Review: 1918 Bistro and Grill

Last week Mark and I took a little trip down to the Barossa Valley so that he could test drive a few cars, while we were there we decided to use the opportunity to have a bit of lunch at one of my favourite places: 1918 Bistro and Grill. I've been to 1918 on a few occasions and it never disappoints, this trip was no exception. As we were only there for lunch we opted for a lighter option and started with a charcuterie platter to share and each got a bowl of the soup of the day, which in this case was potato and leak. The platter had a good range of options enabling us both to find different things we liked on it and the soup was hearty and filling, definitely a winner! The thing I love most about 1918 is that it has a seasonal menu meaning that not only is the food fresh, and at the peak of flavour, but also that there is always something different to try each time you go back. While 1918 is definitely not the cheapest option for a meal out the serving sizes are generous and the quality is top notch, I will definitely be back! (again and again and again if I get half a chance)  

10 things that have made me happy this week

The first week back of term is always a bad one for me, I'm a person of routine and going back to the uncertainty of relief of work is always difficult for me, because of that I find I need to really focus on the little things - even if they aren't the most exciting!

1. Catching up with my Dad in Burra last weekend - lunch, cider tasting and coffee with scones, the perfect way to end the holidays.
2. Putting on classical music for the bunnies and watching them relax - it helps drown out distractions and makes them feel calm enough to stretch out and sleep.
3. Pub takeaway for dinner on Wednesday night - didn't have to cook and for once it wasn't even soggy! 
4. Watching old episodes from the first season of Gilmore Girls - even if it's mildly scary that I'm now closer to the age of Lorelei than Rory! 
5. Being able to take off my jacket yesterday and enjoy the sunshine in a light weight shirt.
6. An unexpected two days at work for the week.
7. My holds coming in at the library - new books to read always make me happy!
8. Hot cups of earl grey tea.
9. Lego bunnies arriving in the mail - since Mark's Lego takes up such a large part of our house I decided we needed some bunnies to add to the collection.
10. Being able to see a noticeable improvement in Akela's training - sometimes it takes ages to start seeing results but it's so rewarding when you do!

*** Happy sharing inspired by Rosie ***

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Honestly Speaking: Why I Love Blogs

Today I intended to write up an account of a little trip we took to the Barossa Valley last week but I haven't been able to get the topic of blogging off my mind so I've postponed that little recount in favour of some random ramblings (why not, it's my blog after all!)

When I started this blog I didn't really know what I wanted to do with it, I knew I enjoyed reading blogs and I thought it would be a little bit of fun but the idea quickly floundered when I realised I had absolutely no aim or direction for it - enter reading even more blogs! For the last couple of years I have been exploring and finding more and more great blogs and realising that, for me, they are the perfect medium. There has been a lot of speculation recently that blogging is dead, I don't think it is, I think it's just slowed down a bit and ultimately it will stick around, I don't think I'm the only one that loves what blogs have done for our media! Ultimately it re-inspired me to jump back into blogging and I haven't looked back! Here's what I love about blogs and blogging:

Some different perspectives I've read recently (top to bottom): The birth of Rosie's daughter on Cider with Rosie // Jen's Personal Emergency Plans on Epbot // Michelle's Acts of self love on Life Outside London  

Different perspectives: blogging has given us an inside look into different peoples lives and often their personal feelings including many experiences we may not have shared. Lifestyle bloggers in particular open up so much of themselves to their work it is impossible not to gain some understanding of the differences in everyones lives.

Clockwise from top left: Paige Joanna // I Want You To Know // A Clothes Horse // Scathingly Brilliant

A step away from mainstream media: One of the things I like best about fashion blogging is all the differences of the individuals, in the mainstream media we tend to see models that all fit the same mould - blogging is a different story, rather that bloggers being restricted anyone can share their fashion journey enabling us to see clothes, outfits and creativity on people from all walks of life.

It's easy (and free): Well, it's not easy being the one to create the content but it's so easy to consume! We all have the internet on our phones now so when you get stuck in the waiting room you can still check the latest posts from bloggers you like! It's way better than magazines because it's on the spot, free and you get content more than once a month!

Product reviews: Yes, I hear the arguments with this one! Many bloggers do produce sponsored content but, in all honesty, this makes them no less reliable than magazines or other media and, as previously stated, you're getting the content for free! I do hate when a blog goes to all sponsored content but so what if they are getting a kick back sometimes! And who doesn't want to hear what the latest trends or the go to products are - even if it's basically in the form of an ad!

Community: Blogging, or even just reading blogs, bring a feeling of connection - you can relate to this person, maybe you comment on posts, maybe you just look at the pictures but you're making a connection with a complete stranger who you probably have something in common with (or why else would you be there!) and I think that's pretty amazing!

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Outfit: End of the Line

Hello, it's been awhile, hey? These last two weeks have just flown by! I always have grand plans for lots of blogging over the holidays and it just never happens but, rest assured, I have gathered lots of content that I'll be putting up over the coming weeks! Holidays seem to end up as a mad flurry of activity, some fun and some boring, but having Mark home from work does not put me in a working mood! These holidays have consisted of house work and yard work (the boring), a couple of trips into Port Pirie and a whirlwind trip to the Barossa Valley to have a look at cars (and a cheeky meal out). This little outfit was worn on one of the trips to Pirie and we stopped off in Gladstone to snap a few shots. It's a simple outfit but was comfortable for pottering around town and the lovely weather we managed allowed me to get away with just a light cardigan. I was gifted the beautiful Pandora snowflake charm earlier this year for my birthday and have finally, after much umming and ahhing, got myself a bracelet to put it on. I wasn't sure if I wanted to get a bracelet or just hang it from a chain as a pendant as I don't really like the traditional Pandora bead charms. Eventually I settled on a small bangle style bracelet, I can then hang a few more of the pendant style charms if I decide I want to but it's not big enough to clog up with the bead charms! (Who knew I had so much to say about a bracelet!)

Outfit details: Hat - The Shoe Shed (old) // Blouse - Thrifted // Cardigan - Thrifted // Jeans - Big W (Similar) // Boots - Target // Rings - Lovisa // Bracelet - Pandora

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Pinterest Recipe Roundup - Peanut Butter (or Substitute)

L-R: Peanut Butter and Banana Smoothie // Slow Cooker Peanut Butter Chicken // Thai Cashew Coconut Rice With Ginger Peanut Sauce // Thai Peanut Sauce

I can't eat peanuts. I'm allergic or intolerant or something - I honestly can't remember the difference between allergies and intolerances and it doesn't much matter, I can't eat them. I'm not that bad and I do remember eating peanut dishes as a kid without too much trouble (though I could never eat actual peanuts) but as I've gotten older even things containing peanuts have made me very uncomfortable! So began my quest for a substitute. I have tried everything from nut free substitutes (that tasted something like mushy cardboard) to various other nut butters and some were ok (if very pricey) but none of them quite got that peanut butter taste. Enter Kraft Almond Spread, is it the healthy option? No way! Is it the most like the peanut butter I grew up with? Most definitely. This product fills all my peanut buttery needs without me needing to ingest a single peanut, and that's a win! Enter all the peanut butter recipes (including glorious peanut sauce) that I haven't been able to eat in years - let the experimenting begin! Frankly I'm quite excited!

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Weekend Wanderings: A Team Reunion

After a false start on Friday (getting land locked by flooding) I ventured down to Adelaide on Saturday to catch up with some old friends. My friends, Amy and Angela, both came over from interstate and we hadn't all been in the same state for about 5 years! We stayed at Amy's brother's house and used it as a base camp to go out and explore the city like we use to do when we were younger. We started the night off at Casablabla where we shared some tapas and caught up on everything that's been going on in each others lives. Shortly after we had eaten we were joined by another old friend, Raima, who still lives locally and agreed to show us some of the better places to go in the city, now that we are no longer university students!

Hummus, pumpkin and beetroot dips - yum!

L-R Amy, Angela and Raima

After we had eaten our fill, and made a quick detour to pose with the famous Rundle Mall pigs (and recreate some old photos from the last time we all went out together), we headed to 2K.W. a sophisticated bar situated on the 8th floor of it's building. Raima treated us all to cocktails (thanks Raima!) and we sipped on them overlooking the views of the city.

The view from 2K.W

Our cocktails - The Jam Factory

After indulging in a cocktail over looking the city of Adelaide we headed to Bank Street which had, in my opinion, excellent decor with exposed brick walls and bare Edison bulbs. The place, however, was a bit over crowded and while enjoyable enough (we found a seat and continued to talk) didn't hold our attention for long! Being slightly older now than when we first spent time in the city we all decided to call it a night and headed home! It was amazing to reunite the A Team (Amy, Angela + Anya) after so long apart, as well as get to know Raima a little better and I'm looking forward to the next reunion!  

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