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!