Thursday, 20 August 2015

Caramel stuffed choc-chip cookies!

Morning Everyone! 

This weeks recipe is a new one for me but is quickly becoming a favourite. I tried this recipe out for the first time on the weekend and family and friends went nuts over these cookies. They are super easy to make and are dangerously delicious. I know you will love them as much as I do! 


You will need 
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
  • 1/2 cup caster sugar
  • 1 cup salted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 2 cups (12 oz) milk chocolate chips
  • 1 block of caramel centred chocolate, broken into pieces 
Method 
  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
  • In a medium bowl combine flour, soda, and salt. Mix well with wire whisk and set aside.
  • In the large bowl of a stand mixer (or a large bowl with an electric hand mixer) blend sugars at medium speed. Add butter and mix to form a grainy paste, scraping down the sides of the bowl. Add eggs and vanilla extract, and mix at medium speed until just blended. Do not over mix.
  • Add the flour mixture and blend at low-speed until mixed. When completely mixed, add chocolate chips and blend or stir in with wooden spoon until fully incorporated.
  • Scoop out balls of dough a spoonful at a time. Flatten each ball into a disk in your palm and place a caramel in the center. Fold up dough around the caramel so the candy is fully covered by cookie dough. Place seam-side down onto a cookie sheet lined with silpat (or lightly greased with butter). Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

See you tomorrow for the weekly wrap-up! 

Lou xxx 

Wednesday, 19 August 2015

Yes Please! by Amy Poehler

Happy Wednesday Everyone! 

This weeks book review is all about Amy Poehler's new book Yes Pleas! Not only is she a Saturday night live legend, movie and tv star, but she can now add New York Times best selling author to her resume.


 Amy's new book Yes Please! is a funny, emotional and honest insight to the highs and lows of her life as well as a detailed look at her diverse and successful career. From motherhood to marriage Amy's book will make you laugh, cry and laugh some more.



This book is a great read if you are looking for something to brighten your week or just want something lighthearted! I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to any 21st century woman! 

You can purchase Yes Please! here. Happy reading y'all! 

Lou xxx

Tuesday, 18 August 2015

Venice

Morning Everyone! 

This weeks travel post is all about Venice! We travelled to the floating city in September last year and had the most wonderful time.  Venice is not only visually stunning, but is filled with a vibrant culture, fascinating history and some damm good food! So here is our Venice trip! 


We arrived into the city via boat, which I think is a beautiful way to enter. It also allows you to gage a better sense of where you are. If you have been to venice you will know it is a total maze,(with 118 small islands all connected by bridges) so having so sense of direction from the get go is a great start. 


What a gorgeous way to arrive in a new city after a long flight! 


A walk through Piazza San Marco is a must. The architecture is truly breath taking! 


We visited Venice in late September and it was wonderful. There where few tourists and the weather was great! As you can probably guess Venice floods pretty easily (being a group of islands and all) so rain can make Venice pretty miserable. Luckily we experienced nothing but sunshine this trip and it was warm enough to not need a jacket! Perfect traveling weather! 


 The top of Il Padrone Bell Tower. I mean seriously look at that view!



We took a mandatory tourist Gondola ride through the city and where lucky enough to have a gondolier who was very insightful about the cities history and geography. 


Last but not least - Food! My goodness Venice certainly delivers on the food front! From Pasta to Pizza to Gelato Venice has it all! I swear I would move to Italy just for the food alone. 


Overall I fell head over heels for Venice and know you will as well! 
Have a beautiful day and see you all tomorrow for Well-read Wednesdays! 

Lou xxx 








Monday, 17 August 2015

Happy Monday!


Happy Monday Ladies! 

I hope you all had wonderful weekends filled with food family and friends! 
I have decided to post about my favourite fashion finds on Mondays from now on. Things that I love, or have just purchased and think you should all check out. So here we go! 

Firstly my Seed Heritage heel sandals. I bought these at the beginning of the season and wear them constantly. They are great with jeans or a cute shift dress and they only cost $80! Win! 


I haven't seen this style in stores in the last few week however all Seed Heritage shoes are gorgeous, so have a look here. 


Next is my new bangle from Taju. They have a huge online store which also stocks clothes but their jewellery is my favourite. They are super cute pieces, inexpensive and make great gifts. 


Check out their stuff here.

Finally new gorgeous new Peter Alexander - Love Art Silk Sleep Tee. This is so super comfy and is also ridiculously pretty. Seriously I want to wear it as causal clothing! 


All Peter Alexander PJ'S are soft, long wearing and look beautiful. I usually leave the store with more than one bag and more pyjamas than I will ever be able to wear! Check out this sleep tee and more PJ'S here. 



Hope you like my latest fashion finds. Here's to a great week ladies! 
Lou  xxx




Friday, 14 August 2015

Weekly Wrap-up !

Happy Friday Everyone! 

Thank goodness the weekend is nearly here! After a very long week I am looking forward to doing a whole lot of nothing over the next few days! Here is what I have been up to this week and what I am loving right now! 

I love love love my new Seed Heritage - Frill Dipped Tee. It comes in white as well as black (I bought one of each!) It is soft, comfy and looks great on. What can I say I love anything Seed Heritage. Check out this shirt here. 


My nail color this week is Alpine Snow by OPI. You can pick it up here for just 7 bucks! 



Wednesday was a public holiday here, so a few friends and I headed to the annual races. Aka an excuse to dress up and drink champaign! My dress was from Finders Keepers the label. There stuff is gorgeous, elegant and simple. Click here to view their current line. 
                           
        
Finally a little bit of inspiration for your Friday! I saw this the other day and had to share it with you all.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone! 

Lou xxx






Thursday, 13 August 2015

Coriander-crumbed Lamb Cutlets



Morning! 

This weeks recipe is super simple and totally delicious! A perfect mid week meal when you are shot on time but looking for something a little more exotic than take-out. It is Bill Granger's Coriander- Crumbed Lamb Cutlets! Yum'o! 



You will need 



  • cup plain flour 
  • tablespoons milk 
  • eggs
  • cups fresh breadcrumbs
  • large handful fresh parsley, chopped
  • tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
  • teaspoon finely grated lemon zest 
  • teaspoon ground cumin
  • Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper
  • 12 French-trimmed lamb cutlets or rib chops
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • Herbed Yogurt (to serve) 

  • Method 
  • Add the flour to a shallow dish. In a separate shallow dish, lightly beat the milk and eggs. In a third dish, toss together the breadcrumbs, parsley, cilantro, lemon zest, and cumin, and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Dip the lamb cutlets into the flour, then in the beaten egg and finally into the breadcrumbs.


  • Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Panfry the cutlets in batches, until they are golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer the lamb cutlets to a warm platter and serve with the herbed yoghurt.

    I hope you loves these as much as my family and I do! 
    Lou xxx
  • Wednesday, 12 August 2015

    Man Repeller by Leandra Medine

    Morning everyone! 

    This weeks week-read Wednesday is all about the genius that is Leandra Medine. Having found worldwide success through her blog 'Man Repeller' Leandra decided to further enlighten her devoted readers with her humorous antics and quirky fashion in a book of the same title. Thus 'Man Repeller' (the book) was released in 2013. 




    Leandra not only understands the minefield that is the modern dating world, whilst exploring fashion hits and misses but begs the question, what the heck are men actually looking for in the 'perfect woman'?  



    This is a great read, which will make you laugh out loud, shudder in sympathy and remind you that women are amazing, funny and strong no matter their relationship status. I loved this book and hope you will enjoy it too!

    Lou xxx