Things That Make You Go Oooooo (February 2013)

February seems to have flown by but I can most definitely say that 2013 is getting better and better, healthy habits have been created, new alliances forged AND and brand new exciting adventure planned for later this year. It's really amazing how much things can change in just a month and I really believe that if I keep a healthy positive attitude that I can make things happen so with that in mind here are the links I've been loving this month...

♥ Ultimate Lists: Blog Organizing - I am most definitely a list maker, although I must admit things I've let things get a bit crazy around here lately so I definitely time to restore some order!

♥ How To Create Time

♥ On Gratitude and Cutting Your Body some Slack - It's so easy for us to get down about our body that we forget how amazing they are, instead of focusing on the negative we should change our habits and start loving our bodies for the amazing machines they are.

♥ Tips For Starting A Blog - Whether you're new to the blogging world or an old pro these tips are a great starting point for anyone wanting to take their blog to the next level.

♥ 6 Ways To Stop Procrastination & Actually Get Things Done

♥ Blogger Compensation: To Charge or Not To Charge - A great guide here for anyone wanting to make money off blogging but is unsure where to start.

♥ Sad Girl Walking: What To Do When You Feel Like Your Heart Has Been Ripped Out - February can be a hard month for some of us when it comes to love, this is some great advice on how to deal with the hurt.

♥ 4 Steps To Address How You Really Feel

♥ Pearls of Wisdom: On Self Love + Learning To Love Yourself - I have been taking each on every point made here and making a real effort to do them and you know what as simple as they sound it actually works!

♥ Is Hand Art The Next Big Thing In Beauty? - These photos are simply amazing, I'm blown away with how realistic they look... WOW!

♥ Little People: A Tiny Street Art Collection

♥ DIY Constellations Scarf - I love this idea and it's so simple to make.

♥ Why Programmers Work At Night - I can totally relate to this, I always blog/craft late at night or early morning before everyone else wakes up so I can get things done because as soon as there's an interruption I completely lose all inspiration and motivation .

♥ 23 Ways To Meditate Without Going Crazy

♥ How To Create The Right Mindset To Pay Off Your Debts - Debt can be overwhelming so this is some very good advice for anyone that's struggling with those loans.

♥ 6 Harsh Truths That Will Make You A Better Person - A great article and totally inspiring, take note and change your life!

♥ 28 Common Racist Attitudes and Behaviours

♥ 20 Ways Life is Amazing Even When it Hurts - When you're feeling down sometimes all you need to do is look at those small things in life you take for grated to realise the world isn't such a bad place after all.

♥ What I Learned From My Mother's Overspending - It's always interesting to see how our parents spending habits affect our own attitudes towards money although I must admit most of my money habits I learned on my own the hard way...

♥ The World Of A Professional Naked Girl

♥ Keyboard Piano Plush Toy - I love a good crafting project, this is super cute and surprisingly simple to do and would brighten up a room or make a great gift for someone.

Love & Adventure

Cate

xoxo

Read, Watch, Wear, Play

This month I really feel like I've expanded my mind and learned something new, although  I haven't had as much time to relax as I would have liked it's a good thing to keep busy and keep the mind and body working. If you guys have an recommendations for any good books, TV shows, movies, make-up, food or anything be sure to leave them in the comments and I'll check them out.

Duncan the Wonder Dog: Show One

It's difficult to sum up this graphic novel in a few words as it's the vignettes that surround the main plot that really create this world, a world which challenges you, philosophizes and questions your beliefs, this is much more than a commentary on animal rights it's a question about humanity and what that means to us. I read a review of this a long time ago and it had almost escaped my mind until it showed up on my doorstep as a Christmas gift and I'm so happy it did as I honestly don't think I've ever been so moved by a graphic novel before...

Asia's Next Top Model

Have to admit I'm kinda obsessed with this show, I used to watch America's Next Top Model religiously but for the past couple years the show has become a bit stale for me and I haven't watched it at all but I absolutely love the Asian version and of course I love the Thai contestant Jessica, she's so sweet and totally reminds me of Ginnifer Goodwin off Once Upon a Time (another great show). Watching it has also inspired me to get healthy again after my holiday binge (which spilled into January) so I can feel as body confident as these beautiful girls.

Lioele Water Drop BB Cream

This BB cream has been my skin saviour, I've been suffering from very dry skin recently and nothing has been able to soothe it apart from this. It comes out of the tube quite thick but goes on the skin like water and blends in perfectly, I absolutely love the texture of this and the way it makes my skin glow. I've always been loyal to my Skinfood BB creams but I have to say I love this one even more, it's the absolute best I've ever used. I searched pretty much every Watson's in Bangkok to find Lioele products and finally found one which stocks them on my LAST day so it was a VERY lucky find!

WNYC'S Radiolab

I've wanted to listed to more podcasts for a while now so downloaded this one to listen to at night whilst I work on the computer and I really enjoy it, the subjects are so interesting and well presented and they really get you thinking and give you something to talk about. I've downloaded the whole archive and have been listening to one or two a day and it's a really great way to wind down in fact it has become one of the most enjoyable parts of my day, I totally recommend you check them out and give them a listen as no doubt you'll find it very interesting.

Meditations & Relaxations

Cate

xoxo

Inspirational Quotes #35

"It's up to you to make everyday as perfect as possible. It's a question of will and discipline."
- Karl Lagerfeld

Fruity Cider Puffs

These delicious treats were something I created over Christmas as a lighter alternative to those heavy mince pies and although Christmas is over for another year I thought these would make an excellent sweet treat for Valentine's Day or any time you want to just spoil yourself.

Ingredients

• 1 packets of puff pastry
• 1 bottle cider
• 1 cup of mixed fruit/sultanas
• 1 cup honey
• 1/2 cup glacé cherries
• 1/2 cup dried prunes
• 1/2 cup demerara sugar
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• Chopped nuts
• Icing sugar

(Makes 15*)

♥ Add the cider to a saucepan and bring to a boil, reduce the heat and skim off the foam on top.

♥ Add the vinegar  honey, sugar, cinnamon, ground ginger and fruits to the saucepan, allow to boil once more then reduce the heat to a low simmer.

♥ Allow the fruit mixture to cook and reduce to a syrupy consistency and remove from the heat, you will know when it's done as the syrup will lightly coat the back of a spoon.

♥ Preheat the over to 200°c and lightly coat a cupcake baking tray in oil.

♥ Roll out your packet of puff pastry and cut out circles (or hearts) of at least 2" in diameter, then place them in the greased baking tray.

♥ Cook the pastry in the oven for 10 - 20 minutes until they have risen and are slightly brown on top.

♥ Once cooled use a spook to make a hole in the center of the puff, then add about a teaspoon of mixture to the center of each puff.

♥ For an added touch sprinkle with some chopped nuts and lightly dust some icing sugar on top.

♥ Eat and enjoy!

Sugar & Spice

Cate

xoxo

*You will have a lot of the fruit mix leftover but don't worry if you put it in container and keep it in the fridge it will last for months and you can use again or add it to porridge, cereal or other cakes as an extra treat.

Daily Outfit: The Rose of Winterfell

The snow came falling down a couple weeks ago much to my delight as I absolutely love snow. There's just something incredibly calming about the way snow falls, it's so graceful and seems to bring a sense of peace and beauty to our landscape, so I decided to join in on the blogger fun and take advantage of its brief visit to play dress up.

Iceland was the last time I wore this outfit and although I very rarely wear Lolita fashion now, having parted with most my wardrobe, I find that because of all the layers it's really suitable for the cold weather. After admiring the fashion for many years this dress from Princess Doll was actually the first Lolita dress I ever bought and remains to be one of my most favourite designs.

These Dr Martens Darcie boots are perfect for frolicking in the snow, believe it or not I've found Ugg boots are pretty much useless outdoors in cold snowy weather and even though these Darcie boots have a heel they have a pretty good grip on the ice and they keep your feet nice and dry which is a must if you're ankle deep in snow!

♥ Cape/Coat - Topshop
♥ Dress - Princess Doll
♥ Shoes - Dr Martens
♥ Fur Stole - Vintage
♥ Floral Crown - Beau xoxo

Snowflakes & Winter Roses

Cate

xoxo

5 Handmade Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

I think Valentine's Day is a great excuse to get crafty but don't worry if you're not that skilled even making a cute card to give to your sweetheart is a beautiful gesture, so you're looking for some ideas, running out of time or just can't find that perfect gift then check out these great handmade gift ideas.

Valentines Crochet Necklace

The added details of gold thread used in the heart gives it that extra sparkle and I love the addition of the arrow, this is a truly beautiful necklace and the perfect gift for your sweetheart.

Bomb Diggy Valentines Bath Bomb

Baths can be so relaxing and romantic so I don't think you can go wrong with some great smelling bath bombs, whether you use it before your big date to get you in the mood or for a romantic night in this one has an added hint of Ylang Ylang a popular aphrodisiac *wink*

Red Heart Patched Leggings

You guys already know I'm pretty much "hearts on everything" type of person so I thought these legging were adorable and simple gift idea which you could even try making yourself.

4 Hand Stamped Rings

Rings have become that universal symbol of love and I adore the idea of personalising them and being able to share something that can also be worn as one, it reminds me of those friendship necklaces I used to have with my school friends, so cute.

Icelandic Soy Wax Candle

Iceland is a country that has stolen my heart and candles always make wonderful gifts which can be very romantic to, there's nothing quite like that soft candlelight glow to get you in the mood for love.

Love & Cupcakes

Cate

xoxo