Niagara print

"It's Not You, It's Me" by Niagara

This was one of my Christmas presents, just in time to replace the 2009 New York Calendar on my wall. I love it!

>> More like this available at Outre Gallery (249 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne).

Google holiday logos

I have a habit of taking screenshots whenever the Google logo changes - I have a picture folder on my computer full of them! The latest "Happy Holidays" set are quite cool cause they're building on it each time. There's a comprehensive history of Google holiday logos here.

>> 11.15pm on Christmas eve and I'm blogging about internet search engines. Yep, this is my true nerd coming out. Again.

Christmas presents!

Last year's Christmas presents were stamped on brown paper, but this year we've gone with festive bows thanks to some $3.99 ribbon from Australia Post! The trick will be remembering which present is for who...

Merry Christmas everyone! x

Vintage furniture

I have serious house envy for this place, and here's just one of the many reasons why: a vintage red couch and armchairs! I wonder if Santa will bring me some just like it? I fear not. Better start saving some pennies instead.

Inspiration board

I see people blogging about inspiration boards all the time and finally decided to make one for myself. I think I should've got a bigger size though... like cork to cover a whole wall.

What: Quartet Espresso Corkboard (430x580mm)
From: Officeworks
Cost: $29.92

Banana Choc Chip Muffins

I did a little baking tonight in preparation for Meredith Music Festival this weekend (hopefully it's not as wet as last year, but I'm packing gumboots just in case). Anyway, they're Banana Choc Chip Muffins... yum!

Ingredients:
~ 2 ripe bananas (mashed)
~ 2 cups self raising flour
~ 1/2 cup castor sugar
~ 1/2 cup milk
~ 2 eggs
~ 60g butter
~ 1/2 cup dark choc bits

What to do:
1. Preheat over to 200 Celsius.
2. Prepare your muffin trays (I used two 6-hole trays).
3. Sift flour in a large bowl then stir in castor sugar and choc bits.
4. Melt the butter, then beat in milk and eggs.
5. Add the wet ingredients to the dry mix, and incorporate the mashed banana (don't overmix).
6. Spoon the mixture into the muffin trays and bake for 20 minutes or until golden.

>> Recipe courtesy of Taste.com.au

Tumblr Mosaic Viewer

I'm loving Tumblr, and feel like I'm developing themes with the things I reblog (NYC, Paris and girly photos... among others). I made a collage of all the things I've posted to date with the Tumblr Mosaic Viewer. Nerdy fun.

Photo booth fun

My little Macbook is so clever - it has a built in camera that's opened me up to the world of Skype video chatting to friends all over the globe! It also has a nifty little program called Photo Booth, where you can either take regular photos or use a preset effect like this one, which has turned my kitchen into a comic! I'm easily amused.

Stuffit

These Stuffit bags are so useful - I keep at least one in my handbag at all times, and tend to get complimented at the supermarket checkout for it! As the website says, they're:
~ Strong
~ Compact
~ Child safe
~ Eco-friendly
~ Machine washable
~ Australian owned and designed
~ Made from 100% polyester

What: Stuffit Swing Bag (this one is Leopard, but there are other colours/designs)
From: Ingenie
Where: The Greenstore (385 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy)
Cost: $20

>> I've seen these for sale all over the place, and the price will vary depending on the type/size of Stuffit bag you're buying. Also available online at Biome.

Gin & Titonic

I had an early Christmas this weekend - it was a whole day in the kitchen, followed by a feast of antipasto, roast vegetables, salads and gourmet deserts. Now I've given away some of the presents, I can post them here! This one is a Gin & Titonic novelty ice tray, which creates sinking ship and iceberg shaped ice blocks... genius.

What: Gin & Titonic
From: Fred
Where: Kleen Design (296 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy)
Cost: $15

iTunes Genius Mixes

I am constantly amazed by modern technology - most things created by Google, the iPhone, planes, even wireless internet! How does data get sent through the air? I'll never get my head around that one.

Anyway, my latest discovery are the new Genius playlists in iTunes. Somehow it decides what songs will work together, and it's usually pretty right! It's like having your own personal radio station. JesskaFM.

What: iTunes Cards (on sale)
From: Apple
Where: Myer (til 11 Dec) and Big W (til 9 Dec)
Cost: 2x $20 iTunes Cards for $30 (Myer), or $45 iTunes Cards for $36 (Big W)

Guacabowle!

The "guacabowle" is pretty much the coolest item in my kitchen (although it's neck and neck with the Bamix). It's encouraged me to make guacamole more often, which is great! For my version of the recipe you'll need:
~ two ripe avocados
~ one tomato, finely diced
~ half a red onion, finely diced
~ a squeeze of lemon juice
~ a few drops of tabasco sauce
~ salt and pepper to taste

Mash the avocados in a bowl, then add everything else and mix it through, before transferring to the (now famous) guacabowle!

What: Guacamole Bowl
From: Progressive
Where: Homewares stores everywhere, I'm guessing
Cost: US$13.45 (Amazon price)

Maxihuge Calendars

Maxihuge Calendars are awesome. Okay, I'm a little biased with this one since I work for the company who designed them... but it's true! ThreeThousand likes them too :) I use one in my kitchen to keep track of bills, birthdays, events etc. Mine has been scribbled all over so this photo is just a dummy shot, shhh.

What: Maxihuge Calendars
From: The Internet
Where: Available in Australia now, overseas soon!
Cost: $59 (comes with 12 calendar sheets, month stickers and Magnart)

Finding Colours

Here's something nifty - it's a colour palette generator. I started with a photo found on Tumblr, then went to DeGreave.com and turned it into swatches I could use for my blog. Cool, huh?

frankie ~ issue 32

I'd be pretty happy if I got a frankie subscription for Christmas! That's, err, if I hadn't already renewed it after 12 months of fabulousness. All killer, no filler.

What: frankie magazine
From: frankie
Where: Delivered to your door!
Cost: $51 per year (for us Australians, more if you're overseas)

Oh, Christmas Tree

This little guy is going to be my Christmas tree this year (still a few decorations to be added), and after Christmas he's going outside to (hopefully) be reused again next year, and the year after, and the year after...

What: Christmas Tree
From: Fitzroy Nursery
Where: 390 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
Cost: $31.95

It's not goodbye, it's see you later!

One post a month is all I've been managing, so I think it's time I took an official hiatus. I'm hoping to come back at some stage with a clearer idea of what I want this blog to be about.

In the meantime, I'll be:
~ learning French (albeit slowly)
~ getting healthier with regular dance, yoga and bike riding
~ starting a new job
~ spending time in the real world, you know, away from the computer

I'm still very much followable on twitter (if you're into that), and have a tumblr page full of pretty things (I think of it like an online inspiration board). Other people are tumblr-ing too - like Little Lost Love, and Friend For Keeps!

Il n'est pas au revoir, il est à plus tard...

Bye for now xx

Country weekend

I spent last weekend in Tolmie, Victoria - the town itself is just a pub and a general store. There were 14 of us on "Person Camp", as it was called, staying in a borrowed house all with our own creative projects to work on. I brought lots of half finished knitting and crochet things, but only came close to finishing one (the beige beret). Two days wasn't nearly long enough... I want to go back!

>> That's an actual polaroid I took, by the way. No cheating.

Green salad

There's something to be said for a simple green salad. I tend to like iceberg or cos lettuce best, and add any number of the following:
~ tomato
~ red /green capsicum
~ avocado (not negotiable!)
~ cucumber
~ red onion
~ cubed fetta/tasty cheese (or soy cheese)
~ black olives
~ carrot
~ snow peas

I generally don't have bottled salad dressing, so just mix up one part olive oil with one part balsamic vinegar to serve. Yum!

Baked raisin, date and walnut apples

Winter deserts are the best! To make these I used:
~ granny smith apples
~ currants (although the recipe called for raisins)
~ dates
~ walnuts
~ orange juice & zest
~ ground cinnamon
~ ground cloves
~ apple juice

>> Another one from The Low GI Vegetarian Cookbook by Jennie Brand-Miller, Kaye Foster-Powell, Kate Marsh and Philippa Sandall.

frankie ~ issue 31

Oh, frankie... it's so nice to see you again.

Tofu, peanut and noodle stir fry

Another picture-perfect dinner! Actually very similar to the last one I posted, but this time ingredients were:
~ hokkien noodles
~ firm tofu
~ red capsicum
~ brocolli
~ onion
~ peanut butter
~ soy sauce
~ fresh ginger
~ crushed garlic

>> This recipe is taken from Kitchen Classics: Gourmet Vegetarian by Jane Price

Happy birthday to me...

This vintage-style am/fm radio was yet another birthday present! It's going to sit proudly in my bedroom corner with the New York calendar. Today is the best day ever.

Little birthday cupcakes

These Little Cupcakes were actually part of a present for someone else (we have the same birthday), but if I'm lucky I'll get to indulge in just one or two with him! Mmm... cupcakes!

Birthday post #4 - a squirrel on the wall!

As you may know, I have a bit of thing for squirrels, so this is possibly the cutest thing I have ever seen! I haven't named him yet, but he's going to live on the kitchen wall so I get to look at him all the time :) Truly, it's the perfect present for me, I'm so happy!

Thank you Hollie! xx

>> I'm not sure if I should send you to the Hokey shop, little lost love, or Vegan & Vintage... how about all three! You can also find her at the Rose Street Artist Market this weekend too.

Birthday post #2 - the bicycle bag

It's after midnight so I'm officially older! Hooray! (perhaps I shouldn't be so excited?) Anyway, the lovely Suzie of Button & Squiggle gave me this bicycle bag - very appropriate now that I'm riding my bike more often... including a 3 hour ride last weekend!

Thanks Suzie - I love it!

Birthday post #1 - Able & Game

I have to say, I feel like the luckiest girl in the world today (and it isn't even my birthday for another 3 minutes!). This is the first in a series of birthday present posts, because I just couldn't resist... I hope they don't mind!

If you haven't heard of Able & Game, check out the website - really cool, quirky cards! You can also find them at the Rose St Artists Market this Saturday & Sunday.

Thanks Anna!! :)

Vegan Wares shoes

Whether or not you're vegetarian/vegan, I highly recommend Vegan Wares non-leather shoes! They also make belts, wallets, bags... and custom made shoes if you can't find something you like, or the right size.

Shiitake, ginger and tofu hokkien noodles

I didn't realise it had been so long! Miss me? I decided my dinner tonight was worth sharing (well, the photo at least) - it came out just like the recipe book! That never happens... I don't have it in me to type out the whole recipe, but here's the ingredients:
~ hokkien noodles
~ firm tofu
~ shiitake mushrooms
~ baby corn
~ sugar snap peas
~ choy sum
~ red chilli
~ fresh ginger
~ garlic
~ soy sauce

>> The recipe came out of The Low GI Vegetarian Cookbook by Jennie Brand-Miller, Kaye Foster-Powell, Kate Marsh and Philippa Sandall.

Le béret bleu

I was given this beret pattern by Hollie of little lost love (also Vegan and Vintage), and have been wearing it religiously since I finished a few weeks ago, but alas have not taken time to put it in a post (due to severe blog neglection). Here it is!

Stitch: stocking stitch
Needles: size #10 (3.25mm) & #8 (4mm) - both circular
Yarn: 100g (2 balls) bamboo yarn (Moda Vera brand; 70% bamboo, 30% cotton)
Pattern: Using the 3.25mm needles, cast on 91 st.
Work in garter stitch for 4 rows, ending with a WS row.
Change to 4mm needles.
Row 1 (rs): [k8, inc in next st] 10 times, k1. 101 sts.
Row 2 and every following alternate row (ws): purl
Row 3: [k9, inc in next st] 10 times, k1. 111 sts.
Row 5: [k10, inc in next st] 10 times, k1. 121 sts.
Row 7: [k11, inc in next st] 10 times, k1. 131 sts.
Continue in this way, inc 10 sts on every rs row until the following row has been worked:
Row 17: [k16, inc in next st] 10 times, k1. 181 sts.
Row 19: knit.
Row 21: knit.
The next part is shaping the top...
Row 23 (rs): [k16, k2tog] 10 times, k1. 171 sts.
Row 25: [k16, k2tog] 10 times, k1. 161 sts.
Row 27: [k15, k2tog] 10 times, k1. 151 sts.
Row 29: [k14, k2tog] 10 times, k1. 141 sts.
Continue in this way, dec 10 sts on every rs row until the following row has been worked:
Row 53: [k1, k2tog] 10 times, k1. 21 sts.
Row 55: [k2tog] 10 times, k1.
Break yarn and thread through remaining 11 sts. Pull up tight and fasten off securely.

>> Abbreviations: k=knit, k2tog=knit 2 together, st=stitch, inc=increase, dec=decrease, rs=right side, ws=wrong side.

All you need is love

It's 4 years with my boy tomorrow - he's given the most thoughtful presents:
~ "French for Dummies" since I keep talking about learning
~ The Shins "Oh, Inverted World" on vinyl
~ Aesop moisturiser

...I'm the luckiest girl in the world, and not just for the presents <3

Just a minute... in June

Scraping in at the end of the month! Here's what's been occupying my time:

Reading... less than I should. Need to find a good book to carry me through the cold weather.

Watching... free DVDs thanks to a Quickflix trial. We've had The Wackness, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, The Science of Sleep and Broken Flowers - all good!

Listening... to Michael Jackson and Jackson Five songs. Also discovering "Ben" was written about his pet rat.

Eating... winter warmers like soup, curry, stir-fry and porridge. Not all at once.

Knitting... slippers, slippers and more slippers.

Learning... a language! At least that's what I hope to do soon. Either pickup my French again, or start Spanish. German is another contender.

>> I'm wondering if this blog is on wind down, or if it's just a "slow phase". Haven't decided yet.

frankie ~ issue 30

The prettiest magazine in town, inside and out.

Learning to sew on a button

Out of necessity (because my jackets were falling apart) I learnt how to sew on buttons today. About time. The 5 simple steps I followed:
1. For heavy fabrics, like my jackets, use strong linen thread.
2. Cut 20cm thread and feed it through a large needle.
3. Pull through so it's doubled over, then knot the end and snip the excess.
4. Hold the button slightly away from the fabric as you loop the thread through the material then the button.
5. I did about 3 "loops" then tied off the end, and snipped the excess.

>> YouTube is helpful for knitting, sewing and crochet tips cause you can actually see what's being explained.

Progress report #3: House Slippers

I'm calling these House Slippers cause that's about the only place you'll be able to wear them, but wear them you will! Here's how I made them (hope the instructions make sense):

Stitch: garter and rib.
Needles: size #5 (5.5mm)
Yarn: 1 ball brown and 1 ball bright blue (both 8 ply acrylic, pretty sure)
Pattern: Cast on 6 stitches (brown only).
Row 1 - K 6.
Row 2 - K 6.
Row 3 - Inc 1, K 5, inc 1 (should have 8 stitches total now).
Row 4 - K 8.
Row 5 - Inc 1, K 7, inc 1 (should have 10 stitches total).
Row 6 - K 10.
Row 7 - Inc 1, K 9, inc 1 (should have 12 stitches total).
Row 8 - K 12.
Row 9 - Inc 1, K 11, inc 1 (should have 14 stitches total).
Row 10 - K 14.
Row 11 - Inc 1, K 13, inc 1 (should have 16 stitches total).
Row 12 - K 16.
Row 13 - Inc 1, K 15, inc 1 (should have 18 stitches total).
Row 14 - K 18.
Row 15 - Inc 1, K 17, inc 1 (should have 20 stitches total).
Row 16 - K 20.
Row 18 - [K 1, Inc 1] repeat to end (should have 40 stitches total).
Row 17 - Hold in second colour (eg. blue) then K 40, holding both together.
Row 19 - P 1, [K 2, P 2] repeat almost to end, P 1.
Row 20 - K 1, [P 2, K 2] repeat almost to end, K 1.
Rows 21 to 48 - Repeat rows 19 and 20 over and over (this is the ribbed section).
Row 49 - K 40.
Row 50 - Stop using the second colour (eg. blue) then K 40 (just with brown).
Row 51 - [K2tog] repeat to end (should have 20 stitches total).
Row 52 - K 20.
Row 53 - K2tog, K 16, K2tog (should have 18 stitches total).
Row 54 - K 18.
Row 55 - K2tog, K 14, K2tog (should have 16 stitches total).
Row 56 - K 16
Row 57 - K2tog, K 12, K2tog (should have 14 stitches total)
Row 58 - K 14
Row 59 - K2tog, K 10, K2tog (should have 12 stitches total)
Row 60 - K 12
Row 61 - K2tog, K 8, K2tog (should have 10 stitches total)
Row 62 - K 10
Row 63 - K2tog, K 6, K2tog (should have 8 stitches total)
Row 64 - K 8
Row 65 - K2tog, K 4, K2tog (should have 6 stitches total)
Row 66 - K 6
Row 67 - K 6
Row 68 - Cast off.

Once finished you should have one big piece that goes "small-big-small" - this is your slipper! Fold it in half, so the small ends are touching, then you'll need to stitch together in 3 places - the front, the back, and the top (the "top" is the 6 stitches at each end, which is best to join last, after the front and back).

>> Abbreviations: K=knit, P=purl, inc=increase, K2tog=knit 2 stitches together

Progress report #2: Granny Square Blanket

Another from the "why the hell haven't I finished this?" pile - my 70s style granny square blanket! The downside of having a date-stamped blog is that it's blatantly obvious how little I've achieved since my last post about this back on Monday 20 April. Oh dear.

Progress report #1: Green Fingerless Mittens

You may recognise this pattern from the last pair of fingerless mittens I made - unfortunately these ones have taken a lot longer (partly due to a number of false starts) but will still be toasty warm in time for the second half of winter!

Taking it easy

I took an unplanned break from blogging the past few weeks, I guess that'll happen. On the other hand, my tweeting has been out of control, and new love for tumbling may last for a while too. In the end we have to just do the things that make us happy, right?

Speaking of happiness, check out this post from the rockstar diaries (also known as Taza and the Prince) - it inspired this list of things that make me happy:

1. fingerless mittens
2. bon iver
3. soy chai lattes
4. anything about new york city
5. drive-in movies
6. beach holidays
7. my macbook
8. polaroid photos
9. red wine in winter
10. black boots

...I could probably go up to 100 (or 1000?) but I'll leave it there.

>> Also, if you like lists, Stuff White People Like is pretty funny.

Just a minute... in May

These are my favourite posts because they force me to recap what I've been doing over the past month, and I'm pretty sure that's good for my brain! Thanks, as always, to August Street for the 'Just a Minute' theme. Here goes:

Reading... vegetarian cooking books like the Moosewood Cookbook, trying out new dishes like Baba Ganouj (eggplant dip).

Watching... NBA playoffs! Blame it on my boyfriend.

Listening... to songs like "Buttons" by Sia, and "Dance Anthem of the 80s" by Regina Spektor and planning to buy both of their new albums very soon.

Eating... lots of vegan muffins (as you may have noticed)

Knitting... all the same projects I was working on in April, but getting closer to finishing the slippers, mittens and granny square blanket - stay tuned!

Learning... how important it is to get enough sleep, eat well, do exercise, and take time off work every now and then. It sounds so simple when you put it in one sentence, huh?

More muffins! (Banana walnut ones)

Yes, two muffin posts in a row! These vegan banana walnut muffins went down quite nicely with soy chai tea and an afternoon of knitting. I was inspired to bake these after seeing photos on Where's the Beef? but the recipe was originally posted by Vegan Visitor.

>> My obsession with food has well and truly taken hold of this blog, is this going to be a problem? Hmm...

The best vegan pumpkin muffins

This recipe came from Vegan with a Vengeance and is self-proclaimed to be The Best Pumpkin Muffins... This is already the second time I've made them, so I'm tending to agree!

The dry ingredients:
~ 3 cups self raising flour
~ 2 cups raw caster sugar
~ 1 tsp ground cinnamon
~ 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
~ 1/2 tsp ground ginger
~ 1/4 tsp ground allspice
~ 1/8 tsp ground cloves

The wet ingredients:
~ A chunk of pumpkin, chopped, boiled then pureed (about 1/4 of a normal sized pumpkin worked for me; apparently you can also get pumpkin puree in a can)
~ 1/2 cup soy milk
~ 1/2 cup vegetable oil
~ 2 tablespoons golden syrup

What to do:
1. Preheat oven to 200 Celsius, and lightly grease a twelve hole muffin tin (or two 6 hole ones) - I just used the tiniest bit of oil to do this.
2. Sift the flour, sugar and spices into a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the wet ingredients. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry, then mix.
3. Fill the muffin cups 2/3 full each, then bake for 20 minutes (or until a skewer inserted comes out clean).

>> This batch is destined for stitch n' bitch at Hollie's (of Vegan & Vintage) tonight - knitters need sustenance ;)

The NEW Lost+Found Market

I've been to the new Lost+Found Market (12 Smith St, Collingwood) a few times, and finally remembered to take photos when I was there yesterday - must be something to do with having this week off work cause this is more blogging than I've done in months! Anyway, I didn't buy anything (which is surprising) but there are all sorts of vintage treasures to explore if you find yourself in the area. Even worth a special trip!

>> I had to put up two photos to get the full inside-outside experience; the store goes over multiple levels, and all sorts of different areas, so it was hard to narrow it down to two!

Baba Ganouj

The Moosewood Cookbook strikes again! I made this Baba Ghanouj a few days ago and it's still good! Here's what you need:
~ 2 medium-small eggplants
~ juice from one lemon
~ 1/2 cup tahini
~ 3 cloves garlic, crushed
~ salt & pepper
~ 1/2 cup finely-chopped parsley
~ 1/4 cup finely-chopped spring onions (optional)
~ 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin (optional)

Then how to turn it into a delicious dip:
1. Preheat the oven to 190 Celsius.
2. Cut off the eggplant stems and prick all over with a fork.
3. Place on the oven rack without a tray and roast until wrinkled and soft (about 50 minutes).
4. Remove from the oven and wait until cool enough to handle.
5. Peel off the skin or scoop out the flesh and mash well - or if you have a bamix or blender, use that!
6. Add all the other ingredients and keep mixing.
7. Chill before serving (the recipe suggests drizzling olive oil over, but it's delicious both with and without).

>> Spelling of "Baba Ganouj" has been corrected to match the cookbook, but not sure it's right!

Happy Mother's Day!

Breaking my "one photo only" rule here, but both of these were picked up at the Rose Street Artists Market as Mother's day gifts, and I couldn't pick just one! The first is a card by the ever so talented Able & Game, and the second is an elephant brooch created by Shonah. Both mothers involved were pretty chuffed with their presents, I think.

Yume

I know I've mentioned it before but I had dinner at the Japanese restaurant Yume (367 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy) again last night, and it was delicious! I'm always surprised when there's hardly anyone in there - it's great food, and the menu has recently changed to include more vegetarian options, which rates well with me.

Recommended dishes:
~ Nasu Dengaku $6.80 (eggplant served with sweet white miso and dark miso sauce)
~ Vegetarian Gyoza $7.80 (served with lime soy sauce and salad; 5 pieces)
~ Vegetarian Tempura $7.80 (assorted vegetables lightly battered and crispy fried, served with basil soy)
~ Tofu Don $8.80 (soft tofu, stir fried mixed vegetables with teriyaki sauce on rice; pictured above)