things to make you happy

One of my all time favourite films is Stranger than Fiction. I cannot say enough good things about this movie.  It has it all: Emma Thompson (my long wished for undiscovered Aunt), Will Ferrell being wonderfully low-key, Dustin Hoffman being hilarious and Maggie Gyllenhaal playing the feisty owner of my dream bakery, The Uprising. I could go on...

Anyway, one of the nicest things about this movie is the reminder that life is about the little things:

As Harold took a bite of Bavarian sugar cookie, he finally felt as if everything was going to be ok. Sometimes, when we lose ourselves in fear and despair, in routine and constancy, in hopelessness and tragedy, we can thank God for Bavarian sugar cookies. 

Ana Pascal: Did you like the cookies?
Harold Crick: Yes. Thank you for forcing me to eat them. 

Just thinking about this movie again made me want to make some biscuits, not that I generally need much encouragement, and so last night whilst K watched TV, I rolled up my sleeves and went into my bakery (aka the kitchen) and made these biscuits.  They weren't Bavarian Sugar Cookies I Know, but they were still pretty good.

Gingernut Biscuits

Adapted from: Homecooked, Favourite Recipes from Australian Kitchens 

185g unsalted butter, melted

4 cups all-purpose plain flour (you can use wholemeal if you prefer, or half half)

2 tsp bicarbonate of soda

2 tbspn ground ginger (the more gingery the better I feel)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup golden syrup 

1 egg

Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F and grease two oven trays.

Sift together flour, baking soda, ginger, and salt in a bowl. Add the sugar, golden syrup, butter and egg. Scoop the mixture together to form a dough. 

Break off chunks of dough and with your hands, roll each biscuit into a small ball and then flatten them lightly with your fingers.

Bake for about 10 minutes. The biscuits will be cracked on the top and soft inside. Transfer to wire racks to cool completely. They will harden up as they cool.

You probably won't need to force yourself to eat them, you just will.

after the rain

After the colossal downpour of rain on Friday, the weekend was a pleasant respite with a few patches of sunshine even and we got heaps of stuff done around the house which is always awesomely satisfying.  
Outside in the natural world, the plants were putting on a display - I don't think I'll ever get tired of photographing the changing leaves.  We also consumed some damn fine meals (and drinks) - Yum cha at Marigold, delicious red wine at a new wine bar on Curlewis Street, Bondi and home-made lasagna to round things out on Sunday night, bless this eating weather! I'm already dreaming about the long weekend!

giveaway!

Today I am excited to announce that I have a giveaway from Buyster, a fantastic Australian based online shop which sells everything from kitchenware to kids toys. 

They're offering this fabulous Willow Milk Jug by W2 Products (creators of the Pantone Mug). This jug would be perfect I think for winter hot chocolate sessions or even for holding a bunch of flowers.

Buyster also sells furniture and I've been quite tempted by their bar stools, especially as the ones we've currently got at home came from a high school art department! Check out their wide range at Melbourne Bar Stools. For a chance to win the jug, please visit Buyster and leave a comment below. A winner will be chosen at random tomorrow. Good luck!


Update: Geoff is the lucky winner, congratulations! Thanks everyone for your comments!

the weekend that was

I love those weekends when you don't really have any plans but the little things that happen seem extra good somehow. Maybe it's this Autumnal weather, but sleeping in, lounging around, rugging up and eating in all seem very important and enjoyable.

And now it's Sunday night and we're scoffing a homemade, square meat pie and catching up on Party Down and Doctor Who, all three are highly recommended (especially a square meat pie!)

Hope you had a great weekend!

If you wear them, Spring will come

The weather outside is frightful and I should be thinking about boots and macaroni with cheese but instead I'm lusting after these shoes.  I blame all the wonderful northern blogs I'm currently reading, who are joyously celebrating the wonders and fashions of Spring. 

We haven't even hit Winter yet and I'm already planning September outfits! But when it's cold and rainy outside can you blame a girl for dreaming of sunnier weather and shoes to come?

If I were a more regular heel wearer, these beauties would be winging there way over to my door as we speak but I think I may have to do a spot of saving first (and walking practice!) It's rare to see such interesting sandals amidst the usual sea of gladiators! They are reminding me a little of side braid and plait hairstyles.  I do love a modest wooden platform - so stable, so pretty.

Here are some other lovely shoes to lust after by Rachel Comey. 

Be-still my beating bank account!

(Via Search Party)
(Images: Maryam Nassir Zadeh)

feeling thrifty... there's no place like home

This well dressed lass has the right idea...most her of wonderful ensembles are thrifted and even the odd designer piece she's managed to source for cheaps! Her blog is inspiring me to try a bit harder on the daily fashion stakes (I'm currently wearing trackpants so this shouldn't be too hard) and is also tempting me to go shopping!

I'm already lusting after some of these for next spring. Methinks American Payless must be a hell of a lot better than the ones we have in Sydney - or maybe I'm just not looking hard enough...


(Via I am a greedy girl)

things to see and do

Now that it's getting colder in Sydney I'm feeling more justified in enjoying those autumnal delights, such as baking to warm up (the oven is the best heater) and planning movie outings. Here are a couple of upcoming films that are tickling my fancy.

Babies

This is certain to get all those biological clocks ticking!

(Image via Playing Grown up)

And, at the other end of the spectrum:

Chloe

I know this is a remake of the French film, Nathalie, but with Julianne Moore, Liam Neeson and Atom Egoyan directing, you just know it's going to be good. Although I would probably watch Julianne Moore cleaning out her oven! Even Amanda Seyfried looks miles away from her usual saccharine fare. 

It's been a while since I've seen a good thriller...I think this would be a great film for a cold Winter's night, followed up by a glass or two of red wine!

hijirik studio

A beautiful reminder, especially when all those doubts and money worries creep in!

I need to stick this right above my desk.

tree love

David Harban

James Spicer

Lucy King 

Aren't these images above glorious? These artists all make me look differently at the world on my morning walks.

something cheery

hiya!

eeep, it's been a while, hello again.
hope all is well out there.
it's a little rainy today, but I'm not complaining because it makes being inside, working in my dark study completely delicious.

I don't quite know where April went but I'm embracing May and all it's lovely coolness, clothes layering and comfort-food wonderfulness because, although I know it's only Autumn, I am going to defeat Winter this year with cheerfulness.  Here goes...

The Selby

(image: a merry mishap)

Seven spoons

This is going to be me this Winter, happy as a lark, having found the perfect layered outfit of choice in which to enjoy decadent treats. Happy days!