January 2020 – Hello Marie

Monthly Link Roundup

31/01/2020 No Comments

Monthly link roundup is back!

I had no idea that you could make giant pancakes in your rice cooker or instant pot! These are now on my must try recipe list!

Not all toys are created equal and if you have a little kid, you know how easily they can get bored of their toys! If you’re looking to start collecting some quality, open-ended toys that your kid will get some good play out of, here’s some great ideas!

Swooning over this gorgeous Clinique Cheek Pop Highlighter celebrating the Year of the Rat!

New Zealand Roadtrip with a Toddler . Breathtaking.

Finally read The Alchemist and it truly is a masterpiece! Would highly, highly recommend everyone to read it when they can.

Until next month!

Marie xo

Food

Celebrating Chinese New Year

27/01/2020 No Comments

This year is the Year of the Rat and Chinese New Year officially runs from 25 January to February 4th. Unfortunately living in a small rural town means that there are no public events celebrating Chinese New Year, however we had a small hotpot dinner at home to celebrate!

We recently purchased our hotpot with electric grill from one of Aldi’s infamous Special Buys. Although not completely authentic to Chinese New Year, I was still impressed by their Lunar New Year Kitchen and Cooking theme.

For our hotpot, I kept things simple with chicken stock, corn and shitake mushrooms as our soup base. For the hotpot ingredients we had a small array of vegetables, fish balls, noodles, tofu, liver, and prawns. For the grill we had sliced ribeye steak and pork belly.

The dipping sauces are one of my favourite parts of a hotpot and we had oyster sauce, sesame oil and freshly minced garlic. The fresh garlic makes all the difference!

Wishing everyone a prosperous, healthy and happy new year ahead!

Marie xo

Lifestyle

Ways to Donate for Australian Bushfire Relief

20/01/2020 No Comments

Australia is currently experiencing one of its worst bushfire seasons. The loss of human and animal life, as well as damage to homes, and the land has been devastating. Here in Albury, we are fortunate to have some distance from the fires raging along the Victorian and New South Wales border. However, close enough to experience the bushfire smoke and haze.

If you’re looking for ways to assist, I’ve rounded up some links below to help people and animals affected by the bushfires. Every little bit counts!

Vinnies Bushfire Appeal

Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery

NSW Rural Fire Service

VIC Country Fire Authority

SA Bushfire Relief Fund

WA Lord Mayor’s Distress Relief Fund

QLD Givit

WIRES Wildlife Rescue

Knitting Pouches for Orphaned Joeys

Wildlife Victoria

Rural & Remote Mental Health

Australian Conservation Foundation

Marie xo

Lifestyle

Happy New Year!

13/01/2020 No Comments

Happy New Year!

I was shocked to find that I took a much longer break from my blog than I originally intended. Has it really been over 6 months since I’ve been back!?

While I’ve been absent here, life with a little one has certainly kept me busy.

Being a mum has been the most challenging but rewarding job I’ve ever done. This year I don’t have any new year resolutions beyond surviving life with a toddler.

I’m not sure how often I’ll be posting this year but it’s nice to be back!

Marie xo