Wander the World... To Egypt.

Hmmm... through uni assignments, work and life right now, I really need to leave my world behind for awhile. This is where I went tonight. Pretty amazing, right? 

Take me away...

Even though my favourite weather is rainy, cosy and mysterious (so Twilight), I saw these pictures and was instantly drawn to them. What I wouldn't give to escape with my husband to this place, with this caravan, with this food, and just... BE for awhile...

Photos from Jose Villa. Stunning...

Fine dining...

Easiest tuna pasta bake in the history of... tuna pasta bakes. 

Lewis and I are at home on this Friday night, and before attempting some uni work (for both of us!) we decided to get dinner out of the way nice early and enjoy an ep of "Game of Thrones" (getting a liiiittle addicted, have to admit). I'm not one to be hugely creative with cooking, nor do I go to too much effort, so this one was perfect for our night in wearing oversized tracksuit pants and plonked in front of the heater (yes, winter is on its way). It's also the very first time I'd thought to whip this up (I know, crazy, right?).

What do you need to recreate this masterpieces, I hear you ask?

2 x packets of Continental Alfredo Pasta (and all that includes - lite milk, water and butter)
1 x tin of tuna in Springwater
Grated cheese - whatever type you'd like
Salt and pepper for taste

Preheat oven. Whatever temp you'd like, I'm making this up as I go! Cook both packets of the Alfredo together in the microwave (don't forget to double the ingredients for it).

Once the pasta is lovely and soft, and the sauce is slightly runny, tip in the tin of tuna and mix. Take a handful of grated cheese and mix into the pasta (adds a lovely, cheesy consistency throughout), then pour the lot into an oven friendly dish. Top generously with grated cheese, and pop into oven for roughly 15 minutes (basically until all the cheese is melted on top and you have a few "burnt" bits around the edge of the dish).

Remove, salt and serve.

Voila!! 

(Ps. I love Instagram...)

Squeaky clean...

Something I'm looking forward to when we get a little time... making our own soap.... I know, may not sound too exciting, but I think this will stretch our creativity a little more. Our plan? Grown lavender and roses (this one - done!!)... then make sweet smelling soap with them. Any suggestions on soap fragrances, please feel free to let me know! Lewis and I are very open to ideas! 

So in a bid to "pump myself up" for the day when we have time and the materials to actually make it, here is some home made soap inspiration for your viewing pleasure. When we actually attempt the making, I'll post our efforts! Get ready for either a laugh or a pleasant surprise... 

Lavender Oatmeal

Rose

Lavender

Calendula

While I've been turning pages for uni...

Something I've been listening to while doing uni this weekend. Even though my assignment is based on "Gone with the Wind" and you'd think that alone would make it amazing, it has been pretty tedious. So I've needed some mood music to keep me going. I adore this song... and sadly adore the movie it was written for (guilty pleasure!!). Now it's back to uni for me... sigh. Enjoy!!

"Turning Page" by Sleeping at Last

Come follow... Me??

If you haven't already, I'd love for you to follow me on any or all of the following!!

Facebook 

(this is very new and is only "up and slowly running"... Stay tuned!)

Twitter

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Pinterest

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Tumblr

For picture inspiration and quotes. Also like an album of my life!

Come follow me at dear_to_me on Instagram as well! 

You'll see buttons to your right that will help you find almost all of these. 

I'd love to follow you back, so let me know where I can find you!

Photo by Bec Johnson Photography

A little lavender...

I've been finding myself decidedly drawn to lavender lately. Not the colour (which, is really quite lovely anyway), but the flowers. There's something terribly whimsical about this particular bloom; partly perhaps it has something to do with the scent (DIE!), or the way throwing together a bunch of lavender is so "wandering through a field of lavender in a billowing white dress, hair in braids, glowing skin, plucking bunches of the flower and tying them together with a ribbon from my hair"... You know??
Anyway, you get the gist. Here is a little lavender inspiration for your weekend...

(All pictures via Pinterest... where would I be without it??)

Where in the world have I been??

Am feeling terribly slack at this end of the screen! Assignments have been weighing me down and I've neglected you all a little. Well here's one thing I have been up to that has come to fruition...

The gorgeous Ms Gingham at Polka Dot Bride has kindly allowed me to share my thoughts, feelings and pictures about our wedding day on her delicious blog!! I have loved this website for quite a while now, and to be featured is such a terrific feeling! If you haven't heard of it, definitely take a stroll through the amazing wedding inspiration and the beautiful real weddings. Be sure to make a cup of tea and get comfy - you will be there for awhile!

Check out my piece on the blog at An Intimate Garden Wedding...

French for a Day...

In my "previous blog", I attempted to post weekly about a particular French phrase I wanted to learn... That didn't last very long, nor did it run every week. I have updated this idea to a French phrase... every once and a while! For when I'm feeling particularly French (pffftt!) and wanting some beautiful pronunciation in my life. Join me?

"J'en veux un dans toutes les couleurs!"

"I want one, in every colour!

This phrase is particularly useful when you've found a distinguished, "well off" Frenchman who wants nothing more than you to sweep you off your feet, using his masses of money to take you on amazing dinners, lunches, shows and shopping sprees.

This one is closely followed by...

"Prix ​​n'est pas une question!"

"Price is not an issue!"

Photo by Debbie O'Donnell Photography

The Wedding Crew...

I guess you could say that I'm a little obsessed with J Crew all of a sudden, but really my obsession started when I was trying to find a wedding dress last year. I was almost certain that I would end up having one of the J Crew dresses as my wedding dress, however fate stepped in and they weren't shipping to Australia (at that point!), so I had to find an alternative. The alternative was perfect, and in the end I'm glad everything worked out the way they did, however I have never quite recovered from my J Crew Wedding love, and thought I'd share it with you.

These dresses are beautiful, and most are probably a lot cheaper than what you'll find in bridal stores. If you're looking for something a little different, or a little simple or just don't want to pay with your arms or legs (may need these on the wedding day, if not for any other time in your life!), I would definitely give J Crew Wedding a look. It will be well worth it!

Palais Gown

Dinah Gown

Dune Gown 

Waterfall Gown

Taryn Gown