Wordless Wednesday

Posted on November 7, 2012 by Bec

Me, standing near the Obamas’ place circa 2010. Congrats Barry. #fourmoreyears

Ps. I want my long hair back

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Dessert Kebabs

Posted on November 6, 2012 by Bec

When I was little, I used to watch Mermaids at least weekly. Not The Little Mermaid, Mermaids starring Cher, Winona Ryder and Christina Ricci. One thing (among many) that stuck with me is the food Mrs Flax (Cher) would make; novelty finger food, peanut butter sandwiches cut into stars, that kind of thing.

“A word about Mrs. Flax and food: the word is ‘hors d’oeurves’. Fun Finger Foods is her main source book and it’s all the woman cooks. Anything more, she says, is too big a commitment.”

Amen. I’ve always wanted to make marshmallow kebabs like the ones in the movie, and finally, I have! It’s hardly surprising that my attitude to cooking has been shaped by Mrs Flax, seeing as she played such a large role in my childhood. However I do feel for the amazing cooks and bakers in my family, who no doubt die a little with shame whenever I post one of my ‘recipes’.

So this is not a recipe, but just ‘guidelines’ for the tastiest marshmallow or dessert kebabs you will ever try. Wash and hull some strawberries and thread them onto satay sticks.

Then melt some chocolate in a bowl over a saucepan with a little water in it.

If you have a piping bag use that, but obviously I don’t, so I used some cling film with a hole pierced in the bottom to drizzle the chocolate. Professional.

Then refrigerate. Delicious.

Do you have a movie that defined your childhood? Or your eating habits? DO tell.

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Happy Halloween!

Posted on October 31, 2012 by Bec

Just a couple of instagram pics from my (early) Halloween party on saturday night. My boyfriend did an amazing job carving that pumpkin, which someone later trashed, much to my anger. My last minute costume idea was thrown together half an hour before the party started when I finally arrived home from a week in Brisbane. I pinned a jack o’lantern face on to a silk orange Kirrily Johnston dress from a few years ago, voila!

It was such a great night, and everyone made an effort to get dressed up (I will never understand people who don’t like costume parties!). I wish we had taken some photos of the decorations. My housemates managed to buy an obnoxiously loud Halloween doorbell for $2, it is an evil pumpkin with a spider that shoots out when you press the button. Obviously it’s never coming down. Are you celebrating Halloween at all? Do you go trick or treating? I’m going to buy some lollies just in case.

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Friday Fast Facts

Posted on October 19, 2012 by Bec

Welcome to Friday Fast Facts.

Fact: I have moved house and have not had the Internet connected yet, therefore I am blogging from my iPhone. Dangerous.
Fact: I have done 7 hours of exercise this week, 4 in the gym, 3 outside. I am in so much pain I can barely move. I blame the star chart I’ve started with two friends. For every exercise session completed we get a star. So juvenile but it works. Those stars are like crack.
Fact: rehearsals have started this week for the Goldfields Repertory Club (we did Chicago earlier this year, if you recall) Christmas Show, which is a pantomime of sorts. This year is a modern take on Snow White and the Seven Dwarves and I am Snow White! So much fun. Need to get more pale.
Fact: I am off to Brisbane on Sunday for a week for work. Send me your restaurant recommendations please. I get back at 6:30pm on the night of a Halloween party I’m co-hosting, so I’m hoping the aviation gods will be good to me (no delays!). I am spending tomorrow hanging up fake cobwebs and fairy lights.
Fact: my lovely friend Leticia bought me a neon PVC satchel. Just because. Obviously I love it. She’s a dime. Her daughter Aurora is 20 months old and calls me ‘Betty’. Swoon.

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That’s all from me. How’s your weekend shaping up? Are you doing anything for Halloween?

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Breakfast at the Butter Factory

Posted on October 17, 2012 by Bec


On Sunday I went with Mum to the Euroa Butter Factory for breakfast. Euroa is about an hour and 45 minutes north of Melbourne. The Butter Factory was built in 1901 and is now a gorgeous accommodation/reception/cafe/gallery space surrounded by lush gardens.

I had pancakes (with a side of bacon and maple syrup, obviously)

Mum had eggs.

I look very tired (because I was). After breakfast we walked through the herb garden/vegie patch and through the amazing gardens. Everything was in full bloom and bees were buzzing around.

We met two little piggies along the way. I immediately felt bad about the bacon in my belly.

I love the country. And breakfast. Euroa Butter Factory website here.

Come say hi on facebook

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Up the garden path

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Bec

My Mum lives about two hours north of Melbourne near the Strathbogie Ranges. Ned Kelly country. I love visiting there. It’s so pretty and peaceful and there is always good food involved.

Yes I am wearing tweed, it’s the country. Mum has plenty of chickens, Henny Penny, Florence and Beatrice are the only ones that spring to mind though…

Here is my sister making fun of me by posing with oranges. The garden has the best orange and lemon trees.

This scarecrow is a recent addition. Don’t know what it does for the crows but I find it downright petrifying. My sister obviously doesn’t. (note: she does in fact have two legs)

Garden fresh eggs.

This is Charlie. Mum rescued him from life in a dark shed. He’s a real sweetheart.

With a perfect ballerina turn-out.

Do you like visiting the country? Or are you strictly city?

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The Graduate

Posted on October 15, 2012 by Bec

Sorry about my unannounced absence, I was busy doing this:

Graduating! I actually finished university this time last year, but because I have been living and working interstate I put off attending the ceremony. Until last week, that is.

I felt like an extra on the set of Harry Potter and really did not want to return the hat. It was awesome.

Not so awesome were the ‘fun’ shoes I bought to wear, which lasted half an hour before being replaced by my boring back-up shoes. Oh the shame.

Plenty of posts coming this week, cross my heart! x

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Wordless Wednesday: the long weekend

Posted on October 3, 2012 by Bec

Some instagram photos from my long weekend in Esperance.

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Off and Racing

Posted on September 28, 2012 by Bec

So we were all enoying the day, drinking out of tiny plastic cups, feasting on finger food, placing ill-informed bets, cursing our choice of footwear and the wind and then this happened…

Holy. Toledo. A proposal. In our tent. Surrounded by friends (and a couple of camera crews). Tears streamed down my cheeks (I blame the sparkling wine and lack of sleep) as I miraculously managed to film the entire thing on my iPhone in one hand and take photos with my DSLR in the other. Highlight of the day. We then danced into the late afternoon.  

This long weekend I’m off to the beach for a few days. Praying for sunshine. Your plans?

Find me on facebook here. Who will be the lucky 100th ‘liker’?!

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National Op Shop Week

Posted on September 26, 2012 by Bec

I was surprised to learn this morning that this week is National Op Shop Week. Firstly, surprised that I wasn’t given a crown and sceptre and the title of ‘Ambassador’ and secondly, surprised that we have no public holiday to mark the occasion.

Moving on. Apparently op shops nation wide are currently experiencing their lowest stocks ever. More and more people are shopping at op shops, but not as many people are donating. We live in scary times! Start donating, people! Share the love! Redress the balance!

To celebrate I thought I’d go back over some of my most prized op shop purchases of all time.

Coat & Scarf this deliciously warm wool/cashmere blend coat I bought from Savers for $16.95. The scarf was about $4 from Vinnies.

Dress I blogged about recently. An excellent vintage find from Savers in Melbourne.

Jacket, shirt & skirt an entirely thrifted outfit, including the brooch. White shirt is a staple I wear all the time. Leather skirt is all kinds of versatile.

Jacket & shirt tweed black and white jacket I bought from the now defunct Savers in Shepparton. That place was a goldmine. Lest we forget.

Blazer floral goodness! Also blogged about recently.

Now for some National Op Shop Week resolutions:

  • I will stop buying coats. I have at least 10 and I live on the edge of a desert.
  • I will dabble in second hand footwear. I’ve yet to go there but I know I am missing out.
  • I will get around to altering all those op shop finds that are too long/short/shoulder-paddy.

Click here for my handy guide for op shopping success.

Tell me, what has been your best or whackiest op shop find? Got any tips for success?

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