August 2015 archive

27
Aug
2015

Red Shimmer and Fuchsia Shock (Screw you Winter)

This month has been a rough one, anyone else feeling the struggle that is August?! I don’t know what it is about this busy month that makes me want to hermit away and sleep in a fort of fluffy blankets, bad TV shows and expiring chocolate, but it does.

One thing that makes life a little better is a couple of bright lipsticks to wear in spite of our dreary weather. I know that we are supposed to stick with demure nudes and deep burgundies, but for some reason these in-your-face, brighter tones are making Winter a lot easier to deal with.

I raved about my first ever Karen Murrell lipstick and so when two more ended up with me I was excited to see how they fared. Karen Murrell is a brand I am so happy to support and use on a day to day basis, as her lipsticks are vegetarian and made from the most hydrating, natural ingredients to care for your lips. And when your lips have been whingeing as much as mine have they need as much TLC as they can get.

These are my favourite formulas in a lipstick; moisturising, lasting and pigmented. Tick, Tick, Tick. They aren’t as long lasting as a matte lipstick from MAC but I find that they wear away so evenly that I feel a lot less worried about keeping an eye on them.

First up I was given Fuchsia Shock to try out, a beautiful, bold barbie pink that simultaneously terrified and intrigued me. Also can I just make a quick complaint about how annoying Fuchsia is as a word to spell, if I ever want to become the worst parent possible I will name my poor, innocent child Fuchsia and laugh as I watch her spell it wrong every. single. time.

This beautiful bright pink is a great shade, it’s bold but wearable and the perfect anti-winter colour. Having said that, I’m not super confident that I suit this shade (unless there’s a 90s party happening). I tend to go more towards berry pinks rather than barbie pinks. It won’t be one I keep in my bag at all times for emergencies, but it’s still a stunner. This wee beauty is Red Shimmer (which confusingly is not really shimmery at all as far as I can tell), and it’s my new favourite lipstick. If you scroll through my Instagram feed I am wearing this in 99% of my selfies from the last couple of months, and that’s because I think its incredible. I am a sucker for bold red lipsticks, so it was not a big surprise that this was one I was excited to try.

Seeing so much of my face is a little unnerving. Especially when you realize that my expression is exactly the same in each one…. I promise I’m not secretly a very confused and unproductive robot.

What was a surprise was how this orange toned red seems like an easier wear than any of the rich, blue-toned red lipsticks I thought I suited most. Orange toned are two words I generally avoid, and yet this red is perfection. It wears down to a gorgeous red-coral which I love almost as much as the original colour. Overall this lipstick embodies an attitude where I’m gonna keep on trying to face each day with a strained smile, even when my self-sabotaging mind seems determined to stay home and watch The Bachelor whilst binge eating twisties (I’m doing a great job guys).

If you are driven to go buy some new lipsticks (I won’t blame you…I have a full trolley as we speak) you can get them online from Karen Murrell for NZ$30 each.

Which one is your favourite?

*These were both provided to me which I am eternally grateful for as otherwise I think I would have abandoned make up altogether. This hasn’t affected my opinion, and this post is 100% my sleep-deprived thoughts. Cool? Cool.

16
Aug
2015

A Belated Foxy Book Challenge Update #11-17

categories: My Foxy Reading Corner

I’ve been a once a week blogger lately, with distractions such as trying to find a flatmate who’s not a crazy psycho (only room for one in this house – me); winter finally get the best of me with a good old fashioned almost flu but not flu enough to take time off work; and other stuff that I’m sure seemed important at the time.

So instead of my usual few books there are 7, good news is that I am up to date with my book challenge over on Goodreads (read 30 books this year which doesn’t seem like much but was a goal that seemed feasible at the time). There’s a few good’uns for you to chuck on your “to read” list!

**Disclaimer: All the books with wee little * beside them were gifted to me by Hachette NZ, an awesome publishing company who ask nothing in return. Some of the books they send turn out to be my favourites ever, and others fall a bit flat (some I don’t even read), but the fact that they are gifted in no way affect my opinions. Anyway, on to the good stuff!

Day Shift by Charlaine Harris*
Okay full disclosure, I read this without at any point realizing that I was reading the second book in a series. So when I critique it for being a little hard to keep up with, with characters that didn’t seem to have great introductions and a story that felt lacking in set up I say it knowing full well that those things are all my fault. Overall it was an enjoyable read despite me being an idiot, Charlaine Harris does a good job in the fantasy-mystery genre, and its pretty light reading which is always nice for a change. 3 Stars (but it may well deserve more).
Church of Marvels by Leslie Parry*
This is one that you should put on your reading list now. I did a full review over here (cause it was that good) but long story short its a fantastic novel set in 1920s New York with a cast of memorable characters and a trail of different story lines that all tie in together. Wasn’t expecting to love this one but love it I did (and you may well too). 5 stars
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
I’ve been loving the Outlander series over on Lightbox (and it’s not just those Scottish accents) and so when Edd got me the first novel to read for my birthday I wasn’t expecting to take 4 months to finish it. I’m generally quite a speedy ready (which is a surprisingly useless skill most of the time) but something about this book made it a little hard to get through. Nonetheless it was an enjoyable read, a little odd in places but great in others. I dunno, a little undecided to be honest and not sure yet whether I can commit to the rest of them. 3 stars
Resistance is Futile by Jenny T Colgan*
As the book itself proclaimed: Independence day meets Bridget Jones’ Diary…not what I would normally pick up for myself I must admit. This alienesque/maths nerd (and I say that lovingly) take on a rom-com read was actually pretty fun and easy to get through. I gave it only 3 stars because it just wasn’t my kind of book but it was enjoyable, and light-hearted although strange in places with a few funny characters and one of the weirdest “sex” scenes I think I’ve ever read. 3 stars.
Aurora by Kim Stanley Robinson*
Best book of 2015 is already awarded to this Sci-fi novel by the author of the Mars series (which I am DESPERATE to read). Seriously this book was A++++, would read again. I rambled on about it a little while ago but long story short it’s amazing. The easiest 5 stars I have ever assigned to anything ever.
The Quality of Silence by Rosamund Lipton*
Another great read that I was sent which is one I never would have selected! This novel was a psychological thriller/family drama set in the spookiest setting of Alaska where a Mother and her deaf daughter, Ruby, go in search of her Father who has gone missing. This was such an incredibly tense read, and a quick one too as I couldn’t wait long to find out what happened. Ruby was an incredibly likeable character, and the writing was done in the perfect way to keep you on the edge of your seat. 4 stars.
Half Asleep in Frog Pyjamas by Tom Robins
Dad told me that he would refuse to take on any of my book recommendations until I read something by one of his favourite authors, Tom Robins (not the same as Tony Robbins so don’t get them confused). I I grabbed this one from his shelf and gave it a shot and it was … okay?? Tom Robins has an incredibly humorous way of writing and is far wittier than I could ever dream to be, so 5 stars for that. The reasons I didn’t really enjoy this that much were as follows: the setting was a stock market crash in the US which holds zero interest to me; it was centred around a character who I kind of ended up hating; and it was written in second person (you did this, you said that etc) which whilst genius and incredibly unique was a little weird and off-putting at times. I will happily read another one by him but maybe choose a little more carefully. 3 stars (sorry dad, I promise I tried).

So there you go, some great (some incredibly great) and some not so great. What have you read lately?

10
Aug
2015

Vegan Chilli Sin Carne Recipe

categories: Recipe, Uncategorized, Vegetarian

Today I wanted to share with you one of my all-time favourite meals that just so happens to be vegan as well as full of nutrients and flavour. This Vegan Chilli Sin Carne (chilli without meat, but sounding way fancier) is one of the few dishes that Edd makes far superior to myself so I force him to make giant pots of the stuff that we can use all week for lunches, burritos, stuffed baked potatoes and more (I’m all for making one big meal that will go a long way).

This chilli is just as flavoursome as the meat version, with a hint of smoked chipotle replacing the meaty flavour but keeping it rich and hearty. Packed with kidney beans, juicy corn and capsicums and the warm heat of chilli and bold, Mexican spices, this vegan chilli is perfection for winter where you want a bowl of filling soul food.

Vegan Chilli Sin Carne

Ingredients

3 tsp cumin powder
2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
dash of cinnamon powder (about 1/4 tsp)
1 heaped tsp chopped garlic
2 tsp chopped chilli
1 brown onion diced
1 Tbsp approx chipotle paste/sauce
1 cup of veggie stock
1 big carrot chopped
1 red capsicum
1/2 C sweetcorn
1 can of kidney beans
1 can chilli beans (e.g. Watties chilli beans which are basically kidney beans in a spicy tomato sauce)
1 can chopped tomatoes
fresh coriander and avocado to serve
salt and pepper to taste

This is a giant pot with double the recipe stated here: enough to feed a small army, or two of us for a week.

Method: Vegan Chilli Sin Carne

Fry off the onion, garlic and then the spices in a little oil until onion is soft and the aroma of spices fill the house. Add the chipotle and chilli and fry briefly.
Drain your can of plain kidney beans and if you want to echo the texture of mince, mash these up with a fork until they look suitable (this isn’t required but does thicken up the chilli a little more).
Chuck in your beans, chilli beans, carrots, tomatoes, vegetable stock and simmer for around 15-20 minutes (or longer if you have time and patience to let the flavours develop and the texture thicken).
Make sure you taste at this stage in case you need to add a little more chipotle, a tbsp of brown sugar to sweeten it up, a bit more chilli etc. I tend to taste so much during the cooking process that by the times it’s finished I’m no longer hungry (doesn’t stop me eating :-/)
Add your capsicum and corn and continue to simmer at a medium heat for another 10-15 minutes. Again, the longer you can leave this to develop, the better (it’s one of those dishes that is even more delicious the next day).
Season with salt and pepper to your preference.
Serve this along with some ripe avocado (ours was a little too ripe), freshly torn coriander and enjoy over a bowl of rice, a baked potato, or thrown inside a burrito with some salad! You can top with sour cream and cheese for something a wee bit more indulgent (but no longer vegan), but I promise it’s just as mouth-wateringly tasty without it. We have been enjoying this with a brown rice and lentil combo, usually making a double batch so that we can keep some in the freezer.

This might seem life there are a few steps but it’s actually a straightforward and easy recipe that just involves a little more patience than my usual 5 minute meals, I promise its all worth it.

The beauty of this dish is that its so flexible to your tastes (and what’s lurking in the cupboard waiting to be used). We’ve tried adding brown lentils to bulk it up and include extra protein and this works well however I recommend cooking the lentils separately before hand. We’ve played around with the spices, the types of beans, the veggies we chuck in and it all comes out pretty darn delicious.

I used to eat chilli con carne all the time before becoming vegetarian, so nothing makes me happier than knowing that this delicious spicy stew is even better packed with beans and veggies (and its also an abundant source of protein, as well as a meal that includes all of essential amino acids). Pairing the rich dish with fresh avocado and coriander brings the whole thing to life so I definitely suggest including those (preferably when avocados don’t cost the same as a Starbucks coffee).

If I had to choose a favourite winter meal it would either be this vegan chilli or my easy Indian Dahl. Give this one a go and let me know what you think! Is there anything different that you like to add to your chilli?

A big thanks to Edd who cooks this vegan chilli for me way more than he should have to, and who also took these beautiful photos whilst I was out spending money on brunch.

Have an awesome week guys!

xxx

04
Aug
2015

July in Review

categories: General/Life

August has arrived and slapped us all in the face with its warmer temperatures and proximity to Christmas (I know I am not the only one counting down the days guys). July was a month that flew by, and it was a weird month with some memories that I will hold forever (99% of it was probably pretty forgettable and spent watching countless Bachelorette episodes).

The best thing: Getting out and exploring, trying new places and doing new things. It doesn’t happen often but when it does I always have so much fun.

The hardest thing: Being on a Jury for the first time (and hopefully the last).

One thing I learned: I’m a stronger person when I trust in myself and stop worrying about everyone else. Also learnt a bunch of facts about space because I got bored one day and decided to read up.

On the blog: I had a really cathartic experience writing this recent post on why growing up is so hard and confusing, it’s not often that I just let my thoughts out and worry about whether it makes sense later.

Goals for August: Improve my gym attendance and find a new flat mate (if you know anyone who loves cats, isn’t a dick and needs a room let me know..).

July on Instagram

I crocheted my first scarf and Merlin was my model. It accidentally ended up looking like I belong in Gryffindor but to be honest I don’t even mind (despite being a Ravenclaw at heart).
I also baked these salted caramel cupcakes and they continue to be a favourite. I still have a heap of left over caramel sauce in the fridge so throw me some ideas for what to do with it (other that eat some every time I go to get a vegetable, very dangerous).
Edd and I went out to try and explore our back yard a little more, doing an incredible bush walk out in the Waitakeres. Well it was incredible until we had to climb up the side of a dam, luckily my many fears don’t include heights otherwise I might have been frozen half way up and never returned.
After a great mums and bubs brunch club event I took Mr 7 to Butterfly Creek. This was about 1 second before I decided the butterfly was too close to my eyes and began to panic. Fun times.
Slipping in a photo from Paris last year, because I don’t understand how a year has passed and why has no one invented a time machine yet.
New favourite cafe spot located at Cosset in Mt Albert, a vegan/vegetarian heaven with pancakes that were delicious and coffee that was strong. Win.
It wouldn’t be winter without a tree silhouette and an early sunset. Beautiful city.
90s party vibes, I even sourced a mood ring guys.
Ended July by getting super sick in a very quick timeframe. So this is me celebrating the fact that at 5pm I finally dragged myself out of bed, mainly so that I could be closer to the heat pump.

What’s coming up?

August is a busy month, every one is having birthdays and get togethers, people are moving and changing jobs. Me; I’m staying in the same place, in the same job and just trying to enjoy each day. I have tickets to see Dylan Moran at the end of this month so that will be something I will look forward to each time I reach for the red wine!

And on that note… xxx