NINA AND PATRICK'S HOUSE

Thank goodness Offspring is back. I loved the premiere of Season 5. I was prepared for it to be a bit depressing... but it wasn't. It was sensitive but still Offspring-funny. Things I loved: The baby montage. And that baby.is.so.CUTE. The fact that Patrick was in the episode. Seriously, thanks Offspring. Billie's new business. That Jimmy's taco business is turning into an empire. That Dr. Lawrence is sticking around and is single. The orgasm party. Everything, I loved everything.

Can you guess what I also love? Nina's rustic-industrial decor. It's a perfect mess. And also, look at this snippet courtesy of news.com.au (links courtesy of me).

"[Nina & Patrick's house features] products from The Junk Company, Tarlo & Graham and Guy Matthews Vintage Industrial Furniture.

The beautiful print behind the couch in Nina and Patrick's living room is from Rosetta Santucci and the bedlinen in the series is by Nancy Bird, Kip & Co., Ink and Spindle, Uimi, Harvest Textiles and Spacecraft." 

I really like those window panes.

TODAY I WENT TO THE GYM

Today I went to the gym. It was my first trip to the gym in a while. For some reason I decided to align my debut with the only class on the timetable with the name BOOT CAMP. But Indooooor Boot Camp. How hard can that be?

I lasted 15 minutes at Indoor Boot Camp til I casually (casually whilst dying) grabbed my water bottle and lunged out the door. 

Errrrrrrm... at gym classes I have attended in the past that involve lifting things, you get to choose the weight you would like to lift. For example, in Pump classes, I knew that when it came to those triceppy lift things, where you lie on your back and lift the bar - could barely lift my empty water bottle thanks very much. But that was okay, because even lifting that 25g was exercise to my pathetic triceps. But no, this boot camp woman today informed everyone we would be lifting 10kg from the outset... eh scuzy? (Sorrynotsorry to people who do CrossFit, that is A LOT to me.) Errrr so yeah I attended camp for 15 wonderful minutes til I felt dizzy and sick. I pulled on my invisibility cloak and decided that the humiliation of creeping out the door would be less severe than the humiliation of projectiling after 16 minutes of class. 

So then I went over to the loser section and did 20 minutes on the crosstrainer, where nobody can really tell the degree of effort you are actually dispensing.

But whatever, I've done Boot Camp. This will be like that time I did a half marathon. And the time I did the Mud Run. They have been done. They do not need to be done again. Let's just file them under the Bucket List of Torture. Although I must mention that I did actually complete the other two.

The other thing I've just discovered, as a woman who is in between jobs, is this great show on the Extra channel at 9am called Move It or Lose It. See, you don't get to know these things when you have a job. The title is a little bold, I think, because for the past few days it's just been Pilates and yoga. And let's be honest, half of yoga class is napping while the instructor explains the pose in detail because they love their voice, and a fair chunk involves the Cat and Child's Pose. Very strenuous. On Monday I watched Pilates whilst lounging back and drinking my breakfast smoothie. Yesterday, though, I unrolled my yoga mat from hibernation and had my own personal studio session. Actually, I think it was an okay workout - I woke up this morning aware of the presence of abbadabbas. Although... I suppose this is from the lady who retreated after 15 minutes of Boot Camp.

And to think my boyfriend suggested I join CrossFit! He's dreamin'.

Namastai.

RASPBERRY RIPPLE FAIL

On my recent visit to Grafton my cousin Steff and I continued our baking tradition. In the past we've attempted Melon Sago and Mint Patties; this time we decided to try the Raspberry Ripple from Sarah Wilson's I Quit Sugar book. I had heard a couple of people singing its praises so we were pretty excited to try it. However, the results were less than impressive! After eating our Ripple, certain family members requested Aunty Wendy's leftover cheesecake. Burn. Our Raspberry Ripple split - meaning its layers separated, and it did not, taste good. The section that didn't split was reasonably yummy, but too salty. I wondered what could have gone awry, as we are such talented cooks, generally. That's when I took to the internets and uncovered a whole trove of comments form I Quit Sugerers saying that their Raspberry Ripples had split, too! Methinks this recipe is no match for a Women's Weekly triple tested number.

Make at your peril.

PUMPKIN CUPCAKE WARS

This year I set out to explore the exciting world of sugar-free baking, and it's no secret I've come across more doozies than winners, so far. This weekend I decided enough was enough, and took the plunge into the frightening realm of inventive baking, taking one of my favourite cupcake recipes and tweaking it. WELL, guesswat, the results were fantastic!  I bestowed my treats upon guests at a Eurovision gathering on Friday and yesterday's mother's day lunch. And of course, I tasted them myself. I'm pleased. I'll make these again.

To make the fructose-free variety, all you need to do is follow my original recipe (which varies from the original original recipe, pictured below) replacing the white and brown sugar with equal quantities of dextrose (which you can find in the beer brewing section at Big W). You can make a fructose-free icing by playing around with cream cheese, butter and a little dextrose or glucose syrup, or just leave the icing off altogether - they're quite nice plain. Happy cupcaking. x

THEVICTORIA ROOM COMPETITION

Little Bow Thief, my Little Side Business, is currently running a friendly scone comp offering High Tea for 2 at The Victoria Room in Darlinghurst, Sydney. Have you been there before? It's amazing! You walk in the room and feel like you've been teleported to a different time and place. This is the time to whip out your afternoon dress and heels. A must-do for all Sydney-sider ladies.

Anyway, head on over to the Little Bow Thief page to enter. All you have to do is LIKE the competition post and LIKE the LBT page, and you could soon be chomping down on those little sprout sandwiches, pictured above (the trick is to tuck into a sandwich before you hit up the scone tier, so as to demonstrate you are a lady in control).

Here are some of my most recent orders. All fabrics and labels are customisable and the Jam Menu comprises around twenty unique flavour combinations. Did I mention I am now posting Australia-wide? Click here to send an enquiry. Have a lovely day!