Matilde

Love this cute little film from the closetvisit.com. I like the way it has a real spring feel it to it with the gorgeous flowers and birds chirping in the background. I am curently loving spring and enjoying looking out my window to see the beautiful cherry blossom trees in full bloom. The film features Matilde Riccardi and showcases some great Karen Walker eyewear and vintage pieces. I thought the music worked perfectly to create the 'whimsical fairy-tale like' kind of enchanted feel of the piece. The film makes me want to invite my friends over for a girly picninc with lots of tea and scrumptious baking. If only it wasn't raining outside! Enjoy. simran x

Free People

Free People October from FreePeople on Vimeo.

Lazy Days.......

Winter Warmers.........

So technically there are only 13 days before spring officially arrives in NZ and we are surrounded by daffodils and other flourishing spring blooms. This year Mr weatherman upstairs seems to be super confused in terms of the whats supposed to be happening. I don't think he quite remembers that we actually do in fact have seasons that generally begin and end at roughly the same time each year! This year we haven't been experiencing the usual intense cold snaps that habitually grace us with there presence during winter. Generally the cold icy weather would start to disappear during this time of year in order to let the gorgeous spring sunshine creep in ........but not this year!!!

Winter decided to really set in yesterday......in the middle of AUGUST!! what is going on!!! I feel this is rather inconvenient!! It was only last week that I was embracing the sunshine whilst sipping my tea at Mission bay enjoying the calm waters before me thinking that summer was well and truly on its way ....... How wrong was I!!!

Yesterday I had to drag my biggest, warmest, heaviest coat out from the back of my wardrobe (where I had happily shoved it when I THOUGHT I wouldn't be needing it again this year) so I could survive the icy polar blast that has decided to sweep over NZ. Despite this there was something that managed to perk me up and get me super excited ......the snow in Auckland!!! I know it was only a light sprinkling but still it was SNOW in AUCKLAND. It is a little embarrassing that I did get soo excited about the meagre dusting!!!.......but it NEVER snows here so I think I was entitled to my few minutes of acting like a 4 year old child who had never seen snow in her life.

The temperature at one point during the day plummeted to a mere 7 degrees which is way below the acceptable 15/16 degrees I have become accustomed to! Whilst caught outside in the snow shower yesterday I decided it would be a night where a super hearty meal would be required. I ended up embracing my roots and making an amazing lamb curry (adapted from a Bill Granger recipe) which is sooo easy to make, you just throw everything into a pot and pretty much leave it till its done! It is also really delicious. And as well as that I made a super scrumptious pear crumble - you could substitute the pear for apple if your not a pear fan. I used Donna Hay's crumble topped vanilla pear recipe and turned it into a crumble instead of individual desserts. I also substituted the almonds with extra rolled oats as my brother has a severe nut allergy, but I think it would taste better with almonds for extra crunch. I served it with vanilla bean ice cream but custard's also a good option :)

The aromas that filled the house were soooo good and at the risk of sounding super cheesy mouth watering!!! The indulgent curry and crumble combo (strange combo but noone had any qualms) definitely satisfied everyone on the cold wintry night and fulfilled the brief of a hearty meal. simran x

Lamb Curry

1 kg lamb pieces

2tsp ground coriander

11/2tsp ground cumin

1tsp tumeric

1tsp dried chilli flakes

1tsp paprika

1tsp cardamom pods crushed

3 cinnamon sticks

1tbsp grated ginger

1tbsp olive oil

25g butter

2 large brown onions chopped 

400g tin tomatoes

1 cup plain yoghurt

250mL water

juice of 1/2 or 1 lime- depending on your taste

Place the lamb in a large bowl, add the spices and ginger and toss to coat all the lamb.

Season with salt.

Place a large heavy-based pan over medium-high heat.

Heat the oil and butter, add the onion and cook for 5 minutes until softened.

Add the lamb and cook for 5 minutes until the meat is browned.

Add the tomatoes, yoghurt and water and bring the pan to the boil.

Turn the heat down to medium-low, cover and simmer for two hours ( I left mine for 1 1/2 hours and it turned out perfect)

Stir in the lime juice and serve with basmati rice and naan bread.

Pear Crumble

4 beurre bosc pears

1/3 cup caster sugar

1/3 cup water

1 Tbsp vanilla extract

50g butter

crumble topping

1cup plain flour

1/2 cup brown sugar

100g butter, softened

1 cup rolled oats (recipe says 1/2 cup almonds and 1/2 oats)

Preheat oven to 190 degrees.

Place the pears in an ovenproof dish with the sugar, water and vanilla and toss to combine.

Top with butter, cover with foil and bake for 1 hour.

Remove the foil and bake for a further 10 minutes till pears are tender.

Place the flour, sugar and butter in a bowl and rub with your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.

Add the oats (and almonds if using) and toss to combine.

Top the pears with this mixture and bake for a further 20 minutes.



Love Colour Platforms

I Think this might be the next addition to my ever expanding shoe collection!! On a dreary, rainy, wintery day it's easy for me to get excited by brightly coloured things that scream summer!! and these topshop platforms have done just that and managed to uplift my mood quite significantly.

Now to decide which colour combo I prefer...... for just $140 a pair why not have both.......hmmm....... hope your having a lovely thursday. simran x

Fashion and Love

There are a handful of blogs (almost 2!- there are so many great ones out there!) which I follow on a regular basis. I just had a quick flick through Bryanboy which gets a regular weekly visit and really liked one of his recent posts. He was asked to answer this question- what's the alternative to fashion? I thought the way he compared fashion to love was brilliant and thought I'd share. What are your thoughts? simran x

Love is similar to fashion. We can’t survive without it. The love of family is similar to the fashion version of the classics. A classic trench coat can withstand weather, rain, wear or tear, like one’s father. The softness and comfort of a cashmere sweater is akin to a mother’s love. A great pair of jeans that you can bring to places is very brotherly or sisterly. Friends come and go over time so the love of friends are similar to accessories — the timeless classic bag, willing to be there while you carry your baggage, is your best friend. The must-have shoe is your other BFF. Acquaintances and all the people that go through the revolving door called life are trend pieces — they make you happy temporarily but after a few short moments, they’re disposable. Shoulder pads? Check. Sequined jackets? Check. Colour blocking? Check check check!

And when it comes to real, unconditional, special love from THE one and only? We’re all gonna have to go through many, many dresses, some tight, some loose, some probably ill-fitting, but there’s only only one, clean and pristine, dress that will march with us to the altar. It takes time to find that one.

Love is all we need.

Team iLuminate

America's got talent audition with a difference!! how awesome is this??.....pretty amazing I thought!!! These guys are sooo talented!! hope your having a lovely thursday. simran xx

Friends of Mine

So I've been neglecting the blog a little lately as life's been a bit full on. My recent spate of activity has included a trip to Sydney and a rather spontaneous trip to Melbourne last weekend. These two cities never fail to excite me as I always seem to discover something new. Both trips involved lots of eating (something I seem to be rather good at!), drinking and of course the trips couldn't be complete without a little spot of shopping!. Whilst in Melbourne I was introduced to one of the most amazing cafe's. I was surprised I didn't discover this little gem while living in the city last year!

Friends of Mine is definitely one to try if your in Melbourne. I had a lovely brunch date with two of my good friends Laura and Yasmin as well as Yaz's little sister Sophia. At Friends of Mine your spoilt for choice when it comes to the food! everything on the menu sounds sooo good it's difficult to choose!! I was tossing up between the smashed avocado with thyme buttered mushrooms (which seemed like the popular option as both Yaz and Soph ordered this along with many others sitting nearby) and the banana bread. In the end I decided to go with the sweet option and ordered the banana bread with crushed pistachios, berry compote and maple syrup mascarpone..... I didn't know banana bread could look sooo good!!! It was incredibly scrumptious and satisfying and hit all the right spots!! Laura went for the 'Jack + Jill' which consisted of cheesy bread, poached eggs, bacon, tomato, avocado and other yummy things. I noticed that one could order a berocca which would complement this nicely if you were looking for the perfect hangover breakfast!

Banana Bread

Smashed Avocado with Mushrooms

I loved how the milk was served in a cute little milk bottle and I especially loved the rustic vintage feel of the tea pot!

I loved the buzzing but chilled out vibe of Friends of Mine. The beautiful chandeliers added a touch of glamour amongst the chalkboards and raw brick. The hot chocolate would have to be one of the best I have had in a long time and because the food was so so good I had to go back for round two the next day!!!

AMAZING Hot Chocolate!

Toasted Noisette fruit bread with cinnamon butter and jam......super yum! 

I also loved how the juices came in retro medicine bottles!.....quite creative I thought!

The bill was delivered in cute little felt pouches which I found to be quite unique and couldn't resist taking some pictures!

Next time I'm in Melbourne I will be sure to make a trip to this little treasure (located at 506 swan st richmond) and I would highly recommend you stop by on your next visit. simran xx

Sunday Sprinkles.....

I used to love indulging in a snow freeze icecream covered in sprinkles as a child......much to my mothers dismay, as much of this delightful treat often ended up all over my face and clothes!!!  But brought so much joy to my world!

I'm a big fan of sprinkles. I have fond childhood memories of enjoying french vanilla icecream covered in rainbow sprinkles. This was my all time favourite dessert as a kid.....so simple yet so good!! Sprinkles always make me happy, they're so fun and liven up any sweet treat!! I love it how the simplest things can make you so happy!! Strangely I get excited by rainbow sprinkles......each to their own!!!
Frankly speaking I don't think the world would be the same without rainbow sprinkles! Thankfully the world didn't end yesterday and I can continue to enjoy the sweet sugary morsels for another day at least!! Hope everyone's having a lovely Sunday. simran xx