Gym Motivation

Today, after renewing my membership, i spent my first morning back at the gym. Going back is so, so hard. I absolutely sweated like it was 50 degrees inside the gym and felt like dying at the time! But now that I'm home I feel so much better for it. Sometimes when I go to the gym I feel disgusting because I am one of those people who goes super flushed and literally drips sweat, but I saw this photo today (actually posted by my unigym on facebook) and it made perfect sense. People who bother doing their hair beautifully, putting on make-up and all the like just to work out - that's not what the gym is about, it's about sweating it out, grunting and really feeling that burn! I really hope I can keep up the motivation to keep going about 3 times per week, and perhaps a walk once a week as well. I love doing spin class and body balance (which is yoga/pilates/meditation) - great for a stressful sunday to wind down. What are peoples opinions on the gym? I know they are not for everyone, but I think as much as you convince yourself you are working out well at home, it's never the same workout as in the gym or in a gym-run class - that's just my opinion anyway!

Red Vanilla Cupcakes

I decided to do a little baking this afternoon. I've been so bogged down with this Administrative Law essay and feeling a bit down, it was time to do some therapeutic baking. I basically just made vanilla cupcakes, added some red food colouring and did a cream cheese and vanilla icing. They are so yummy and anything red generally just makes me feel happier.

Movie Wish List

Here are some movies that I am hanging out for. I'm nearly finished all my major assignments for uni & i'm excited to see a good movie or two in my upcoming holidays.

1. The Sound of My Voice (you can watch the first 12 minutes online free if you'd like to get a little taste.
2. Wish You Were Here
3. Martha Macy May Marlene - I've actually already seen this film. It was so amazing, literally on the edge of my seat the whole time. I think I might even watch it again very soon.

The Most Simple Banana Bread

Banana bread is probably one of my all time favourite things to bake! It's quick, simple and delicious! And I always manage to keep the ingredients on hand. Here is the simple recipe I use. Oh, also note that I freeze my un-used bananas. When they are going brown in the fruit bowl and beyond the point where you would eat them, I pop them in the freezer and then defrost them whenever I please for this recipe!

Simple Banana Bread:
1 cup self raising flower
2 bananas (fresh or frozen - but thawed)
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
pinch of salt
2 tablespoons golden syrup

Directions: mash the bananas in a medium bowl and add the golden syrup, then add the sugar and mix in. Add egg and flour and pinch of salt and lightly mix until combined. Pour into a loaf pan (greased with butter) and cook for 30 minutes at approx 180 degrees for 30 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.

So simple and moist and delicious! and I often use gluten free self raising flour to try and make it lighter on the stomach :)

Fruit Salad

This is the delicious fruit salad I made for breakfast. It always surprises me how nice a healthy, fresh breakfast can make you feel. I used apple, orange, kiwi fruit, banana and pomegranate. Yum!

Pomegranate

So, I am extremely embarrassed to admit this, but until a few days ago I had never tasted pomegranate! My housemate recently bought a chocolate cheesecake and it was smattered with these beautiful little pomegranate seeds. They just burst in your mouth and have a lovely tart flavour about them. The huge downside I have now figured out, is that they are terribly hard to eat (messy, staining and the seeds are so hard to get away from the pith-like stuff). However, as I have been procrastinating over study I've googled some simpler techniques to remove the seeds and it seems that holding the fruit under water as you remove the seeds seems like the easiest way. I am definitely trying this technique out tomorrow morning as i have a beautiful fruit salad planned, which will have pomegranate, banana, kiwi fruit, apple and orange. Delicious!

I Love Jars!

I've had such a crazy obsession with jars lately. I love going op-shopping and tip shopping and finding all different shapes and kinds. Nothing can go past a beautiful Folwer Jar or Mason Jar, which are probably my favourite. I found these first 5 photos on pinterest and i think they example the versatility of jars - and some creative ideas. The last 2 photos are of the jars I scored today at South Hobart Re-Use shop, i got all 3 for $2!! I decorated them with some fresh flowers from the garden and water and popped them on the mantle piece. I also think they would make a wonderful centerpiece on a table. I think I might have become a crazy jar lady, uh-oh!

Mother's Day at New Norfolk

Today was a lovely day, filled with tip shopping and antique browsing. These photos were taken (by my bad quality phone) at the most exquisite antique shop in New Norfolk Tasmania. The photos cannot even do it justice; it's just filled to the brim with amazing French antiques! I just about died at the sight of all the blue and white China, and I fell in love with these beautiful glass cake stands (last photo). Everything is very pricey, but I'd hope one day when I have a real job from my degree, that I could go and buy a magnificent piece of furniture from there. I love the idea of stacking old suitcases in your home, and will definitely be keeping my eye out at the tip shops for some old ones. Also, Happy Mothers Day :-)

Polka Pjs

There is NO BETTER feeling than having a scorching hot shower, then popping on some brand new fleecy polka-dot pajamas! I suppose an even better feeling would not to have this essay research to do, but the pjs make it somewhat more bearable.

Hopeful

Well, as overexcited as I had become about the Market on Sunday, my little planters were not a huge hit. I only sold 2, but am trying not to be deterred. I'm attempting to lay blame on the lack of target market of people which came through the market, there were lots of older people who wouldn't really be interested in what I'm selling. Nevertheless, I'm trying not to be too down in the dumps, it was just a bit disappointing after I put so much work and love in to them. I was thinking about selling them on facebook (perhaps trying to) with pick-up only (as they couldn't be posted), or just keeping them for presents in the future. Although the market was cold, I enjoyed reading my book and I have finally finished Fahrenheit 451, horrah!  I don't usually have the time during Uni time to finish actual novels. The last photo here is of my dog, Beau, who I got to see while I was down at my parents house. He looked so cute snuggled up his basket.
I'd be open to any suggestions on how to sell my succulent planters or even if you think they are any good?

A morning of planting

As promised, my wonderful morning of planting in pictures. I apologise for getting a wee bit carried away with so many photos, I just got very excited.

I've been growing all these succulents in water & in pots for a few months now, and you basically just re-plant them in anything you like, they take root so easily.
The orange teacup and saucer is FireKing and it's for my mum for mothers day. She has collected FireKing kitchenware so a long time and had about 10 FireKing mugs. When i saw this tea cup (in perfect condition) in a little second-hand store yesterday in New Town, I couldn't resist. I'm quite partial myself to the FireKing orange-ware, I'm not usually a huge fan of anything 'glossy' but I do love these cups.

Hopefully these sell over the weekend at the Sunday Cygnet Market that I'm going to, I will take some more photos of my little set-up there :)