Monthly Round-Up | September

Eat and Drink
Chur Burger, Fortitude Valley

I love a good gourmet burger. So much so that I follow a few too many 'only burger' posting accounts on Instragram. When I read that the guys from Chur Burger were coming to Brisbane I had to get on it quick smart. They make a great burger bun with a great combination of fillings available all at a reasonable price. Tara and I also indulged in Milo milkshakes which were phenomenal. The sweet potato fried were a little lacklustre but were tasty nevertheless.

Like burgers? Like awesome graffiti on the wall? Looking for a cheap, fast, alternative to Grill'd? Give Chur Burger a go in Constance Street in the Valley.

Frozen strawberries

Here in Queensland we are currently experiencing our second amazing strawberry season in a row. For the last few weeks they have been around 3-punnets-for-$5 or even cheaper. My favourite way to keep the strawberry love going past the glut is to buy a few every time I'm at the green grocers, chop the heads off them and pop them in the freezer. This way, I get to indulge in the fruit now but I also save some for later use as ice-cubes or in desserts. I have a pretty delicious recipe coming your way using some of these frozen gems. 

Listen
Client Liaison

It is rare that you find musicians so meticulously dedicated to reproducing the magic of 1980s. Not only is their music spot on but the performance and attention to detail in their costumes, videos and casting is inspiring. I first heard these gentlemen at BigSound Live earlier in the month and was blown away. It comes off as a bit pretentious at first glance but the dedication these musicians show to their art form is truly worthy of a long and lustrous career. 

WARNING: Contains extreme 80s vibes. 

Watch

Arrested development 

Yes, yes, I know I'm very late to the Arrested Development party but I recently powered my way through the series and loved every minute of it. With a fantastic and well loved cast the Bluth's family debacle is endlessly entertaining. I'm not going to go into much more detail because if you want to experience the true hilarity and show really speaks for itself; go watch it!

Beauty

Moisturising Face SPF 50+ by Sun Sense

I've been kidding myself for far too long with my SPF 15+ facial moisturiser. It is a great product but my devotion to it was needless as we now have SPF 50+ products on the market; as a pasty skinned human, I need all the sun protection I can get. I picked this one up by SunSense about a week ago because I read that it was a very similar mix of ingredients to the product I already use with the added SPF bonus. I'm always wary about changing my moisturiser as I'm terrified of breakouts. So far this has proven itself to be non-comedogenic (not blocking of pores) which is really my biggest worry. I'll let you know in 50 years if it is successful in protecting my skin.  

Hydrating Mist Toner by Sukin

On a similar "summer is coming" train of thought to the SPF 50+ moisturiser, I recently picked up this mist toner by Sukin. Its been increasing in humidity here in the sunshine state so I thought it would come for a refreshing way to cool off. It has a lovely chamomile and rosewater scent to it which feels lovely on the skin. I'm thinking this will definitely be an essential in my beach bag to keep cool by the sea. 

And thats a wrap on September! Hope you all had a great month too. What did you love?

Happy October!

Erin xx

Monthly Round-Up | August

Eat and Drink

Plum Tucker, Red Hill

Its been a while since Jess and I have shared a day off together and this August (much like last August) we took advantage of our state's show holiday. We stumbled across Plum Tucker in Red Hill after finding our desired destination in Paddington over booked. This cafe was pleasantly surprising for both of us. I had a delicious interpretation of Báhn mì with their outstanding home made chicken pâté. Jess also enjoyed a delicious lunch of avocado, pumpkin smash and haloumi on sourdough. 

If either of us are in the Red Hill area again and are looking for a delicious meal I doubt we'd hesitate at where to go. Great service combined with high quality, yet affordable meals, is always a winner. 

Monthly Round-Up | July

Eat and Drink
Louis & Sons Delicatessen, Stones Corner

I posted a haul from this marvellous deli earlier on in the month and can happily say it is one of the best finds I've had in a while. While I love deli food, when I enter stores such as this I don't normally let myself get at 'spendy' as what I did in here. There was something about the quality of the products, the well balanced and reasonable pricing and the very 'small business' atmosphere that made me want to fill a bag to take home with me. Check out what I picked up here. 
Listen
1000 Forms Of Fear - Sia

It isn't often my favourite musicians become, or are, insanely internationally famous but recently the world has been taking notice of some incredibly talented people, for good reason. When Sia first entered my conscience it was through her album Some People Have Real Problems and her sensational songwriting ability had me completely won over. Her latest release 1000 Forms Of Fear, had such insane promotional build up that it topped charts worldwide. 

If you haven't been living under a rock, Chandelier, should be familiar to you. If you enjoy it, even in the slightest, I recommend the whole album front to back. Some of my favourite tracks include: Elastic Heart, Burn The Pages, Fair Game and Big Girls Cry. The quality of the song writing lies within the fact that Sia is an excellent songwriter with exceptional vocal talent.

Tech
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 Lens

I'm not sure if I've mentioned what I use to shoot my photos before. My camera of choice is the Canon 600D and until this week a 55-250mm lens. For OOTD shoots it has been perfect and very effective, however, a real pain in the backside for food and beauty photography. I finally got myself this 50mm lens and am blissed out with happiness. Look forward to some less awkwardly positioned food photography in the near future. 

Beauty
1 Second Volume Mascara by Bourjois

It feels like I'm constantly putting new mascaras in my beauty favourites section. I never used to be such a mascara fiend but I can definitely notice the trend in that direction. I wouldn't call this my all-time-favourite but it definitely does what it says. My lashes look more voluminous, which I want, and long enough to suit my liking. They can occasionally get a bit of a spidery look at the end but I'm going to lay part of the blame for that on myself and some dodgy application. 

I appreciate that the brush is plastic and it has quite a cool texture. However, when you pull the brush out of the barrel there is often a weird large excess that needs wiping back into the inside which can be frustrating if you're in a hurry. 

Like it but don't love it. 

Advanced Night Repair Serum by Estēe Lauder

This is sort of a cheaters favourite because I've only been using samples of this product. The full size product is way out of my price range but I thought I'd let you know its amazing if you can afford it. My skin has been going through an undesirably acne phase for the last week or two and because of all the treatments I've been putting it through, is now very dried out. Add harsh winter winds and you have some very uncomfortably skin. I found these in my sample stash and have been using about a pea sized amount before applying my moisturiser at night. 

If I could afford the full size product I think the long term effects would do great things for my skin. Unfortunately, once my samples run out, I will be returning to my almost-as-effective rose hip oil.

What have you been enjoying this past month? Let me know in the comments.

Happy Sunday, chickens!

Erin xx

Monthly Round-Up | June

Eat and Drink
Wagaya, Fortitude Valley

I literally discovered this restaurant on the last day of June. As a massive lover of Japanese food I have wanted to try it out for months but never had the time or right friends to accompany me.  I have been blown away and am headed back there tonight and probably twice more in the coming week or two. 

Monthly Round-Up | May

Eat and Drink

Mount Zero Olives

I didn't make it to many new venues this month but I did discover a new stockist of my favourite brand of olives. As a child my father dubbed me The Olive Queen and I have maintained that status ever since. Mount Zero is a Victorian estate that grows and produces a plethora of different gourmet ingredients, including olives, olive oil, condiments, grains etc. My favourite of their line is the olives, of course. In the past it has been hard to find their product in Brisbane but I have been hearing and finding more and more places that stock it; and now, one that I can actually get to with ease in Paddington. 

If you see these babies out and about, treat yourself because they are totally worth it. 

Monthly Round-Up | April

Eat and Drink
Sangria Bar, South Bank

Brisbane welcomes this addition to the flourishing strip of dining options along Little Grey Street, South Bank. As a dedicated Sangria bar to Ole Restaurant next door, there are a multitude of sangrias available as well as variety of other beverages and minimal but scrumptious tapas food (also available at Ole).

I have frequented this bar many times with some of my favourite people and have always experienced the highest levels of service and quality of food and drink. My favourite item on the menu is their olive plate as well as their classic patatas bravas. I've tried almost all of their sangria selections and am yet to find one I don't like. 

It is always pumping and a fun place to visit whilst still being reasonably priced with food under $15 and a jug of sangria for $32. Totally recommend this venue for a fun night out - I might even see you there. 

Roasted & Salted Soy Beans

We all know I adore edamame so when I saw these in the asian isle at my Coles I could not resist. I lack so much will power that these were opened before I left the shopping centre. They share many similarities to salted nuts being that they are addictive and not that healthy in large quantities. When roasted, the outside of the bean is similar to that of a peanut skin but is totally edible. These are a ridiculously cheap snack to have around the house when craving something quick, salty and better than potato chips. My one wish is that bars would have these instead of nuts.

Listen

SZA - Z

I don't have too many words for once. SZA mellows even the most harsh of my moods. I can't get enough of her smooth tone that bursts with emotion. Thanks to my fabulous friend Rhianna, I have dived back into the overflowing pool of up and coming soul artists who are combining their art with hip-hop. 

I have no more words on SZA. Let Warm Winds featuring Isaiah Rashad turn you over to the dark side... we're pretty relaxed here.

Read

The Wolf of Wall Street by Jordan Belfort

We've all heard of (and probably seen) the hit movie The Wolf of Wall Street staring our love, Leonardo DiCaprio. Well, I decided to read the book before watching the film and it took me ages. It didn't take me ages because I'm a slow reader or because it was incredibly long. I took me two months to read because I struggled to cope reading about the most self-centred narcissist to walk the planet and his band of merry followers; alike in lack of dignity. I am always sickened when confronted with the though that humans like that exist. 

Don't get me wrong, the book is incredibly well written and I definitely wanted to read more but after a chapter or two, at the most, I could not cope with Jordan Belfort's insane life. When I did finally complete the book, I attempted the film. It was worse. Ads had led me to believe it was a fun party movie potentially avoiding the harsher more confronting parts of the book. I had no such luck. The actors did such incredibly jobs of portraying the horrible people surrounding Belfort's life, including himself, that any parts of their personalities that I had been diminishing in my imagination were highlighted. 

If you enjoyed the film, then definitely read the book. It is intricately worded and Belfort's internal monologue can be entertaining at times; occasionally enough to empathise. However, if you did not like the film I recommend staying far away. No one really needs to be reminded of how rich and dysfunctional 'the kid' really was. 

Beauty

Mint Julips Lip Scrub by Lush

I love bright matte lipsticks. I also have a tendency to get fairly chapped lips. These two are definitely a bad combination. I've always been a bit of a skeptic when it comes to lip scrubs but have definitely been converted. This chocolate mint delight is pretty effective and makes for delicious (tested and approved) lips that are ripe and ready for those bold matte lipsticks that I am obsessed with. If you're not a chocolate mint fan, there are other flavours too. Thanks Lush!

I hope you've all had a super great April full of chocolate. Jess and I are super excited for this cold snuggle weather to really kick in. We're both big lovers of layers so our wardrobes are bursting with excitement.

Happy Wednesday! See you in May!

Erin xx

Monthly Round-Up | January

Eat and Drink
Boutique Ginger Beers

Strangely, I only recently discovered that you could buy alcoholic ginger beer. The whole 'beer' part of the title was really lost on me. It is a great alternative to regular beer as the ginger makes it spicy and refreshing but it doesn't have the overly sweet taste often common in ciders. These local boutique brews are two of my favourites but surprisingly hard to come by. I have purchased them before as a local bottle shop but after discovering they were sold out haven't been able to find them elsewhere (hence stock photos). If you see either these two around make sure you give them a whirl; they're not just a pretty label. 

Watch
Girls

I arrived late to the Girls obsession but am so glad that I finally have. After months of recommendations to watch this highly relevant and addictive program, I have been glued to my laptop for two weekends straight. I am almost through the second season and can't wait to catch up to the most recent episodes from the hyped season three. If you're yet to be converted to this brilliantly hilarious and heartbreakingly true-to-life series there are plenty of reviews around the interwebs but this is a good way to start (click here).

Are you obsessed?

Read

How To Be a Woman by Caitlin Moran

Two books have captivated my attention this month. I received Caitlin Moran's How To Be a Woman for Christmas and could not put it down. I devoured the hilariously apt auto-biography during some downtown after Woodford Folk Festival. Moran has turned various phases of her life into life lessons with an empowering feminist twist for women of all ages at all stages of life. As a 20-something confused with parts of her semi-ignorant generation it is always refreshing to read such a loud voice expressing exactly that I feel in coherent yet entertaining manner. 

     "So here is the quick way of working out if you're a feminist. Put your hand in your pants.

     a) Do you have a vagina? and

     b) Do you want to be in charge of it?

     If you said 'yes' to both, then congratulations! You're a feminist.” 

Caitlin Moran, How To Be a Woman

Bewitched & Bedevilled by Samantha Trenoweth and others

The other work that I have been absorbing like water is a collection of essays written by Australian female political commentators about the years of the Gillard Goverment. Australia's first female Prime Minister had a short three years in office wrought with the perils of a country not ready for a leader who diverged from the norm; white, Christian males with a nuclear family. Despite passing a ridiculously high number of bills through the House of Representatives, (the most efficient Prime Minister and government Australia has ever seen) sexist bullying and negative portrayals by conservative media outlets has a large portion of the public viewing her as the worst thing to ever happen to this country. 

This book explores all facets of her Prime Ministership, from strident feminist perspectives through to analysis of some fairly negative and hugely disliked pieces of policy that Gillard's government actioned. It highlights and constantly reiterates that a man in the same position, the highest in the land, never has and will never be disrespected and bullied in the same way that Gillard was. 

If you're looking for modern and relevant feminist titles, I definitely recommended these two. Let me know your favourites in the comments. 

Listen

Thelma Plum

I've been seeing and hearing little bits about Thelma Plum for a few months now on Triple J and music blogs but had never delved much deeper. That was until I had her music permanently stuck in my head after seeing her at Woodford Folk Festival. This young Brisbane girl has tapped into the veins of the the flourishing Australian female singer song writer market. She picked up the award for National New Talent of the Year at the National Indigenous Music Awards late last year for her cute sounding angry folk pop. Its fairly obvious she has been through a difficult relationship recently and has found success in this emotional output. I really hope she continues to bloom this year and releases a full length album sometime soon. 

Tech
Sleep Bot for iOS and Android

Sleep Bot is the most intuitive and effective alarm clock I have ever had. It starts working from the moment you tell it you are sleeping right until you actively turn it off in the morning. Instead of letting the several consecutive alarms that I know some of us have Sleep Bot has a smart alarm that not only starts to go off 30 minutes before the one you have set but goes off according to the part of your sleep cycle that you are in. You are also able to track your movement and sounds while sleeping. 

I was fairly content with these functions but always put a slow soothing playlist on at the same time to help me sleep. I find that sometimes music can be great for sleeping but it can also be distracting and ineffective. A recent update of Sleep Bot now includes ambient white noises that you can play for up to 25 minutes while you try to sleep. Sounds include 'nature at night', 'wind in the trees', 'city ambience', and my personal favourite, 'ocean tides'. I find it much more effective to have white noise while I sleep. 

I hope you have all enjoyed the first post in my new Monthy Round-Up series. I have set myself a goal of posting a favourites post like this every month for as least the duration of 2014, if not longer. 

Please let me know if you liked it or if you have any suggestions.

Erin xx

May | The Top Five

So as another month draws to a close I have another top five for you guys. If you want to read about the concept behind the post then you can see the original here. 

Let's get straight into them...

Music: Daft Punk 'Random Access Memories'

No surprises here. Like just about everyone else in the world I am in love with their latest album. I thought departing from their usual sample-filled style was a really bold move by them with electronic music today being so sample driven. It totally paid off though and showcases them as musicians. There was a fantastic interview by Pitchfork that's really interesting read (link here). In case you're craving Daft Punk as much as I am they've announced that they will be remixing the entire album and releasing it later on this year. 

Gadget: Canon EOS 60D

For my birthday last month I got a very exciting new toy. A Canon! I am so excited to learn everything about this little baby and take some awesome photos for this internet space. Erin can confirm I have been reading a ridiculous number of photography blogs, I have been using it to procrastinate from revising for exams. 

Mid-Monthly Loves

I have been intending to do a monthly favourites post for what feels like a year and a day now. However every time the start of the month rolls around I seem to get distracted and I don't remember until the middle of the month. Today I just decided that the fact that it was the middle of March didn't matter I was doing a favourites post.