I'll start tomorrow

Loving weheartit again

Fashion is the healthiest motivation for losing weight.

Words I should have ingrained on the inside of the fridge, at the bottom of my coffee cup, in reverse on my forehead (so I can read it backwards when looking in to the toaster).

I have three very special weddings coming up and have promised myself I'll make every effort to shape up for the big days (one in March, one in April and one in June). It all starts now. So I've been good, have started group fitness sessions with the gorgeous Bree full of encouragement, I've been going for runs on my own, and then there's the walks with Mum as we search the burbs for Christmas lights while huffing and puffing and catching up on the goss.

So why oh why did I come home tonight and make the most indulgent steak sandwich? Seriously, how many 26 year old girls come home to single girl's steak? Complete with kalamata olives, roast capsicum, onions, fried egg and sweet chilli sauce, . . . okay stop! It was really good. But so bad!

Time to focus:
Fashion is the healthiest motivation for losing weight
Fashion is the healthiest motivation for losing weight
Fashion is the healthiest motivation for losing weight
Fashion is the healthiest motivation for losing weight

I'll start tomorrow!

An obsession with absolutely beautiful things

So, I've been a good girl this year and hope that I find myself on Father Christmas's nice list (as opposed to the naughty one!).

I've done my charity thing for Starlight Children's Foundation (as secretary on the Young Starlight Committee), I've dug holes for the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation and I've donated to the Mo Bros for Movember. Goodness, I even raised a sweat (and more than $100!) at Foxtel Lap for the Murdoch Children's Research Institute.

I've been good to my friends (at least I think I have!), been the perfect daughter and sister (and now sister-in-law!) and know I'm in Granny's good books. Bless!

So when Father Christmas comes looking for my wish list this year, I'm going to make it easy for him - please just fly Anna from Black and Spiro down to Adelaide and let her do her thing to my little place!

Since Kimberlee introduced me to the bloggy world, I've had a love affair with Anna's blog 'absolutely beautiful things'. I'm so inspired by her use of colour and efforts to mix old with new and desperately want to capture her style at my place. I've only got a small space to work with and am starting with a fresh coat of paint - I've settled on Solver 'Paper' White to offset the collection of prints, gold frames and mirrors I'm slowly collecting to decorate my living room wall. My photo of the pastel coloured shops along Portabello Road in Notting Hill is my starting point (similar to below).

Pic from here

I've got a long way to go, but can't wait til my time off over Christmas to roll up my sleeves and make a real start on turning my house into a home.

A girl can never have too much pink - thank you Anna for brightening our lives!

All other pics from absolutely beautiful things - LOVE!

Love a good Hen's!

So Michelle's getting married and I'm over the moon to join the gorgeous Kel and BK in the bridesmaid line up. And now comes the fun part - planning the hens day!

Now, we have to go all out for our Shelly Bell - she deserves the world! So I just don't think your average wine tour will do. Does anyone have any really good ideas? It has to be classy, memorable, unique and relevant - none of this penis straw bizzo! Anyone care to shed some light on the perfect hens day?

Pic from here

Kate by name . . .

Have you seen how cute the Kate Spade Christmas gift guide is this year? You HAVE to log on and check it out - all the little pictures are animated and have the most adorable sound effects. Check it out here.

Bubbles and Brown Button Trading

I just love Christmas! The fun and frivolity that's associated with it, the good times with friends, the colour and joy! I also LOVE giving (and I wouldn't say no to receiving a new Kate Spade handbag, hint hint Mother!).

Buying presents for friends and family is so much fun - I've started already and have landed two perfect gifts so far. But since I entered a relationship with Mr M (aka Mortgage), I haven't been able to be as decadent and generous as I'd like.

All that's about to change thanks to the gorgeous Kimberlee's Brown Button Trading Christmas gift guide. Presents that are actually affordable AND impressive - who would've thought?!

To help kick off the season, Mum and I are having a small little shindig at my parentals where we'll toast the fun with copious amounts of Bird in Hand sparkling pinot noir and red velvet Hummingbird Bakery cupcakes (take me back to Portabello Road!). Who needs eggnog and mince pies, these days?

Anyway, to add a bit of spice to the partay and ease the shopping stress that so many of us endure in the lead up to the big day, I've asked Kim along to come and give us a first hand look at what BBT has on offer this Christmas. We'll have Michael Buble warbling in the background, my dog Dougall running circles round everyone's legs, and credit cards running hot as everyone stocks up on those 'just in case presents' - you know the ones! For those pesky neighbours, or your hairdresser, or the lady at the gym. We all need to invest in our present boxes!

Make sure you check out the gift guide for your own sanity - it's truly a one stop shop (I wonder how my Dad will appreciate reindoor coat hooks?)

Oh, and I'll be sure to upload some pics after the party! Just hope my cupcakes live up to the hype!

Pics from BBT online - GORGEOUS!

Ready to burst

Pic from weheartit.com

Do there ever seem to be enough hours in the day? I am going through the motions at 110% at the moment, completely out of routine and lacking all sorts of enthusiasm and motivation . . . and I'm ready to burst!

My habits in the kitchen say a lot about the moods I'm in. Some days I'll leave the dishes for weeks, others I'll have everything cleaned up before I've even sat down to eat. When things are going well I'll be trying new recipes, entertaining friends and drinking at the stove, but when my mood turns dark, it's grilled cheese on toast, tuna mornay and nutella straight from the jar!

So, I hate to admit - but it's been a lot of slap dash, uninspired eating lately. Time for a change! Last night, I planned ahead and cooked a delicious chilli chicken salad for me and my housemate. So simple, so easy and so good for you! Tick, tick, tick! Even better when there are leftovers the next day . . . I almost skipped to work this morning!

This one's from the 21 day wonder diet from Women's Weekly. I love it!

1 chicken breast
1 carrot
1 capsicum
1 packet bean sprouts (or really big handful)
bunch coriander
ginger (grated, I use it from the jar)
fish sauce
sweet chilli sauce
lime juice

1. Put the chicken breast in a saucepan and cover with two cups of water.
2. Bring to the boil and then simmer with the lid on for 10 minutes.
3. Leave the chicken to cool in its own liquid, then when cool, take out and shred with a fork.
4. In the meantime, thinly thinly cut up the capsicum and carrots in to long strips. Put in a salad bowl with the beansprouts and shredded chicken, once cool.
5. Combine a teaspoon of ginger, tablespoon of sweet chilli sauce, about 2 teaspoons of lime juice and 1 teaspoon of fish sauce and pour over the salad (I can't find the recipe book for exact measurements, so go with your gut feeling!)
6. Ensure the dressing is well distributed, then serve salad in to two serving bowls.
7. Top with coriander and enjoy!

NB. Other variations include adding some crushed peanuts, or sliced snow pea sprouts. Yum!

I heart it

I'm still new to this whole blog thing so excuse me if I'm way behind the eight ball and it's a case of 'Hello Sandra Sully, with the late news', but I have just stumbled across THE BEST image site ever.

Absolutely stunning!

weheartit (how DO you do hearts in bloggy world?) is the bread on my butter, the cream cheese on my carrot cake. I'm in love!

The above pics were just from a 'pink' search and how ah-mazing are they? A little bit more searching took me to the 'food' labels and just check out below what I found.

Enjoy xo

Where's Wally?

So, you've been wondering where I've been? What's kept me so busy? Let's play a little game of Where's Wally!

Yes, that's right - that's me in both the photos above. I was a bridesmaid in my dear friend Sam's wedding this weekend just gone. Absolutely stunning. The most perfect wedding, it was gorgeous. And the bridesmaids scrubbed up pretty well too!

Then underneath is all the fun of my brother's wedding. What a hoot! I was MC and it was a huge responsibility, but a wonderful night with family and friends. And a bridal dance to rival all others! I'm in the pink in case you were wondering, you know, the Carla I've been raving about!

Congratulations to both happy couples - I am so honoured and touched to have been a part of your special days.

xo

PS. I have promised myself I wouldn't venture down the wedding blog track (not a good look for a single 26 year old), so I'd best mention something about the food. Amazing display of culinary genius at Chloe's Restaurant for Sam and Simon's wedding - how that tenderloin was so um, tender, is beyond me! And for mass consumption. Divine! And Sam and Ange - cutest wedding cake going round, I was very impressed, yet devastated there were no leftovers the next day!

Dessert buffet heaven

Last weekend, we celebrated JC's big 3-0 with the most stunning afternoon tea at her place. Savouries included all sorts of goodies such as pizzettas, ricotta and roast tomato tarts, smoked salmon blinis, ribbon sandwiches and tandoori chicken curry cups (courtesy of moi!).

But it was the dessert buffet that took the cake - literally. We channelled our inner Amy Atlas and dug deep to prepare this masterpiece. I have to admit, I hardly lifted a finger when it came to the desserts, but my careful positioning of the delicate treats must be acknowledged!

And I carried out the role of quality control with absolute diligence - taste testing is underrated - I was at the peak of my game all arvo. And I can report, each of those lemon tarts, neenish tarts, cockles. . . need I go on? They were all perfect!

Happy happy birthday pretty girl!

xo

PS. Thanks Bree for the mirrors - they looked great!

Julie & Julia . . . and Kate!

Pics from here and here

I'm the first to admit my blog entries have been few and far between lately. There have been wedding festivities, new TV shows to get excited about (I'm quietly obsessed by Flash Forward and Celebrity MasterChef - ssshhh!) and general mayhem in the life of Kate.

I'm full of ideas and the passion's still there, but it wasn't until last night that the fire was reignited. The gorgeous JC took me to see Julie & Julia - quite possibly one of the most lovely, heartwarming, sweet and innocent films I've ever seen. It had me at hello.

Poor old JC was bruised and battered by the end of the movie thanks to my constant elbowing and nudging: 'JC, that sounds like me!', 'JC, that's something I'd say', 'JC, how ah-mazing does that chocolate cake look?'. Every day at work we share recipe ideas from dinners the night before - she's engaged to a meat and three veg type of bloke (love you though, Spinks!) so I think she secretly gets her kicks when she can talk 'laksa' and 'risoni' and other such 'posh food' with me!

So back to the movie. Gold. Scenes littered with oozing French brie, succulent boeuf bourgignon, chocolate cream pie and sky high souffles. If only we had smellovision!

I related to the characters in so many ways - from Julia's love of France (and string of pearls!) to Julie's self indulgence and hostess with the mostest ambitions, it was me! I've realised I don't have the funds (nor the metabolism!) to be able to attempt such a courageous cooking challenge, but I love the idea and am giving some thought to a similar concept for myself, to keep me focused and motivated to finish something.

Anyway, enough about my ephiphany and me, me, me. If you love food as much as me, you'll love this film - it's truly one for the bloggers!

Bon appetit!

Dark and decadent

I've been finding it hard to harness my passion and inspiration lately and feel like I'm treading water in some very rough seas. I haven't been cooking, I haven't had friends over for dinner and I can't remember the last itme I tried a new recipe. My chi is definitely out (just ask Nicole!).

So tonight, instead of dipping into the nutella jar with a big fat spoon, I went for a walk to clear my head and revisited the beautiful world of Cannelle et Vanille. Roasted beetroot and chocolate puddings. Now that, is dark and decadent and just what I was looking for!

Cupcake connection

Have you actually ever seen anything cuter than these little gems? A friend of mine from school has just started her own little business from home (on top of a full time day job, mind you! Talk about busy!) and she's kicking goals with the best cupcakes in town.

Like all wonderful things in the world, Kim is based in Adelaide and is developing quite the corporate following with her delectable little treats.

The baby shower cupcakes are just heavenly. Gush!

For more info, contact her at bandkadams@bigpond.com