September 9, 2015 In oh etsy

Oh Etsy| Off the Hanger

oe-offthehangershorts | tee | crop | kimono

Clearly, I am a child, because I really really  want a pair of these adorable cactus shorts… too bad they are for babies! If I’m real with you guys, I would snap each one of these items off its hanger and put them all on a once (and wouldn’t THAT just be a fashion statement and a half!) But think of how cute I’d look with my dinosaur crop, under an awesome bear print oversized tee?! Such a mature and grown-up outfit… ;)

etsy-tastemaker-button-2

July 27, 2015 In Download

DOWNLOAD | The Great ‘Outdoors’

forest-mountain-download-header

button-download-iphone-large

The great outdoors have never appealed to me. Sure, lush forests and tall mountains are stunning, but what I want to know is ‘do they have wifi’? (They don’t. Trust me. I checked!) Personally, I’d much rather look at the great outdoors from the comfort of my couch. Or bed.  Or basically anywhere I don’t have to content with copious amounts of mud and bugs.

So here is one for the not-so-outdoors-y types like me! Look at those epic mountain peaks! That dense, mysterious forest! Oh the majesty! It’s beautiful and I love it! (Now shhh, I’m watching Netflix!)

thumb-recipe-gnt
July 8, 2015 In recipe

DRINK | Cucumber & Elderflower Gin & Tonic

TGIW! Celebrate with a mid-week cocktail - a simple twist on an old favourite, Cucumber and Elderflower Gin & Tonic!

Is it Friday yet? No? Oh well, let’s pretend it is and make ourselves a drink to celebrate! TGIW! Amirite!?

Can we talk about elderflower for a second? It seems that despite seeing it everywhere on places like Pinterest and in recipe books, I am completely unable to track down this mythical ingredient in local stores. ‘Pick up from your grocery store’ they say. They are damn liars the lot of them! At this point, I was almost convinced that elderflower was something more akin to unicorns, or pixies, or a movie based on an 80’s cartoon that doesn’t suck - you know, things that sound wonderful, but don’t actually exist. You guys, I was totally ready to give up and then, just when I least expected it…

It was like the heaven’s opened up! There was a shining light and a chorus of angels singing, and there, in the beam of light I saw it: Elderflower…. cordial!? Eh! Close enough!

This stuff is good. Like, too good! So good in fact, that I am a little concerned how much I will love the real thing when I finally track some down. I’ve been putting it in everything. Popsicles, lemonade, cakes, icing. But by far, my favourite concoction is (of course) the alcohol related one! A dash of elderflower and a few slices of cucumber in your old fashioned G&T is next level delicious! The flavour is sweet but subtle and a perfect mix with a good quality gin (Tanqueray is what I usually have on hand, but use your favourite brand!)

Cucumber is in my opinion the perfect cocktail ingredient. It’s crisp and refreshing, and when mixed with the elderflower undertones… perfection!

 TGIW! Celebrate with a mid-week cocktail - a simple twist on an old favourite, Cucumber and Elderflower Gin & Tonic!TGIW! Celebrate with a mid-week cocktail - a simple twist on an old favourite, Cucumber and Elderflower Gin & Tonic!TGIW! Celebrate with a mid-week cocktail - a simple twist on an old favourite, Cucumber and Elderflower Gin & Tonic!TGIW! Celebrate with a mid-week cocktail - a simple twist on an old favourite, Cucumber and Elderflower Gin & Tonic!

thumb-hash-browns
July 3, 2015 In recipe

Eat | Lazy Girl’s Breakfast Hash Browns

hashbrown-1

Let’s be real, if I could eat potato in every meal I totally would. I mean, I know that physically, its completely doable, but the grown up in me knows that it’s a bad idea. (My waistline thanks me for that sliver of adult behaviour!)

Regardless, there are times when I wake up and decide to start my day with a stack of starchy goodness. These are the lazy girl (or guy) hash browns. The kind for when you want something delicious, but can’t be bothered to cook something complicated. And complicated it is NOT: Take 3 ingredients. Mix. Cook. Eat! This is the breakfast I would make on Sunday’s when it’s almost midday and I am still in my pyjamas… if that were something that ever happens (read: all the time.)

Also, if you are anything like me, you always end up buying way everything in bulk, so this recipe is perfect for using up left over uncooked vegetables. I almost always have these ingredients in my kitchen. If I don’t have sage, you can always swap out for your favourite herb (or whatever you have on hand) I’ve tried it with basil, oregano and even coriander! It changes up the flavour so much, so experiment and find which combination you like the best!

hashbrown-3hashbrown-4

Lazy Girl's Breakfast Hash Browns
 
Print
Author:
Ingredients
  • 4 - 5 medium to large Potatoes
  • 1 egg
  • Fresh sage, chopped
  • Olive oil
Instructions
  1. Wash and peel your potatoes. Coarsely grate and place into the centre of a clean tea towel. Wrap the tea towel around the potato and wring out the liquid
  2. Place one egg into a mixing bowl along with a large pinch of chopped sage and salt and pepper and whisk together.
  3. Add the potato and mix well to combine.
  4. In a frying pan, heat 1 or 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Place a large spoonfull of the potato mixture and flatten to your desired thickness (around 1 or 2 cm is best) Repeat with the rest of the mixture, you should be able to make around 4 or 5 large has browns)
  5. Fry until golden and crispy and using a spatula, flip over and cook the opposite side.
  6. Drop a few whole sage leaves into the oil and allow to crisp up.
  7. Serve 1 or 2 with a fried egg for breakfast or enjoy a whole stack by themselves. Garnish with the fried sage leaves and a sprinkling of sea salt.

hashbrown-6hashbrown-5

June 30, 2015 In oh etsy

Oh Etsy | Face Time

oe-facetime
pillow | sweater | print | purse

I have a new style motto: put adorable faces on everything! Faces on my linen. Faces on my walls. Faces on my clothes. Faces on my accessories. Get out a sharpie and start drawing! Or, you know, opt for the more permanent, quality option and purchase one of these pretties. This week’s Etsy picks come courtesy of the unique and striking works of Depeapa, My Little Bellville, Karolin Schnoor and Laurie Hastings. Check them out!

etsy-tastemaker-button-2

February 14, 2015 In Download

Happy Valentines Day (and a FREE download!)

heart-ipad-design

Happy Expensive Flowers Day! I jest, I’m a big fan of Valentine’s Day, but damn are flowers expensive this time of year! In the spirit of the day, and because I know you probably already spent your paycheck on floral arrangements, here’s a freebie! A cute heart and arrow desktop background for you to download for your phone, ipad or computer!

iphone-dl-button   ipad-dl-button   desktop-dl-button

heart-ipad-design2

 

February 6, 2015 In Uncategorized

DIY | Wooden Polaroid Photos

wooden-polaroids-1

My latest craft project is up at Drifter & the Gypsy, this month we’re making these adorable wooden Polaroids. These mini photos are a unique and inexpensive way to display your favourite Instagram photos around your home! And, if you’re searching for a homemade gift idea, why not make a set of photos with you your significant other for Valentine’s Day? The full tutorial as well as some more display ideas can be found over at Drifter & the Gypsy!

— Read the full post HERE —

wooden-polaroids-6

thumb-diy-cat-toy
February 3, 2015 In DIY

DIY | Feathered Cat Toys

Entertain your feline friends: DIY Feathered Cat Toys | www.highwallsblog.com

First of all, let me apologise for the image overload in this post. And when I say ‘apologise’ I mean in one of those ‘sorry-not sorry’ ways, because just LOOK at that FACE! If it seems like I’ve been a little distracted lately, it’s because of that pretty little face! I can’t resist it!

For those of you who have been here since the early years of this blog, you may remember my devon rex, Loki, used to pop up a lot in my posts. He was, for a long time, our un-official mascot of the blog.  Sadly,we lost Loki to a careless driver over Christmas. Ever since there has been a kitten shaped hole in our home and in our hearts. Devon’s have such strong personalities, his presence was sorely missed. But as you may have guessed, recently this little girl came into our lives…

Entertain your feline friends: DIY Feathered Cat Toys | www.highwallsblog.com

Without further ado, let me introduce you to Navi! Our new baby is also a devon and she has the sweetest, loveliest temperament of any kitten you are likely to meet. She is SO friendly, loves cuddles, and she is teeny tiny! Like, I still cant get over exactly how small she really is!

As the newest member of the family, I thought it only fitting make a little welcome gift for the new baby! Being a kitten, she is super playful, so a toy was the obvious choice. (and you can make one too!) This DIY takes minutes to make and will set you back a quarter of what you would pay at a pet store. You save some pennies and your kitty gets spoilt! Everybody wins and your fur baby will love you ;)

Entertain your feline friends: DIY Feathered Cat Toys | www.highwallsblog.com  Entertain your feline friends: DIY Feathered Cat Toys | www.highwallsblog.comEntertain your feline friends: DIY Feathered Cat Toys | www.highwallsblog.com

READ MORE

January 26, 2015 In recipe

EAT | Homemade Anzac Oat Slice

Make this Homemade Anzac Oat Slice - Perfect for celebrating Australia Day!

Happy Australia Day all! As today is our official national day, it is tradition to enjoy all things Australian. And you can’t get much more Australian than Anzac Biscuits. (For my international readers, who probably have no idea what I’m talking about; essentially cookies make from oats and coconut. They are sweet, chewy and pretty much the best oat cookies around.)

But instead of the usual Anzac biscuit you’re used too, we are going to take it a step further and make Anzac slice instead. You get the same delicious flavour, but super sized! It’s thicker, softer, and chewier, (and generally superior in every way!) Totally addictive and perfect for celebrating Australia Day!

Make this Homemade Anzac Oat Slice - Perfect for celebrating Australia Day!

Anzac Oat Slice
 
Print
Author:
Ingredients
  • 125g of butter
  • 2 tbsp of golden syrup
  • ½ tspn of baking soda
  • 2 tbsn of cold water
  • 1 cup of flour
  • 1 & ½ cups of rolled oats
  • ⅔ cup of caster sugar
  • ⅔ cup of shredded coconut
  • ¼ cup of white chocolate melts or chips
Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 160°C and grease a small rectangular slice pan and line with baking paper.
  2. Place butter, syrup and water in a small saucepan over low heat and cook for 4 - 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Stir in bicarbonate of soda and stir to combine.
  3. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, oats, sugar, coconut and white chocolate melts (chopped into smaller pieces). Make a well in the centre and pour in the butter mixture. Mix with a spoon until combined. The white chocolate will melt and combine with the mixture.
  4. Spoon the mixture into the prepared pan and press evenly into a thick, even, slice. Transfer to the oven and bake for 25 - 30 minutes or until golden.
  5. Allow to cool completely in the pan before cutting into pieces. Serve warm or store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Make this Homemade Anzac Oat Slice - Perfect for celebrating Australia Day!

Props to Erika Rax who made these adorable watercolour flags last year on her blog. (You can download them here.)