tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16446534157355667802024-03-14T19:44:20.102+11:00L-PlatesAdventures of a trainee domestic goddessAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09470985140465572546noreply@blogger.comBlogger197125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644653415735566780.post-66644759184580913172011-05-24T07:13:00.003+10:002011-05-24T07:17:14.778+10:00A Blast From The Past<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTq73VgvJqiI6muiqOV-XGq34IgOz8BIYTiD4NWbo6mhnpa9hiV1izaJA4kMGBtEW9WO_l8vi1EH3swkukdZh2iuJzwuhWpbBgAod3e46OSSffBSGKHFaPKz6-fNA-FboWk4IXru4N1Jho/s1600/hercanberra-face.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 399px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTq73VgvJqiI6muiqOV-XGq34IgOz8BIYTiD4NWbo6mhnpa9hiV1izaJA4kMGBtEW9WO_l8vi1EH3swkukdZh2iuJzwuhWpbBgAod3e46OSSffBSGKHFaPKz6-fNA-FboWk4IXru4N1Jho/s400/hercanberra-face.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610023619280913234" /></a><div>If, by some small miracle, you're still following L-Plates through Blogger, I wanted to let you know that I'm now writing over at <a href="http://www.hercanberra.com.au/">HerCanberra</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's a blog for Canberra women (but I think has something for everyone) and I'd love to see you over there. </div><div><br /></div><div>A xx</div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09470985140465572546noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644653415735566780.post-65630651794829973572010-05-14T15:05:00.002+10:002010-05-14T15:07:18.609+10:00I'm baaaackkkk...but not here<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwnvPXDh30MMQuisZMgiYSEAAXKciEeXq0erHDpAyu9Y6-tG_-j-SsotF4nPUmbnTFLrTGmgKKe9bwrhJbs8UUGeFeifr8HIRAT6j94MBVNKfSdpyKIE7-UL6Ia2DwkhnFh0MAwmb-Dp_C/s1600/pizza.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 389px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwnvPXDh30MMQuisZMgiYSEAAXKciEeXq0erHDpAyu9Y6-tG_-j-SsotF4nPUmbnTFLrTGmgKKe9bwrhJbs8UUGeFeifr8HIRAT6j94MBVNKfSdpyKIE7-UL6Ia2DwkhnFh0MAwmb-Dp_C/s400/pizza.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470987811826311794" /></a><div><br /></div>Check out my new recipe blog at sub350.wordpress.comAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09470985140465572546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644653415735566780.post-76848655800018491792009-09-07T12:13:00.003+10:002009-09-07T12:35:06.478+10:00sayonara, so long, adieu, adios, au revoir, auf wiedersehen, bye<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2SUT0JIJa_pXyap5k1xIDaXXT1K-NzFvQtmLNZlxqofr18JnYbrnF7UVN3oNnMqUz2fPWpfdmu87UfcZG4jIFiKzSPFTZ_7805Czx8s1VoFgqBgYHltvsyINsDMf7njsXnr_I_GCyvIBg/s1600-h/waving"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2SUT0JIJa_pXyap5k1xIDaXXT1K-NzFvQtmLNZlxqofr18JnYbrnF7UVN3oNnMqUz2fPWpfdmu87UfcZG4jIFiKzSPFTZ_7805Czx8s1VoFgqBgYHltvsyINsDMf7njsXnr_I_GCyvIBg/s400/waving" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378544607605811778" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">This morning I sat down at my computer to blog and I couldn't think of a thing to say. That's been increasingly the case over the last month or two...it appears, sadly, I've lost the will to blog.</span><br /><br />Life is busy, busy these days. I've started to take on a bit more work (one of my current projects is setting up a website for my business <a href="www.barecommunications.com.au">www.barecommunications.com.au</a> - nothing there yet, but soon will be!), have a few voluntary roles on the go, as well as the usual demands of motherhood. And I figure that when something I began for the sheer enjoyment (this blog) starts to feel like an obligation, it's time to ask why I'm doing it...so, I'm taking a break.<br /><br />I want to thank you, dear readers, for coming along on this ride and sharing your opinions along the way. I have absolutely loved sharing a little bit of myself with you and I honestly would have gone a little bit barmy over the last six months if not for you. And who knows? I could be back in a month...or a year...or maybe not at all.<br /><br />Take care...and if you want to keep in touch, you can always find me on twitter (@bugmum) or drop me a line at domesticgoddessonlplates@gmail.com<br /><br />Amanda<br />xoxAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09470985140465572546noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644653415735566780.post-2652045690762801082009-09-01T13:01:00.003+10:002009-09-01T13:37:34.550+10:00Spring is here!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQJ-4MVtRLFIZ5-DcOuly8f3rLIhcWbET98KDUS_Bnt3NIaxfACirmQpBbvFOYZNGq-V7E65p8byv22s4A1cDTiaYVhTl4tovWq98aWtEiMFszzd_LOnqHyDuIAq7sGqetd0G5AM63v8V/s1600-h/spring_daisys_1600.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQJ-4MVtRLFIZ5-DcOuly8f3rLIhcWbET98KDUS_Bnt3NIaxfACirmQpBbvFOYZNGq-V7E65p8byv22s4A1cDTiaYVhTl4tovWq98aWtEiMFszzd_LOnqHyDuIAq7sGqetd0G5AM63v8V/s400/spring_daisys_1600.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376328954915223090" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Spring.</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> A poem by Robert McCracken</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Today is the day when bold kites fly,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">When cumulus clouds roar across the sky.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">When robins return, when children cheer,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">When light rain beckons spring to appear.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Today is the day when daffodils bloom,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Which children pick to fill the room,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Today is the day when grasses green,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">When leaves burst forth for spring to be seen.</span><br /><br />It's been a loooooong winter but Spring is FINALLY here. My favourite season...the mere mention of September is enough to put some bounce in my step. I love the sunshine, the blue skies, the blooming bulbs...ah, sweet Spring.<br /><br />What does Spring mean to you?Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09470985140465572546noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644653415735566780.post-81030755759265365282009-09-01T12:46:00.003+10:002009-09-01T12:56:18.940+10:00Favourite Recipes: Chocolate Chip Brownies<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTOwXAGZzkhQrOWMtVD_zIB1Qq6rF2jb18BTaqgmW_FgZOxCh4wkHWpSVLXhJZOgiR5xW5XxZsbymenNdOYYY8Aspl-7GJx947oew5b60FLppxXpUA8P2mY0ETxmkxpShC6rEMnda9FtM/s1600-h/brownies.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTOwXAGZzkhQrOWMtVD_zIB1Qq6rF2jb18BTaqgmW_FgZOxCh4wkHWpSVLXhJZOgiR5xW5XxZsbymenNdOYYY8Aspl-7GJx947oew5b60FLppxXpUA8P2mY0ETxmkxpShC6rEMnda9FtM/s320/brownies.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376325111830458306" border="0" /></a> <span style="font-style: italic;">This week's favourite recipe comes from one of my favourite people - my lovely friend, Rachel. She swears these <span style="font-weight: bold;">Chocolate Chip Brownies </span>are so easy and scrummy straight from the oven, or frozen and reheated...or any other way that takes your fancy! Mmmm...chocolatey goodness...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">what you need</span><br />1/2 tsp salt<br />1/2 tsp baking powder<br />1 cup plain flour<br />1/3 cup cocoa<br />2/3 cup brown sugar<br />2/3 cup white sugar<br />1 cup chocolate chips<br />1 tspn vanilla<br />2/3 cup vege oil <span style="font-style: italic;">(to make these treats a little lower in fat, Rachel used a tub of pureed apple plus a little bit of oil - around 1/3 cup of each)</span><br />3 eggs<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">what to do<br /></span><ol><li>The best thing about this recipe is that all you need to do is throw everything in a bowl and mix it up. </li><li>Then spray and line a 20 x 30cm tray and bake for 25-30mins at 170C. Make sure you watch your oven, though, as these brownies are definitely better undercooked rather than overcooked.</li><li>Eat. Rub tummy. Yum.<br /></li></ol>Want to share <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">your</span> favourite recipe? Send it to domesticgoddessonlplates@gmail.comAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09470985140465572546noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644653415735566780.post-72716233576258581742009-08-31T11:12:00.005+10:002009-08-31T11:31:48.194+10:00Fashion Smashion: Brights<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"> <span style="font-style: italic;">If they're not already, sunglasses are about to become your can't-live-without accessory for summer - if only to look at the frocks! Acid brights are HUGE at the moment, with saturated hues spotted on many fashion-forward celebs.Will you embrace the rainbow?</span><br /></div><br /></div> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUnjIEs9m0TG38Kzc5MFsDloY59GvmJWL3EnRSuMW8TwWr4HAZnQPAhz5XArZewAfvcVkzMuXRLbqPWCyiLmLH11JeA6_5lLmDUf0A_z45frwxbCtuZtIaETvPJkWWyYm-z79ZfSJnbcv/s1600-h/082409-jessica-stroup-200.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUnjIEs9m0TG38Kzc5MFsDloY59GvmJWL3EnRSuMW8TwWr4HAZnQPAhz5XArZewAfvcVkzMuXRLbqPWCyiLmLH11JeA6_5lLmDUf0A_z45frwxbCtuZtIaETvPJkWWyYm-z79ZfSJnbcv/s320/082409-jessica-stroup-200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375930177173499538" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZNU5BI625IxDw7B6Wi-Et3VJdvDLjFtVcI6xq4YyWBRGLWAmqYGlcLhaDdrJJlC9E1PQ5j8ITR2qTk07In9p2M6_d4t-AEkYs_hrd4msc6v08b4f4DSS9TIhaBmOYfsYfETfE_v8K1q_/s1600-h/082209-beyonce-200.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZNU5BI625IxDw7B6Wi-Et3VJdvDLjFtVcI6xq4YyWBRGLWAmqYGlcLhaDdrJJlC9E1PQ5j8ITR2qTk07In9p2M6_d4t-AEkYs_hrd4msc6v08b4f4DSS9TIhaBmOYfsYfETfE_v8K1q_/s320/082209-beyonce-200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375930168511680242" border="0" /></a><br />Above left: Jessica Stroup in a cute, flowy micro mini and to-die-for shoes<br />Above right: Beyonce forgets the old 'take one thing off before you leave the house' rule<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijcfHz6fma_V6zeyTlZSSkVPIfrS4q7PYFBN733yYK58zIkDdtRYpS7Ap6R8gbASoBtU_C0s6alX20bU1_ycDKCJyLEgqXylsZtd3dapY4vSCDdn_Qpbzjtg04avWsfMhMz8F1On6rxCkf/s1600-h/082109-jennifer-morrison-200.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijcfHz6fma_V6zeyTlZSSkVPIfrS4q7PYFBN733yYK58zIkDdtRYpS7Ap6R8gbASoBtU_C0s6alX20bU1_ycDKCJyLEgqXylsZtd3dapY4vSCDdn_Qpbzjtg04avWsfMhMz8F1On6rxCkf/s320/082109-jennifer-morrison-200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375930037539420994" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsWxAgd8L1ejU5H6nycq1N8qx9CVz9mb-E0Hi40PefJj762a4tJuARgwCSBPasxC45oKVC1vlmpOJ8AV_qB3C7loMXS5_3ktDTU6fXgd10W7Q2_9ieevB2avSqgliv9gPF0ZM33by13E/s1600-h/081109-victoria-beckham-200.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsWxAgd8L1ejU5H6nycq1N8qx9CVz9mb-E0Hi40PefJj762a4tJuARgwCSBPasxC45oKVC1vlmpOJ8AV_qB3C7loMXS5_3ktDTU6fXgd10W7Q2_9ieevB2avSqgliv9gPF0ZM33by13E/s320/081109-victoria-beckham-200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375929990410947122" border="0" /></a><br />Above left: Jennifer Morrison wows in a tangerine number<br />Above right: This violet stunner almost distracted me from thinking how badly I want to give Posh a Quarter Pounder.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4F7WLdrXWP9wOaxbNI6yB_HlEX6vrOiOelm73lDKpZEM-o-qIkvbg1sqOGopN0OUV_FcExhHaZk4_dfGKbqmBncYgA_qZ_i00ImF5ZkV3WaxWoedToezJTRi2Bg4kuvWt2TbcmA8BmBGz/s1600-h/081909-christina-applegate-200.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4F7WLdrXWP9wOaxbNI6yB_HlEX6vrOiOelm73lDKpZEM-o-qIkvbg1sqOGopN0OUV_FcExhHaZk4_dfGKbqmBncYgA_qZ_i00ImF5ZkV3WaxWoedToezJTRi2Bg4kuvWt2TbcmA8BmBGz/s320/081909-christina-applegate-200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375930021341688290" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZKd6sy-6qA4OAnKO7CnWpswDM1EGyseGPJmVzKHOwlMsCfkpcK64vfaz7aSzoaJon3Z-3mifyUCCJTTuC8wwiXjYPFV5Q-KWFu5WQYCXKrUf7vkky8C5hFA42A7RuRAbSUTQLxxWDCM/s1600-h/081309-nicky-hilton-200.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZKd6sy-6qA4OAnKO7CnWpswDM1EGyseGPJmVzKHOwlMsCfkpcK64vfaz7aSzoaJon3Z-3mifyUCCJTTuC8wwiXjYPFV5Q-KWFu5WQYCXKrUf7vkky8C5hFA42A7RuRAbSUTQLxxWDCM/s320/081309-nicky-hilton-200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375930016387490930" border="0" /></a><br />Above left: Christina Applegate plays it safe by pairing retro hot pink with a sensible black skirt and shoes.<br />Above right: Nicky Hilton. The horror.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4O475WEqlZGPdo2y5DFHNvkiXn_M0euBBo7wH0V4lKeyZTytevBNRGderfO4h5zEZGL3QLdqppMRh0uPd2ruJnJlNDggDSf8P9wTdFhR-zxdAgadF_NLpnac8yMhciFn2X0y9z1eYCdE/s1600-h/081309-maria-menounos-200.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4O475WEqlZGPdo2y5DFHNvkiXn_M0euBBo7wH0V4lKeyZTytevBNRGderfO4h5zEZGL3QLdqppMRh0uPd2ruJnJlNDggDSf8P9wTdFhR-zxdAgadF_NLpnac8yMhciFn2X0y9z1eYCdE/s320/081309-maria-menounos-200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375930003221756946" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGNbtgsOL20GgQg9oTavAsxr-aWREJ28R-m5iBnm_qZYqzXAVG_zRFZIiUCTO1GMONgbk1MvBppZFiQm19hbTFEnDZ32yOqWoE67PX8gGMZuCLRHd6ORrV8n05qrfF6ApkiI8L45eBmnv/s1600-h/082109-renee-zellweger-200.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHGNbtgsOL20GgQg9oTavAsxr-aWREJ28R-m5iBnm_qZYqzXAVG_zRFZIiUCTO1GMONgbk1MvBppZFiQm19hbTFEnDZ32yOqWoE67PX8gGMZuCLRHd6ORrV8n05qrfF6ApkiI8L45eBmnv/s320/082109-renee-zellweger-200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375930165751109394" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Above left: A detailed neckline and tricky heels add interest to Maria Menounos' bright red swing dress.<br />Above right: Renee Zellweger on her way to arm wrestle Madonna for the title of buffest celebrity.<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Source: <a href="http://www.instyle.com">Instyle</a></span><br /></div></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09470985140465572546noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644653415735566780.post-69651245480224792432009-08-26T12:10:00.003+10:002009-08-26T12:29:49.290+10:00What Amanda can't live without...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFv1u3M_i61kvdGC8cWinhYA1kBu_DnYyORrXP0mppkHwBMKArI89S9WYKsGKDK_rawUXUhJ79BnhQCDpU7zOO8FR9UdRuVln1ZzfddDu3S8kX6TRwh7rflsEvraW2DaHyOhQ0SBDy6g/s1600-h/amanda.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoFv1u3M_i61kvdGC8cWinhYA1kBu_DnYyORrXP0mppkHwBMKArI89S9WYKsGKDK_rawUXUhJ79BnhQCDpU7zOO8FR9UdRuVln1ZzfddDu3S8kX6TRwh7rflsEvraW2DaHyOhQ0SBDy6g/s400/amanda.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5374093177917692850" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">This week, we find out what Amanda can't live without. No, not me, but my darling friend with the same name. We met about four years ago when, in one of the best moves of my career, I recruited her to work with me</span>. <span style="font-style: italic;">She is not only ridiculously smart and talented, but is gorgeous to boot, with a heart the size of Ayers Rock.<br /><br />I love her to bits, and you will too - here's what she can't live without.</span><br /><ol><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Nalle</span>—We adopted our beautiful Husky from Mikulov Siberians just over a year ago. When she arrived at Mikulov she had pneumonia, had severe fly bites on her ears and tails, and her coat was matted from months of neglect. She is now in full health and enjoys bossing us around immensely.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Music</span>—I love music of all varieties. I don’t discriminate at all, in fact just last week, I found myself uttering the words “I don’t quite know how to say this, but I think I need Miley Cyrus...”</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Faith</span>—I regularly reflect on the fact that I always seem to land in the right spot at the right time. So when I say ‘Faith’ I’m not necessarily saying religion. I just have faith that, in life, things will always work out for the best.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">My family</span>—where to start? My parents gave up so much to make sure that I got the best education, and start in life. And my sister is my hero. None of them like having their photos taken, so excuse my imagery...</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Exercise</span>—I went through a really crazy gym junkie period, during which a girlfriend and I would do ‘three hours of power’ including running, weights and yoga. Nowadays I’m happy to get a jog in every now and again and play netball twice a week.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Being a housewife</span>—OK so I’m not one yet, but I love cleaning, cooking, gardening and sewing (someone else can keep the ironing). I was born in the wrong decade. I’d have made a brilliant Stepford Wife.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">My partner</span>—He is my rock.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Travel</span>—I have the itchiest feet. I want to go everywhere. I am happiest when I have my backpack on and I’m checking in for a long distance flight.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">My sisters</span>—my urban family, the women around me who inspire me on a daily basis. You know who you are the ones who tell me when to pull my head in, what not to wear and who regularly lead me astray—go on—twist my rubber arm.</li></ol>If you want to share what you can't live without, just email me at domesticgoddessonlplates@gmail.comAmandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09470985140465572546noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644653415735566780.post-46722986034972715272009-08-25T15:25:00.006+10:002009-08-25T20:18:35.229+10:00What's your Best Restaurant?<div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNydpb_oTd_ec9Vkjf0j_uq0ZbuxvqU6COIWhN7Vj1BfVJKdNGD_mTX4RCbeO3bROJlVy_SdGbqXV6wWgb6P6Jm3KWH74LZ3WLG07zIWz4PxxzWmwLzYnZlWcX0x7jvxq45INQsqfrcMk/s1600-h/quay.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNydpb_oTd_ec9Vkjf0j_uq0ZbuxvqU6COIWhN7Vj1BfVJKdNGD_mTX4RCbeO3bROJlVy_SdGbqXV6wWgb6P6Jm3KWH74LZ3WLG07zIWz4PxxzWmwLzYnZlWcX0x7jvxq45INQsqfrcMk/s320/quay.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373769342448681106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">It's that time of year again! Australian Gourmet Traveller has just unveiled their pick of restaurants from around the country and Sydney's </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.quay.com.au/">Quay</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> restaurant has won the top gong for the second year running.</span><br /><br />There was a time when my lovely husband and I used to delight in doing the rounds of the latest foodie hotspots...these days, though, we're more likely to pick something low key and local.<br /><br />There are a lot of the usual suspects on <span style="font-style: italic;">Gourmet's</span><a href="http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/best-restaurant/2009/08/25/1251001886696.html"><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>list of three-hat restaurants</a>...we've been to four of the nine Sydney hotspots and they all deserve their place. Without a doubt, the most amazing dining experience I've ever had was at Tetsuya's...everything (food, wine, service, ambience) was sublime and truly unique.<br /><br />BUT. What about the other great restaurants out there which don't have million dollar fitouts or harbour views but still have great food? C'mon, share your absolute favourite place to eat...<br /></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09470985140465572546noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644653415735566780.post-8633640688856740782009-08-25T07:01:00.005+10:002009-08-25T07:48:05.139+10:00Favourite Recipe: Potato Bake & Crumbed Chicken<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwpb86n0ZBEWtKcG41sRnuugfDPD5XXwR06-C0TzcZOPn6gIp6QVrRuPSrmiefIfR95GT3zNmvaBm_74kwrPvolOuM8Jr59BnBOeGz9jO85NFClL2O44mtsCAjtDbA7X8CImyflQmOqo/s1600-h/chicken.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAwpb86n0ZBEWtKcG41sRnuugfDPD5XXwR06-C0TzcZOPn6gIp6QVrRuPSrmiefIfR95GT3zNmvaBm_74kwrPvolOuM8Jr59BnBOeGz9jO85NFClL2O44mtsCAjtDbA7X8CImyflQmOqo/s400/chicken.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373650007786481106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Last week, I invited readers to share their favourite recipes in a new weekly segment...and first up is </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://everyonewantsthis.blogspot.com/">Carly-Grace</a><span style="font-style: italic;">, with her <span style="font-weight: bold;">Potato Bake and Crumbed Chicken</span>. Perfect comfort food!</span><br /><br />If you'd like to share <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">your</span> favourite recipe, it's as simple as sending me an email to domesticgoddessonlplates@gmail.com. You can also send a photo, and even a short blurb telling me what you like so much about your dish. In the meantime, though, give Carly's a whirl!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">what you need</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">crumbed chicken:</span><br />500g of chicken breast (preferably pre-diced)<br />breadcrumbs<br />flour<br />2-3 eggs<br />milk<br />oil (canola or veggie oil)<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">potato bake</span><br />4-5 large potatoes<br />1 sweet potato<br />1 onion (optional)<br />Grated tasty cheese<br />Four rashers of bacon, diced<br />300 ml thickened cream<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">what to do</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">crumbed chicken</span><br /><ol><li>If chicken breast isnt pre-diced, cut into small cubes [you can judge the size - anywhere from a bouncy ball size to golf ball is generally good].</li><li>Crack eggs in a bowl and mix with some milk.</li><li>Put flour into a bowl - I find it easier to cover the chicken by using hands - and place chicken into flour. Give pieces a good dusting and remove excess flour.<br /></li><li>Dip chicken into egg, ensuring all surfaces are covered, and into a bowl of breadcrumbs.<br /></li><li>Put oil in pan on medium heat.<br /></li><li>Place all the chicken in the pan, and cook until you can see browning underneath. Turn and cook until both sides are golden brown.</li><li>Drain on paper towel and serve with potato bake (below).<br /></li></ol><span style="font-style: italic;">potato bake</span><br /><ol><li>Preheat oven to 200 degrees C<br /></li><li>Peel and cut potatoes and sweet potatoes into cubes approx 1.5cm<br /></li><li>Dice onion.</li><li>Layer a casserole dish with the potatoes, sweet potatoes and onion. Pour cream over.<br /></li><li>Place in oven for 30-40 minutes.</li><li>Sprinkle grated cheese and diced bacon over the top<br /></li><li>Return to oven until the cheese has melted. A great alternative is under the grill.</li><li>Remove from and stand for 2-5 minutes.</li><li>Serve with crumbed chicken (above). Enjoy!<br /></li></ol>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09470985140465572546noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644653415735566780.post-79958739347327726342009-08-24T14:07:00.004+10:002009-08-24T18:26:39.448+10:00They're baaaaack...<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Oh yes, indeedy...the 80s power shoulder is back with a vengeance and I, for one, love it. Why? Well, anything that makes my waist look smaller and takes the attention away from my large-ish arse is a winner for me.</span><br /><br />What's your verdict? Who does it best, and will you be pulling out the shoulder pads this season?<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vPIuZVC6RyZr0UQbrHqCUBDtsWUd7h2kCZlFQ0fdnlPrYiu0msNh7hePs6Jl7J7cxqTM_Ib3Zp3suDpx7bDOuwOTIk6NK2Qjvft0Mi55h1hRT1xt99l9uLLx1p03I7pR4yE-aR7Vc6I/s1600-h/081109-diane-kruger-200.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-vPIuZVC6RyZr0UQbrHqCUBDtsWUd7h2kCZlFQ0fdnlPrYiu0msNh7hePs6Jl7J7cxqTM_Ib3Zp3suDpx7bDOuwOTIk6NK2Qjvft0Mi55h1hRT1xt99l9uLLx1p03I7pR4yE-aR7Vc6I/s320/081109-diane-kruger-200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373377521428527746" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYfTsl4G39U3WYJIC1K-7x4QNyanq0VuTF3VgF8md3-4x9DoZ0EX3qglmIJi6jHPrMjdadDojzeV9RxS73A7-s1ae65dNlmvroNr-y39mxyXB-Is0zmd4-EX77n87sILZb-qC8gKDRryE/s1600-h/081809-michelle-monaghan-200.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYfTsl4G39U3WYJIC1K-7x4QNyanq0VuTF3VgF8md3-4x9DoZ0EX3qglmIJi6jHPrMjdadDojzeV9RxS73A7-s1ae65dNlmvroNr-y39mxyXB-Is0zmd4-EX77n87sILZb-qC8gKDRryE/s320/081809-michelle-monaghan-200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373377442624127202" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Above left: Diane Kruger's feathered fancy; </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Above right: Michelle Monaghan goes for razor sharp shoulde</span>rs<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8zaZbSa_OG0VAuibMY9gX5tMFkOIkYTZmjZyB4NB4NfujZfqqy3wnEFG_xfmIDefkU3iUyRdCnTkRw8eRX4Ll8kxkheDU22vgQPUbb2s5juciWEeDXKmu7x2zcVN7z5LplEySmXJpB0/s1600-h/081409-victoria-beckham-200.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk8zaZbSa_OG0VAuibMY9gX5tMFkOIkYTZmjZyB4NB4NfujZfqqy3wnEFG_xfmIDefkU3iUyRdCnTkRw8eRX4Ll8kxkheDU22vgQPUbb2s5juciWEeDXKmu7x2zcVN7z5LplEySmXJpB0/s320/081409-victoria-beckham-200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373377430655056754" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7_Zy_rm_x1LlTGjvFaMvzC4E6vrUJ0bSjSuyZKmULsyBz3AkOTeg5BJavNHadV2MouMZ1ggfzIMOaH26bLIVS5c0BVP1nz64jYgfEnW2LLw5bOS_ty5qs7NncSylaX28PfULchY1AnY/s1600-h/081309-rachel-mcadams-200.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7_Zy_rm_x1LlTGjvFaMvzC4E6vrUJ0bSjSuyZKmULsyBz3AkOTeg5BJavNHadV2MouMZ1ggfzIMOaH26bLIVS5c0BVP1nz64jYgfEnW2LLw5bOS_ty5qs7NncSylaX28PfULchY1AnY/s320/081309-rachel-mcadams-200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373377426182150898" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Above left: Posh does the extended cap shoulder; </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Above right: Rachel McAdams channels Linda Evans from Dynasty</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZIVjwadINFuP9TLImjLxYHJbPtIJun2JhoDWFc3UkiZlfJzR0U9sqOz1vla6SDSQrCpTJAmarPKArtw10BgxUy4ZtoTjwnEAK0oOKi2MetuPv4LBgH7EL0J69P7tEtTn7prTmqLzW2V8/s1600-h/072909-diane-kruger-200.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZIVjwadINFuP9TLImjLxYHJbPtIJun2JhoDWFc3UkiZlfJzR0U9sqOz1vla6SDSQrCpTJAmarPKArtw10BgxUy4ZtoTjwnEAK0oOKi2MetuPv4LBgH7EL0J69P7tEtTn7prTmqLzW2V8/s320/072909-diane-kruger-200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373377415166633426" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJY-k_9X-i43EzruPth4OzzMkWh0W6V0jVhWTs6T4LB0q-a7xkQYhahaA1jScCpeapcbWkiSi1O1sgz88_v7d8HrPHIf8NbfgAl89OKGESMpUd0qj5ExBtXsQqUQFsGvYK-6QM9sXlNdM/s1600-h/072209-charlize-theron-200.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJY-k_9X-i43EzruPth4OzzMkWh0W6V0jVhWTs6T4LB0q-a7xkQYhahaA1jScCpeapcbWkiSi1O1sgz88_v7d8HrPHIf8NbfgAl89OKGESMpUd0qj5ExBtXsQqUQFsGvYK-6QM9sXlNdM/s320/072209-charlize-theron-200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373377405889385090" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Above left: Diane Kruger is nice in nude tones; </span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Above right: Charlize Theron takes a more casual approach.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:85%;">Source: <a href="http://www.instyle.com">Instyle</a></span><br /></div></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09470985140465572546noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644653415735566780.post-54421889442214891892009-08-19T09:03:00.003+10:002009-08-19T09:13:30.872+10:00What Chantelle can't live without...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6olaiL3oP-6kSiKQ4BqVjZkZKLka5M43Rsln1xRvxZfOtIcR9Nm01wHcaiqPdFvKi9BJCKxQit8-4ZmDRwFzQbeXq7-n1TM-YfCEMBq265hjyaE8DL4ne4Kg18LlwoAHIogL1FP1DSE/s1600-h/cantlivewithout+-+chantelle.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 394px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6olaiL3oP-6kSiKQ4BqVjZkZKLka5M43Rsln1xRvxZfOtIcR9Nm01wHcaiqPdFvKi9BJCKxQit8-4ZmDRwFzQbeXq7-n1TM-YfCEMBq265hjyaE8DL4ne4Kg18LlwoAHIogL1FP1DSE/s400/cantlivewithout+-+chantelle.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371444284631700690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Chantelle's </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://fatmumslim.blogspot.com/">Fat Mum Slim</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> blog was one of the first I discovered when I entered the blogosphere. Its beautiful images and whimsical writing had me hooked from that first visit and it remains one of my favourite reads. She is also a talented photographer and creative soul - make sure you visit her gorgeous little </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7280239">Etsy shop</a><span style="font-style: italic;">! </span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">But I digress. Without any further ado, it is my absolute pleasure to present the nine things Chantelle simply can't live without.</span><br /><ol><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Anything sweet</span>. I have a sweet tooth, and I'm not afraid to admit it. I love chocolate, cakes, puddings... I'll take the sweetness in any way, shape, form I can get it. Cupcakes are particularly cute. They'll do!</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">My family</span>. My little family {Shane + Lacey}, as well as my other family {Ma, Jen, Sah + Tim). I love them all so so much and feel so grateful to have them in my life.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Flowers</span>. I love them so much. Nature makes the most beautiful art with flowers.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">The beach</span>. Since moving to Sydney I've always lived and worked near the water. Being near the water feels like home now.</li><li>I'm <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sex and the City</span> obsessed. I could {and have} watch it all weekend. I just never get sick of it. I didn't watch it when it was on TV, I only caught onto it later. I have the series on DVD and love watching reruns on Foxtel.</li><li>I'm a little <span style="font-weight: bold;">magazine</span> addicted too. My favourite is Frankie magazine. I get so excited when it hits the shelves. I wish it came out more often.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sushi!</span> I love it so much, especially when it involved avocado and salmon. Thankfully Shane and Lacey love it too. And it's healthy too {most of the time}.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Polaroids.</span> I have hundreds {perhaps thousands} of them. I display a select few on my wall. I wish they weren't going extinct, or so expensive.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Manicures and Pedicures.</span> They're indulgent, yes. But they're my little haven. My little me time. Where no one talks to me and it's all about me. And just me. </li></ol>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09470985140465572546noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644653415735566780.post-66677161058661780032009-08-18T16:38:00.003+10:002009-08-18T16:41:11.520+10:00An oldie but a goodie<object width="400" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pjh3e198pUQ&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pjh3e198pUQ&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />I was talking to someone about distraction today and recommended the "Look, an Eagle!" approach...got a strange look in return. Anyhoooo, that made me think of this classic John West ad - still one of my absolute faves.<br /><br />What's your favourite ad of all time?Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09470985140465572546noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644653415735566780.post-71315282732111587102009-08-17T20:02:00.006+10:002009-08-18T10:00:26.980+10:00Favourite Recipes: Neil Perry's Lasagne<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1lMhE0xg0UT7xnmu-LDUMNLV6QHyKI8pe1IKD_AoRZShp2Qx5Q0rfbUmsEtZgURxqMqn3xDP7MGYzUb23IfeAQcpAhqvvqjxwKBT3I6SO3UKjyqQU10V_t2D4__bzD8i6YZdYNDaHtE/s1600-h/IMG_4862.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1lMhE0xg0UT7xnmu-LDUMNLV6QHyKI8pe1IKD_AoRZShp2Qx5Q0rfbUmsEtZgURxqMqn3xDP7MGYzUb23IfeAQcpAhqvvqjxwKBT3I6SO3UKjyqQU10V_t2D4__bzD8i6YZdYNDaHtE/s320/IMG_4862.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370871760717940114" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Welcome to the first instalment of this new segment: Favourite Recipes. Most of the recipes I share on this blog are ones I like to cook over and over again, so you've probably already seen a lot of my faves...but here's a newie to the list.</span><br /><br />I've sung the praises of <a href="http://www.rockpool.com/">Neil Perry</a> many times. I've cooked many of his dishes and am yet to have a fail; and last night's effort was no exception. Here is the recipe for Neil's <span style="font-weight: bold;">Best Ever Lasagne </span>from his wonderful <a href="http://shop.abc.net.au/browse/product.asp?productid=527757"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Good Food</span></a> cookbook.<br /><br />Is it the best lasagne I've ever had? Hmmm...I think Stephanie Alexander's recipe may just have the edge. BUT it's simple and relatively quick...and, for me, that scores extra points. It's a tasty, fantastic dish for the whole family...give it a go!<br /><br />Oh, and if you'd like to share your <span style="font-weight: bold;">Favourite Recipe</span>, email domesticgoddessonlplates@gmail.com<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Serves 6</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ingredients</span><br />9 lasagne sheets<br />500g fresh mozzarella- torn<br />100g freshly grated parmesan<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Meat sauce</span><br />1 tbsp. olive oil<br />1 onion- finely chopped<br />6 garlic cloves - finely chopped<br />300g pork mince<br />300g veal mince<br />sea salt and freshly ground pepper<br />2 tsp. plain (all-purpose) flour<br />2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar<br />pinch of caster sugar<br />700ml tomato passata<br />400g tinned diced tomatoes<br />1 large handful basil leaves<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">bechamel sauce</span><br />50g unsalted butter<br />2 tbsp. plain flour<br />600ml milk<br />sea salt and freshly ground pepper<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">what to do</span><br /><ol><li>Take a 23 x 29 x 7 cm lasagne dish.Preheat the oven to 190 degrees.</li><li>For the meat sauce, heat the oil in a large heavy-based frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, but not browned. Add the garlic and cook till fragrant.</li><li>Increase the heat to medium-high and add both of the meats and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, breaking the meat into small pieces with a wooden spoon for about 4 minutes, or until the meat loses its raw colour but has not browned. Add the flour and cook, stirring for 2 minutes, then pour in the vinegar and stir occasionally till it has almost evaporated.</li><li>Add the sugar and passata and diced tomatoes and allow the sauce to simmer for about 10 minutes, or until it reduces and has started to thicken slightly. Season. Stir through the basil leaves and set the sauce aside.</li><li>To make the bechamel, melt the butter in a saucepan over low-medium heat. Add the flour to the butter and stir constantly over the heat, for 1 - 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the milk all at once, whisking constantly to avoid any lumps. Return the pan to the heat and continue to whisk constantly, until the sauce boils and thickens. Remove from the heat and season with salt and pepper.</li><li>To asemble, spread one quarter of the meat sauce at the bottom of the lasagne dish. Place 3 of the lasagne sheets over the sauce. Spread another quarter of the sauce over the lasagne, followed by 1/3 of the mozarella. Continue to layer the lasagne sheets, sauce and mozarella two more times. Pour the bechamel over the final layer of mozzarella, then sprinkle evenly with the parmesan.</li><li>Cook the lasagne for 30 minutes, or until the cheese has browned and the sauce is bubbling. Remove the lasagne from the oven and let it stand at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving.</li><li>Serve with a simple green salad...enjoy!</li></ol>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09470985140465572546noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644653415735566780.post-5223854836651298282009-08-17T13:42:00.004+10:002009-08-17T13:54:07.770+10:00Burlesque for Babies...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybdpEzSk9ig7Qs4fREgxLyc2byk-hCwS9HmBEamlHBIKmPwi3ZOGNaxi4Mf-EjRPhEBSQ4_75D3oRZYN5Qy_itiiLaIrd60ejN_wIunxRYMNu7_t7gHf1VWBu5uVis-9Ba7fkLOTcMy0/s1600-h/tassles.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybdpEzSk9ig7Qs4fREgxLyc2byk-hCwS9HmBEamlHBIKmPwi3ZOGNaxi4Mf-EjRPhEBSQ4_75D3oRZYN5Qy_itiiLaIrd60ejN_wIunxRYMNu7_t7gHf1VWBu5uVis-9Ba7fkLOTcMy0/s320/tassles.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370773989908129218" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Hey, if it's good enough for Dita von Teese, why not your toddler? Don't you know nipple tassles are the baby accessory du jour?</span><br /><br />That's right. Hot on the heels of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Cotton On</span><a href="http://mamamia.com.au/weblog/2009/08/are-cotton-on-on-crack.html"> "They Shake Me" baby romper storm</a>, comes this classy little number from <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://twistedtwee.co.uk/tassles-p-8.html">TwistedTwee</a>.<br /><br />Spotted by <a href="http://contexts.org/socimages/2009/08/15/childs-shirt-with-nipple-tassles/">Sociological Images</a>, the tee is designed for children between 0-4 and is described as "something for evening".<br /><br />I don't know about you, but I prefer kids' night attire to be more flannelette than floozy.Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09470985140465572546noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644653415735566780.post-12448387226474991352009-08-17T12:25:00.004+10:002009-08-17T12:36:14.274+10:00Fashion Smashion: giving the cold shoulder<span style="font-style: italic;">Oh, how I adore the one-shoulder look. Back in the day, before my upper arms began to resemble ricotta, it was one of my favourite looks. </span><br /><br />These days I look for sleeves that reach to at least my elbow. But it doesn't hurt to dream...<br /><br />Tell me, which is your favourite cold-shouldered frock? For me? It's a toss up between Demi and Pene...but then I do love Diane...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0cmWyTVw2uFG52I56DXwWIMuIAF1fhzYZwMw0Diykxjh6W-s8ysyZV1KAvVDcXBrvFoUAJsgaLz9wt2yKvsBscTNun_HA54-sb4zm_Yrppds_jOW9LPj7IzadUFSF5zF-m7YJ05xrKM/s1600-h/080609-demi-moore-200.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0cmWyTVw2uFG52I56DXwWIMuIAF1fhzYZwMw0Diykxjh6W-s8ysyZV1KAvVDcXBrvFoUAJsgaLz9wt2yKvsBscTNun_HA54-sb4zm_Yrppds_jOW9LPj7IzadUFSF5zF-m7YJ05xrKM/s320/080609-demi-moore-200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370753624803766354" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWr8r_9rb2fV8gGsgxQyrMfk1gagbUsSDRDmS-OO3uMtq3GOYDfBvxZJqTl3GxQibAXV5837DQkKMAjP5en33wEv1UEg7dGUROijJfXEvafVDtLv8UGUbHd-4mjJ_rP_wUkI7NeSor8pA/s1600-h/080509-katherine-heigl-200.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWr8r_9rb2fV8gGsgxQyrMfk1gagbUsSDRDmS-OO3uMtq3GOYDfBvxZJqTl3GxQibAXV5837DQkKMAjP5en33wEv1UEg7dGUROijJfXEvafVDtLv8UGUbHd-4mjJ_rP_wUkI7NeSor8pA/s320/080509-katherine-heigl-200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370753615714144242" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">Above left: Demi Moore; Above right: Katherine Heigl<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyKr6HrolENc6zokeDaqmZwsne5YBkGhKjjYEgoo78ej12qadSykSn15CLNu4iefZe5dV8Jblg2vlcl9Vbt4mDmcbUmpK9i4ByiMxp305NvtCsayVO_Nq6Hlg4iHYtq4JLr4mAMFKzUg/s1600-h/080409-penelope-cruz-200.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyKr6HrolENc6zokeDaqmZwsne5YBkGhKjjYEgoo78ej12qadSykSn15CLNu4iefZe5dV8Jblg2vlcl9Vbt4mDmcbUmpK9i4ByiMxp305NvtCsayVO_Nq6Hlg4iHYtq4JLr4mAMFKzUg/s320/080409-penelope-cruz-200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370753607401078642" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMP6vFw7XoHl84CmPYtPadsPPZDaq3D5NJQTIpC9Vn9e7L8AKig0E7goUPxjZ_te5r7Ri1wbirAfzY7Fcy9gFLrPzSV5f2lP7I-UnBmF6vM74vhegWJol4ZVKu_7BLAAZYWLPttysT7qM/s1600-h/073109-amy-adams-200.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMP6vFw7XoHl84CmPYtPadsPPZDaq3D5NJQTIpC9Vn9e7L8AKig0E7goUPxjZ_te5r7Ri1wbirAfzY7Fcy9gFLrPzSV5f2lP7I-UnBmF6vM74vhegWJol4ZVKu_7BLAAZYWLPttysT7qM/s320/073109-amy-adams-200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370753595507952658" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Above left: Penelope Cruz; Above right: Amy Adams</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2UpRqensf5GZaCZuaYrzQUl6E5Lg60uWvQ2vr8v30W0DRvvUR6dkt2WqVZZHugJ_NYeZT8t_vsMUQ8wwzedUXjq8AC0y0GO2YpHWMporQxkj890ZlX-1taDGnwff5XB4YetinVunCwg/s1600-h/080309-diane-kruger-200.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii2UpRqensf5GZaCZuaYrzQUl6E5Lg60uWvQ2vr8v30W0DRvvUR6dkt2WqVZZHugJ_NYeZT8t_vsMUQ8wwzedUXjq8AC0y0GO2YpHWMporQxkj890ZlX-1taDGnwff5XB4YetinVunCwg/s320/080309-diane-kruger-200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370753600664666802" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzwQKHn5iJubfPkDHjlQTybyqVgmcIsJYU2BGxlA3WdCTiwroGfUPjHxFKTsCB60nhIWfCtpNQmLw41CqWGXO70mf_vXT49dRksTJ-pPpSDY1IgZVvT0KMO8Ki9E843ueCbrABmnN_28/s1600-h/081309-rihanna-200.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzwQKHn5iJubfPkDHjlQTybyqVgmcIsJYU2BGxlA3WdCTiwroGfUPjHxFKTsCB60nhIWfCtpNQmLw41CqWGXO70mf_vXT49dRksTJ-pPpSDY1IgZVvT0KMO8Ki9E843ueCbrABmnN_28/s320/081309-rihanna-200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370753716894116658" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Above left: Diane Kruger; Above right: Rhianna</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:85%;">Source: <a href="http://www.instyle.com/">Instyle</a></span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09470985140465572546noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644653415735566780.post-88814197078900441622009-08-17T07:09:00.005+10:002009-08-17T07:28:12.923+10:00Masterchef challenge ends...and a new segment begins<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDW9lAgTHHnMhTXCLNyq9_fp6xeXUyk7pyKlPA9Dg2-Gl6Aj7Akt5hTGElJKDpS_2jzfBdDMyDHsMC9LxHa4qWi_Cd4ZrgpJ097JSz8maHahruE4Rtl12QDlr99_fI8u84cb8SPqyiIo/s1600-h/burgers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDW9lAgTHHnMhTXCLNyq9_fp6xeXUyk7pyKlPA9Dg2-Gl6Aj7Akt5hTGElJKDpS_2jzfBdDMyDHsMC9LxHa4qWi_Cd4ZrgpJ097JSz8maHahruE4Rtl12QDlr99_fI8u84cb8SPqyiIo/s320/burgers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370673672818831474" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Well, I think the Masterchef Home Mystery Box Challenge has done its dash - only </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://foodiesfile.blogspot.com/2009/08/masterchef-home-mystery-box-challenge.html">Amy</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> and I thought about it this week (and neither of us actually made a dish with the chosen ingredients!)</span><br /><br />Amy 'virtually' whipped up a bowl of <a href="http://foodiesfile.blogspot.com/2009/08/masterchef-home-mystery-box-challenge.html">comforting lamb stew</a> and I found this yummy recipe for <a href="http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/5359/lamb+burgers+with+feta+and+tomato">Lamb Burgers with Feta and Tomato</a> on <a href="http://www.taste.com.au/">Taste.com.au</a>. - haven't tried it, but have put it on my list of dishes to try...if you'd like to give it a whirl, just click on the link.<br /><br />But the end of the Masterchef challenge doesn't mean my food obsession is over...not by a long shot. I'd actually like to invite you all to share <span style="font-weight: bold;">your</span> favourite recipes on the blog in a new weekly segment.<br /><br />Just send your recipe, a photo and details of why it is your favourite recipe to domesticgoddessonlplates@gmail.com - perhaps we can all find some new favourites!Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09470985140465572546noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644653415735566780.post-46199779371651831742009-08-16T19:48:00.005+10:002009-08-16T20:13:18.929+10:00Sometimes, what's mine is...er...mine<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20PZ_UqLEOco46yzRDWDeO8e3AE8L8RGvuScUn_Xgkh7k1P7ARsGSNp0smpdvChBXUA7KG9fFn880nkRzeqGMy_mHcumEfzihf_qzTQ_yUZuWasn-NX9Rc7XeXD4vXCD4nBag8x2HDJM/s1600-h/solitude.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20PZ_UqLEOco46yzRDWDeO8e3AE8L8RGvuScUn_Xgkh7k1P7ARsGSNp0smpdvChBXUA7KG9fFn880nkRzeqGMy_mHcumEfzihf_qzTQ_yUZuWasn-NX9Rc7XeXD4vXCD4nBag8x2HDJM/s320/solitude.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370500510955390786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">When you become a mother that alone time you used to have - whether a little or a lot - is reduced to pretty much nothing. And, for stay-at-home-mums (SAHMs), that place where you went to be you - usually work - is gone, too. So, to find something that is yours', and yours' alone is special.</span><br /><br />Some time ago, I 'met' online a lovely group of people who regularly comment on my favourite blog, <a href="http://www.mamamia.com.au/">MamaMia</a>. Over the last little while we have shared triumphs and tears. We've trusted each other with fears and frustrations. They're not strangers - just friends I haven't met yet. And next Saturday, I'll finally say hi to them in 'real life' when we get together for drinks in Sydney.<br /><br />I talk to Drew about them like I talk about my local friends. He probably wouldn't know their names, but he'd recognise the funny columnist with the gay-straight husband; or the accountant who fell down the stairs in her new studded Nicola Finetti boots; or the brave ex-criminal lawyer who is fighting to save her best friend from cancer.<br /><br />And when I say "<span style="font-style: italic;">I'll</span> be saying hi...", that's what I mean. It's my first solo trip away in over three years and I'm looking forward to sleeping in on Sunday morning as much as I am hitting the town the night before.<br /><br />While some partners might wonder why they're not invited to come along, that's not the case with Drew. He's encouraged me to go, told me to get myself a new outfit; he's not threatened in the least. He understands that, these days, I have so little that is truly mine and mine alone... and how I adore him for it.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">What do you do, 0r where do you go, to find something that is truly yours'?</span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09470985140465572546noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644653415735566780.post-57352591058125956312009-08-11T20:33:00.006+10:002009-08-11T21:00:16.982+10:00What Katrina can't live without...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxnKg1tlhY9oHCoROduCwSw8FBvavdU45-ru5qpx_GmG9NtkouJp7a5U8DB955ZaRjs_kleQf2jRW7nZgzzcxpzVN4Oh2UH_QzpEhXB2XbTlXmZSgcKiFf07mAyoXOynDwO3V4yggHHk/s1600-h/katrina-cant-live-without.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxnKg1tlhY9oHCoROduCwSw8FBvavdU45-ru5qpx_GmG9NtkouJp7a5U8DB955ZaRjs_kleQf2jRW7nZgzzcxpzVN4Oh2UH_QzpEhXB2XbTlXmZSgcKiFf07mAyoXOynDwO3V4yggHHk/s400/katrina-cant-live-without.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368658850327857106" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">This week, we find out what Katrina can't live without. She is one special mama. We spent six weeks together in hospital, both on bed rest with our second beautiful babies. We were each others' company, shoulder to cry on, and person to laugh with. I would have gone insane without her. These are the nine key things that keep her going...</span><br /><ol><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">My Boys</span> - From the moment I met each one of the three men in my life I was blown away and instantly in love. They bring me laughter, hugs, tears and best of all unconditional love!</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">A rainy day</span> - nothing better then curling up on the couch with a cuppa and watching the rain.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dessert</span> - sticky date pudding , chocolate tart , pastries mmmmm I could go on</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Singing in the car</span> - Yep it's just what I do, it makes me feel happy and I now have Charlie singing along with me! (Pink is a favourite)</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">White wine</span> - A few favourites: <span style="font-style: italic;">Mt Trio Semillon Sauvignon</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Voyager Estate Chenin Blanc</span>, great wines from the Margaret River - reminds me of the great holiday my mum, sister Lea and Charlie and I took.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Books</span> - Love stories, crime, autobiographies and trash ( Jackie Collins)...I love how you can be transported into another world and lose yourself in the story!</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mum and Dad</span> - Always loving and supportive, fun and created many happy childhood and adult memories. Their divorce broke my heart.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Greys Anatomy</span> - Can't miss , must watch , McDreamy, McSteamy ahhhhhhh...</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Girlfriends</span> - What would I do without them? I am so lucky to have beautiful caring friends and not a day goes by that I don't have contact with one of them.</li></ol>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09470985140465572546noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644653415735566780.post-21848406936079504412009-08-11T13:10:00.003+10:002009-08-11T13:12:08.238+10:00How old do you think this woman is?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9eItvnzmKZKB9tvzEyPgPMKkJXbZ2hncnqUbOQnMM3emJ09hhYM3vPydS1jW-Nzxow27WpnM_nmYTlWs0txz5ODqbaa1HbnZTgHcINFhD2KzH-FlIpcBMka1_Z7CSR6TreIeFLTGRfRc/s1600-h/alilohan.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 283px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9eItvnzmKZKB9tvzEyPgPMKkJXbZ2hncnqUbOQnMM3emJ09hhYM3vPydS1jW-Nzxow27WpnM_nmYTlWs0txz5ODqbaa1HbnZTgHcINFhD2KzH-FlIpcBMka1_Z7CSR6TreIeFLTGRfRc/s400/alilohan.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368538352959442754" border="0" /></a>25? 35? 45? Alas, no.<br /><br />That's little Ali Lohan, sister of Lindsay...and she is the ripe old age of 15.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Source: <a href="http://www.dlisted.com">dlisted.com</a></span>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09470985140465572546noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644653415735566780.post-37705766072276615572009-08-10T17:16:00.002+10:002009-08-10T17:27:04.446+10:00Fashion Smashion: Prints<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left; font-style: italic;">Well, from the look of Hollywood's latest offerings, we're in for a colourful summer! Prints - whether they be florals, checks or retro prints - are being seen on many a celeb (with some wearing them more successfully than others!)<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbFOBOB5hR4K-FUryDq1xHxxhZ6vcGfhtQnvrak5ByrayeHTYsnQNm3eOm6NdiBUkiIe0myybdScc5PkLpu7x_t1qp7Lx_VpsGB2QoS59KPHyAQ1uov5DEDIW_4SXSDAwGXFFx6wLZ8o/s1600-h/fergie-756-fapl.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbFOBOB5hR4K-FUryDq1xHxxhZ6vcGfhtQnvrak5ByrayeHTYsnQNm3eOm6NdiBUkiIe0myybdScc5PkLpu7x_t1qp7Lx_VpsGB2QoS59KPHyAQ1uov5DEDIW_4SXSDAwGXFFx6wLZ8o/s320/fergie-756-fapl.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368230864338803234" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzImN8qou6IeIKWjEUDj_Gz8_Mxyj0XZtYdMT_mNY6OI8J4PfWQJe4B1FhLkf3CQhkYDkZW-1hT1nQXSZ0PfdiKINjW56KJpalxFCwtXK2l0UCC116RhVvHBxCQ7FRjHjQbWpMSM0Q30/s1600-h/080809-beyonce-200.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzImN8qou6IeIKWjEUDj_Gz8_Mxyj0XZtYdMT_mNY6OI8J4PfWQJe4B1FhLkf3CQhkYDkZW-1hT1nQXSZ0PfdiKINjW56KJpalxFCwtXK2l0UCC116RhVvHBxCQ7FRjHjQbWpMSM0Q30/s320/080809-beyonce-200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368230855855794258" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Above left:</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Fergie </span>dresses up a vibrant playsuit with loads of bling and a serious tote.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Above right: </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Beyonce</span> shows off killer pins in a tartan short set and sky-high heels.<br /></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ73l6fUdndOFNYO2j8mJv4fEwiwuP65NinkR1olIeGz8eWvsaMwLdFTt606i1CQBfjuEfqZKD_RKwp8hzwjXUGeZJgiOPdisBqs4y7JKk7I-b50czefjeRCdh139ZcOD1tC0upi-Revk/s1600-h/080809-rihanna-200.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ73l6fUdndOFNYO2j8mJv4fEwiwuP65NinkR1olIeGz8eWvsaMwLdFTt606i1CQBfjuEfqZKD_RKwp8hzwjXUGeZJgiOPdisBqs4y7JKk7I-b50czefjeRCdh139ZcOD1tC0upi-Revk/s320/080809-rihanna-200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368230859832917122" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHgjRmXnftco3u1VnG5I8JurVRCQ6wrD73_V9fBAI8QHTCaSDl2rby85DNc5Cc7a6wWMH9tNziBbqYGgVPUAPMis9CM13czFjJ_3gDukNyYfx3ue1B8QdDOogoQ8vVCVCGvILXZ7bnBY/s1600-h/080409-sienna-miller-200.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHgjRmXnftco3u1VnG5I8JurVRCQ6wrD73_V9fBAI8QHTCaSDl2rby85DNc5Cc7a6wWMH9tNziBbqYGgVPUAPMis9CM13czFjJ_3gDukNyYfx3ue1B8QdDOogoQ8vVCVCGvILXZ7bnBY/s320/080409-sienna-miller-200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368230851282185138" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Above left: </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rhianna</span> takes florals from feminine to fierce with the addition of lace-up ankle boots.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Above right:</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sienna Miller</span> is the picture of girlish innocence in this conservative print...we know better though, don't we?<br /></div><br />My pick? Beyonce by a landslide. Tartan is soooooooooooo not my usual cup of tea but she looks absolutely AMAZING. I want those legs, if nothing else...Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09470985140465572546noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644653415735566780.post-9742970550802219402009-08-10T06:46:00.007+10:002009-08-10T07:02:41.029+10:00Masterchef Week 3 - a winner and a new challenge!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYywH71aPnEOBOlMb2cfxLFXVjJ31BF_S12bIzVh-fAQZjJEaQQK_3WmZz19LviKdVGA8C0wJlvVNcqmOg1OihFnpEobNlqAsZtVvhyiLX3xVYHQCPZ-xj6PQIxT6YZ-5AvJwvrnaXeY/s1600-h/Masterchef.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYywH71aPnEOBOlMb2cfxLFXVjJ31BF_S12bIzVh-fAQZjJEaQQK_3WmZz19LviKdVGA8C0wJlvVNcqmOg1OihFnpEobNlqAsZtVvhyiLX3xVYHQCPZ-xj6PQIxT6YZ-5AvJwvrnaXeY/s320/Masterchef.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368068508209868914" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">A bit of a quiet week on the Masterchef challenge front but that didn't stop some scrummy meals being produced.</span><br /><br />Ingredient chooser, Ally from <a href="http://www.duffypaolino.blogspot.com/">ACTinglikeamama</a>, produced a two meal extravaganza of <strong>Huevos Rancheros </strong>with <span style="font-weight: bold;">Lemon Pud</span> for dessert. Visit <a href="http://www.duffypaolino.blogspot.com/">her blog</a> for all the details...and the recipes!<br /><br />Amy from <a href="http://lifeasateaparty.blogspot.com/">The Tea Party</a> has just started a new blog called <a href="http://foodiesfile.blogspot.com/">The Food Files</a> which is dedicated to all things edible...nom nom nom and she whipped up a fab <span style="font-weight: bold;">Chorizo and Feta Omelette</span>.<br /><br />Me? I took to <a href="http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/18862/garlic+chorizo+prawns">Taste.com.au</a> and found a wonderful <span style="font-weight: bold;">Garlic and Chorizo Prawns</span> recipe...simple but packed with flavour. I'd serve them with an easy peasy dessert of <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/6322/meringues">Meringues</a> with fresh strawberries.<br /><br />So, the winner this week (technically, by default but no less deserved) is <span style="font-weight: bold;">Amy!</span> So, for Week 3 of the Masterchef Home Mystery Box Challenge, she has picked 10 ingredients that are easily accessible and budget friendly.<br /><br />1. lamb mince<br />2. fresh thyme (dried is OK)<br />3. ground chilli<br />4. ground cumin<br />5. potatoes<br />6. carrots<br />7. lemon<br />8. red onion<br />9. mint<br />10. natural (or Greek) yoghurt<br /><br />Personally, my mouth is watering already. Need a reminder of the rules? See <a href="http://domesticgoddessonlplates.blogspot.com/2009/08/masterchef-challenge-week-2.html">here</a> and comment back by Saturday morning!Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09470985140465572546noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644653415735566780.post-33351747546060743012009-08-09T15:54:00.005+10:002009-08-09T16:13:41.554+10:00A piercing question<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCAd3Vf70yYeA0qICqJgErpv_Pj2uQIETyjQDgFFBkGo5XrAT1fq7InEULeXAHwwsLwN-zhdK0OJIVlga27SK7UNPJXpHE6aQV_bTuMZhqKVgGvgHhh5wd8_C1yvjEzRrnOTPaC-uezQ/s1600-h/ears.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 302px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCAd3Vf70yYeA0qICqJgErpv_Pj2uQIETyjQDgFFBkGo5XrAT1fq7InEULeXAHwwsLwN-zhdK0OJIVlga27SK7UNPJXpHE6aQV_bTuMZhqKVgGvgHhh5wd8_C1yvjEzRrnOTPaC-uezQ/s320/ears.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5367842977361649506" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">When I was about seven years' old, my best friend had her ears pierced. She had blonde hair, blue eyes and wore what I thought were the coolest sleepers I'd ever seen. I desperately wanted to look like her.</span><br /><br />Clearly, I needed my ears piereced, too.Hoping for an easy agreement, I approached my mum, who gave the time-honoured "Ask your father."Crap.<br /><br />So, I steeled myself. My dad was (still is) an intimidating man. Very strict. VERY old-fashioned. But I asked. And was (inevitably) refused.<br /><br />"Not until you're 16," came the answer...and then came the longest nine years of my life, or so it felt at the time! Oh, how I resented my father for that inexplicable decision. I was one of a handful of high-school age girls who had naked ears. Clip-ons hurt and looked plain stupid. I felt I'd never be cool enough.<br /><br />Finally, the day of my sweet sixteen dawned and you could not get me in that ear piercing chair fast enough. Of course, it wasn't the life-changing experience I'd anticipated, but at last I felt like...well, I guess a bit like a woman.<br /><br />So, I've been thinking about when is the right age for my girls to have theirs' done...because there is no way in hell I will make them wait like I had to. But neither do I want them to be wandering around in earrings before they're really appropriate.<br /><br />I'm opening up to the floor - what do you think is the 'right' age for girls (or boys) to pierce their ears?Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09470985140465572546noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644653415735566780.post-88606542577330930812009-08-06T13:00:00.005+10:002009-08-06T18:10:34.558+10:00What Mel can't live without...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1fql9sSxBtHF9O9OksvvbqhLYwKGibETnoJOLvpzmGkMUV6G5Qw70aa3z2M2kDC77fdRp5DKpsJKFDXFcXt-Y8Eeoi11nuRirQaCqoP98-lCqKYY7VA5gaCfZmJE1XvrduVd9KSGamw/s1600-h/cant-live-without.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1fql9sSxBtHF9O9OksvvbqhLYwKGibETnoJOLvpzmGkMUV6G5Qw70aa3z2M2kDC77fdRp5DKpsJKFDXFcXt-Y8Eeoi11nuRirQaCqoP98-lCqKYY7VA5gaCfZmJE1XvrduVd9KSGamw/s400/cant-live-without.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5366760080068065410" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />This week, we find out what the lovely Mel from </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://sparselykate.blogspot.com/">Sparsely Kate</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> can't live without. An aspiring screenwriter and fellow Canberra chick (yay!) her blog is honest, open and warm - just like her!</span><em> Check out her life essentials...<br /></em><ol><li>Ok. The first one is obviously <span style="font-weight: bold;">Cheese and mushie pizza</span>. Preferably wood-fired. Good pizza is the food of the Gods. The end.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Floral, pretty prints.</span> I love floral designs on anything, especially undies! There is something so girly and pretty about tiny little flowers on beauitul material. I don't sew but can't go past a sewing shop to look at all the lovely patterns.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Persuasion</span> - by Jane Austen. To me, this book is about longing and feeling unnoticed but having something wonderful happen eventually. It's about hope. I'm actually in love with everything Jane Austen. When I read her, I feel like I'm meeting people who have been gone a very long time, but that I would still recognise. I also feel very affectionate towards the memory of Jane - I think she was a woman with a fabulous sense of humour and so insightful and witty.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Heavy metal and hard rock</span>. I walk around the block to Metallica on my ipod and play the Foo Fighters to soothe and calm me. I have always loved heavy metal and the sexy dirty men who play it :))</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Male actors</span>. I get crushes on actors all the time. My latest infatuation was with Rob Pattinson after seeing him in Twilight, but before him there was James McAvoy from Becoming Jane, Penelope and Starter for Ten -all favourite movies of mine.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tim from The Office</span>. I would marry a man just like Tim - he's so completely lovable.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sparsely kate butterfly icon</span>. I love this because it represents my blog and I love my blog because I've made more friends than I could hope for and it's given me an insight into so many different points of view. I think most bloggers are compassionate and deep thinkers!</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tasmania</span>. The best trip of my life was going to Tassie last January. I got tears in my eyes as the island came into view from the ship - I just felt like I was coming home, even though I know not a soul from there! I so much look forward to going back. This photo was me at Port Arthur.</li><li>I am loving the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sookie Stack house series</span>. The way Charlaine Harris writes is wonderful, it is pure escapism. Sex and bloodlust. Go sexy Bill!<span style="font-style: italic;">to make herself a lady of mystery...</span><br /></li></ol>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09470985140465572546noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644653415735566780.post-21034610638739324802009-08-03T20:32:00.008+10:002009-08-03T20:46:08.428+10:00Fashion Smashion: Ladies in RedIf US fashion is anything to go by, the colour red is going to be HUGE here come warmer weather. Bold blocks of brilliant shades of scarlet are showing up on celebs everywhere - from the shopping strip to the red carpet.<br /><br />Here are six of the best and worst Ladies in Red. Who gets your yay and who your nay?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqs6Kx4DwuGN98hTEqknHjH7KKe6FPCNsHpayHK8l2HdahjLTFPU5y5atrtRrTivjqohyphenhyphenrjb8Gk9DMfEHkq66lVW7I55ChSjJSBeBLTW4DrYTGuLJ6A089I_QA36zkIk-ZnG1b8m-V7fk/s1600-h/080109-ali-larter-200.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqs6Kx4DwuGN98hTEqknHjH7KKe6FPCNsHpayHK8l2HdahjLTFPU5y5atrtRrTivjqohyphenhyphenrjb8Gk9DMfEHkq66lVW7I55ChSjJSBeBLTW4DrYTGuLJ6A089I_QA36zkIk-ZnG1b8m-V7fk/s320/080109-ali-larter-200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365683837638688722" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDN_RxUy81zFhyphenhyphenLwt9pjZHsXiZ9WEK4P6giJ_8D4r8MD19pN9Cs059YEYUgBXHhAYskeyi4HdJ4x-lZ5sEFYYG5WW73PrdLt7VMAOqJ7v0qU3e4dbYCCuep1AlZnC4xl4_lSGYKFtRbps/s1600-h/073109-penelope-cruz-200.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDN_RxUy81zFhyphenhyphenLwt9pjZHsXiZ9WEK4P6giJ_8D4r8MD19pN9Cs059YEYUgBXHhAYskeyi4HdJ4x-lZ5sEFYYG5WW73PrdLt7VMAOqJ7v0qU3e4dbYCCuep1AlZnC4xl4_lSGYKFtRbps/s320/073109-penelope-cruz-200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365683834188374274" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Above left: Ali Larter and her ribcage<br />Above right: Penelope Cruz and her carry-on luggage<br />(they lost her bags and this is all she had to wear to a premiere...pretty good effort, no?)</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_DnuDWeSn8qc5mb0NPjXsvmhoYH9Y2-R3jhYgMzOFJRLfy0KZvmeg8iNuKTRVyzk4sAGSRYrEKv5ckcCX0YzwZG7IUzCPzPQs1oWGFj060B60OlpSB2eMBPwwfG9gDf22_NVlsrKBrSQ/s1600-h/073009-amy-adams-200.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_DnuDWeSn8qc5mb0NPjXsvmhoYH9Y2-R3jhYgMzOFJRLfy0KZvmeg8iNuKTRVyzk4sAGSRYrEKv5ckcCX0YzwZG7IUzCPzPQs1oWGFj060B60OlpSB2eMBPwwfG9gDf22_NVlsrKBrSQ/s320/073009-amy-adams-200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365683825782858290" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEV22BGcno0jE8CcNbGY1-Jb-tSTfATI5HNzhyphenhyphenDNpRLVf5IKXAQLRqFQ43ltg4dWFXAHxPxZ4iK-UkfA89R2yoAecqUqteaTViiC-pnVBcZFmJ32z9SzKbnOzXvhaSMlwGeob0DJ8_NNA/s1600-h/293.ciara.073009.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEV22BGcno0jE8CcNbGY1-Jb-tSTfATI5HNzhyphenhyphenDNpRLVf5IKXAQLRqFQ43ltg4dWFXAHxPxZ4iK-UkfA89R2yoAecqUqteaTViiC-pnVBcZFmJ32z9SzKbnOzXvhaSMlwGeob0DJ8_NNA/s320/293.ciara.073009.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365683822224812658" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Above left: Amy Adams in a very tight dress and some cool, if somewhat clunky, black shoes.</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Above right: Ciara in...well, a lot of red satin...and a lot of boobs.</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKhAn0L6pcdk5aGEN8iA8K8R_dYpzYoVL10zy-icTro52w4DrQ4gQK6_axzubjCjbxbcuA1lCs8o2FZ2I1KawEQNeRBfwNklbvN9TPAqXxAkbaITaQnugbWnADskRcWcWIw8Gocp3XKQU/s1600-h/taylor+momsen.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKhAn0L6pcdk5aGEN8iA8K8R_dYpzYoVL10zy-icTro52w4DrQ4gQK6_axzubjCjbxbcuA1lCs8o2FZ2I1KawEQNeRBfwNklbvN9TPAqXxAkbaITaQnugbWnADskRcWcWIw8Gocp3XKQU/s320/taylor+momsen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365683914591311474" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBpOyUkhjoRSoMeYbjTFsLj8_Q5wpyPUfQ5hskgkBoo_VyYPfFP7x9AoWP62GOSaslxuyv3_dhheqJCfM2aRo_vlIMvowWcS40rgCnl7uuIGL66_Tn5nmKV9o1pvzTtkhRX1JDoMZWCA/s1600-h/073109-cate-blanchett-200.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBpOyUkhjoRSoMeYbjTFsLj8_Q5wpyPUfQ5hskgkBoo_VyYPfFP7x9AoWP62GOSaslxuyv3_dhheqJCfM2aRo_vlIMvowWcS40rgCnl7uuIGL66_Tn5nmKV9o1pvzTtkhRX1JDoMZWCA/s320/073109-cate-blanchett-200.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365683829472462338" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Above left: Taylor Momsen in red ruffles. Still freaks me out that she's just turned 16.<br />Above right: Cate Blanchett. Love her. She could wear a kit kat wrapper and I'd still love her.</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Images: <a href="http://www.instyle.com/">Instyle</a> and <a href="http://www.eonline.com/">e-online</a></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span><br /></div></div>Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09470985140465572546noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1644653415735566780.post-86815419309231594682009-08-03T08:38:00.004+10:002009-08-03T09:16:36.234+10:00Things that make you go arrrrrrgghhhh!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMiwspMUIl6MYGDR4WUz-9sl4DxE8yN6c8Wae7D7y6fnQbRqZGen71VIdH3Sf6UAm_9oe7qroXljt9abzGQveDHcG9rmYM51BmTnjWe15qs980Q7eixB-bBBbC-EHxy4PBVgvdDCfGPkY/s1600-h/finger-licking.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 234px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMiwspMUIl6MYGDR4WUz-9sl4DxE8yN6c8Wae7D7y6fnQbRqZGen71VIdH3Sf6UAm_9oe7qroXljt9abzGQveDHcG9rmYM51BmTnjWe15qs980Q7eixB-bBBbC-EHxy4PBVgvdDCfGPkY/s320/finger-licking.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365501230827306562" border="0" /></a>It's no secret that I love cooking. My time in the kitchen is cheap therapy...the methodical chopping and measuring, the stirring and, finally, tasting the end result...it's 'alone' time I relish.<br /><br />I'm a teensy bit embarrassed to admit that - when I have time, at least - I'm one of those anal prep people who gets everything ready and sitting in little white bowls so it's all ready for me to cook with. So, I get quite distressed when anyone messes with my stuff.<br /><br />Cue my lovely husband. He takes great delight in invading my kitchen and stealing bits from my perfectly weighed and measured ingredients. It. Drives. Me. Absolutely. Bananas.<br /><br />Unfortunately, he knows this and thinks it's hilarious...so continues to do it. Also on the 'arrrghhh' scale, but further down, is his insistence on tasting things from the pot before I serve it. I get all twitchy just thinking about it. Lucky, I love him to bits so put up with it...<br /><br />So, time to share...what is the most irksome thing your lovely partner does? Feel free to comment anonymously if confessing will come back to bite...Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09470985140465572546noreply@blogger.com18