A Kiwi Christmas

I don't know if you're feeling the same way, but I don't think it feels like Christmas is literally one week away. One week?! Usually I'm so excited at this point and have wrapped up everyones presents and am now onto wrapping up everyone else's for them.. But this year, not so much. 

I am really unsure of why I feel like this, but nevertheless, Christmas is only seven days away and then before you know it, we'll be in 2013 starting a whole new year! 

A New Zealand Christmas is less about sleigh bells and snow, and more about sun, sand and barbecues in the backyard. Some may go to Church and others will be opening presents and eating all day long. For me, Christmas is just about spending time with friends and family, enjoying a pressie or two and relaxing! 

For those of you not from New Zealand, above is what we call the "New Zealand Christmas tree." It's a Pohutukawa Tree. But don't worry, we don't put a branch of Pohutukawa in our lounge, we're still the same as the rest of the world with out Christmas Tree and find a cute green one that smells delish. 

Wherever you are in the world and whatever you are doing, Merry Christmas. I hope you have a fantastic day. Enjoy x

Recipe: Chocolate Brownie

If you're at our family Christmas, you'll definitely eat the famous chocolate brownie. So scrumpscious 'cos it's not as rich as most chocolate brownie. Instead of only using cocoa, you melt the chocolate into it which I'll explain in the recipe. Hope you enjoy x

Chocolate Brownie

Ingredients

250gm Butter
125gm Chocolate Buttons
2 Cups Sugar
1 Cup Flour
4 Eggs
Pinch of salt
1/4 cup Cocoa
1 tsp Vanilla 

Melt the butter and chocolate buttons in a double boiler. {Fill a small saucepan with hot water and heat on the stove. Put a bowl on top of the water and place the butter/choccy buttons in there and melt away!}

Beat eggs lightly together then once the butter/chocolate is melted, take it off the stove and combine the egg with this. Make sure the bowl is off the stove or you'll end up with scrambled eggs!

In another bowl, add all your dry ingredients then mix all the dry and wet ingredients together and voila!

Pour into a baking tray that's lined with baking paper and cook on bake for 30-40minutes at 180 degrees. Serve with a bit of ice-cream of natural yogurt and it will be delish!

Good luck little bakers oxo

Happenings

I had the opportunity to photograph Casabella Lane's first ever market day last Saturday which was lots of fun. Got to hang with Santa and capture the sunny Hamilton day. I need to get a few more stories published so that's definitely something I aim to do these summer holidays. 

Thought it was the perfect opportunity to write one for the Waikato Independent so check it out here if you have a minute or two. 

p.s. Christmas is so soon. Less than three weeks away! I'm on a serious saving spree (of sorts?) so if you know any cheap or DIY christmas pressies for family, let me know. oxo

Sydney Bound!

Recently there's been a lot of talk of going on a holiday (maybe months) but nothing had yet eventuated. A while back I was planning a trip to Thailand with the boy but December/January doesn't fit in with his golf tournaments and yardy yardy yar. Even in this post I talked about dying to get away. Great news, I've finally sorted myself out and am off to Sydney for five days in January. 

Need a wooohoo. 

#Yolo got the better of me and I saw myself at midnight on Sunday booking tickets to Big Day Out in Sydney with a friend from school. I've only been to Brisbane/The Gold Coast so it'll be fun to venture around a new place and get out of old Hamilton for a few days! 

That's Big Day Out in Sydney - all those people (and on Bondi Beach as well) hollly moly. I'll be one of those people in just over a months time rocking to Red Hot Chilli Peppers and The Killers!

Been to Sydney? Know of places we must visit? We're there for 5 days so suggestions of activities/tourist attractions welcome. Can't say I've ever been on a holiday just me and a friend - first time for everything. Let me know if you recommend places to stay/shop/eat/dance etc etc etc; 

Love oxo

Top 5: Online Stores

These days, online shopping is becoming a popular thing to do. It's convenient, sometimes cheaper, and means I can sit in bed and browse the internet. This weeks Top 5 are my top online stores at the moment. Although I haven't actually purchased anything from a few of them, I love being able to look at all the goodies I dream of having. Maybe you'd like to check these out next time you need a browse. Hope you enjoy xx

1. ASOS

ASOS is the UK's largest online fashion store and you will find anything and everything on ASOS. They have a huge range of men and women's fashion depending on what you like. They have the best sale items and I've bought a few bits and pieces off here recently. It's often a bit hit and miss with the sizing but if you had the patience, you could buy something off here, then take it to someone who will resize it for you! Best of all? Free shipping to New Zealand. What a deal!

2. Trade Me (Does this count?)

Ok so, it's an online auction site, but that still counts as shopping doesn't it? If your not from New Zealand, Trade Me is pretty much like Ebay or any of those sites where people sell their stuff. We've had to buy a few new bits and pieces for our flat and this has been the place to go. Two cream couches for $20. What a steal. 

3. Redcurrent

If you're a sucker for homewares and gifts, this website will keep you for hours. Redcurrent is a New Zealand store which has everything from gifts and home decor to clothing for babies! Although I haven't yet purchased anything from here, window shopping keeps me happy anyway!

4. Cotton On

Yes we have a Cotton On in Hamilton, but the one with the Typo bits and pieces isn't exactly on my doorstep, so this is the perfect place to window shop, then maybe go and purchase. This site is based in Australia so anything you do buy will cost an extra $20 postage, but sometime's it's worth it. 

5. Little Paper Lane

I recently found Little Paper Lane on Fat Mum Slims blog. If you live in Australia - you definitely have to check this out! The cutest store that sells invites, stationary, diaries, notebooks, the list goes on! It's times like these that I wish I could be older and getting married. One day. I'm not 100% sure how much shipping to New Zealand will cost, but when I decide I need/want something off here, I'll let you know! 

Those are a few of my favourite places to browse and sometimes shop, check them out oxo

Top 5: Things I Love

When in need of blog inspiration, I pop over to Fat Mum Slim's blog (Chantelle Ellem - Australian blogger who I've mentioned before) and see what she's been up to. She blogs a lot about food and recipes, and although I love food and cooking, because I'm on a student budget, I don't bake that often, and if there is baking in my flat, it's gone within a day. You may see a few recipes here and there (mums famous aioli which is here) but I'm going to start something called "Top 5." 

Once in a while, I'll do my top 5 on different things. Could be my top 5 movies, top 5 songs, top 5 shops, you get my drift. So todays "top 5" is things I love. Read on and you'll get a bit of an idea of what I love at the moment. 

One. Polka dots. 

How could you not? Anyone who knows me, knows I am obsessed with polka dots. Mainly red and white, but polka dots are polka dots. A lot of what I own is polka dots, including the cutlery in our flat, as well as half my wardrobe. I think I got the polka dot bug from my darling mother though, it's contagious. 

Two. #YOLO

Yes, I know it's overused and everyone is sick of it. But seriously, whoever came up with this saying had it all sorted. You do only live once, and although it shouldn't be an excuse to do anything silly, I think it's quite a relevant saying. Apologies to you if you don't. I may have even bought these wall letters the other day, but don't tell anyone. Yolo. 

Three. Typo

If you haven't heard of Typo, where have you been living? The perfect place for stationary, room decorations, calendars, the list goes on. Typo has finally made it to Hamilton's Cotton On store which I am so happy about, cos before this I would just get Typo things for pressies or I'd buy from Australia. So wooohoo Hamilton, wooohoo Typo. My lanterns, bunting and my yolo hashtag letters are all purchased from Typo, and it's not to spensy either which makes it so worthwhile. 

Four. Chuck Taylors

A must have for the wardrobe, Chucks are the perfect shoe to wear with anything, anywhere. I've had one pair of black chucks for the last year or so, but I decided I deserved new ones so these are my new babies. So comfy yet they don't look too bad either. 

Five. We Heart It. 

One of my favourite online photo sharing websites. Most of the photos I use are from we heart it. I find it easier and more simple than Tumblr and I can use tags to find photos. Whether you are looking for inspiration photos, Zac Efron photos {I have lots if you want them. What a babe.} or photos which make you want to go to the beach, you'll find it on we heart it. 

So that's my top 5 things I love right now. What are you enjoying? Summer? Holidays? Your camera? Asos? These things could be on my list next time. Til next time oxo

Life through Instagram

A person I follow on blogger just did a post called "life through instagram," and since I spend a lot of my time on that little photo application, I thought I'd do it too.

 

 

My first radio show ever / Inspirations off we heart it / A girl should be two things: Classy and fabulous / A note in my lunchbox from the best friend ever / Me and Luke dressed up for the Labour Day races /  Four of my favourite people in my double bed / Pretty fake nails / Editing my radio shows / Champagne for a party at the parents house. 

More instagram photos soon, in the meantime I'm trying to get an assignment finished and then I am free oxo