Things that make you go Oooooo (February 2011)

February is the shortest month of the year but I always feel like it's the most eventful one as by the end of February I've got my year and all my goals mapped out and I'm in a good routine and getting things or on my way to getting things done plus although I don't really celebrate Valentines I love all the heart shaped paraphernalia that's on sale during this time on year.

♥ Five Simple Ways to Love Yourself Now - So next Valentines don't mope that you're single instead use that day to celebrate yourself!

♥ Why The Body Bind is My Nightmare

♥ Radical Self Hate? Stop The Madness - Now is the time to make a stand, let go of those hang ups and embrace the beautiful person you truly are.

 

♥ Find Your Dream Career - "Through joy, creativity and clarity, I know that my true dreams are possible – all I need now is persistence." so true!

♥ What is Your Idea of Perfect?

♥ What's Really The Matter with 20-somethings - Really interesting read, when I think about it maybe the current economy is partly responsible for the new "trends" in society.

♥ Portraits of Bloggers - Great series of photos, I personally blog from my sofa or occasionally when inspiration strikes at 2am in bed!

♥ 5 Life Skills You Already Have that Can Make You a Great Blogger

♥ 8 Habits of Highly Excellent Bloggers - Excellent tips here for anyone looking to improve their blog

♥ 7 Steps to Transform Your Skin in 2011 - My skin has been terrible this past month so it's definitely time for a skincare routine change!

♥ Beauty Queen Tips & Secrets

♥ D.I.Y Caffeine Body Scrub - This is a great tip and is saving me a heap of money on buying caffeine based scrubs, try it out for yourself.

♥ Girls Love Pink, Boys Love Blue - I love this series of photos. I'm pretty 50/50 on my love for blue and pink as purple is my fave colour

♥ Born A Hundred Thousand Miles Ago

♥ The Sketchbook Project - This is such a great project, I can't wait to see more from the artists involved. The tour has already started in so be sure to check it out if it comes to a gallery near you.

♥ Oscar Nominated Films In Lego - Love this!

♥ I'm So Bored I Can't Get Off The Couch

♥  Making Simple Ribbon Bows - So easy to do and bows add instant cuteness to any outfit!

♥ What Your Sleeping Position Says About Your fashion Sense - Just a bit of fun, I'm sometimes a foetus sometimes freefaller what does that say about my fashion sense?

♥ Mysterious Post-it Note Artist

♥ Binder Pouch Tutorial - I really want to make a mini one for my Filofax

Love & Sparkly Hugs

Cate

xoxo

The Weekly Roundup #8

♥ Rescued & Rehomed an adorable abandoned guinea pig ♥ Cried after watching Milk ♥ Laughed all week at THIS video ♥ Raided the H&M kids section... again! ♥ Watched this year's Oscar Roundtable ♥ Listened to Radiohead's new album ♥ Ate a gigantic strawberry! ♥ Found a bunch of strange things under my bed ♥ Watched Scott Pilgrim Vs the World ♥ Found the perfect Wednesday Adams dress ♥ Listed a few more goodies on eBay ♥ Started work on a new craft project ♥ Listened to Adele's new album ♥ Got complimented on my skeleton tights ♥ Was AMAZED that one of my photos has so many notes on Tumblr!

Love & Sparkly Hugs

Cate
xoxo

Aubergine Clay Stewpot

This was something I learned to make in China, it was my favourite dish from the local restaurant we used to frequent and we pretty much ate it every day! The name is a bit misleading though as this dish is neither stewed or has anything to do with clay it's actually closer to a stir-fry and it's really easy to make.

• Aubergine
• Courgette
• Pepper
• Fresh chilli
• Rice Vinegar
• Mushroom Oyster Sauce
• Oil
• Cornflower

♥ Peel and slice the aubergine, courgette and pepper and finely chop the chilli.

♥ Heat some oil in wok and lightly coat the aubergine and courgette with cornflower.

♥ Once the oil is hot place the aubergine and courgette into the wok and cook until they are crisp and lightly browned then take them out of the wok and place on some kitchen roll to absorb any excess oil.

♥ Drain the excess oil from the wok and place back on a high heat.

♥ Add the cooked aubergine and courgette along with the chopped pepper and chilli into the wok along with a tablespoon of the rice vinegar and 2 tablespoons of the mushroom oyster sauce, stir the sauce through and cook for a few minutes.

♥ Serve with rice and enjoy the taste of China!

Eat & Stay Healthy

Cate

xoxo

The Weekly Roundup #7

by Katie Sokoler

♥ Gave myself a Valentines Day manicure ♥ Watched A Single Man & My Bloody Valentine ♥ Finally fixed my MAC Hello Kitty tote so I have a new bag YEY! ♥ Bought myself an awesome Valentine's gift ♥ Ate nachos ♥ Cleared out the Batcave & listed some goodies on eBay ♥ Had a google map tour of my soon to be real US adventure ♥ Made some delicious raw wraps for dinner, so yummy! ♥ Read Raspberries on the Yangtze ♥ Had a loooong relaxing hot bath ♥ Gave myself a mini makeover ♥ Watched Pineapple Express

Love & Sparkly Hugs

Cate
xoxo

Inspirational Quotes #11

I advocate glamour. Every day. Every minute. - Dita Von Teese

And The Valentine's Giveaway Winner is....

I wrote all the names of those of you entered and put them in my magic pumpkin gave it a special shake and wished you all good luck and the name of the winner is....

Congratulations, I'll be emailing you shortly for your address and your prize will be with you soon ♥

For those of you who didn't win you can enjoy a special Valentine's Day gift of 25% off any purchase in my Etsy shop until the end of the month, just enter the code VALENTINES2011 at checkout.

Happy Valentine's Day

Cate
xoxo

The Weekly Roundup #6

♥ Had an Oscar nominated movie marathon ♥ Created some healthy desserts with raw honey YUM! ♥ Caught up on Doctor Who ♥ Had a dream that I was dating Doctor Who (WTF?) ♥ Drank even more green tea! ♥ Snacked on wasabi flavoured seaweed ♥ Made Bunny Scarves ♥ Realised it's been 2 years since I first opened my Etsy Shop! ♥ Made some delicious fresh guacamole ♥ Listened to Ellie Goulding & Florence & The Machine as I love girls with unusual singing voices ♥ Rocked out my MAC Maleficent Lipstick ♥ Cleared out my closet (again!) ♥ Started making lists for my US Adventure

It's been one of those weeks where it's just work, eat and sleep so not much excitement happening but how was everyone else's week, did you guys do anything fun or exciting?

Love & Sparkly Hugs

Cate
xoxo

P.S. It's the LAST day to enter my Valentines Giveaway as the winner will be announced tomorrow!

What's in my Bag #5

I adore Vivienne Westwood as you all probably already know and this is my favourite (and most expensive!) bag I own. I've been using this non-stop for the past couple months and boy has the stuff been piling up inside it so I thought it was about time for a clear out and another post of what's in my bag.

It's quite interesting how the contents of your bag become a scrapbook of  your life, quite a few of the little things I've found in my bag have reminded me of days out with friends and various celebrations and events.

♥ Hello Kitty purse

♥ Evian

♥ Givenchy glasses

♥ 3D glasses

♥ Airwaves

♥ Soothers

♥ Strepsils

♥ Cinema tickets

♥ Butterfly hairclip

♥ T-rex & rose ring

♥ Hello Kitty lipgloss

♥ Fortune teller fish

♥ Skinfood, Hello Kitty & space pen

♥ Pink mini torch

♥ A tampon

♥ Burt's Bees lip balm

♥ MAC lipstick

♥ Postage receipts

♥ List of blood tests & doctor's appointments

♥ Keys

♥ Miss Kika tote

Love & Sparkly Hugs

Cate

xoxo

The Weekly Roundup #5

♥ Decided to do a 7 day detox ♥ Watched Chi's Sweet Home (super cute!) ♥ Stocked up on smoothies ♥ Tested out the Katy Perry OPI collection ♥ Curled my hair ♥ Read Running with Scissors ♥ Listened to She & Him while reading Zooey D's Tumblr  ♥ Created a delicious "Raw Slaw" recipe ♥ Watched The Fighter & Karla ♥ Drank LOTS of green tea ♥ Found out there is a Cat*Shit*One anime♥ Added 15 minutes of yoga to my daily workout ♥ Realised that sometimes hair products don't lie! ♥ Spoke to my dad in India ♥ Streamlined my internet contacts ♥ Looked up some awesome raw recipes (Yey for eating healthy!)

Love & Sparkly Hugs

Cate

xoxo

P.S. Remember to enter my Valentines Giveaway for your chance to win some cute prizes!

Valentines Giveaway Time!

Valentines is just two weeks away and a perfect time to celebrate the people you love so in honour of that I wanted to give you guys, my lovely readers, an extra special gift from me for being so awesome and what better than to have a Valentines themed giveaway.

PRIZES

♥ Mini Red Handbag

♥ Love Wish Token

♥ Red Rose Bracelet (Handmade by Me)

♥ Eyeko Raspberry Fat Balm

To enter the giveaway it's simple, all you have to do is follow this blog and leave a comment on this post, be sure to also leave a valid email address or place to contact you if you win.

Additional Entries (leave in a separate comment)
♥ Follow me & Tweet about the giveaway  - be sure to link to this post!
♥ Link to this giveaway on your own blog, tumblr, facebook etc.
♥ Make a purchase from my Etsy shop - this will get you 5 bonus entries!

The giveaway is open to everyone and anyone anywhere in the world and will close on the 14th February

Good Luck

xoxo