Rug up!

Hope all had a lovely weekend.I got to eat at my fave Malaysian restaurant and catch up with people I hadn't seen for a while, which is always good times. 
Today the outside temperature is sitting at 8 degrees!! Yes, 8 degrees! I guess at least it's not as cold as other parts of the country, who are getting temps in the negatives and snow.
I am at home in the warm contemplating what to do with my 5 or so weeks of holidays. All assignments and exams are done and dusted for the year...yay!
So, over the next week I am going to find a project to complete within my holiday period. If it is interesting/  successful, I will post it up for all to see.
For now, as a bit of a play on words to my heading for this post, I share with you my pick of lavish rugs to warm up and complement those beautiful wooden floors you have ( or in my case, dream of).

Let there be light...

The last few days have been filled with sick kids and studying...a lethal combination for stress. In between I  sat an exam (fingers crossed) and studied for another (that one's tomorrow).
I am soooo looking forward to tomorrow, and finishing up for the year...there is a light at the end of the tunnel!!!! Although, not quite the end of my studies, it's just another step closer, and I get to have a few weeks holiday!
I know as soon as I relax my body will allow this sickness that has occupied the kids to take over my immune system.
On another note, I have been told I have this weird obsession with lights and lamps, and I kind of do. I like beautiful lights!! And I like the design of lamps. So before I head of to cram a tiny bit more before my exam tomorrow, I will just procrastinate a little more and post my favorite lamps and lights.
Have a great weekend ya'll!

Simple bare bulbs

Clean lines

Father rabbit sells these, get yours here: http://fatherrabbit.com/products/telegram-lamp-clamp-34cm-chrome

This is my fave, so cute!!

Get this gorgeous lamp from here: http://www.douglasandbec.co.nz/hand-turned-table-lamp-made-by-douglas-and-bec/

Winter desert

I was given a bunch of organically home grown rhubarb and tangy feijoas, so I set straight to work when I got home, and decided to make a crumble pie with it. I wasn't really following a recipe  however the pie was a huge success in my home and I made another the next day. 
I have shared the recipe below...go on... make one...you know you want to!





Ingredients
Filling:
500g rhubarb, cleaned and cut
500g feijoas, insides scraped out
1/4 cup water
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup white sugar
2 tbsp corn flour
2 tbsp of water (cold)

Base:
1 cup plain flour
1/4 cup of castor sugar
100g butter, cubed
1 tsp poppy seeds
1/2 tsp nutmeg
water to bind

Crumble topping:
1/2 cup plain flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup rolled oats
75g butter cubed

Method:
I would advise doing the filling in advance as you need this to be cool before you put in on the base. 
So put all the ingredients (except the cornflour and second measure of water) for the filling in a pot and simmer for approx 20 mins. Once the rhubarb is all soft mix the cornflour and water in a mug, then pour into pot to thicken the filling.
Simmer for another 10 mins, then remove from heat to cool.
In a blender, put all the ingredients for the base, except the water, and blitz until it looks like bread crumbs. Add about 1/4 cup of water slowly, until it forms a ball in the blender. Take the dough out and press into a 25 cm flan dish.
Chill while making the crumble.
In a bowl, put all ingredients for crumble and rub butter into mixture with your finger tips until it looks like a crumble mixture.
Spoon filling into base, and top with crumble mixture. 
Bake at 180c for approx 30 mins (check this)
Enjoy with ice cream or whipped cream!!

Father Rabbit has a sale!

I bring to you good news....Father Rabbit is having a sale! I can only sigh and dream about what I would buy from there, should my funds allow, I would buy two of everything!! Check out the sale and pick something beautiful up for your home. 

http://www.fatherrabbit.com/collections/everything-1

I forgot to mention that whilst in the Wairarapa, I spotted a couple of old couches at the house I was staying at. They were victorian (I think) looking two seater couches with buttons. I must say, they were just sitting out on a veranda and not looking loved at all...I may have to lay claim to them!
I have pinched some pictures from my pinterest that have a similar shape, and also how beautiful they could be if they were recovered. Here are some similar pics...

These are just stunning!!

The rural lifestyle

This weekend was spent getting back to the "Wai" as it is called, or the Wairarapa, where I grew up.
I always like going back to the Wai, even if it is a bit quiet compared to the vibrant, bustling city of Wellington. What I enjoy is the sense of space and fresh air that the Wairarapa has, but most of all they have beautiful old character homes that are just so darn cheap!!!
So as I am walking around the streets of Featherston and I spot a beautiful old villa that is just gorgeous, you know, it has beautiful white roses along the patio and a porch swing out the front. I am very tempted to look inside to see if the inside is as beautiful as the outside, I almost convinced no one lives there and it would be okay just to peek inside for a glance.
Anyway, I move on and spot a gorgeous little shop in the town centre. The frontage of the shop also looks like a gorgeous old villa. I just had to take a photo......

This store, aptly named "My father's den" is just full of old nik naks and awesome vintage finds. Definitely have to go back when I have some pingas. 
Another building I saw, and have seen alot of times I have been back here is this one......

It's a bit run down and bordered up, but I think it would make a great pub/restaurant, if someone did it up.

After exploring the town's character, I went back to have a scrumptious pork dinner (with all the trimmings), Later I caught up with old school friends at a local pub. Perfect weekend I say!

Last words for the day....happy food revolution day!

Happy food revolution day! 

This is really not a post about interiors, however, I love Jamie Oliver, and he reminds me how much I love food.

I didn't actually cook today (which is the whole point of food revolution day), but I did cook yesterday (and do so most nights), and it was a pretty mean meal.

I made braised lamb shanks in a red wine jus, with smashed crispy potatoes and braised balsamic red cabbage.

I know this all sounds AMAZING...and it was! I didn't get a photo as I wasn't prepared enough for this spur-of-the-moment blog, I do have the links to where I got the recipes and the pictures. From pinterest...of course!!!!

The potatoes....

  http://userealbutter.com/2012/02/20/parmesan-gremolata-smasher-potatoes-recipe

And the lamb shanks....

http://www.dailylife.com.au/health-and-fitness/dl-nutrition/michelle-bridges-quick-and-healthy-recipe-20120607-1zxh2.html