Mmmm Shephard's Pie

I love cooking and making up new recipes is almost a daily occurance in my kitchen. (I get bored very easily and can never eat the same thing two days running.) One of my most recent concoctions is my take on a classic comfort dish, so I thought I'd share...

Shephard's Pie

You need:
500g beef mince
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, peeled and chopped
1/2 red capsicum, chopped
1/2 cup minted peas
2 tsp minced garlic
1/2 tsp minced chilli
2 tbs tomato paste
1 cup chicken stock (approx)
1 cup red wine (approx)
splash worcestershire sauce
mixed Italian herbs
salt and pepper to taste
4 medium potatoes
milk and butter for mash
1 tbs dijon mustard
1/2 cup grated cheese

What to do:
Fry onion in a little olive oil, with garlic and chilli, until translucent. Add vegetables and mince and cook until mince is browned. Add tomato paste and stir through. Add chicken stock and wine, continue to stir occassionaly until thick. Season to taste.

Meanwhile, boil potatoes until soft. Drain water and mash potatoes with butter, milk and dijon mustard. Season to taste.

Spoon mince mixture into a baking dish and top with mashed potato. Bake in a moderate oven until potato starts to brown. Top with cheese and bake until melted. Allow to stand for a few minutes before serving.

YUM! I know what I'm cooking for dinner tonight!

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The image is not my pie but a similar one from great recipe website www.taste.com.au.

Fun things for Monday

Let's face it... Monday's really suck. The weekend passed by way too quickly and now there's another five days of work looming ahead. But, there are a few reasons to get excited about the week...

Shop Til You Drop and Yen magazines are both on sale today!

Gwen Stefani is in town - if you're going to her concert I am tres jealous. Girls who went in Brissy - tell me how it was!!

This uber cute dress from Bird Motel. Well it might not get you excited on it's own, but the thought of wearing a dress without a jacket is very exciting!!!



You're not Nicole Richie and therefore, you're not going to jail.

We're almost finally rid of Big Brother for the year!

And I'm really excited because I am attending a preview screening of the movie musical "Hairspray" on Thursday night. It's the one with John Travolta starring as a woman and it's going to be fantastic! It comes out on September 13th.

Have a good week!

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Hooray, it's Nylon day!

You know how much I love Nylon, and I've been literally gagging for this new issue to be available to view online! At first flick, I am absolutely loving it and really appreciate how many props go out to Aussie talent.

Editor Marvin Scott Jarrett, met Nicole Richie when they were both in Australia for the MTV Video Music Awards and decided to do an impromptu shoot - which turned into this month's cover!



Their annual Jeans issue is packed from cover to cover with a bazillion different styles and denim related features. You could say it's a very blue issue.



Alice McCall converts some baggy '90s jeans into a party frock...



And main fashion was also shot in Oz, with Australian models and including lots of cool Australian and NZ labels.



I'm going to finish reading the interview with Nicole Richie when I buy a hard copy of the mag but love the styling of this shoot.



Hope it lands in my local newsagent very, very soon!

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The very long winter

Is it just me or does this winter just feel like it's dragging on forever? The general consensus at the moment, from my very professional survey of a group of girlfriends, is that everyone is suffering from a motivation slump. No one is in the mood for going out, everyone has been sick with the flu, and many people are just generally bored with life. Even when it's sunny outside in winter, the chill dulls everyone's mood.

Winter is not usually a time for making new resolutions, or setting goals. All you want to do is hibernate until it's safe to step foot outside in a dress (without opaque tights and various other layers underneath). So what is one to do in this seemingly, never ending slump?

*Keep motivated at work - learn as much as you can in your role, take on extra responsibilities, seek out promotions or if you're really over it, go and get yourself a better gig!

*Exercise - there's only five and a bit weeks til Spring and that's prime trying on bikini time! Use your lunch times to get a bit of exercise in. If you don't have a gym membership, simply get out and go for a walk during your break, or on the weekend. Your body and mind will thank you for it.

*Plan a holiday - many times when we're wondering why we feel so crap, it's because we need a break! You don't have to splash out on a European vacation... just get out of town for the weekend, or even a night. Go somewhere you've never been before and go exploring. You'll return refreshed and looking forward to the next break.

*Save some money - in anticipation of a whole new summer wardrobe, or a summer holiday!

*Remember to make time for friends - schedule regular catch ups. Try new restaurants, meet for hot chocolate or better still, a glass of wine and some chocolate.

*Think positive - don't yet this year slip you by. Make the most of it and have fun!

I hope this post brightens your day a little : )

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Can you believe she's only nine?

Bindi Irwin celebrated her ninth birthday yesterday at Australia Zoo (go the sunny coast!) and joining her to celebrate were her "besties", Jess and Lisa Origliasso from The Veronicas. It was certainly a larger event than any regular girl's ninth birthday, with all children under 14 years of age given free entry to the zoo, and a free concert in the Crocasseum!

Funnily enough, Lisa's boyfriend, Dean Geyer also joined in on the action.

Being that it's still less than 12 months since her father's death, it would have been a sad time for little Bindi too. Critics have always questioned Bindi's life in the spotlight, and her quick return to the promotional trail following Steve's death. Now that her TV show is airing on the ABC, including scenes of her with Steve, they're at it again.

Do you think it's wrong that a nine year old conducts herself as an adult and takes on adult responsibilities with such ease? Has she really been able to have a normal childhood? We have to remember the Irwin's live on site at the zoo and that Bindi has always been home schooled by Terri. She's always been in the spotlight due to her famous father, and she has always wanted to be involved.

Steve was her idol, so it's natural she wants to continue his legacy. The sad thing is that now, a selection of the beaming Australia Zoo signs that line the highway from Brisbane to the coast, feature young Bindi in place of her dad. In fact, I believe the TV commercials now include a bubbly Bindi coaxing viewers to "come to my Australia Zoo!"

She may be different to other "normal" nine year old girls but do you think it's really doing any long term damage? She still loves tween mags like Total Girl and listens to normal tween music like The Veronicas. She's still got her wholesome pigtails and there's no signs of her turning into a wild party girl. I think comparisons with Bindi and other Hollywood child stars is a bit of stretch. If you've ever visited the zoo, you'll know how far removed it is from a "Hollywood" lifestyle.

I'd love to hear your comments!

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I ♥ Insight

One of the best things about working in magazines is seeing next season's fashions before everyone else. I received Insight's new look book yesterday and am totally loving the following pieces!







And this is yet another reminder to get that exercise regime I keep meaning to start, into full swing before summer comes up to bite me!

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Op shop goodies

One of the best things about going home to Caloundra, and there are many besides seeing family and friends... including the delicious blueberry pancakes my brother made me for breakfast on Saturday (so good I had to take a photo of them), and that's the op shops. Being a small town, there are many gems to be found at '70s prices.

I headed out with my brother on Friday to do the rounds, and after spending only $40, we came home with:

For Dion
A grey pinstripe suit ($6)
Baby blue trousers
Two fabulously over-the-top, colourful knitted jumpers (perfect for Splendour in the Grass)
A knitted vest
Black jeans
Two T shirts

For me:
A dark denim, high-waisted skirt
A bright coral skirt
Turquoise skirt
Metallic gold skirt
High-waisted denim shorts
A kitschy Australia jumper
A hilarious blue '80s parachute anorak
A royal blue knitted jumper (so warm)
And a cute little porcelain dog for my grandma who just got out of hospital

One of the stores had pants and skirts on sale for 50c each, hence the number of skirts I bought and intend to alter this week. There's something about the process of searching through op shops in the hope of finding something great that makes it all the more exciting. I've also become a bit of an ebay watcher lately and am loving this gorgeous blue basket handbag I just received this morning. A bargain at $4.75!

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Am really loving...

This cute Little Lady From fleece from Bird Motel.



This cute Mermaid Sister pinafore, in stock soon on australianflavour.com.au.



And this beauty shoot from fashion156.com (cool weekly online fashion mag).





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Everyone's talking Posh

I am literally gobsmacked by the stupidity of Victoria Beckham, yet I absolutely couldn't look away during last night's show. I knew she was a bit of a wanker, but seriously, she really is from another planet. The planet of low education mixed with billions of dollars and devoid of any style.

I don't know how the producers of the "special" managed to keep a straight face throughout filming. It was like watching a car wreck. A very tannorexic car wreck.

One thing's for sure, and it's that Victoria was made for LA. You can just see her becoming one of those old hag "socialites" within a few years. I don't understand how she thought screening the show in America would help her popularity. If the slamming she received from the American media is anything to go by, she'll soon be the most hated "celebrity" in tabloids all over the country.

I could not stop laughing at her terribly overacted antics - the chat with Perez was the closest she came to actually seeming a bit human and showing off her supposed "dry humour". Her clothes were terrible, the way she spoke to her PA was horrible, and the licence photo pose (not without a bit of lip gloss touch up) was the icing on the cake.

Victoria certainly is a bizarre character, and even more bizarre is her "friendship" with Katie Holmes. Sure, Katie may have gone to the dark side by marrying Tom Cruise, but there is not one itty bitty hint of similarity I can find between the two to guarantee any conversation. But I guess they don't need to talk do they? Just shop.

What did you think of the show? And do you think Victoria is trying to outshine Paris Hilton with her wannabe catch phrase "major"? As in "Look at these shoes. Aren't they major?" I'd love to hear your thoughts...

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New discovery

Our work library often gives away old magazines and today I spotted a gem in my friend Brooke's pile of freebies. Real Living magazine is jam packed with inspirational home stuff which now has me day dreaming even more of the day when I live in a house again and can decorate it with lots of pretty stuff!

Like this spread with lots of cool storage ideas...



And an enviable beach house with this awesome home office!



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Is it wrong...

That I actually like one of Jessica Simpson's swimwear designs? I'm not too keen on the hat though.



On the other hand, do you really think wearing a belt with a full piece is going to take off this year? Katie Holmes was spotted doing the same thing at the Packer wedding not long ago...



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Can't wait to see...

The Beckhams Coming to America on Channel Nine on Tuesday at 9:30pm. It's going to be hilarious! Would you just look at what Victoria wore to David's first official appearance for Galaxy!

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Reformed sinner

So, I went out to Priceline on the weekend and spent $50 on beautifying products - namely Olay's eye gel and moisturiser with SPF 15+ (chosen after much umming and aahing over which mid-priced brand would be best), as well as a body brush, pedicure paddle and eyelash curlers. Am feeling much better about my beauty routine now. Oh and I even remembered to use toner yesterday too! : )

Thanks for all your comments!

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Hi my name is Celeste and I'm a beauty sinner

When it comes to having a "grown up" attitude towards skin care, I'm pretty immature. Rubbing eyes vigorously without much concern for delicate skin under eyes? Yep. Forgetting to take make up off before bed? Done it way too many times. And don't even get me started on sun exposure! Much of my teen years were spent with a lobster-esque glow (during the summer months).

Which is why, whenever I am searching for beauty advice, like I was last night at the Estee Lauder counter in Myer, I feel slightly sheepish admitting to my adolescent beauty regime. It consists of me waking up and slathering on some Cetaphil moisturiser - cheap and void of any nasty fragrances while being super mosituring, but ultimately missing SPF (naughty girl). Most days I'm make up free and simply cleanse while in the shower (with the water waaay too hot, I know, I know) and after skipping the toner, I use Nivea Young moisturiser before bed (it's light and refreshing but I'm not sure it's doing me any favours in the anti-ageing department).

I've experimented with various products over the years, especially whenever a freebie passes my desk, and I know there are some excellent products out there to make my pores clearer, skin tighter and face generally glowing with health, but being the scrooge I have had to become with my expendable income, spending $50 on a face cream just doesn't seem justifiable.

If I choose another cheap and cheerful moisturiser with SPF is it going to cut it? Should I be using an eye cream now that I am nearing a quarter century? And do I really need to use a toner?

What does your skin care regime involve? What products can you recommend? Because I somehow think the beauty girls in Myer are not going to help me as much as you lovely ladies.

Leave me a comment and let me know! Isn't sharing beauty tips fun!?

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How much will Sass & Bide knickers cost?

The girls from Sass and Bide have collaborated with lingerie label Lovable, to create a special Sass & Bide underwear range. After a recent course of chemotherapy, Heidi is back designing with Sarah-Jane and the pieces are expected to be stocked exclusively in David Jones from next month.

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(Pic courtesy of news.com.au)

Getting crafty

There's nothing I love more than a good DIY project. I've been hacking into old clothes, dreaming up designs, and making numerous craft projects since my tween years. Many have been hopeless disasters and some definitely meant to be stuck in the '90s - like the black velvet book bag I made for school once.

Whenever I visit markets, I'm on the lookout for unique products that people have made themselves, while secretly imagining how I could make it myself. My obsession of late has been with craft blogs - looking into the lives of other crafty people working on various projects (many with their own etsy stores), and usually including lots of pretty pictures.

Top of the list is One Girl Designwrks. Leslie, a graphic designer from Melbourne, makes these cute little guys for her etsy shop. (Photo courtesy of onegirldesignwrks.blogspot.com)

Then there's Paper. String. Cloth. A cute blog from a "20-something, bad-mouthed bartender from South Australia". As well as showcasing her craft projects, she also includes her op shop finds, and funnily enough, photos of her breakfasts every weekend. Is it just me whose interested in seeing nice photos of food and pretty fabric? Probably, but whatever, I find it inspiring.

I really want go get a sewing machine! And learn how to sew properly...

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On sale today

The new issue of Russh magazine with Girlfriend Model Search winner, Sarah, on the cover. I have to say I'm not loving this cover - usually Russh have such pretty covers. My absolute fave was the one with another GF discovery, Catherine McNeil, as covergirl.

Russh is a refreshing change from mainstream fashion magazines like Vogue, incorporating scrapbook-style pages and drawing plenty of inspiration from '60s and '70s film and music. I only wish it was monthly so it didn't feel like forever between issues!



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Can you say adorable?

You may have already seen this little guy on news.com.au this morning but I just had to share. The puppy from Japan, has been aptly named "Heart-Kun". I want one!

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Summer's coming

One one of coldest days of winter, I have decided to console myself with the fact that summer is indeed on it's way back. You only have to glance in store windows to see winter woolies being replaced with garments hinting at warmer months to come.

Am loving these two looks from Sportsgirl! (I can feel a layby coming on - bring on pay day on Friday) Exciting news for them is their Organic Cotton range, in stores next month, along with some special designs from Life With Bird (super cool label started by Alice McCall's sis).



I am also working on a summery project at work which has got me thinking not only of cute summer fashion, but getting back into shape for the season! It's almost time to come out of hibernation, ditch the hearty meals and kick that cellulite to the curb. I've started by making healthier choices at the supermarket, planning fresh and low-carb meals, and snacking wisely. I find that I don't work well with too many rules so I'm not going to give up chocolate or vow to not have takeaway for a month, but I am going to compensate for that by exercising. There, I said it. Now I have to do it or all of you will hassle me and make me feel embarrassed won't you? Won't you?

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Are you making a difference?

The papers are reporting thousands of complaints flowing in about Saturday's Live Earth concert in Sydney, but as one of the 48,000 attendees I want to scream out to these people to grow up! So what if the lines were long to buy a beer! So what if you had to line up for 20 minutes to go to the toilet! What festival or concert have you ever been to that's been any different?

I think it's sad that the main message of the global concerts is being lost amongst such silly complaints. Hey, I may have been a bit peeved about missing some of the show while queuing for the ladies too but I still had a great time and it made me think again about our impact on the environment. It can be so easy to say we're going to change our ways, but we still need constant reminders and check ups to see how we're doing.

I've become more vigilant with turning off lights and saving water, but I've also gotten back into the habit of using the dryer and the dishwasher far too much - two of the biggest power-suckers in households across the world. It's easy to get complacent about these things which is why we need events like Live Earth to remind us how the little things can really help.

In the words of Ben Harper: "I can change the world, With my own two hands... I can clean up the earth, With my own two hands." It's up to me to turn off the light, walk instead of drive, buy environmentally-friendly products and recycle. And while we may not all be cabale of becoming carbon-neutral, we should at least try. We may not be around for the long-term effects, but our grandchildren will be. And what better gift could we give them than a healthier planet?

Check out this month's Vogue for a great feature on organic fashion and organic beauty - just two of the little changes we can make : )


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Thank god it's Friday

After a sick day yesterday, spent mostly sleeping, I am still not 100 per cent, so apologies for today's short post.

Despite feeling very queasy, I am staying positive about Live Earth tomorrow! I am determined to feel better for the big event and plan to spend tonight searching my wardrobe for the perfect outfit (hope it's not too cold tomorrow). Can't wait to tell you all about it on Monday. Am most looking forward to seeing Jack Johnson and dancing to Sneaky Sound System!

I also plan to stop by the newsagent and purchase this month's Marie Claire (or try to get free copy from work) after reading a glowing review on fellow blogger's site Girl With A Satchel. The fashion pages look tres cute!

Hope you all have a great weekend! Remember, Knocked Up is in cinemas now, so check it out this weekend if you're keen for some movie popcorn and a good laugh.

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PS. For some reason I can't upload pics today! Hopefully it will be fixed by Monday.

Are Paris and Nicole worthy of Harpers Bazaar?

The high-fashion shoot accompanying the cover feature on Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie in this month's Harpers Bazaar, paints the scene of a jewellery heist... successfully making a mockery of their real-life legal troubles. The two certainly have been partners of crime of late, as the headline suggests.

The story is littered with responses from Richie claiming the media make a much bigger deal about pretty much everything in her life, than what is really true. And while this may be the case, I'm still not buying the sweet and innocent act. She is quoted as saying: "I eat everything. I always have... I'm not going to lie and say I wasn't really thin at one point, because I was. But it had nothing to do with not eating." Then what did it have to do with Nicole? The copious amounts of drugs you were snorting at the time?

Hopefully now that the news of her pregnancy to Joel Madden has been offically confirmed, we will see a more refined, and classy Nicole. And hopefully, more genuine than her bestie Paris's post-prison demure act.

I just wonder if a fashion magazine of such high stature does any damage to its sales by posing these two socialites on the cover. Surely their older readership has heard enough nonsense about the Hollywood duo in the pages of the weekly gossip mags - they don't want to associate them with high-end fashion. They may have enviable wardrobes, and Nicole is seen as a bit of a style icon by many 20 somethings across the globe, but does that really warrant a shoot in a magazine of such class?

At least the girls know their fame is fickle and being famous for nothing has no substance. At the end of her interview, Nicole says: "You know what? I even said to Paris the other day, 'I feel like I'm getting sick of us', and she said, 'I do too'." Well said.

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Virtually speaking

Like many other office workers (or is it just the media industry?), I have never met the people I work with every day. In fact, I wouldn't know them if I smacked right into them on the street, or probably even remember where I knew them from if they introduced themselves.

The majority of my working day is spent in my email account. I converse with colleagues, friends, PR managers, other departments and even my real estate through the instant medium. Shooting off an email is much quicker and easier than personally visiting the desks of the people I need to speak to, although it's perhaps not as beneficial in the exercise domain. I have met a few of the PR people I work with - mostly music PR at industry events and launches - but there are so many I will probably never meet.

In fact, when I receive an email from someone informing me of their resignation, with all those lovely good bye's and "been great working with you" comments, it's hard to be genuinely sad to see them go. In reality, it just means I will need a different email address when I need to speak to someone from that company. As horrible as it might sound, I don't even know what they look like so it's hard to get all sentimental.

I wonder how the world ever operated before the days of email (and it wasn't that long ago). I know it would almost certainly double my working day with the amount of communication I go through! Could you live without email?

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Alone Time

I am really bad at being by myself. I would much rather be surrounded by my girlfriends or hanging out with my boy than flying solo. I try to do all the typical "I really enjoy my alone time" things like beauty treatments, reading a book or magazine, renting girlie DVDs or going for a walk... but it's never as much fun as sharing the experience with someone else.

It's not that I have anxiety about being alone - I spent a good couple of years being single and lived by myself in Brisbane when I was in my final year of uni, and for a year when I first moved to Sydney. And that was truly being alone! The only contact I had with other human beings (besides at work) was through the telephone, or a brief smile to someone in a dance class that I would attend. That and brief chit chat with the lovely asian shopkeeper I used to rent movies from on the weekends.

Since living with good friends and now my boyfriend, I can safely say I would not like to live alone again. Some people revel in having their own space, and get used to being by themselves most of the time, but I like the company. On days when I have been hanging by myself, and my boyfriend returns from work, I pretty much burn his ears off with chatter. Well I've had no one else to talk to all day, have I?

Like all things in life, it all comes down to balance. Everyone needs to be able to be happy being alone and be secure that they don't need anyone else. And I definitely recommend everyone live alone at some stage of their life. But really, when it comes to the crunch, we all want someone to talk to. Someone to sit with. Someone to gossip with. Someone to shop with. And someone to love.

Then we can just steal the alone times when we can get them! : )

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