Hiiiii

Hi guys,
bella here
sorry i havent posted in a while
i have been so busy
xmas around the corner, school holidays, parties, friends

i dont think bel is very interested in the blog anymore
but with your help we can make it better than ever
xoxoxoxoxoxo
bella

Christmas desserts...

hi guys,
i want to show you some of my favorite Christmas desserts. I love to cook, especially bake and i am quite good at it and i have a few ideas up my sleeve for Christmas day.


idea one:
Pavlova cake with mixed berries and whipped cream
you will need 1 cup of caster sugar (no substitution for other sugar)
4 egg whites 
cream that is ideal for whipping 
mixed berries (frozen is fine)
apple juice


1. pre heat the oven to 120 degrees fan force
2. separate the egg whites and put them into a bowl
3. plug in the electric mixer and beat until they are so stif that when you turn the bowl upside down the mix doesn't move. this is how you can tell if you have the right consitency (you will see soft peaks) 
4. process takes 4-5
5. slowly add the sugar bit by bit until the mix is stiff and smooth
6.divide the mix into to equal portions
7. on baking paper outline a circular shape about 20cm in diameter 
8. create two of these as guides for the Pavlova base
9. smooth it out until it is about 2 cm thick and leave some peaks
10. bake for 45- 1 hour
11. whip the cream and spread it onto of the Pavlova base
12. sandwich the two bases together and on top place more whipped cream
13. heat the berries in a sauce pan and add a little apple juice and sugar
14. let it cool and pour on top of Pavlova




idea two:
modern twist for a Christmas dessert in the summer heat
dessert puff pastry
brown sugar
red apples (you'll need around 6)


1. pre heat over to 200 degrees
2. let the frozen puff pastry thaw out for 5-7 mins
3. cut each sheet into quarters or if you want smaller 6ths
4. cut very very thin slices of apple and place four on each slice
5. each on will overlap the next apple slice
6. sprinkle some brown sugar on top
7. bake for 15-20
8. serve with double thick cream.

Christmas Decorations

Hey sorry guys I haven't posted in while I've been super busy but I've come back with an interesting new topic: decorating your house for Christmas. Here are my awesome tips:

• Be unique with your decorations. On your tree, try to avoid multiple of the exact same baubles - different decorations make the tree more interesting.



• Be creative! Instead of buying a shop wreath for your front door - make one yourself! Gather small branches together and tie them in a circular shape with a pretty ribbon - you can't go wrong!



• Don't overdo the decorating - you want a nice subtle look for your house - you don't want your living room looking like Santa's Kingdom. :)



• A bit of tinsel can go a long way - my fave colour for tinsel is probably silver.

And now...a really great idea that my mum and I have used for the past few years...every year, buy 1-3 beautiful Christmas decorations. Feel free to splurge becasue you're only buying a couple really nice unique decorations that will set your tree apart from the others. Don't buy a pack of decorations - this just looks common and rids the unique look. Various boutiques and warehouse shops often have such lovely distinctive ornaments. This year my mum and I bought this beauty:

I love the intricate patterns on this decoration.
Thats it for this post - I hope you like the ideas and use them in your own home!
Post soon
Bel xxx

The best websites for Christmas shopping

Hey Guys,
These are the best websites to get the best stuff on for Christmas and to get great bargains on. These websites are 100% guaranteed and have really fast delivery.


1. E bay: great second hand and brand new and a low cost  (very safe)
2. Sports-girl online: have online offers and discounts
3. Dr Jays: American website, so cheap on great brands (shoes for $40 dollars that were $250) massive savings.
4. Amazon: have everything you want, great books.
5. Surf Stitch: best surf brands, shipping withing a day and really cheap
6. Deals Direct: great things, very cheap, great for watches, BBQ, lifestyle products
7. Oz sale: Australia's biggest online fashion retailer


You can also look on the Westfield websites and clothing websites to get gift ideas. You can also see what is popular this year.
Online shopping is great, fast and easy and is cheap for Christmas
Westfield has also put out a free magazine to give you presentation ideas, special discounts and recipes

.

My top ten for christmas...

Following on from Bell’s gift ideas for Christmas I thought I would give a hand-

For Your Mum-
- I really recommend some cute pajamas from places like Peter Alexander
- A lovely tote bag from country road
- There is an amazing shop called Aesop (soaps, hand creams, organic beauty products NOT MAKEUP)
- Vouchers a nice for your mum to her favorite shops (maybe put some thought into it though)
- make a gift basket with a bit of everything (some Aesop products, body shop, a couple of vouchers, lollies)
- A new pair of sunglasses or a new wallet (mimco, country road, witchery)
- A nice diary or notebook is great

For Your Dad-
- Depending on how tech savvy your dad is a new i Pod or camera could be a good idea
- Some nice 3/4 shorts from shops like industry, G-Star RAW, country road.
- Some nice business shirts or tee shirts
- Country road do great towels, a new design every year
- Some cool undies or socks
- A great book to read (my dad likes biography's on influential men, and I know others may be into other genres)

For A Little one-
- Cotton on kids do really cute things like dress ups, shoes, clothes.
- A stuffed toy (even make your own at build-a-bear workshop)
- PLAY DOUGH you’re never too old for play dough
- A toy kitchen 
- A cute little bikini
- A nice hat or shirt for a boy
- A back pack
- Space hoppers

For An older teen girl-
- Something nice from Mecca cosmetics
- A cute top from cotton on or sports girl
- A lovely book
- A wallet or bag
- A new phone
- A voucher
- Nail polish
- A bag filled with little nick-knacks

For An Older teen boy-
- IPod touch
- Xbox or Xbox games
- A cool watch 
- Some awesome board shorts (billabong, rip curl, quicksilver)
- A cool hat
- Sunnies or a towel

For a pet-
- A new collar
- A personalised name tag
- A new food bowl
- Some toys

For a baby-
- Some bonds playsuits
- A lovely blanket (even try knitting one)
- Some really cute socks
- A little hat
- Tee shirts
- Little pajamas

For a Grandma-
- Some nice perfume
- A little bag
- Something home made
- A magazine subscription
- A nice baking/cook book

For your best friend-
- A really cool necklace
- Something both of you share (something more than a BFF necklace)
- A great book
- A gimmick 
- A D.S game
- Some swimmers
 
Kris Cringle-
- Some cool pens
- A nice Christmas ornament
- A pencil case
- Lots of lollies
- A cool bag
- A writing set
- REMEMBER NOT TO SPEND OVER $25 ON A KRIS KRINGLE

Book review - Pancakes, pikelets, crepes and waffles

I am an absolute fanatic about all things pancake! The other day I was shopping at a Christmas warehouse the other day with my mum and I was delighted to find this amazing cooking book: Pancakes, pikelets, crepes and waffles!

Its a really great book because its packed with delicious recipes - both sweet and savoury with great photographs of every recipe. I have not tried any of the recipes yet, but just one look at the picture makes my mouth water. I plan to try a recipe tomorrow (Fridays are pancakes days for me!)

Here are some of the sweet recipes that I love the sound of:

• Swedish oatmeal pancakes with apple sauce




• Lemon and banana pancakes




• Bluebery pancakes




• Crepes with sugar, lemon and cream




• Sour cream waffles with hazelnut butter and raspberries




• Hot buttered caramel waffles




• Apple and buttermilk pikelets with cinnamon sugar

Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh! Yum!

These meals will satisfy anyone!

Because I bought this cool book at a warehouse, I got it for only $7.00 but you'll have to do a little research on where else it can be bought. I know that this book can be bought online but I am unsure of the price. It has 112 pages and is A4 size. I strongly reccomend it - its great to get you in the mood for some holiday cooking!

Your Official Chrismas Present List 2010

Bel here, with your official Christmas pressie list sorted! In this post, I've written some very affordable options for main people you would buy for. I reccommend you start your Christmas shopping now because if you leave it to the last minute it can get really hectic! I have also provided some places where you can buy great gifts so you can browse those too! Hope this list helps!

What to buy for...

Your mum

• A beauty hamper - get a nice basket and ribbon and fill it with things like bath salt, bubble bath, body lotion, shampoo, nice soap, incense. Your mum will love these sorts of things and will enjoy pampering herself. The Body Shop has some wonderful things. If you haven't got any money to spend than I suggest making your own treatments for her and pampering her for a day as your gift. Go to http://www.spaindex.com/HomeSpa/HomeSpa.htm for great recipes and ideas.


• Something for the home - make sure you know what kind of style your mum likes and buy her a nice ornament or just like a useful thing for her such as: large tote bag, beach/home towel, pretty containers for kitchen and bathroom. Villa and Hut has lovely things although they can be quite pricey. Bed Bath'n Table is another lovely shop where you are guaranteed to find exactly what you want.

Your Dad

• A book about a subject that interests him (popular ones include cars, history, planes, food). Try Dymocks, Borders or Angus and Robertson. Also try Amazon - you'll probably find something cheaper.


• A gift voucher to a favoured shop (the amount of money depends on your current budget). Perhaps your dad loves to shop at Dick Smith or maybe Bunnings?

That person that is just so hard to buy for! (They like have EVERYTHING already!)

• An awesome gadget or 'cool thing' - one of my friends has like everything and I got him this awesome star lamp and pin art and he loved it! Other ideas are Newtons Cradle, electric shock machine, plasma lamp, talking robot. These things are just SO fun! Head to Autralian Geographic and you're bound to find something or go to ozgadgets.com.au.


• A fiction novel in a genre they like - if you know what they like you can't go wrong!

Here are some 'extras' you may like to include in your gift: lollies (The British Lolly Shop is good), cool pics/postcards, cute pieces of fabric or mini notebooks. They give the present a 'complete' feeling!

Post soon

Bel xxx

christmas...

The first day of the Christmas month is tomorrow.
Sure a month away, but trust me all the anticipation makes it fly past!


Getting presents and giving pressies is all part of the fun,
Kris Kringle and decorating the tree.
Christmas eve parties with the whole family (mine of 54).
beautiful Christmas day lunches with turkey or chicken and roast veggies.
I have never experience a Christmas lunch quite like this though (mine is with meat, BBQ, salad and ethnic food)


You know how your birthday is only one day out of the whole year and when its over it feels  so short and worthless, well even though Christmas is only one day it goes on forever. and on boxing day when i go away for holidays it still seems like Christmas, so excited and happy.


You leave the food out for Santa and his reindeer, somehow last year Santa left me a present but he didn't eat his food.
HOW SUSPICIOUS. 


Your parents whispering about what they bought you, hiding your presents and you cant help but snoop.
This year i am not snooping, it ruins the surprise.


You put up the Christmas tree (fresh of course) and you add the most delicate beautiful decorations, it is so pretty and it glistens with the fairy lights.
The family hangs the fairy lights off the balcony to light up the night sky.
Some streets near where i live have so many lights and decorations and it looks so tacky but in a way sends a shiver down your spine because it makes you happy to see people so happy. they sit out side drinking and talking and smiling with their families and it makes you realise that Christmas is just around the corner.

Christmas is full of cheer,
but it only comes one time a year.
getting presents makes you smile,
you get enough to run a mile.
the happy families make you happy
but you think of the families that cant even afford a nappy
dont be like the Grinch
or someone will give you a pinch.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.
P.S over the next month both bel and I will be doing mostly christmas themed posts
xoxo

Following on from Bella's post...

Yes, the internet can be a very dangerous place when 'misused'. Here is a true story that I have personally been told at a cyber safety workshop...

There was a young woman (about 19 years old) who had a passion for animals. She put that she loved animals on her facebook page. She got a message from a man saying that he worked at the RSPCA and was keen to meet her and offer her a job at the organisation. He asked her to meet him at night at a particular location. This young woman was foolish enough to believe the man, and went (alone). A week later, news came that the woman had been murdered by two men. This story is an extreme case but could happen. If someone ever asks you to meet them, dont. Tell someone and discuss it. If you decide to go, only go in the daytime where there are people around and make sure you are with at least two older people. Don't approach any suspicious looking people. Leave immediately if you feel uncomfortable. Don't enter any enclosed places with someone you don't know - e.g. bathroom. Be smart - make responsible decisions and always ask yourself: Should I really do this? If in doubt, don't do it at all!

STAY CYBER SAFE!

ten things i hate about facebook...

1.    You have no privacy; all your friends can see your photos and pass them on to their friends and so forth. People can read every post that you have made, your family can see what you have been up to and gossip can start to be spread around.

2.    People can say nasty things about you. Although you can stop them on your facebook, you can’t stop them from saying things to other people about you.

3.    By providing too much information such as photos, date of birth, address, phone number; people can stalk you. In the most serious cases this has lead to molestation, stalking, rape or murder.

4.    People can easily access you details, even credit card details and your address. They can also trace where about you have been using facebook, and use this information to contact you.

5.    People do get cyber bullied. It is not necessary and as a result it has been documented many times that people commit suicide or contemplating committing suicide.

6.    You can’t take back something you have said on facebook. Once you click send it’s available for all to read. It is like a trace leading back to you. This is how police track down cyber bullies.

7.    Not many people know how to use facebook the right way. They don’t know how to be private, they use it to bully, show off their status and they don’t know how to ignore or block people. They also are not aware of the risks and dangers of having facebook.

8.    Facebook is very easily hackable. When people hack it they can pretend to be you and spread rumours and false information around and you can be blamed. You can also lose a lot of friends.

9.    Your friends and family members will be able to snoop around and know what is happening in your life at all times. I’m sure you really want them seeing what you got up to with that guy on the weekend.

10.  You will waste many hours because Facebook is addictive for most people. There is a case of man had an online relationship on facebook and he got so addicted to messaging a girl that all he would think about until he got home was messaging her. She didn’t reply for a few days and the man couldn’t handle it anymore so he shot himself. This is a true story.

These are the ten things I hate about facebook. The point of me outlining these risks isn’t to make everyone delete their facebook but to make everyone more aware of the risks of having facebook. it is important that people are informed, and by being informed you can change the way people use facebook.

I would like to share some scenarios

Users of Facebook have been warned they are putting themselves at risk of identity fraud by posting even a handful of their details online. According to the BBC's consumer rights television program Watchdog, fraudsters can open bank accounts and receive credit cards armed simply with the information found on a user's Facebook page.

This is a true story that happened to a lady;

A while back, she received a friend request from a guy who she had been acquainted with in high school. They weren't in the same circle of friends back then, but shared a few classes and passing conversations together over the years. She decided to add him and started to reminisce about "the good old days" and catch up.

Soon enough they found themselves messaging each other just about every day and he soon asked her out on a date. She enjoyed our conversations together and thought that they might actually hit it off. Unfortunately, the in-person rendezvous was a complete disaster.

Afterward, she decided to back off and not speak to him for a while. She hoped that he would get the hint that she wasn't really interested in continuing the chats. She kept bumping into him around town. He seemed to catch her at random locations like the grocery store or the gym. Strangely, they had never run into each other like that before they started speaking online. The lady realized that these were no accidental meetings. Every time he ran into her, she had just mentioned going to that place on my Facebook status.
He had been tracking her via the internet for over a month after that date.

Lesson learned: watch what you say on social networking sites, because you have no idea who may be reading. 

BE CAREFUL ON FACEBOOK.

Sewing

Sewing can be great. Whether it is for school, Fashion design or recreation it is a great way to get your mind working but also gives you great sense of joy once you have completed a task.
You dont necessarily need a sewing machine to sew. By hand is great for small projects or little outfits for dolls, however i wouldn't try making a wedding dress by hand sewing.


I bet your thinking, sewing machines are costly. They are, but really you are paying for quality.
I noticed a very cute small sewing machine for $30. It was at sports-girl. Really, it may not be the best quality, but for that cheap you cant go wrong.


Sewing projects (small by hand)-


- dresses or clothes for teddy bears or dolls
- sewing small buttons on items for extra decoration
- make a small toy

$30.00 from sportsgirl

- mend torn clothes or re-sew buttons
- add extra details to things


Sewing projects (machine)-


- making clothes
- make toys or dolls for little children
- making bags
- making pillow cases
- make great gifts for Xmas






check out this site for free
sewing projects:
Free sewing projects







You can take sewing classes, i have taken one and i found it one of the best things i ever did. i did it in the holidays over three days for a few hours. it was so fun and i learnt so many things i would of never been able to do.


happy sewing
xoxox

Going to the beach

Hi everyone, today's topic is all about making the most of a visit to the beach. Here are my awesome tips for making something as simple as going to the beach the time of your life!

• Take your family and/or friends with you. Nothing is more fun than spending a fun day with the ones you care about the most!



• Bring a ball with you to play soccer, beach volleyball (a net is not necessary) and any other fun ball games you can think of.



• Try to avoid the beach between 10am and 3pm because thats when the sun is most damaging! Dont forget your SPF 30+ suncream (and reapply when needed!)



• Bring a camera and take photos of yourselves, and the beautiful views of the ocean



• Bring along your snorkelling mask, flippers, boogie/surf board and whatever else you think will make your visit more fun


• Do fun things in the water like go as far as you can until you can't stand, jump the waves, have a water splashing fight or play tag in the water! (But dont do anything dangerous like swim out of the flagged area)


• Pack a picnic to take with you


• Bring a book with you and chill out!


• The obvious must be stated: always wear a hat and sunnies

ENJOY!!!!!!!

Hobbies

Everyone should have something that they love doing, or are passionate about. And now is a great time to start thinking about that, because the summer holidays are a great time to take up something new/exploring your passions and hobbies. Maybe you'd be great at playing a musical instrument. This is a great thing to do - I believe everyone should have something that they like doing that is associated with music. Perhaps you'd like to write songs (see my song-writing post before for tips). Whatever it is you think you'd like to do, make sure you try it! You never know - it could be your calling in life! If you are creative, you could try something crafty these holidays (knitting clothes make great pressies for x-mas). Some more crafty examples you might be interested in are origami, collage, paper mache, simply drawing and sketching, or painting. If you see yourself to have a creative mind, but not in a crafty way, then creative writing is a really fun thing to do with your imagination. Searching 'creative writing exercises' for stuff you can do at home, or 'creative writing classes' for things you might like to do seriously - with a teacher, into Google for ideas. If you love performing, why not take an acting class (these can be expensive), or for no price, get together with your friends and make a movie? All these things are great fun.

And finally, if you're into sport, join a sporting group/team these holis!

Enjoy!

Paradise

You're standing on the shore, looking out at the vast blue ocean. You don't know where it could take you - but you're eager to meet the surprises the sea has to offer. You climb into your sailboat, ready to find out...

The waves carry you out further, and further. You move slowly with the gentle breeze that lifts your hair.You're not scared - they're's no fear in the air. You don't know where you are going, but you don't mind. The sea protects you - the mist envelops you. With every minute, you go out even further- sometimes to the side, but mostly forward. You breathe in deeply, inhaling the salty air smell and the summery sensation that tingles all over your body. You lie down. You just feel so good. Nothing could be better than this very moment - this moment of relaxation and contentment.

A few minutes later, you decide to stop for a while. Lucky you brought your snorkelling mask and flippers. Without any hesitation at all, you dive gracefully into the water and enter the fishes' realm. It is so beautiful you lose your breath for a second. The colours, amazement of all the fishes swimming so swiftly, showing every colour you could possibly think of. Some of the fishes swim right up to your face and greet you. You get as close as you can to them and imagine, just imagine what it must be like to live in their world.

A while later you come out of the water - and get back into your boat. You don't need a towel as the bright sun warms you. You lie back down and enjoy this very moment - and the feelings of freedom and awe. This is your place. You think to yourself: 'Life is so beautiful'.

And then you close your eyes.