sugar hit

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTcTkrJDC2UkK0dp-UrwIrhyphenhyphen11Zfisr0Y0h3_EELXuHT4sDVxU05Znozg4Q7Z8MIpV4G2WyzhcML_NMqp3N3QwgbWjKTmxnGaeNc5n-q8HkaHzqYjAl3SmkjvYtGDISXTJobNu6ifjvk/s1600-h/IMG_0087-pola.jpg"></a><div>tonight i trudged wearily up the stairs to my second-floor apartment, turned the key in the lock, pushed open the door and this... <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">amazing</span> smell wafted out, tickled my nostrils and floated out the door. It smelt akin to honeysuckles, like... sweet vanilla pods, like the gooey centre of a creme brulee after the satisfying craaaaack. it smelt like SPRING.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div>usually my apartment smells like vegemite, soup and the faint smell of cat. niiice. I racked my brain trying to think what it might be then i remembered....</div><div><br /></div><div> </div><div>... on sunday i bought two hyacinth plants - one purple, one white - and sat one my windowsill and one on my end table. The guy said they were fragrant; he wasn't kidding. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363856641221538930" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXTcTkrJDC2UkK0dp-UrwIrhyphenhyphen11Zfisr0Y0h3_EELXuHT4sDVxU05Znozg4Q7Z8MIpV4G2WyzhcML_NMqp3N3QwgbWjKTmxnGaeNc5n-q8HkaHzqYjAl3SmkjvYtGDISXTJobNu6ifjvk/s400/IMG_0087-pola.jpg" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 329px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363856631836038338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg5Va5sf-UdOLadGEgw_xH9rF5Z9_EQ_Z2tsH-6CNEKjd6x91ZgdVb_Jm1gJAkIosA8UBPAvIhF-HOs70wxDj6AbR8qJvxSCb7eVB-7yT0SiyTDos9pZbIAlKmq89IQ4EE7lE6QLMQZhI/s400/IMG_0085-pola.jpg" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 329px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238);"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">ness x</div><div> </div><div> </div>

sugar hit

tonight i trudged wearily up the stairs to my second-floor apartment, turned the key in the lock, pushed open the door and this... amazing  ...

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winter supper

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4Hi-SxE0xQTeLr4eFQLlZAWGEcUGCy_rSAp5SNsv__3nNZ-TmNv1Uh67aPX3X6fM7qwoDEiRFVdU4RI6HfckTJJUiFd_HDYoTwL9Jpnuyy2cN2Ddu_YS1P7hUJSfx-a6BxlvK9BWxbc/s1600-h/IMG_0089-pola.jpg"></a>there are very few problems that a bowl of soup can't fix. <div><br /></div><div>when i was a wee ness, my mama would herald the beginning of winter by cooking up a huge, bubbling pot of potato and leek soup. chop chop chop the sweet soapy smell of leeks would fill the corners of our house and in would tumble the waxy squares of potatoes one by one. the soup would brew for an hour or so, teasing us with its fragrant deliciousness. my sister and i would hover in the living room, peering over the kitchen bench watching it go wizzzzzzz in the blender. Then into our hungry mouths it would fall... QUICK! gulp gulp down and so hot it would burn our tongues. sweet and creamy and silky smooth, she would sneakily leave in lots of little potato chunks (just cos i liked them). </div><div><br /></div><div>Like many of my mother's recipes, i tried this one in my very own kitchen at the beginning of winter. chop chop chop went the leeks and potatoes, in tumbled some carrots and spinach for good measure and a splash of cream. wizzzzzzzzz in the blender and as i waited with bated breath, i smothered damp brown bread in salty butter and gobbled it down. Out the soup came, and it tasted... not exactly like my mother's.... yes, similar, but something different. it tasted like.... yup, that was it. it tasted like sydney and studio apartments and paddy's markets and spindly trees and milky tea. A mixture of two worlds. </div><div><br /></div><div>so the other night i went a little cuhrazy and decided to experiment... with vegetables. i know, right? i am one wild child. this lovely soupy goodness is a creation of yours truly and i would oh so love to hear your most favourite winter-warming recipe pretty please!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">SPICY CARROT AND CHICKPEA SOUP</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></div><div>serves: 4 days of ness' lunches</div><div><br /></div><div>3 carrots, chopped (leave the skin on - its awfully good for you. my dad said so)</div><div>2 cans of chickpeas, drained</div><div>2 potatoes, chopped</div><div>1 med sized sweet potato, chopped</div><div>3 greedy handfuls of baby spinach</div><div>4 cups chicken stock (i am lazy and buy ready-made but aim to make my own one day)</div><div>1 onion, finely chopped</div><div>3 or 4 bay leaves</div><div>a little bit of garlic</div><div>a littler bit of chilli</div><div>sea salt and freshly ground pepper</div><div>oh and lots of good quality olive oil and parmesan cheese (splurge!)</div><div><br /></div><div>Turn up the heat and chuck in the garlic, chilli, onion and a good splash of olive oil. Sweat it out, so that all the lovely flavours are released. Stir occasionally while you chop chop all the vegies out. Toss in the carrots - i like to get these totally immersed in the spicy chilli and garlic. Cook for 5 mins or so, then toss in the chickpeas and get those nice and garlic-y too. Another splash of olive oil works well here. Cook for another 5 minutes or so. </div><div><br /></div><div>Throw in the potatoes and sweet potatoes, pour in the stock and add 2 or 3 cups of water (the vegies should be totally covered with lots of liquid on top). Add any herbs that you want - i like a good shake of paprika and some extra chilli for good measure - and of course, lots of pepper and a pinch of salt. Sprinkle your bay leaves on top, pop the lid on and bring to the boil.</div><div><br /></div><div>Hold on, almost done! Take it down to a nice gentle simmer and cook 'til the vegies are nice and tender (try the sweet potato, this one takes the longest to cook so it's a good indicator). Stir in the spinach leaves, oh - and have a little taste here, too. Feel free to add more herbs and spices to your liking. Let cool for a little, then wizzzzzz through the blender (or use a hand mix, this soup is not all picky). Ladle into bowls and top with some crumbly parmigiano reggiano. it's damn fine, i tell you! </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363482967077537314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4Hi-SxE0xQTeLr4eFQLlZAWGEcUGCy_rSAp5SNsv__3nNZ-TmNv1Uh67aPX3X6fM7qwoDEiRFVdU4RI6HfckTJJUiFd_HDYoTwL9Jpnuyy2cN2Ddu_YS1P7hUJSfx-a6BxlvK9BWxbc/s400/IMG_0089-pola.jpg" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 329px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>('scuse the dirty bowl. i am not very good at "plating up".)</div><div><br /></div><div>ness x</div><div><br /></div>

winter supper

there are very few problems that a bowl of soup can't fix.  when i was a wee ness, my mama would herald the beginning of winter by cooki...

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500 days of summer

<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">it's official: I have a new girl crush. Yes, miss zooey deschanel has knocked sarah blasko and amy adams off their pedestals & stolen my heart.  I am so eagerly waiting to see her newest film venture '500 Days Of Summer' which also stars... wait for it..  Joseph Gordon- Levitt from 3rd rock fame. *swoon* who knew he'd grow up so good? it's my dream cast AND they play lots of fab music too, like The Smiths, Regina Spektor and even a couple of Zooey's own sweet melodies. I only have to wait... oh, 2 months, i think. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In the meantime, I am feeding my film addiction with several other newbies that are soon to be released. I've already seen Sunshine Cleaning and Every Little Step (3.5 stars, 4.5 stars) and have J.M Coetzee's Disgrace, Coco Avant Chanel, Beautiful Kate, The September Issue and Last Ride on my to-watch list. there's just nothing nicer than a wintry sunday afternoon spent at the cinema with a chai latte and a caramello koala (or two).</span></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PsD0NpFSADM&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PsD0NpFSADM&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><br />ness x</span>

500 days of summer

it's official: I have a new girl crush. Yes, miss zooey deschanel has knocked sarah blasko and amy adams off their pedestals & stole...

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hey big spender

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzND-m2yTNAQHsEdtarG6_Q2U7n5jxs_6C37nHs02NtTKJu-NDIq3Z2OEKeTyxAvkVirRarxXmk15K-7ADz3jJKku37EwYJnWTgiCLErkswJ-1ANsdmW3tF3_EjZDJ2cXez8nucvz8PQY/s1600-h/IMG_0071-pola.jpg"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">I have a theory about pay day: it's always the first weekend that ruins you. Every month it follows the same pattern... a nice little lump sum lands in your account, the numbers glow and you feel... RICH! it's at this stage that I start to fantasise about all the things that i could do with my loot. a weekend away in melbourne perhaps? oooh witchery boots! or that new art book in Ariel that I've been coveting...<br /><br />But then I remember that paying rent and bills and groceries and insurance and train tickets leaves nothing more than a sad little pile of dirty coins and a couple of tenners. sigh. so I pledge that for the first weekend after pay day, my purse strings will stay tied tight. NO spending, I tell myself, and usually I stay true to my promise for a coupe of days at least. This month? Well, it's officially a record. That's right my lovelies, I lasted exactly 32 hours before blowing a significant amount of my pennies at Country Road. A couple of the girls in the office are bestowed with little gold country road VIP cards which entitle them to a veeery nice 30% off. How could a girl resist? (and, I convinced myself, I really really needed more tops). I loveee everything that they have in store at the moment, spesh all those fab chunky knits. I scored a long sleeve silk white blouse, a little grey and white pleated camisole that will go very nicely thankyou with my black blazer and the cutest blue and white cap sleeved blouse that boasts a high neck and floppy bow.<br /><br />hmmm two days into the pay month and only, what? 28 to go? i predict a "how-to-do-a-weekend-on-a-budget" post coming very soon...<br /><br />oh yes, also wanted to share this photo with you. Snapped at approx 5pm from my office window; isn't this the most luminous sunrise you've ever seen? </span><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363492398057507170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzND-m2yTNAQHsEdtarG6_Q2U7n5jxs_6C37nHs02NtTKJu-NDIq3Z2OEKeTyxAvkVirRarxXmk15K-7ADz3jJKku37EwYJnWTgiCLErkswJ-1ANsdmW3tF3_EjZDJ2cXez8nucvz8PQY/s400/IMG_0071-pola.jpg" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 329px; height: 400px; " /></span><div> </div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span><div> </div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">ness x<br /></div></div></div></div>

hey big spender

I have a theory about pay day: it's always the first weekend that ruins you. Every month it follows the same pattern... a nice little lu...

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for the love of music

<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheh8p9Hj1uUCGEO-odJoURP84VOzHTGHvH5wHEFwHqzDZGO2HfAbGFxUmMxuU-dwRJY204n8ngOeB777peTs2DKGlaGYZyS2fmv5z1Dqx8POf9suq1NT5esNVerNsHOYWMTjwPONQtsFw/s1600-h/IMG_0069-pola.jpg"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">any sydney-ite who supports local Aussie music would've heard that radio stalwart FBI is in deep financial strife. Not-for-profit and privately owned, they're poor as church mice and need our help. From weekly cheapie gigs to fundraisers and auctions, there's stacks of fabulous things YOU can do to get involved. head </span><a href="http://www.fbiradio.com/content.php/3.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> for more info. </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">A couple of weeks ago they announced that the Chaser boys had </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 5px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 5px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">offered to dedicate all the tickets from their July 14th taping to FBi.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> My darling friend Philly, ever the generous soul, snaffled up a couple of tickets in the blink of an eye and offered one to yours truly. The taping of the chaser is harder to get into than APEC so I was pretty stoked.</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><br /></span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Make sure to tune in tomorrow night to watch the episode; much better than previous ones i thought...</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363493479874354850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheh8p9Hj1uUCGEO-odJoURP84VOzHTGHvH5wHEFwHqzDZGO2HfAbGFxUmMxuU-dwRJY204n8ngOeB777peTs2DKGlaGYZyS2fmv5z1Dqx8POf9suq1NT5esNVerNsHOYWMTjwPONQtsFw/s400/IMG_0069-pola.jpg" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 329px; height: 400px; " /></span></div><div> </div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div> </div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">ness x</span></div><div> </div><div> </div></div></div>

for the love of music

any sydney-ite who supports local Aussie music would've heard that radio stalwart FBI is in deep financial strife. Not-for-profit and pr...

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a reunion of sorts

well, hello. it's been a little while, huh? I've been waiting for a long time to get my blog mojo back and somehow tonight - in between being a complete uncoordinated spaz at boxing class and scoffing a cheese & tomato toastie - it zoooooooooom came flooding back. It's just a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;">little</span></span> spark at the moment but hoping praying wishing that I'll be blogging daily ever so soon.<div><br /></div><div>See, i am ever so lucky in that i get paid every day to write and sometimes i find it a little difficult to come home at the end of the day and... write. It's sad but often my brain feels so drained and empty and devoid of anything intelligent and/or witty and i really didn't think it fair to subject you, my darling readers, to my incoherent ramblings. But (there's always a but) i've really missed blogging. So i'm going to stop writing bloody essays and instead just post a little something every night. A deliciously decadent recipe. A new designer. A wintry Sydney night that has me twirly twirling in the rain gutters. Milky tea. A film that makes me cry. A book that makes me think. A salsa-dancing sangria-drinking saturday night adventure. </div><div><br /></div><div>i do so hope that you'll come back and re-visit me again. i've missed you all!</div><div><br /></div><div>ness x</div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>

a reunion of sorts

well, hello. it's been a little while, huh? I've been waiting for a long time to get my blog mojo back and somehow tonight - in betw...

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