Category Archives: Shopping

That’s Not on the Shopping List

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In our home I’m responsible for most of the household duties. That’s not to say that my husband doesn’t chip in and help out but the reality is he’s lending a hand more than owning the job.

I find it most interesting when my husband helps out with the grocery shop. My somewhat vague shopping lists are often filled with brands I’ve never purchased in much smaller, or sometimes much larger quantities than I intended. Like the recent 10 kilo bag of Riviana Basmati rice proudly purchased with the handful of essentials I’d run out of. And inevitably there is something included that definitely wasn’t on the list….usually something sweet….to be consumed by the man of the house well after I’ve gone to bed.

When unpacking the most recent man-shop I came across a box of chocolates. I figured they were purchased for late night snacking but, NO, I was informed they were a gift for me. Not to share…just for me!

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I don’t know when I last had a box of chocolates, complete with little pictures and descriptions to help in making the next selection. Yum and fun! If you haven’t had a box of chocolates all to yourself recently go out tomorrow and get one. I wonder which one I should have next!

Shoe Shopping in the USA

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This week I’m in the US for work so spent Sunday afternoon shopping…for shoes….

8 pairs of shoes – $200.76. Saving – $538.14. Insane!!! I also bought some clothes with a similar saving! You simply have to experience shopping in the States, if you haven’t already had the opportunity. And I still have next Saturday to do some more damage. :)

Favourite Little Kitchen Tool

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I love to cook and I have quite a few kitchen utensils and appliances that I use everyday. My most frequently used and absolute favourite are my measuring spoons that I bought at Anthropologie. You simply must visit their website to see the other gorgeous items they have. They even ship Internationally…but my preference would be to plan a trip to the States to take advantage of the strong Aussie dollar, and avoid the $50 delivery to Australia! 

Shoes, shoes, shoes, shoes

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I’m in Denver now and managed to squeeze in a little shopping between meetings. 

Another four pairs added to the suitcase.

Cole Haan Black Sandal, original price – $198, reduced to $38.46

Camel Sandal, original price – $240, reduced to $58.43

Black cork wedge sandal, original price $60.05, reduced to $16.18

Nike sandshoes, original price $62 (but I’ve seen them for more in Australia), reduced to $42.90.

I’m going to look like a travelling shoe sales (wo)men when I open my suitcase back in Australia.

A Little Shopping Adventure

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I can tell you right now, if you want a bargain come shopping in the US!

Over just a few hours I managed to snap up some real bargains. Here are a just of few of the items I purchased:

From left, Tartan shoes ($20 reduced from $65),  chain belt ($3 reduced from $20), black belt ($4.20 reduced from $20.99), brown belt ($4.80 reduced from $23.99), leopard print flats ($46.10 reduced from $85.99), tan wedge heels ($46 reduced from $99), black turtleneck ($10 reduced from $49), white cotton cable knit ($6.80 reduced from $48), black wedge heel boots ($18 reduced from $89.99), black Samsonite laptop/travel bag ($30 reduced from $149.99).

And with all the money I saved I went shopping at Victoria’s Secret! 

Just as well this is a work trip and not a shopping trip. I could do some real damage if I had more than a few hours to shop.

A Great Sunday Morning

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This morning my sister and I headed to the Brisbane Good Food and Wine Show. As complete novices we had no idea what we were in for with over 200 exhibitors nearly half of which where exhibiting (and sampling) their wines and spirits.  BYO glass! We got to sample some really beautiful foods and wines. I’ve listed here some of the favourite things I discovered in case you don’t make it to the show:

Fresita - premium chilean sparkling wine with natural strawberry pulp.  As well as the normal 750ml bottles they are available in these gorgeous 200ml four packs. How cute would they be for Christmas day!

Oomoo Sparkling Shiraz - my words were ‘oh wow, that’s really nice’, but Hardy’s describe it a little more eloquently: ‘fresh cherry and satsuma plum notes followed by a rich mulberry jam and intense chocolate, spice and licorice add complexity to the Shiraz fruit characters’. Retails for around $27 a bottle.  Another one for Chritmas day.

Kikkoman Lime, Lemongrass & Soy Marinade and sauce - sensational citrusy marinade. Delicious with chicken or prawns (I have mine marinating now!) or even mixed with cream cheese to make a dip.

Ayam Malaysian Rendang Sauce – forget Indian takeaway. Put a can of this in the pantry and some diced beef in the freezer. The whole can is added to the beef and cooked slowly to reduce the sauce. Perhaps a little spicy for the kids – but absolutely sensational for adults.

OlivFresh Organics - I was fortunate enough to receive a jar of their ligurian style organic olives on Thursday night when I went to a Silverwood Organics customer function.  Yum! I love olives – and these are possibly the best I’ve tasted in quite some time.  They are available online and at Mrs Flannery’s.

Careme Traditional Pastry - forget pastry that leaves a lining of fat on the roof of your mouth – Careme pastry is like no other. So light, just delicious.  The lady on the stand, who I suspect is the owner of the company explained that the secrets is using New Zealand butter – apparently the cows produce a more consistent ‘product’ due to the frequent rain and abundant green grass for them to graze on.  Mmmm…interesting. Now where can I go to buy this butter?   

Govino - these gorgeous wine glasses are actually plastic - but they are so thin and so easy to drink out of.  We have a ‘no glass’ rule around our pool so I snapped up two packs of four of these for summer entertaining. They’ll be christened this afternoon when our friends pop over for a BBQ.  Available online for $19.95 for a 4 pack ($14.95 if you can get to the show today).  

 Silverwood Organics – couldn’t miss visiting and sampling the most succulent slow cooked shoulder of lamb from my favouite online Organic Lamb suppliers.  Yum!

Next year we’ll be getting a babysitter and taking our husbands.  It’s a fantastic day - not to be missed!