Recipe for Murder...

This is something that I watched the other night,  it was a great little piece of Australian TV, a documentary on the Thallium (aka Rat Poison) craze in the 40's and 50's. iView it if you can.

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/programs/recipeformurder.htm

Sweet little old grannies, blonde bombshell seductresses, murdering unsuspecting victims... because they could.

Take Some Time To Smell The Roses...

There is so much going on in the world, war, famine, bills, taxes, Judgement Days (lol!) so take some time out to contemplate and appreciate little things. They don't cost you anything, but make you rich in knowledge and happiness.
"I believe that everything happens for a reason. People change so that you can learn to let go, things go wrong so that you appreciate them when they're right, you believe lies so you eventually learn to trust no one but yourself, and sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together." 
— Marilyn Monroe


For my best friends Tegan and Jadoir x

Sisters Are Doin' It For Themselves!

Ok. This is possibly THE easiest decorator idea EVER. The mismatched frames look is everywhere right now, but to make them look that little bit more uniform and suit your own decor, you can customise them however you want, and it's SO cheap (which we love!).

First, find some old photo frames, and to be honest, it really doesn't matter if they've got glass or not, but try and stick to one or the other for the complete collection, it'll add to the uniformity of the whole design.
Make sure they're not dirty or dusty and not covered in detritus, and wipe them over with a damp cloth.

Pick a colour to spray your frames, white is always a winner, but black or a bold colour can create a dramatic effect on your wall or shelf! Place your frames face-up on some old newspaper or plastic sheeting, and spray away! (For a shabby chic effect, wait until the paint is dry and sand lightly over raised edges for a worn, vintage look)

Once your frames have dried, pick out a favourite design of scrapbooking paper, or wrapping paper, or fabric (all different ones for different frames if possible - but ones that will look good together) Cut them to fit the frames, and pop the backs back on.

Next, set them out on the floor and arrange them in a cluster, but so they all fit in and around eachother snugly, and plot some spots on the wall to hang them! You'll need some nails, and a hammer, and you're done! If you live in a rental you might be better to put them on shelves, an equally fantastic look!

For an equally effective and beautiful look, you can choose not to fill the frames at all, they look great all clustered together with the wall showing through, but you might want to go for differing shapes, thicknesses and textures, just to keep things interesting.

Alternatively, you could spray them all different colours, or colours all varying in the same hue.

There really are no guidelines or rules to this, the sky is the limit! Use old photos, or new photos, or even little objects in the frames to create the desired effect!

Get creative lovelies!

Music Makes The World Go 'Round...

A truly beautiful girl, with a beautiful voice. I've been listening to this girl for a while now, and its amazing to see her flourish in the spotlight at last.

This is a video of a performance of her song Set Fire To The Rain on the Graham Norton Show, warning: there will be goosebumps.

Putting My Face On...

Yeah, yeah. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, its only skin deep, blah blah. The truth is, we all want to be beautiful, inside and out. My idea of being a beautiful person, is being someone that people miss if you don't see them in a while. Being someone that can be counted on, someone that has an infectious smile, and someone that has a big heart. There are so many rude, mean, horrible, ugly people in this world (I don't mean ugly on the outside), so what can it hurt to make a little effort to make the world a prettier place?

So foundation aside, my first beauty regimen of the day, is to tell someone I love them, and put a smile on my dial. Then your canvas is primed and ready to go.

If there are 3 things I do not leave the house without having done, its eyelashes, blush and hair rollers. May sound like a lot of mucking around, but its surprisingly quick, and all three things equate to a very classy look in minimum time.

My lashes of choice are Revlon Flirty lashes (you can pick them up at KMart or pharmacies). They are a full (but not OTT) set, and add volume, definition and length in one minute flat. My big tip for applying lashes, is to bend them around first, play with them, make them pliable so that they can bend to the natural contours of your eyelids. This way they wont flick off at a bung angle while you're trying to bat them at a cute boy. Also, its good to apply them as close to your natural lashline as you can. One thing to remember, DON'T be afraid. You can always take them off and start again!

My favourite blush in the world is a Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush. It is so light and creamy, and adds a really cute, youthful glow to the apples of your cheeks. I use shade 50, as I'm kinda pale with a dash of olive, but there's all sorts of shades. All I can say is use this baby sparingly,its a pearly, shimmery finish, and too much will leave you looking clown-ish.

Now onto the hair. Whilst everyone is investing in GHD's to straighten their hair, I have a theory: the bigger your hair, the smaller the rest of you looks. It may or may not be a scientific fact, but no one likes flat hair. So I use my Carmen Hot Rollers every day. They only take 5 minutes to heat up, and with a little hairspray, the beautiful, big, full, old-school curls last ALL day. That, and a little back-combing and I'm ready to head out the door!

My liquid eyeliner of choice is Rimmel Exaggerator. Its blackest black, with a sturdy felt tip point, and makes application super-easy. Its great for an amazing, retro cat-eye effect, and for extra definition I even use this on my inner, upper eye line and fill in the gaps between my eyelashes.

One other thing that I really can't do without, is Lucas Papaw Ointment. Its all the rage right now, but my mum was using it on my chafy bottom as a little baby, and I've used it as a moisturiser, a lip gloss, a brow-setter, a sore treatment and a cuticle conditioner ever since. It comes in a tube or a tub, and is CHEAP (which I love!) I keep a tube in my handbag, one in my glovebox, one on the bedside table and one in the bathroom cabinet! Cannot get enough of this miracle elixir! 

Those are a few of my favourite things...

One thing that I am seemingly obsessed with lately, is Fenton Hobnail Milk Glass. I have only managed to collect a few pieces at the moment, but I can assure you, they feature in all of the main rooms of my house. It adds a beautiful touch of vintage glamour to a room, be it on the mantle (like mine is), on the bedside table (like mine is) or a cute little specimen glass in the bathroom (like mine is).

My 'obsession' (and I use that term loosely as I remain frugal enough to restrain from the REALLY expensive pieces) all began a year or so back. I've been living in the city, which is an hour or so away from the beach. Since I moved away from the sea, I've been drawn to things that remind me of the beach. Hobnail Milk Glass reminds me of Sea Urchin Shells, or Paper Nautilus Shells, and they really do make my home feel a little beachy, without having tacky dolphins and starfish scattered about the house. As they say, less is more. 

I currently have 4 Hobnail Milk Glass vases, and am always on the lookout in thrift shops, garage sales and market stalls for my elusive next piece. There are endless designs, cake stands, decorative ornaments, vases and crockery. The Hobnail design carries through into other colours, not just Milk Glass, but they're definitely my favourites.

As I find myself constantly saying, when you feather your nest with things that you love, you can feel truly at home. I tend not to follow trends, or (although I do have expensive taste) pay a lot for pretty things. I customise my house with little bargains that I find as I go about my business.  Seldom do I have the time or money to go hunting for things that I see in magazines or on TV. I tend to steer clear of designer or brand things, as they tend to have expensive price tags, and instead just go for things I think are pretty, regardless of whether they're in vogue.

Have Your Say...

If you'd like to see something featured on Miss Kit's Delicious Bits, or you have feedback of any kind, here is the place to do it! Please leave comments below, and an email if you'd like me to get back to you personally.

A Few Things I Prepared Earlier...

These are some of the pieces that I have loved, and given a little TLC to. All items are for sale on www.facebook.com/Miss.Kits.Delicious.Bits

Pretty Kitty ♥

This is Murphy. He's my handsome man (well, one of my handsome men). 

He's very lazy...

He's very cheeky...

And snoopy...

Each week I will feature a pet, or animal that makes me smile. ♥

Come Away With Me...

Its about this time of year, that I get clucky to travel. While all my friends are jetting off around the world to see Times Square, or Big Ben, I get more of a hankering for places a little closer to home. Sure I'd like to see those places, but right now, I'm not going far, not only is it super expensive to go overseas, but I'd like to see and do things here in my home state.  This section is about places I've been, places I'm going, and places that I could only dream about visiting. So for now, I can say to you all - if there's one place you go this winter, go to Cradle Mountain, Tasmania.

About an hour and a half out of Devonport or Launceston, the Cradle Mountain/Lake St Clair National Park is rugged and cold, and the air is the most beautiful thing you will ever smell. There's a range of walks for everyone, boardwalks, bushwalking tracks, and some gorgeous spots to sit and enjoy the view.  There's wildlife everywhere (but beware the dreaded Currawong - who WILL snatch the fruit bun out of your hand if you're not looking!).

Cradle Mountain is a great place for kids (I have such fond memories of playing in the snow, watching the wombats scurry around, and exploring the Ballroom Forest as a child) and is also a wonderful place to relax as an adult, have a wine next to a roaring open fire, then retire to a spa and cosy log cabin!

Thoroughly recommend Cradle Mountain to anyone (although, I am a little biased) and if you want to escape anywhere this winter, go there. ♥

Miss Kit's Delicious Bits ♥

e: miss.kits@hotmail.com

f: www.facebook.com/Miss.Kits.Delicious.Bits

I have never met a person who'd turn one of these badboys down. They are absolutely scrumptious and I hope my dear friend Sal will forgive me for sharing this with you all. x 

You'll need:

125g (half a cup) unsalted butter

220g (1 cup) castor sugar

2 eggs, lightly beaten

25g (quarter of a cup) cocoa powder

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

40g (third of a cup) plain flour, sifted

1 quarter teaspoon salt

200g (7oz) couverture chocolate, coarsely chopped

Preheat the oven to 180 C (350 F) and lightly grease and line a 23cm (9 in) square cake tin.

Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat.

Remove the pan from the heat and stir in sugar, eggs, cocoa and vanilla.

Stir in flour and salt and add the chocolate.

Pour the batter into the prepared tin and bake for 30 minutes (don’t overcook – the brownies should be moist). Allow to cool completely in the tin. Turn out and cut into rectangles.

Variations

Instead of the couverture chocolate you can use a 250g block of chocolate. Try out all the different flavours!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gluten Free:- This recipe can be made gluten free by replacing the flour with either Almond Meal or Gluten Free flour. Use the same quantity as specified in the recipe.

If you are a real chocolate lover you can try using a third of a cup of cocoa instead but you will also need to add one quarter of a cup of water.

Happy munching my dears!

Love Miss Kit. x

Delicious bits to come home to...

In case you haven't noticed, the weather isn't exactly getting any warmer... and what better to warm you up, than a deliciously tender slow cooked lamb shank with mashed potato while you sit by the heater after a long, cold day!

This is my favouite recipe for lamb shanks, give it a whirl, I guarantee you your family will LOVE it like I do. Serves 4.

You will need:

A slow cooker - on high (or an oven proof ceramic or iron pot - oven heated to 160oC)

2 tbsp Olive oil

1 large onion, diced

2 large carrots, diced

1 zucchini, diced

8 button mushrooms, quartered

4 reasonably sized lamb shanks

1 x 400g can of chopped tomatoes

300 mL red wine

1 orange

2 bay leaves

a dash balsamic vinegar

2 rosemary sprigs

salt and pepper

& however many potatoes you need to mash.

Method:

1.In a hot frying pan, add oil, and onions and cook for 5 minutes, or until softened. Add the carrots and zucchini and mushrooms and cook for a further 5 minutes, or until onion has browned. Add the garlic and fry for another minute, then transfer to slow cooker or pot.

2. Add Lamb shanks to frypan, and brown on all sides. Add tomatoes and , wine, zest of the orange, finely grated or chopped, the juice of the orange (I like to finely chop the orange flesh and add too) and stir together. Add the bay leaves and rosemary and transfer the whole lot into pot, and ensure vegies are evenly surrounding the shanks. If you need to, top up with water so that the liquid comes half way up the shanks. Season with salt and pepper, and leave slow cooker for 1 1/2 hours before turning shanks, and cooking for a further 1 1/2 hours. (same applies to oven)

3. Remove bay leaves, rosemary sticks, and re-season if you need to... Serve with creamy, buttery mashed potato (or not, if you're a health nut) This dish is also yummy with cous cous.

Enjoy lovelies!

Love Miss Kit. x

Sink your pearly whites into these puppies!

This recipe was given to me by my beautiful Maltese friend. It is a never-fail recipe that works for me EVERY time, regardless of the oven. And it's a popular favourite among my man and his man-friends, and by my girlies. Enjoy by themselves as a snack on the go - sprinkled with icing sugar, or serve for a delicious dessert, slightly warmed with a dollop of double cream!

2 1/2 cups SR flour

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp bicarb soda

300g frozen raspberries

1 cup white choc bits

3 eggs

1/2 cup milk

75g melted butter

Ok First of all, sift your flour, it sounds nit-picky, but its SO much better if you sift it.

Then combine brown sugar, milk, butter and 1/2 of the chocolate and give a good mix (with the flour.)

Next, fold in 3 eggs, the raspberries and the remaining choc bits.

Then whack them into some pretty patty pans, or muffin trays, and bake in a moderate oven until golden.

As usual, poke one with a skewer to see if it comes out clean - if so, you're done. Dig in! 

(TIP: As my idol Nigella suggests with all muffins, scoop mixture with an icecream scoop! This ensures all of the muffins will be the same size, and they'll be roundish. Ah that woman is incredible!)

Enjoy Possums,

Love Miss Kit ♥

Somewhere to sit and watch the world go by...

My name is Kat, and on this blog, you won't see or hear anything about politics, sport, or the GFC. Here, you will see pretty things, yummy food, and my philosophy on how life would be so much easier if it was still the 50's. I bake, I sew, I love my man, and I appreciate the little things in life. Because at the end of the day, when the politicians introduce new taxes, your favourite sporting team lose, and your wallet is empty, there are the little things. Like kitten cuddles, flowers, music, hot baths and chocolate.

Miss Kit's Delicious Bits is my humble online store, which is in its preliminary stages. I produce items that I love, and that bring a little joy to my home, in the hope that others will love them equally. I believe that if you feather your nest with things you love, you'll feel truly at home.

For now, if you wish to purchase an item, please "like" my Facebook page, at www.facebook.com/Miss.Kits.Delicious.Bits

This is a chair that is very special to me, the pair were given to me by a beautiful Maltese lady, in very bad repair, and I gave them a little TLC. They're  made with beautiful Edwardian timber and cushions so old they had straw in them. They now feature a gloss antique white coat with duck egg blue and peony rose fabric.

This blog will contain things that I love, and that I think others will love; my favourite recipes, some fun little DIY projects, and some kind words, when all you hear are the stresses of everyday life in 2011. ♥