Oh Nigella! Doughnut French Toast

Craving something sweet, I reached for none other than my new friend Nigella Express.  Oh Nigella!  Where have you been all my life.  This is my first Nigella Cookbook.  Yes.  I am a Nigella virgin! 

But it wont be for long.  I have my eye on Domestic Goddess and Feast.  But lets get back to the sweets. 

It was mid Sunday morning, and I had gone on my morning jog on the treddy, put two loads of washing on, entertained the kids and done and general tidying up.  So, my tummy was rumbling, and whilst I know I undid all my good work exercising, these were well worth it. 

Doughnut French toast!!

Here is what you need. 

2 eggs

4 teaspoons of vanilla extract

60 mls of milk

4 slices of bread.  I think I just used the last four slices of day old sourdough bread. 

25g butter

50g caster sugar. 

1.  Beat the eggs with the milk and vanilla in a wide shallow bowl. 

2. soak the break halves in the eggy mixture till it coats. 

3. heat the butter in a fry pan and fry the egg-soaked break until golden and scorched in bits on both sides (about 4 minutes a side on medium heat)

4. put the sugar on a plate and then dip your cooked break in until coated like a sugared doughnut. 

These are for the sweet tooth but i happened to enjoy them with just a squeeze of lemon ontop. 

                                     

put the kettle on, sit and marvel at a job well done! 

Thanks Nigella

xx

wordless wednesday {bis-nonna love}

join here

xx

i ♥, u ♥, we all ♥ - Maxabella L♥ves

HELLLLLOOOOOOOO BLOGLAND!


well, have you heard?


Maxabella Loves is having one HUGE giveway to celebrate her epic achievement of 1000 followers.  This acheivement in itself it awesome, and an inspiration to just how fantastically powerful blogs can be.

I remember when Maxabella Loves was a newby, a little fresh up-start blog, and *ahem* had fewer followers than me!

Hhahahahahah!  How weird does that sound now.  Look at her now!  All popular and, well, amazing.  But that's not to say it was easy.  I reckon it takes a special someone to have an amazing blog.  To make us want to come back, time and time again, day in day out.  To make us laugh, cry, wonder, ponder, think and decide.  To write critical words to get the message across, as if, she's sitting in our lounge room with us (kids running havoc of course), and just having a chat.

You may remember the celebration when Maxabella Loves hit 500 (yes little MiraNarnie was apart of that) - So of course, the natural progression when one hits 1000 has to be something just slightly more momentous!

So, whilst I'd love to just talk madly about Bronwyn, lets get back to the point at hand.

Bronwyn has totally outdone herself here and is offering one lucky winner an amazing Party Outfit from a selection of gorgeous fashionistas (Leona Edmiston, Shoes of Prey and Elk).

wow!  Amazing right.

So click on the button below.  Get commenting. Enter. Enter. Enter Enter.

Congrats Bron on hitting the mark!
xx

image

fancy some patience

Patience seems to be the order for the day.

And i mean patience of the computer related kind.  The kind, i don't possess.  I never have really.  Once that little hour-glass or colour wheel starts swirling around, i get dubious.  hmmm....I think whilst eyes roll back into my head.  I may even be known to click a little harder at random keys, or vigorously bash the enter button hoping for success.  Heaven forbid I may even scream obscenities at my computer.

Lately my computer has been informing me on a daily basis that my hard drive space is full.

Right.  Get rid of old files.  Done.  Problem still exists.

Purchase new expensive external hard-drive with all these features it really should be capable of vacuuming the house as well!  Have problems installing it, then when it seems to be working, it renders your computer useless for 30 hours whilst it "backs up" all your data.  All 1.5 million files.  1.5 million files.  What the...?

I'm assuming it counts things like photos as singular.  phew.  That explains.  Damn fancy pants!

Ok, so my problems aren't fixed yet, and I so wanted to show you a gorgeous photo of my son when he decided to join me on my fancy pants shoot.  Oh, well, there's always next time.

So whilst my fancy pants is a little late, don't despair!  Just visit this lovely host and join in the fun!

wearing;
Dress - Local shop
Anorak - Kmart
Boots - Tony Bianco
Scarf - Target
Leggings - Myer

I'm grateful for..{grateful others}

Another week, another grateful day!  And first day of holidays here in Victoria! ahhhhhh......I'm putting my brain in neutral, with no drop offs, pick ups, notices, newsletters, forms to return or places to get to on time (well, there is that dentist appointment) but let me just enjoy the moment a little!

Joining in with the ever gorgeous (now we know for certain that she is as gorgeous as she writes!)  Maxabella....

Today I'm grateful for... The gratefulness of others.  Over the last week, I've been enjoying hearing people around me just be grateful for experiences for them.

1. For hubby, he got to do Kinder duty yesterday (break up day was "footy day!) and he was just grateful for the opportunity to check it out, help out, and have 27 football mad 4 and 5 year olds to tend to.

2. For the gratefulness I see in my children.  We went to our little local pizzeria last night for dinner...  The kids were excited, happy to be out, enjoying the event of dining out.  And on the way home (or should I say long walk to the car) they gazed out at the stars in the sky and the smiles on their little faces was priceless.  I dare say they were grateful for the stars.

3. For all your gratefuls  - I do love Grateful Day.  It's so much fun hoping around to so many blogs and reading what you are all grateful for.  Some are huge things, some are simple, and some are sweet, lovely and can bring tears to my eyes.  I find I start nodding, half way through reading posts - saying to myself "yes, that's lovely to be grateful for that!" And so as much as i love posting on Grateful Day, I love sharing our gratefuls too....

Happy Grateful day...

image

my creative space.....{another one bites the dust}

Now I should have made my list of crafty projects public ages ago. It seems to have spurred me on. 

This Vogue skirt, has been sitting cut out on the back of my sewing chair for months, waiting for an oppotunity to be completed. 

First, I had to wait till I found the right zipper - Open Ended, 18 inch, metal and just the right colour! 

Then, of course I had to put it off, in order to finish other projects as they came and went.  But finally I got a chance, and took it! 

I followed every instruction, lined up every notch, basted as suggested and pressed hems I no not what! 

 It's a great style of skirt.  The zipper is like the hero - standing out saying "look at me" I'm useful and a feature!  The folded waistband and a little tricky (I've learnt to read the whole pattern through from start to finish, so you get a general idea of what your doing)!  And I chose a fabric with a little stretch, for ease and comfort!

Finally this new item can be added to my wardrobe!

For more completed crafty projects to spur you on...head over here! 

wordless wednesday {magic dust}

for more wordless wonder venture here....

stranger in my own city....

I got to go into the city yesterday - for the whole day. 

I booked into some training for professional development and whilst a friend was looking after the kids for a few hours in the morning and hubby was taking the rest of the day off - I got to be a commuter for the day. 

It wasn't until I got on the tram and took the bumbling ride into town that I realised how much fun I was having.  I read my book, gazed out the window to enjoy the scenery, then strolled up Collins St for a while, just joining in all the mad rushing city folk getting to work. 

I felt like a stranger in my own city.  I don't often frequent the CBD.  There is really no need. So I gazed, and wondered and enjoyed the moment.  I marveled at new buildings, old buildings, the hussle and bussle and just the atmosphere.   I think people could have spotted my thrill a mile away.  I'm suprised no-one tapped me on the shoulder to say "I'm sorry Ma'am, too much enjoyment on your face for a Monday morning - get back to the burbs!" 

I was early to training so took a detour to Bourke St, one of my favourite places - Pellengrini's.  A cute little italian run coffee bar.  I got a quick espresso then headed off to learn all about reflective counselling and mindful parenting (all very fascinating actually!). 

I did a sneaky thing and skipped the sandwiches and instant coffee on offer for lunch and headed solo back to Pellingrini's for scrumptious pasta and another caffeine fix, then purused a gorgeous second hand book shop.  

Afterwards, another stroll down the Paris End of Collins St (where people actually have to line up and wait to get into the Channel Store!). 

More reading on the tram home - to be greeted by excited children and a husband finalising dinner on the table!   I'm sure if I had to commute every day it would be a drag, but as a one off, I think it made me feel like a tourist. 

Do you enjoy exploring places in your home town that you often don't get to visit? 

fancy seeing red....

Well, aren't we getting spoilt with all this lovely sunshine.  I'm not one to complain about it, but gees it was freeeeeezing this morning!  The wind was like ice as we headed off to one of our favourite places.  The Queen Vic Market!  

With my camera with me, I enjoyed snapping some pics, and guess what?  Yep, I wore my new red lips.  It was cute the reaction I got from my little people.  They laughed and were intrigued about why my lips were red and wanted to touch them....

I'm lucky I grabbed my big winter coat too.  This white coat I bought online at Asos during their winter sale....I got it for a bargin and free shipping means I was one happy customer...

It's funny, but I really enjoyed taking my red lips out today. I don't wear much make-up and even today I only slapped on a quick bit of tinted moisteriser before applying my lippy.  No wonder the kids thought it strange!


Hope you had a lovely Sunday!

Wearing;

White Coat - Asos
Lipstick - Revlon Nouveu
Skirt - Made by me
Leggings - Myer

I'm grateful for {red lips!}

(image)

Whoo hoo - it's the weekend!  And it's forecast no rain, which means we should be able to get out and about which is always good with little ones that love being outdoors.

Joining in with Maxabella Loves (who'll be smiling a lot today!)

Today I'm grateful for....

1. Getting my sewing groove back - so nice to get some sewing done in these last few days.  Some projects completed and new ones started and inspiration flowing.  I'm no longer Ms Cranky Pants.

2. Red Lips - I dreamt the other night that I bought some red lipstick.  It puzzled me, and I realised that I've never owned a red lipstick.....So, I went and got myself one and now I can't wait to wear some red lips!

3. Classics - I love enjoying a good Classic movie.  Maybe Breakfast at Tiffany's, Sabrina, or a Classic Musical like Sound of Music, or My Fair Lady.  And I think Audrey is just so pretty - and she has red lips!

Have a lovely Grateful day - and for more click this way....

what would you do....?

(image)

Ok, so I was catching up with my bestie last night.  Just chill-axing on her couch.  her baby asleep. My kids back at home asleep in their beds thanks to their Dad.

It was lovely just to talk uninterupted (oh hang on - only to stop to put chocolate bullets in my mouth) and still I attempted to chew and talk at the same time. 

We talked in super-sonic speed. 

We listened.  Empathised.  Congratulated each on small achievements. And spoke of things to come. 

Somehow a questions was pondered with great enthusiasm and I have been thinking about it all day....

"What would you do if you had a day off from your life?" 

Yep, no work, no kids, no responsibilities, no chores or deadlines.  What. Would. You. Do?

To be honest, this questions just seemed so bizzare and overwhelming that I sat in silence unable to even think of one thing.  But, then they just started pouring out.....

so in no particular order....

1. Sleep in

2. Find a cute cafe and endulge in a full breaky, coffee, a mag (or maybe a friend) and just.....linger.....

3. Go shopping perhaps somewhere i've not been before.  Or just try and find some undiscovered Op Shops around the town...

4.  Finally use my membership at the Melbourne State Library.  And just sit there and read for a while. 

5. Take a walk somewhere gorgeous to snap some pictures

6. Get a pedicure

7. Empty out my entire sewing room and rearrange Every Thing! 

8. Sew, sew, sew and do more sewing.

9. See a play

10. Restore some old furniture

Ok, I think I could go on, but considering this is only one day I think I have more than enough! 

So, what would you do?  

Please share! 

xx

scrappity scraps {my creative space}

Ok, so I mentioned before how I seem to have accumilated a vast amount of fabric scraps.  I'm just not one to ditch them - "surely I can use them for something" I'd say, before filling yet another bag, or basket, or even corner of the small sewing space, I'm conviced was the cloak room of my 1930's house.

The day came, when I could bare it no longer.  "find something to do with them or else" I threatened myself.  Which seems a little drastic really (and odd - I hope I'm not the only one that talks to ones self!)

Anyhoo - that pressure was just what I needed.  A plan to make something pretty out of my scraps....

So, lo and behold here are what I came up with!

Some cute headbands....

Some fabric bunting cards.....

And some emboirdery hoop art work....

Some of these creations were planned to attend the Sugar and Spice market with me, but alas, I couldn't make it, so when I get a smidgen of time, I might add them to my store.

So I'm pleased to say the above projects were all made with scraps.  And what about the scraps from the scraps I hear you ask! straight in the bin, I'm glad to report!

now head here for more creative spaces

xx