New Year's Resolutions - 2015

31 December 2014


I have been reading a lot of New Year's Resolution posts lately, and one thing I have noticed, is that you all have been giving yourself 20+ resolutions. Calm down ladies! I try to have around 5ish resolutions for the New Year, and make them applicable for the entire year. Choose something that's achievable, and make the majority of them something measurable. Don't say "Get Fit" say "Train & Compete in a Marathon!" You get the idea! I love reading everyone's resolutions though, they're always interesting, and they give me inspiration for my own.

My 2014 Resolutions

Can you believe I basically completed mine this year! I'm cheering! Where's my reward??
1. Save $10,000 - Hell yeah I did!
2. Book a Holiday - I'm off to the USA in February for an entire month!
3. Get a Full/Part Time Job - Did this too!

I only hope I'm as successful in 2015!


Bring on 2015!

1.  Come Back from my USA trip with Money:
I have about $5k accumulated for the entirety of my trip's spending money. Food, tours, transport and shopping. While it would be okay to spend it all since that's what I saved it for, it'd be nice to come back with some leftover dough.

2. Book a Holiday for 2016:
We have our big holiday in early 2015, but it would be nice to continue booking them yearly.

3. Try to Save $5,000:
2015 is my first year moved out of home, paying bills and rent and buying groceries just like a grownup. I would like to be able to still try and save some of my money.

4. Buy a Bicycle / Ride more Places:
I will actually be living in the city, well a small city. Where a lot of things are much closer. It's a 5 minute bike ride to our local grocery store, or a 3 minute drive. If I just want to get a few things I would love to be able to ride my bike there.

5. Be More Fun:
This is kind of depressing, but I don't think I am fun. In fact I think I am super unfun / a general fun-ruiner. A lot of things people view as fun I'm like nah. Then people doing things that they think of as fun that I think of as stupid, I get super judgey. Which is bad, and I don't want to be judgemental like that. So I want to be more fun/try not to be such a downer all the time. (probably my toughest goal)

6. Continue Blogging!
This is the first time in a long time I kind of have a legit hobby! I blog and I love it! I'm only really just getting into the swing of things now but I'm really enjoying it and it's something I want to continue for the foreseeable future, currently during 2015. Buckle up readers, you'll be seeing a lot of me yet!

Some Blogging Goals

Think big! I would like to reach 1000 followers on Instagram & Bloglovin' by the end of the year! Do you think I can do it?? I hope so!

Thanks for reading guys! Good Luck on your New Year's Resolutions, & have a Happy New Year!
See you in 2015! xx


Boxing Day + Starting to Move

29 December 2014

In our Christmas Outfits. 
I'm super excited to do more posts now that we have our couples Christmas present, a brand new Sony Camera! We are still learning how to use it, but it's super nifty, and now we'll be able to take great photos while we are on Vacation in February! Obviously a bonus is that I can now take sweet blog photos too!


I was super spoilt this Christmas by my family! And I wasn't even expecting it! Here are just some of the goodies that I was gifted, in preparation for my moving in January. I looove the blue DeLonghi Kettle & matching 4 slice toaster! They have brown leather accents which really tie in with the rest of the house. (You'll be seeing plenty of them in the future!)

My Joseph Joseph chopping board set, (I love Joseph Joseph!) I got a Stanley Rogers Knife Block, which is very nice, and grey towel sheets (so they're extra large). My Nan & Mum bought me a hair dryer & a beautiful white GHD Hair Straightener! Was not expecting that! Also not pictured are the gifts I got from Josh's parents. a Gordon Ramsay Royal Doulton Dinnerware set, 3 x Scanpan saucepan set and a Scanpan wok! #blessed



My Boxing Day plan was for Josh & I to head to the townhouse and start moving all the various homewares that I had accumulated through the year, and at Christmas, that were currently just stored in an empty room upstairs. We fully stuffed the car with all of our homewares, so much that I barely had any leg room, but I am little anyway.

Stupid smiling face please ignore
I started putting away all of our kitchenware, there was quite a lot, especially after all the Christmas presents. We had a few towels and sheets to put away in the linen closet as well. While it all seems quite lame it was all very exciting. This whole moving out of home and moving in together is finally starting to feel very real!

While I unpacked, Josh played with the camera, and then rearranged the furniture (the rug & lounge) and then put them back the way they were again, then he napped. But that was okay because now everything in the kitchen is where I want it!

From Instagram
Our bed & bedside tables got delivered the other day as well so that was wonderful. I really wanted to put them together that day as well. And we did (hooray!) But no pictures just yet, of our empty bedframe. But you can see the bed & duvet cover we bought here.

To finish up the day, we continued with our Boxing Day tradition of seeing the new (& last) Hobbit Film! It was pretty good, but we both agreed that the second film was the best one. Not ready to say good night just yet, we then went to another movie, Big Hero 6! Which was only just released in Australia. I enjoyed both films but Big Hero 6 was actually the best of the two! We just love Disney Pixar, and Baymax is the cutest.


I hope you had a great Boxing Day too!
Cya! xx

Cinnamon Scrolls (Kanelbullar)

27 December 2014

Featuring Sharp Shots from my New Camera! x
One of my goals this month was to bake Cinnamon Scrolls. Specifically using the Kanelbullar recipes from Kikki K. I've used their Swedish recipes in the past, to bake Pepparkakor (gingerbread), and it was amazing. So I was excited to try it.

Kanelbullar Recipe: 

What you’ll need for the buns:
  • 2 ½ cups milk
  • 375g melted butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp freshly ground cardamom
  • 4 ½ tsp dry active yeast
  • 8-9 cups all purpose or bread flour

What you’ll need for the filling:
  • 125g melted butter
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3 tbsp. cinnamon

What you’ll need for the final touch:
  • 1 beaten egg plus 2 tbsp. water
  • Granulated sugar

What you'll need to do:
  1. Heat milk to a light boil, then turn off heat. Stir in melted butter, sugar, salt and cardamom. Let mixture cool until warm to touch, stir in yeast and let sit for 10 minutes. Move everything into a mixing bowl.
  2. Add flour into mixture ½ cup at a time until dough is firm and pulls away from the side of your mixing bowl. Use a wooden spoon until the dough is difficult to stir, then use your hands for the remaining flour.
  3. Cover the dough in the mixing bowl with a tea towel and let it rise for an hour until it has roughly doubled. Puch down the dough, then remove from bowl. On a floured surface, knead dough until smooth and shiny. Divide dough into two halves.
  4. Roll each half of dough into a 33cm x 46m rectangle. Brush each rectangle well with the melted butter. Combine the sugar and 3 tbsp. cinnamon; sprinkle evenly over the 2 rectangles. Roll each rectangle crosswise to form a 46cm long cylinder.
  5. Using a sharp knife, cut each cylinder into 20 equal slices and place each into a paper cake patty on a baking sheet. Cover with a tea towel and allow to double in size (about 45 mins). Preheat oven to 200°C.
  6. Brush risen cinnamon rolls with egg wash and sprinkle with pearl sugar. Place in the middle of a preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until done.

I would use a fairly big bowl to make the dough in also, as it become a lot really fast.
I totally started this recipe late at night before I realised that there is about 2 hours of wait time. So make sure you have plenty of spare time before starting.  Enjoy! x



The Christmas Tag

25 December 2014

I thought I would do this to get into the Christmas spirit and post it on Christmas Day!

1. What is your favourite Christmas Movie/s?
I'm a big fan of Love Actually, I watch that basically every year, I used to also always watch the Santa Clause movies with my family. This year I'm going to watch The Nightmare Before Christmas, which I still have never seen, and Rise of the Guardians.

2. Do you open your presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?
Christmas Morning. But we used to get something small like pajamas to open on Christmas Eve.

3. Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?
I used to love when all my family would stay at my Grandparents' house, it was a really big house with multiple storeys and a fireplace, which used to make Christmas extra magical. It was fun waking up and running down the stairs with my cousins to see what Santa had left us. 

4. Favourite festive food?
My Nan makes Rum Balls, which are super yummy, she also uses red wine instead of rum which somehow makes them so much better. 

5. Favourite Christmas gift?
When I was quite young I was given a Playstation, the first one. Which helped me discover my love of gaming, and all these years later, i've been through every console and currently have a PS4 ha. 

6. Favourite Christmas scent?
Cinnamon, and chai lattes plus the smell of gingerbread. 

7. Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?
Last year Josh & I made a Gingerbread Christmas tree from a little kit, and this year we are going to make a gingerbread train from another kit that I have purchased. Which is a cute tradition I think. 

8. What tops your tree?
A $2 gold star that I bought a few weeks ago. 

9. As a kid what was the one (crazy, wild, extravagant) gift you always asked for but never received?
One of the only things I never received as a kid, that I always wanted was one of those electric cars that you could drive around in as a 5 year old. Dang it Santa. 

10. What's the best part about Christmas for you?
I see a lot of family I don't usually see. Everyone tries their very best to get along for once. I like Christmas but at the same time I find it super stressful going between 3 houses in one day, and everyone you visit isn't happy with the amount of time you spend with them. You can't please everyone, so I'll at least please myself. 


Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you have a lovely Christmas! xx

The Versatile Blogger Award

21 December 2014


Recently I was nominated for "The Versatile Blogger Award" by Rebekah Koontz from "The Rebekah Koontz Site", which is a blog I stalk read regularly.

Firstly thanks so much for nominating me! Looks like me reading through all of someone's blog has finally paid off ! ;) But really, check Rebekah out! She posts really nifty stuff, like this Christmas Lights Nail Tutorial!

Rules of The Versatile Blogger Award:


  • - Show the Award on your Blog
  • - Thank the person who nominated you
  • - Share 7 facts about yourself
  • - Nominate 15 blogs
  • - Link to your nominees and notify them!

7 Facts About Me:

  1. I work at a clothing store & a hardware store
  2. My bedroom currently has approx 12 or more owl related items in it (+ 5 teapots)
  3. I watch a stupid amount of television shows, but I never just channel surf or watch regular tv. (before some just went on hiatus I was keeping up with 25 different shows each week! ha)
  4. I have a huge celeb crush on Lee Pace. (kiss me!)
  5. I love being organised and enjoy getting organised whether it's with budgets or the junk in my bedside table. 
  6. Seriously like all of the pens at my desk I have somehow uh borrowed from somewhere else. (except for some from Kikki K & Typo)
  7. I'm 5'1! Or 155cm. Vertically challenged they may say. 

15 Bloggers I Nominate: (in no special order)


Woop! 15 is a lot!
I don't mind if you do the challenge or not Ladies (& fella) but if you do, make sure you link your post to me in my comments so I can see! xx


Bonus Lee Pace goodness. 


6 Festive Prints to Frame this Christmas

20 December 2014

Reindeer Names | Eat Drink & Be Merry | Bauble Text | It's Cold Outside | Wonderful Time of Year | Joy to the World (free printable!)

I really love the more stylish and chic Christmas decor, as opposed to over the top red and green tinsel kind of decorations. These prints are both festive and chic in their gold and white & chalk styles. Christmassy without being "too much".

The "Joy to the World" print at the end is actually a free printable too! 


Newcastle Blog Meet!

18 December 2014

Image from @NewcastleMirage
Last Saturday, Novocastrian blog/zine, 'Newcastle Mirage' ran what was probably the first Newcastle Blog Meet. So that all the folks from around Newcastle and the Hunter Valley could come together, bond and chat about their craft. Also try cold pressed coffee, drink beer, and do crafts.

I was a bit nervous about attending not knowing anyone, though I am trying to be braver in doing things myself/alone. But just as I'd planned to actually attend solo, my good friend Emily stepped in last minute to accompany me. Who was a perfect partner, as she's incredibly chatty and extroverted and made everything much easier.


The Blog Meet was at this cool building called The Commons, which had a cafe and lots of assorted vintage memorabilia. Books, plants, instruments, vintage furniture, cushions, there was even an organic grocer in the corner which was completely random. The place is owned by the church next door and is available for occasional rent with a donation. It was a really nifty place!

Poni Cosmetics Brow Magic Pencil Review

15 December 2014


I haven't really done reviews on many products before, but I wanted to do a review on this brow pencil, simply because I really love it! I have tried out quite a few brow pencils over the years, always mixing it up trying to find something better, and now I've finally found it!

I discovered this pencil when I went and got my eyebrows done the other day at Browtique.  The Beautician there, Kirby, only ever uses these pencils and I now completely understand why.

The tool has two ends, one end is a wind up pencil, and the other is a mascara wand, just used for brushing your pesky brows into place. The pencil is great for many reasons;

  1. You never have to sharpen it, you just wind it up and down
  2. The tip is super thin which allows for more accurate eyebrow pencilling and filling, that look more like natural brows rather than chunky sharpie brows.
  3. There's only one colour! You just press harder or lighter depending on your brow colour.
These babies are $29 which is way more than my cheapie self ever has paid for a brow pencil before, but I've had it for a week and it's already been super worth it. 

You can see how it looks on me and my sisters brows right here and basically in any photo you see me in now that I have the pencil. 

Buy the Brow Magic Pencil from Poni Cosmetics, online here

Cya! xx

Betty Crocker Gingerbread Cookies

12 December 2014

In previous years when I have made gingerbread cookies, I have used my favourite recipe of Traditional Pepparkakor the Swedish Gingerbread. It makes amazingly delicious crunchy gingerbread that I just love, and I was planning on doing the same again this year, but I actually came across a box of Betty Crocker gingerbread cookie mix at Woolworths. Which must be new as I've never seen it before!

I'm a big fan of gingerbread so I decided to give this one a go, since the only ingredients you need to add are egg yolk, butter and honey. Why not? Sometimes I feel lazy! Okay, more than sometimes.

I set up my Christmas music on the iPad and began mixing.

My Christmas Wishlist

10 December 2014

December Goals

8 December 2014


It's the final month of the year! Can you believe how fast that went?? I can't! I have been counting down the days until I go on vacation and move into my new house, and they are both going to suddenly be upon me in no time.

So for the final month of the year, here are some of my goals.

1. Actually complete all Christmas Shopping
Well obviously I need to accomplish this or I am the worst.

2. Reach at least 50 75 followers on Bloglovin'
Haha it doesn't seem like much but baby steps people!

3. Purchase the rest of our IKEA furniture!
This is based on whether Josh & I have time in between our busy schedules of work and general activities, as IKEA is a day trip, 2.5 hours away.

4. Survive Christmas
MERRY XMAS.. The most stressful time of the year. Where I get to travel between 3 houses in one day and try and spend an appropriate time at all of them, while still not completely abandoning my mother who basically only has her daughters, and her parents.

5. Bake Gingerbread & Cinnamon Rolls (& post about them)
OH and Eggnog! I've never made eggnog before. I have some great recipes for all three that I would love to have a go at, so hopefully I can make those a reality.

3 Years Baby

6 December 2014


I met this cutie patootie back in 2011 and it has been a crazy ride ever since. I noticed him as the only well dressed guy amongst a train full of drunken boys in band shirts. Wearing his polkadot bowtie. 

We didn't talk or really meet that night at all at the local nightclub where we were all headed. On the train ride home about five of us decided to walk from the train station at the end to McDonalds. As we were walking, (it was soo much further than we had realise) it started to pour down rain. 

This handsome stranger (who was significantly taller than me) huddled closer to me, and wrapping his coat around my side as we walked to help protect me from the rain. And I thought hey, this might just be a good guy. ;)

Fast forward to endless facebook chats, discovering we had everything in common, to our first kiss on the dancefloor of a silent disco. Then I went to Hong Kong for 2 weeks, but we were already both smitten with each other and messaged constantly the whole time I was away. 

After I got back, we hung out a lot more, and soon he asked me to be his girlfriend. Via a post it note that he handed to me nervously one night. (that I still have btw) :3


There have definitely been some bumps along the way, but what relationship doesn't.
It has undoubtedly been the best 3 years of my life, and 2015 will be no exception. We will be moving in together for the first time in January and then in February we are going on a month long Vacation in America!


3 years baby! And I can't wait to spend the next 50+ years with you! Bad luck if you thought you were getting rid of me . HA HA. I'm here to stay. 

I love you!



Shop Pantone's Colour of the Year - Marsala

5 December 2014


Pantone have just released their pick for colour of the year, and the winner is Marsala!
Described as "A naturally robust and earthy wine red" the colour embodies qualities that are elegant and well rounded.

Though some naysayers have pointed things like it can be negatively related to the colour of rust. But what colours aren't linked to things that are both good and bad?

Photos from Pantone [x]

Me I've always been a fan of rich burgundy hues. I love to wear those colours, especially in Winter. The colour choice is definitely richer and more subtle than last year's Radiant Orchid.

I gathered some things around the web that you can buy in this lovely new colour. Check them out.


1. Pantone Mug | 2. NYX Lipstick | 3. Pantone Chip USB | 4. Sweater Dress | 5. Office to Outing Bag | 6. Wool Turban Headband | 7. Olivia Burton Watch | 8. Jack Willis Hooded Coat |


Browtique Newcastle - A Review

4 December 2014 New Lambton NSW, Australia


Today me and my sister Kayla went and got our brows done at this fabulous new place in Newcastle (New Lambton) called Browtique. I came across them through instagram and was super impressed with all their before and after shots so I knew I had to make a booking.

Browtique is run in this cute little turquoise shop on Alma Rd by a lovely lady named Kirby.
I texted in and easily made a booking within 2 weeks for my sister and I. Boy were we excited.

The store was easy to find in it's gorgeous stand out colour and was super cute inside. Bright and kind of vintage.


My Wonderful Workspace

3 December 2014


I recently came across this awesome co-working company called WeWork that creates amazing workspaces and leases them out. Their cool workspaces inspired me to share my own!

So here we are. This is my beloved workspace, the area where I spend the majority of my time. It houses my beautiful iMac which I got for my 21st birthday last year, and a lot of other bits and pieces.

I love that my workspace is both small and compact but yet I still have plenty of space for everything that I need. I put together all my furniture by myself, phew, and collected everything that's on it over time.

My desk is from the Micke collection at IKEA, I also have an IKEA lamp and desk chair and I adore all three.
 I have 2 mason jars on the right that house my sharpies and other stationery like pens and pencils and some scissors. There is also a clear vase with some fake white roses in it and a bobble head deer from Typo.

On the left I have 3 things from Typo, a mini DIY terrarium from a Typo kit, a fox ornament that is a pen cup but I don't use it as one, and a little deer which is actually from Urban Outfitters now that I think of it.  My little wolf mousepad is from MonsterThreads.

Above my desk I have this cute wire photo hanger that I got from Target. It has some cute instagram photos that I have taken, 2 that are of Josh and I. Plus 2 birthday cards, one from Josh and one from one of my good friends Emily.

Then there's my super handsome stag Geoffrey, I named him, who is from Typo also, and is wrapped in copper lights which are also from Typo!


What Would I Add to Make it the Ultimate Dream Workspace?

One thing I have always loved and wanted for my workspace, (but it's quite expensive and then there's the postage fee) is a "Spacebar".
 Which is this sweet desktop accessory that helps tidy up your workspace, it sits your Mac up a bit higher, give your more general desk space, as well as spot to tuck your mouse and keyboard, and 6 additional USB ports! 

Also probably if I had wooden floors and a gorgeous view of the city, then that would probably equal my dream workspace. 


Speaking of dream workspaces, WeWork is a co-working company that leases out wonderful workspaces to creative people so that they can help fulfil their dreams of running their business. Whether you're a startup, freelancer, small business or large multinational. 


WeWork provides super workspaces in 31 locations across the globe. With 15,000+ members and still growing, WeWork could be exactly what you need to get your business off the ground, or to help start a new chapter in it. 

Thanks for checking out my workspace! I'll actually be basically erasing and starting all over again soon when I set up the study in my new house. Exciting stuff! xx

November Goals - Updated

2 December 2014


I hadn't come up with many goals for this November but I did alright on them so here goes.

1. No more buying House stuff until I move in! - WELL.. KIND OF
Maybe.. I mostly failed, I bought a few little things. But they're all going under the tree for Josh & I to open Christmas Day. 

2. Start Buying Christmas Presents! - STARTED
I bought for my nan, I have plans for my sister if she picks out the shoes she wants already damn it, I still need to think of something for my Mum. Josh is getting a gift voucher for his fav store or if he finds something he wants in there before Chrissy I'll just buy that for him. 

3. Use more of my own photos for blog posts. - WOOP!
Mission accomplished. While not all my blog posts are my own photos, since setting this goal the majority of them have been! 


New Hanging Pendants...

1 December 2014

Okay so we haven't moved into our new place yet. The lovely townhouse in the city of Newcastle. So the current owners, aka Josh's parents are still adding things to it. Good stuff like a deck for out in the courtyard and a new clothesline etc. Other things like these two pendants.

Like I mentioned in this article, it's still their house. Which means we have literally no say in what goes in as a permanent fixture or part of the house. Which I do understand of course, there does have to be cons after all and we are still renting.

But in my personal and honest opinion. What. the. heck. I meaaan.. ??

Springfield Pendant - Domayne 
The Springfield pendant in it's own right is cool and industrial. All around rustic. Alongside it's bright orange hanging cord... It just doesn't match anything in the house at all. (except maybe future furniture)

All polite comments by me, regarding the colour choice were dismissed with responses that it will look great with our couch and that basically I don't have a choice.



Guess I'll have to learn to love 'em. Let me know what you think in the comments! x