Shoes | UNIF 'Lost Sole' Boots

Hi lovelies! Just a quick post from me today about my new shoe obsession from UNIF. Now it may seem a bit strange to be buying black boots in the middle of the Australian summer, but I'm really not a sandals kind of girl.

Recipe | Super Easy Rice Paper Rolls

I was feeling particularly domestic last night and after cleaning my entire house decided I would prepare this delicious and easy to share meal. Much like other recipes I've posted it is entirely open to interpretation and I only work with the ingredients I have on hand. Your favourite ingredients may differ so feel free to use what you like. The most important thing to make this process easy is preparation. 

Makes 15 

Ingredients

a packet of 22cm round rice paper sheets

1 skinless chicken breast, cooked and sliced

1 carrot, cut julienne (into thin sticks)

1/2 cucumber, cut julienne

handful of fresh bean sprouts

handful of fresh coriander

100g vermicelli noodles  

fried shallots

Recommended dipping sauce

2tbsp sweet chilli sauce

1tbsp soy sauce

1/2tsp fish sauce

1 drop pure sesame oil

The most efficient way of creating these little rolls of joy is to prepare everything before starting assembly. I like to get my chicken in a grill or fry pan first and cut up the vegetables while it is cooking. Then cook your vermicelli noodles as per instructions on the packet (generally a few minutes in boiling water does the trick and then drain well).

Once the chicken is cooked all the way through, slice it up in a similar style to the carrot and cucumber so it fits in the roll.  

Now the next step is entirely up to you. In a social gathering it is really fun to lay out the ingredients for everyone to create their own but because I was alone I set up my own production line. You'll need a large bowl of close-to-boiling water either way you do it to soften the rice papers. I like to take the, now floppy and translucent, rice paper and lay it as flat as I can on a round plate and start to get the ingredients in a quickly as possible. Start with a small amount of vermicelli and then layer on the ingredients in small amounts. I used about two pieces of the chicken, carrot and cucumber per roll. Follow with a small portion of the bean sprouts, a sprig or two of coriander and a sprinkle of fried shallots.

The step that scares some people is the rolling. If you've put the right amount of ingredients in the paper it should come very easily i.e. if you have great difficultly change the filling size. Start by covering the ingredients with the bottom of the paper, fold in the sides and continue to roll through the middle. The first few are a little tricky but you find what portion sizes work and get into a good rhythm (especially if you're making them all yourself).  

Making the sauce is exceptionally easy - put all the ingredients in a jar, shut the lid tight and shake until combined. Feel free to alter the quantities to taste and if you have a lime on hand, half or a quarter of that would be brilliant in it too (sadly, I had no lime for mine). 

These are probably one of my favourite summer foods because they taste good with all the ingredients slightly cooled. Beware of putting them in the fridge though because the rice ingredients do tend to harden up again as I just discovered eating my leftovers. They work great as entrees and as party food and are less messy than you think. 

As a side note, this is our 200th post! We've almost been blogging for a year now so look out for something special as we approach that milestone. Thanks for reading our rambles, we really appreciate people joining us on the journey that is life. 

Erin xx

Review | NYX Matte Lipsticks

 NYX Matte Lipsticks (From L to R) in Merlot, Shocking Pink, Alabama and Indie Flick

Hi lovelies! Another day, another lipstick review. I have resigned myself to a complete lack of control whenever the words matte and lipstick are combined. A website I used to shop on quite frequently was Cherry Culture, and when they sent me a code for 20% off my purchase, I couldn't resist.  

They stock a myriad of American drugstore beauty brands including Jordana, Milani and most excitingly NYX. Target have also recently started stocking the brand so for immediate gratification purposes I would head there. 

I picked up four shades from the Matte Lipstick range. I have heard many postive reviews for these lipsticks over the years and I'm glad to say that they live up to their reputation. Whilst they aren't quite as matte as my favourite Illamasqua or Mac formulas these are very similar in finish to the Kate Moss for Rimmel Matte Lipsticks. I find them very creamy and comfortable to wear, with a good lasting time of around 4 - 5 hours. 

I'm so pleased that NYX is now stocked in stores as I will be able to get a more accurate idea of the shade range. Swatches of these lipsticks can take a bit of searching and the swatches on Cherry Culture are not the most accurate. Hence why I ended up with two shades (Alabama and Merlot) that are very similar. I do wear shades like this a lot during the cooler months however so they wont be going to waste. 

My favourite picks were definitely Indie Flick and Shocking Pink. A vibrant orange-red Indie Flick definitely reminds me of So Chaud by Mac. And Shocking Pink is a great blue-based pink that is almost neon. 

I highly recommend checking out these lipsticks in person as for the price the quality is fantastic. 

NYX Matte lipsticks are available online at Cherry Culture or at selected Targets for $12.95. For a full list of NYX stockists in Australia check out this wonderful graph from Tried and Tested. 

Will you be picking up any of the shades?

Jess xx

At Home | Thrifted Wares

It has been quite some time since I did an 'At Home' post. Over the last two or three months I have continued collecting bits and pieces I've seen in op shops. I normally want everything I see (its always such a bargain!) but I do try and limit myself to one item per visit. Another tactic I use to prevent my house filling up way too quickly is to find a need for it in my life before heading anywhere near the counter. 

OOTD | Life's A Yawn

 Shirt Johann Earl 'Yawn' Crop via ASOS / NYX Matte Lipstick in 'Indie Flick' / Belt Thrifted / Shorts American Apparel / Bag UNIF 'Pyramid Pack' via DollsKill / Shoes T.U.K. Mondo Creepers

Hi lovelies! More photos with the new snazzy lens today. This outfit is pretty much my standard summer uniform. A crop top and shorts is simple and most importantly cool. The humidity has been high this week ...hence the fluffy hair. 

OOTD | Riverside Frenchie

 

Frenchie Dress - Dissh / Chambray Shirt - thrifted / Black Riding Boots - Greg Grant Saddelry

The lack of excitement in the appearance of today's fairly nautical outfit is made up for in excitement for the comfort it offers. Feeling overly repetitive wearing only skirts and t-shirts to work everyday, I have been searching for a dress in this style for the last few months. Something made from lightweight fabric in a flattering cut but also long enough to be acceptable to wear to work. I've stumbled across this and another in recent weeks and am eagerly awaiting others to appear on my shopping horizon. This one also comes in opposite colored stripes and I am so tempted to snap it up as well. 

A staple all throughout the year, my favourite chambray shirt helped me out on a few colder than expected days this week. I couldn't recommend having anything in your wardrobe as much as I do one of these; simple, casual, perfect. 

I've had a pretty big obsession with braiding my hair lately. Mainly because of the crimp aftermath that I am enamoured with. Expect a lot more braids because this obsession shan't be ending soon. 

Hope everyone's weeks are going well and that no one has too terrible a case of Wednesday-itis. Keep me posted if you find any dresses like this that I may like. 

Erin xx

OOTD | The Big Picture

 .Com Beanie by UNIF / Kimono Thrifted / 'Teenage Dirtbag' Tank by MINKPINK / 'Private Dancer' Shorts by MINKPINK / Jeffrey Campbell Meyer Light Up Sneakers

Hi lovelies! My love for beanies extends into the summer apparently. This one is by UNIF (preditably) and it was on clearance on Urban Outfitters back in September. The weather has been pretty typical for a Brisbane summer lately with gorgeous sunny days and then pouring rain come 5 o'clock. So wearing a beanie isn't that ridiculous... at least that's what I'm telling myself. 

OOTD | All Play

Pineapple Picnic Shorts - Gorman / Basic Black Singlet - Target / White Over-shirt - Thrifted / White Stereo Sandals - London Rebel via Famous Footwear / Lattice Owl Sunglasses - eBay / 106 Lasting Finish by Kate - Rimmel

One of my favourite trends this season is fruit. Fruit on everything. However, as with any trend, there is only so much of it one can add to their wardrobe before all of it will become irrelevant when the season moves on. I normally try to find one piece I adore and this time (actually most of the time) Gorman delivered. My beautiful friends Jess and Honor purchased these beautiful Pineapple Picnic shorts for my birthday last week and I am head over heels in love. 

Review | Benfit's Gimme Brow vs. Australis' Tint My Brow

 From L to R: Benefit's Gimme Brow in Light/Medium and Australis' Tint My Brow in Blonde

Hi lovelies! It's a double post from me today as unfortunately Erin has gone and caught tonsillitis for her 21st birthday. Whilst she's recovering you get the pleasure of reading about my addiction to all things eyebrow related. You may not know, but I work at a cafe which means horrifically early mornings. Whilst I don't usually bother with much makeup for work, I do feel a little bit naked without my eyebrows filled in. In order to gain a few extra minutes in bed I was on the hunt to a speedy brow routine that I could do whilst half asleep. 

OOTD | Failsafe

 'Ungrateful Life' Crop by Evil Twin via DollsKill / Dungarees ElectricSkinnyVintage / Shoes T.U.K. Mondo Creepers / Pyramid Pack by UNIF via Dollskill

Hi lovelies! Today's photos were my first experiment with my new camera lens. I finally bit the bullet and bought the Canon 50mm 1.4f USM lens ...and it's beautiful. I have only ever used zoom lenses in the past, so I think it will take a bit of getting used to. I shall refrain from getting into the technicalities, but I can't wait to take some beauty photos with this guy. 

Playlist | Cures

Cures from aroseandapeony on 8tracks Radio.

Yes, I have jumped on the Lorde bandwagon and can't stop listening to Pure Heroin. Its been gracing my ears with beauty almost continuously since it was released. I restrained myself from putting more of it in this playlist but be sure I will probably put one of her songs in every playlist I make for the rest of forever. I was also recently introduced to The Kite String Tangle; a great guy from Brisbane making some very catchy chilled out beats.

This playlist's main purpose (aside from being a collection of great tunes) was to aid my recovery from Saturday night shenanigans. 

Lorde - Still Sane

Portishead - Sour times

The Kite String Tangle (covering Lorde) - Tennis Courts

Bat For Lashes - Laura

Lana Del Rey - Young and Beautiful

Regina Spektor - Hotel Song

Bat For Lashes - Daniel (Mt. Eden Remix)

Chet Faker - I'm Into You

Active Child - Playing House

The Kite String Tangle - Given The Chance

So if you're in need of some soothing tunes to get you through a hangover perhaps this will do the trick.

Happy Sunday lovers,

Erin xx

Review | Australis Velour Lips

 From L to R: Australis Velour Lips in 'MA-LI-BOO' and 'TO-KI-O'

 Hi lovelies! It's barely a week into November and what was the first beauty product I bought? Lipsticks! Two in fact. Despite the ludicrous number of lipsticks I own there was definitely room for these two.

They are the latest release from Australis called Velour Lips. Claiming to be a long-wearing, highly pigmented, matte lip colour of course I was interested. I managed to track down these two colours and after some testing here are my thoughts.