Bring back the curvy woman!

Hey lovelies. Just thought I'd ask for your support by asking you to vote for me in this year's Miss Pinup Australia competition! I am representing Tasmania, and REAL, curvy women everywhere! Please click the link below to vote!

http://www.misspinupaustralia.com.au/index.php?mact=Products,cntnt01,details,0&cntnt01hierarchy=Tasmania2&cntnt01detailpage=Sample&cntnt01sortby=price&cntnt01sortorder=asc&cntnt01productid=222&cntnt01returnid=77

Here are my entry photos! Enjoy!

We only said goodbye with words...

Such a glorious voice. Such a tragic waste. Amy ♥

Make your life count, and sing from your heart.

Miss Pinup Australia...

The Miss Pinup Australia competition is on again, and there are so many stunning boys and girls entering! Check them out at: http://www.misspinupaustralia.com.au/
Very proud of all the beautiful ladies from Tasmania representing our little island state!
And while we're on the 'pinup' topic, thought I'd post some things that I just cannot resist posting! Too cute!

Bits and bobs...

I have been ever so busy, not just with all these delicious recipes, but all sorts of pretty things. Here are a few of my favourites...

Sweet Little Ottoman

Kidlet's Wooden & Cast Iron Bench

Kidlet's Chair

Cream and Duck-Egg Blue Lady's Chair

Pretty Pink and Blue Dining Chair

One of my favourites - Cream and Duck-Egg Blue Telephone Table

And of course, the beautiful set of White Edwardian Chairs with Peony Detail.

Happily Ever After...

So right now I'm helping a friend plan her wedding... Its great fun, so many pretty things! And in researching, I have found some beautiful things, not just for weddings, but pretty things in general. Here are some of the things that caught my eye...

Where in the world...?

Carla Johnson is a wonderful friend of mine, who has been all over the world, done and seen some amazing things, so who better to write the latest travel section? She lives and studies here in Tasmania, and is soon to continue her studies in Europe on an exchange program. She lives for diving, animal rights and dance, and will be splashed all over the news one day for her amazing contributions to journalism, charity and all her hard work towards a better future for mankind.

"My love for Ocean has been with me since I was just a little girl, growing up by the beach for most of my life. My love for animals and their habitats has also been with me from a young age, but it was in 2008 when I first slipped below the surface and discovered what really is paradise. I fell in love with the underwater world instantly, with the animals the corals and the peacefulness. From the tiniest nudibranchs, to the biggest sharks, everything moves with elegance and at its own pace, not influenced by the dramas of the world above.  Don’t get me wrong it can be a competitive, dangerous and ruthless world down there, but its natural; survival of the fittest.

There is a small island off the coast of Borneo called Sipadan. And by small I mean tiny. However what surrounds this sandy drop in the ocean is one of the largest collections of animal and coral species I have seen at once.  

My first dive at on Sipadan, I dropped into a school of hundreds of barracuda, below me were at least 5 reef sharks, if I turned to my left 3 turtles resting on the coral, in front of me schools of jacks and snapper. Amongst the corals clown fish, trigger fish, angel fish, butterfly fish, lion fish, crabs, shrimp, moray eels, nudibranch, the list is endless. To my right I constantly keep one eye focussed on the deep blue endless ocean the spans out from the reef hoping to catch sight of a whale shark, hammerhead or manta ray. 

I become part of the surroundings, the sharks don’t notice me, I can lay beside a turtle and I play with the clown fish. But  you can never become complacent. I constantly remind myself that this is not my world, I’m just visiting and I must repect its beauty, dangers and power, because the second I find I have lost that respect, the ocean will turn on me. 

I have been lucky enough to travel to a number of incredible destinations all of which are unique and special in their own right. But only when am I 20 meters under the ocean do truly feel peace, strangly its the kind of peace I imagine that that everyone in the world above me is trying to create or find.  Its the kind of peace that has to be experienced to be understood."

Yummy things on yucky days...

So today, we went to a friend's place for lunch. She made delicious corned beef and veggies, and I took dessert. I was so excited to go visiting (yes this is the friend with the pet piglet) that I ran out of time to do anything fancy, and so channeling my inner Nigella, I whipped up a delicious Strawberry and Apple Crumble. And, it was as amazing as the piglet and Nigella put together. (Pigella)

You will need:
a punnet of strawberries, (you could use raspberries or blackberries?)
3 apples (doesn't matter what kind - but I don't cook with what I wouldn't eat/drink as is.)
1/2 cup of plain flour,
1/2 cup rolled oats (quick oats are fine!)
3/4 cup of sugar (raw or brown)
2 big tablespoons of margarine (or butter - but margarine rubs in better as it's already soft.)

Method:
1.Peel and stew your apples, and throw the strawberries in at the last minute, just to soften them.
2.Rub the margarine in with the dry ingredients.
3.Add the fruit (strained) to a baking dish and sprinkle dry mixture on top. (I put a fanned strawberry on top for aesthetics)
4.Bake in a moderate oven until the top is golden brown - the strawberry on top is a good indication as to whether it is ready... slightly shrivelled, but not burned, and not raw.

Serve with ice cream or cream - it is so tasty, and you can cut back on the sugar if the strawberries are sweet, but at this time of year, I like to add it...

Happy eating pets.

Miss Kit x

Home is when I'm alone with you...

You don't have to spend a fortune to have your home look a million dollars. My house if full of pretty things, random things, dusty things (yeah, really should look at getting a feather duster), useful things, useless things, too many things, really. I'm not a hoarder. But I do 'collect' things. And looking at one's collections, you notice a few things about the collector. Apparently, I like white ornaments, vases, candle holders. It would also appear that I have an ornithological fascination, and a love for all things retro. Here are some pictures of things I've picked up from around the place...

These are some very cute little lovehearts I picked up for my birthday. Thanks Lisa. x

Plaster bunnies from my mother-in-law. x

Seen so many of these oil burners in those overpriced 'artsy' interiors stores... $2.99 - Chickenfeed! 

My dove, less than $10. But a cute little addition to my kitchen.

Old tonic and perfume bottles - they're everywhere!  And oh-so-cute in my bathroom!

My bedside table. Apparently I love glass too... (and hobnail milk glass!) Lamp from Kmart, picture frame from Target, Vase and Glass accessories from op-shops!

My pride and joy. Chair picked up at an op shop and restored by Moi! 

Glass domes are all through interior mags, this one's from Vinnies!

(Mind the messy kitchen - Japanese maple leaf plate - 20 cents from Vinnies!!)

Little birds. So cute...

My newest addition - an original 1950s Sunbeam Mixmaster - a gift from my amazing man for my birthday. He sure knows me well! x

This little piggy went to market...

I want a Piglet! Not because I love pork (there's not enough meat on a teacup pig anyway), but my friend got one, and it is so dang adorable! Forget Babe, and Charlotte's Web, mine will be called O'Jolly, and it will be pink and cute, and go "eeeeeeeeeeeeee!" Oh who am I kidding? Our Rhodesian Ridgeback will eat him. In one bite. So I will just watch and admire from afar.

I have had an absolute shocker of a week, and googling baby things makes me smile. This little fella in particular!
Smile precious ones.
Miss Kit x

Like Nan used to make...

So if you're anything like me, you LOVE cream, butter, carbs etc. Yum. However if you really ARE like me, the waistline calls for everything in a bit of moderation! Here are some yummies that I used to whip up as a little one with my Nan. So, so easy to make, and every bit as delicious as you can imagine. (And lets face it, its got a "vegetable" name, it must be good for you, right?) x
Nanna Bev's Mushrooms.
Ingredients:
2 Cups plain flour 
2 teaspoons caster sugar125g butter
3 Tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon lemon juice
pinch of salt.

Sift dry ingredients, rub in butter until mixture resembles dry breadcrumbs. Mix to pliable dry dough with water and lemon juice.
The finished pastry, when it is mised, should form a smooth clean ball, leaving the sides of the mixing bowl clean.
Turn on to lightly floured board, press into smooth round.
Roll out and cut circles to fit your patty-pans or cupcake tray. 
Mould them into shape. (you'll want a nice mushroom-cup shape so that the filling sits in nicely.)
Retain some extra dough for stems!

Bake until golden, then remove and set aside to cool.
Once cups are cooled, spread the insides with a jam of your choice (home made raspberry or strawberry are my choices!)
Whip some cream with some icing sugar and vanilla essence, plonk it in the cup, and place the stem in on top.
(Its ok, they're supposed to be upside down... )

They are delectable little morsels, and fattening, so you could in fact make them without the cream, (but that's no fun!), instead just topping with fresh fruit. Or, you don't even really need the stalks, (but they're cute - especially for kiddies!) And if you're REALLY in a hurry, you can buy pre-packaged cups from the supermarket. But that's no fun either...
Happy baking lovelies,
Miss Kit. xxx

Miss Kit's "Special Someone Salmon"

Ok, so sometimes when the mood strikes I like to make something extra special, and wether its relaxing with some wine and a girlfriend, or trying to impress my man - just 'cause. This is such an easy recipe, and really tastes amazing, and looks spectacular - and can be altered with the season for maximum enjoyment!

Yum!

First, get yourself some nice slabs of Atlantic Salmon, or trout, with skin on (my favourite bit!) One per person usually - I go with bigger ones for boys!

You'll need:

about 50 grams of Macadamia nuts;

a jar of marmelade;

vegies - to taste ( I'll list 2 alternatives here )

Salt and pepper;

and olive oil.

Prepare your vegies, (as the salmon doesn't take long at all!)In winter I use little baby potatoes, with skin on, cut into halves (or quarters - whatever you prefer) cover the potatoes in olive oil and salt, and bake in the oven on high until ready,about 10 green beans per person (boiled or steamed or fried in butter... mmm)

Crush the macadamia nuts in a mortar and pestle, (or if you're classy like me, just roll them under a wine bottle)

add a little salt and pepper, some parsley (fresher is better) and a tsp of marmelade and set aside.

Once your vegies are about 15 minutes away from being ready, heat some oil in a pan and add the salmon SKIN DOWN into the pan. Fry for 1 minute (until crispy) and flip over. (you don't want to cook them through)

Remove from the heat, and apply a coating of the macadamia mixture, so you've got a nice crust.

Pop them into the oven on high for about 6 minutes (this Salmon is amazing meduim-rare) 

I usually put the green beans onto the plate all in the same direction (like a little raft)Salmon on top, with the potato bits scattered around.

What makes this dish amazing, is if you get a couple of teaspoons of marmelade, and mis it in with some hot water, jsut to make it a little runny, and use it like a drizzling sauce around the plate. OMG.

In summer, I substitute the potatoes and beans for a salad and some zucchini ribbons, they are so easy to do, and look really fancy! (just peel a zucchini with a peeler, longways, steam for a few seconds and voila!) ( asparagus is also a nice match.) For a little extra, you can also sprinkle with some orange or lemon zest... *drool*

Please let me know how you go with this one... its so yummy, one of my FAVOURITES!

(P.s. if I didn't have apricot chicken in the oven, I'd SO be making this. Oh well, always tomorrow!)

Love, Miss Kit. xxx

The finished product! <3