Christmas 2022

 

Hi guys! I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! We went to a local hotel for Christmas lunch with my Dad this year. Great for me, because I didn't have to cook haha. I tried to get a bit more Christmassy this year, but just with decorations around the house, not with baking, after this disaster. Mind you, I never put up any decorations other than the Tree, so I definitely didn't go over-the-top. This was the first year I put lights on the Christmas Tree though, so go me!

Here are some pics from our Christmas Lunch, which was was a set menu.

Another thing we did this year was walk around our local neighbourhood at night checking out the Christmas lights. Here's the best decorated house we saw on our adventures!

And Christmas Day wouldn't be complete without presents! Here's a pic of our 15 year old son's gifts as hubby and I don't usually get each other anything. Can you spot Pumpkin pretending to be a present?

I changed my mind about baking and made some Rocky Road after all. I just couldn't resist! However, part of my melted chocolate seized up again. So disappointed! I honestly don't know what I'm doing wrong (this also happened the last time I attempted to melt chocolate in the microwave). I changed the bowl, spoon, type of chocolate and made sure everything was super dry. The only thing that's different is we bought a new microwave. Anyway I made the Rocky Road with partly seized chocolate and it seemed to work, although it was much harder to mix the ingredients together.

I also bought some meringue nests, whipped some cream, cut up some berries and assembled little fruit meringue nest thingies. The only treat I've made lately that's actually turned out! Probably because of my minimal input haha.

Obviously we watched a couple of Christmas movies, because when else are you going to watch them, if not at Christmas time? I'd like to also watch Die Hard, Bad Santa and How The Grinch Stole Christmas. Here's what we've seen so far...

I hope you all enjoyed Christmas and are having a lovely break!

How To Ruin A Seemingly Idiot-Proof Packet Of Chocolate Muffins

 

Hi guys! I finally got around to some baking on the weekend, and by baking I mean Triple Chocolate Muffins from a White Wings box, lol. I haven't managed to do any Christmas baking yet and not sure I even will, but these muffins satisfied my baking craving, even if I did use a pre-mix packet. {I've edited this after writing it, so everything in italics I've added after my baking sesh. I completely fucked up these muffins, read on to find out how, lol}.

I had half a block of baking milk chocolate left over from something else, so I decided to chop that up and add it in, because three types of chocolate were clearly not enough. Thus creating Quadruple Chocolate Muffins. This was the first 'jazz up'. A difference between muffins and cakes is that you shouldn't overmix a muffin mixture, whereas with cakes you can beat until light and fluffy. I think this is why the packet instructions get you to mix all the wet ingredients together really well first, so you're not tempted to overmix the dry ingredients in. {Surprisingly, no, this is not where I stuffed up.} This recipe used vegetable oil instead of butter which was different, but seemed to work nonetheless.

I ended up with one giant muffin for some reason, which Mr 15 immediately called dibs on, haha. But this one took way longer to cook through in the oven, meaning the others probably overcooked a bit. But I was not about to start removing the smaller muffs from the oven as I'd rather have slightly overcooked muffs than burnt fingers lol. {Guys, I should have taken the muffs out when the 11 were done and sacrificed the one monster muff. Instead, I idiotically left them all in waiting for Andre The Giant to cook through, and ended up with one good biggie and 11 dry, overcooked normies. Oops!}

The other way I jazzed up my now-quadruple chocolate muffins was by melting white chocolate then drizzling it over the top. Thus creating Quintuple Chocolate Muffins haha. Now you have to wait until the muffins are totally cool, like the Fonz (or Danny from Grease) before attempting this, or you will have a melted shitshow of a mess on your hands (and your kitchen bench). I googled how to effectively drizzle melted chocolate and the best way was from a piping bag/plastic bag with the end cut off but fuck that shit. I used a fork and I think it turned out pretty good! {No it did not turn out good. This is a lie! There was no drizzling because the white chocolate went all weird and lumpy and refused to melt properly. So I was forced to think on my feet. I decided to get a butter knife and attempt to ice the lumpy white choc on the top. This did not work and they look pretty bad. I left four of them nude for my son, because he refused to eat the white chocolate and I don't blame him lol}.

{So that's how to completely ruin an idiot-proof packet of triple chocolate muffins. Not gonna lie, this blog post went in a different direction than the one I anticipated. I hope at least you can laugh at my misfortune. And no, I won't be doing any more Christmas baking}.

I hope you all have a Merry Christmas!

Life Lately, in Pictures!

 

Hi guys! Just a super quick post today, as I'm getting busier as we approach Christmas, and don't have much time for blogging. I'm undecided if I should take a blog break over the holidays. We're also having a short holiday in January which further complicates things, so it might actually be best to skip a few Mondays and come back fresh in February 2023. We'll see! Anyway, here's a quick round up of what I've been up to...

Watching

Decorating

Collabs (Nourish'd Kitchen and The Mile End Hotel)

Relaxing

Playing (Candy Crush)

Trialling

Review: L'Oreal Age Perfect Collagen Tightening Day Cream

 

Hi guys! Today I've decided to review a moisturiser I use nearly every day, L'Oreal Age Perfect Collagen Tightening Day Cream. When I first started using this, I actually didn't like it, so I'm glad I persevered as I'm now halfway through my second jar, and I'm really loving it. Isn't it strange how our views on a product can do a complete 180?! Read on for my thoughts!

At first, this cream felt way too thick and rich for me and I really couldn't get used to it. It also used to ball up under my makeup (to the point where I switched to using it as a night moisturiser before bed), but I don't know what the hell I was doing wrong, as I now don't have this problem at all. Weird. And now I adore the luxurious, thick texture. It actually applies like a dream, melting into the skin like butter.

The absorption rate is fast, because sometimes I go straight from applying this Day Cream (as a last step after my eye serum and cream) to applying concealer under my eyes, then foundation without any waiting time, and there's no issues with pilling. Maybe I was applying too much in the beginning? I don't know.

I'm a person who favours having multiple moisturisers on the go simultaneously, but this Age Perfect one is the jar I reach for the most. I also sometimes use L'Oreal Revitalift Laser x 3 Intensive Anti-Ageing Moisturiser (which is quite good), L'Oreal Revitalift Filler + Hyaluronic Acid Deep Replumping Anti-Ageing Day Cream (which pills like a motherfucker, so I can only use it at night) and Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting UV Cream Moisturiser SPF 30 Broad Spectrum (which I use the day after using my retinol serum because of the SPF).

Anyway, the Age Perfect Collagen Tightening Cream really leaves my skin feeling soft, nourished, hydrated, plumped up and tighter. I'm impressed with the results and feel it does a particularly good job of improving my eye contour, where I need the most help. If you have fine lines, sagging skin, hollowness around the eyes or just want firmer skin, I'd say definitely give this cream a go. I've only discovered L'Oreal moisturisers in the last six months, but boy are they good for a 'drugstore' brand!

There is absolutely no need to pay full price though, as it will frequently be heavily discounted at either Priceline or Chemist Warehouse and this is the time to buy! Maybe even Target or Kmart, but I don't shop there for skincare so I'm not sure. I actually use the 40-50% off sales as my chance to try out new skincare products I've had my eye on (or stock up on my staples/favourites).

RRP $36.99 (50ml)
Currently $21.99 at Chemist Warehouse (as at 2/12/2022)
L'Oreal skincare currently 40% off at Priceline although I can't find the exact product online! (as at 2/12/2022)

La Boca X Prancing Pony Matched Beers Dinner

 

Hi guys! Last Thursday we went to the La Boca X Prancing Pony Brewery Matched Beers Dinner held at La Boca Bar & Grill in the city and had a fabulous time! As soon as I saw the six course menu I knew I had to buy tickets to this special dinner, as each course sounded delicious! This was also a great chance to try some craft beers, which I don't normally order. We were so happy to see upon arrival that we were seated on our own instead of on long shared tables, like a recent matched wines dinner we attended. As introverts, we are much more comfortable sitting by ourselves than having to make small talk with a bunch of strangers we'll never see again lol.

Let's have a look at the menu!

Course 1

Signature Beef Empanadas
Traditional Argentinean beef empanadas, loaded with a mixture of ground beef, capsicum, olives and onions. (The only course that concerned me because I dislike olives, but I didn't taste them and this was a delightful start to the night!).
Paired with Blaze Of Haze
Easy-going and refreshing. Moderate to high hop aroma. Sweet fruits, predominantly strawberries, followed by gooseberry and blackberry, with a very slight note of citrus. Creamy mouthfeel and smooth bitterness, with a hint of toasty oat from the malt. (Loved this beer, the paler the better for me).

Course 2

Choripan With Criolla Salsa
Chorizo sausage, crusty bread accompanied by relish composed of onion, capsicum, tomato and vinegar. (I definitely tasted the vinegar here! This is a smaller version of a very similar dish from their express lunch menu which I've had before, with a different bread, but I liked this version more.)
Paired with Sunshine Ale
A refreshing Summer Ale with a smooth and delicate hop flavour. Beautifully balanced with moderate bitterness and a citrus kick. Pineapple, lychee and honeydew melon shining through from the hop, with a delicate biscuit malty finish. (I really enjoyed this beer too, couldn't discern the flavours though lol.)

Course 3
Honey Mustard Glazed Pork Ribs
24 hours slow cooked pork ribs, finished on a wood fire grill and glazed with honey mustard. (These ribs were so tasty! More would have been good but they have to do small portions when there's six courses!).
Paired with Hopwork Orange
A refreshing Pale Ale with hop aromas of orange, tangerines and pine, alongside balanced caramel malt flavours. (I love the play on A Clockwork Orange here, very clever! Love these flavours and it was nice to try it in a craft beer).

Course 4

Asado Pork Belly Bondiola
Authentic Argentinian sandwich with thick slice of pork belly asado, chimichurri and rocket leaf. (This was delicious! I'm a huge fan of pork belly, so really enjoyed this tender juicy meat with the crispy crackling in the bread pocket).
Paired with India Red Ale
Mango, passionfruit, blackcurrant, apricot and pineapple hop aroma making the beer super fruity combined with strong caramel malt character. Supreme Champion Beer at the International Beer Challenge in London, 2016. (Another yummy beer and an award winner, no less! Loved the fruity flavours).

Course 5

Mini Wagyu Burger
Wood fire grilled homemade juicy Wagyu burger patty, provolone cheese and mini brioche bun. (They don't mention that it comes with fries and they were so good! I think drinking this much beer elevates all the flavours haha. I couldn't finish my burger though, so it went to hubby).
Paired with Amber Ale
The Amber Ale is a  full-bodied American style ale, delicately floral and slightly spicy hops. The hint of caramel malt makes this beer super toasty and cosy, but also surprisingly refreshing. (Try as I might, I couldn't make out the spicy taste. Probably a little too strong for me).

Course 6

Churros With Dulce De Leche
Deep fried churros coated with cinnamon sugar and served with traditional caramel sauce. (Delicious and a great way to finish the night. However a spoon would have been nice so we didn't have to use our fingers to reach the remaining caramel sauce at the bottom of the jar, lol).
Paired with Pinkers Brut IPA
Eden Pink has brewed for Prancing Pony Brewery for a fifth of her life now. This IPA Brut style celebrates that. It is super dry with a low IBU and an ABV of 7.2%. The flavour profile is tropical, with hints of lychee. Eden used a combination of tropical hops including Eldorado, Sabro, Amarillo and Citra. (Six beers in and you're expecting a flavour profile breakdown? I don't know my own name at this point! Not gonna lie, I skulled this and we were on our way lol).

Overall, this was a fantastic experience and I'm so glad we went! You don't have to make any choices on the night as all food and drinks are set, so you just sit back, relax and enjoy each course as it's served. I'm definitely keen to do more alcohol-matched dinners in the future, as they are so much fun.

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