29.3.12

WEEKEND IN MELBOURNE



Beautiful clouds that never get old. Always amazing and breathtaking.



Gloves at the Chapel Street Bazaar


Espresso at the Sensory Lab


Kitty!


Cute window plants along Brunswick Street




I wish I could do my groceries here every week!


So many beautiful florists. 
This one was my favourite because I met the cutest little baby girl!


The ANZ Banking Museum at 380 Collins Street - so grand...
I sneaked a photo before one of the tellers told us off! 


Chocolate Brioche at Brioche by Phillip

22.3.12

KINFOLK

Kinfolk Magazine Volume Three is being released on Tuesday and I've just preordered!! I am so excited!!! This volume sounds just perfect and more amazing than ever! 


"This third volume of Kinfolk explores how we all might benefit from incorporating more of the things we love into our daily routines instead of saving them for the weekend or out next vacation. The essays and personal stories focus on welcoming food, community, and simplicity into our lives as regularly as possible."



It's now time for me to get around to finishing Volume Two which is about the winter months. Being in Australia, it hasn't really seemed appropriate to be reading about hot chocolate and warm blankets when it's been summer here! Since Autumn is finally here, I can at least feel that it is appropriate as I wear my cardigan to keep warm...


Here is one of my favourite Kinfolk films that I watched over and over again, scrutinising every single detail when I first discovered it... (thanks, Jenna) Enjoy!


19.3.12

CROCHET DREAMS


One of the reasons why I started this blog was to document my future crochet projects. I signed up for a beginner's crochet class at Morris and Sons in April. Hopefully I will be able to retain all the information and begin to crochet like a pro!

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I would love to be able to make lace like Lotte from Belle fleur de lis, but I know it will take lots and lots of practice... 

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Looking at possible projects from Chocolate Mints in a Jar makes me very hopeful and excited! 

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I will keep in mind the 5 Stages of Knitting Mistake Grief by one sheepish girl and hopefully I will become an  increasingly patient and kind person after each project is completed!

18.3.12

SUNDAY

More green food today...

Warm glass noodles and edamame beans

I found this recipe in Plenty by Yottam Ottolenghi - the best cookbook I have ever purchased! It is full of delicious vegetarian recipes that are so appetising that even D, who loves his meat, asks me to cook from this cookbook. It was hard to justify buying all the exact ingredients for this recipe, so we substituted some of the ingredients with their more common cousins we already had in the pantry. We used brown sugar instead of palm sugar, olive oil instead of sunflower oil and groundnut oil, and used a lot less lime than suggested (2 and a half instead of 4!). After all of that, the dish still turned out delicious! Perfect for a summer lunch or if you are going for a picnic! Super easy to make too...

Earlier in the day, we went to check out the Rock 'n Roll & Alternative Market at the Jets Sport Club in Tempe. Claire had her Fifties Frock stall up so we kept her company. I was surrounded by so many cute and adorable things that I just had to buy more than I should have... 

Pretty vintage china plates made in Japan to add to my plate collection. 
Two for $10!!! What a bargain.

Cute flower stud earrings.

A wired polkadot headband and a pair of cat-eye glasses!

17.3.12

AVOCADO DAY

My day was filled with green things.

The table at Reuben Hills was green.

Then, my brunch was green & delicious! 
Avocado, coriander and lime on sour dough bread.

My second brunch wasn't so green, but it was divine!
(I was starving)
Brioche with lime curd.

The sidewalk was green... 

And lastly, my dinner was green!

I got the idea from Veggie num num, but didn't have all the ingredients.
I decided to make it my way, but hopefully just as yummy!

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Avocado & Pea Mash Pasta with Lime Juice & Toasted Pine Nuts
(Serves 2)

1 avocado (mashed well)
1 cup of peas
1 clove of garlic (finely minced)
1/3 cup of toasted pine nuts
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Juice of half a lime
Salt to taste
Pasta of your choice

Boil the peas until they are soft.
Drain & rinse the peas under cold water.
Mash the peas, but leave it lumpy for texture.
Combine the avocado, peas, garlic and lime juice in a bowl and mix well.
Season with salt to taste.
Boil your pasta according to the instructions on the packet.
Place the cooked pasta in your bowl/plate of choice.
Spoon the avocado and pea mash over the pasta.
Sprinkle the toasted pine nuts.
Drizzle some extra virgin olive oil.
Devour!

5.3.12

FIFTIES FROCKS

Claire just opened her new studio and showroom in Marrickville last week! 


Claire creates custom-made dresses and skirts inspired by the 1950s. You can select from Claire's amazing hand-picked collection of fabrics, choose which style you love and Claire will create a piece which will be made just for you.

Claire takes a lot of pride in her work, so there will not be a stitch out of place and your dress will always fit you like a glove. 

Pretty Claire, who always has the most amazing hairstyles! 

The amazing fabric collection!



It was so nice to see my friend who has been working so hard to do what she loves for a living, actually make the next big step! It's really quite mind-boggling how most people just settle for a job which they put up with just for the money. Just think about how much happier everyone would be if their jobs were matched with their passions! I guess a good first step is taking the time to pursue your passions instead of letting your day job define you......

The coveted rack...

These were some of the fabrics she had out that day - I really like the one in the middle with the yellow roses!

It is such a good idea to get a dress made if you have an fancy occasion coming up. I'm definitely getting myself a dress for an upcoming wedding! You could even have your bridesmaids dresses made here - get your bridesmaid to pick a fabric and they can all have the same style but with different fabrics! I think it is so refreshing to have a fifties-style dress.


If you're thinking of having a dress made or if you just want to see what Fifties Frocks is all about, you can pop by Claire's studio at 18-26 Faversham Street in Marrickville on Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 5pm. You can also contact her for an appointment out of these times.

You could also visit her online store to browse some of the styles that she currently is selling. Just remember that her studio has a larger selection of fabrics!

Like Fifties Frocks on Facebook to get updates on new styles and fabrics! 

Finally, Claire will be having a stall at the Rock 'n Roll & Alternative Market on Sunday the 18th of March 2012 at the Jets Sports Club in Tempe (2 Holbreach Avenue, Tempe).