Holidays!

Morning Friends! 

I had a full post planned for yesterday but the chaos of packing, holiday socialising and chores got in the way! 

Today we are off camping and I'm pumped to welcome the New year surrounded by some of my favourite people. I hope you all have a wonderful few days and fantastic new year celebrations.

 I will be back on the 9th of January and can't wait to see you all then! 

See you in 2017 friends! 

Lou 

xxx

Weekly Wardrobe

Morning Friends 

Today I'm sharing a few of my summer go-to outfits I have been loving lately. I have just started packing of a few days away and  have been shifting through my closet all day. So a very appropriate post indeed! As *usual in recent times my memory has failed me and I have been slack with my photography skills :( Sorry, its a New Years resolution ! 

If you are looking for bikinis that are cute, flattering an great quality, then Sunburn has you covered. I bought this pair at the beginning of summer and love them! You can find them online here.

Its all about the slip dress this summer. Super useful and cute, I may or may not have bought two in different colours 😁 You can find this one here. 

We celebrated a very wet Christmas at home on Sunday. However the festive summer attire made an appearance regardless. 

My white playsuit - Ava Clothing 

Tan sandals - here.

White dress here.

Platform sandals - Seed Heritage 

Blue patterned playsuit - here.

Cream Sandals - here

I would share more but I must run and finish packing / organising the chaos I'm currently living in. Anyone else have mountain of holiday washing just sitting there?! Ekes, better jump to it! 

Have a great day friends. 

Lou 

xxx

Holiday Reads

Morning Friends! 

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas filled with friends, family and food. Our day was spent with our loved ones laughing, playing tennis and eating way too much delicious food - it was delightful! 

Like many of you I will be heading off on a new years vacation in just a few days and I have a stack of books to bring with me. If you are looking for a new read then today's post is for you! Here are a few books I have read or bought this month that you may want to check out. 

I mentioned The Clasp by Sloane Crosley on Wednesday. I have just started it but so far I'm enjoying it. It's witty, smart and has enough characters and intertwining stories to keep you guessing! 

Although the title of this book may alarm some readers I have to admit this book is a goody. Like so many people I often find myself over committed in all aspects of life. This book is about identifying how we spend our valuable time, and how we can alter our commitments to gain more enjoyment in life. Not too self-help-esk and definitely funny! 

This novel is next up on my list and I'm really excited to start it. So many of you have recommended it to me before and I finally purchased it. So lets wait and see what I think! 

Finally a book for all the cooks out there! I gave my mum the Yotam Ottolenghi cookbook this Christmas and I'm now going to need to buy one for myself! When I visit London I always pop into one of the several Ottolenghi cafes for an amazing bite to eat. Hopefully these recipes will give me a taste of the Ottolenghi treats at home! 

Happy reading everyone!

Lou

xxx

Friday Favourites

Happy Friday Friends!

The final countdown till the big day has officially begun and I'm pumped! But with so much to do  won't bore you with small talk, lets dive right in to this weeks favourites!

One 

The Clasp by Sloane Crosby - I started this book a few days ago and thus far I'm loving it. This book was recommended to me by serval people and has had great reviews from everyone including Oprah herself! I will keep you updated but I'm looking forward to finishing this sweet novel over the holiday break. 

Two 

Western print on linen shorts? I think yes! Quirky, light and affordable, these shorts are the perfect little number to wear this summer. Check them out online here!

Three 

If you like a) white chocolate b) desert c) christmas recipes d) all of the above. Then you must check out my White chocolate bark recipe here!

Four 

The holiday season may almost be over but its never to late to grab some last minute decorations *even if they don't make an appearance until next year! Bed Bath and Table currently has up to 50% off selected Christmas decorations and ornaments. So this sale is not to be missed. You can see the full range here.

Five

Finally, wishing you all a very safe, blessed and merry Christmas. I hope you spend it with people that mean the most to you and your holiday break is filled with love and laughter. 

Merry Christmas friends! I will be back on Tuesday, look forward to seeing you all then! 

Lou 

xxx

White Chocolate Christmas Bark

Morning Friends!

With only a few days left until Santa visits, planning, cooking and chaos is in full swing (for everyone)! This weeks recipe is the last Christmas suggestion for the season and it is perhaps the easiest. For years my mum has been making various versions of traditional white chocolate bark and every year it is a family favourite. So today I'm sharing it with you !  

You Will Need 

1/2 cup whole shelled salted pistachios

450 grams  white chocolate, finely chopped

1/4 cup dried cranberries

1/4 cup medium-diced dried apricots

1/4 milk choc chips 

* any other toppings you fancy  i.e. dried fruit, candy 

Method 

Preheat oven to 180 Degrees and line one sheet pan with baking paper. 

Place the pistachios in one layer on another sheet pan and bake for 8 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Place three quarters of the white chocolate in a heat-proof glass bowl and put it in the microwave on high for 30 seconds.  Stir the chocolate with a rubber spatula, return it to the microwave for another 30 seconds, then stir again. Continue to heat and stir in 30-second intervals until the chocolate is just melted. Immediately stir in the remaining chocolate and allow it to sit at room temperature, stirring often, until it's completely smooth. 

Pour the melted chocolate onto the parchment paper and spread it lightly to fill the drawn rectangle. Sprinkle the top evenly with the cooled pistachios, the cranberries, choc chips and apricots. 

Press the nuts and fruit lightly so they will set in the chocolate. Set aside for at least 2 hours until firm or refrigerate for 20 minutes.

 Cut or break the bark in 16 pieces and serve at room temperature.

Enjoy!

Lou 

xxx

Whats Up Wednesday

It is the final Whats Up Wednesday for the year! 

Yikes, how did that happen?!? If you are new to the blog, one a month a whole lot of lovely ladies link up to share what has been happening in their lives this past month. From what we are eating to what we are wearing its all covered. This month / last few weeks have been cray-zag (as December usually is) so lets jump in!  

What we're eating this week 

I'am all about holiday food and any excuse to eat some Christmas ham 😜 So we will be eating a mixture of new and old Christmas recipes. I shared a few of my go-to seasonal recipes on Monday. But if you missed it you can catch it here.

What I'm reminiscing about 

An amazing few weeks filled with food, family and friends. No better way to welcome the Christmas season! 

What I'm loving 

Our new fruity pool toys, which are practical and pretty. We bought a whole stack of different pool toys at the beginning of the season because we live in the pool! But these are my favourites.  You can find them here.

What we have been up to 

If I'am not at work or doing chores you can find me here at the moment. What can I say, I'm a beach bum at heart! And with weather like that can you blame me? 

What I'm dreading 

I have both a dentist and skin appointment this week. I feel like I have been to these specialists once a month this year and I'm officially over it! But I'm thankful for such great healthcare and all my teeth 😛

What I'm working on 

Christmas baking, crafts, shopping (which I'm yet to finish) etcetera. The usual final chaos that comes this time of year! 

What I'm excited about 

Having my whole family back in one city for Christmas. My baby sister arrives today from Minnesota and I can not wait! 

What I'm watching / reading 

This Is Us - aka This is amazing! 

And I have just start The Clasp by Sloane Crosby, which comes highly recommended. So I shall keep you all posted! 

What I'm listening to 

Christmas carols dah! This album just happens to be one of my favourites this year. If you haven't already checked it out, jump on Spotify right now! 

What I'm wearing 

My usual easy but cute chore, child and chaos proof outfits. 

What I'm doing this weekend 

Celebrating Christmas with my family and friends! There will be food, laughter and presents. I hope your weekends are blessed and merry! 

What I'm looking forward to next month 

We will be ringing in 2017 at the beach with friends. This means a mini break filled with rest, relaxation and fun. I can't wait to be back here! 

What else is new 

Other than the Christmas chaos, not a whole lot! 

Have a wonderful day friends! See you tomorrow!

Lou 

xxx

Christmas Traditions

Morning Friends. 

Like many of you our Christmas celebrations are in full swing and I'am loving it. So many people have special family traditions for the Christmas period, including my own. So I thought I would share one of them with you. 

First up the light tour spectacular. As a little kid my grandparents pilled up all the small children in the car in our PJs and we would drive to the best light displays in the city. Now I understand this is not a 'trademark' tradition but it definitely is a special one to us. 

Three rules apply - 1. Everyone must wear pyjamas 2. You must listen to Christmas carols 3. You must get out of the car and eat a treat in said pyjamas! 

We still carry out this tradition all these years later and I still love it! Most importantly this Christmas activity is inexpensive and designed to spend some quality time with the ones you love. I'm looking forward to our light tour spectacular this week, as well as seeing my sweet grandparents pyjama clad in public ;) 

Have a wonderful day everyone !

Lou 

xxxx