PAGE TWENTY THRREE

whoops...

2011-11-26T00:28:00.001-08:00

I can't believe that the last time I posted something was in MAY!! It's now November and I've finished the HSC, and I'm 3 days away from turning 18. This is a terrible blog and I'm a terrible blogger, I'm sorry :/. I'm always on Tumblr though, so you can find me there :)

Closing

2011-05-28T00:40:00.000-07:00

The Borders stores over here are closing down from bankruptcy or something like that and there have been ridiculous sales. I seriously went crazy over the moleskines, I spent about $60 on a couple. I also got these two Archie Grand notebooks, "Husbands I had and Liked" and "Bloggers I Met and Liked". Appropriate, I think right? :P
Things are slowing down when they should be speeding up here. Trials are in about 3 weeks and I am really sort of freaking out about them because I know for sure that my marks will drop. I HATE exams, I just find them so boring. I can really only work well when I am doing at least two things at the same time, and so when I am in an exam (3 hours sitting down and writing?!!!!?) I move around A LOT to compensate. Taking my jumper off, putting it back on, having a nap for five minutes, drinking water, changing pens every line or so to throw the marker off from the different colours, etc. I can either concentrate on one thing which takes a LOT of effort, or concentrate on two things and be happy. Or you know, do nothing at all. If you gave me an exam to do at home, it would take me the whole day to do it because I would keep switching from the exam and doing other things.

Did I just write that whole paragraph about what I do in exams? Sorry.

Nicole.

Granny

2011-05-28T00:32:00.000-07:00

Got this cardi awhile ago, I think for $8 or something. It looked new when I bought it and it feels really nice and warm, but not too hot. It's good for the temperamental winters of Australia. It's by "Damart" or something, which I think is some sort of brand for retirees which is what I've been informed of haha.

Meringue

2011-05-22T02:22:00.000-07:00

Made this random video amongst not blogging and other things. Made a pavlova the other night and I videoed me making the meringue (which was hard :P).

Hope you all enjoy your Sunday ;)

well get out of that bed, wash your face and hands

2011-03-19T23:10:00.000-07:00

Was going to buy this dress a couple of weeks ago but didn't, went back the other day and it was on sale for half the price - don't you love it when that happens? It's finally starting to really cool down here, I went out yesterday and got drenched by the rain, at the expense of my jeans and boots which were soaked.

I'm loving wearing these thin cotton shirts under stuff, especially more summery things which you can keep wearing through winter, (particularly through our barely cold winters in Sydney). Also, I'm finally getting to wear my boots again yay :). I've posted these before, but here's a (bad) close up of the sunglasses

Don't they remind you of the one's in Miss Dior's new campaign with Natalie Portman?

Anyway, got some notes to, urghh. Hope you so excited for Monday, Monday which is tomorrow.

Nicole

Febru/march

2011-02-26T17:30:00.000-08:00

It's the last weekend of summer here, finally. I can't wait for the cold(ish) weather to finally arrive. I can fold away the denim shorts for another 6 months and take out my boots, yay.
On another note, it's the Oscars tomorrow! Urgh, it's really bad, I get really into it haha. I'm not one to go out of my way to make sure I watch every nominated film though, but I do enjoy it. I'm not sure how it's going to be this year though. I love James Franco and I think he'll be fine, but I hold the unpopular opinion of finding Anne Hathaway annoying. I don't know, she's beautiful and everything, but there's just something about her that I find really irritating. Nonetheless, I heard that there doing some sort of holographic scene swapping thing which I think will be pretty cool. Although I was a bit like this, when I heard they got rid of the movie montages. Oh well, till next time :)
Nicole

p.s sorry, couldn't resist adding a gif in there.Yeeahh, my tumblr ways are getting to me haha. Here's another one to wish that troll goodluck ;)

he used to send me his grades from college

2011-02-06T23:07:00.000-08:00

What my life consists of right now: An Education (/actual school), Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice (comic book version. So much quicker to read than the actual book).

Off to see 127 hours now, finally! Going to the advanced screening, which means, 'Advanced' in Australia means 3 months later than other countries.

5 essentials.

2011-02-06T22:58:00.000-08:00

Clockwise from far left: Moleskine, Glasses (countryroad), iPod headphones, keys, phone

Decided to make this post inspired by FieldGuided. I really love posts like this and finally made one myself.
1. Moleskine: I always need to write stuff down. Recently I've been using my phone to write lists and errands I need to do, but my mind always works better when I write them down. And it's so much more satisfying madly crossing something out than tapping a screen checklist.

2. Glasses. I need to see! I have to rely on these daily. This pair is a fairly new, but the same style that I had before. I had to get a new pair because I broke the other ones :S (as well as the fact that my eyes have gone worse again.) Recently I've been using contacts though, which makes watching 3D movies (or basically nowadays, all movies) so much more appealing because I don't have to wear two sets of glasses.

3. iPod. However my headphones are only present here because I seem to have misplaced my iPod. I listen to this everyday walking to school, studying, etc. Call my Gen Y, but I'm just not satisfied with the sound of chirping birds or cars whizzing by!

4. Keys. I can't tell you how many times I've left/lost these and had to wait outside the house, crying, trying to pry open windows to break in the house.

5. Phone. For the internet, texts, games, etc lol.

I wonder what Pride and Prejudice would've been like if it was directed by Sofia Coppola

2011-01-14T02:37:00.000-08:00

I'm watching the movie for the first time. I'm completely bias because I've grown up with the BBC version and in love with it. It's perfect in every single way, so I'm picking up on so many things I hate about the movie.

PROS:

Rupert Friend as Bad Boy Whickham. (Who has also apparently split with Keira Knightley D:, but let's not get into that.)
Jane is as pretty as she is made to sound.
Keira Knightley totally deserves the Oscar Nomination for this role and is almost equal to the quality of the performance that Jennifer Ehle did.
Mr Bingley is a red head. He is very attractive. Actually I just noticed that he has Pattinson-esque hair. I absolutely love Bingley in the BBC version, he is so smiley and charming and likeable which Austen originally described. The movie Bingley isn't as likeable and smiley, but he is as equally charming and slightly more attractive (which is what counts right?)
I love the scene where Bingley is practicing how to propose. And his actual proposal is so great. " First, I must tell you I've been the most unmitigated and comprehensive ass." So great (and refreshingly humble) in comparison to Mr Collins and Mr Darcy's proposal. Although her answer of "Yes, a thousand times yes" isn't very original.
The direction is quite good.

CONS/Mere confusions of mine:

Mr Collins is not as dislikable/crazy as the BBC version. Ugh he was such a greasy creep in the TV series, which was perfect haha.
The mother. Although I have to say that the mother in the movie is preety good, because seriously the mother in the BBC version was so perfectly irritating and hilarious and I was totally in love with her. So I guess I can let this one slide sort of. :S
The Father is likable, but not as great as the BBC version (are you getting tired of this?)
Colin Firth is not in it. (Need I say more?)
Why is there so much emphasis on Renaissance Art in this movie? I don't know what they're trying to get at. I mean sure it shows everyone to seem very grandure, but I doubt that Mr Darcy had a statue carved for himself instead of just a painting, which is more realistic (sigh, aka in the BBC version). Wasn't it more ancient Rome who would have busts of the family made as a portrayal of the name?
Ugh I'm such a pretentious snob. (Sorry, my prada's at the cleaners!)
Timing/changes in setting. This is purely a pet peeve of mine because of how bias I am.
WHY WAS NOT ELIZABETH'S FIRST SIGHTING OF MR DARCY AT PEMBERLY NOT AS HE HAD FINISHED HIS IMPULSIVE SWIM IN THE RIVER AND WAS COMING OUT ALL WET?! WHY? WHY? WHY? WHY?!?!?!?!!!

You're standing on my neck.

2011-01-14T01:59:00.000-08:00

This is so far apparently the soundtrack listing for Sofia Coppola's Somewhere

(Which I still have not seen due to the lack of variety in the large Hollywood feature films and absence of independents).

I think I'll have to wait for the DVD. Along with other DVDs I'm still waiting for. If 127 hours isn't showing near me I will hunt down James Franco himself and tell him to do a live reenactment of cutting off his own arm.

MARCH 22.

2011-01-11T19:54:00.000-08:00

Source: NME
That's all, kthnxbai.

2010-12-30T23:11:00.000-08:00

See you next year! Brought to you by corny over done jokes.

2010-12-30T23:10:00.001-08:00

Could I just share with you the best/creepiest thing I have ever found on internet?

2010-12-30T23:09:00.000-08:00

Yeah. Yeah I KNOW. I just burst out laughing every time I see this photo. What was John Mayer's goal in doing this? Who cares. This. This is just pure quality.

Totally trolling my own blog

2010-12-30T23:04:00.000-08:00

On another note, for Society and Culture I have to do this thing called the PIP (Personal Interest Project) where you choose you're own topic and write a report on it. You have to do you're own research and stuff, anyway my topic is Political Correctness Vs Freedom of Speech. Basically it's about how political correctness is affecting society, and if it's going too far (e.g, changing Baa Baa Black Sheep to Baa Baa Rainbow Sheep) and therefore, if it's inhibiting our Freedom of Speech. Anyway, I would really appreciate it you could take the time to do my survey?

I would really appreciate it! Thanks so much,

Nicole.

Tv

2010-12-30T22:45:00.000-08:00

Ugh I love Misfits. As usual, I'm pretty late to this so I'm just catching up on it now. Kind of an overused concept, (lightning strike = special powers, etc) but the casting of this show is just perfect (you all know I'm just talking about Robert Sheehan).

One another, scary parallel:

Crazy right?

The Big Pancake.

2010-12-25T18:52:00.000-08:00

Found this awesome recipe for the "Dutch Baby", or The Big Pancake. Basically it's this crazy pancake that you chuck in the oven and it rises into this incredible fluffy thing with a pool of butter in the middle. I cooked it the other day, it's so easy to do as well. At first I didn't think it was going to work. I poured the mixture into the skillet and just looked at it going, 'As if you're going to rise up.' DO NOT DOUBT THE BIG PANCAKE. Just watch it expanding in the oven (and deflating out of it) in amazement.

Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons butter

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 cup flour

1/2 cup milk

1 teaspoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

Pinch of nutmeg (optional). I think I might add cinnamon next time.

Garnish:

Juice of 1 lemon

Powdered sugar

Method:

1. Preheat oven

2. Put the butter in a 9 or 10 inch pie plate or oven proof skillet. Place in oven, then remove once butter is melted.

3. Mix the remaining ingredients together with a whisk and pour into the hot skillet. Immediately return it to the oven and bake for 18 to 20 minutes till puffy and evenly browned on the outside.

4. Remove. Sprinkle with the lemon juice and powdered sugar. Slice and serve immediately.

Source: GQ December issue

Is this turning into a Food Blog? I think so.

You are the butter to my bread

2010-12-21T22:41:00.000-08:00

I've had the bliss of relaxing all day and ignorance of time and dead lines lately. I'm working tomorrow then I've got to get started on doing some research, assignments etc., so today is really one of the last few days I have of doing nothing. Ha that's a lie, I've got plenty of time.

I've been listening a lot to the Romeo and Juliet soundtrack lately. I know some people either hate or love this movie, but I really love it, and I love how over the top it is. The soundtrack is really good as well, my favourite is definitely 'Everybody's Free' by Quindon Tarver.

Pretty bad photo, but I love this pattern on the inside of the case, it's the pattern of Romeo's shirt which I really want.

Also, I don't know if I've said on here before, but I've had a lot of trouble with macaroons before. The first time I made them, they were just perfect. Every other (numerous) time(s) after that were just terrible. Anyway I found this Nigella Laweson recipe which seemed to work. They don't look like the French ones, but they taste just as good:

Macaroons:
250g icing sugar
125g ground almonds
25g cocoa powder
4 large egg whites
25g caster sugar

ganache filling
90ml double cream (think its called heavy cream if youre american)
150g plain choc chopped/broken up
45g butter

Method

Preheat oven to 180c/gas 4. line 2 baking sheets

Sift together icing sugar, almonds and cocoa.
Whisk egg whites till half stiff, sprinkle over caster sugar then continue whisking until stiff but not dry.
Fold in dry ingredients to egg whites.
Then use an icing bag to pipe out 5 cm rounds (or if you dont have one spoon it on carefully). let them stand 10-15 mins before baking (forms a skin)

bake for 12-15 mins until dry on top but chewy underneath. remove to cool

Ganache...melt all ingredients together and stir well. when macaroons are cool use it to sandwich them together

I did the ganache with this really nice inexpensive milk chocolate and it was soooo good. Anyway have fun, hope your all having a nice break!

that I hardly can believe I'm real

2010-12-21T21:26:00.000-08:00

The other day I went to this clothing stall and bought this really cute skirt. It has heaps of layers of netting underneath making it really poofy which I love. The ~~webcam~~ pictures really don't do it justice, but the skirt feels really good to walk around in, it has a lot of movement and is so girly.

17

2010-11-29T01:08:00.000-08:00

My friends are awesome. Check out the mug they bought me. Yeah, you mad. I was going to buy this mug for myself the other month ago actually, I love it when that happens. :)
It even comes with an instructional video on how to use the mug. Handy. I kept pouring the coffee next to it ya know? And I realised I was holding the mug UPSIDE DOWN when I was drinking it!! Silly me. This video makes my life so much easier:

2010-11-27T18:50:00.001-08:00

A Maths Lesson

2010-11-26T06:31:00.000-08:00

Learning formulas
Mr Harris: Formulas are easy, they are like a recipe, you just have to remember it once, and then repeat it again and again.
Me: That analogy is very flawed.
Pause, staring competition between me and him for 2 seconds.
Mr Harris: Please explain.
Me: Well if it is like a recipe, then that means the numbers are ingredients. But the ingredients or numbers CHANGE in formulas. So if you use the same recipe but change all the ingredients, you are cooking disgusting food, or in other words, cooking wrong equations.
Pause.
Mr Harris: You are getting too emotional over this.

Due to a total lack of inspiration, stress. work and school I have been totally neglecting this blog for months now I think haha. Not that I have to apologize, it's not like I have legions of readers anyway. Surprisingly I have gained a couple of followers so thank you :)
Please check out more regular online activity on my tumblr and my twitter which I recently got.

Seriously guys I have nothing to blog about. At all. The best I could do was this maths lesson. Yes, I have actually started using my analysing skills in real life.
Man I need sleep.
Goodnight!

Could you be a teenage idol

2010-10-02T18:47:00.000-07:00

[I would put the video here except the embed code was disabled so here is the link]

I keep listening to this song. I love it and I really love Michael Buble's voice. However I will stand by my theory that he was born Michael Bubble and only removed the second 'b' after they printed out the first CD cover and looked at it and went "Hmm..." That or some sort of guy like that mean Kathy Morningside from Miss Congeniality or Julie Andrews or Paulo from Princess Diaries just saying like "And vat is your name?"

"Michael Bubble."

"Hmm..Bubble does not mix with jazz. REMOVE THE SECOND B!"

Anyway. I did do this post to talk about things other than Surname controversy's and secret theory's accompanied with dialogue. I really like this song, watch the video clip, his Bieber impression is hilarious, and he even is being James Dean later on. But I think that the fact he talking about this subject matter, about striving to be famous and it's not that great etc etc is hilarious because he has proclaimed in many interviews about how he was a child he always knew he was going to be famous and how he would pray about it and stuff.

Nonetheless, great song.

Go out somewhere. People keep staring at me. AM I IN A DREAM?? IS THE SUBCONSCIOUS LOOKING FOR THE DREAMER?

2010-09-30T23:36:00.000-07:00

Arthur kiss me. Maybe it'll make them turn away.

You look terrible, I look awesome.

2010-09-29T22:40:00.000-07:00

So I watched the Britney episode of Glee last night, and it once again emphasised all the bad points of Glee. I do like the show, and I think all the music is really good but it's the WRITING and the plot lines that are so bad. Ok so generally the story lines are good, and each individual character is great, e.g Brittany, but I get a feeling they are figuring how great she is and just going to exploit her awesomeness and wring her dry, but they have the worst segue's to song's. The Madonna episode, and now the Britney ep proves this. I mean come one, the only way they got to put in 3/4 of those songs was through the medium of dental anaesthesia which enabled the characters to pass out and miraculously have a dream about singing a Britney song. Same with the VOGUE song, which I thought, by itself was awesome, but they just chucked it in there. It's just not cohesive. They're looking for any excuse to sing any song. It's as if I purposefully put a piece of bread in the toaster and leave it too long, then smoke starts coming out of the toaster, I pass out from the smoke and I have a dream of me singing "Burn Baby Burn, DISCO INFERNO!!"