Donna Hay's Brioche Loaf and My Bread & Butter Pudding

Over the weekend I was going through Donna Hay's book 'A Cook's Guide' in the hopes that some of that magical food styling mojo would rub off. Unfortunately, food styling prowess can't be transferred by osmosis so I consoled myself with making (and eating) Ms Hay's truly excellent Brioche.

Review - Tuck Shop Cafe, Pie-House and Delicatessen

My friend A and I decided to go to lunch today and she recommended we go to Tuck Shop Cafe in Northbridge. It's a great little cafe far removed from the hustle and bustle of Northbridge's main drag. Despite being tucked away on the quieter end of Newcastle Street, there were plenty of punters to keep the cafe busy!

The Restorative Powers Of Bright Lipstick

Anyone else think lipstick has magical powers? Whenever I'm feeling a bit blah or like I'm stuck in a bit of a makeup rut, nothing thrills me more than swiping on a bright, cheery colour. It's like serotonin in a tube! As you can see from the excellent Cara Delevingne and the plethora of lovely ladies below, bright lipstick doesn't really need much more than a bit of mascara, some blush or bronzer and maybe a spot of eyeliner. With lipstick, prep and application is everything. Bright colours will obviously bring attention to your mouth and matte textures in particular, will highlight dry, flaky lips like nothing else. So give your kisser a bit of a scrub after you brush your teeth and use a lip brush for precise application and you'll be totally golden.

Eyebrows: There should be two!

If there's one facial feature I'm absolutely fanatical about; almost to the point of obsession, it would be eyebrows. To me, Miss Megan Fox has UNBELIEVABLY perfect eyebrows; dark, defined and highly arched. In my opinion, eyebrows can make or break a look; they frame your eyes and balance your face. For lack of a better word, they just make you look very finished. 

Now because I spent the better part of my teenage years plucking my eyebrows into utter oblivion, I obviously can't grow the lush caterpillars required to emulate the lovely Ms Fox, but I can do a pretty good version if I do say so myself! Check it out after the jump!

Triple Vanilla Faux Cronuts

I'm not sure if you've come across all the hullabaloo about Cronuts; Dominique Ansel's Frankenpastry that has New York and the internet all a flutter, but apparently they're the next big thing in patisserie! Cupcakes eat your heart out!

Now Dominique Ansel has quite cleverly trademarked the name Cronut so these are officially NOT Cronuts but rather a shadow of an imitation... the Faux-nut, maybe?

Mini Vegetarian Arancini

Brace yourselves for gratuitous deep fried food porn...

I originally made these for my favourite (and only) vegetarian friend and they were a surprise hit with my fellow carnivores as well! I have two varieties here; Spinach and Goats Cheese and Mozzarella and Vegetable Ragu. I served them with a spicy Sriracha mayo but that's totally optional and only really there due to my unholy addiction to the stuff.

1930's Half Moon Manicure Tutorial

So today I have a very simple nail art tutorial to show you; the classic half moon manicure. Dita Von Teese usually sports the traditional crimson version with a bare moon. I'm doing a bronze and burgundy version today. This is a deceptively easy nail art look that looks pretty darn impressive in my opinion!

Welcome to All The Little Extras!

Hi there! Welcome to the very first post here at All The Little Extras!

This blog will be about exactly that; all the little extras that make life a little more special! From baking an adorable little cupcake festooned with glitter and sprinkles to trying out a brand new lipstick in a shade bright enough to stop traffic, I just want to celebrate all the things I love and hopefully inspire a few of you to indulge in the simple pleasures life has to offer!

Now a little bit about me: My name's Kim and I live in Perth; a gloriously sunny if under appreciated part of the world. There is one very important thing you should know about me: I am a self confessed, unashamed girly girl. Admittedly, my interests lie less in philosophy and politics but rather in the more superficial arenas of cuticle care and French patisserie. I decided to start this blog after years of voraciously reading blogs and thinking 'I could do that!'. So game on and challenge accepted!

Now enough about me and onto the hard part... stay tuned folks!


Over and out!