane in 2 weeks), I would have never met my bf.

So, rather than be upset at what I haven't completed, I am going to be happy with what I have. A wonderful best friend, an amazing boyfriend who loves me and who I think the world of, a house over my head, wonderful friends, pets, family and love. My health. This is a lot more than what some people have.

So I am throwing out the list. It's not healthy, it just makes you regress and regret what you have no accomplished. We're not the same people we were when we wrote that list. Time has changed things. You have changed.

Look at what you have accomplished over the years. I'm sure it will truly amaze you =)

White Chocolate Mousse


Mmm, I made some of this last week and had to try again and see if my egg whites would work. It was pretty damn tasty! Tastes just like Milky bar dairy snack =)
I'll put my Bailey's Mousse recipe up also - rich, but so so good! =)

Place 250g of white chocolate and 80 ml of milk and 1tsp of vanilla (or some real vanilla) into a heatproof bowl over a saucepan of simmering water - make sure the bowl does not touch the water!

Heat until chocolate is melted, stirring regularly. Allow to cool off to the side for 5 minutes.

Add 3 egg yolks separately, stirring after each yolk.

While the chocolate is cooling, whisk 350mls of cream in a bowl until soft peaks form. Stir in your chocolate mix until just combined.

Separately, whisk your 3 egg whites in a stainless steel bowl until soft peaks form. Fold in mix in two batches.

Chill.

OPTIONS
Now, my first time the egg whites didn't whisk properly - I don't think I was there for long enough. So I just omitted the whites and the result was a nice, thick creamy mousse... So much so this is the one my Bestie E liked the best.

So, give either one a try, and let me know how you go!

For all pet owners

Especially because of the weather and heat, I just wanted to let you all know what I learnt at the Vet the other day - your pets are only covered for TWO weeks under their advantage/revolution/advantix etc for paralysis ticks.

Everything else a month. So if you want to make sure they're covered for ticks you have to give them that solution fortnightly.

Now, this I've learnt this after a very expensive trip
to the Animal Critical Care Centre in North Ryde. My dog Clyde, we think, had a paralysis tick. On and off the respirator for three days, he pulled through. I don't want anyone to have to go through what I did. And some peoples pets don't come home, even after spending what we did.

$10,000 (yes, and probably more with checkups) later and thank goodness, my puppy is home. He's not even 1year yet!

The money spent was worth it to get him home, and back to normal, but, be careful guys!
Check your dog over after works in long grass, in the bush, or even if you haven't mowed for a while...... that one could have been me!

Now, apparently you can get tick collars for $10 that last two months. So, check out all your options.

So, this is one bit of advice I HAD to pass on. I'm not a vet, nor do I work for one -although I've probably paid for some of someones salary! ;o)


The power of powders

And I don't mean face powder!

I mean flavours =)


My flavour of the month (and enemy one's new years resolution) are Wicked Cheddar ZigZag Twisties.

Oh. My. God.


My bestie E and I discovered one simple rule- the more powders the better.

Don't believe me? Next time you're snacking on
your favourite chip like snack, have a look at the powders - now, I'm talking garlic, onion, tomato, cheese, etc.

3 powders is basic. You don'/t want ANYTHING less.

4 powders... pretty good. But 5 is outstanding - and 6. Well, 6 is heaven.


And for $1.98 at my local coles for the big pack (took a pic of the littler pack, cos I ate the other one.... whoops!), what a damn bargain! I will warn you.... there's something moreish about them... you don't even care about yellow hands! I've gone for an hour walk with the dog already...... pant pant!

Now, I don't work for Twisties, or any affiliate, but if they see this, and want to send me a box free, I'm down with that. Email me =)

Enjoy!



Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Back to work!


Today was my last day of holidays, and so I thought I'd do something productive other than housework - my nails!

First I spent a bit trying to decide.... and obviously I need more polishes.

Decided on OPI's Dating a Royal and off we went!


Thought it should match nicely with my Miss Munroes tomorrow - they always make me feel good =)


I apologise for the bad pic of the shoes (haha, and fingers... blergh!).... they're much prettier in person. Shall update with an outfit pic tomorrow..... if I look semi decent ;o)



Here's to a new year full of great outfits, promotions and bags.... once I've paid off the $10k vet bill! Hope you're all slipping back into work nicely - and if so - tips please!!! ;o)

Sunday, January 3, 2010

From Sydney to Springwood

So I finally started my blog. Thank you to all the wonderful voguettes who's blogs I have enjoyed reading and have inspired me to make one of my own. It's a little daunting I'll tell you!

I plan on this blog to be about fashion, style, anything "domestic goddess" like, and well, anything that takes my fancy!

I'm moving in with my boyfriend of 2 years quite soon - either in a week, or a month and a week, but the whole experience should create for some interesting and wonderful adventures.

We'll have no kitchen. Oh yes!

More on that story another time =) I'll be sure to need your help with ideas and recipes!

As some of you out there are also probably thinking, it's the year for change. Change for some aspects of life, health, friends (making more time), love and attitude. In hair and my surroundings.

Sure, I do this every year, so I'm not sure what makes this year different, but hey, let's give it a whirl!
Who's with me?