New hair (and nails)

hair

Why didn’t anyone think of this earlier?! I went to the hairdresser this weekend and while I was idly waiting for the foils to do their thing, a roaming manicurist came along asking if I wanted an express manicure. What an ingenious idea! I can’t believe this is the first I’ve heard of it. Perhaps it’s a Sydney thing? Yes please!

Morning bircher

morning bircher

I’ve started making my own bircher muesli. After a few trials, I’ve worked out a pretty good combo that consistently mixes up a delicious batch. Before, I’d grab anything on the run for breakfast. Wholemeal toast with butter, a quick poached egg, some cereal or a muesli bar. All pretty healthy options but I’d always be starving not long after getting to work. Since I’ve started exercising in the morning, it’s so awesome to come home and have breakfast ready to go. I just spoon some in a bowl with berries and yoghurt and it’s easy and delicious. 

Easy Sunday

shakshuka

The perfect Sunday dinner to cap off a chilled out weekend. Shakshuka… well a variation of it. Just pan fry some onion and garlic, add red capsicum and tinned tomatoes with cumin, paprika and chilli and simmer. Then crack a couple of eggs and cover until cooked. It’s delicious mopped up with toasted turkish bread. Too easy. I’ve also tried this kale and goat’s cheese version from Kinfolk, equally awesome.

Double run

Dog 1

Dog 2

I’ve gone for a run before work the last two mornings and I’m feeling pretty chuffed. How is it that the hardest part of the decision to go for a run is just to get up out of bed? Once the laces are tied and I’m out the door, it’s NO regrets. Funny that… Anyway I got home late from work and was feeling pretty tired from the early starts when I saw these dogs having a splash in the bay from the window of our apartment. So sweet. It’s where I was running this morning. This really is the cutest neighbourhood. And… our view from the kitchen sink, I don’t even mind washing the (occasional) dish now.

Kitchen window

Heavenly Sounds

Heavenlysounds

I’m not familiar with much of Sarah Blasko’s music. It’s not that I don’t like her, it’s just one of those things that I didn’t get into for awhile, and then just didn’t. Having said that, I ended up at her Heavenly Sounds concert last night at St Stephen’s Church because a friend was in town and I’m glad I did. It was incredibly beautiful. The Heavenly Sounds tour is all about artists performing at churches and cathedrals throughout Australia. It provides an eerie, magical, acoustically-rich experience. I only knew one song she sang, but her movements, the lighting and the intimate yet imposing space made for a very cool couple of hours.

Makeshift mantle

Mantle

How rad is this created-from-nothing mantle piece I saw at West Elm in Bondi Junction recently. I love the idea of a fireplace and mantle, they’re such a focal point in a room. Not having one, it’s a cute idea to stack some books and top with a hunk of wood – makes for a perfect resting place for glass of red while you expound your thoughts to the room.

Favourite boat on the bay

favourite boatToday was a delightful Sydney Saturday and I went for a walk around the bay. Of all the boats bobbing on the marina, this one is by far my favourite. It’s got history, character and alongside some of the sleek yachts and cruisers, it has some old school charm. I wonder who lives on it and where in the world it has travelled?

Illustrated dumplings

The latest issue of Kinfolk magazine is a wonderful look at ageing from every aspect. People, food, products and the environment are all examined under the ‘ageing’ lens and it’s such an interesting exploration. One of my favourite pages has this illustration on it.

Kinfolk dumplings

The article is about the dim sum tradition in Manhattan chef Wai Hon Chu’s family and how it provided the one constant throughout a sea of change in their lives. It was an inspiring read – and I had to have dumplings after finishing it!

The view

apartmentwindowOur new apartment has wide windows overlooking the bay. Having never lived close to water or with such a spectacular view, you can really while away the time hanging out here. Just before Christmas there was a local concert in the park, capped off by a fireworks show. It was such a neat little vantage point to see the sky erupting.