April 13, 2013
Beach side living in Sydney
Every time Mr Lee and I visit a beach here in Sydney, we always think "Wouldn't it be great to live by a beach? Why don't we just move?". Then we get all excited and I jump on the computer, searching for beach side apartments, only to get discouraged at the rental prices. Shut down the browser and humph...decide to stay where we are.
It's not like we are sick of our place, we love our lofty feeling apartment situated close by cafes and restaurants and great lil shops, but because we have lived in Sydney for over 2 years now, we really should make the most of what there is to offer in this beautiful city.
We went for a run from Coogee beach to Bondi beach (and return) today. When I say run, I would have to say it was more of a run-jog-walk-run-jog-walk type deal as I have been so out of practice since completing City-to-Surf competition last year. Along the way, through the huff and puff, I managed to capture some pics on the good ol' phone cam when the sun had started setting, and you know what? I think Mr Lee and I will have to suck it up, rearrange our thinking and really consider moving beach side. I mean come on... views like this, coupled with the refreshing sea air and beautiful sunsets is just ridiculous. There are opportunities to make them right at our doorstep, so why not try it out right?
To be honest I was a bit disorientated during the run so I don't quite remember 100% where each beach is, so hope I got each location caption below... right! hehe.
BONDI BEACH
TAMARAMA BEACH
BRONTE BEACH
Somewhere along the way to Bondi Beach along the cliffs
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Obviously these aren't the only beaches to consider living by in Sydney, but it's a good starting point to search. Wish us luck on finding a nice place by the beach, where I'll be sure to share posts about beach side living in the future :)
X
It's not like we are sick of our place, we love our lofty feeling apartment situated close by cafes and restaurants and great lil shops, but because we have lived in Sydney for over 2 years now, we really should make the most of what there is to offer in this beautiful city.
We went for a run from Coogee beach to Bondi beach (and return) today. When I say run, I would have to say it was more of a run-jog-walk-run-jog-walk type deal as I have been so out of practice since completing City-to-Surf competition last year. Along the way, through the huff and puff, I managed to capture some pics on the good ol' phone cam when the sun had started setting, and you know what? I think Mr Lee and I will have to suck it up, rearrange our thinking and really consider moving beach side. I mean come on... views like this, coupled with the refreshing sea air and beautiful sunsets is just ridiculous. There are opportunities to make them right at our doorstep, so why not try it out right?
To be honest I was a bit disorientated during the run so I don't quite remember 100% where each beach is, so hope I got each location caption below... right! hehe.
BONDI BEACH
TAMARAMA BEACH
BRONTE BEACH
{oh! to just relax on a rock with a view like that!}
Somewhere along the way back towards Coogee beach along the cliffs
{How cute is this older couple doing their stretches?}
{Spot the guy having alone time, laxed on the edge}
{yes haunting isn't it? But you should know that all those that have been laid to rest there have THE BEST view of the Tasman sea. The location along the cliff is AMAZE}
Fun fact and random segway, but did you know there is an Island just off the Coogee beach coastline called "Wedding Cake Island"? hah!
Obviously these aren't the only beaches to consider living by in Sydney, but it's a good starting point to search. Wish us luck on finding a nice place by the beach, where I'll be sure to share posts about beach side living in the future :)
{Mr Lee contemplating life? hehe}
X
April 12, 2013
DIY Crystal Tulle headpiece - Worn three ways
So following up on my Splurge or Curb - Crystal Tulle Headpiece post, here are just some ways to wear and style it on your head :)
Worn like a headband
Worn across your forehead for a bit of whimsy feel
Casually placed on top of a low, loose and flowy hairstyle (ahem... excuse the wispy hair flyaways)
Now my next goal is to unpick the threads on this number and make the crystal leaves into something else, watch this space!
X
April 10, 2013
Double Cookie Fudgie Brownies
Whoa last week AND this week has been so horrendously busy on the work front for the hubster and I... more so for Mr Lee, but still, I know my brain is melting from the long hours in front of the computer in the office! I do often wonder what it would be like to be a full time blogger. The work behind the scenes would be a lot of effort, but I must say it is much much MUCH more fulfilling than my current day job, and plus I could spend more time planning and seeing my creative ideas come into fruition more often. Well well... that will just have to be a day dream for now. More onto the point of this post!
I am oh so glad I did some quick baking over the weekend, because I could come home to get some comfort from this:
Again, I followed the wonderful Lorraine Pascale's recipe, but instead of using just Oreos, I did half Chips Ahoy and Half Oreos :) All cookies stayed intact while baking, and it only took 16 minutes in the oven because I used a slightly longer tray. I must emphasise I'm not the biggest chocolate fan of the world...BUT! give me a dark chocolate recipe , coupled with the excuse to use my Valrhona cocoa, and I go weak at the knees!
Hopefully my day job deadlines will let up and I will share posts more frequently with you guys soon :)
X
I am oh so glad I did some quick baking over the weekend, because I could come home to get some comfort from this:
Again, I followed the wonderful Lorraine Pascale's recipe, but instead of using just Oreos, I did half Chips Ahoy and Half Oreos :) All cookies stayed intact while baking, and it only took 16 minutes in the oven because I used a slightly longer tray. I must emphasise I'm not the biggest chocolate fan of the world...BUT! give me a dark chocolate recipe , coupled with the excuse to use my Valrhona cocoa, and I go weak at the knees!
Hopefully my day job deadlines will let up and I will share posts more frequently with you guys soon :)
X
April 08, 2013
Splurge or Curb - Wedding Crystal Tulle head piece
While I didn't do a whimsical bohemian look for my own wedding day, I still loved researching and looking at all the choices that were out there for all wedding styles...and still do! However I was flabbergasted at the prices that some wedding headpieces can go for. There wasn't one wedding boutique I found that held a good quality, unique, crystal head piece/motif that fetched for less than AUD100. Some headpieces that I loved were at least AUD400, and I even saw some wedding veils fetch up to AUD1,000+ (now that's just daylight robbery)! So... I think unless you have a rather large wedding budget, or don't mind playing tug-of-war between spending the majority of your budget on your wedding accessories vs. your dress, I think a bit of DIY is a good route to take.
For all you whimsical, romantical, bohemian brides-to-be out there looking for some whimsy hair bling, here's a DIY alternative to spending hundreds of dollars. My version cost only AUD40 + a few hours of my own time :)
With the help of Tessuti Fabrics, I found a very similar crystal motif that I saw here, bought some peach-hued tulle, ordered some mini hair combs from Etsy and was good to go with some hand sewing activity on a rainy afternoon.
There are many ways of hand-sewing the crystal motif onto tulle, you just have to try not to thread it on too tight. And it doesn't have to be tulle either. You can easily adapt a crystal motif on top of beautiful lace or a satin ribbon. Mini haircombs was only my preference. Feel free to skip this step and simply tie on your masterpiece!
If it wasn't for my parents gifting me a beautiful Jenny Packham headpiece, I think I would have gone down the DIY route. Of course this post doesn't have to be inspiration limited to a Wedding, I hope this can inspire you to try some DIY for any special occasion. Or just some dress-up fun at home!
Stay tuned to see how this headpiece can be worn in different ways!
X
p.s. I did go down the DIY route for my Wedding bracelet, have you seen my earlier post here?
For all you whimsical, romantical, bohemian brides-to-be out there looking for some whimsy hair bling, here's a DIY alternative to spending hundreds of dollars. My version cost only AUD40 + a few hours of my own time :)
There are many ways of hand-sewing the crystal motif onto tulle, you just have to try not to thread it on too tight. And it doesn't have to be tulle either. You can easily adapt a crystal motif on top of beautiful lace or a satin ribbon. Mini haircombs was only my preference. Feel free to skip this step and simply tie on your masterpiece!
If it wasn't for my parents gifting me a beautiful Jenny Packham headpiece, I think I would have gone down the DIY route. Of course this post doesn't have to be inspiration limited to a Wedding, I hope this can inspire you to try some DIY for any special occasion. Or just some dress-up fun at home!
Stay tuned to see how this headpiece can be worn in different ways!
X
p.s. I did go down the DIY route for my Wedding bracelet, have you seen my earlier post here?
One of my favourite childhood memories is going to school galas. I loved the carnival / market stalls atmosphere, but most importantly, loved seeing all the baked goods and sweets for sale. One of the favourite things I loved seeing was of course Toffee Apples aka Candy Apples. Mr Lee LOVES THESE too, and I had always intended to make my own at home but never have... until now!
I remember Toffee apples to be the classic glossy shade of red, but have seen many variations since. These days Toffee apples can be seen with extra coating of things such as hundreds and thousands, chopped nuts, chocolate chips, Gummi bears and mini marshmallows. For my own version, I thought the delicious candy shell contained enough sugar, so made a version with a bit of a twist... a fruit on fruit option if you will.
To add to their appeal (not that it needed it) I thought I'd play around with some Gold lustre powder.
X
I remember Toffee apples to be the classic glossy shade of red, but have seen many variations since. These days Toffee apples can be seen with extra coating of things such as hundreds and thousands, chopped nuts, chocolate chips, Gummi bears and mini marshmallows. For my own version, I thought the delicious candy shell contained enough sugar, so made a version with a bit of a twist... a fruit on fruit option if you will.
These are Toffee apples like you remember but with a flavour boost of tart Raspberry powder and Vanilla. When I went shopping the other day I came upon a range of flavours from a KIWI company called "Fresh As" that sold freeze dried whole/sliced fruits and fruit powder (they also sell freeze dried herbs!). This was perfect as a topping to my Toffee Apples, adding just the right amount of tartness to sweetness ratio.
{I seem to appear in a lot of my photos don't I? This wasn't intentional!}
Raspberry & Vanilla flavoured Toffee Apples recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 cups White Sugar
- 1/2 cup Light Corn Syrup
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/2 tsp Good Vanilla extract
- Food colouring - I used Wilton's "Pink Teracotta" gel
- Candy thermometer
- 9 small Granny Smith apples or Gala apples or a mixture
- 9 paddlesticks (sturdy ones) or round wooden sticks
- "Fresh As" brand Raspberry powder
- Optional: Gold Luster powder +
water + brush
Steps:
1. Prepare a baking
sheet by lining it with tinfoil (this is where you will set your coated
toffee apple)
2. Wash apples in warm
water to get rid of any possible wax coating that may be on the apples. Wipe
them dry and remove the stalks
3. Skewer the
paddlesticks where the stalk of each apple used to be. Ensure that the apple
can still sit upright on its own without wobbling, and that the paddlestick is
sticking straight up.
4. Place the Sugar, Corn
Syrup, Water, Vanilla extract and food colouring into a medium saucepan with a
candy thermometer. Place on stove and turn heat on medium-high.
5. Stir to dissolve the
sugar, making sure the sugar is dissolved before the mixture starts bubbling
6. Bring the toffee
mixture to a boil. And once the mixture boils, DON'T STIR IT!
If you get sugar crystal formations on the side of the saucepan, dab a
pastry brush in water and brush it away.
7. Turn the heat down to
a medium simmer, and let it simmer away until the temperature on the candy
thermometer reaches 300 o F or 150 o C for a brittle
crunch. Turn off the heat. This is the max temperature you should reach,
otherwise the toffee will either start burning, or you will be getting a TOOTH
cracking crunch!
8. Once
heat has been turned off, work quickly to coat your apples before the toffee
starts to thicken and go hard. Dip each apple holding the wooden stick,
submerge completely in the toffee. Tilt the saucepan and swirl the apple around
to get a full coating. Spin your toffee apple around on its side to get rid of
any bubbles ... or just keep the bubbles, it looks quite cool.
9. Quickly
sprinkle your raspberry powder on top of each toffee apple as you go, before setting
the apple down onto your prepared tinfoil baking sheet.
10. The
toffee apples should be good to go when the toffee has hardened in 10 minutes (tap
each one with your finger to test)
11. Optional
extra for presentation: Using a touch of water
and gold lustre powder, mix this with your small brush and stroke quick strokes
onto each hardened toffee apple
* Remember this is better
made in dry cooler weather. Your caramel will only sweat and not harden if you
do it in the heat! Also, these are best eaten on the day of toffee dipping or at the very max, the next day!To add to their appeal (not that it needed it) I thought I'd play around with some Gold lustre powder.
{Spot Mr Lee :) }
I hope my workmates appreciated these... they were given all the leftovers that Mr Lee and I couldn't finish! One German workmate of mine told me they called these treats "Lover's apples" in Germany! WooooOOOoOoo.
X
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