September Review

 

 



Enjoying watching Kobe tending to his micro herbs (above). How cute are these vintage Noddy egg cups?
Smiling over Kate (from Lunch lady blog) doing a good deed to help out a family in need.
Over the damn housework. Where is the cleaning fairy when I need her?!?
Craving chai lattes.
Seriously thinking about doing plastic free October. I missed the memo for plastic free July.
Wondering how a family's waste for a year can fit inside this small jar? What do they do with bandaids & broken things?
Blog crushing on Local milk blog.
Loving Kobes attention to kicks inside my belly from baby brother. Finally acknowledging that he is going to be a big brother.
Playing the waiting game. Surely any day now... Hoping I don't give birth the same day as my sister in law.
Horrified that when visiting Lukes grandma, Kobe complained (within earshot) about the friendly aged care worker, "Poo. Her breath smells. She needs to brush her teeth". She did have smokers breath thou but still horrified nonetheless. He also likes telling everyone they smell like onion?
Watched Maze Runner; The scotch trials.
Happy my nanny sister is back from travelling. I have a half day of me time planned whilst Kobe is looked after. Yippee!!!
Looking forward to visiting some open gardens.
Dreaming about a holiday. Yes my timing is super bad but I can always start planning the itinery & budgeting.
Decluttering magazines. Off to be recycled they go. Sure my clothes need a desperate cull but its a start.

Happy Tuesday friends!
Grace

New mama care package

With less than a month to go. Im seriously craving all the foods on the banned list of foods you shouldn't eat whilst pregnant (due to they may contain listeria). So I done up a love letter (this blog post) to my partner Luke & sister Annie on what to bring me whilst in hospital. I intend to binge on them all like crazy. Forget flowers & jewellery, I want food glorious food!

1. The vegan box; produce full of natural vegan goodness.
2. Sushi; particularly teriyaki chicken with the sesame seeds & shallots sprinkled on top & also the smoked salmon one. I really should learn how to roll it myself.
3. McDonalds coffee frappe. Mama needs her coffee fix. Here is a mocha frappe recipe if you wanted to make it yourself.
4. Tasting plate full of cold meats & assorted cheeses. Thankfully I can eat these just intime for all the Spring & Summer picnics.
5. Red velvet cupcakes topped with cream cheese icing. My friend Louie makes the best ones (hint hint Louie hee hee).


Are you pregnant? Anything your craving badly?

Happy Thursday friends!
Grace

Flower Power

Hello Spring, how I heart you so! The sun is back shining bright, the days are less chilly & the flowers are a wonderful kaleidoscope of colours. Which brings me to one of my favourite style options; florals. Or in this case florals on florals on florals.

Lets talk about this hat/beanie/turban. Im crazy mad about its originality. It reminds me of a 50's style swimming cap.

The floral skirt was originally an outdated nana style dress that I hacked up to make an elasticated skirt. Teamed with the old faithful white blouse complete with lovely embroidery & scallop collar. It feels good to get out of my usual last trimester uniform of baggy stretchy tops & leggings.

Have you heard of the slow clothing movement? I read this article the other day about Jane Milburn's "Sew it again" project where for all of 2014, instead of buying new clothes she reimagined (upcycled) clothes she had bought at op shops. Im no stranger to altering opshop clothes to make them more fitted/fashionable so it's great that she inspired a legion of people to choose upcyling over disposable fast fashion.
I embrace slow fashion in my own way of purchasing a handful (per year, I started this at the beginning of 2014) of preloved clothes mainly from op shops/markets & try to get the most wear out of them. Although I have had a few slip ups on new purchases on shoes, these Harriet slides last year & I then chose these Wittner wraparound sandals for my last birthday gift from Luke (yes we choose our own gifts, lol).
I have been really good thru this pregnancy & only bought 3 preloved stretchy oversized tops that I can still wear comfortably once I give birth. I cant wait to fit back into my pants/jeans (how I miss you so!)
Have you embraced slow fashion or upcycle preloved clothes too?

 

Happy Wednesday friends!

Grace

Sustainable practices anyone can incorporate into their own spaces

 

On the weekend my lovely gal pal Haelee came with me to check out a couple of sustainable houses in Hilton as part of Sustainable open house day. I feel like the residents of Hilton are advocates of sustainable living. Im always on the hunt for fresh ideas on ways to cut down on my carbon footprint/energy bills whilst also having a productive garden (which I don't have unless you count nasturtium flowers).
The first house we visited was nicknamed "Sustainaburbia" & rightly so. It was bursting with inspirational ideas & lots of upcycling of old junk into productive pieces. The salvaged bathtub (above) was turned into a garden wicking bed. If only I found an old bath tub at verge collection time before I bought my garden bed.

A broken fridge was cleverly turned into a worm farm.

Old mattress springs were even used to make climbing trellises for the plants. A frame & planter box were built around it.

 

 

The chicken coop was next to the compost. The gate was an old security door. And one of the sides was old mattress springs.

 

 

Sustainaburbia has the highest veggie patch bursting with produce. I was amazed with how much they fit into the garden. Every space had a purpose & was used. The owners make their own compost which is a mix of wet ingredients; lawn clippings, vegetable scraps, garden waste. Dry ingredients; straw, dry leaves, shredded paper, egg cartons, sawdust. Activators (in small amounts); manure, mature compost, old chook straw, comfrey, nettles, worm castings & blood/bone fertilizer. There was a talk about DIY compost & fruit fly control but we missed it.

 

I just love how the owners fully embrace salvaging a piece of junk destined for the rubbish tip & turning it into something practical & striking. So many possibilities of turning trash into treasure!!!

 

 

The second house we visited was Ferreira house. Owner Chris has opened his house for "Sustainable open house day" since 2011. It was quite busy when we arrived & there was tonnes of information & long talks about how to live more sustainable. Having a short attention span, I like to get my inspiration visually as I tend to zone out with long speeches (not to mention feeling claustrophobic in crowds).

 

 

I happily took home a water shower timer which Kobe is loving. You can get one free here (plus badges, posters, pamplets). There was lots of native plants & succulents which are waterwise incorporated into the garden.

 

 

 

A straw bale vegetable patch. I haven't seen one before but the benefits are you will have no weeds, the straw breaks down naturally into compost & is great at retaining moisture.

 

 

The highlight was this children's treehouse built on a gigantic tree. Loving the child size outdoor setting in the sandpit below it. My only concern was the open sides. Im all for outdoor play as opposed to tv time, Im quite lucky that I have many parks for Kobe to run wild in, all within walking distance from my house. there was also a pallet upcycled outdoor couch (which I didn't take a photo as people were sitting comfortably in it). 

 

Chris is mighty passionate about educating people on sustainability so its no surprises he is aligned with The forever project.

 

Well I hope you were inspired by what these eco-warriors are doing, I certainly was.

 

Happy Monday friends!

Grace

 

Brunch hot spots

Canadian style French toast

 

With fathers day tomorrow, I made it my mission not to buy anything gimmicky & materialistic. Do men really need another apron with some funny slogan on it or another pair of socks? Having said that Kobe did choose a box of chocolates (so he can "help" eat it no doubt) for his poppy & grandad. I decided to take Luke out to brunch instead (& save me some cooking, yay!). Here is a round up of my favourite brunch hot spots.

 

FLORA AND FAUNA

 

 Flora & Fauna cafe in Northbridge is a tiny café (like 7 tables) decked out in vintage chic. Every meal is masterfully decorated (almost too pretty to eat, almost!) & topped with edible flowers. A favourite for girly catch ups & if your dad/partner is vegetarian they will love this place. Meatlovers not so much.

 

Herb smashed avocado on Turkish bread with tofu

 

Goji superfood muesli

 

 

  And if you cant go past a sweet treat. Yum! The peanut butter slice was quite rich thou. Waiting times for meals can be up to 30 minutes as each plate is individually plated (I watched in awe as 4 staff worked in the smallest kitchen hammering out dish after dish) so a sweet treat, a fresh pressed juice or coffee is the perfect companion while waiting.

 

BIB AND TUCKER

 

Bib and Tucker in North Fremantle is a winner for every member of the family. Owned by Eamon Sullivan, Steve Hooker and Jamie Dwyer. The food is modern Australian & made with local produce. I hear he even has a beehive on the roof so he can make fresh honey. Plus the beach is right outside the door if you overindulge & need to walk/swim off your meal afterwards.

 

 

Poached egg with Manjimup truffle shavings

 

 

Huevos Rancheros minus the eggs

 

DUENDE

 

 

Duende tapas/ wine bar in Leederville is a funky little café/bar. Unfortunately they don't take bookings. The menu has slightly changed since I have last been. I still dream of their freshly pressed lemon & ginger juice (I have tried to replicate it but to no avail). I

must go back to try out the donut balls in condense milk & chocolate sauce.

 

 

Corn fritters

 

 

ROASTING WAREHOUSE

 

We ended up at Roasting Warehouse in South Fremantle to celebrate fathers day a few days earlier. I love the smell of coffee brewing (I can only have decaf until baby 2# is born so its my vice, sniffing the coffee infused air like a hungry dog sniffing for food). Their coffee is ethically sourced. I went here for the first time for brunch about a month ago with friend Louie & had the waffles, the mascarpone & the crumble was so delightfully sweet I had to drag Luke back for more. Plus I knew he would like the Pulled pork benedict. The only downer was I forgot to take home a honey cake & donut, boo! If you cant tell Im a sucker for sweet desserts (mainly cake).

 

Potato Rosti

 

Waffles with mascarpone & cinnamon crumble

 

 

 

Pulled pork benedict

 

I hope you like the cafes I selected. Perth seriously has so many great places to eat that I think we are on par with Melbourne.

 

And a happy fathers day to all the dad's, poppy's, grandad's & grandpa's out there.

 

Happy Saturday friends!

Grace

 

 

 

 

August Review

Enjoying the annual Tulip festival, been twice already (photo above is from the festival).
Craving chocolate chip cookies all day long.
Over the rain, chill & viruses.
Welcoming Spring.
Watching Tru Blood Season 7. Somehow I missed Season 6...
Hating impatient drivers who cut infront of you at the very last second.
Blog crushing on Peggy from Cake crumbs beach sand blog. Beautiful photography & delicious looking recipes.
Cranky & moody all the time. Oh pregnancy hormones.
Grateful to the elderly gentleman who took my empty trolley back to the trolley bay at the shops. Bless him!
Reading this article about buying less stuff for 200 days. Thanks for the recommendation Kym!
Trialling out orange skins in the garden to control the gazillions of slaters that midnight snack on my seedlings.
Growing micro herbs in egg cups with Kobe. Cant wait to see vintage Noddy & Big ear (egg cups) grow wild herb hair.
Baking quiche & raspberry chocolate muffins.
Sewing a dress for as upcoming 3 year old party. Need to get started on some bibs.
Bought a pack of beeswax eco wraps. An alternate to gladwrap. So far so good for wrapping sandwiches, cut fruit, muffins & fruit. Will be interesting to see how they cope in the heat of summer & how durable they are.
Slowly packing my hospital bag.
Making a fathers day card for Luke with Kobe.

How was your August?

Happy Wednesday friends!
Grace




How was your August?

Happy Monday friends!
Grace