Music | Current Picks #2

It has been a while since I indulged in the singer-songwriter genre but it is definitely a genre close to my heart. Within that genre specifically, is one made entirely of women who live or grew up locally to me. Todays current music picks is a collation of three women from Brisbane, or nearby, that are winning in the folk singer-songwriter genre. 

Sahara Beck

I start with Sahara because she sparked the idea behind this post. I first met Sahara at BIGSOUND Live last year (2013) whilst running one of their venues. If I hadn't been informed I was looking after a minor there would have been next to no indication that this young woman was so. With maturity beyond her years and lyrics to reflect that, I hope to see this talent flow on for years to come. If you get a chance to see this young lass in the next year or two, take it because she won't be a small 'local artist' for long. 

OOTD | Black, White and Red All Over

 Crop Top Cue (thrifted) / Overalls Dragonberry / Lips Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in 'Hot Pepper' / Shoes Nike Air Propels

Hi lovelies! So it's another black and white outfit today, this time with a touch of denim thrown in. I love these overalls which I bought from the Dragonberry pop up shop here. They're so comfy to just throw on with a crop top, then all you need is a jacket and you're ready to go. 

I am also loving the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvets. I picked mine up on my travels in England, but they've just been released in Australian Pricelines. They're such a comfortable texture to wear and the colour range is nice as well. No "dud" colours to be found. 

I just threw on my Nikes for a casual Sunday spent lunching with Erin. We ended up at Scout Cafe in Red Hill and it was absolutely delicious. I had a huge bagel filled with lots of yummy roasted vegetables, all washed down with plenty of tea. Delish!

What did you get up to this weekend?

Jess x 

Recipe | Mussel Puttanesca

Serves 3 - 4 

Ingredients

440g tin diced tomatoes 

2 cups vegetable stock

1/2 red wine

fettuccini

1/2 cup pitted and halved kalamata olives

1tbsp mussel paste (use other paste made from seafood if unavailable)

1 cup baby spinach, ripped

parmesan cheese, grated for serving

caviar

In a frypan, at a medium heat, place diced tomatoes, vegetable stock and red win. Bring to the boil and reduce heat to low. Let this mixture simmer until it thickens; mine took about an hour, give or take. 

Once your tomato mixture has thickened, place a large pot of water on to boil. Place the pasta in the water once boiling. 

Meanwhile, add chopped olives and mussel paste to the tomato mixture. Combine and heat through. Add the ripped up baby spinach, cook until wilted before removing the pan from the heat. 

When the pasta is cooked, drain and add to the frypan. Toss to combine. Serve out desired portions and top with grated parmesan, fresh baby spinach and caviar. 

Hey presto! You're done. 

I cooked this for my brother a few days ago and, being the seafood and pasta lover that he is, he demolished it and asked for more. I am aware that the mussel paste may be hard to find but if you can get your hands on it, don't be afraid to try it. If you read my last blog post, you'll see I found mine my local delicatessen, Louis & Sons. 

Happy Sunday, food lovers!

Erin xx

OOTD | Daisy Chain

 Blazer Thrifted / Jumper MINKPINK via NastyGal / Skirt Neon Blonde via Urban Outfitters / Shoes Dr Marten 1460s

Hi lovelies! In the recent batch of cold weather I have been adapting the philosophy that if my top half is warm, then my legs will survive. Although I was wearing stockings here I must admit. 

Shopping | Louis & Sons Delicatessen Haul

At the beginning of this year, a new delicatessen graced my local high street, Stones Corner, with its presence. It has taken me several months (I keep walking by after hours) but I finally got to Louis & Sons and, me oh my, I am they're newest fan. Once I saw the prices on their high quality items I picked up goodies with very little restraint and will definitely be heading back in the near future.

First things first, I could not leave a deli without purchasing olives. Louis & Sons stock a fairly broad range from Mount Zero so I picked up some green manzanilla olives at the best price I've ever seen any Mount Zero olives for. I will definitely be returning whenever I need to restock on the rest of their range. I also got some wild olives from Pendleton to sample another companies take on the variety. 

The next thing I found is a very polarising item which belongs in the seafood category. There are many people in this world who will turn their nose up at fresh seafood and even more at processed. I, however, belong to neither of these groups of people and revel in the fact that it simply means: more for me (except when my family is involved). There were a few different varieties of seafood pastes on offer and even though they were all appealing to me the mussels stood out from the rest. This delight works as a dip for crackers and also as the main ingredient in a puttanesca variation I cooked recently (blog post coming). 

Sadly, these last two items have been my least favourite of the haul. There is nothing particularly wrong with the charcoal lavoche except that they are fairly plain and unassuming. I agree that it is best for accompaniments like crackers to be that way but I was expecting something a little more interesting from the charcoal. 

The cheese would have to be the biggest let down. It generally takes a lot for me to dislike food, particularly one labelled Premium Vintage Cheddar BUT I a not a fan of this cheese by  the Kenilworth dairy. It had a strange after taste and sourness to it that almost makes me think it is past its best before... if thats possible. 

One tiny bit of a disappointment in an otherwise lovely haul from Louis & Sons. If you're a Brisbane southside local, I highly recommend checking this newish delicatessen out. The prices are great, as are the products. 

Happy hump-day lovelies!

Erin xx

Shoes | UNIF Heathers Boots

 UNIF Heathers Boots via DollsKill

Hi lovelies! I feel like this post may have well been titled 'because you can always use another pair of black platforms.' I am willing to admit it's definitely a bit of an addiction now. 

Life | Night Noodle Markets

As a part of Good Food Month that is happening in Brisbane this July, there is a two week (11 days) long celebration of local Asian food vendors. I love noodles and when I saw the Night Noodle Market advertised I was pretty keen to go. However, the dreamy abundance of noodles I had imaged was lacking; there was about one place vending noodles at the markets. 

OOTD | Keep it Simple

 Jumper Thrifted / Shorts by Evil Twin via DollsKill / Shoes Heathers Boots by UNIF via DollsKill

Hi lovelies! So I might look a little undressed for winter, but worry not I am wearing tights and a thick thermal top underneath my jumper. This jumper was a complete bargain I found when thrifting. 

OOTD | New Reflections

Gold crocheted top - thrifted / Acid wash denim jacket - thrifted / Black High-waisted jeans - Arlene by Dr Denim / Jodhpur boots - Greg Grant Saddlery / The Burbank Sunglasses in Mirror Blue - Miss KL

This outfit is full of new things that I've picked up recently. I finally took the dive and bought myself new high-waisted black skinny jeans. I tried many different styles on in General Pants a month or two ago and decided that Arlene by Dr Denim was definitely the pair for me. I got these in a 28 which is quite snug around the waist but the room in the legs makes me sure that they will stretch. I wore them for the first time today and could not be more impressed. They were comfortably all day and are yet to make my hands or legs black... even with prior warning that they could. If you're in the market for some new high-waisted jeans and don't mind the $130 price tag, totally do it. I'll keep you updated on their fading/stretching process.

What's in my Bag | Cameras

Hi lovelies! So I posted awhile back about my Copper River bag that I had purchased to tote around all my camera bits here. Whilst I still love that bag due to its size I tend to carry it around when I am also taking my laptop and tripod out with me. 

Playlist | Remember the Good

Remember the Good from aroseandapeony on 8tracks Radio.

This is a mix of new tunes I've been listening to lately that all put me in a really indie-pop kind of vibe. You'll hear shortly that I've been all over Sia's new release 1000 Forms of Fear which is sensational. I'll probably be including some of the other artists featured in this compilation in a current music picks post in the next few weeks. I can't wait to get my hands on Kimbra's The Golden Echo and have a more in-depth listen.

Hope you've all had a wonderful week, I know I have. Enjoy the tunes!

Erin xx

OOTD | Sheer Graffiti

 Hat UNIF / Jacket Monki / Sheer Shirt eBay / Belt American Apparel / Jeans Vintage / Shoes Nike Air Sneakers

Hi lovelies! I took these photos after a delicious lunch with Erin at Shady Palms Cafe in Stones Corner. The food there is delicious, although I must admit their breakfast menu blows their lunch menu out of the water. Maple syrup glazed bacon? Yes please!