September 13, 2013
The Crunchiest Homemade Onion Rings
Lately I've been wanting to experiment making snacky savoury foods, and seeing as this was my birthday week (yes...my birthday is unfortunately on Sept 11th....), and we are hosting a bit of a casual get together on the weekend where we hope to serve pork sliders for the first time, I wanted to try one of my favourite burger accompaniment foods; crunchy onion rings.
I love anything with crunch and these my friend, and I don't like to toot my own horn too much, are THE BOMB. I ate almost the whole test batch (that's almost 15 onion rings) before Jase came home which is saying something...because with all recipes I make, I nibble here and there over a long period of time.
People who know me, know that I am the slowest eater ON EARTH. But with these, I literally shovelled them down straight away.
I made this honey mustardy creme fraiche dipping sauce to accompany a beer can chicken I cooked once on the BBQ last summer, and it works and tastes equally great with these onion rings.
I love anything with crunch and these my friend, and I don't like to toot my own horn too much, are THE BOMB. I ate almost the whole test batch (that's almost 15 onion rings) before Jase came home which is saying something...because with all recipes I make, I nibble here and there over a long period of time.
People who know me, know that I am the slowest eater ON EARTH. But with these, I literally shovelled them down straight away.
September 09, 2013
Bailey Buster Lee
This little furry monster has been the reason why our lives have been filled with extra love. Meet our little M.L.P addition; Bailey Buster Lee (aka BB Lee).
These photos were taken on the day I picked him up from the airport. He is a little Cavoodle (2nd generation) and turned 2 months today! Although I come home to find a mini trail of soft toy destruction, as if a cyclone has ripped through our balcony, he is a furball full of love. He's still getting used to living away from his siblings so the last few nights sleep have been pretty interrupted to say the least, but when you see his liddle face, and how playful he is, you totally forget how exhausted you are and just want to rustle him up and cuddle him to death. Although he has had a few accidents inside our apartment, he has surprisingly taken to toilet training a bit easier (though time consuming still), than my family pet Beagle.
He's met a few of our friends already and loves them to bits, tail wagging on hyper speed and licking faces galore. We sometimes can't tell whether he's asleep at night, as his button eyes are pretty dark and camouflaged. And during the day, if we're at home, he flops around konking out on rugs or in your arms (have you seen this instavideo I posted up? hehe). He also loves getting groomed, even falling asleep whilst being brushed, he has snacked on a couple of our dead herb plants and his puppy belly is too cute for words! He is really like a walking teddy bear sometimes!
I can't wait to take him out for walks in parks and fields when he's allowed to go out, and I'm hoping to get a basket for my bike so he can come riding with us. But for now, I'll post up home photos here and there, so you all can see him grow up! To see more photos on the fly,and probably some more video action, be sure to follow my Instagram.
I know I know...those cables being there is lethal... but don't worry, we are puppy-proofing!
Fashionisters and Fashionistas, eat your heart out :)
X
He's met a few of our friends already and loves them to bits, tail wagging on hyper speed and licking faces galore. We sometimes can't tell whether he's asleep at night, as his button eyes are pretty dark and camouflaged. And during the day, if we're at home, he flops around konking out on rugs or in your arms (have you seen this instavideo I posted up? hehe). He also loves getting groomed, even falling asleep whilst being brushed, he has snacked on a couple of our dead herb plants and his puppy belly is too cute for words! He is really like a walking teddy bear sometimes!
I can't wait to take him out for walks in parks and fields when he's allowed to go out, and I'm hoping to get a basket for my bike so he can come riding with us. But for now, I'll post up home photos here and there, so you all can see him grow up! To see more photos on the fly,and probably some more video action, be sure to follow my Instagram.
I know I know...those cables being there is lethal... but don't worry, we are puppy-proofing!
Fashionisters and Fashionistas, eat your heart out :)
X
September 08, 2013
Little Black Playsuit
Little Black Playsuits can also be just as versatile, especially for the non-dress wearing girls.
Apart from the obvious fact that I forgot to properly steam iron this playsuit before going out, I absolutely love how its airy, feminine and encompasses the unexpected lace detail. It can be dressed up, paired with a tailored blazer and heels to go out for a special occasion, or dressed down with flats and hair up for a casual affair.
^Heels from ASOS
^Fuschia Pony Clutch from ASOS
^Sunglasses from Karen Walker
^Bejewelled Necklace (very old)
If you don't like black, I would say the next versatile shade has to be navy blue! See the blue version here!
By the way Bailey says hi!
Hubaloo Jase and I are exhausted from training this little one to sleep and I've definitely turned into a puppy mama by getting far too excited and enthusiastic whenever BB Lee goes on the pet loo. Crazy! He's only been with us for 5 days (and we have also been sleep deprived for 5 days), but we absolutely love him to bits!
Hope you all are having a good start to the week!
X
September 06, 2013
Tokyo Food Diary
I have such fond memories of our short trip to Tokyo a couple months ago, and I already know we will definitely go back again. Even though it's a busy city and we packed in a lot during our four days and four nights, I felt relaxed the whole time we were there. It's such a cool place to chill. The people are so nice and polite, the food is delicious (I didn't have one bad meal!), and there is just SO MUCH to see. Food, fashion, culture, beautiful people... what more can you want in a great city?
Here are just some small snippets of food we had while we were away. Hope you enjoy, I certainly enjoyed smelling and eating it all!
Our first Japanese meal was at our friend's local Sushi Train restaurant:
Eating sushi in Japan has probably ruined eating sushi anywhere else for me now. Everything is so fresh, value for money and a true example of high care and value placed on the quality of seafood. Including this highly prized higher 'fatty' grade Tuna
We also visited another one (called Midori) that required lining up!
This place was slightly different in that it had TWO train lines! One for the normal go around sushi & side dishes, and another above for trains that come straight to you after you custom order! Fabulous!
Ramen and Udon Noodles:
Ramen is one of my all time favourite meals. This restaurant is listed in the Top 50 things to do/eat in Harajuku and is called Kyushu Jangara. The thick brothy soup was outstanding, noodles bouncy and fresh... it was the perfect mid-shopping snack! I could have done with another bowl!
Cold Udon Noodles with side dishes & beautiful dipping sauce, Curry Katsu Udon, Clear broth Duck Udon, gotta love guys that carry your shopping, the Udon bowl was bigger than Jase's head! These were from a restaurant called Tsurutontan in Roppongi. The noodles were so good, I even had to buy a dry pack to take home!
Fine dining:
Beautiful Sake glasses and a couple of dishes from our fancy One Michellin Star Tempura degustation dinner at Hatanaka. There must have been at least 14 dishes, the restaurant was small, quaint and the food was absolutely delish. I turned the tempura fish dish around so that I could get a better picture (don't they look so cool like they're frozen in swimming motion?), and the waitress came and told me it has to be turned back around (in the way she had laid it on the table), as this added to the whole theatrical experience! The Japanese are SOOO into the full experience of taste AND presentation of food. This was definitely one example to the extreme!
Delicious street food & snacks:
We also enjoyed Crepes, Shaved Ice, Danish Pastries - lemon filled & apple filled -, the Infamous Calbee brand chippies in Harajuku, Sake in a Cup, and I had multitudes of chilled canned coffee -the black can brand contained a fat blocker ingredient... not sure if it worked but the Japanese do think of everything marketable!
A place where you can get a quick rice bowl meal for $3-5 .... seriously...o.m.g. Why don't they do this in Oz or NZ? This place was called Matsuya.
Of course these aren't photos of EVERYTHING we ate, but if I posted that all up here, you guys would think I'm more of a crazy food photo taking lady than I already am (I think I took at least 50 photos at the Seibu supermarket and sweets & desserts counters) :) I could have sat there eating at these places for days! Ok I better stop talking about it now, because it's making me sad and want to go back so bad! We came home with a suitcase full of snacks which we are still ploughing our way through.
For all you peeps that follow my life in pictures on Instagram, you will have noticed that we have adopted a wee pup called Bailey Buster Lee :) He is one clingy, furry, cute monster at the moment, and aside from being a little sleep deprived, and low in energy from toilet training (characteristics of a first time 'mum' I guess?)... we love him to bits!
I'll post up some pics of him soon, meanwhile if you want daily pics that fill in the days in between my non-blogging days, follow along @mialovespretty.... here!
Happy Friday!!
X
Here are just some small snippets of food we had while we were away. Hope you enjoy, I certainly enjoyed smelling and eating it all!
Our first Japanese meal was at our friend's local Sushi Train restaurant:
A simple, fast, made to order train. We visited this place straight off the plane. I absolutely loved the self-pour Green Tea refills and how everything was so fresh, and quality not compromised despite the low price. Here's small sample out of the 20+ dishes we selected.
And also this soul warming crab miso soup
We also visited another one (called Midori) that required lining up!
This place was slightly different in that it had TWO train lines! One for the normal go around sushi & side dishes, and another above for trains that come straight to you after you custom order! Fabulous!
Ramen and Udon Noodles:
Ramen is one of my all time favourite meals. This restaurant is listed in the Top 50 things to do/eat in Harajuku and is called Kyushu Jangara. The thick brothy soup was outstanding, noodles bouncy and fresh... it was the perfect mid-shopping snack! I could have done with another bowl!
Cold Udon Noodles with side dishes & beautiful dipping sauce, Curry Katsu Udon, Clear broth Duck Udon, gotta love guys that carry your shopping, the Udon bowl was bigger than Jase's head! These were from a restaurant called Tsurutontan in Roppongi. The noodles were so good, I even had to buy a dry pack to take home!
Fine dining:
Beautiful Sake glasses and a couple of dishes from our fancy One Michellin Star Tempura degustation dinner at Hatanaka. There must have been at least 14 dishes, the restaurant was small, quaint and the food was absolutely delish. I turned the tempura fish dish around so that I could get a better picture (don't they look so cool like they're frozen in swimming motion?), and the waitress came and told me it has to be turned back around (in the way she had laid it on the table), as this added to the whole theatrical experience! The Japanese are SOOO into the full experience of taste AND presentation of food. This was definitely one example to the extreme!
Delicious street food & snacks:
We tried Onigiri / Rice balls where the filling is on the outside! These are called Nikumaki. Oh and we had to grab custard filled donuts too :)
Takoyaki in Harajuku (these guys were so cute and happy making hundreds of these things)
Of course these aren't photos of EVERYTHING we ate, but if I posted that all up here, you guys would think I'm more of a crazy food photo taking lady than I already am (I think I took at least 50 photos at the Seibu supermarket and sweets & desserts counters) :) I could have sat there eating at these places for days! Ok I better stop talking about it now, because it's making me sad and want to go back so bad! We came home with a suitcase full of snacks which we are still ploughing our way through.
For all you peeps that follow my life in pictures on Instagram, you will have noticed that we have adopted a wee pup called Bailey Buster Lee :) He is one clingy, furry, cute monster at the moment, and aside from being a little sleep deprived, and low in energy from toilet training (characteristics of a first time 'mum' I guess?)... we love him to bits!
I'll post up some pics of him soon, meanwhile if you want daily pics that fill in the days in between my non-blogging days, follow along @mialovespretty.... here!
Happy Friday!!
X
September 03, 2013
Peach Celebration Cakes & Cocktails
Who doesn't love cake and cocktails? What a delicious combo I say!
It's officially Spring, and I can't wait for all the new produce and spring/summer goodies that is coming our way. And in light of that, here's afew Peach-hued and Peach themed Cake & Cocktail inspo board to get you in the spirit of celebration for the upcoming celebratory season!
Clockwise from Top Left:
Eat:
^Sugared Peach Wedding Cake via B J D Haus Design
^Art Deco Peach (Gluten-Free) Wedding Cake via Style Unveiled
^Peach Sugar Bloom Dotty Wedding Cake via Style Me Pretty
Drink:
^Rosemary Peach Cocktail via My Recipes
^Grilled Peach Cocktail via Wishful Chef
Decor:
^Peaches in Hurricane Glass Table decoration via Style Me Pretty
Clockwise from Top Left:
Eat:
^Peach Bloom topped Layer cake via Style Me Pretty
^Peach Chevron Layer Cake via Project Wedding
^Grilled Peaches via Portuguese Girl Cooks
Drink:
^Grilled Peach & Thyme Cocktail via Crystal Cartier Photography
^Peach Bellini via Jamie Oliver
^Stone Fruit Sangria via My Chic Life
Clockwise from Top Left:
Eat:
^Peach Ruffle & Bloom Small Layer Cake via 100 Layer Cake
^Peach Ruffle Layer Cake via Wedding Chicks
^Floral Peach Layer Cake via Ruffled Blog
^Ombre Peach Macarons via Style Me Pretty
Drink:
^White Peach Gin Fizz via Adventures In Cooking
^Peach Shrub Collins via Brooklyn Supper
Decor:
^Peach hued hanging lace & ribbon via Green Wedding Shoes
I can't wait till ripe Peaches are in full season as I can't wait to try the Grilled Peach cocktail recipe above.
Hope you're all having a good week so far... thanks again for reading along :)
X
It's officially Spring, and I can't wait for all the new produce and spring/summer goodies that is coming our way. And in light of that, here's afew Peach-hued and Peach themed Cake & Cocktail inspo board to get you in the spirit of celebration for the upcoming celebratory season!
Eat:
^Sugared Peach Wedding Cake via B J D Haus Design
^Art Deco Peach (Gluten-Free) Wedding Cake via Style Unveiled
^Peach Sugar Bloom Dotty Wedding Cake via Style Me Pretty
Drink:
^Rosemary Peach Cocktail via My Recipes
^Grilled Peach Cocktail via Wishful Chef
Decor:
^Peaches in Hurricane Glass Table decoration via Style Me Pretty
Eat:
^Peach Bloom topped Layer cake via Style Me Pretty
^Peach Chevron Layer Cake via Project Wedding
^Grilled Peaches via Portuguese Girl Cooks
Drink:
^Grilled Peach & Thyme Cocktail via Crystal Cartier Photography
^Peach Bellini via Jamie Oliver
^Stone Fruit Sangria via My Chic Life
Clockwise from Top Left:
Eat:
^Peach Ruffle & Bloom Small Layer Cake via 100 Layer Cake
^Peach Ruffle Layer Cake via Wedding Chicks
^Floral Peach Layer Cake via Ruffled Blog
^Ombre Peach Macarons via Style Me Pretty
Drink:
^White Peach Gin Fizz via Adventures In Cooking
^Peach Shrub Collins via Brooklyn Supper
Decor:
^Peach hued hanging lace & ribbon via Green Wedding Shoes
I can't wait till ripe Peaches are in full season as I can't wait to try the Grilled Peach cocktail recipe above.
Hope you're all having a good week so far... thanks again for reading along :)
X
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