[a little weekend getaway]

Brunswick heads - our favourite little spot for a weekend getaway.

Shhh, don't tell.

Jx

[a very happy new year]

A very happy new year to you all!
I hope you all had a fab evening!
We spent the final hours of 2012 amongst close friends, sipping too many cocktails, late evening swimming and dressed like we fell out of The Love Boat.

I'm usually not big on new year's resolutions but I did make a little one to myself this year.

An achievable one I think.

Now that the wedding planning circus has left town, I've made a promise to myself to give this little blog some much needed TLC.  It was sadly pushed to the side when I became a little more stressed and had a little less free time leading up to the wedding (which I've also realised I haven't yet shared photos - how rude of me!)

Very very soon (but not soon enough) I'll be commencing my Interior Design course and am so looking forward to sharing with you my creative discoveries along the way!

So that's my little resolution.

Oh and to read the Harry Potter series - I really should find out what all the hype is about.

See you again very soon!!!

Jx

[an exciting change is coming]

I was in a cute little vintage shop and was chatting to the lovely, exuberant owner who was telling me how much she loved her job and loved her life.

I was so jealous.

How could anyone love their job?

I certainly didn't love mine.

In fact at times it made me downright miserable.

I told her this and she asked me what it was that I would love to do with my day.

 

I said interior design.

 

She dragged me out the front of the shop to show me what she had written on her chalkboard today.

It said:

 

Everything you want is on the other side of fear.

It clicked.
The fear of change and creating instability for myself was stopping me from following my true passion.
The career path I'd originally chosen as a teenager but was then convinced to get stable job and do those creative things as a "hobby".

I could continue plugging away in job that pays my mortgage and keeps me busy monday to friday (and every second saturday) or I could take the leap and change career paths.

I'm leaping.

Next feb I start a diploma in interior design and I couldn't be more excited!
(In fact I had the biggest smile across my face just typing the above line!!)

It's a scary thought to throw away a degree and years of continued learning but I know I've made the right choice.
Exciting times are around the corner and I hope you'll continue following me on my journey!

And if you're around the Nundah area, drop in to Vintage Venus and say hello to Josephine.
She could change your life!
(Either that or you'll pick up a cute 60s dress)

Jx

image via here

[secret squirrel]

Happy Sunday everyone! Hope you all had a fabulous weekend!

I think this is officially the longest gap between blogging I've had since starting! It's not that I have been too busy, or that I've been on a creativity vacation. It's that lately, all that we've been doing is planning, deciding on bits of this and that, and creating lovely details for the wedding.
The hardest thing for me is not being able to share this journey in its entirety, particularly with regards to things like the lovely invites we've chosen or the favours we're making.

I can't wait to reveal all these goodies to you all, but for now, mum's the word.

9 weeks to go!
Jx

image via flickriver.com

[divine way to start the day]

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Let me let you in on a little secret this fine morning...

I love breakfast.

Not just puppy love... the real deal!

I catch myself lying awake at night picturing what I'm going to prepare myself for breakfast the next day!

I may be delving slightly into obsessive territory.

This was yesterday's morning delight...

Vanilla Quinoa Porridge with Apricots and Pistachios

(perfect serve for one)

about 1/4 cup quinoa

(I used the leftover quinoa from dinner the night before)

1/4 cup soy milk

a dollop of honey

about 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

a dash of vanilla essence

stewed apricots

(or get lazy like me and use pie apricots)

chopped pistachios

Bring to boil 3/4 cup water with the quinoa (the rule is 1 part quinoa to 3 parts water)

Simmer for about 10-15mins covered

Add in the soy milk, honey, cinnamon and vanilla

Stir until it's a lovely porridgey consistancy

Top with apricots, pitachios and finish with a glossy drizzle of honey

***

I made mine the night before, refridgerated overnight and heated her up in the morning with a little water.  Add your toppings right before you serve though.

Such a lovely healthy way to start the day (323 Cal says MyFitnessPal)

You really must try - I know you will love it!

And don't forget to let me know how you go!

Happy breakfasting! Jx

[farewell cuppa]

Mum is leaving on a jet plane bound for Italy with a side of France.
This morning we caught up for a last minute latte (and a warm slice of banana and blueberry bread - nothing like a second breakfast).

Bon voyage Jenny Jenny.

Where's your dream destination?

Jx

[happy wednesday night]

Happy State of Origin Wednesday!
Born in Melbourne, grew up in Albury, live and love Brisbane so I'm not terribly fussed about the whole thing (plus the fact that it's football).
However I do love the midweek catch-up with our fabulous friends!
And it's also given me the opportunity to bust out the new berry loafers - glass half full right there people!

Jx

[almost french]

I did it.  On Monday.

I phoned up and booked myself into French lessons (absolute beginners)!

The new term started the following day.

Perfect timing.

The class was great. Exciting!

I haven't tried learning second language since it was forced upon me in school.

How I wished I realised the value of it then!

Lesson Un down - Mille more to go!

See you soon Paris!

(as soon as I know a little more that just counting!)

Jx

images via pinterest

[midweek barley risotto]

There's is nothing I hate more than having food reach it's used by date in the back, unloved corner of my pantry and having to be unceremoniously tossed out.

I had a bag of pearl barley nearing this predicament so Taste.com to the rescue.

 Pearl Barley & Rocket Risotto with Pumpkin

Twas a delicious meal with the cherry on cake being the avoidance of "unnecessary waste guilt".

Next on the "must use v. soon" is polenta and Israeli couscous.

What can I say, I get excited at the supermarket.

Jx

[go go daniel san!]

This was my weekend...

(The middle shot is Dan trying to tell me that he'd lost his watch in the swim leg)

How was yours?

Jx

[our fabulous friday]

You know those days when you're exceptionally busy but each element of the day is just... happy.

Yesterday was one of those days. 

Wedding dress shopping.

Lunch date...

...and the sun was shining.

An afternoon decorating cupcakes for our engagement party.

My party dress.

Following our busy Friday festivities, we have a weekend of nothing.

Which is perfect because the rain is falling outside and all I feel like doing is lounging about in my pyjamas, reading a book and maybe having a little play with my watercolours. Happy days! Jx

[wedding cake planning]

On this dreary old Saturday here in Brizzy, I met with our wedding cake consultant/artist/baking extraordinaire for our first planning sesh and the requisite coffee and muffin at the little cafe inside the Woolloongabba Antique Centre.

Have you been yet?!  If the answer's no, it's time to take a trip!  It's a thrifter's dream!

I found a few little items that I can't wait to show you... for another time when my photos of said items won't be drenched in grey.

I'm pretty sure I've decided on a simple round tiered cake...

...maybe some ribbon

...maybe fresh flowers

...maybe a cute-as-pie cake topper

...and flavour undecided.

Ok so there's still some decisions to be made.

This is going to need some taste-testing!

Jx

image via here

[the hunt begins]

It's just another miserable old day here in Brizzy.

We've been enjoying falling to sleep to the sound of rain and just between you and me, I wouldn't mind losing power one of these days to enjoy night of forced peace, quiet and candlelight (preferably just after I've cooked dinner).

Despite the rain and the overwhelming urge to spend the whole day in my pyjamas and read one of my Lifeline Bookfest finds, I have plans.  Very exciting plans....

Let the hunt begin!

Jx

image via style me pretty

[the weekend that was]

We had a busy little weekend just gone...

Friday night drinks took us into the Valley to meet up with our friends Tom and Louise. We met at an amazing new bar Lady Lamington - she only opened at the beginning of the week.

Love the decor!

Saturday we visited the Lifeline Bookfest.

10 reads for $45!

Tip for next time - wear comfy shoes!

The concrete floors of the convention centre are a killer on your feet!

Then sampled some coffee at another new joint - Slightly Twisted.

Check out their latte served in a goblet with a kiss!

We had a 30th party Saturday night - Hollywood style and then a quick trip to the Sunny Coast on the Sunday.

And now it's a new week and I'm waiting for the weekend again.

Mondyitis!

Jx

[we're engaged!]

After five amazing years, Dan asked me to marry him.

Oh, and I said yes.

I can't wait to marry my best friend!

Jx

[overzealous kerbside collection]

This was my mother's kerbside collection efforts.
Jenny Jenny went a little overboard!
Maybe she's redecorating?!
I laughed so hard!

Whoever attracts the most scavengers wins!

First of the Christmas parties was last night. Las Vegas themed.  Dan and I wore togas, Caesar's Palace style.  It was extraordinarily comfortable.

Happy Sunday everyone.  It's a beautiful day here in Brizzy.

Jx