A trip to Akaroa

A couple of weekends ago we randomly decided to go for a day trip to the small seaside village of Akaroa. I hadnt been there since i was a little girl and neither had Thomas so it was the perfect opportunity to go and explore some of the beauty of Banks peninsula.

It is just over an hour's drive from central Christchurch and it certainly feels like a whole world away. It has a very strong French influence from the early settlers as long ago as 1838.

It certainly has an abundance of charm and quaint places to explore, i just wish we had more time and we will certainly be back for an overnight stay at least some time later in the year.

I still love the feeling of being a tourist in my own country. There are so many corners and fantastic places i have yet to explore and i love ticking places off my very long travelling list.

Had a very eventful weekend in Timaru for the wedding which seems like it was such a long time coming so it was a bit of a shock getting back into work today. Weekends really do never seem long enough.

Enjoy the start to your week

x

Monday happiness

Can't believe its already Jan 2013 its crazy to think how fast last year went. I am still thinking about what my goals for this year will be so that will have to wait for another post but here is a quick run through of things that are making my day that much happier.

I have grown a serious obsession with candles and I love nothing more than the fresh smell of lavender to make a room feel nice and cosy. Its one of life's small pleasures.

Being able to enjoy fresh fruit is one of the best things about summer. Even though its sometimes a bit more than i would like to pay i am happy to break the bank for freshness. It really does help my day starting off on the right side. Personal fave is probably fresh strawberries and a small side of dipping chocolate when i feel like a bit of extra guilt.

After having the last week and a bit with searing hot temps i have been on the look out for flowy pretty loose tops to enjoy the warm weather in while having a few quiet wines with my girlfriends.

Lets face it i have managed to curb my shopping addiction over the past few months and im quite proud. So i felt it was the time to spoil myself!

Hope you are all enjoying your start to the year.

2013 is going to be a year of positivity and happiness.

x

Christmas in the Summertime

One of the great things of living in NZ or Australia is thatwe get to celebrate Christmas in Summer. This means we usually have Christmas on a warm sunny day and a long bright night. No snow, no eggnogand no opening presents by a warm roaring fire. Its more like Christmas lunchoutside in the sun, an afternoon swim at the beach and enjoying a few coldcocktails.

Every year by the time it’s Labour Weekend and then Cup weekhere in Christchurch it seems that Christmas comes around faster and faster everytime. We recently had everyone around to put up our Christmas tree at mumssmack bang on the 1^st of December. It is always a fun day listeningto Christmas music and enjoying a few laughs and bottles of wine.

The beginning of December also indicates the start of theextremely important Christmas movie season. Started back in Sydney when we werein school and has somehow continued. Doesn’t seem to matter that we watch thesame movies each year but I do look forward to them.

The list each year includes

-       - The Santa Clause

-     -   The Holiday

-      -  Love Actually

-       - Home Alone

-       - National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation

It seems that even though we get to enjoy a warm Christmasour movies are the only way we can enjoy the wonders of a white Christmas.

I feel like each year I appreciate my family even morearound Christmas time.  We may not beperfect but there is no better time to enjoy your loved ones.

I am especially excited for this years Christmas as it is the first one (hopefully of many) that Thomas and I will be spending together. I know he will be disappointed he wont be able to see his family but hopefullyhe enjoys our silly traditions.

Here is hoping the weather behaves and gives us some glorious sunshine. I cant tell you how much im looking forward to the end of the year and my new years trip to Lake Hawea with some of my closest friends. Will be amazing to get out of town and enjoy one of my favourite spots where we used to spend countless Christmas's as kids.

I will make sure i share my adventures with you all.
x

Summer Songs

Time just continues to fly, who can believe that this time tomorrow we will be tucking into our Christmas Lunch. Sadly as it seems i have left my shopping to the last minute and havent been able to finalise what i am buying my family.

I have however been able to update my summer music playlist, music is such an integral part of my life and i dont know anyone who can lie on the beach for hours without having some tunes to help pass the time.

My top 5 summer songs
1. Flake - Jack Johnson ( to be honest any Jack Johnson gets continually replayed during my summer sessions in the sunshine. The sensual chilled out music is key to a beach summer )

2. In the Summertime - Thirsty Merc ( Aussie summer essential, especially after being the theme song for 'Bondi Rescue' )

3. Someone to be around - Six60 ( this kiwi music must have summer album was constantly on the iPod during my last few summers and my trip to Rarotonga. Absolute perfection. Everyone needs to check it out )

4. Sunsets - Powderfinger ( this song was usually being played while driving to Mona Vale in Sydney and on our road trips to Hawks Nest, Aussie rock music at its best )

5. Island in the sun - Weezer


I love constantly adding and up dating to my playlist. Lets face it we all need a soundtrack to our lives.

Half an hour left at work and I'm on my way to brave the last minute shopping madness at the mall. One of these years I will be organised and get it done early.

Enjoy your Christmas Eve
X

Summer shoes

It has been once again hectic around my part of the world and I have been using every available second making sure that i have my Christmas shopping done as early as possible for once! Every year I find it even harder than the last when it comes to getting presents for my mum and brother so I am using my friends for some much needed help and inspiration.

While i have been on my mission I of course have been browsing the shops for the latest summer trends and have found myself using alot of willpower to make sure I dont blow my budget on myself instead. Which im sure most of you are aware how hard this is!

Some of the summer wedges this year are gorgeous and I must admit I have been wanting to add a pair to my wardrobe for the past few seasons, so maybe this is the year.

Who doesn't love a simple colorful wedge to spice up an outfit. I personally am dying to find a pair to wear with shorts for those late summer nights out with my girlfriends.

Hope Dec is treating you all well.
x

Food glorious food

This has to be one of my all time fave meals and we only found the recipe for this about 6 months ago. It is a lovely and cosy risotto that goes down a treat with a cold glass of Sav. Quicky, delicious and easy. Perfect combination.

Ingredients

• 3 tbs olive oil
• 2 or 3 chorizo sticks, sliced
• 2 brown onions, peeled and diced
• 4 garlic cloves, peel and roughly chopped
• 2 cups short grain rice (arborio works a charm but costs more)
• A splash or two of white wine (optional)
• 6 to 7 cups liquid chicken stock (make it up from the powdered variety)
• 300g Portobello or button mushrooms
• A handful of grated cheese, such as edam or parmesan (optional)

In a wide saucepan, heat the olive oil over a medium heat. Add the chorizo, and cook for a minute, stirring. Remove chorizo from pan and set aside. Keep the oil in the pan as it will be imbued with the rich smokiness from the chorizo. If using bacon, follow the same process.

Add the onions to the pan, cook for two minutes. Add the garlic and cook for a further minute.

Add the rice, and cook for three minutes, or until the grains are clear. Don’t let the rice brown. Stir continuously so that it doesn’t stick.

If using wine, add it to the pan now. It will sizzle. It will smell good. Keep stirring.
Add 1 cup of the stock, stirring the rice occasionally. When the liquid has been absorbed into the rice, continue to add the stock in 1/2 cup batches. Repeat until all the stock is used - around 25 minutes. Throw in the mushrooms and the chorizo in the final ten minutes.

If using cheese, stir through just before serving.

I know that its a bit early to make New Years resolutions but I really want to start 2013 off with some new culinary delights.

Enjoy! 

Wellington Sevens Costumes

For the first time next year I have managed to get my hands on tickets for the Wellington Rugby Sevens in Feb. Being an avid sports fan I have always been a huge fan of sevens and over the past few years tickets for the event have sold out in as fast as 10 minutes. It is one of the hottest tickets in town.

Over the years it has gained a reputation for being one of the best sporting parties in the calendar year with the entire crowd dressing up in costumes and enjoying the fantastic spectacle of our great game.

I have been travelling various websites and Pinterest for costume inspiration and their are simply too many choices.

The other dilemma faced when deciding is the group of friends I am attending with. We have 5 boys and 5 girls so the tough decision is wether to do a group theme or girls and boys costumes. You may think it is silly fussing and spending so much time deciding in costumes but think of it as our version of Halloween. Months and months of planning and creating goes into the costumes and everyone wants to look their best.

Some of these pictures are my favourites over the years and I do love some of the creativity. My 2 faves would be the highlighters are the railway signs. Now the picture doesn't do this costume justice as they made the costume from scratch, complete with flashing lights and the railway crossing noises. Seriously great creativity and originality. Don't think anyone has come close to bettering this costume and its definitely tough to beat.

Basically the off field costumes are just as important as the on field action.

Lets hope we can decide on an idea and get to making :)

Hope your all enjoying your weekend
X