It’s pretty easy to find packets of the stuff in the “health food” section of a supermarket, or from any speciality health store. I can get around four serves from 1 cup of grain (as long as I’ve added other ingredients), which works out at about 50 cents per serve.

The method is simple, but there is one thing you absolutely must do before cooking (even if the packet says otherwise) and that’s to RINSE it thoroughly. You need 3 cups of water to every 1 cup of quinoa, so measure out what you intend to eat (it keeps fine in the fridge for leftovers) and cover with water. Swish it about a lot or let it sit for 10 minutes or so, and use a very fine strainer to drain. I tend to rinse several times over, because if I don’t the strong and slightly nasty flavour of saponin ruins the meal.

Bring the water to the boil and then boil the quinoa for a few minutes. Turn it down a little after that and then simmer for about 20 minutes or until all the water is absorbed and the seeds are fluffy and come free of their casing. You’ll be able to see funny white wormy coils come out too.

At the same time as I cook the seeds I put another pot on with my vegetables or sauce of choice, which is usually a combination of whatever vegetables are in the fridge at the time. Here follow a few of my experiments, though they might not look terribly appetising!

Grated pumpkin, chopped broccolini, and onion, with crumbled feta. I really liked this combination but the veg. to quinoa ratio was too low so I put twice as much in now.

I didn’t stir the mixture through this time – it consists of  broccolini, red onion, chickpeas, and a tomato pasta sauce, with camembert on top.

I didn’t like this mixture much. I don’t think I had much food on hand so I chopped salami, but it really didn’t suit. I combined red quinoa with the normal stuff but the grains didn’t seem to “cook”.

This was even WORSE – the vegetables look a bit soggy but the grains never expanded and were unpleasantly crunchy. Next time I’m going to attempt to cook them for longer in more water (and then drain the excess) in case it’s the saucepan I’m using, but I couldn’t finish the bowl and wasted the leftovers.

The only other mixture that I really enjoyed (but don’t have photo evidence of) contained:

• Royal quinoa
• A jar of basil pesto
• a grated carrot
• a large grated zucchini
• a handful of chopped purple beans

NOW that you have seen my measly (but mostly edible) attempts, I’ll link to the site that inspired me in the first place. The photos make the food look delicious and the recipes are lovely and detailed. I’m yet to try out all of them but the double broccoli was scrumptious!

• Double Broccoli Quinoa
• Quinoa with Currants, Dill, and Zucchini
• Heather’s Quinoa Recipe
• Warm and Nutty Cinnamon Quinoa

I recommend using ingredients that stay quite crisp to keep this appealing in looks and texture. Other than broccoli with broccoli pesto (can you tell this is my favourite vegetable?) I enjoyed the pumpkin/feta mixture and basil pesto mixture the most. I think I’ll avoid tomato sauces from now, but if your dish comes out tasting average I recommend CHEESE of any sort because the saltiness masks any slight saponin taste that might remain.

Other simple meal ideas I’ve experimented with in the last few months include:

Fried polenta (leave it to firm up in the fridge for an hour or so) with steamed baby carrots and a bean/onion/tomato/spinach mixture. This was delicious but seemed to upset my tummy. :S

Lunch platters: we should probably replace the ham (tasty as it was) with something less processed. The bread was a gluten-free pizza base I baked for a little while and drizzled with oil – it was amazing! Adam shared these with me and they’re very easy to prepare, visually appetising, and great for a picnic.

Smoked salmon salad: tear up lettuce/salmon/feta, sprinkle with salad onion and pine nuts, and drizzle with olive oil. Drawback: onion breath.

A buckwheat pancake. I just used a gluten-free packet mixture (Orgram) thinned out a bit with water because I prefer them like crepes, then served with maple syrup, fresh whipped cream and frozen berries. The berries were too cold but this was an awesome makeshift lunch. Good to keep on hand for a sleepover breakfast! Verdict: YUM!

The next day all my siblings, Adam, and I met at mum’s and enjoyed another great dinner. We exchanged “Secret Santa” gifts and then stayed up late again, telling stories and stuffing ourselves with cakes.

This is my new tea set from Adam! I had my eye on it months ago but it wasn’t until just before Christmas that it was reduced by 50%. They have a delightful late 18th-century pastoral scene playing out. It’s my favourite gift!

Adam also gave me the new “Art of the Hobbit”, the release of which coincides with the 75th anniversary of the publication of that most splendid book [upcoming Hobbit post, eek]! I got the new Tolkien calendar from Dad (a tradition now) with the same interesting artist as last year. My “Secret Santa” gave me two Opera Australia DVDs with Yvonne Kenny (I swooned over them in this post and now finally have them), and a brilliant book on Castrati. It was at this point, wasting time in the wee hours downloading apps, that I discovered Instagram. A collective groan may go up as the “hipster” quotient of my posts skyrockets.

Farinelli, viva il coltello! And my awesome Fragonard pocketwatch birthday present from Julija.

On Boxing Day I finally wore this skirt after a year of having no suitable blouse! There were no good pictures to be captured that day, but we had a nice time “crashing” my friend’s annual party and I ate all the brandy snaps I could.

After a few days’ recovery I went to a traditional Japanese bathhouse to relax with some friends. It left us very sleepy! The next night an impromptu Lolita meet was held which I went to with Adam and my sister:

Whiling away the minutes on the train with pretty faces.

Our cute group! Kimmy, Adam, Teagan, Clara, Liza, Alice, me, Marie, and Krystal. It looks like we managed to get sweet, classic, shiro, sailor, gothic lolita, and aristocrat!

Our overlord Magdalen in a very striking ensemble, and me experimenting with new accessories on an older dress!

Sir Cavendish and LOLIS WITH PHONES

After eating at a fresh and tasty Japanese restaurant and expending a bit of energy in an arcade we got sweets from Passionflower. I got a caramel and chocolate icecream dessert to match my outfit. This has been a lovely end to a year full of ups and downs. GOODBYE AND GOOD RIDDANCE, 2011!

Please hover over for photo credits.

Me with Alice (Violet lurking behind), and Adam with our dear friend Aeryn (suave Jorge lurking behind).

Adam and Jorge get in touch with their feminine side – the latter having just won a headbow!

The routine silly photo…

I met a really cute lolita with a fairy-floss coloured wig, caught up with friends and acquaintances, bought a few accessories, and later on 6 of us went out for dinner nearby.

And now on to my purchases!

I got the violin beret and headband in burgundy by Infanta, R-Series headpiece and shoes (unfortunately they are too big), a Bodyline music headbow and pink flower clip, cream flower hairpins from Diva, gloves from ODIP, and a cameo brooch by Victoria’s Kingdom.

A few months ago I bought this Alice and the Pirates bonnet but until now didn’t have anything it matched. I also got some Bodyline shoes (very happy with them!) and ankle socks (can’t wait to get some more for summer), and Metamorphose over-the-knee socks.

I think the socks end up looking a bit muddy in these pics and I don’t know about the hair accessory, but I think I like the overall effect. People ask why I don’t wear my hair out in lolita, but having it out for one day comes at the price of major discomfort in the form of relentless tangles. The impracticality of having hair blowing about, getting stuck in things, and caught on people as they walk by means I just prefer it plaited, because it’s the only way I don’t get as many tangles and the weight of it is balanced.

At last, some more wigs! Before this I only had two black wigs that were almost identical. The first is a random eBay find (I took a chance on quality and made a low bid) and the others are from Bodyline. For the price of each I am impressed with the quality. The Bodyline wigs are thick and soft and I’d definitely get more. I’m looking forward to getting the blonde-ish one to work with my big black eyebrows, hahah!

Today I found two parcels on the doorstep (hooray!), the current Gothic & Lolita Bible, and presents from Julija!!! On her recent trip to France she got me a Fragonard timepiece necklace, macaron soaps, and a Ladurée paper bag. >:D I LOVE THEM! Imagine the necklace with one of Juliette et Justine’s fine art dresses!

Speaking of dresses, over the last few months I have collected the following:

This coat is by Excentrique (reviewed and bought from this seller). It’s a touch on the big side for me and not a winter coat, but good for adding that final bit of decadence on an overcast day.

On the right is Innocent World’s Classical Square One-Piece (details here). I dream of owning the standing collar version in a few different colours, but in the meantime this version sufficed for the current warmer weather.

Left is the Rococo underbust jumperskirt from R-series. I ordered a size too big but a few darts brought it in enough. This dress would probably look better on someone with a smaller bust, but I still love it. It’s darker in real life than the stock pictures and the fabric has a sort of sparkle to it. It could be paired with long or short-sleeved blouses and cutsews.

The second lovely summery dress was from Yolanda, and though I knew it wouldn’t fit I ordered one anyway because it was the only size still available. We are going to use the waist ties to put some panels in which should mean I can get it over my shoulders! The fabric has a nice floral print but is a little rough/cheap. The underskirt part is nice with a subtle vertical stripe. I didn’t realise until later that it’s basically a Mary Magdalene Antoinette replica, because in the stock photos the dress appeared to hang a bit differently on a slim model. Regardless, I’d be very reluctant to part with it. There is no give or stretch but it would be worth using the design to make more replicas (they could all be quite unique).

Above is the Innocent World Rose Petal blouse, which is amazingly soft and flattering, like the ultimate classic lolita blouse! I want to try wearing it with the Rococo underbust.

These are both from Surface Spell. The dress is one I traded with a friend for a Yolanda set that I wasn’t that keen on, and the blouses, though a bit too big, is really beautiful. I had put off purchasing it for too long so by this time only this peachy pink was still available. This is suitable for a larger bust because it’s not fitted or tight, and a ribbon brings the waist in as desired. The ribbon wasn’t very nice and the little loop on the side came off after one wear, but all the little details made this irresistible. It’s probably best worn with a skirt though! I wore them together at a lolita baking meetup. Samantha covers the day here with some lovely photos.

A few weeks before that we also went to a pirate and sailor-themed lolita meet!

I paired my little chemise a la reine with green this time. I quite like this look, though it’s on the simple side and my shoes are a bit shabby.

I made a mini tricorne out of leftover fabric I still had from the sash. It’s decorated with a rosette, a silver button, some little ostrich plumes, and a sweet dove. I affixed a comb to the underside.

Jessica gets me into a headlock and I’m about to be pummelled while Ashleigh, rocking boystyle, keeps a lookout.

Our matriarch Selina, and pirate treasure Kavya in Chess Chocolate!

I also made Adam a large brown tricorne (bit rough, but a first try ) which matched his Ezio cloak suede perfectly (he was dying to wear it)! We all took snacks and picnicked by the Maritime Museum. It happened to be Cup Day so we didn’t get so many funny looks for once. We enjoyed a few drinks afterwards and then lounged about chatting for a while in an indoor herb garden.

 Well, that sums up my show-and-tell for now! I’m enjoying putting outfits together and having little adventures with new friends! I’ll be getting back to some food and gaming and design posts after this lolita spam.

This year I received a bag and bonnet set from my dad (I think the bonnet is lovely but it definitely wasn’t made for my head and sits far too tall), a tea book and some Monet prints from my mum, a notepad and a few dozen homemade macarons and friands from my little sister, a nice bottle of moscato from Alice, and bath bombs in the shape of macarons from Krystal! My brother gave me a voucher I used to put a deposit on the Diablo III collector’s edition!!! I also put money I received towards one of my dream lolita dresses, Mary Magdalene’s Elmeria in chocolate. I’m hoping to do it some justice!

I was sent over fifty lovely messages which completely amazed me, I could barely keep up with them! The following day was unpleasantly warm so my party plans, in which I envisioned a lawn party in perfect weather, instead shifted indoors. We decided to erect the gazebo INSIDE – it only just fit – which meant I could put up some hangings for a fun and cozy atmosphere, a cubby-cum-opium den. Though I didn’t really manage to get any “good” photos I had a great time loung- well, bustling about with food and drinks, hanging out with family, close friends, and some awesome new friends.

My mouth’s watering just looking at this. My sister’s mini berry friands are to die for!

Regaled as per usual with the life of Nelson.

Three sisters dancing!

Jorge shows us how to spray a deck of Bin Wang…

…and Jess follows suit. (sorry)

The next day was just spent groaning, as all my muscles protested to have actually been used, and having a MarioKart 64 marathon. I dropped some family home and then tried out a new local Thai restaurant with Adam. We were very pleased with the food and vowed to keep returning. Minus one hitch where part of our order wasn’t taken (we’re a bit on the quite side, I think), the staff were very sweet and it was a lovely dining experience to top off what ended up as a 3-day birthday celebration!

Victor, Elliot and Adam, the handsome gents.

A hint of scandal! And we match the couch.

 The champagne and berry macarons from La Belle Miette are heavenly…

A few days later I met up with the audacious couple again and we headed to the lovely historic Montsalvat – the only season I have yet to see it in is Autumn! Adam laced me into my Vanyanis garments and I decided on the pink sash for the day. We meandered about in the perfect weather while Goldie and Elliot concocted an impromptu premise to film around the grounds. Here are the gorgeous results of their work:

It reminded me heavily of a film called Chopin: Desire for Love, but that’s not meant to be an insult. My favourite moment is (yes, I’m being self-indulgent) here as I sigh, and how it cuts to the peacock’s train. I also love our faces at the end! Check out Goldie’s other gorgeous works here: http://www.youtube.com/user/thalionrin

They also took some lovely shots. I think they’re wonderfully evocative of the peaceful mood we shared that afternoon.

That settles it, when we settle down eventually our garden WILL have a long arched tunnel covered in wisteria!

My favourite spot at Montsalvat!

My only regret was that Adam couldn’t come that day. I hope they can come to Melbourne again next year (hint, hint) for something else I am planning!