meet Ico Sokolich.

So, I officially became an Aunty for the very first time around 5am Saturday May 12th.

read more..

raw-banana-avocado-tofu-coconut-cheesecake

most epic raw food adventure today

crust

 filling

 

 

 

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i cut sugar

i gave up sugar 19 days ago and haven't looked back. to clarify, I have stopped consuming anything containing refined sugars..even such things as tomato sauce and certain milks. natural sugars i welcome with open arms and have made a natural date paste concoction to sweeten home-made sauces and salad dressings. since making the switch from a high-sugar diet to a natural sugar occasionally diet i couldn't feel more full of energy or be so happy.

my current inspiration:

http://juliaandlibby.com/ 

http://www.therawtarian.com/

http://thechalkboardmag.com/

for the most part it's very easy for me to commit because i had reached a point where i just didn't have a great relationship with sugar and was driven to make a bold CUT. now, i am really getting into trying out a few raw food recipes which call on natural sugar alternatives. tonight we have a dinner at friends which was the perfect occasion to take my new raw-food-banana-raspberry-tofu-cheesecake for a hoon.

i just had the most epic raw food experience that lasted almost 2 hours.

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i cook.

oreo fudge cake

 

I don't really need much of an excuse to get my bake on, especially when the occasion calls for birthday cake.

It was a special cake for a special lady and the only lead was that chocolate was the preferred flavour. I find chocolate cake pretty boring in general, so I decided to get all oreo up in there.

clink link to read more...

the croft institution.

Tonight we are heading out to meet 3 glorious friends that we have known since living in Berlin. The Irish are a sweet couple that live in Melbourne and moved here shortly after we did. The third is our friend Katya who is passing through Australia and couldn't resist a catch-up. She reigns from Russia so she's a long way from home. Last time she was in town we took her to madame brussels.

The Melbourne night-life is a long way off that of Berlin, but in true adventurous spirits we have decided to take her to the croft institute . The croft institute, as the name suggests is an institution here in Melbourne. I still haven't been but have heard so many great things, I'm so excited for a surprise I didn't even peek at the photos in the link. You should though. I am so looking forward to it!

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i cook.

apple pie cupcakes 

thanks to Miss Melicious

thoughtful mamma.

Friday night we dined at modern Italian Il Bacaro. Every course was a party in my mouth, I think I even dreamed about my indulgences last night. 

I left the restaurant with 2 things.  

1. A lot less $ than when I walked in 

2. Inspiration to cook more and be creative with ingredients I haven't yet tampered with

Conveniently my Mum sent over a package from NZ with my Aunty and Uncle containing two new cookbooks. She just couldn't get more thoughtful.

Look at these beautiful cooking books from Kiwi land. One is a woman Miss Melicious who makes tasty and quirky sweet treats out in West Auckland. I've read a lot about her and knew her name was a buzz word thanks to facebook. Bring on the baking.

The other book is a collection of recipes from notable Kumeu restaurant Bees Online. As you would have guessed the leading theme throughout this book is honey and the recipes look both creative and tasty. I may have seen a baklava recipe.

Thank you mum, love my prezzies you know me so well.

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hectic days.

A few months ago I was struggling with a chaotic job and a toxic work environment.

In the past month since resigning from my full-time day job I have embarked on a lifestyle change. I obtained two permanent part-time jobs allowing me 2 days to be flexible with my choices for work and how I'd like to spend my week. If it weren't for my incredible Mr encouraging me to follow what felt best for me, I think I'd still be stuck in the same rut. Too many of us (myself included) put too much emphasis on having our jobs define our existence when what really counts are the things we do once we're not working. If our jobs are tiring us to the point where making time for friends or doing what we love after work is no longer our priority, we know we gotta shake it up.

Things felt pretty grim for a while back there until I took a leap of faith and resigned without looking back. I'm sure these opportunities would never have presented themselves had I not have made that crucial change. As it turns out, just this morning I received an email offering casual work and just finished another call offering me a job at a periodontal practice.

Let's just say it feels incredible to be wanted, I feel so lucky to have these amazing work opportunities. I know all of us at times can get complacent in our jobs and lifestyles. If you're prepared to make a change so much positive can come from it.

On that note I'm going to pop my Katy Perry DVD in the player and make a start on this sweet and sticky stew for dinner.

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corners of our abode.

I am slowly tackling a mammoth to-do list in preparation for a big weekend (but that's another story for another day). As I was drifting around our apartment adding chores to the list, I couldn't help but notice how many lovely corners of chaos we have. Beautiful chaos, representing our life interests so clearly.

 

 

• cooking essentials
• vintage chest adorned with globes in a bowl, candle, yen mag and NBA coasters
• enamel jug and NZ art gifted by Daniel's gorgeous mother, atop our very recent vintage fruit box
• Daniel's kicks all lined up waiting to be washed

my friday.

Could this really be my Friday? Or my Saturday seen as I've dated it wrong hehe.

i cook.

 

This eve I decided to go all out for a mid-week dinner. All too often we are rushing through the week and forget to enjoy life's simple little pleasures, such as the satisfaction of making a great tasting meal. When the Mr sent through this recipe I went straight to Coles to pick up some produce. It tasted incredible, albeit a tad too spicy. So good I wanted to share this recipe with you all. I substituted soft tortillas for small wafer crackers just to stay on the right side of health.

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recipe after the jump...

we love weddings II

1. exquisite vintage table settings
2. the lady of the moment with three brothers in a row 
3. sharing a cheeky moment, enjoying suspenders
4. more glorious floral cups and saucers
5. sharing a cuddle with Nana
6. smitten to be Mr and Mrs
7. flamingo socks with creepers
8. rose between high school chumps
9. pink hair, pink holden
10. professional photos in the mix
11. move back to Melbourne Nick
12. good looking bridal crew
13. the best vegan red velvet cake. ever. 
14. Fitzroy town hall
15. so happy for these loves

we trip.

Sorrento for Easter.

I hope everybody had a sensational time over Easter long weekend. We traveled to Sorrento with three other couples and stayed at the loveliest little abode tucked in between beach side streets. Our beach retreat was furnished to perfection with ample outdoor furniture to enjoy the warm sunshine alongside great company. We were able to enjoy one last day of sunshine it seems for a while. It's starting to feel less and less like Summer these days, hopefully we can squeeze a few more warmer days in before Autumn is in full swing.

Saturday night we checked out Portsea Hotel which is mostly an iconic landmark of the Mornington Peninsula but also doubles as a playground for the rich big kids of Sorrento. While the view was just pretty spectacular at night-time the jacked up prices for pub food left us less than impressed. I cannot remember the last time I paid $45.00 for a meal let along ribs and chips! All in all a great weekend with even greater company and I'm looking forward to our next visit to Sorrento.

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we love weddings

Here is wedding number 1 of 3. I would love to say that I am on top of this blogging business but it has been yonks. However, I am back and kicking and have some very exciting new things to share.

More after the jump...

let's get married

September 8th 2012

Mr organized a weekend away.


more after the jump

browsing at pretty lovely diamonds

exciting times lie ahead. big decisions. first and foremost, choosing diamonds.

I had no idea I would be having to make this decision so soon so fair to say not prepared in the slightest. I do know I like lots of sparkle.

crafting

I have been hideously slack at posting of recent. Most of my time has been consumed by exercise and furniture hunting.

Hunting opposed to shopping because that's exactly what it is! The hunt for exquisite second-hand furniture is harder than I anticipated. Few and far between.

The Mr and I made a decision from the beginning to get hold of second-hand pieces to make our own.

Today was my last holiday day so I made myself busy working on our collection!

monday memories

 St Kilda followed by new years eve partying at Laundry Bar, Melbourne

31st December 2011

A special little lady is soon to depart Melbourne in preparation for her impending 2013 travels. Today I'm sharing photos from New Years Eve 2011, just to add to the bank of existing memories I've shared with her already.

 Backyard mayhem at our little cottage before leaving in a rather messy fashion to carry on the night at Laundry Bar.

Here's to many more special memories beautiful little lady. 

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the day for braising beef

Today I dabbled in the kitchen and followed a recipe for braised beef. My first time braising.

Shopping for 22 ingredients at multiple stores can get pretty pricey! Im so glad I made a trip to the glorious Gewurzhaus for my spice supply though. That place never disappoints! Who said $14 for spices was expensive anyway?

 So..everything iscooking and as I type the house is filling with the most heart-warming aroma of dark ale, ginger, allspice, nutmeg and cloves. I am sooo looking forward to the final goods.

The Mr won't know his luck with dinner tonight!

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