The Plush Life

Some of you mightn't know, but I don't just take photos or bake.

I have a crazy obsession with crafting.

I design and hand sew little plush friends like the owlet above,

I also just started knitting and I paint, scrapbook, collage and am constantly looking for new crafts.

If I see something crafty, I'm automatically thinking about how I could do it myself

(and then before you know it, I'm ducking out to the shops to get supplies)

I've thought about selling my little friends,

but so far they just live with my friends and family.

I love designing new ones justto suit a particular person or occaison

(I even made my sister a white blood cell to round up all of her crazy ones when she was in hospital) 

I posted a couple a longggggg time ago, 

so as you can imagine, now I have quite the collection!

...

But, aside from my plush filled crafting room, I've been packing my bags!

I'm about to head over to Louisiana, USA - with camera in tow of course!

and with a new fish eye/wide angle lens!!

So I won't be blogging for the next two or so weeks, but when I get back I'm sure I'll have lots to share!

So tell me,

Do you have a special hobby (or obsession)?

or are you craft crazy like me?!

Anyone with any new crafting ideas is welcome to share, I'm all ears!! 

VISIT OUR NEW BLOG, SOUTHERN IN-LAW!

Taking a back seat

Knock knock.

Who's there?

No seriously, is anyone still reading out there?!

I haven't been doing much on the blogging front lately and I apologize!

I'm just about to head off to Louisiana, USA in less than two weeks time so hopefully I'll have lots of interesting things to share.

Once I'm back home I'll definitely be whipping up some new recipes to share with you all as well, any suggestions?

I'm currently loving working on portraits and petography (is that not the cutest term?) so hopefully I'll be able to share some of that with you too!

Taking a moment

To step back.

To appreciate.

To admire.

To absorb.

To enjoy.

Sometimes that's just what you need in this busy world,

whether it be nature, the world around you or your loved ones.

What's one thing you've taken a moment to absorb lately?

I was lucky enough to have this beautiful view which made me realise,

I am more than blessed to live in such a beautiful city. 

(Almost) Spring Blossoms

It would come as no suprise to anyone who knew me to disscover that adore cherry blossom trees.

They're pink, dainty, feminine and did I mention pink?!

But their appearance isn't the only thing I'm fond of.

Cherry blossoms are the symbol of Spring and each year when the trees bloom around my house, I know Spring is coming.

The dread of Winter is finally easing, while the temperatures may not be as high as I'd like and rain still streams from the sky every now and again, most days are filled with bright blue skies and sunshine.

But until that warmer weather hits and Winter is over, I'll just enjoy the pretty pink Cherry Blossoms.

What about you? 

Are there any particular flowers that you connect with a particular season/time?

What's your favourite?! 

 

THAT person.

Cold, wet, dreary weather. 

Winter has definitely announced itself. 

Personally, I think winter would be the type of person (if it were a person, of course) you try to avoid but always get stuck talking to.

Surely you know what I mean - the type of person you see across the street and think 

"Oh goodness - where can I hide? Have they seen me? Can I still make a dash for it?"

Does everyone have old friends that are like that - or is it just me? 

Needless to say, I do not like winter.

It makes me want to stay bundled up inside in the warmth, preferably cooking.

But maybe that's a good thing - winter means I get lots of cooking done because I'm so desperate to stand huddled over the stove or pressed against the oven. 

But do tell me - 

What's your favourite winter warmer foods?  

I find myself trying to ditch salads and cold foods when it gets really cold 

and I stick to warm meals like pasta or baked vegetables. 

I've also rekindled my love of hot chocolates and my tea stash seems to deplete 100x faster

and don't forget warm winter flavours like cinnamon! 

Now for a masterchef style challenge, I have two things I've been sent - but have no idea what to do with! 

Mustard Seed Oil and Macadamia Oil.

Have you had any experience with either of these?

Any suggestions of what I should do with them?! 

Ooh and in other news!
I have a giveaway coming up on MAY 7th. 
So keep your eyes peeled! It has to do with Fairtrade Fortnight and my favourite chocolate ;) 
(It may even be an international competition :O)

Thank you, lucky stars.

I haven't disappeared!

I've just been extremely busy!

You never know just how much your mum does until she can't do it. 

This past week and a bit I've played Mum - cooking, cleaning, washing, vacuuming, bossing.

Yes! I even got to do the nagging part - I don't know about your parents, but my mum just doesn't know how to sit still.

Doctors orders? Psh! I'd walk into the loungeroom to find her with a vacuum in hand or trying to do something she really shouldn't have even attempted.

But anyway, she is now well and truly on the mend! 

I am currently thanking my lucky stars.

Yesterday I had a photo shoot and the weather was PERFECT for the duration of the shoot - the grey skies only appeared once my camera was packed away!  

Needless to say, I was extremely relieved! but my day didn't just end there - it got better! 

I will soon be embarking on an exciting new adventure which I shall share with you soon!

But do tell me - 

What's your most hated chore?

and have you been thanking your lucky stars this week? what for? 

I've found this week that I don't actually dread household chores as much as I thought I did.

I always moaned and groaned when mum asked me to empty the dishwasher or put out the washing

but now the only problem is the ants biting my legs as I try to hang out the clothes :P 

You never know if you never try.

Why hello there! How are you?!

This week has been a crazy whirlwind for me. 

Highs, lows and everything inbetween! 

 

Mind you, my week definitely hasn't been as crazy as Charlie Sheen's - but lets not go there! :P

Lately I've realised there's one thing I really need to remember...

You never know if you never try.

In fact, I've decided that needs to be my mantra. 

It applies to pretty much everything!

Opportunities, new foods, experiences, competitions

it's all about taking a little risk.

So I'm making it a challenge, to myself

to try everything I can

no matter how out of my comfort zone it may be or how foreign it is

because you never know if you never try! 

Speaking of which, make sure you enter my competition to win over $100 worth of Melinda's Gluten Free Goodies 

there's two ways to enter (that means you have two chances to win)

1. Head to the competition post and tell me about your worst kitchen disaster or ultimate cooking triumph

2. Like Melinda's Gluten Free Goodies facebook page and post "I want to win MGFG with ksayerphotography"

So tell me, 

Is there a food or food combination you've tried that was a little out of the ordinary, but you absolutely loved?

and what's a new food you really want to try?

I tend to try and match peanut butter with everything - carrots, savoury foods, muffins, cereal, fruit - you name it.

I also do the same with cottage cheese, much to some people's disgust :P 

I want to try blue cheese but, for some reason, the idea of mould freaks me out and I haven't yet been able to try it 

but I will! Do you have a favourite thing to eat with blue cheese?

 

Blogger Confessions Part 1

I'm one of these people who just like to know stuff.

Random stuff, facts, figures, pointless information - I'm just a bit of a sponge!

I love getting to know more about other bloggers,

so I thought maybe you might like to know a little more about me!

I love breakfast so much and have so many ideas for breakfasts that I plan them days ahead. This means it can be Monday afternoon and I'm already anxiously awaiting the arrival of Thursday's breakfast.

I love to bake/cook things people would never think of making. Soft pretzels, you bet! English muffins, why not? 

I used to be scared of baking with yeast because I thought I wouldn't activate it properly and my creation would be a big, flat, fail! Now, yeast and I have become good friends - though I still think it smells like old people.

I freeze just about everything that could possibly be frozen - my freezer is piled with muffins, breads, pretzel dough, cookie dough, fruit (especially banana), pesto, cheese - you name it! I've actually considered buying a standalone freezer just so I can bake more.

I eat spinach like it's my job. I can not for the life of me understand how people eat measly plain lettuce salads - for me its go big or go home! That said, I don't think I could ever drink a green monster, the whole concept grosses me out!

I'm turning into the muffin woman. I think I've baked a batch of muffins at least once a week for the last month or two. I love super dense bran muffins and I've been experimenting with flavours - pumpkin, blueberry, banana, zucchini, carrot, apple, lemon etcetc.

Speaking of pumpkin, I'd never tried it in a sweet food until I made pumpkin muffins. Now I'm hooked and looking for pumpkin recipes left, right and centre. Pumpkin muffins with peanut butter are to. die. for.

I really like William Shatner and I'm not certain why, I guess because he's a genius? But please, lets just ignore his star trek days.

Speaking of Star Trek, I severly dislike science fiction. This may be because my parents reaaaaaaaaaally love it and I've had to endure boring shows like Star Gate and every other show with Star in the title. 

I get really excited over new food finds. Yesterday, I found date spread and it probably made my day. Date and Peanut Butter sandwiches? HELL YEAH!

Nowwwwww,

I think that's enough confessions for one day.

But who knows, I may do another one - what do you think?

But I want to know

What's something the blog world doesn't know about you!

Positive drinking?

Is it just me, or does the sun really need to dust off those cobwebs and come out again?

I'll admit it, I'm the type of person whose day tends to be really affected by the weather.

It's mainly the temperature - I feel the cold really easily, so as soon as its cold, windy or rainy I dread going outside. 

However, lately Spring Valley has inspired me to find the Spring in my every day.

By Spring, I mean that little boost - something that makes you smile or warms your heart.

So, what kind of things put the spring in my day? 

Chanel, my pup - somehow I managed to find the worlds cutest puppy who always manages to make me smile. Whether it be the way she will come up and paw at my leg when I'm working away at the computer or the way she scrunches her face up just so she can play with a toy that is double the size of her head. 

Baking - I love the satisfaction of creating something that works. Lately I've been trying my hand at bread making and experimenting with new recipes. My latest success? Soft pretzels! 

Little kids - Okay, I know that might sound creepy - but I can't be the only one who loves to see little ones running around without a care in the world. The carefree attitude of kids definitely inspires me to be more like that myself! Everyone needs to let loose and enjoy sometimes!

Good Food - Sometimes a delicious meal can give your day that added boost - perhaps its the pancakes you had for breakfast or that sandwich that took your right back to your childhood or the to-die-for cupcake you had for dessert, food has the ability to create memories as well as to take you back to a specific moment in time.

There's a million other things that make me smile, and I'm making it my mission to find at least one thing that adds a little spring to my every day.

It's all about taking note of the little things - maybe it's the smell of rain as you walked out the door this morning (I dislike rain immensley but I love the smell of it) or maybe its the cute old couple who strolled past you on their afternoon walk - I challenge you to find the spring in your every day!

And... DON'T FORGET!

All you have to do is tell me what makes you smile and puts the spring in your day to win a pair of Morrissey Sunglasses! Just click here and comment away! 

Back to Spring Valley, 

I was sent a whole bunch of Banana and Berry Nectar to try as part of the Sunnie Days promotion. 

This juice is super thick with the sweet taste of berries and banana and is a new addition to the Spring Valley Range. 

It's perfect for adding to things like jellies, smoothies or punches or drinking on its own. 

The juice does have a strong banana smell, put don't be put off! the banana flavour definitely isn't overpowering.

It definitely has a Spring Vibe about it and I'm inspired to make some sort of banana berry sorbet! 

But do tell me, 

What has been your latest success in the kitchen?

and What would be your ultimate juice combination? 

and once more - Don't forget to enter the giveaway! 

I'm still here!

I've been MIA lately as I've been busy busy busy!

But fear not, I'm back!

I spent all of last week playing with candy.

I've had chocolate under my finger nails, marshmallow dust in my hair and constantly sticky fingers.

Am I opening up a lolly shop?

Am I the next Willy Wonka?

Has my sweet tooth come back full force? 

Have I totally changed my career?

The answer to all of the above is...... nope.

Truth is, I've been working. 

Here's a little sneak peek as to what I've been doing!

I'll share more soon! and details too! 

I haven't baked for what seems like forever!

I think I may be having withdrawals so baking will (hopefully) commence soon! 

Australia Day has also snuck up on me, so I'm thinking I may need to whip up an Australianized dessert.

Any ideas?!

But do tell me, 

If you could have a lifetime supply of any candy, what would it be?

and how will you be celebrating Australia Day? 

 (if you're Australian, that is! - or maybe you just love Australia!)

Is that it?

Are the holidays really over already? 

Christmas and New Years seem to have flown by me

and now they're gone for another year. 

Yesterday we took down all our christmas decorations.

Does anyone elses house feel a little bit duller as soon as the decorations come down?

My loungeroom looks bare without our ginormous 7ft tall christmas tree taking up a huge chunk of the room.

Christmas is definitely my most favourite time of the year,

even moreso than my birthday!

I love being around family and friends,

having excuses to spend hours in the kitchen whipping up desserts or holiday meals

and Christmassy plates, bowls and cups make my meals even better!

But that's okay, 

once one Christmas passes it means I have a whole year to plan for the next! 

and you can guarentee that's what I'll be doing. 

So tell me, 

How was your Christmas and New Years?

and does your house feel empty once the decorations come down?  

Turning over a new leaf

First off, may I just say...

HAPPY NEW YEAR! :)

2010 is now in the past and we're just starting out a new year.

For me 2011 brings a fresh start, a new perspective, change.

No longer am I dreading the start of the new school year

or starting to write lists of all the books, pens and tools I'll need for the year ahead.

Hey, I won't even have to go looking for the calculator I always seemed to lose! 

A new year is also a time for many to come up with lists of resolutions for the year ahead, but not me!  

How many people actually keep their new years resolutions?

Sure, I could say "This year - I want to practice yoga every single day" but I know that will never happen,

because I'd soon tire of it.

I'd much rather have a goal, a broad goal at that - but a goal all the same.

This year, my goal is to embrace the new year and whatever comes with it. 

So starting from today, I'm turning over a new leaf and starting fresh in the hopes that this year will have a lot in store!

But do tell me,

What are your hopes for this new year?

and do you make new years resolutions?

 

Ho ho snow?!

If you live in Sydney - or anywhere in Australia,

you've probably been feeling like we're experiencing a whole year of weather in the space of a week or two. 

One second it's sunny,

but the next you look out the window to see the clouds threatening rain.

Cloudy with a chance of meatballs sun/wind/rain/snow?

Who knows what to expect! I know I don't. 

Though I don't think it'll be ho, ho, snowing for us! (At least I hope not!)

One thing we do know is that Christmas is coming!

is anyone else feeling like it's coming at a ridiculously fast pace?!

One second it's November and then BAM! We're counting down the days til Christmas

One thing I've seen all over blog world is talk about how to act during the holidays.

What to eat, what not to eat, how to fit exercise into your holiday festivities etcetcetc.

I don't agree with people who think you should eat less leading up to the holidays 

so that you can eat more on the actual day

and to be honest, the last thing I want to be doing on Christmas day is going on a run! 

(Actually - let's make that anyday.. I can't run to save my life - i'll take a nice walk, thanks!) 

The holidays are a time for enjoying yourself with those you love

and who love you,

eating foods you don't eat every day

and laughing and having fun. 

Christmas isn't about stressing over the fact that your Aunt Olivia's potato bake has 10 billion calories,

so maybe you should choose that salad sitting by your Uncle. 

You don't put weight on in one day

but you do if you consistently eat badly. 

One piece of christmas pudding isn't going to make you gain 10 pounds and neither will two. 

The whole pudding? Well then it depends on how big it is :P 

It makes me so sad to see people thinking so much more about their waistlines

than what Christmas really means.

 For me christmas means:

being with my family

eating a cold lunch outside

swimming

my mum's Christmas pudding

seeing how happy my little cousins are when they open their presents

not being embarassed to wear the silly paper hats from Christmas crackers

Christmas ham

lazing about in the afternoon

giving back to those I love

showing love to yourself

cooking up a storm

listening to Christmas carols  

remembering the real reason why we're celebrating

and so many other things. 

On the weekend, my mum made her Christmas pudding.

The smell of mixed fruit soaked in brandy, brown sugar and spices wafted out of my kitchen

making me feel like Christmas really is coming. 

We've yet to put up our Christmas decorations - but the past weekend saw us putting up all of our Christmas lights outside.

The coloured light streaming in through my window is another Christmas reminder.

I know that so many people complain about Christmas shopping - but I love it! 

and best of all? WRAPPING PRESENTS!

If you need a professional present wrapper, I will happily apply for the job!

But do tell me -

what does Christmas mean to you?

do you have any Christmas traditions?

Time flies when your to-do list is long!

Saturday already?

This week has flown by! But I guess that's what happens when you're busybusybusy.

Today is my sister's birthday

(HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATRINA! - 

Look, now you have a total of 10 seconds of bloggy fame)

and the whole week has spent getting organised for her party,

but there's still so much to do before it starts tonight.

It's because of my busyness that I didn't get to bake anything

(that all happens today) and I didn't get to review anything sweet.

However next week I have plans to make up for it!

Did you know?

Next Sunday is actually my little blog's first birthday.

I definitely think that calls for something special,

any ideas?

Today my to-do list is longggggggggggg

I've got a cake to decorate,

food to make,

decorations to help put up,

cleaning to watch (sorry Mum!)

among a whole lot of other things.

Oh and to top it all off?

We currently have no water.

The hot water system decided to explode last night.

Don't you hate it when things happen at the most inconvenient of times?

So tell me! 

How are you spending your weekend?

and what's one thing that has happened to you at the most inconvenient of times?

Bouncing into the week

Why hello there!

I hope you all had a fantastic weekend!

Once again, it's a new week

and this week, I'm bouncing into the week full of life

and ready to take on whatever gets thrown at me. 

The weather doesn't seem to be sharing my enthusiasm, however.

But that's okay!

I'm excited for this week,

It'll involve lots of cake making 

and party preparations because it's my sister's birthday on the weekend. 

I love having people over

and having an excuse to try out new recipes and spend hours in the kitchen.

I don't know how anyone could say they don't like cooking. 

When I was younger I always looked forward to my birthdays,

I don't think I had many birthdays that weren't themed

or planned right down to the smallest detail. 

I had an American themed birthday party, countless fairy parties, disco parties

and I even had a pirate themed sweet sixteenth.

And the best thing about birthdays as a kid?

Getting to spend hours looking through Australian Women's Weekly cookbooks trying to decide which cake i'd get mum to make me that year

and then going through other party cookbooks begging my mum to make me ridiculous party treats. 

As I get older, birthdays have become less important

and now my excitement is focused on dinner parties and other people's birthdays.

Any excuse to plan a party is fine with me! Even if its just a few family friends coming over for a BBQ.

So tell me, 

What did you look forward to when your birthday came around?

Have a fantastic week! 

:)

Busy as a bee

Friday already? Now that's what I like to hear!

I've been a busybusy bee this week,

but don't you worry - I've let myself have some time to soak up the sunshine.

THAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNKKKKKKKKKYYYYYOOOOOOOOUUUU

mother nature, I have regained all respect for you!

a round of applause for mother nature, please

So i've said before that i'm a snacker

and it's true. 

If I didn't snack, i'd probably be gnawing my arm off by lunch time. 

I'm not good at the whole "eating 3 large meals" deal.

My stomach can't handle lots of food all at once,

so I'm much happier eating 6 smaller meals. 

A while ago I posted a review of some snacks from Healtheries and I'm back with more! 

 These are more products from their Wiggles range

and yes, I'm eighteen but hey! the Wiggles are as old as me!

So what do you do when you have a bunch of kids snacks to review? 

Well you gather together a bunch of big and little kids to try them!

These fruit fills are made with real fruit and wholegrains

and they taste good enough to fool fussy little ones :P

We decided they'd be a perfect on-the-go or lunch box snack

perfect for busy bees! and not messy to eat!

I knew these Ricey Bites would be a hit when I opened the box of products,

and I was right!

Crunchy and flavoursome, these share packs are a perfect snack!

and they're free of  MSG and artificial colours and flavours.

The cheese flavour was the clear winner out of my taste testers

and the eight share packs quickly disappeared!

 Snacking gets a bad wrap, 

but i'm all for it. 

Maybe I should start a PRACTICE SAFE SNACKING campaign!

or not

But do tell me! 

Are you a 3 square meals kinda person?

or are you a snacker like me?

andddd... 

what's your snack of choice? 

I'd definitely have to go with homemade trail mix or wholegrain crackers with cottage cheese or avocado 

Kristy was sent Healtheries products courtesy of www.healtheries.com.au

If you'd like a review of your products, send an email to ksayerphotography@gmail.com