All rugged up

Hello friends!

Happy new year and all that jazz. I'm back, and I'm excited and I've got a spring in my step that's been missing for a while.

I have lots of plans for 2016 but am not going all gun-ho and OTT with my new years resolutions. I have some realistic goals to keep my motivated and on track, but nothing too life changing.

In the last few weeks of 2015, I started a new job in the city and I moved into a little place of my own. Life is good and I'm just focusing on things that make me happy. My little flat is gorgeous, I feel so at peace there - lots of natural light, a great kitchen, white walls and big windows. So now it's all about adding the Kate factor to it! 

I'll share some pics with you shortly as I'll be needing some support on my decorating journey, but in the meantime, I just had to post this image as I'm OBSESSED with the rug. I NEED one just like this. Like, urgently. And rugs are so expensive!

Anyone have a clue where I can get my hands on something similar? I have lino/fake floor board looking floors in my lounge room and it really needs a rug to anchor the couches.

Any pointers would be greatly appreciated!

Pic from apartment therapy

Clothesline decorating

How much fun is Christmas?! It's a great excuse to get everyone together to celebrate the ups and downs of the year. I know there are lots of bah humbugs out there who curse the frantic festive catch ups in the lead up to Christmas, but I revel in them.

I indulged in the merriment of the season gathered my Melbourne family for lazy Saturday drinks at my place. I am so grateful for my little support network over here. I haven't made many friends from scratch, but rather borrowed from my existing friends' pool of friends. Sharing is caring, right?!

Well, we all know I love a nibbles platter or two so experimented with a few Michelle Bridges canapé options and some serious sangria - red and white.

Fun fun fun! My laptop is flat so I can't link to recipes right now but stay tuned for these guilt free treats that I'll share tomorrow.

Ps. My housemate is caving, she even helped put up the decorations. I can be very persuasive when I try ... and I find bribery works!

 

Update: Links to recipes below

 

Donna Hay's white sangria

 

Mexican dip

 

Christmas cakes

 

Traditional sangria

 

Beetroot and goats cheese tarts (my own little concoction)

• Puff pastry rounds (a scone cutter is about the right size for mini muffin tins)
• Beetroot relish (hello Beerenberg!)
• Goats cheese
• Fresh mint

1. Cut out the puff pastry rounds and line mini muffin tins (spray tin with non stick oil first)
2. Prick the bottom of each pastry round with a fork
3. Fill each cup with a small dollop (not quite a teaspoon) of beetroot relish (do not go overboard otherwise it will spill over)
4. Top with a sprinkle of goats cheese (about half a teaspoon)
5. Cook in a preheated oven at 180C until puffed and golden
6. Cool in tray until easy to handle and then transfer to wire rack
7. Sprinkle with torn mint leaves and serve

 Michelle Bridges 12WBT Chicken & Herb Tartlets

• 1g Olive oil spray        
• 2 1/3 slices Wholemeal mountain bread (58g)
• 250g Cooked lean chicken breast, diced
• 2 stalks Celery stalk (40g), finely diced
• 2 tablespoons Chives (6g), finely chopped  
• 2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley leaves (6g), finely chopped
• 1 teaspoons Lemon zest (5g), finely grated        
• 2 tablespoons Low-fat natural yoghurt (40g)        
• 2 tablespoons low-fat mayonnaise (40g)

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Lightly spray 20 holes of a 24 hole mini muffin tin with oil. Cut each full piece of mountain bread into 9 even squares. Cut the 1/3 bread into 3 squares. Press into prepared holes, to form a shell. Spray lightly with oil. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until golden and crisp. Remove from pan and cool on a wire rack.
2. Meanwhile, combine chicken, celery, chives, parsley, lemon zest, yoghurt and mayonnaise in a medium size bowl. Season with freshly ground black pepper.
3. To serve, spoon 1 tablespoon of chicken filling into each tart shell (you will have one extra shell).

Michelle Bridges 12WBT rare roast beef, white bean and red pesto crostini

• 1 baguette sourdough (80g), cut into 20 slices
• 1g Olive oil spray
• 2 teaspoons Olive oil (10g)
• 1 cloves Garlic (3g), crushed
• 1 cups drained cannellini beans (173g), drained and rinsed        
• 2 teaspoons Lemon juice (10g)        
• 1 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley leaves (3g), chopped        
• 2 tablespoons Chives (6g), chopped        
• 150g Lean beef fillets        
• 5 teaspoons Sundried tomato pesto (25g)

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180°C and line a large baking tray with baking paper. Place baguette slices on tray and spray lightly with oil. Bake for 10 minutes, turning once during cooking, until golden and crisp. Set aside to cool.
2. Heat olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook garlic, stirring, for 30 seconds or until fragrant. Add beans and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds more. Add lemon juice, parsley and half the chives.Transfer to a food processor and process to a rough puree. Add 1-2 tablespoons hot water if too thick. Set aside to cool.
3. Spray a small frying pan with oil and heat over high heat. Cook steak for 2-3 minutes each side or until cooked to your liking. Transfer to a plate, cover loosely with foil and set aside to rest for 5 minutes. Cut into 20 thin slices.
4. To serve, spread some white bean puree over each crostini. Top with a slice of beef and a small dollop of pesto. Serve immediately, scattered with remaining chives.

 

No mincing my words

I am getting really good at 'pantry pie'. All different versions.

Most of them always include a legume of some sorts, tinned tomatoes and sometimes corn.

After my indulgent weekend in Melbourne (pics to come soon), I am running low on cash and need to get creative with my pantry staples.

Luckily, my freezer is full of meat from my recent trip to Jourdanne's farm.

So this morning I took out some sausage mince, with no real idea what I was going to do with it.

Enter the world's best sausage rolls. If I do say so myself.

They have an almost Moroccan edge. Almost.

Now, I threw it all together on the spot and have no idea how much of what I added, so just go with it.

Ingredients

Sausage mince

Fresh mint, chopped

Sunflower kernels

Red onion, chopped

Wholegrain mustard

Egg, whisked

Breadcrumbs

Cumin

Coriander seeds (ground)

Fennel (ground)

Craisins

Chilli flakes

Dukkah (for sprinkling)

Puff pastry

Extra whisked egg (for brushing)

Fry up the red onion with the spices and then add the sunflower kernels to slightly toast

Leave to cool

In the meantime, combine the mince, egg, mustard, breadcrumbs, fresh mint, craisins and then add the onion mixture

Spread the mince mixture down a sheet of puff pastry (I could fit two per sheet)

Cut into small pieces (about five per roll) and brush with extra egg

Sprinkle with dukkah and lay on a baking tray lined with baking paper

Cook in a preheated oven at 180 for about 20 minutes

With compliments

Look at this totally delicious living room that Sally just sent me through.

She said it reminds her of my place. Biggest compliment EVAH!

I've got a long way to go but this is total inspiration from none other than Rita Konig.

If only I had a magic wand and could wave it over my shoebox of a unit to transform it into this beauty . . .

View from the floor

Getting fit isn't all it's cracked up to be.

I hurt my hip at bootcamp a month ago and have been at the physio ever since. She's given me stretches to do but I've been slack with my homework and with another appointment tomorrow, I was trying to fit in one last mega stretch in front of the telly tonight.

I'd gone for a run on the treadmill (again, in front of the telly) earlier this evening and by the time I got down to my floorwork, I found it incredibly hard to get back up. 

Ouch. I hurt.

Anyway, I looked up from the floor to see what I could use to help pull myself up with (what a wuss I am!) and was pleasantly surprised by all the colour in the room. A bit overcome, would probably be a better description, but it certainly looks like a happy space (if not incredibly messy!).

View from the floor. Yep, they're my stretches at the bottom of the photo. Fat lot of good they're doing.

I thought I'd take you through some of my favourite things in my living room . . . and then you can help me 'edit' it (in the words of Emma). It's all a bit cluttered and crazy at the moment - I've been collecting random bits and bobs since I bought my little shoe box four years ago but have failed to 'curate' a collection and instead, put things where I see a space.

Hmm, I have a lot to learn!

Now to some of the things I love . . .

The For Like Ever poster up the back on the right

I know, I know, I still have to find a home for it! And did you notice the little mini version on the tray? My workmates gave it to me in the interim while we waited to get my big one framed. So sweet x

My Kate Spade dessert plates 

In the pink box under the nail polishes. Gemmal, you spoil me x

. . . and Kate Spade tea cup and saucer

Feel like such a lady drinking from this, thanks Bree x

My cushion collection

It's slowly coming together, love love love my three newest additions care of Lill and Peach. Floral is really working for me at the moment

Fresh flowers

Bluebells from Granny's garden and a pretty bunch from a boy I went on a date with last weekend (I know, who said chivalry was dead?)

My Notting Hill print

Aaahhhh, London. Need I say any more?

My dupion silk lampshade

Stunning cranberry, navy and jade green check . . . gosh I need to paint that base!

My vintage vase

First purchase from Anna Spiro's Absolutely Beautiful Things!

Bentwood chair

This has reminded me I need to put it back in the kitchen! It's one of four but we ran out of red spray paint and is the only one still in its natural state. Thanks for your bargain hunting skills JB!

Inspirational quotes

Love the framed hot pink one from Ad "There is nothing like a dream to create the future"

Coffee table books

Some people collect shoes but I go for coffee table books - cookbooks are my weakness followed by French inspired beauties

And that's just to name a few.

So . . . it's a mess, but a work in progress.

And a place I love to call home!

Any suggestions!?

A cushy life

My clever friends are at it again.

Peach surprised me with a gorgeous handmade orange trellis cushion the other day while Lill loaded me up with two stunning floral numbers on my recent trip to Melbourne.

Clever girls!

My cushion collection is definitely taking shape.

For Like Where?

I need your help, people!

One of my most prized possessions is my For Like Ever framed poster that was my farewell present from my old work. Gosh they have good taste (that's you, Joanne!)

It's been moved around my little unit for the last two years with no permanent home.

I finally decided I had to do something with it when I had friends over for dinner a few weeks ago and in a red wine daze, I walked into the table that was in front of the poster and smashed the glass to smithereens.

I know, I know, what was it doing behind a table?

So, where do you suggest?

Looks great above the couch. I think this is a front runner. But I don't have two windows for it to sit between. Can doorways have the same effect? This, I can do!

I do love it as part of a cluster wall, but I don't have a big enough wall for this to work.

I do have a fireplace but the question is, does it hang above . . . 

. . . or rest on the mantelpiece?

The floor is a very cool look.

I especially like how this is hidden behind a chair.

But I know I'd back into it and smash the glass again.

The layering effect could work for me . . . it can hide the scratches in the print from where the glass sliced it.

*sob*

But again, a hazard on the floor don't you think?

Two yeas ago I had it above my bed but I thought that was bad juju. There's no way I want to be a single gal in that bed alone . . . For Like Ever. So it was taken down after a couple of months of well, drought.

So the bedroom is out.

But this looks so cool . . .

Anna Spiro does it so well. I could do a hall stand . . .

And here she's popped it in a nook - a cute feature of my own little house.

But visitors don't really see the nook. Unless they're on their way to the bathroom.

And it's kind of dark in there.

Back to the living room - this pic shows how it works even in the narrowest of wall spaces.

In my little shoebox of a home, I think I'm going to have to settle for something similar. Maybe just inside the front door?

Stay tuned - I might have a popular vote and take you on a tour of my home!

Pics from pinterest

Ring my bluebellgray

This cushion business is really throwing me in to a spin.

Emma from White & Wander sent through some wonderful suggestions for my hot pink and white couches and I'm slowly chipping away and buying one cushion every pay packet or so. I was also very lucky to receive some gorgeous additions to my collection for my birthday.

Emma's palm inspired find was so 'en vogue' this month - literally! One of the first stories in the latest issue of Vogue Living raved about how 'in' tropical inspired palms are!

She is a clever little cookie, that one!

I really have to love each and every cushion I buy and am concerned I'm being a bit too 'formula' and there's not enough contrast in my collection. Everything's quite bold and graphic and I should really pay more attention to the stories Em's created. Give credit to mis-matched perfection, experiment with clashing. Be brave!

But the Taurean in me is stubborn and when I'm on to something, I stick with it!

Anyway, I've stumbled across Bluebellgray who has shaken things up a bit. Softer edges, muted palettes, dreamy florals. Quite different to the spots and stripes I've been attracted to.

Aren't they divine?

And lucky me . . . I get paid tomorrow!

Back to school

Little bit excited about this tomorrow night!

Heading to a colour class at The School of Real Living with a dear school friend who now lives in Canberra.

Think I might focus on my bathroom. Or bedroom. Maybe my kitchen. Hmm, my living room needs a lot of work.

Oh gosh, where do I start?

I am concerned my true obsession with the colour pink is going to shine through, so I need to start collating my 'inspiration' pics from my Dream House board on Pinterest into some 'not so pink' examples.

Navy, yes, lots of navy. And gold. We like gold.

Wish me luck x

Watershed

Stumbled across a new artist today thanks to Camille Styles and her pins.

Love this work by Katie Rodgers of Paperfashion. Her watercolours are beautiful.

What a great idea to do iPhone covers. And I love that you can buy her original paintings as well as prints. Art is something I really want to start investing in. Wish I had more walls to decorate. I've failed miserably with my cluster wall and am still yet to hang my For Like Ever print. 

Anyone good with a hammer and nail?!

Who am I?

Who have I become?

It's a Sunday and I've spent my day a) sober and b) cleaning.

Hello Day 1 of Dry July! And hello new vacuum cleaner.

I know, I've changed.

I never thought I'd see the day where I'd get excited about cleaning appliances. But this baby has guts.

Here's a pretty picture to redeem myself. 

Pic from theaestate.com

Wouldn't I love to enjoy a G&T . . . I mean, lemon lime and bitters out there on that chic terrace. 

Does bitters count as alcohol!? Please no!

Off to meet a dear friend for a 'drink' this afternoon. Let's hope the Grace does a good mocktail.

Happy Sunday x

What a cushy life

I'm working with Emma of White & Wander to create a cushion 'story' for my two IKEA couches.

One is a white Ektorp (so so comfy and a great shape) and the other is a burn-your-eyes-it's-so-bright pink Klippan.

I'm a sucker for pink and brights and bold patterns but Emma's teaching me to tone it down while staying true to my passion for 'loud'.

This picture perfect story above from none other than the fabulous Furbish Studio has provided some great inspiration. Emma, pay attention!

We're having lots of fun on Etsy, I could spend hours on the couch with that girl while she navigates through a maze of online beauties.

Stay tuned as we build my collection . . .

Yukka fun

A gardener I am not.

So my Mum took me shopping last weekend to buy a pot for neglected yukka I've had sitting at my front door in a plastic tub for months now.

With no interest in gardening and a cement slab of a courtyard, we had to resort to using BBQ utensils to get the thing out of its temporary plastic home!

We finally got there (and I even got my hands dirty!) and I'm happy with the transformation.

Next challenge: the courtyard.

The year 2014 is looking good for that! Too many pretties to buy for inside the house in the meantime!

Floating my boat

With Matchbook mag hot off the e-press and so many new collections arriving in store (can you tell I've just been on my lunch break and just got paid!?), I've been seriously inspired to revamp my wardrobe.

Top of the list include . . .

J.Crew Maritime Dress

Oroton essentials bow ballet flats - in pink of course

On a side note - I did try on some ah-mazing leopard print Oroton ballet flats in DJs but I can't find them online ANYWHERE! Lusting for them like you wouldn't believe, so might have to head back tomorrow . . .

Marinoni pewterware at David Jones - I want this fruit bowl so badly

And they had the CUTEST cup and saucer that I've ever seen. Not Royal Albert cute (because we all know I love a floral and tonnes of pink), but more industrial, quirky, Tuscan cute

And this Lilly Pulitzer mettalic gold bow belt

Plus a set of Laguiole steak knives.

I know, I know, I'm behind the eight ball with these. They've been 'en vogue' for years and I've given so many as wedding and engagement gifts so think it's time I spoilt myself (because there sure aint a ring on this finger!)

And I just had to throw this in because I tried it last night for the first time and it was outofthisworld.

Maggie, you are my hero!

What's floating your boat at the moment?

xo