Its Time to Move House!

You can now find all my adventures at: The Life of Sunny.

~See you all in 2010~

x Sunny x

Christian Louboutin for Barbie

I think it's fair to say Barbie now has everything I've ever wanted from life.

Christian Louboutin has signed up with Mattel to do three limited edition Barbie dolls head-to-toe, that he describes as inspired by Nefertiti and Marylin Monroe.

The three dolls will be released separately. The first, to be released in December, is the jewel thief-themed Barbie; in February, a safari-themed Barbie, & for May, Louboutin designed a Barbie that goes to the Cannes Film Festival. Strangely - none of the Barbie's have the classic blonde hair.

The dolls will be packaged in Louboutin shoe boxes & each come with four pairs of Barbie-size Louboutin heels. I don't think there is much else to be said other than "Damn Barbie, you got it going ooooon".

Graphjam

Why, hello sailor.

Here is my favourite website for today:

www.Graphjam.com

I cant wait to see the graphs you all come up with!

Love Sunny xxx

A Final Farewell

Rest In Peace

Robert (Bob) John Spiteri

30th October 1928 - 16 June 2009

Here is a poem written about Bob, my grandfather, a man i love with all my heart & every fibre of my being.

--------------------------------------

The Cattle Whisperer

Take me to a place where the eagles glide
And the cattle run at a call, to be by your side.

They know their names and Bob's gentle touch,
The bread that he brings is never too much.
They hear the bike and a yodelling call.
They eagerly come running
There is bread for them all.
The cows and the bull and a gelding bay
All make sure that some comes their way.
They cluster around for a word and a pat
They love my grandfather, I'm sure of that.
Then its back to the creek
Where the pelicans glide,
Fishing with their babies by their side.

The eagles soar and the creek gently flows
Alive with fish and crabs, that's how it goes.

His favourite of all waits for him there
Its not Blue his cattle dog who sits by his chair,
Its Beverley his wife,
So beautiful and fair.

-----------------------------------------------------

Grand pop, to me you were a lighthouse, illuminating & showing me the right way. You are the star in the fondest memories of my life.

I will miss you. Always.

I will never forget.

Sunny

My Vegetarian Adventure

Hi, My name is Sunny and I am a meat eater.

Well, at least, I was......

Last Monday I decided that it was time to venture into the strange and scary world of vegetarian living. I have been considering the idea for a few months now, and decided to give it a few weeks 'trial time' to suss out if it was right for me.

Unfortunately, my reasons were quite trivial and vain, but I'm not going to lie to you and say that it was because my conscious got the better of me.

My top reasons for turning were:

1. I have seen my Vegetarian, Vegan and especially Raw friends bodies go from regular to toned, glowing and bouncing off the walls with energy

2. The price of meat seems to only be getting more and more expensive. So I thought, taking out meat from my shopping list will save me quite a bit of money. Its a recession busting idea! And I can put that money towards much more fun things!

3. A vegetarian diet matches the kind of low fat, high fibre diet recommended by dietitians and doctors.

4. Vegans & Raw eaters (if I ever get to that point) are renowned for their youthful looks & great skin.

I'm sure there are many vegetarians reading this and cringing at my reasons, but lets be honest, many more women (and certain men) would be vegetarians if they knew the aesthetic benefits.

After doing a bit of research, I came across the following facts which have completely changed my initial reasons for joining the vegetarian cause:

1. Cut the fat.
While meat provides a lot of protein, it also provides a ton of fat — especially saturated fat. Which means that by cutting out meat, you’ll be cutting out a lot of bad fat, and replacing it with things that are probably not only lower in fat, but that contain some good fats. Numerous studies have shown that vegetarians tend to have a lower risk of heart disease, as well as hypertension, diabetes, cancer and other diseases.

2.Less Food Poisoning.
Food poisoning gets millions of people each year — and many of them from meat, which is a good breeding ground for harmful bacteria, especially if not stored, prepared or cooked exactly right. Cut out meat and you lower your risk of food poisoning (especially if you also cut out eggs and dairy, but that’s optional).

3.You'll live a lot longer.
Vegetarians live about seven years longer, and vegans (who eat no animal products) about 15 years longer than meat eaters, according to a study from Loma Linda University. These findings are backed up by the China Health Project (the largest population study on diet and health to date), which found that Chinese people who eat the least amount of fat and animal products have the lowest risks of cancer, heart attack and other chronic degenerative diseases.

4.You'll give your body a spring cleaning.
Giving up meat helps purge the body of toxins (pesticides, environmental pollutants, preservatives) that overload our systems and cause illness. When people begin formal detoxification programs, their first step is to replace meats and dairy products with fruits and vegetables and juices. "These contain phytochemicals that help us detox naturally," says Chris Clark, M.D., medical director of The Raj, an Ayurvedic healing center in Fairfield, Iowa, which specializes in detox programs.

5. Your bones will last longer.
The average bone loss for a vegetarian woman at age 65 is 18 percent; for non-vegetarian women, it's double that. Researchers attribute this to the consumption of excess protein--the average meat-eating American woman eats 144 percent over the recommended daily allowance; the average man eats 175 percent more. Excess protein interferes with the absorption and retention of calcium and actually prompts the body to excrete calcium, laying the ground for the brittle bone disease osteoporosis. Animal proteins, including milk, make the blood acidic, and to balance that condition, the body pulls calcium from bones. So rather than rely on milk for calcium, vegetarians turn to dark green leafy vegetables, such as broccoli and legumes, which, calorie for calorie, are superior sources.

6.You'll cool those hot flashes.
Plants, grains and legumes--especially soy--contain phytoestrogens that are believed to balance fluctuating hormones, so vegetarian women tend to go through menopause with fewer complaints of sleep problems, hot flashes, fatigue, mood swings, weight gain, depression and a diminished sex drive.

7.You'll provide a great role model for your kids.
"If you set a good example and feed your children good food, chances are they'll live a longer and healthier life," says Christine Beard, a certified nutrition educator and author of Become a Vegetarian in 5 Easy Steps (McBooks Press, 1997). "You're also providing a market for vegetarian products and making it more likely that they'll be available for the children."

Seriously, how can you say no to slimming down, being stronger and healthier, living longer, having an easier menopause and providing a good example for your kids? Needless to say, im sold on the idea!

So in conclusion, I have decided its time for me to take the vegetarian challenge, and I encourage anyone else to give it a try for a week. If it doesnt work, then you havnt lost anything, but you can say you gave it a go! Your body will thank you ;)

Stay tuned for more tales of my vegetarian adventures & some of my vegetarian recipes & beauty benefits.

Super Duper Love,
Sunny xxx

Sources:
Veg Society; Vegetarian Times; Zen Habits;

Kiwi-rific

There is nothing Australian's enjoy more than the healthy rivalry between us and the New Zealander's (kiwi's). In honour of the great divide, here is some kiwi humour to start your long weekend!



Super Duper Love,
Sunny xxx

The Art of Burlesque

I absolutely adore burlesque and generally any old world style glamour, so I was sooooo excited when my friend Kylie told me she is having a burlesque themed birthday party!

Needless to say I have been racking my brain inside out as to what I'm going to wear! My problem is more that I have too many ideas rather than too few.... so i thought i would share some of the pictures that i am using as my main influences. Not sure what burlesque is? Wiki will tell you!

Some things in burlesque are compulsory - such as gloves, feathers and a feisty attitude...

Seriously, how cute is this girl! I think she is absolutely adorable! & i love her top hat...

So here is are a couple examples of giant feather fans... i wonder where you get them? I may have to make my own. They make me think of girls dripping in diamonds hiding behind large, soft and feathery fans... what man could resist that huh!

Let me know what your burlesque ideas are!

Super Love,

Sunny xxx

MAD TV makes me laugh - sometimes....

MAD TV is one of those shows that either hits or misses. Here are my favourite 'hits':

Can I Have Your Number?



Tickle Me Emo



Hyper Love,
Sunny xxx

The Next Big Thing - Serenik

Most of you already know I have a soft spot in my heart for live music. Well my most recent find is Serenik, whose music is best described as a "heavy pop rock driven by three-part harmonies and tricky guitar work". And it is more than fair to say they give a GREAT live show. Almost topped Snobscrilla's cracka lackin show...... ALMOST. Anyway, this is a band I see going pretty far so keep your eyes out for them :)

Want to check them out?

http://www.myspace.com/serenik

or

http://www.facebook.com/wall.php?id=2354464687#/group.php?gid=2354464687

Super Love,

Sunny xxx

On My Bedside Table.....

I've been reading an aweful lot lately. Mostly on a sunday morning, recovering from a big night, on my sunlit balcony with a big mug of my special hot chocolate... living the life! hahaha. It has been a wonderful ritual, I think it will definately be a keeper!

~ Twilight Series - Stephanie Meyer.

I know, its so cliche to be reading twilight right now but I had to give it a try & see what all the hype was about! My little sister had also started reading it so I wanted to make sure there wasnt any unsavoury content that would be innapropriate for a 14 year old girl. Needless to say, I loved it! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it & will definately read it again... yes, im such a lamo :)

~ A Guide To Elegence - Madam Genevieve Antoine Dariux.

This is a book I read over and over and over again. It annouinces itself as a guide "for every woman who wants to be well and properly dressed on all occasions". It is a guide to fashion & ettiquete for the woman who stives for elegance. It has been one of my favourite books since school & i find myself coming back to it on all occasions for which i need to be "well and properly dressed".

On my lap right now: Madison Magazine, Harper's Bazaar Magazine.

In my DVD player right now: Sex and the City - The Movie.

Super Love,

Sunny xxx

You Tube Fun

OK, whenever my friend Sam comes over he always shows me some new You Tube videos that he's found & they ALWAYS have me on the floor with laughter.

These ones are our favourites & I've been meaning to put them for ages! So here they are... but be warned... they contain many sexual references :S hahahaha. Coincidentally they both have Justin Timberlake in them :)

Firstly - Jizz in my pants.... god i love this one!!!

And secondly, Dick in a box. Seriously, I was crying with laughter when I saw this & just could not get the tune out of my head for a week!

I have loads more to put up but I'll space them out... I'd hate for you all to jizz in your pants :)

Love & kisses on both cheeks,

Sunny xxx

Fried Brie

Photo taken by John Paul Urizar

Ok, let me start by saying - if you on a diet, dont even look at this!

I have seen many fried brie recipes but never dared to go there... however Valli Little inspired me to give it a shot. I used one of her recipes but over time it has evolved into my own no-fuss version!

Remember with this recipe - a little goes a loooong way! I usually serve a couple small wedges next to a lightly dressed salad. And for the record - its the sweet chilli sauce that makes it, so please please please use it!

Ingredients:

2 cups breadcrumbs
2 tbs of either finely chopped fresh parsley or basil (or none if your not a herb person)
3 tbs plain flour
1 egg, beaten
2 tbs milk or cream (whichever you have on hand)
350g (aproximately) of brie or camambert cut into 8 small or 4 large wedges
Oil for frying - I use sunflower or vegetable buti've tried with olive and still tastes as good
Sweet chilli sauce - my favourite brand is Trident.

Method:

1. Mix breadcrumbs & parsley together. Place breadcrumbs and flour in seperate bowls (or plates). Whisk the egg & milk/cream in another bowl.

2. Toss wedges first in flour, then egg mixture, then in the breadcrumbs.

3. Place on a plate & chill in the fridge for 30 minutes (or up to four hours ahead).

4. Pour enough oil in a pan so that it reaces a few milimetres up the side. The oil should be hot enough that it turns a cube of bread golden in 30 seconds.

5. Fry the cheese on each side until golden. Drain briefly on paper towel. Serve immediently with sweet chilli sauce.

I tend to flip back and forth between brie and camambert (which ever is on sale) and it comes out perfect every time! This recipe makes enough for four people.

Valli recommends using Panko breadcrums, a coarse & light japanese breadcrumb variety. Personllay, i like the regular stuff :)

Enjoy!

Sunny xxx