Craft Room reveal!

For a while (since early this year) I had been dreaming about revamping my second bedroom (aka the scrapbooking room). With some birthday money I finally got around the buying an expedit bookshelf from ikea. 

My poor boyfriend and I assembled it (hardly any arguing - yipee) quicker than what we thought and I spent the rest of the afternoon putting all the bits and pieces into it!

I have heaps more room than I thought - and even have empty storage boxes!

Here's the reveal:

Desk - Freedom Furniture / Stool - Ikea / Lamp vintage / Black shelf - Ikea / "Where we will sparkle forever" red print on shelf -  Studio Mela 

All my arts, crafts and scrapbooking product is stored on this bookshelf. I love that everything is super organised!

 

Wicker baskets - Kmart / White and Black paper boxes - Ikea / American Crafts Albums / A5 Ring Binders - Kaisercraft/ 9 Drawer Unit & 3 Drawer Unit - Kaisercraft / Cropper Hopper paper storage

Now I've just got to find MORE time to actually create in this lovely space!

100 calorie chocolate cupcakes

+photo by me+

These pretty pink chocolatey goodness filled cupcakes are only about 100 calories (plus icing/frosting) - are so delicous! I thought I'd try them out yesterday.... and boy am I glad I did!!

Even the boyfriend liked them (and he's not a fan of sweet food) - they're not overly sweet, but they are super dense and moist!

I found the original recipe over at Can you Stay for dinner? - head here for the full recipe!

Notes:
I was worried because my milk didn't curdle when I added the apple cider vinegar, but they still worked.


What recipe have you tried lately that's most likely going to become a 'go-to' recipe?

Healthy Apple Pie Cookies

Yes you read right.... I found a recipe for 'healthier' apple pie flavoured cookies/muffins things.

Last week I was looking for some 'healthier' type sweet snack options to tide me over for when that 3pm sugar monster strikes while sitting at my desk. While looking at a few blogs I came across Jess's post and was intrigued by these yummy 'apple pie' tasting cookies. It linked me to a recipe for 'Apple Pie muffin tops' over at Oh She Glows.

I thought, these sound great! Instead of the traditional recipe I used a real egg, normal 'diary' milk and not PURE maple syrup (a bit too expensive I think).

Why not try them yourself! They're amazing - even my boyfriend who doesn't have a sweet tooth in his body loved them!

Scrapbook layout - Shopping in Ft Lauderdale

So last week I blogged about picking up my scissors, glue and paper and scrapbooking more – making more time to record those memories. Well, over the weekend I did just that – I set aside 2 hours while the boy was at a mates playing Xbox to scrapbook. Admittedly, I’d ‘prepared’ this layout ahead of time (some weeks ago ashamedly) – and all I had to do was assemble it.

My original inspiration was this layout featured in a Scrapbook Trends magazine. Gee I love that magazine – it’s more like an inspiration book, nothing like the Aussie magazines and something that I’m happy to pick up again and again for inspiration.

  

I used some photos I had from my trip to Florida in January this year. I totally wanted to document my time there with Amy, shopping up a storm! I used a bunch of different materials, blue bazzill cardstock, basic grey ‘basics’ paper, Ranger perfect pearls mist, washi tape, some old gold shimmer mesh stuff, and some fabulous machine stitching in gold – oh lala! I love it!!

My favourite part of the 'inspiration' came from the masked section on the original layout which were then misted!

 

 Also, be sure to check out Kim Archer’s brand new e-magazine, Etzcetera.  It’s a crafting/home décor/family type magazine. I kind of find it similar to the old ‘Family Circle’ magazine – but WAY more trend, with bright colours, great projects and articles. The first issue is free – so why not check it out?

 

What have you been creating lately? Have you tried any new techniques or ideas in your crafting?

Recording everyday life

I had jotted down a few notes the other day on 'recording everyday life' and feeling the need to scrapbook more, but not finding the TIME. I'd been meaning to write this blog post, and actually put some of my plans into actions.

Then I read this post, "6 principles for effortless memory keeping" by Jennifer Wilson over at Ali Edwards blog... and it is exactly what I'd been meaning to write on here - for me...

Firstly, a few note-worthy thoughts taken from Jen's blog post, the first being "feeling like there just aren’t enough hours in the day".

And some tips that got me really inspired to get creating again:

know your priorities: "you must make the choice to have memory keeping be a part of your life".

practice controlled chaos: "let yourself play, but try to set boundaries"

letting go of perfection: "the easiest way to make memory keeping feel like a walk on the breach to treat it with the same easy, breezy attitude".

selectively consuming information: "keep track of ideas that stir your soul, and then consciously saying 'no more'”.

embrace shortcuts: "leverage solutions and tools that make scrapbooking easier = gain time for recording more memories".

I then came across Ali Edward's post on her Week in the Life for July plan. And jotted down the following notes on a scrap of paper:

and this is HOW I'm going to put the above principles into practice:

- Print monthly photos off at the END of each month (starting this month)
- Scrapbook a 'monthly' multiphoto scrapbook page using pocket pages (like these We R Memory Keepers ones).
- Use "she+he" posts as inspiration for scrapbook layouts.
- Use blog posts to create quick and easy scrapbook layouts.
- set aside photos+product on my desk to create a layout when inspiration strikes.
- Stop reading blogs etc/watching TV and set aside at least 1 hour a week to scrapbook/record memories.
- Use iphone/instagram pictures on scrapbook layouts.
- Be happy to scrapbook older photos quickly and stop stressing about getting a perfect looking layout.
- Aim to scrapbook 4 layouts a month from now until the end of the year (and continue from there).
- Next year: start more of a photo album of sorthttp://eliseblaha.typepad.com/golden/2011-album/s like Elise's to record my memories for 2012.

I am sure that I'll think of more ways as I start on this journey. And I can't wait to share with you some of my layouts and albums!

Breakfast of champions!

Some people don't eat breakfast. Some do. I've always been a believer of breakie, not because it's the best start to the day, but in the words of my boyfriend, I'm a "meal king". Yep I love food! 

When I was at school my mum used to treat my brother with coco-pops or rice bubbles, and fruit-loops. No they weren't healthy at all - but you don't eat them forever - and we always had to eat fruit and veges during the day and had healthy family meals at night.

As I grew up my favourites were porridge (with cream and sugar), cornflakes (with cream and sugar) or white toast with butter and vegemite. Today I still love going back home to mum and dads and treating myself to a bowl of cornflakes with cream and sugar! :)

At home now (or at work) depending on the time of year, and what I feel like I'll either eat porridge, wheetbix and/or toast, wheeties, and more recently muesli. :)

My favourite breakfast right now is Coles brand Original muesli (with honey and cinnamon), topped with banana, mixed berries, greek yoghurt, a splash of milk and LSA & Chia seeds! :) The museli is delicious, low in sugar (8.2g per 50g serving) and you can definitely taste the cinnamon - it adds a lovely 'warmth'.

Picture: my own via instagram

To recreate this beast (which keeps me full all morning aside from a cup of tea and some seasame snacks):

- About 1/4 - 1/2 cup muesli

- 1/2 Banana chopped

- Splash full cream milk

- 2 tablespoons low fat greek yoghurt

- About 1/4 - 1/2 cup frozen mixed berries (thawed or heated in the microwave)

- 1 teaspoon chia seads and 2 teaspoons LSA combined (this makes for several servings)

Add muesli to your bowl, add splash of milk and chopped banana, then yoghurt, then the berries. Sprinkle a bit of your LSA/Chia mix on top and it's complete! :)

Why this breakfast works:

The mixed berries contain fibre and Vitamin C; greek yoghurt is low in sugar, high in protein. Chia Seeds are high in Omega 3, dietary fibre and protein. Banana = potassium and are high in fibre.

LSA (or linseed (flaxseed) sunflower seed and almond meal) cleanse and detox the liver  and regulates fat metabolism.

Make sure you choose low fat greek yoghurt as the full fat versions contain high levels of saturated (bad) fat.

Journal Day : V2.

 

You may remember at the end of June I posted a 'Tuesday: Journal Day" post. 

Well the wonderful Danielle has posted yet another prompt:

"The older we get, the more certain we get about who we are and what our purpose is.  For me, a lot of it is still unknown, but as I make my way down my own path, I have begun to realize that there are indeed some inevitable truths that I know for sure. On your own blog, write a post that talks about "the one thing you know for sure." 

As I've got older (I know, I can't talk - I'm only 25) the one thing that I realise is more and more important and at the forefront of my mind (even if I don't think it is)... is family.

And recently even more so. On Monday I got a phone call at 1pm in the afternoon, I'd just finished my lunch and had got stuck back into work - my phone flashed with the word "Mum". She usually doesn't ring during the day as she knows I'm at work, so I knew it would be important. However when she uttered the words, ever so silently "Pop's had a mild stroke", I struggled to maintain my composure at my desk - tears immediately sprung to my eyes, and I responded, "Pop Wood?" (who at 86 is older and not as 'healthy' as my other grandfather), she responded, "No". 

My heart sank, I could barely talk... Long story short, Pop is OK, he's at home with Nan, but he's struggling with balance, his emotions, his left hand and a speech.

This really put things into perspective, don't take family for granted. 

I've always had a close relationship with my parents and my brother. Turning to Dad for technology/work/money problems and Mum for the typical friends/life/girl stuff problems. My brother and I were always close growing up and I know that no matter what I know they will always support me no matter what.

Living 4 1/2 hours drive from all my family is hard, and I only make it home every 2-4 months. And when I do get home it's a flying weekend visit, and try to cram in catching up with everyone. So I'm going to make more of an effort to catch up with those family by sending a letter, making a phone call or text messaging my uncle more often to send back a little of the love and support. :)

Motivation and exercise... BAHH!

 Photo by me (instragram)

You know those days you really don't feel like exercising but you know you should?

Well that was yesterday for me. I'd had a break from all exercise since Monday. I'd been for a run Sunday week ago, and Body Attack on the Monday, then I had a chiropractor visit on Tuesday, followed by a Physio visit on Thursday.

My body needed a rest I think. My back and ankles had been 'out', and my ITB was tight as! So I decided to rest up for the week. 

Over the weekend I was away in the countryside visiting my 'in-laws' on their farm and enjoyed both a lamb and pork roast, a glass of wine and plenty of carbs. It was a cold, wintery weekend so I indulged a little...

I got back to Melbourne yesterday lunchtime, unpacked and went to Small Block for lunch - I had cream cheese, smoked salmon and capers on a bagel, the boy had a BLAT. Yum!

We got the week's groceries from La Manna Fresh and Woolies... I then decided to go the gym for a quick weight training session to get outta the house for a bit (collingwood was on the TV!)

So off to Fenix I went. I really didn't feel like going, you see I had planned all week to go for a run today but FREEZING wind and rain stopped that (yeh I'm a wuss). But I went... and worked out for a good 43minutes according to my new(ish) Garmin 610. Ok I only burnt 240 calories doing my normal gym circuit (twice) along with a couple of other weights exercises... But today I feel like I went to the gym yesterday, my muscles are a little sore (after having that week off) and I feel motivated for the week ahead.


What I learnt from this:

I came across an article over at Womens Health Magazine online about 9 Ways to stick to your workout...

One of them was to "Just show up":

On really low-energy days, head to the gym with the promise that you can leave after you finish your warm-up. “Tell yourself you’ll just do some stretches and a few minutes of cardio,” says Rachel Cosgrove, a personal trainer. “Once you get to the gym and get your blood pumping, chances are you’ll finish your full workout. Ninety per cent of the time, my clients do.”

A side note: One of the other tips was to schedule workouts at least a week in advance. I do - in my Filofax organiser - and always add MORE than what I know I can achieve. That way I know I'll do some kind of physical activity at least three times a week.

I also came across an article about Muscle Memory, quite an interesting read actually.... and it makes sense about taking breaks from different exercises and changing up your routine...

As you repeatedly do a task, your body becomes more efficient at it... To make your muscle memory last, you need to shake things up. On the strength side, “daily undulating periodisation” (like the plan on the following pages) will help keep your muscles on their toes. Changing your cardio (going for a swim or taking a Zumba class, for instance) will challenge your body in fresh ways. Also, try to add intervals to your cardio routine once or twice a week. It’s as simple as tossing in 30 seconds of speed. Research shows that max-effort 30-second sprints (four to six of them, with a few minutes of rest in between) are as effective as longer one-speed workouts for building and maintaining fitness.

Have you changed up your exercise lately, challenged yourself, or like me... lacked a little motivation then found it again?

Five things on a Friday - 8 July 2011

This is the first time I've done this for a while. But thought I'd whip out some things I'm loving right now!

1. Owl City new album, "All things bright and beautiful"

This is a super cute album, easy to listen to... :)

2. My kikki.k recipe organiser. 

 My mum got it for me for Christmas and I'm constantly pulling it out of my bookshelf and using it! I love how I can quickly find my favourite recipes under tabbed sections like "chicken", "vegetarian", "desserts" :)

3. Spin Class

While I haven't been running for quite a few weeks, I've discovered spin instead! I love how quickly you work up a sweat! And I feel my leg muscles getting stronger already!

4. Easy dining-out options in Melbourne

Over the last couple of months since I've moved up to Melbourne part-time I'm discovering easy, quick (and cheap) dining out options. One of my favourites is Green Field asian restaurant on Sydney rd.

5. Pinterest

I joined a little a while ago, and haven't pinned so much! But it's such a great resource to keep ideas and inspiration centrally filed (and makes crediting so easy!) I will definitely be pinning some more.Check my boards out here.

What are you loving lately?

superfoods, nuts and other healthy goodies

I've been driving past this little health shop for the last few weeks on my way to work. It always caught my eye and I vowed to go in one day and check it out.

It wasn't until yesterday when I realised I had some time off after work (between work and going out for dinner) that I decided to look it up.... 

And then a link came up for Jess's blog Forever Addicting and saw her 'review' for Spelt Quinoa. I then continued to scroll through Jess's interesting posts and recipes (taking not of some to try including protein balls) and immediately  thought, "Wow this is an Australian blog with healthy recipes not using US measurements and foods - woo hoo!"

Image from Forever Addicting

So I decided to pop into the store after work and spent about 20 minutes browsing the tubs, containers and shelves for some new super foods to try!

And I left with a few goodies to try!

For only $24 I got the following: 500g Organic spelt flour, Jar almond butter, Cacao Powder, Maca Powder, white Quinoa and Chia seeds.

And this morning I made my oats (quick oats - not ideal but its all I had!) with a teaspoon of cacao powder, 1/4 banana mashed in, skim milk. I then stired through some chia seeds at the end and topped with a teaspoon of almond butter.

 

It tasted a little like un-sweet chocolate but the almond butter was amazing and chia seeds added a little crunch. Now I'm onto looking for some better warm oats recipes :) Any suggestions?

What's something exciting and new that you've found lately?

She & He: June

She & He: June

She dyed her hair red/copper/orange?!

She found out she had an 'almost stress fracture' to her right ankle.

He & She went to the Melbourne Good Food & Wine festival with Owen & Jen.

She and He went to see Collingwood play with his cousin, Mick and his girlfriend.

She caught up with good friends for coffee.

She had dinner on Southbank with Beth.

She joined Fenix Fitness (gym) so she could go both in Geelong AND in Melbourne.

She & He went to the Rutherglen Winery Walkabout (pictured above)

She went out for dinner and to see Bridsmaids with an old friend and made a new friend!

She fell in love (and hate) with spin classes!

June Goals - Review

After a not-so-great month completing my May goals, for June I set some simpler ones...

• Cut down my Cropper Hopper paper storage to fit in my new Ikea Expedit bookshelf.
• Organise the Garden Shed (build racking & sort out storage).
• Create one 'logo to layout' scrapbook layout.
• Scrapbook one 2011 page, one 2010 page and one 2009 page.
• Scrapbook a layout about work at Kaisercraft.
• Get to one pilates/yoga class.
• Try a Body Pump Class at the gym.
• Decide on a type of quilt to make over winter.
• Send a gift to a very important friend overseas.

And again... I still couldn't complete all my goals. With having started a new jog, trying to get back into going to the gym (a new gym) and sharing time between Melbourne and Geelong - I hardly had anytime for scrapbooking!

Stay tuned for my July goals and a 'she & he' post for July.