I'm back

Hey guys, it's been a little while but I have been missing blogging so much that I have started a new blog: http://spoiltlily.blogspot.com/ hope you will be able to follow me there!

Farewell

The wedding is over and my blogging days seem to be fading so I have decided it is time to say goodbye to my blog. I will still keep my eye on everyones blogs and thanks so much for all of your great feedback and the lovely friends I have made through this blog xx

Back again

Sorry guys - I have been away in Darwin for the long weekend and have had no time to stop by. Our high res shots have all arrived so I will be showing some of them off!!

Paneang Curry

While we were away we spent our last day doing a cooking class. After we met with the monk in the morning! Anyway.. we cooked Tom Yam Goong, Phad Thai & Paneang Curry. My favourite was definately the curry and despite eating thai food 3 times a day for 2 straight weeks I still can't get enough! Here is the recipe!

Ingredients:

Panaeng curry paste - 10g

Shrimp paste - 2 g

Coconut milk (fresh if possible) 100g

Chicken stock - 30g

Vegetable oil - 20g

Kaffir lime leaves julienne - 2g

Red Chilli julienne - 3g

Fish sauce - 1tbsp

Sugar (palm sugar if possible) 1tsp

Salt

Method:

1. Heat vegetable oil, add panaeng curry paste and shrimp paste and stir for 3 minutes until the curry paste is fragrant

2. Add the pork or chicken or beef and stir for 4 minutes until well mixed

3. Add the chicken stock

4. When the stock boils, add coconut milk and boil for 3 minutes until bubbling

5. Add kaffir lime leaves and red chilli and season with fish sauce, salt and sugar to taste

6. Pour into a bowl and garnish with kaffir lime leaves and red chilli

Koh Racha

Our first stop in Thailand was a small island called Koh Racha off Phuket. The hotel is one of only a few on the island and it sure was luxury! We had our own pool which has a view down to the bay as well as an outdoor shower and many other cool features. We were able to explore the island by quad bike, snorkel and basically just relax! Our kyaking adventure was less successful and I don't think we will be 'tandem' kyaking again!!

I am really struggling to re-adjust to being back home in the cold Melbourne weather so am working out some new goals for myself to keep motivated and make life a little bit more exciting/challenging!

Home!

We are back from the Honeymoon - it was brilliant! We had lots of fun times and stayed in some great places - many photos to come!

One down many to go!

After a little bit of retail therapy I headed off for my first run back. It was going well thanks to a lovely tail wind and a I managed an hour of walk/run so I am feeling good!

Running

In and effort to get myself back into a good fitness routine I am going to try and get back into my running. One of my best methods of motivation is either reading running magazines or hanging out with my old triathlon buddies! So I am going to make a pact with myself to run every day and get myself back to the point where I can go for a nice long slow run! Wish me luck! I will keep a dairy on my blog to track how I go!

Masterchef

I am loving the fact that Masterchef is back - and it goes for 1.5 hours every night!! It gets even more interesting once there are a few less contestants...

Bring it on

I am seriously hanging out for our trip to Thailand. Can't wait for some relaxation and a break from work!!

One of the hotels we are staying at in Krabi is located with a view across to the Hong Islands which we plan to explore by kayak!

So apart from working flat out - I have been trying lots of new cooking creations as well as another Jamie Oliver book - I am obsessed with his recipes. I have 3 custom wedding invitations on the go through my etsy shop so that is exciting.

Hope everyone is going well xx

Jerry's

Today we visited Jerry's Cafe in Elwood. I have been wanting to try it for approximately 5 years! The corn and dill pikelets with salmon was our first pick but unfortunately the pikelets had run out!! oh no - I was seriously nearly crying. So I had the caramelised banana porridge. Hmm not the best ever. Anyway this weekend I am going to make our own corn and dill pikelets with the salmon and maybe next time we try Jerry's they will have some left. Loving the Italian Food Safari tonight! Farewell Bruce M.

The Racha

The honeymoon is coming up and we are both so ready for it!! One of the hotels we picked is The Racha which is on a small island off Phuket - amazing!

New stuff

So now that the wedding is over I will need to re-direct my blogging energy. I just have to work out where! At the moment I am focussing on: 1. The honeymoon 2. Growing our business 3. Getting back into my cycling 4. Improving my cooking. The weather is certainly getting colder here in Melbourne and next thing on my list of movies to see is Micmacs. Be back with more soon!

The Boyz Jumping

Yay!!!!!!

The professional photos have arrived - here is one for now and heaps more to come! xx

Food

So I thought it was about time to mention one of my favourite blogs. One of my old design school/triathlon friends, she is always posting amazing photos, great recipes and crafty goodness! One of her recent posts related to Jamie Olivers Ministry of Food book. I had been holding on to a book voucher since my birthday and put it to good use to get this book. The principle behind the book is to inspire people to get in the kitchen and create their own meals and share them with others. My cooking was in need of some help basically because I am time poor, and my *husband* is a better cook. So I am working on this now, reading all of the gourmet travellers I can get my hands on and preparing to cook up a storm. Tomorrow night we are having guests for dinner and preparing homemade pizza for entree, four cheese gnocchi with walnuts, and Jamies Mega Chocolate Fudge Cake for dessert! My etsy shop is going well with lots of fun international orders which is great! Not long now till the honeymoon and I can't wait to sit on a sunlounge with a Singha in hand!

Ha ha!

I love these photos taken 'down the garden path' they are a little bit more candid!

Flowers

Here is a more detailled shot of the flowers. I loved them!

Monday

Gosh I love Mondays - not! We had our first day off in ages yesterday and boy it was nice to sleep in. Then off to our favourite brekky spot for some corn fritters and french toast yum! Then we went to my new brother in laws place for some lasagna and gardening! I am feeling slightly refreshed. Still waiting on the professional shots - I can't wait. Also in the process of planning our honeymoon which is going to be fantastic. At the moment it looks like: fly into Phuket, then off to The Racha, Phi Phi Island, Krabi, Koh Lanta and Koh Yao Noi - sounds like a lot but it will be a lot of fun! More wedding posts to come I promise!

Thanks!

So - finally I have a chance to do a proper post about the wedding. I have so many people to thanks it is not funny. Waiting on the professional photos to really show what the day was like but here are a few more for now!

Thanks to my fabulous bridesmaids - Claire, Tam & Shannon. You all put in so much work and kept me calm and helped me make decisions!! You all looked SO beautiful and it was just amazing having you by my side for the day!

Thanks to my new husband Matt - you are awesome!

Thanks to my family and friends - especially Mum & Dad xx

And mainly in order of appearance:

Amanda for the most delicious food and amazing venue

Paul Hyland for your beautiful flowers

Andi Maccoll - the best photographer ever!

Sally - amazing hair - thanks Sal

Ella - for our makeup - you are a legend!

Mike - for driving Dad and I in your cool mustang

So many more but that will do for now!!

More wedding pics

I don't want to post the same photos multiple times but here are some more shots! Waiting on the professional shots from our fantastic photographer!

Wedding update

The wedding was held over the weekend and we had a blast! Huge thanks to all friends and family members especially the bridesmaids and groomsmen! Very exciting!! I will go into more detail shortly but for now here are some more pics of the day! xx

Our cool mustang!

sneak peak!

Weather forecast

Partly cloudy light winds

Min 18 Max 26 :)

4 sleeps to go

It is 4 sleeps today and not long to go. We met up with our photographerAndrew Maccoll this week to catch up and he also sent through shots from my friend Nicole's wedding - they are so stunning!

Excited!! But a few things left to do!!

xx

1 week to go!

Just a quick one this morning - I will be back later with more...

I have a giant list of things to do today but that's ok. Off for last hair colour and rehersal tomorrow.

xx

Checking In

Sorry I haven't checked in for a few days. I have been quite busy with wedding arrangements, work and some custom orders. This weekend is the rehersal so it is coming around so quickly!! Still a few things to do but nothing too serious. And finally here are a couple of the Hens pics! xx

Sia

I have blogged quite a bit about Sia. I just LOVE her music! SO much of it is perfect for a wedding but also for cheering you up when you need it. This week I will be organising our wedding music. If I had my way it would be pretty much all Sia and Dave Matthews but I guess that won't cut it! It has to be a little bit offbeat though... any suggestions are more than welcome!

Huge thanks to my maid of honour and bridesmaids for a wonderful Hen's day despite crazy Melbourne weather everyone arrived in one piece. I will do a proper post when I grab some of the stunning photos!