What we've been reading...

Lately this is how all our reading gets done:

(Image found via here on Pinterest)

Here's some of the blogs we've been enjoying lately...in no particular order except alphabetical, coz that's how they come in my Google Reader...

• A Beautiful Mess
• Atelier Abigail Ahern
• Atypical Type A
• August Empress (just found my must have new iPhone accessory here)
• Dear Little House
• Epheriell Designs
• First House on the Right (great to have FHotR back after the NY planning & trip hiatus, & also loving the cool iPhone accessories over here too)
• Gussy Sews
• How About Orange
• Marley & Lockyer

and skipping a few, coz seriously, I've only got a 40 minute train ride...

• The Design Files
• The Random Musings of Neen (Neen, we started blogging again, after your gentle hints, your turn... ;)
• Wicker & Stitch
• Yellowtrace

and then squeeze in a few design, webby type reads...

• Jake Bresnehan
• Newfangled
• Smashing Magazine
• Unmatched Style
• WP Beginner
• Yoast

And this is only our Thursday list...no wonder I can't get my book club book read each month...

What are you enjoying reading today?!

Have a great one!

xx

Happy Birthday Random Musings of Neen!

A big congratulations and happy first birthday to The Random Musings of Neen!!

We are so pleased for you and your mile stone today.  We so recently celebrated our own first birthday and you were right there to cheer us on!  We so enjoy reading your lists, loves and sentiments...and it is our belief that your "foibles" are charming.

So, we were trying to think of the perfect gift for such a fabulous lady...

Original Image

Did we go alright?

Dear all...we know you'll love Neen's random musings...as we do.  She's a must read that will give you food for thought, a pick-me-up or chuckle in your day (sometimes multiple times!).

Here's to another year adopted cousin...*chink*


Tomas & Jones xxx

I'm Going Bananas!

You know when you have banana's that need to be used, but have just gone past that little thing called "edible?"

This is when I panic because my mother always used to use this 'fabulous opportunity' to cook banana cakes, or gourmet desserts and other tantalizing delicacies.  This may sound wonderful, but no longer having my mum quite so close, I must face these duties alone.

and.  I.  can't.  cook.

After a little motivation from Julie & Julia (movie & blog) however, I went in search of a very easy Banana Cake/Bread recipe.

Here's the one I found & thought you may like to try it because it was delicious!

Banana Cake Recipe:

Ingredients: (2 bananas used for this recipe) ¼ cup milk 1 teaspoon lemon juice 250g (8oz) bananas  1 cup sugar 2 cups self raising flour 2 eggs 60 g (2 oz) butter Method: Combine milk and lemon juice. Peel and mash bananas, put into bowl of electric mixer. Add sugar, sifted flour, lightly beaten eggs, softened butter and combined milk and lemon juice. Beat on low speed until combined, then beat on medium speed 2 minutes. Turn mixture into greased 23 cm x 12 cm (9 in x 5 in) loaf tin which has the base lined with greased greaseproof paper. Bake in low to moderate oven approx 1 ¾ hours or until cooked when tested. Cool in tin 10 minutes before turning out on wire rack to complete cooling.

Seriously, my favourite thing I have ever done in the kitchen...do you think I put dramatic bows on all culinary endeavours?

Bon Appetit!

Tomas x


PS....Julie Powell, serious blogger-quit-your-day-job inspiration!

Blog Lovin!

Are you a fan of The Design Files?  We are!!

Lucy is currently running a reader survey to find out what people like about TDF, etc...great user testing, etc!!  (So pop on over and let her know what you love - that's the link directly to the survey above.)

One of the question's asks for your fav 5 blogs!  ONLY 5!!!  That's a really tough one isn't...to whittle the whole wonderful blogosphere down to 5 favourites!

We managed to put down 5 lovelies...but felt it only fair to mention the other fantasticos that inspire, encourage and entertain us.  So each week we'd like to present to you some of our favs!

(image via takacsi75)

To get started, and in honour of The Design Files this week, here's the 5 we finally managed to list in the survey...

~ ~ ~

ADA & DARCY
Everyone knows Kellie from Ada & Darcy!  She is one talented lady, with a such a sweet heart to boot.  We made Kellie's acquaintance when we first started our blog, and she always encouraged us by dropping by to leave a comment, or say hi, and of course with her daily dose of gorgeousness on her lovely blog.  Now of course she has her own online shop, so we can all bring our very own dose home!

FIRST HOUSE ON THE RIGHT
The fabulous Nicole & I used to dream dreams together when we were but girls.  Now all grown up, she has a lovely online children's boutique named for her favourite fairytale, The Princess & the Pea.

First House on the Right is where she writes for pleasure on interiors & other associated topics.  She's one stylish young lady, and a great writer!

PIA JANE BIJKERK
Pia lives on a houseboat.  In Amsterdam.  She is responsible for 'Paris: Made by Hand' and 'Amsterdam: Made by Hand'.  Need I say more?!  She's also a beautiful stylist and photographer, & her boyfriend is handsome Frenchman!  Really...need I say more?!

I was in Amsterdam for the first time a few weeks ago.  I fell in love with it!  Read Pia's blog and you'll soon see why!

MITCHELL & DENT
These super talented ladies from WA (Western Australia) make beautiful things!  We have some of their prints in our house, and they always make the day a little brighter.  They blog about the lovely, designerly things they find along the way that inspire them! Tomas & I met them when they were over earlier in the year for Magnolia Square, and they were as lovely as their designs!

TALES OF A JUNKAHOLIC
A true junkaholic, Artemis and her husband Nao are one groovy couple!  She shares their life as a creative partnership, living in London, working as jewellry designers, continually creating the most lovely things!    We've been avid readers of Tales of a Junkaholic since we first saw her gorgeous little sewing shed, and she's been delighting us ever since!

~ ~ ~

Ok, so that's it for this week, but we've plenty more favourites to share, so come back next week!!  Same blog time, same blog channel!!

Don't forget to pop by The Design Files and let Lucy know what you love about her fabulous blog!  If you need more incentive, than being able to contribute to the fabulousness by giving your 2c worth...she's also got some amazing giveaways on at the moment.

I'll say one name: David Bromley!!  Get over there now!! :)

Night!!

Jones :)

{ PS: what are your favourite blogs?! }