Happy Valentines Day Everyone

Wishing you all a love and treat-filled day. What are you doing tonight?

What's on your list?

Photo credit: Typography Served

Happy New Year! I know we're a bit late to the party, but January is not over yet!

I'm not really one for making New Year's resolutions - I'm all about under promising and over-delivering - vague things like, "I should exercise more" and "I'm going to try and be punctual" mean I almost always reach my goal! However, the past few weeks have got me thinking about what I really want out of this year and my list goes a little something like this...

1. I will bake more

I adore baking and get a lot of joy out of it, but I don't do it often enough. This year, I'm going to aim to bake two new things a month (be that biscuits, cakes, tarts, desserts - as long as it is something I'd like to eat, it qualifies!).  Husband, get ready to take treats in to work!

2. I will commit to 3 work-outs a week

Now this is a scary one for me - as much as I try, I can't seem to enjoy exercise. I like the idea of it and the way I feel afterwards, but I count down the minutes/seconds/nano-seconds until it's over. Mostly, I just like the idea of having a toned bod. So for 2013, my aim is to do some form of exercise at least 3 times a week (it can be a walk, run, DVD, exercise sheet - as long as it gets me moving). I'm dreading it already... if I can't learn to love it, hopefully I can learn to tolerate it!

3. I will read more books

I love reading and I'd like to broaden my reading horizons in 2013. I'm going to choose 12 books to read before the end of the year (the only criteria is that they can't be chick-lit - my standard go-to read!). As this is my list, I also get to decide what constitutes chick-lit... :)

4. I will be more creative

I am a Pinterest addict. I can spend hours poring over ideas and crafts which lead me to new websites and blogs. There are so many clever and talented people out there and I am always so inspired by what I come across. Last year, I made a Christmas bauble wreath. I had wanted to make one for a long time and throughly enjoyed it. So this year I would like to put a bit more of the 'Oooh, I'd like to make that' into action. I'm setting myself a goal of creating something new every month, using Pinterest as my inspiration. I'll be sure to document my successes (and those that aren't so successful!) on the blog. 

5. I will relax more

I want to stress less in 2013. Last year was a busy and emotional one for me. This year will be more about me finding time for myself, saying 'no' when I need to, spending quality time with my husband and friends, appreciating life and living in the moment.

What's on your list for 2013?

x

A year ago today - 21. 12. 2011

It's amazing to think a year ago today, I was preparing to walk towards the man I would promise to love and cherish forever. I can still feel the butterflies in my stomach as I remember stepping into my dress for the first time, hugging my mum tightly, looking into my dad's excited and love-filled eyes as he took my arm to walk me down the aisle. The crunch of the stones under my heels as we walked up through the lavender, warm sun on our backs, blue skies and the impressive and dramatic Franschhoek mountains as a backdrop, I can remember thinking - could this be more perfect. 

Thanks to the lovely Christine Meintjes for our beautiful photos www.christinemeintjes.co.za/2012/02/14/abi-james-love-story-with-an-happy-ending/

The day went off without a hitch, aside from a near spin into the cake (video evidence here) on our entrance into the reception, but all in all, it was the perfect day, in the perfect location, surrounded by all the people we love in the world, marrying the perfect man. So I guess, a year later all I can say is - I still feel like the luckiest girl alive. Not a day goes by that I don't pinch myself. Yes, of course, life is not always rosy. We are both highly passionate and dramatic (ok, well I am atleast) we are both feisty and fiercely loyal Scorpios, so we do have our moments and can drive eachother crackers (ok, me again) - but in short we are BFFs, the loves of eachothers' lives and our own biggest fans - so if all the years to follow are as good as year one - we're onto a good thing. Happy Anniversary to my favourite person in the world, may the next year be filled with even more love, exciting changes, challenges, champagne bubbles and bundles of joy! (wink wink).

Happy Snapping - December Photo a Day challenge

After a break in November, I am back again my new iphone primed and at the ready for fatmumslim's December Photo a Day challenge. Will you be joining in? Come on you know you want to... 

For a reminder of what to do and some photo taking tips for when you feel uninspired or stuck, head over to Chantelle's excellent fatmumslim blog, it's full of great ideas. Good luck and happy festive snapping xx

What to eat today - Sausage, kale and flageolet cassoulet

I don't know about you, but in our household on a Sunday, there are three things that happen without fail.

1. Extra hot lattes and honey toast in bed

2. A dash to the shops to get the Sunday Times AND
3. No matter what the weather, something will be put on the stove to cook and bubble away filling the house with delicious and comforting aromas. 

This particular recipe, from Leon, is just gorgeous. I can't claim to have discovered it myself - but when I tasted it for the first time, I knew it would become a Sunday fave (thanks Nick and Fi). For starters, I love anything with sausages and beans, throw in kale and crispy bread and I am sold!

Sausage, kale and flageolet cassoulet Photograph: Tricia de Courcy Ling for the Guardian

Serves 4

2 tins cooked flageolets beans (you can use others, I have used butter beans and they are just as good)

3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

500g sausages (cumberland or toulouse), cut into 2.5cm chunks

4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

1 heaped tbsp rosemary, finely chopped

1 large or 2 small red onions, cut into large chunks

800ml chicken stock

75ml double cream

300g kale (woody stalks removed), chopped into 5cm pieces

Small handful of flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped

Crispy bread - ciabatta or a french baguette 

1. Heat the oil in a deep, heavy-based casserole dish and fry the sausage pieces until golden brown
2. Add the garlic and rosemary, then turn down the heat and stir in the onions. 
3. Cover with a lid and cook gently for 15 minutes until the onions are soft and lightly browning, giving the occasional stir.
4. Pour in the chicken stock, add the beans and season.
5. Bring to a relaxed simmer and cook for around 20 minutes, skimming as necessary. 
6. I add a bit of lemon zest in here, but that is up to you
7. Stir in the cream and kale and mix well, then simmer for 10 minutes with a lid on and another 10 minutes without. 
8. Adjust the seasoning and finish with the chopped parsley.
9. Serve with crispy bread and a buttery white chardonnay ... mmm

Happy Sunday y'all 

Photo a day - October

October is my absolute favourite month in the whole year... it reminds me of being a kid again. From the change in season - the crisp feeling in the air - to kicking up the Autumn leaves and the excitement of Halloween, sparkling nights,  mulled wine and fireworks - it all just makes me feel happy. I guess it's also partly down to October being birthday season in my family - one of which is mine.. and also my beautiful Pleasure Treasure counterpart. We are two days apart which always gives us an excuse for two double date dinners (love) AND two parties (double love)!

However,  more of that to come in later posts. For now, this is just a little reminder to say get ready for the new October 'photo a day' challenge from Chantelle, the fab mummy blogger behind Fat Mum Slim. 

Remember this month the hashtag is slightly different - it's fmsphotoaday - good luck, enjoy and happy snapping.

To read more about how it works or inspiration and ideas go to Fat Mum Slim.

In the bag - holiday reading

I love reading, but for some reason I never seem to get time to do it in my busy work week (something I am working on). On the odd occasions that I  manage to get to bed as early as possible to read - I get half way through a chapter and bang - I fall asleep. So, if it's a school night I tend to stick to cook books (I have a pile by my bed ALWAYS), online newspapers and the odd interior design magazine.

HOWEVER, as soon as I am on holiday I relish nothing more than, lying by the pool or beach and getting stuck into a good book or two - as does my husband, who on holiday is dubbed the Constant Reader. So, this Friday, as I am jetting off on holiday and don't want to be bored waiting for the Constant Reader to finish his chapter in time to get me another cocktail, I have chosen a few books to have in my bag for both on the plane and by pool. I'm not sure about you, but I like to have a bit of a mix - one serious, one not so serious and then a couple of wild cards... this is what I have in my bag this holiday ... what's in yours?

The inspirational one: Build a business from your kitchen    

Sophie Cornish and Holly Tucker

Now I never win anything... .A.N.Y.T.H.I.N.G - so when I won this much coveted book in a blog contest, I literally back flipped in my living room! And ever since I have been dying to read it! It follows the story of the two fantastic and inspiring women who founded one of my favourite sites - notonthehighstreet.com. My dream has always been to be my own boss, run my own business and have something to be proud of, so this one is my inspirational read. 

The saucy/naughty one: Fifty Shades Trilogy  

E L James 

Ok ok ok, now I know I am VERY late onto this bandwagon, but for some reason this book has just not appealed to me at all. However, I've never been one to sit on the sidelines and not give something a go, so I thought - why the hell not. I have read review after review - some good, some bad, some downright hilarious - but will approach this trilogy poolside, with an open mind and a cold glass of vino in hand... 

The 'incase Fifty Shades doesn't work out one': How to be a woman Caitlin Moran

I have only heard good things about this book - one word - excited!

The can't live without one: Red Magazine 

So it's not a exactly a book - but it's my holiday and my rules. No long haul flight is  complete without my monthly bible - Red Magazine. From fashion to beauty, food and the excellent Alpha Male column by Rosie Green (who the Constant Reader thinks is actually my alter ego) - nothing makes the post chicken or beef option more bearable! To be read with a glass of wine before the in flight movie. 

What's your reading style? And what kind of books do you take on holiday with you? We'd love to know. xx