I love Twitter. I still find it so cool that I can write a message to anyone anywhere in the world and get a reply. On the day of the baby shower I tweeted Garry Younberry (the channel 9 weather man up here in Queensland) to ask if I should set a table outside. He […]

There are only so many series of D-grade celebrities going head-to-head, people starving themselves on deserted islands, racing around the world, dancing their feet off and belting out songs that I can take. I think I have finally reached my reality TV threshold. Big Brother had the idea. They saw that their time was up […]

After today you might start to see a theme. When I host an event, I try to find easy but delicious and pretty recipes. I've learned the hard way that tricky, intricate recipes + hosting = stressed out Claire so simple is the way I go. If any of the work can be done in […]

I moved to Brisbane from Sydney when I was five years old. I don't remember much from back then but I do remember the first music lesson that I ever went to. It was in a big house, not far from home and we all sat around on an over-sized, maroon classic rug. You know […]

I am home. I'm still not totally here in mind (damn jet lag) but I'm back on Australian soil. I headed off with my little sister, mum and dad one month ago for our first trip to South America. Old dad turned 60 at the end of last year and the trip was his celebration. […]

When I was at school, my lunchbox repertoire was pretty small. As annoying as my fussiness must have been, at least mum didn't have to brainstorm what to give me for lunch. The list of acceptable foods was only a few dot-points long. Honey jumbles were on that list. I love the subtle spices and […]

Today is not only Australia Day, it is my grandma's 94the Birthday. It's extra-special being on Australia Day because it means we all get a public holiday to celebrate her day. No waiting for the weekend when no one has to work. This year I won't be there to celebrate with Guppy so I thought […]

Brown sugar pavlova, a gingerbread house and salted caramel chocolate tarts. What do they all have in common? They're all my contributions to the Sweet Adventures Blog Hop. The theme this month is 'death by chocolate.' A few weeks ago my grandma gave me a recipe for chocolate salted caramel tart and when I heard […]

I have to say, I am very empathetic towards people with coeliac disease or gluten allergies. If I had to I could live without it but it would be so very hard. It's in so many delicious treats and a lot of the gluten-free versions just don't compare the original. A few people on my […]

January 2nd, it's normally a day where resolve for New Year's resolutions is still strong and many people the world over are sticking to their 'healthy eating for 2012' goals. I on the other hand, decided years ago that such goals for me only end badly. Instead I try to balance out my eating year-round. […]

My sugar brain seems to have developed into a functioning brain in the last 24 hours. Actually it's probably Christmas excitement now there are just two sleeps until the big day, but after yesterday's blonde moment I remembered I can do one better than playing you my favourite song, I can show the film clip. […]

Just 10 more sleeps until we hear the jingle of Santa's bells and the clatter of reindeer hooves on our roof tops. I don't know about you but I'm rather like a kid at Christmas despite my 26 years. I still wake up at the crack of dawn eager to see what Santa has brought. […]

It seems golf has become a larger part of my life than I ever imagined. A year ago I thought it was the most boring thing ever (after cricket) but now, after learning a bit and playing a few rounds of 9 holes, I have to admit, it's not really that bad. I'm still not […]

My mum and dad do a lot of good work for the Starlight Children's Foundation. If you haven't heard of them, they grant wishes for seriously ill children. It's a wonderful cause. I've been with mum when she's granted a few wishes and seeing their little faces light up is just priceless. In order to […]

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American readers! I hope you are all getting ready for a wonderful feast with family and friends. I hosted my first ever Thanksgiving dinner a few weeks ago (it was already nontraditional being in Australia so I figured I could change the date). Although Thanksgiving isn't an Australian thing I […]