Amy, 26, Melbourne, Slytherin, piano student, nostalgia (& chocolate) addict, languisher in all things 18th century and Tolkien.
RSS Subscribe
March has been quite a busy month! It started with our anniversary, but we both caught whatever bug has been going around lately so it was a low-key affair.
Enjoyed a tasty lunch of homemade hash browns…
… and took a short wander around some lotus gardens. We felt it was too expensive (and hot) to venture much further though.
Large lilypads!
Our gift to one another was a copy each of the “Q & A – 5-Year Journal“. We read this review of it and couldn’t resist!
You can start at any time of any year, and each page/question is designed to be answered in a sentence or short paragraph, which is quite manageable to do just before bed.
The next day I had a historical-themed photo shoot with my dear friend Julija. Proper photos will come another time, for now I just have some Instagrams. 
For the occasion, I added some simple decoration to some op shop shoes I’d never worn (but bought ages ago for with this purpose in mind), and wore my Vanyanis robe à la française. I had a bit of fun attempting to do the dressing, pinning, makeup and hair on my own for the first time, and then driving around in it all, but from what I have seen so far, Julija captured some lovely moments.
The following day I attended a little gathering to farewell a friend in the Lolita community here. It was hard to feel sad with so much sugar and general silliness, but I took a few shots to show the high tea we enjoyed that day. It was a home-delivered package – I found a few of the savouries a little unappetising but the sweets were lovely, and their macarons (I think from Lux Bite) consistently good but so strongly-coloured that I could taste food dye. Everything was presented nicely by Clara our host, with plenty of tea!
Julianne (my Asian Galadriel), and Sam whom we will miss!
I sort of liked my outfit that day but unfortunately didn’t get a picture I was happy with, >< so these unflattering/grumpy looking ones will have to do.
Finally, I finished the 4th off by serving up a dessert of Brunetti’s treats and tea for myself and Adam. 
It was memorable enough to er, document.
I think last weekend counted as my first Halloween party! A friend Clara held a party with a bit of a Día de los Muertos theme. I only took a few pictures, but she’d set up an awesome little altar, and there were some fun costumes that night!
I came as an 18th-century vampire, but I took my vampfangs out almost straight away because it was too hard to eat or smile with them in! The gown (a bit loose on me, whoops!) belongs to my friend (she will feature in an upcoming post!) and is incredibly thick and heavy (53 pleats in the skirt), made of a textured web-like wool which creates a moth-eaten look.
Liza at confession, and my sister Kimmy entertaining us as Dragrid.
Laura’s awesome makeup.
Adam as Rorschach and Julianne giving me a death stare.
I baked these evil little brownies…
… and my sister made bone meringues.
What did you get up to for this holiday?
Whether you need a quick warming lunch, a way to use up some leftovers, something savoury for a gathering, or just need to add a new staple to your cooking repertoire, it’s hard to resist a homemade pizza. There’s also no reason pizza can’t be something enjoyed regularly if you keep an open mind.
They can easily be vegetarian, gluten-free, carb-friendly, and you (hopefully) won’t feel as weighed down as by the oily, sloppy mass you can expect from the takeaway shop. However, don’t be afraid of healthy fats – just avoid anything heavily processed.
My combo today:
- Flat bread/wraps
- Goat cheese or ricotta
- Half a grated carrot & zucchini
- Sliced onion
- Pizza sauce*
- Pinches of flaky salt if your cheese isn’t already salty enough
I tend to layer the ingredients so that whatever needs the most cooking is on top.
To prevent the base from burning too much I drizzle olive oil around the edges. I also do it because I could almost drink the stuff… You should probably brush it over the base but you can be lazy and save a few dishes.
Bake for about 15 mins on 180-200°C until crispy, but before it gets all charred (unless you have a woodfired pizza oven, mmm).
Then slice up and eat the whole thing, or serve in small pieces at a party.
If you don’t find it filling enough I would suggest upping the quantity of vegetables or adding something with protein like a lean meat, tofu, or even some beans (refried or just kidney beans/chickpeas)!
Here’s another delicious combination you could try:
- Greek/Australian feta
- Grated beetroot, or pumpkin (grated or softened by pre-cooking)
- Good handful of rocket
- Toasted walnuts
- Optional: Roast chicken (tear it up)
or:
- Tuna (canned, but avoid the mushy stuff)
- Cannelini beans
- Spinach leaves
- Camembert or brie (the melting is divine)
- Toasted pine nuts
- Fresh parsley or herb of choice to finish
- Smoked salmon
- Red Onion
- Asparagus
- Creme fraiche, sour cream, or cream cheese (mixed through with a little lemon juice and dill or other herbs) spread over the base
- Capers or olives
- Artichoke
- Fresh dill and cracked pepper to finish
- Shaved fennel
- Caramelised onion
- Baby capers
- Roast garlic
- Fresh continental parsley
- Drizzled olive oil, lemon juice
- Fennel fronds and cracked pepper to finish
What are your favourite homemade topping inventions? Would you try these?
I feel like a summary (in pictures) of the last few months is in order.
April
My eldest niece turned 20 and had a pie-themed party! Each of us brought a different type of pie to be judged and eaten. I am not much of a baker or very good with sweets so I went with a sort of vegetable pie/quiche, perhaps the only savoury dish that day!
^ Before and after. However, before this delectable lunch was a pie fight of disgusting proportions.
I could not be convinced to have custard rubbed in my face and hair but happily watched (from a safe distance).
I started the fifth A Song of Ice and Fire book. I was hoping to drag the experience out for longer but quickly became too insatiable for Game of Thrones. There have been some really stand-out scenes and episodes in season two, but I don’t think the pacing has been consistent. At times I have been disappointed in book deviations where a character’s motivation has been ignored or simplified (I think that’s different to just being a purist ), which I think confuses the non-readers too.
The other photo is a quick snap after the lolita Easter picnic.
We visited two gardens (posts upcoming)…
…Alowyn was particularly sweet.
May
My sister and I baked Adam a berry cheesecake for his birthday. We held a supper for close friends and family.
I finally snipped a fringe into the lavender wig and tried a new look for taking my grandmother out.
On Mother’s Day, the day before my mother’s serious dental surgery, we cooked up a tasty meal and the trusty lemon syrup cake, something to enjoy before she had to endure a week of purée and pain. She also gave me some china!
OH. Then this arrived. I literally ran around the house shouting and carrying on for a few minutes before I could collect myself enough to open it.
My three (ssshh, I know… :S) Mary Magdalene dresses ARE MINE at last. They are beautiful, they fit…
… they’re also still creased because I’m afraid my iron will make them dirty.
Then Adam’s cousin GAVE us his Alduin statue, and DIABLO III was released. I picked up my collector’s edition and a mousepad, and Adam grabbed the Book of Cain. I completed it co-op on normal difficulty within the week and will make a screenshot post about it soon.
I put away lots of mess.
A meet was held for our good pal Jorge’s birthday!
I paired a damask corset and velvet fishtail skirt. It was nice to get back into black.
The day after Jorge’s ‘do I had to play at a little piano recital. Then I met friends at a Japanese festival but, because of a terrible morning, felt too grumpy to … be fun. I liked the red wig too, but stuffing so much hair up into it makes it look a bit of a helmet, so I might not try that again.
I also cleaned our computer space, dusted out all the computers and fans, and set up a shelf behind them to start displaying things that deserved to be displayed.
Hello! Time for another lolita meet post…
An Easter picnic was organised for our group a few weeks ago, and I’m sure it’s been one of the biggest meets so far. The weather was unpleasant, so we took refuge in an indoor sort of chill-out area. It was a little public for my liking, since we were having to fend off egg-thieves, nosy-parkers and interfering muzzas throughout the afternoon, but it was warm and quite comfortable.
I wore basically the same outfit as from a few posts ago, but with the addition of little ears to get into the theme of things.
Adam wore an AatP vest and his Mortisha’s coat.
Epic group photo, “class of 2012″ style!
The bunnies of the day!
MANY, MANY EGGS
Jorge and Adam add some gothic class amidst candy and pastel bunnies.
I began to set up a tray for some hot drinks but got so distracted that I didn’t feel like sitting for long.
Two photos above from Kavya
Cheeky Kimmy had an almost matching teacup. 
It’s fun having someone to share accessories and combine postage with!
My quick invention of chocolate cups with candied eggs and rose/chocolate-flavoured Persian fairy floss…
Charleen and Magdalen
Steph, Karen and Anna
Brianna and Sinny
“The Eastocrat”
Cat and Kim
I was fascinated by the text on Krystal’s IW print…
And it wouldn’t be a group photo if we didn’t try to look our best.
That night, after a bite to eat and a fairly successful “Lolita Last Supper” attempt, we booked a booth at karaoke. I am terrible because I have never been able to enjoy karaoke, but the company was dandy.