tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88863389758644515802024-03-05T23:51:00.750+00:00From Me, With Love...Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886338975864451580.post-40731526559914965722011-08-31T23:19:00.000+01:002011-08-31T23:19:57.767+01:00Study<div align="center">I have a bowl of hot buttery popcorn, a steaming mug of sweet coffee, candles lit and peace and quiet. I'm settling in for a good few hours of studying.</div><div align="center">Bring it on essay!</div><div align="center"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6s9gfLCRJrQ-9AX63wn5c584QRK8ABA-s_hdSMFhQiIR9Jn2tuljpv1YU8QHVlr-LOC4O4V8rJ1psP0hvksPuUyJJdFPltoAGevK7ug4tCSBWCnZfuEJwfe-GJam43KrjwZMRilMwRQ/s1600/popcorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6s9gfLCRJrQ-9AX63wn5c584QRK8ABA-s_hdSMFhQiIR9Jn2tuljpv1YU8QHVlr-LOC4O4V8rJ1psP0hvksPuUyJJdFPltoAGevK7ug4tCSBWCnZfuEJwfe-GJam43KrjwZMRilMwRQ/s320/popcorn.jpg" width="320" xaa="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/14066532">via here</a><br />
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<span style="color: #2288bb; font-size: large;"><strong>From me, with love. x</strong></span></td></tr>
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886338975864451580.post-14476280176748252011-08-30T04:34:00.000+01:002011-08-30T04:34:49.568+01:00With Love From the Bottom of the World<div style="text-align: center;">So it has been a long, long time....</div><div style="text-align: center;">Over 4 months. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Ouch.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCC8r6xuRSpVtFMVBgosMYsFj-sXm-toqYxJHBkXBLzRz35LSR2TMBp85r5nI6p4i7lcB9b2xqLbsA9_7zIDq0jq5ipmFOKnjEf7L0L1-2M51dh0BgOHqimrx98gIRuMqt8BuKrBDXUrA/s1600/sadface.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCC8r6xuRSpVtFMVBgosMYsFj-sXm-toqYxJHBkXBLzRz35LSR2TMBp85r5nI6p4i7lcB9b2xqLbsA9_7zIDq0jq5ipmFOKnjEf7L0L1-2M51dh0BgOHqimrx98gIRuMqt8BuKrBDXUrA/s320/sadface.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/12076477"><span style="font-size: x-small;">via here</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: center;">BUT, I am back. All be it blogging from the opposite end of the earth, but back none the less and bringing news of life and adventures from down here in little old New Zealand. </div><div style="text-align: center;">That's right folks, Joe and I have made it across to the other side of the world and are throwing ourselves into our new lives over here with enthusiasm. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Don't you want to hear all about it?! Becasue serisouly, I could write pages on this move.<br />
Maybe I should just keep it short and sweet for the moment and fill you in little bits at the time. Deal.<br />
<br />
So, leaving was sad. Sad, sad, sad. So many tears I tell ya! But I guess that was to be expected. Arrived in Wellington around midday, and totally crashed from exhaustion. Slept like two little babies.<br />
Got to see my parents the next day though! They came over from Nelson for the weekend and we played tourist for a couple of days and ate out ALOT.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFw4v66XQPYcvaSk5TUNoi59snP78Izv9F2qRTJylbVtSkHYw_offOSDMmVXaXIL5evK3OnS1H5PKhF69wdovi3tDr2ax3eVfCqRcBzOl8gPCxNLxXW0voSTMjMCs4uB3ldDn_TWdAQdA/s1600/familywellington2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFw4v66XQPYcvaSk5TUNoi59snP78Izv9F2qRTJylbVtSkHYw_offOSDMmVXaXIL5evK3OnS1H5PKhF69wdovi3tDr2ax3eVfCqRcBzOl8gPCxNLxXW0voSTMjMCs4uB3ldDn_TWdAQdA/s320/familywellington2.jpg" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">D-rock, Me, Mumma @ Lyall Bay</td></tr>
</tbody></table> We also went to Nelson for a weekend to see the rest of the fam before getting stuck right into flat hunting in our new home city.<br />
Well, we found our wee home within a week and are totally in LOVE with it. It is so cute and right between University and the city (5minute walk to each). We have an amaaaazing view of the harbour from our bedroom and a beautiful park right out our front door. It is honestly perfect. It isn't very big but I like to think it is just the right size for the two of us. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDWsX6D-1-xAPdQD0G-zUt2Dy2JtYe1AOy5FYelM5M1Lck8AoPg01py1nkZ8xg0CwLg3qk_j-rd-5TX1yU7zX_AEqZVAsw4BqkGXhlunoadUZGI6GpMhieIWEHntgbNab9KAdcrUS2Lw/s1600/wellingtonharbour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" qaa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDWsX6D-1-xAPdQD0G-zUt2Dy2JtYe1AOy5FYelM5M1Lck8AoPg01py1nkZ8xg0CwLg3qk_j-rd-5TX1yU7zX_AEqZVAsw4BqkGXhlunoadUZGI6GpMhieIWEHntgbNab9KAdcrUS2Lw/s320/wellingtonharbour.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wellington Harbour</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I'd also like to point out that the above photo was taken mid-winter...! I like to tell everyone that Wellington is like that all year round but anyone who has been here would see straight through that one. In fact, a week after that photo was taken, we had snow. And in the between days, it was so windy I worried we might get blown off the hill. Oh the weather we get here! Keeps it interesting though right?!<br />
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So as you can see, all is well and we are settling in nicely. There is so much more to tell, especially about University, work, and my favourite place to buy fish! But I will save those for another day (maybe even tomorrow?!). <br />
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Must get back to my assignment that is due on Monday and start cooking dinner for Joe (he is busy at work today). Pad Thai with tofu tonight, will let you know how it goes.<br />
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I will leave you with my favourite tune of the moment, take a listen, it is so catchy! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/3euc9pmst4M?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<span style="color: #2288bb; font-size: large;"><strong>From me, with love. x</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886338975864451580.post-88595062719001650092011-04-13T14:49:00.000+01:002011-04-13T14:49:49.405+01:00Ergh<div style="text-align: center;">Today I wish I could just curl up like this...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvvQminYnVwugLp6mAYdZf4w9WQgX28zrXLHv_OYYdTfRmqOWhBCnoH8FnQNQcp9F6ZHWioeL4Ws549eQp5TGqOcyTUQXegNxLPo2BQQb8tGXldLmtBbry37XsYgyGSmjKQ2HOeoO9uk/s1600/sleep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpvvQminYnVwugLp6mAYdZf4w9WQgX28zrXLHv_OYYdTfRmqOWhBCnoH8FnQNQcp9F6ZHWioeL4Ws549eQp5TGqOcyTUQXegNxLPo2BQQb8tGXldLmtBbry37XsYgyGSmjKQ2HOeoO9uk/s320/sleep.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/8745284"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">via here</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hayfever has hit hard - welcome runny nose, weepy eyes. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Work is crazy busy.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am just so very very tired.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh and we still have no internet at home - hence lack of posts. Bummer.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope you'r not missing me too much? I miss you!<br />
Don't worry, I will be back as soon as possible. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #2288bb;"><span style="font-size: large;">From me, with love. x</span></b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886338975864451580.post-47930211619011500412011-04-08T16:46:00.000+01:002011-04-08T16:46:39.908+01:00Yippee Yippee Hooray<div style="text-align: center;">It's the weekend and a beautiful, beautiful day!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am computer-less all weekend and was not organised enough to sort out timed posts so you will have to wait patiently for me to post again next week! I will then tell you all about the dinner party I threw, my bbq for 2 and what happened on a girly night in.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope you all have FABULOUS weekend.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXloPN4AGPVljMBN1TT8Mhe-s7mSaAdlHBn83Rvly-xdQmTwHyEK3LJroS3ziWM3u_eYpaHp8TihXm5ZRh1VYlFP8DQHOS-U5XVArM_QFAi7UZwvDkaoLl3ntN3YPbq6F0msespfmr_4/s1600/fabulous.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVXloPN4AGPVljMBN1TT8Mhe-s7mSaAdlHBn83Rvly-xdQmTwHyEK3LJroS3ziWM3u_eYpaHp8TihXm5ZRh1VYlFP8DQHOS-U5XVArM_QFAi7UZwvDkaoLl3ntN3YPbq6F0msespfmr_4/s1600/fabulous.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #2288bb;"><span style="font-size: large;">From me, with love. x</span></b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886338975864451580.post-73589656159568975662011-04-07T11:07:00.000+01:002011-04-07T11:07:25.224+01:00So You Sew?<div style="text-align: center;">Let me be honest, I really am not the most crafty of people. I love the idea of it and even though my Mumma is craftess extrondonaire, none of her sweet talent seemed to get passed to me. Or at least I haven't discovered it yet.<br />
Since becoming addicted to reading blogs I have come across so many amazingly talented people who can whip up a dress here, alter a funky old tee to make it cute, make gorgeous headbands and purses, re-cover sofa's and cushions, paint stunning pictures and honestly I am in awe! I am so inspired by all you creative people out there and I am determined to discover my creative side too!</div><div style="text-align: center;">So, exciting news - over the last couple of months my thoughts have been preoccupied by sewing. Everytime I see something gorgeous in a shop, I wonder how I would go about making it, and I am super amped to get started. I even found this cute little 'teach yourself to sew book'! I discovered it <a href="http://www.modcloth.com/Apartment/Bookstore+Desktop/-Sew-U">here</a>...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDWHHVBYeSVHFqymyvk6OlpufWFNW6gl-7vzWpR5AbbHAe1pI1sA_Abzlvgyd3zMIKd5ceL9_0JLExAgEdDrBOVSmiTbdkiZi8UDR5XPSFnY397-aXubmmreq9v0rEy38af9eGGODpTM/s1600/sew+u.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheDWHHVBYeSVHFqymyvk6OlpufWFNW6gl-7vzWpR5AbbHAe1pI1sA_Abzlvgyd3zMIKd5ceL9_0JLExAgEdDrBOVSmiTbdkiZi8UDR5XPSFnY397-aXubmmreq9v0rEy38af9eGGODpTM/s320/sew+u.jpg" width="224" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.modcloth.com/Apartment/Bookstore+Desktop/-Sew-U">$25.99 @ Modcloth</a> OR <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sew-Built-Wendy-Making-Wardrobe/dp/0821257404/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b">£11.51 @ Amazon UK</a></span><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sweet or what?! So my plan is to buy a sewing machine as soon as I get to NZ and get learning.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">But tell me...do you have any good sewing tips? How did you learn? Do you know of any good references (books/websites/people!). I would love to know how you got into sewing! I am so excited, and hopefully soon I will be able to share with you some of my very own creations.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #2288bb;"><span style="font-size: large;">From me, with love. x</span></b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886338975864451580.post-23151113820782121512011-04-05T12:22:00.001+01:002011-04-05T12:22:51.926+01:00Tuesday Loves<div style="text-align: center;"><b>1. Glee</b><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLeQz4nqw427iA0SM597MnE1hyQy1W5eQIjOwyShS9SdABLe2r4B3TXrYbevWVCQHs4e64R2kRZOVSm2-Q1EwnKHgCusu-EhL8CwCFBkDPy72sB4X3Fj-qxEksRVWYY32uoL5z9OwNvLU/s1600/glee1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLeQz4nqw427iA0SM597MnE1hyQy1W5eQIjOwyShS9SdABLe2r4B3TXrYbevWVCQHs4e64R2kRZOVSm2-Q1EwnKHgCusu-EhL8CwCFBkDPy72sB4X3Fj-qxEksRVWYY32uoL5z9OwNvLU/s1600/glee1.png" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/8430080"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> via here</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Seriously, how had I not seen an episode until last month? I have to say I am totally hooked now, I just can't get enough of it. Is that sad? A little? Nevermind...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>2. Travel Mug </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-opP227CNmi3WdkWNQRWr-Unhe93yOQqUJ-tuLghgFbom_POfJkBbqGDE2qMRytf-UcHIifYmXAVkgR_FK5_FU6kG3fNvAOhC9QI_vtHHzk_aLatRFAD4UGld8hoLX6GRQRe_sJsMAU/s1600/travelmug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-opP227CNmi3WdkWNQRWr-Unhe93yOQqUJ-tuLghgFbom_POfJkBbqGDE2qMRytf-UcHIifYmXAVkgR_FK5_FU6kG3fNvAOhC9QI_vtHHzk_aLatRFAD4UGld8hoLX6GRQRe_sJsMAU/s320/travelmug.jpg" width="224" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.modcloth.com/Apartment/-Save-Our-Animal-Planet-Travel-Mug"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">via here</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This Save Our Animal Planet travel mug from <a href="http://www.modcloth.com/">ModCloth</a> (again, only recently discovered this site!) is totally adorable. I love it and wish I drank more coffee to justify buying. Wouldn't it just brighten your morning drinking from this bad boy? And if you regularly get take-away coffee, this is a fantastic way to do your bit for the environment.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>3. Spring</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguD1DxueCwYwdvx32OO0oH_vFcaT4vIYKIj3aDqz7_0vhW4wnugIiwUiRe9Lb8FTzKWR-gi_tZPvrUdCWEzImrFJNn2lB72GU-Q4YQ7eGxMaW3-UoFz7cP3T7RbRoa8gHa3IeoVp5aMU0/s1600/spring1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguD1DxueCwYwdvx32OO0oH_vFcaT4vIYKIj3aDqz7_0vhW4wnugIiwUiRe9Lb8FTzKWR-gi_tZPvrUdCWEzImrFJNn2lB72GU-Q4YQ7eGxMaW3-UoFz7cP3T7RbRoa8gHa3IeoVp5aMU0/s1600/spring1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/8531860"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">via here</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love it that Spring is starting to show, although today is grey, windy and cold. I am really looking forward to wearing sweet summer dresses and being able to lounge about in the sun a little. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>4. Teepees</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVJEfNSSm5oeGNlqqhJ2tqeHySVcvXXUPvm0tTPblvB1rIz8uaOr8pJCzEmtixFk3J5UeuwZISJqb_Na9FYuNpD2VVhvUV4YX98vuwFLCY86Z9dfKRCXd_QCNggH5DA5EG5M-MxeD6lM/s1600/teepee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVJEfNSSm5oeGNlqqhJ2tqeHySVcvXXUPvm0tTPblvB1rIz8uaOr8pJCzEmtixFk3J5UeuwZISJqb_Na9FYuNpD2VVhvUV4YX98vuwFLCY86Z9dfKRCXd_QCNggH5DA5EG5M-MxeD6lM/s1600/teepee.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/1521064"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">via here</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Seeing as Spring isn't quite here and it still can be a little miserable outside, I would be perfectly happy to curl up in a little hideaway like this for a few hours.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>5. Cooking</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDGib_WmHT53Q9GsJswxWTPPe96_iq_IFEAkh_Clkh5htp4MNCCSGC54e4bJ2y-2wE3BuQ6bSdNI26ja4z8GTwqM5aXBO7kjyYSL5lYqOI9P9RisbyersCi5Ys2EKPWuWojIgEnQEpYE/s1600/kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDGib_WmHT53Q9GsJswxWTPPe96_iq_IFEAkh_Clkh5htp4MNCCSGC54e4bJ2y-2wE3BuQ6bSdNI26ja4z8GTwqM5aXBO7kjyYSL5lYqOI9P9RisbyersCi5Ys2EKPWuWojIgEnQEpYE/s1600/kitchen.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/7955890"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">via here</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm really making the most of cooking just for Joe and I at the moment and am totally loving it. I get a little obsessed with planning meals and can spend hours browsing recipe books and searching for ideas on the internet. I find cooking a great way to de-stress and there is nothing more satisfying than taking a handful of ingredients and turning them into something delicious. On our menu this week we have a great combination of vegetarian and meaty (although we are trying to cut down our meat intake), and we are hosting a dinner party for some friends on Thursday night!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #2288bb;"><span style="font-size: large;">From me, with love. x</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886338975864451580.post-41382836862922232162011-04-02T12:44:00.000+01:002011-04-02T12:44:42.259+01:00Breakfast Fit For A Queen<div align="center">One of the things I wanted to do while the house was a little emptier was make some knock-out breakfasts. I love cereal, but if I could, I would have some sort of cooked every morning. Mmmmm.</div><div align="center">My favourite of all breakfasts is Eggs Benedict and I am always on the lookout for restaurants who have it on their menu. While I love eating brekkie out (so totally indulgent and decadent!) I also love to cook and I have always been pretty keen to try my hand at making my own Eggs Benedict but the one thing that put me off, was making the hollandaise sauce which I've always been told is pretty difficult. So I figured that an empty house was probably the safest and calmest place I could attempt it.</div><div align="center">With Joe on standby ready to poach the eggs and butter the muffins I looked up a recipe and got my ingredients together.</div><div align="center">And I totally nailed it! No big deal.</div><div align="center">I used this Delia Smith recipe for <a href="http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/cuisine/european/english/hollandaise-sauce.html">Hollandaise Sauce</a>, toasted a couple of breakfast muffins, grilled some bacon and Joe poached the eggs. Oh and I completely forgot to take any photos, guess I'll just have to make it again next weekend, pity. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPb9eo0Royf4vw9JEo4oDBo-VeFFoQS21Tv1P6IaLfqM4aI_ra1IeHnwjmIT_jLLIXFjn62Hh_n08AGIkZAxlfHqwlkvRiK7pHhu85PADVqgBe7GFdKkBt09LqLOV2XF1JUVDCKUE6Y9Q/s1600/eggs+benedict.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPb9eo0Royf4vw9JEo4oDBo-VeFFoQS21Tv1P6IaLfqM4aI_ra1IeHnwjmIT_jLLIXFjn62Hh_n08AGIkZAxlfHqwlkvRiK7pHhu85PADVqgBe7GFdKkBt09LqLOV2XF1JUVDCKUE6Y9Q/s320/eggs+benedict.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.learninghowtocook.com/recipe/780-Eggs-Benedict.html">via here</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Apart from an impressive breakfast, my Saturday is going to be pretty quiet I think. Joe is feeling a little worse for wear after a few drinks with workmates last night and the weather is pretty grey, so we are going to snuggle up on the sofa and watch some football.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh and tonight, we are going to attempt this amazing looking <a href="http://www.antonio-carluccio.com/Tagliatelle_al_Ragu_Bolognese">Antonio Carluccio Bolognese</a>. Fingers crossed we get some photo's this time!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hope you are all having wonderful Saturdays.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2288bb; font-size: large;"><strong>From me, with love. x</strong></span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886338975864451580.post-54579611886762790192011-04-01T12:55:00.000+01:002011-04-01T12:55:03.224+01:00An Indoor Picnic<div style="text-align: center;">The first evening of our 'holiday' was perfect.</div><div style="text-align: center;">A picnic of tapas for dinner with red wine and music. We ate olives, smoked salmon pate, crusty bread, cheese and a simple salad. Totally delicious. Joe thought it would have been even more perfect if we were sitting outside on a balcony, over looking a beautiful city, with a warm summers breeze blowing. I have to say, I couldn't agree more.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's to picnic dinners inside and out.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzG_B3YSrIWmHNKvY0QtyoLZgnLybPS6jnQO8L9So5U7GNUng6TZsx-tDlelvJ51BmeuDI9IyhmHnSjh3LFByOk2tYBqSiIFQZJudCYdbDnpMFp1VEpVShGsrWLcL8HOgLZI_8mM46aDs/s1600/picnic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzG_B3YSrIWmHNKvY0QtyoLZgnLybPS6jnQO8L9So5U7GNUng6TZsx-tDlelvJ51BmeuDI9IyhmHnSjh3LFByOk2tYBqSiIFQZJudCYdbDnpMFp1VEpVShGsrWLcL8HOgLZI_8mM46aDs/s1600/picnic.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/8233897"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> via here</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #2288bb;"><span style="font-size: large;">From me, with love. x</span></b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886338975864451580.post-16023333897890458392011-03-31T16:28:00.000+01:002011-03-31T16:28:15.045+01:00A Funny Kinda Holiday<div style="text-align: center;">As I am sure many of you already know, since getting back from my AMAZING holiday in New Zealand last April, Joe and I have been living at his parents house in England. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Honestly, it has been pretty amazing. </div><div style="text-align: center;">They have been so kind and generous and it has meant being able to save a whole lot of money (ready for our big move). It's been heaps of fun too! Family is really important to me so being able to get to know Joe's family so well has been pretty cool. We have a lot of big family meals, with wine and music and occasional board game sessions! (I am such a Scrabble geek...)</div><div style="text-align: center;">One thing I will say though, is that the house if full to the brim with people. There's Mum, Dad, Joe, Big Sister, Little Brother (although he has moved out now) and Me. Pretty full huh?</div><div style="text-align: center;">SO, the fact that Joe's parents are going away for 2 weeks, feels kind of like a strange holiday.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I definitely don't mean that in a nasty way! It's just that Joe and I have been living together for over 2 years now and for 18 months of that time it has either been with his family or my family, so getting 2 weeks to ourselves is pretty rare.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I plan on having: </b></div><div style="text-align: center;">- a lot of cute loved up dinners for two, maybe with candles, definitely with wine</div><div style="text-align: center;">- lazy breakfasts in bed, I'm very keen for pancakes and eggs benedict!</div><div style="text-align: center;">- duvet days watching movies on the sofa together</div><div style="text-align: center;">- dinner parties with friends</div><div style="text-align: center;">-a few girly evenings with bubble baths and face masks</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGYUw7JKyyZ5G8lCdzfdAF6jg3ZdqJe70gOmHpSjhpGCcuiN1ip22C4lfswdpKyp8gr0cOntF7lXoTp2-rv7Va6drukZ9dNQdzZiTkBw2b3jNuO84Bggh8blk7rw_TxYkEHozCHm0SYw/s1600/bathbubble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGYUw7JKyyZ5G8lCdzfdAF6jg3ZdqJe70gOmHpSjhpGCcuiN1ip22C4lfswdpKyp8gr0cOntF7lXoTp2-rv7Va6drukZ9dNQdzZiTkBw2b3jNuO84Bggh8blk7rw_TxYkEHozCHm0SYw/s1600/bathbubble.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/8191761"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> via here</span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sounds like a pretty good stay at home (still going to work) holiday to me!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Have you ever lived with someone else's family? Do you still live with your family? How do you enjoy time to yourself?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #2288bb;">From me, with love. x</span></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886338975864451580.post-38050283164210830192011-03-29T12:27:00.000+01:002011-03-29T12:27:37.269+01:00It's Been A While...<div style="text-align: center;">Hi lovelies!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't believe it has been over 2 months since my last post. That's kind of embarrassing!</div><div style="text-align: center;">No time like the present to get back into it though right?</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">When I think about 2 months, it feels like a really long time, but in reality, these last 2 months have absolutely flown by. And its kind of scary, do you know why? Because in 2 months time, I will be jumping on a plane and heading across the world, Joe by my side, and settling into a new life and routine back home in New Zealand. I really can't believe how quickly this has come around. When I first started blogging, it was August of last year and it felt like forever until we would be moving. We were still filling in paperwork for Joe's residence permit, and hadn't even looked at flights. Now here we are, 8 months later, finalising details, sorting out accomodation, applying for university courses, and planning leaving parties for friends and family.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Overwhelming? YOU BET! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Excited? More than you could begin to imagine. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Terrifying? Yeah, a little.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The hard thing is, the last 8 months have been the best months I have spent in the UK. Crazy I know. I have finally found a wonderful group of girl-friends, I am loving playing netball again, my job is pretty good, I have a lovely boyfriend and I just feel on top of the world. So part of me keeps thinking,</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">"What am I doing? Why would I take myself out of this situation? I'm having so much fun!"</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I just have to remember that while these friends are wonderful, there will be more amazing people to meet on my next adventure, and just because I am leaving England, doesn't mean I am leaving these people forever. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It may have taken me 4 years to take myself out of my comfort zone (lounging about at home is a pretty safe hideout you know!) but now that I know I can do it, hopefully next time round it wont take me quite as long. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfkeXS0brVZX_cp7mmLkljSEo_b_1_n-QEidYxhEknfkF0AYZ2X0MMyDqPMG2nBr6rbthRejyIhmsDlrXX-zAeoUhVIRxf_Nf00awHIS1zTQ98EBpayvnxm9xBpTd2uebSbdpL1HV4_E/s1600/hoopersnightout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfkeXS0brVZX_cp7mmLkljSEo_b_1_n-QEidYxhEknfkF0AYZ2X0MMyDqPMG2nBr6rbthRejyIhmsDlrXX-zAeoUhVIRxf_Nf00awHIS1zTQ98EBpayvnxm9xBpTd2uebSbdpL1HV4_E/s320/hoopersnightout.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the Hoopers!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">And honestly, this is going to be one crazy, exciting, adventure! Not only are there new people to meet but new restaurants to try, bands to discover, cafes to lounge in, parks to visit, museums to explore, bookshops to browse...seriously, I can't freaking wait!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">BRING IT ON NEW ZEALAND</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_VpLPNiA3TAdjoKLL7un_18Sk53SVQGjUeO5WHr2OPbjf8ABvQaHQMuFp5ka5Y49N0ZOwtFjppEIeFM6gnY8bha3MhUAdlKXbA5c1KeV-q-uWniN0MOnkkp_qJOG9FAqTl0PxmDbFqo/s1600/wellyquote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV_VpLPNiA3TAdjoKLL7un_18Sk53SVQGjUeO5WHr2OPbjf8ABvQaHQMuFp5ka5Y49N0ZOwtFjppEIeFM6gnY8bha3MhUAdlKXbA5c1KeV-q-uWniN0MOnkkp_qJOG9FAqTl0PxmDbFqo/s320/wellyquote.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="color: #2288bb; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">From me, with love. x</span></b></div><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886338975864451580.post-83520564089162997182011-01-19T13:18:00.001+00:002011-01-19T13:21:53.812+00:00Day 4: A Favourite TV Programme<div style="text-align: center;">Okay, so I only managed 3 days of the challenge before missing a day, that's pretty hopeless huh?</div><div style="text-align: center;">I could give you all sorts of excuses, but honestly, none of them are very exciting, so I'll just get back to it today.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This is an interesting question for me, I have a bit of a love hate relationship with the TV. </div><div style="text-align: center;">While I was growing up, from the age of about 5, my family didn't have a TV. My parent's felt that there were other ways that we should be entertaining ourselves, especially in the summer and would put the TV away for the summer months and only bring it out again in the winter. One winters day (when I was still pretty young), someone broke into our home and stole the TV, and my parents decided not to replace it. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Not having a TV didn't ever really bother me. We were lucky enough to be growing up in a beautiful country, that had amazing weather (most of the time) and when the weather wasn't so good I could always find something to do. Not having a TV definitely helped fuel my love of reading and I know that if we had had one, I would have been distracted no end. The only time I felt like I was really missing out, was when I first started high school and all my friends would chat about what they had watched the night before and have a good gossip. This really wasn't a big deal, and I got over it pretty quickly.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-N-MSwfAV4H_1VbctKMkgjauWk80A7-a_rhZC3y1HDjPWk4IhznIWLp_pSxBz95a4yCb9IwNOYWPGi4CeqPHisp3RP7Kbq5aKWn5BSY_RtZBs2pYxPDyBCdpcspWLQWm6zOHPZjLaTY/s1600/tv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-N-MSwfAV4H_1VbctKMkgjauWk80A7-a_rhZC3y1HDjPWk4IhznIWLp_pSxBz95a4yCb9IwNOYWPGi4CeqPHisp3RP7Kbq5aKWn5BSY_RtZBs2pYxPDyBCdpcspWLQWm6zOHPZjLaTY/s1600/tv.jpg" /></a></div><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Now that I am a grown up things are slightly different...</div><div style="text-align: center;">Living with the BF's family means having a TV again, and not just one in the living room, one in the bedroom as well! (I was always a little shocked and envious as a child, of my friends who had TV's in their bedrooms) This is where the love/hate starts...I have found that most evenings I switch on the TV and can easily blob infront of any old programme, for 1, 2 or even 3 hours. Before I know it, it's bedtime and I have done nothing all evening but watch TV, and usually not very interesting TV either.</div><div style="text-align: center;">So I have gone from being a TV free gal, to one who turns into a vegetable infront of one, 4 nights a week.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Okay, so sometimes I watch programmes that I actually really enjoy, and I really love watching sports on the weekend with the BF, but my problem seems to be that I turn it on whenever I'm bored, it's just too easy to switch it on and let my mind go a little mushy. I realise that having a little more willpower would solve my wee dilema but it's the same story over and over again - TV on, evening wasted.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">I've told the BF that when we get our own place, there will be no TV.</div><div style="text-align: center;">All I can say about that is...I won't be getting my own way.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have to admit, that over the last couple of months, I have really tried hard not to watch TV if there isn't something I really want to watch on, and I've been doing pretty well. There's still the occasional night when I really am too exhausted to do anything else but I no longer feel so bad about it, knowing that I have been filling the rest of my evenings with other things.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">SO, now that you have read my little rant, I'm sure you are all dying to know what programme (if any) I would choose as my favourite...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mentalist">The Mentalist</a> - easy winner.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Patrick Jane is just such a dude! I love this programme, I love the dynamic of the team, I love Jane's style and they was he is so laid back, I love that he is always (subtley) looking for revenge, I love the way Lisbon gets so mad at his attitude, but almsot always lets him get away with it, I love how blunt Cho is, and the chemistry between Van Pelt and Rigsby. It's perfect! Did I mention I think he is a little gorgeous?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6eTT5AVlwNKH4Fm3JMbjR0LplcWWIWquAK00emRYS76dud2pfX69_CmrZOJJC-8i7ul3nPPbkcto7MWZahin_ZMyriWXQhXbDVtaQP9n06-6Ft-pD9QZKps6r3R8s4YADfF7eXH5O80/s1600/patrick+jane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6eTT5AVlwNKH4Fm3JMbjR0LplcWWIWquAK00emRYS76dud2pfX69_CmrZOJJC-8i7ul3nPPbkcto7MWZahin_ZMyriWXQhXbDVtaQP9n06-6Ft-pD9QZKps6r3R8s4YADfF7eXH5O80/s1600/patrick+jane.jpg" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Runner-up would be almost any food show/cooking programme.</div><div style="text-align: center;">At the moment I am totally loving River Cottage, any Jamie Oliver, <a href="http://www.fishfight.net/">Hugh's Fish Fight</a>, and Nigella Kitchen.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">What about you? What are your favourite programmes? Are you a TV lover/hater? Can you manage your TV consumption? (If so, am very keen to hear your tips!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2288bb; font-size: large;">From me, with love. x</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886338975864451580.post-45334951951538655582011-01-17T15:34:00.000+00:002011-01-17T15:34:06.537+00:00Day 3: A Favourite Book<div style="text-align: center;">I am a total bookworm. Fact.</div><div style="text-align: center;">And because of that, choosing a favourite book is kind of a tough one.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have so many favourite fiction books that I really, truely can't just pick one. </div><div style="text-align: center;">So, I'm not going to pick any.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Instead, I'm going to go for a recipe book, that way it ties together my love of reading and my love of food. Honestly, if I am bored at home, I will read a recipe book from cover to cover, I love getting ideas for future meals, or organising imaginairy dinner parties in my head (they would be amazing...).</div><div style="text-align: center;">And now, you lucky, lucky people have the privilege of knowing my number one, go-to cook book for all occasions....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://www.annabel-langbein.com/shop_product_view.php?pid=4">The Best of Annabel Langbein - Great Food for Busy Lives</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjciwtxu6B0oOAjM8Oecze7sHvdIrmv1ARhtY2OTE2YkZRNHtf4SVpPFTrkkcFTkadlTjuJ-7FSUKbVYBh9iDwAr8jzGycqgwLyvJZBHRpkPxUjuKKRO50YOsIosh_fzUu_6VkEkv3Hy0M/s1600/annabel+langbein.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjciwtxu6B0oOAjM8Oecze7sHvdIrmv1ARhtY2OTE2YkZRNHtf4SVpPFTrkkcFTkadlTjuJ-7FSUKbVYBh9iDwAr8jzGycqgwLyvJZBHRpkPxUjuKKRO50YOsIosh_fzUu_6VkEkv3Hy0M/s1600/annabel+langbein.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">This woman is wonderful. Her recipes are easy to follow but still adventurous, her attitude is laid back and fun, and her food is so delicious! I always pick up this book, whether it's for a mid week easy dinner, for a fancy schmanzy romantic Saturday night in, or to impress your in-laws (or anyone for that matter!). </div><div style="text-align: center;">Her other recipe books equally exude her laid back New Zealand style, and titles like Savour the Pacific and The Free Range Cook, make me want to dive right in.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I really recommend trying one of her recipes, (her <a href="http://www.annabel-langbein.com/">website</a> has a few to choose from) and I have to say, her recipe for <a href="http://www.annabel-langbein.com/kitchen_recipe_view.php?cid=25&rid=177">Thai Pumpkin Soup</a> is the most perfect winter warmer. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdCEmJK5Itqo1gO-8gBSDinf1SwnG6GbFaZT0uAXvpPHHJJ0WrbGwjifC7hKaojwDHEmUUgxh24xGBxZJTpoR_R3o0BQXyscYIY5w3u2vEfr8DMGq4oc8N2MmFoUp4n0wIumgNpMpVuc/s1600/thai+pumpkin+soup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxdCEmJK5Itqo1gO-8gBSDinf1SwnG6GbFaZT0uAXvpPHHJJ0WrbGwjifC7hKaojwDHEmUUgxh24xGBxZJTpoR_R3o0BQXyscYIY5w3u2vEfr8DMGq4oc8N2MmFoUp4n0wIumgNpMpVuc/s1600/thai+pumpkin+soup.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2288bb; font-size: large;">From me, with love. x</span><br />
<br />
p.s...Congratulations to <a href="http://paris-myblog-paris.blogspot.com/">Paris</a> who won the goodies from LUSH.<br />
Love giveaways? Watch this space...<br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886338975864451580.post-83201804158100178902011-01-16T17:06:00.001+00:002011-01-16T17:09:36.720+00:00Day 2: A Favourite Movie<div align="center">Now this is an easy one.</div><div align="center"> As you may already know, I am totally head over heels, crazy about France and all things French. So it's only natural that my favourite film in the whole entire world is a beautiful Parisian love story.</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLc9UpBR0oTpxYQH0IiUGVxYpynjIdn04r5SEGIhr7ms-LOwTWjP4UK3lQTtskLOZ6EDl0cfg74xGBQuK90lYsYLi_in_HCxmAMS1_uqRWlSckenuwBszh0AgkvaC3kLQ9Z0Zmy1BwVo/s1600/amelie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLc9UpBR0oTpxYQH0IiUGVxYpynjIdn04r5SEGIhr7ms-LOwTWjP4UK3lQTtskLOZ6EDl0cfg74xGBQuK90lYsYLi_in_HCxmAMS1_uqRWlSckenuwBszh0AgkvaC3kLQ9Z0Zmy1BwVo/s1600/amelie.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center">Le fabuleux destin d'Amelie Poulin, or more commenly known as Amelie, is the story of Amelie Poulin, a young naive Parisian girl, who decides to devote her time to helping others. Along the way, she meets Nino, a shy, awkward, oddball and their love story quickly evolves.</div><div align="center">Audrey Tautou plays Amelie perfectly, and I feel that Amelie's quirky nature and idiosyncrasies make her a truely lovable character. </div><div align="center">It is hard not to have your heart warmed by this beautiful story.</div><div align="center"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2288bb; font-size: large;">From me, with love. x</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886338975864451580.post-50399232086574981012011-01-15T18:59:00.000+00:002011-01-15T18:59:45.536+00:00Day 1: A Favourite Song<div align="center">Favourite song. That's a tricky one, I have so many I can't count! </div><div align="center">However after much thought, and listening to my top 100, I think I'm going to have to go with a true Kiwi tune.</div><div align="center">Fat Freddy's Drop to me are the epitimy of NZ music, and one of my all time favourite bands. They seem like such chilled out, down to earth guys and whenever I listen to their music I can picture myself chilling out on a beach or around campfire with friends. I've been lucky enough to see them twice live and both times they blew my mind.</div><div align="center">So here's Boondigga...</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/LyShbSKAhr8?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="color: #2288bb; font-size: large;">From me, with love. x</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886338975864451580.post-8864405425727296612011-01-14T12:07:00.006+00:002011-01-14T12:19:26.272+00:00A Thirty Day Challenge<div style="text-align: center;">So I was halfway through my morning blog reading session, and came to one of my favourites...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://peace-love-lauren.blogspot.com/">Peace Love Lauren</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">...and she had just posted about a new "Thirty Day Challenge" that she was about to start, and invited people to try the challenge with her. I thought this would be a great idea, as sometimes I need a bit of a push to get me writing/posting. I've never done one of these challenges before, and being the start of a new year, that I'm hoping to fill with lots of firsts, I thought I would give it a shot!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Here's what you do:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Day 1: A favorite song.</span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Day 2: A favorite movie.</span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Day 3: A favorite book.</span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Day 4: A favorite television program.</span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Day 5: A favorite quote.</span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Day 6: A moment you wish you could relive.</span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Day 7: Five things you couldn't possibly live without.</span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Day 8: A thank you letter to someone who has changed your life.</span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Day 9: A photo you took.</span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Day 10: A photo of you taken over ten years ago.</span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Day 11: A photo of you taken recently.</span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Day 12: A song that you want played at your wedding(or was played).</span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Day 13: A guilty pleasure.</span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Day 14: A vacation you would like to take.</span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Day 15: A person you admire.</span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Day 16: A song that makes you cry.</span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Day 17: An art piece.</span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Day 18: A time when you felt passionate and alive.</span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Day 19: A talent of yours.</span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Day 20: A hobby of yours.</span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Day 21: Something you know you do differently than most people.</span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Day 22: A website.</span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Day 23: A way in which you want to be remembered.</span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Day 24: A movie no one would expect you to love.</span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Day 25: A recipe.</span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Day 26: A childhood memory.</span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Day 27: A physical feature you love.</span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Day 28: A scar you have and it's story.</span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Day 29: Hopes, dreams and plans you have for the next 365 days.</span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Day 30: A motto or philosophy.</span><br />
</div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Some of these I think I will find easy, some not so easy but I am really looking forward to it! I also thought it would be a great way for all of my lovely readers to get a little insight into who I am and what makes me buzz.</span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Fancy joining in?</span></div><div style="color: #666666; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #2288bb; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 22px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: large;">From me, with love. x</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886338975864451580.post-84123290489557460182011-01-13T16:08:00.000+00:002011-01-13T16:08:18.781+00:00Don't Forget the Giveaway!<div style="text-align: center;">For those of you who haven't entered, it's not too late!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Missed the memo? <a href="http://withlovefromhannah.blogspot.com/2011/01/its-give-away.html">Check it out here</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Entries need to be in by the end of the day on Friday the 14th January.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Good luck lovelies!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/5612923"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT7vOWsI7S7qV1o_8zswETK9bGiGYruGKdJLqViAocfpp1lidla_53Qtn5O4xIV2fYaO88WoBYj_BJl3ax6SZZB20tz3bPRoOcghetHFHngi6-javbgGkwNuD-9Q825CSq3VuI1CfA6x0/s1600/lush+bomb.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">From me, with love. x</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886338975864451580.post-67354976399109271772011-01-08T09:00:00.002+00:002011-01-17T14:40:06.882+00:00It's a GIVE-AWAY<div style="text-align: center;">See! I told you there would be a treat filled giveaway in the New Year. Do you remember why? </div><div style="text-align: center;">Because I reached 50 followers! Yippee! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately since then, I lost a follower (ouch), BUT luckily for me and for those of you who fancy trying their luck today, I gained a follower too, bringing me back to the big 50!</div><div style="text-align: center;">And so, I'm not going to dwell too much on what I could have done to keep that one particular follower (although blogging more regularly probably would help, lets face it), and instead I am going to treat you all to a new years giveaway.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">What is it? Well that's a surprise!</div><div style="text-align: center;">All I will say is that it will be a fabulous box of goodies from the gorgeous store <a href="http://www.lush.co.uk/">LUSH</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/6019547"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUN28Xl3oi6VuoinV5hzjys87y8nbnOllHrwQtjhvS_dg-b0m928hOHsKmTAGaWgFwWiYRU0PJE_oTMiQuOfEHsaOmhICJSPE0H5uxLffpw5m7WvBWWL3OpSwmN15mWqctupC5Xg3A6eI/s1600/prezzie.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">So, how to enter?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Leave a comment below. It's that easy.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fancy a second entry? </div><div style="text-align: center;">If you're a follower, feel free to leave a second comment for double the chance!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A random winner will be selected next Friday the 14th January.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Good luck!</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">From me, with love. x</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">p.s...</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A HUGE thank you to all my lovely followers, I love getting your comments, and it makes my heart all warm and fuzzy knowing that there are 50 wonderful people out there, reading my blog. </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thank you so much.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886338975864451580.post-11522186181284800332011-01-07T12:13:00.000+00:002011-01-07T12:13:04.958+00:00Dear 2011<div style="text-align: center;">Dear <a href="http://www.teaglobal.co.nz/catalog/P82_Stir_Tea_-_Jasmine_Pearl__China_.html">Jasmine Pearl</a> tea,</div><div style="text-align: center;">You are delicious. It makes me so happy to drink you in the morning (and all day, lets be honest), and I love how your beautiful little pearls of tea unfurl. Thank you for being so yummy and sweet, and healthy too!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/6065673"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzW7e2-zGhZB8AR5OrZ6wY96HAP3iQQ7zXVedZVeP8SSP6V1Pux6buuGwAj-LwJwo4_gEt_luUzU6Jr5wXyLrM8ZKuoooW-N_PQL-UkqraBBjH9IpiR_j6Zc8RbKcR61fTH2vuZjKY9s/s1600/cup+of+tea.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Dear <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Intermediate-French-Dummies-Laura-Lawless/dp/0470187689">Intermediate French for Dummies</a>,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Thank you for reigniting my love for all things French, especially that beautiful language. You make learning fun and easy, and I can't wait to study some more this weekend.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/6075904"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakbyTm-CnMPBXrSd5Uv-hy2U_br3fV_4OPX0y46Z7dnwIj5eX_nSlYEwnJIyqm99aR60wx62x32MXDTeoEEswD9bZJb4UfgOnxDGp1OeRbHV_5AmT9UsNSKHkQjRvTDlYD5TV4n_MmKA/s1600/paris+eiffel+tower.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Dear <a href="http://www.rudehealth.com/our-food/organic-muesli">Rude Health</a>,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Your Ultimate Muesli makes me want to jump up and down with joy. Packed full with 23 fantastic and healthy organic ingredients, is there a better way to start the day? No, didn't think so. You give me plenty of energy to do fun things and keep my tummy happily content until lunch time. No naughty snacks for me!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/6016402"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBM2fI2un17YnKdiR_c4hjF2q1z5Ct1IQtoeiElwP7xEDOWJ1Ryla8-jCW_K5kLQ3tWUF83acTHJb83HwfN6MgPaN8XLanwcFofRkYZLCOkQqpAG1RIfb1yc063Ph_xoE-YvJZDpi9Tbg/s1600/muesli.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Dear <a href="http://withlovefromhannah.blogspot.com/2010/12/weekend-for-me.html">Percy (the Pashley Paramount)</a>,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have fallen in love with you. So much so that I biked to work in the rain this morning. That's gotta be true love right? I especially love the little bell that I can ring as I speed pass people walking along. You're a little muddy at the moment so this weekend it is bike wash time.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/6050537"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLsAdKd0MaJznhwAbipvsKtv31nkOXus10rcBOqvTYOKlVlTz5O7O9REpU9bkneCxDkxuVbVPN12iexVTlZu954EHMkf5Tna1kn4Zt-BcXzAYNmx42gcAjYeqX8BZf8CddJCFQwDL7Nk/s1600/bike+ride.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Dear <a href="http://withlovefromhannah.blogspot.com/2010/09/exploding-with-excitement.html">Impending Move to New Zealand</a>,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am so excited about you I could burst. But I am also super nervous, and that makes me want to cry a little. I am nervous because I want the BF to be happy, and by taking him away from his family and moving him across to the otherside of the world, I worry that I will make him unhappy. Of course there will be tears all round when we leave but I hope that we can have an amazing time living in NZ none the less. He says he is excited (although he is sure he will be a little sad too), and I trust him with my whole being - but I am still a little scared.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/2889461"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPXLiEcAepyM5NkVQvxpBz_uvr9dvHyTtbPMAWZ1bVhROlJwg-pK8YJWlJEuF7M3QkCFguJ5gYhQINgI96oJhPtChHJK7jbh0XLeY3VT8Fz_nB6R11yl9kB3u0fD-RwsT-EiXOmiPjS4/s1600/new+zealand.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Dear <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011">2011</a>,</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am so looking forward to the year ahead. I have so much to look forward to, like a weekend trip away with the BF in Feb, enrolling in University, moving back to NZ, flat hunting/job hunting/city exploring in Wellington, seeing my family for the first time in 1 year (and some cases 18months!), throwing ourselves into the true 'Kiwi' lifestyle and so much more. And I am equally looking forward to the surprises that come along the way. Who knows what's really instore.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bring it on!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/5974709"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCw7L2ed5m_OVInp2yFlOX_tkbimnobfRlxf0p5zJ7AzgwQo-fm5expEUbZbWdy0mgoGqKRFgWxpD7E4Aeh_po0lHxRS1lDADnj3ZSjn3zMAh_av45LA7G1WRtFh79BPbsZiPrMfYhh3M/s1600/2011.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-size: large;">From me, with love. x</span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886338975864451580.post-62967399779706612082010-12-23T15:04:00.000+00:002010-12-23T15:04:31.252+00:00A Tummy Filled with Butterflies<div style="text-align: center;">Delicious <a href="http://www.greenandblacks.com/uk/home.html">chocolates</a> and wine sent to clients? Check.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Staff hampers filled with beautiful <a href="http://www.thecheeseworks.co.uk/">local products</a> and handed out? Check.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fabulous Christmas party thrown where everyone sipped on fantastic cocktails? Check.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lush.co.uk/index.php?page=shop.gift_products_new&flypage=flypage.gift.tpl&option=com_virtuemart&product_id=1518">Secret Santa</a> gifts swapped between colleagues? Check.</div><div style="text-align: center;">A raffle of cheeses, chocolates, champagne and sweeties organised? Check.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>HUGE, ENOURMOUS, EXCITEMENT ABOUT THE UPCOMING HOLIDAY? </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>CHECK!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Okay, so I keep getting insane butterflies in my tummy but I still have 3hours until I can really get excited, and also start relaxing, as that's when I am officialy on HOLIDAY! Yippee!</div><div style="text-align: center;">So I am sitting here, (being as productive as I can when there is Christmas cheer zooming around the office, and mountains of snow outside) and waiting patiently for my holiday to start.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I have a hot creamy cup of coffee on the go, and am wishing everyone a</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS </span></div><div style="text-align: center;">as they pass me by, humming Christmas carols to my self, and making last minute Christmas prezzie lists.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/5710096"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ95poUJf4hENbTqczzfqchW5yQEeisCJ4eEpIRzx7XGbAMmJUgL_h4NzhK2dUyMkUVcZcDJY2rQykvHSO5kXEegcZWdSkwR3Nl-IP65aqCoY28jP-wHq2RaA_qVoVjy58Kda_oqxLNqk/s1600/coffee.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am pretty much all sorted, just an extra couple of things for the BF's Daddy-o, and the BF's Sisters BF (wow, that's a moutful!), and I am going to brave the icy streets and late night shopping this evening to get it all sorted.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Then, because I organised such a rad Christmas party for the office (how modest am I?), the restaurant owner is treating the BF and I to a meal and drinks, as a 'Thank You' for booking our party with them. Brilliant right?!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Did I mention it is my <a href="http://www.dflycheltenham.co.uk/">favourite restaurant</a> in town?</div><div style="text-align: center;">Hello scrummy Thai curry (or maybe sushi - I can't decide) and delightful cocktails. Yum Yum.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYW6WJG87lAlLTe2y25UoOabjCRFlX-95j_BtlH_J_xM6RikA0IrRV0GLSrm8r8TUpG6OZq4Qq641_K1BpFEnbKhBX8iXzjJrjEgKfeePL8mepMG_a_iwKM9Pijg1xaKmjpSwBIjle_pY/s1600/dfly+cocktails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYW6WJG87lAlLTe2y25UoOabjCRFlX-95j_BtlH_J_xM6RikA0IrRV0GLSrm8r8TUpG6OZq4Qq641_K1BpFEnbKhBX8iXzjJrjEgKfeePL8mepMG_a_iwKM9Pijg1xaKmjpSwBIjle_pY/s320/dfly+cocktails.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">What a perfect Christmas Eve, eve.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>x</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886338975864451580.post-91801576448120789662010-12-22T09:00:00.001+00:002010-12-22T09:00:09.298+00:00Now I'm Dreaming of a WHITE Christmas<div style="text-align: center;">I clearly can't make up my mind about what I want this Christmas. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Sun? Snow? Sandcastles? Snowmen?</div><div style="text-align: center;"> After this rather bizzare unexpected dump of snow (unexpected for December), I've started getting my hopes up that there might be snow this Christmas. </div><div style="text-align: center;">How cool would that be? </div><div style="text-align: center;">I figure that if I can't be home in the sun with my family, then sledging and snowman building on Christmas day would be an acceptable compromise.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We had so much fun playing in it on the weekend that I have my fingers crossed as tightly as can be in the hope that it will just keep on snowing for a little bit longer, and then hopefully stay cold enough that the snow wont melt! (I really don't fancy slush for Christmas....) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6q4-fxOIhC3K3P3CJ99mSymowCoI47RNk2jOGLH4e9Jhqo9AcyZVfIQns7Bun1fHfXHhIE8WKlvcIz2cJ-dIZoosDVV8bvMdEJsbsxN1l36SYA_2c4cOCU-1gJFM8AJsGhV2NbWvVEc/s1600/snow+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6q4-fxOIhC3K3P3CJ99mSymowCoI47RNk2jOGLH4e9Jhqo9AcyZVfIQns7Bun1fHfXHhIE8WKlvcIz2cJ-dIZoosDVV8bvMdEJsbsxN1l36SYA_2c4cOCU-1gJFM8AJsGhV2NbWvVEc/s320/snow+1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqyDAszv0fFBZBXw3mrZFy3pW0I8UvTu9dO9dPHlHVVmBsjcHlI9lwoeNgXTYqyJsnASy5ybNDpu-jaknvHfclG3UjcX1RNY1CW7F9UxYooFvwHpAL7cLsNViMg2rk7_Govov-feC1JEU/s1600/snow+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqyDAszv0fFBZBXw3mrZFy3pW0I8UvTu9dO9dPHlHVVmBsjcHlI9lwoeNgXTYqyJsnASy5ybNDpu-jaknvHfclG3UjcX1RNY1CW7F9UxYooFvwHpAL7cLsNViMg2rk7_Govov-feC1JEU/s320/snow+2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixET2t5TEa2I15-GG9k3Xv4r601xlVQKuODQSwv-On44jhquJfrEzGppkvnttumg7jiFEUaW6sxfj6kcJ2pBHuxjmKd7p5VwaTqzAdUz11yJHgJXf_6sRfk2ti036o0C65Hqa7utooLTc/s1600/snow+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixET2t5TEa2I15-GG9k3Xv4r601xlVQKuODQSwv-On44jhquJfrEzGppkvnttumg7jiFEUaW6sxfj6kcJ2pBHuxjmKd7p5VwaTqzAdUz11yJHgJXf_6sRfk2ti036o0C65Hqa7utooLTc/s320/snow+3.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNM2oryyHJpRY4wnbfDS6RLGxpC-IxzYeVQO9SIrKnepLB1fcGyHhPqztb_yYfjGicxF3jKlKw7uqchJUYrgAHakZtVn88dcW3X3Js70HpbzT1-1ntx_z9GoCoYYnGqBLacQ4GM9gOaA/s1600/snow+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNM2oryyHJpRY4wnbfDS6RLGxpC-IxzYeVQO9SIrKnepLB1fcGyHhPqztb_yYfjGicxF3jKlKw7uqchJUYrgAHakZtVn88dcW3X3Js70HpbzT1-1ntx_z9GoCoYYnGqBLacQ4GM9gOaA/s320/snow+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHR3sMYQbyhDmmDm3PHCt12tKhLiXgesZk6LUYHoJUxuky_N0lEnzjR5SEeYnDAtWYkN2hRg4Kijvo8CHvTMEcAKwLSYGz_4MQeekrWDprx72FDUKM6k52EEsZNqMY0w5j1vBnxGh0l4c/s1600/snow+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHR3sMYQbyhDmmDm3PHCt12tKhLiXgesZk6LUYHoJUxuky_N0lEnzjR5SEeYnDAtWYkN2hRg4Kijvo8CHvTMEcAKwLSYGz_4MQeekrWDprx72FDUKM6k52EEsZNqMY0w5j1vBnxGh0l4c/s320/snow+5.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPToMtzFEF9DMYzOAEIN1hF1ct44HIqyu01Q4IFdlqyYNns9Rpc9UrPlqRkWaPPcSgvhJ2s22nI9zy4H3IBe9yFMkYI9vF-4-G3ZYS8PUVcxPdszmcXWn-nRoJ5TFgrsK608oeKFqsos/s1600/snow+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPToMtzFEF9DMYzOAEIN1hF1ct44HIqyu01Q4IFdlqyYNns9Rpc9UrPlqRkWaPPcSgvhJ2s22nI9zy4H3IBe9yFMkYI9vF-4-G3ZYS8PUVcxPdszmcXWn-nRoJ5TFgrsK608oeKFqsos/s320/snow+6.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">A few snowy pics from around the neighbourhood on the weekend. Isn't the last tree gorgeous? It looks even more magical at night (I will try and get a piccy for you).</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love going for walks in the snow, especially with the BF. I love how quiet it is, and the sound of snow underfoot. </div><div style="text-align: center;">And somehow it always feels really romantic, even if we are just popping to the shops for some milk. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I love how cute it is to hold hands while they are wrapped up in mittens. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Sigh.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">x</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886338975864451580.post-68580681082118977492010-12-21T09:00:00.002+00:002010-12-21T13:35:38.121+00:00The Big 50<div style="text-align: center;">I did it! Yippee! And it's all thanks to all of you, my lovely readers.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I truly can't believe that I made it to 50 followers. I am so proud and excited.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">As a thankyou to you all, there will be a WONDERFUL giveaway in the new year, so keep your eyes peeled, and tune in to be in with a chance to win.</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Okay so I realise that it will be a couple of weeks late, but this snow/Christmas is putting me right off the post-office...) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">If I could, I would throw a HUGE party to celebrate and invite you all along (wouldn't it be great to meet fellow bloggers??!!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/1249806"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxICl2J5XVEW-v5BwnXYKD-uqEMHqe5ocJGSa4daTu00y_kOm6ayD_JbVbnCBqy38c3M2awrkXqnYMm1tCqBKxOyP5CHQwo-vBmkP8GdHTYWSvGSyxWUMOk-sUwAMIDVrUjit6ByUiQ-c/s1600/50+follower+party.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">You know you wanna go to my super fun 50th Follower Party...(pity it doesn't exist).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">MERRY CHRISTMAS!x</span></b></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886338975864451580.post-1702551450447549002010-12-20T12:46:00.000+00:002010-12-20T12:46:48.951+00:00I'm Dreaming of a HOT Christmas<div style="text-align: center;">Okay, so call me crazy (and I'm sure you all will!) but I am longing for a hot sunny New Zealand style Christmas. I am sure its more to do with family being in NZ and not so much the weather, but cold, grey and dark are not 3 words I usually associate with the festive season.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Christmas for me is...</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Carols by candle light on the church steps (and having to wait until it gets dark - 9pm ish)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Nibbles outside on Christmas eve, usually with a Pimms in hand</div><div style="text-align: center;">A trip to the beach/river/swimming pool on Christmas afternoon to burn some energy (and make room for dinner!)</div><div style="text-align: center;">Having to wait until evening before Christmas dinner as no one wants to eat when it is so hot</div><div style="text-align: center;">Lounging about in the sun, reading and playing with our new toys</div><div style="text-align: center;">BBQ's on boxing day</div><div style="text-align: center;">Pavlova's covered in fresh summer berries </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Christmas in NZ looks like...</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvgmOu9cFJ9TR_G-8PPxt82lXDqodLH-djKaIpr2CCTAx31D7ubmvLno0OS0ItulRBp3Htj3Yi_TeNIXdxUQaLy_lx2EiXzfr_4xH0oFQlHFTPLHXwail1wTsKMsizVAWR_TuzAY-_lTM/s1600/Christmas+nz+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvgmOu9cFJ9TR_G-8PPxt82lXDqodLH-djKaIpr2CCTAx31D7ubmvLno0OS0ItulRBp3Htj3Yi_TeNIXdxUQaLy_lx2EiXzfr_4xH0oFQlHFTPLHXwail1wTsKMsizVAWR_TuzAY-_lTM/s320/Christmas+nz+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kDrNqNOevG7mljkI3lZsu2K5p48dsdX-iCMcNzR9oemPc-kucLW26n5sknPC4zxx5zC8lzjFgXrTRFbpDYTnxptwuEVLygcqk2OZWP_h0pePIn9NaOwrvgZv7AQ70lD4UHm-NMjczF4/s1600/Christmas+nz+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kDrNqNOevG7mljkI3lZsu2K5p48dsdX-iCMcNzR9oemPc-kucLW26n5sknPC4zxx5zC8lzjFgXrTRFbpDYTnxptwuEVLygcqk2OZWP_h0pePIn9NaOwrvgZv7AQ70lD4UHm-NMjczF4/s320/Christmas+nz+3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-zkrMMreTSylczdKs4Bztlr9Geo6n1ppwqwOH6QxKbKde9CV4Xs3UkNnJL9O2OJL0PivV_qEMD9EXv4ALjZlJAe4Uovt5t217wfeDbhz8GHMpwdm9deO1ZMVxvfhXJHTMotU2MM0eD50/s1600/Christmas+nz+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-zkrMMreTSylczdKs4Bztlr9Geo6n1ppwqwOH6QxKbKde9CV4Xs3UkNnJL9O2OJL0PivV_qEMD9EXv4ALjZlJAe4Uovt5t217wfeDbhz8GHMpwdm9deO1ZMVxvfhXJHTMotU2MM0eD50/s320/Christmas+nz+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8g2ZuXgAtsmATfHaDqGr9DXXU-qVWO0x5vyc1qhgvXQOwI7sQa0Yp3VI2rz3CFvTKQrp63415KM8hXta-P4iYnPSy3YaTpKgvd-ZusiUWtRvOeYcNqgyJV2MN183NPxKeRYjWDVyoxQ/s1600/Christmas+nz+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF8g2ZuXgAtsmATfHaDqGr9DXXU-qVWO0x5vyc1qhgvXQOwI7sQa0Yp3VI2rz3CFvTKQrp63415KM8hXta-P4iYnPSy3YaTpKgvd-ZusiUWtRvOeYcNqgyJV2MN183NPxKeRYjWDVyoxQ/s320/Christmas+nz+6.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdqZpdboqZCFsfJUZXLBq85geA1neGyzCvvrI7mpbkTixbToQE7PMmWzp3grfxMF-I273MrKEPyhL4tRh2_sTPu0p80aCfyNmgX6IdXN_fnBGVfqS4O3oFHZzM7NFDiPak2ATc4v8XMM/s1600/Christmas+nz+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqdqZpdboqZCFsfJUZXLBq85geA1neGyzCvvrI7mpbkTixbToQE7PMmWzp3grfxMF-I273MrKEPyhL4tRh2_sTPu0p80aCfyNmgX6IdXN_fnBGVfqS4O3oFHZzM7NFDiPak2ATc4v8XMM/s320/Christmas+nz+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRDNyFxDtraA-kD4SjOXWvlFnSfmwyeauoBVdTLPWTs3aNHeS_kMeW-5-VM1p-yZNbFTa-F7IcWy3DhDV7sZXgP4OEBvtupcucpO02J6Owk0hFH9io3ttOr9zNKN2pBJI4zuX8-zck_to/s1600/Christmas+nz+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRDNyFxDtraA-kD4SjOXWvlFnSfmwyeauoBVdTLPWTs3aNHeS_kMeW-5-VM1p-yZNbFTa-F7IcWy3DhDV7sZXgP4OEBvtupcucpO02J6Owk0hFH9io3ttOr9zNKN2pBJI4zuX8-zck_to/s320/Christmas+nz+7.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxdz2YCdXWoefuUcxX4rN6z1inb25372Zh8xii-FD5YxC15zZtQGDKzw4Rhn_TUbZzeOXpG9nshbNIP4Y-rGxhtXFES911Z9WKNy0Spjs8qw_hluTFFdbCJlLxcnSDq6_AxycAix32jA/s1600/Christmas+nz+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPxdz2YCdXWoefuUcxX4rN6z1inb25372Zh8xii-FD5YxC15zZtQGDKzw4Rhn_TUbZzeOXpG9nshbNIP4Y-rGxhtXFES911Z9WKNy0Spjs8qw_hluTFFdbCJlLxcnSDq6_AxycAix32jA/s320/Christmas+nz+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love Christmas and all of my family traditions, I miss them so much right now, but I am so very lucky to have such a wonderful second family in England who make me feel so at home. Nothing beats being with your own family on Christmas, but I know this year I will still have a wonderful family filled day even if it is on the wrong side of the world.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh and I have to say, I am enjoying all of the snow....a white Christmas would be fantastic!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886338975864451580.post-63866292730758578242010-12-08T18:00:00.000+00:002010-12-08T18:00:08.130+00:00A Christmas Wish List<div style="text-align: center;">Hello, hello hello! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Fancy checking out some more Christmas gift ideas? I am totally loving the following products and want them so badly that I am tempted to buy them myself - but I know how annoying that is for people who are trying to Christmas shop for you! So, I'm trying to be very patient and keep dropping little hints here and there....</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">1.</span> Benefit - So Hooked On Carmella</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/Benefit-so-hooked-on-Carmella/dp/B003OXZXBQ?ie=UTF8&id=Benefit%20so%20hooked%20on%20Carmella&field_availability=-1&field_launch-date=-1y&field_browse=2357888011&searchSize=12&searchPage=1&searchNodeID=2357888011&refinementHistory=brandtextbin%2Csubjectbin%2Ccolor_map%2Cprice%2Csize_name&searchRank=salesrank"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2_J8IO8drClCwn-UJRgvW6yTjqhuoojnngk4w29rhy1ts0qEUlejuU9ltr4_fdtCtS0YRKgSjsCjnZ4zuHoDEwg8Mvdd4-nje-3sMxgjiVPJp9XjCx77x3V5cXq22_g1_I2E6Nj32U8/s320/benefit+perfume.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">I absolutely adore this subtle vanilla scent, and think it is the perfect girly perfume. It just makes me want to get dressed up in gorgeous floaty dresses and drink champagne (or maybe vodka...).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">2.</span> Absolut Pear Vodka</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMFSfBtpEZHb2ZvfW5IjzuHyYZOfytmkAQLdoHDMx7Loc3ItpUZ6NKiw4fqahnSBdBA4ZvpSA6fxCnJCL9wIKD21at5vUJGY0FVDm_MrAPvX7Yb53W6FONaZ3rxvYOnc7-8IOKvfNtic/s320/pear+vodka.jpg" width="240" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Easily my favourite drink of all time (well...along with vodka + ginger beer). Mix this with lemondae and it is delicious!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">3.</span> Capped Mittens</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.accessorize.com/gloves/diamante-button-plain-capped-gloves/invt/79209483/?bklist=icat,4,shop,coldweathershop,coldweathergloves"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXz_Z-m3dQTJC2vNplRjv-UQJmc5QLdn0Rtayc_tvTMuTf46-orD9LROw3sJ82SCBbMI_1JE0S0JLU-1a9H9QH8btotThL-zc2wb-3qVOe8Rog8u7uB3zWQD56PdPAn35IgmV8JpeGQnA/s1600/Mittens.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">These super cute mittens from <a href="http://www.accessorize.com/gloves/diamante-button-plain-capped-gloves/invt/79209483/?bklist=icat,4,shop,coldweathershop,coldweathergloves">Accessorize</a> would be perfect for when I bike to work (once the ice has melted a little). I would have the option of having fingers free for braking and gear changing, but can cover them up when I'm out and about shopping in town! Perfect.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">4.</span> Wall Art</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_fJjFtNOY2L1R5dmKfurH1oOCpJ0hl5K8Zx7fdgWALlM-ZsJ8_zjBhKt8u50ZUTKyChV8kb-HOdhqiZo5gbOEH73MWSHJaBz-b9j6YYgrtFBBwke6bWFQHbPBFuROhL7l5xtPIB44Wc/s1600/moustace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_fJjFtNOY2L1R5dmKfurH1oOCpJ0hl5K8Zx7fdgWALlM-ZsJ8_zjBhKt8u50ZUTKyChV8kb-HOdhqiZo5gbOEH73MWSHJaBz-b9j6YYgrtFBBwke6bWFQHbPBFuROhL7l5xtPIB44Wc/s320/moustace.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Like this funky <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/61416443/30x10-mustache-funny-vinyl-decor-wall">moustache</a> that I found on etsy.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">And how about this one....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuHwbiAwlKn4HpJjIyddzH25hUOejqePpVQI7N3ubPjC-Tll7HowLfAYYjEUjgN-_qnqN52zkXuNzA-DZHvAc-VZdxhiGKDINqdR19CFi7XPwkPKgyAX_LOwWiJrvbEMN3DcI0dvmkbs/s1600/birds+in+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuHwbiAwlKn4HpJjIyddzH25hUOejqePpVQI7N3ubPjC-Tll7HowLfAYYjEUjgN-_qnqN52zkXuNzA-DZHvAc-VZdxhiGKDINqdR19CFi7XPwkPKgyAX_LOwWiJrvbEMN3DcI0dvmkbs/s320/birds+in+tree.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">...gorgeous huh?! Visit <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/willowcreeksigns?ref=seller_info">Willow Creek Signs</a> for more arty Christmas gift ideas.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">5.</span> To meet some-one who lives near a <a href="http://www.pullbear.com/#/cozyshop/">Pull and Bear</a> store...</div><div style="text-align: center;">...seriously! </div><div style="text-align: center;">I fell in love with this store when I was in Spain and have fallen for at least 10 things from their shop. Naturally, the closest one to me is 2.5 hours drive away, and they don't have an online store!</div><div style="text-align: center;">*Sigh*</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">So there you have it, a few bits from my rather long Christmas list. And maybe later this week, I will give you some ideas one what I might be getting my friends and family...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">I hope your weeks are all going swimmingly, and no-one has had too much trouble with ice and or snow! If it snows a lot here, I plan on making a HUGE snowman. (So far it has been a bit of a non-event, only a tiny little covering).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzxiy9gz0VAecsbGCDdM-kn22vTTDwqeoh24_JgQI3pZWkxEgdkSDrZUlcq0SawHWHvRQRyCVfspO3G3vry-SSDWXjJPmdcJdDZbwqWbz1ln3Ln_kot7L5D_HGoDzRUBzS3y6heU7vmk/s1600/snowmen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzxiy9gz0VAecsbGCDdM-kn22vTTDwqeoh24_JgQI3pZWkxEgdkSDrZUlcq0SawHWHvRQRyCVfspO3G3vry-SSDWXjJPmdcJdDZbwqWbz1ln3Ln_kot7L5D_HGoDzRUBzS3y6heU7vmk/s320/snowmen.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886338975864451580.post-30188564798019371242010-12-07T23:45:00.000+00:002010-12-07T23:45:00.671+00:00GO HOOPERSLast night I showed serious dedication to my netball team. I biked to our game in -5 degree temperatures, and snow. That's right, I'm dedicated. (And getting braver!)<br />
<br />
And we WON!<br />
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This is a HUGE achievement for my netball team, the No Hoopers, as we usually get absolutely destroyed at netball: 32 - 4, 20 - 7, 22 - 3. Im sure you get the point! And yes, we have a terrible name, we definitely did not choose it, and who really expects us to win with such negative influence?! We usually just drop the No and refer to ourselves as the Hoopers, which always boosts confidence and team morale. But we did it! For only the second time, but we worked so hard for it and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. And as much as we tried to keep calm, collected, and not rub it in the face of the other team....we couldn't help but jump around like the mad excitable ladies we are - 'coz we ROCKED.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Go Hoopers! Time to celebrate!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQm371BdWWIxx4OHdoHqaTEvynrTleoYfYg-Hn_DT6TTrmOOIfe6GiIJIoo8cMpv8A38knW9pIfZJZ2WeTrejRmA-xSZUhY3CD9XG3mP1X185hUCSomYN_5fMaKNTDIVRpkDgR_HnhtHw/s1600/balloons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQm371BdWWIxx4OHdoHqaTEvynrTleoYfYg-Hn_DT6TTrmOOIfe6GiIJIoo8cMpv8A38knW9pIfZJZ2WeTrejRmA-xSZUhY3CD9XG3mP1X185hUCSomYN_5fMaKNTDIVRpkDgR_HnhtHw/s320/balloons.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/5316366">via here</a></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886338975864451580.post-14827350477628363712010-12-07T14:38:00.001+00:002010-12-07T16:03:52.364+00:00A Weekend for MeThis weekend just been, the BF was out of town on a boys weekend - in Amsterdam... (Yikes!)<br />
..and I knew the only way I was going to get through the 4 days without going mad with worry was to keep busy busy busy and enjoy my free time by doing lots of lovely girly things.<br />
<br />
(<b>Note</b>: Even though I trust the BF with my whole entire being, and even though Amsterdam is really a beautiful city, it is also a pretty seedy boys weekend destination...hence the slight worry. Oh and did I mention that they drove there, in blizzards?! Another thing to worry about. And for some reason I was nervous he would fall into a semi-frozen canal. More worry! Hmmm, I sound like a total paranoid worrier, I'm really not. Well, I didn't think I was!Luckily all went well, and he is back safe and sound, although very very tired.)<br />
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SO. My weekend. Filled with girly things...<br />
<br />
It started after work on Friday, the BF's sister and I went to a gorgeous 'Modern Middle Eastern' restaurant and drank my new favourite drink (vodka + ginger beer), and ate huge amounts of delicious treats from their Mezze menu. The restaurant is call <a href="http://www.broshrestaurant.co.uk/index.html">Brosh</a>, and can be found tucked down a quiet little street, in a quiet part of town, and hides behind an unassuming facade, but inside it is beautiful. Simple, elegant, romantic. Subtle hints of the Middle East, through art-work, and light fittings, remind you of the culture you are exploring, but without taking too much attention away from amazing quality of the food or the friendliness of the staff, it all comes together perfectly. I tried Babaganush, Shakshuka, Malawach, and numerous other divine nibbles (think hummus, sourdough bread, olives, pickled chillies and falafel). I am so hooked, and can't wait to go again!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UiwnOh-eABL94SOT4S9C7XdrgU-7mKbsLWfjtdLmizdmmOJs5OzHmiZuhzva_grcplRiN-C7CUDJKYBTz3cc8OMSthH-W4xjAkgmyg6oUe7zW0DAayhuWKXEvvuKok6NUoOcwmJz9tc/s1600/brosh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_UiwnOh-eABL94SOT4S9C7XdrgU-7mKbsLWfjtdLmizdmmOJs5OzHmiZuhzva_grcplRiN-C7CUDJKYBTz3cc8OMSthH-W4xjAkgmyg6oUe7zW0DAayhuWKXEvvuKok6NUoOcwmJz9tc/s320/brosh.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Saturday was spent Christmas shopping, eating huge amounts of food, and watching the new Harry Potter film! I used to be such a Harry Potter book nerd, and have watched all the films, but usually am a teensy bit disappointed (lets face it, there aren't many films that are better than the books!). HOWEVER, I totally and absolutely, 200% LOVED the 7th film. I thought it was fantastic! Perhaps it's because I haven't read that particular Harry Potter book in such a long time, I couldn't tell which bits had been missed out or changed, who knows, but whatever it was, I am literally bursting with anticipation over HP 7 Part Two. Oh I can't wait until it comes out! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><u>Have you seen the latest HP? What were your thoughts?</u></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I finished my Saturday night off with a hot, candle lit bubble bath (bliss) and then curled up in bed and started my new book 'These Is My Words' - by Nancy E Turner (which I am loving by the way!). Lovely ending to a lovely day.</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Sunday was a lazy lazy day. I think I stayed in bed until about 1pm...And only got up then because I was worried if I didn't, bedtime would roll around and I would still be tucked up from the night before! So I made myself get up, and went for a little bike ride on my GORGEUS NEW BIKE! It arrived last Monday but due to all the snow and ice this last week, I've only been able to ride it a couple of times - I'm still a little nervy when it comes to bikes + icy roads + cars. My bike ride on Sunday was lovely, I didn't go out for long, maybe 30 mins or so, but I filled up on fresh air, and came back feeling like I had balanced out my day quite nicely.</div><div style="text-align: left;">So....you wanna see this super hot, sexy new bike of mine....</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVVagO0iK4heNV88aMGHdmzNG3qJ4bxlFYtxw7cV0kx2y_auEClvqDjU1igCs_3S_Ck2_-LgKytc6Y5JDDK-XgqOv2V2Iips8bU-7oHLNeG4rUU54ePsYaSbDXLrUWMBMJVTnxxA9nkw/s1600/Hans+Bike+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKVVagO0iK4heNV88aMGHdmzNG3qJ4bxlFYtxw7cV0kx2y_auEClvqDjU1igCs_3S_Ck2_-LgKytc6Y5JDDK-XgqOv2V2Iips8bU-7oHLNeG4rUU54ePsYaSbDXLrUWMBMJVTnxxA9nkw/s320/Hans+Bike+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pashley Paramount - Colour: Crystal Sea Blue</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">Isn't she beautiful?! I think so... And my wonderful Mumma is on the hunt for a gorgeous wicker basket that I can put on the front. Eeeep! Hello summer time picnics and bike rides up the river.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">As you can tell, I did pretty well at keeping busy, and actually, hardly worried at all. And now the BF is back (bringing with him gifts of chocolate, cheese, and alcohol!) and I am planning a dinner date with him to Brosh (I have to share this place with everyone), my lovely girly weekend may be over, but the next one will be full to the brim with Christmas parties, the last bits of Christmas shopping, hopefully some more bike rides, and spending lots of time with the BF, friends, and family.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://weheartit.com/entry/5358903"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SBDVFXY1xil1-aO0UhUFnuk-Ecet_onTrrtyfdDQuzDwCYDkfr4UuSoN5b5vUecN6AeVHV2dggygC0FJiQ37seA7dVB3XWj3C2NlQVLPrg8AKKaj6A1LozyEpziSYIp-bfgMHLTTlx8/s1600/christmas+tree+1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Oh how I love the holiday season!</span> <span style="font-size: large;">x</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2