Thing I Like Today

Gorgeous bag made by Curly Pops which can be bought at Dear Gladys, a wonderful supporter of Fitted for Work.

Old vintage matchbox print from here


Giant bunny made out of carrots! Via Swiss Miss (That said, carrots are not very good for bunnies. A small piece of carrot is a very occasional treat).

If you are in Sydney, you should totally get yourself to this exhibition of artistic interpretations of fairytales, last night was the opening but it will be around for a few days only!


I've always adored pretty dresses like this one. Just the right kind of thing for Melbourne's roasting hot weather...

My first vegan dinner party!

Last night we had our first vegan dinner party! It was great fun. Four keen friends joined us to enjoy an entirely vegan meal.

On the menu was:

Entree:

-Moroccan spiced Olives

-Semi Dried Tomatoes

-Turkish Bread

-Hummus Dip

-Beetroot Dip

-Main:

-Dahl

-Garden salad (from our garden) with avocado and tomato

-Falafels

-Quinoa Tabouli

-Broad beans

-Oven desiree and sweet roast potatoes with nutritional yeast and cajun spices

Dessert: Chocolate Beetroot cake with soy icecream.

We drunk cider, Chris’ homebrew beer and some local wines including a lovely cherry wine. Great fun, can’t wait to do another one!

Things I like today

Make a gorgeous patchwork summer throw like this one from Meet Me At Mike's. Click on the link for the tutorial!







I can't remember when I found this, but I want one!





by Alistair Levy via Swiss miss

Things I like today

I'm totally in love with this Etsy shop! So much so that I've dedicated today's feature... I love the use of colour and recycled materials, and the way the photographs all tell a story...

Gorgeous aprons and teatowels...







Doily bowls, yes they've been on my list forever!





Lovely placemat!

Thing I Like Today

What a lovely kitchen! Featured here



I keep meaning to make something like these...


Gorgeous bike basket by Design House Stockholm


Adorable kitchen stickers by I Love Retro

I was also charmed to have my cross stitch badges featured on Cutable today!

Vegan Beetroot chocolate cake!

I found this recipe originally here, but i made a few changes as I found it a bit too high in sugar and fat. So this is my revised edition.

I made it for my rather conservative parents and they quite liked it which says something! It’s a great way to use any beetroots you have growing at the moment!
Vegan chocolate & beetroot cake

* 500g self raising flour (or gluten free and baking soda).
* 180g cocoa
* 100g sugar (more to taste)
* 2 medium beetroot, grated
* 100ml olive oil
* 350ml orange juice
* 1.5 tablespoons baking powder
* 250g silken tofu

Preheat the oven to 180°C and grease and line a 22cm cake tin (it’s easier if you’ve got a loose-bottomed one).

Sift the flour and cocoa together into a mixing bowl. Add the sugar and grated beetroot and mix to combine.

Blend together the oil, juice, baking powder and tofu, until it has a smooth texture and is well combined. Add this to the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Then pour this into the cake tin and cook in the oven for 1.25 – 1.5 hours. Check the cake after 1 hour by insterting a skewer into it – if it comes out clean the cake is ready. The cake will come out of the oven slightly cracked on top, but smelling wonderful.

Leave to cool on a wire rack and serve with the spiced beetroot glaze.
Spiced beetroot glaze

* 1 litre water
* 1 medium beetroot, cut into 2 cm cubes
* 1 cinnamon quill
* 1/2 cup sugar
* 1 vanilla pod, split in 2
* 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice

Place all the ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to the boil and then gently simmer for 30 minutes. Strain the mixture, reserving the liquid. Add the beetroot back to the strained liquid and then blend this together. Pour the glaze back into the pan and heat for a further 2 minutes.

Christmas markets coming up!

Christmas stalls coming up! Come and get your Christmas presents!Polka Dot Rabbit will be featuring brand new goodies!


Thread Den Christmas Market: Sunday November 15, 10am-2pm

From unique vintage finds, to tasty homebaked treats, to handmade toys, clothing, stationary, textiles, homewares - theres something to keep your whole tribe happy. We even have kids craft activities & face-painting to entertain the littlies while you shop.
So lock it in your diaries. This will be the perfect kick start to your Chrissy shopping, and a date not to be missed!

@ The Melbourne Lithuanian Club
44 Errol St, North Melbourne

Northside maker’s market : Saturday November 28th 10.30-3.30

This market featured works specifically made by crafty people living in Melbourne’s North. There’s a wide range of local handmade goodies! 10.30-3.30pm Northcote Uniting Church, 251, High St Northcote.

Blackbird Summer Market : December 5th 11am-4pm

Blackbird Summer Market is a monthly event held at the wonderful Worker's Club on Brunswick St, Fitzroy.

The Market is a collection of vintage fashion, up and coming Australian designers in fashion and jewellery, a place for artists to display and sell their wares and an opportunity for a browse, shop and mingle in a relaxed, exciting atmosphere.

The bar and kitchen is always open with a delicious menu waiting for you to try! Music will always be spinning whether in the form of live band or DJ.