Like most countries, Christmas in Australia is all about family, food, giving and sharing. But we also have the heat, eating outdoors and brilliant colour that signifies Christmas. I love the thought of having a white Christmas as it's something that's so foreign to me. One day in my life I'll have one (or more!). In the meantime, I can dream....

Unfortunately I don't have all the links to site the original posts. Here's the few that are available:
Sage Wreath, Twig Tree, Reindeer Skin, White Decor, Tin Houses, Lit Star, Simple Wrapping

It's so exciting to see fresh figs at the market. There's something about their pretty pink flesh and purple green exterior that's so appealing. Let's not forget to mention how delicious they are! I love them with prosciutto and goat's cheese but we'll save that recipe for later. In the meantime, how about making this simple dessert that celebrate the beauty, simplicity and taste of a humble fig? x Cate

Fresh Figs with Ricotta Cheese and Honey Syrup

2 tablespoons honey
1 cinnamon stick
Toasted flaked almonds
4 fresh figs
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup icing (confectioners) sugar
finely grated orange zest

Place honey, cinnamon stick and 4 tablespoons of water in a small saucepan. Simmer until liquid has reduced by half. Discard cinnamon stick. Slice figs into quarters keeping base attached, fan out and arrange on dish. Combine ricotta, vanilla and sugar in a bowl. Divide among figs. Spoon syrup over figs and top with flaked almonds and orange zest

Summer's nearly here, yay!

One thing I love about living in Sydney is the weather. The Winter's are mild but the Summer's are hot. We live close to the shore with the harbour on one side and the beach on the other. How lucky are we? It's not such a big thing to take Sunny, our puppy, down to Balmoral beach for a walk and quick dip. It's a place of activity for everyone as families picnic, kids paddleboard and ladies do lunch. The local cafe gives lollipops to enterprising kids for collecting seashells along the shore. Then there's yummy fish and chips that come with a side-order of annoying, chip-stealing seagull. It's a fabulous place that I love

One of my favourite things to do is collect seashells at the beach. My collection is growing and thought I could put them to good use. I decided to turn them into easy to make candles. And when I mean easy, I mean E-A-S-Y. Simply melt your standard tealight candle and use the included wick and base. That way you can admire them everyday

How to Make Seashell Candles

You will need
Open, flat bottom seashells
Tealight Candles
Glue Gun

Step 1: Sort out your shells and decide which ones have the flattest bottom so the wax won't ooze over the edge

Step 2: Seperate the wick from the tealight candle. Mine easily came out

Step 3: With a hot glue gun, glue any holes to stop wax from leaking. Glue wick onto shell base

Step 4. Melt wax in a saucepan over a low heat. Spoon into shells and leave to cool

Don't forget to keep an eye on them when lit!!

I used chunky salt to keep them stable and add a little atmosphere. Even unlit, they look pretty

I hope you give it a try! x Cate

To say I'm obsessed by chunky knitting is an understatement. It appeals to me on so many levels because I love things on a big scale and the thought of being dwarfed by a throw that totally encases the body with warmth, bulk and texture is enticing. The knitting needles are huge to knit these works of art, so big they could potentially give RSI by the end of the first row. I'm in the process of making a throw made from strips of fabric instead of wool that I'll show you soon. I have also just ordered some wool from Loopy Mango (in Limonata) and I can't wait to make a floor cushion. Can you smell a knitting diy coming soon? I'm so excited!

Photo credits: Little Dandelion and Loopy Mango

Happy Monday! It's the start of another week and we have the simplest, yummiest and decadent dessert you will ever make. No mixing, processing, baking or melting. Three ingredients. That's it. The perfect classic trio. Deliciousness!

Here's the recipe: strawberries, dollop of creme fraiche (or sour cream) and dark brown (or muscovado) sugar. Dunk the strawberry into cream, dip into sugar and eat until full. Life doesn't get any better than this