Brooch love and giveaway fun note!

I love brooches.

Wooden brooches are my fave. I love pinning one to my clothing and going through my day with a happy picture on my top, or skirt hem, even my jeans.

Brooches are perfect. They are a little pop of color, a whimsical picture, retro giggles, destiny statements, out loud thoughts, vintage romance, and fun, you can wear.

Brooches are back in fashion in a big way and these babies really brighten your day.

 

I had to include this one from my childhood.

GIVEAWAY:

This week I am giving away a cute brooch, to 2 lucky readers,

the first of many fun giveaways over the next month.

The brooches up for grabs are:

or

I purchased these brooches by Takara.Crochet who makes the cutest things.

Find her here: http://www.facebook.com/Takara.crochet

To be in the chance to win one of the two:

1. You must be a member or join thedotdotblog: See right sidebar to join and become a member/follower. Or, like us on Facebook - also in the right sidebar. 

2. Leave a comment below letting me know you have joined with a: 'joined', and then tell me which badge of the two giveaway ones above you like the best and what you would wear it with.

3. The two winners, one person for each badge, will be picked by random and then announced here on the blog next week, Tuesday 5th of June 2012.

4. Winners will be notified by email and if no response is received within 48 hours, a new winner will be drawn. The giveaway is open from 12pm Monday 28th May 2012 till 12pm Monday 4th of June 2012.  

Brownies oh so yummy note!

I love Brownies.
Chocolaty, gooey, cute (you got to admit they are very cute squares of goodness), and delicious on the taste buds.

Last night while sitting in the car waiting while hot hubby went and grabbed a loaf of bread and some milk from the big green w store, I happened to stumble across Bianca's new post from a little delightful blog and her flourless brownie recipe. I was sold, gone, just had to indulge.

I madly texted my friend to grab a block of 75% dark cocoa chocolate, dare he come back to the car without it. Needless to say an hour later, I had the yummiest brownies - the perfect sweet snack for the TV footy viewing that was happening.
Friend was happy, I was happy, and I think the word was happy, after all don't brownies make the world a better place!!!

Get Bianca's Flourless Fudgy Brownie Recipe here! - Thankyou Bianca they were delicious.
Ps. You must check out Bianca's blog, it is a special place with wonderful ideas for your family - you will be delighted. I always smile when I'm on her blog.

I added some walnuts to my batch.

What is your fave type of brownie??

Popcorn Note!

I love my popcorn maker!

I love it so, so much that I could kiss it.

This year I went out and brought myself this little yellow machine. It cost me $15 (total bargain), and thus began my love affair.
Popcorn is yummy, filling, and full of fiber. It's such an easy snack to whip up and the best bit is: it's popped by hot air - no more hot oil burning in a saucepan, smoking the house out (yes that is my experience :) ).
I also love the fact that you can turn your freshly popped popcorn into any flavor sensation you want. I can't live without mine and I have no idea how I survived without one for so long.
 Get popping:
- for the kids arvo tea.
-  movie munchies.
- 'pre' or 'post' dinner party snacks for any age group.
- as a gift to a friend.
- driving in the car snacks.
- or just because you want to eat some...

What is your favorite flavored popcorn?

Toppings for a large bowl of popcorn:

Caramel Popcorn:

Melt 125g of butter, 2tbs of syrup/honey, and 3/4 cup of brown sugar in a saucepan over low heat until butter is melted. Add a splash of vanilla. Turn heat up to high and bring mixture to the boil. Boil for 2min until mixture starts to change color to a darker shade.

Remove from heat and add 2 tbs of cream stirring well. Pour over salted popcorn and allow to cool. 

(I usually halve this recipe)

Butter, Salt, Cumin, Paprika, and Cinnamon Popcorn:

Dry heat 1tsp cumin, 2 tsp paprika, and 1 tsp of cinnamon in a dry pan, over medium heat for 1 - 2 min. Add  2 -3 tbs of butter and melt combining spice. Pour over salted popcorn and mix.

Basil, Olive Oil, Salt and Pepper Popcorn:

Heat 2 - 3tbs of extra virgin olive oil with 2tsp of dried basil leaves in a saucepan over low-medium heat for 2-4min (this infuses the basil leaves into oil). Drizzle over salted and peppered popcorn and mix.

Bedside Note!

I love bedside tables.

My bedside table is a mess. I seem to always be cleaning it, yet it stays the same.
But, I like it like this the best - messy with my life all over it.
 Most days you will find it covered in bobby pins, several pairs of earrings, always my snugly heat pack, a used coffee cup, hand cream, my diary and journal, books, trinkets and gifts from my family, inspirational and pretty items - the things that encourage me on,  and then...all sorts of bit's and bobs, some glamorous, some not.
I love my messy bedside table because a lot of life happens around it, on it, and with it.
- Dreams are dreamed, ideas are dared, beauty is seen (and tried to be kept, thanks to my coconut oil eye cream), and my day is reflected back to me.

Tell me, what is on your bedside table?

I love my bedside table because it leads to bedtime and sweet dreaming.