What you don't know WONT hurt you

This statement. THIS STATEMENT! It is true, what you do not know will definitely not hurt you, there are so many varied statements that run off this one. For example, what you don't know, will hurt you. Untrue! If what they are trying to say is... What you don't know, wont hurt you UNTIL YOU FIND OUT. Then, yes, this one IS true. Back to the former though.. I think it is best to just keep that hurtful thought in until an appropriate time to spit it out!

Monday's muse

Off beat and slightly inappropriate blogger Sade, I found her at Hello Giggles and now follow her at her blog thewhitesade... And you should do! I suppose, she might not be everyone's cup of tea but she certainly is entertaining!
xx

See the world in your chevrolet

Oh, what a tickle. This just keeps on coming back to bite! When it comes to fashion, we all know that what once was, will be again! The 50's fashion scene is a huge statement! People, couples, families! All devote their lives to this era, even if it is 2011.. It's actually refreshing.

Here is my small tribute to ONE of my favourite eras.

The fashion, the decor, the colours, the cars, the slang, the music oh and did I mention the FASHION!

The 50's had everything going on. Milk bars, dances and that fantastic greasy hair. I could go on....

Oooh, fashion!

Listen to me - don't listen to me
Talk to me - don't talk to me
Dance with me - don't dance with me

Ok. I will admit it, I am not the biggest David Bowie fan! BUT I don't know why... This is weird, I woke up early this morning and was singing along to the tune of David Bowie's song "Fashion".. I just love this song! He is one on the most admired artists of the 70's, an era of which I also LOVE! And as we all know, what goes around, comes around. So today, I see David Bowie memorabilia everywhere.. Mainly statement tees with his well known face on them printed in some way that teens will eat them up whether or not they know who he even is. Particularly this image...

So today marks the day that I am going to listen to some tunes by this eclectic wonder, check out his bio, his clothes, his words... Etc.. And send some love his way... Glam rock style!

Red Velvet Cupcakes

My absolute favourite recipe for cupcakes..

INGREDIENTS

2 1/2 cups sifted cake flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

2 oz. red food coloring (two bottles) or 4 oz beet juice (if you use unprocessed light cocoa you can leave out the food dyes and you’ll get a warm red/brown color)

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 eggs, at room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature

1 teaspoon white vinegar

1 teaspoon baking soda

METHOD

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two 12-cup muffin tins or silicone pans with cupcake liners.

2. Sift together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl and set aside. In a smaller bowl, mix food coloring and cocoa powder to form a thin paste without lumps and set aside.

3. In a large bowl, using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about three minutes. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then beat in vanilla and the red cocoa paste, scraping down the bowl with a spatula as you go. Add one third of the flour mixture to the butter mixture, beat well, then beat in half of the buttermilk. Beat in another third of flour mixture, then second half of buttermilk. End with the last third of the flour mixture, beat until well combined, making sure to scrape down the bowl with a spatula.

4. In a small bowl, mix vinegar and baking soda. Be careful as it will fizz so don’t do it in a shallow bowl. Add vinegar mixture to the cake batter and stir well to combine. Fill cupcake cups with cake batter until they are a little under 3/4 full. I ended up with 20 cupcakes. Place muffin tins in your preheated oven. Bake for approximately 20, rotating pans halfway through. The cupcakes are done when you are able to pat the tops and the cake springs back up. If it sinks down they are not yet complete. Or you can insert a toothpick into the center of a cupcake in the center of the tin and if it comes out clean they are done!

5. Cool the cupcakes in their tins on a wire rack for 10 minutes then remove and allow to cool completely before frosting.

6. Enjoy!

Note: If you like your cupcakes super moist like I do, then sneak two tablespoons of sour cream into the mix once it is all combined :)

Some favourites

Here are three of my favourite interior images (today) from my ever-growing folder.. 

In the background

Have you ever driven or walked past someone that has been taking a photo? Well A and I did just this last week, drove right through a photo! I started thinking about how many photo's we would be in the background of. I have been to France, Italy and Belgium (and a lot of beautiful places in between) in almost every photo there are strangers in the background. Whether you're taking a photo of a building, a tree, the ocean, a person, a pet or even a stranger, take a look at what you're capturing in the background. It is a rather interesting thing to think about, really...

Monday's muse

Hilarious blogger Almie Rose, check her out at-
A P O C A L Y P S T I C.. She is my newest smart lady crush... A must see!

Keep Calm Carry The Monkey

THE BAND: Skipping Girl Vinegar.

What a hauntingly beautiful album. The first time that I saw them was the first I actually heard them and I was so amazed by them. I am sure that the cosy environment and the delicious food just added to the already spectacular atmosphere that they create… They are a Melbourne based indie band.. 

Check them out at Skipping Girl Vinegar to hear some breathtaking music…

On a down note

It becomes pretty sad in life when you’ve lost all sense of purpose and direction after you have experienced the worst year of your entire life. Death. Moves. Break-ups. Fails and so on. Yet after all of this you are the one that is expected to pick yourself up and move along. Without hashing out all of the nasty elements, they simply do not go away. They sit around like the pile of dust under your bed during winter hibernation. 

Vent done.

High fashion, money and the colour red

These are three of my most favourite things and when they each collide, it’s like when magic happens. Don’t know what I’m talking about? See for yourself.

Stanley Kubrick had it right, with his intense attention to detail, colour and getting the picture right -he had it from day dot. He was such an incredible director, producer, writer AND photographer. Even when you watch his films, you realise how to-date they are! It’s strange. I am thinking dudefriend and I may have to have a Stanley Kubrick film marathon. May start with The Shining then Space Odyssey, Lolita and of course one of my faves A Clockwork Orange.. 

What is a beautiful day?

The kind of day that starts when you wake up to the sun shining through your window, leaving a golden hue. The music is playing softly. Voices are low and kisses are light. The only thing you have to do on this kind of day is one load of washing in the sunlight and you must, MUST finish that fabulous book! 

Hmm.. I am longing for one of these mornings… NO! I need one of these mornings…

Things that make me happy