Brought to you by Target Australia. 

There is one thing that brings my family out of the wood works and that’s pizza night. Roll out some dough, laden it with cheese and hey presto they’re all over you like flies. Interesting factoid Suger, you may be thinking, but what’s it doing in a Target post? Where’s the outfits, right? Well I hadn’t planned a home wares based post but it sort of happened. I had my Target gift card in my hot little hand and they just called to me!

They being a chopping board, pizza cutter and Jamie Oliver serving platter or two. As soon as I saw them I ditched all plans for this month and decided to whip up a pizza night! Yum. the platters I picked up are now showing as SOLD OUT online but check your local store. These melamine platters have been amazing and so useful. I wish I had more of them.

I rallied the troops, purchased my body weight in cheese and we were all set. A late change of venue for footy season later and the day was here. Pizza night! There were 10 adults to feed and football to watch so the oven pretty much turned over pizza after pizza for an hour or so until everyone was fed.

I was glad to have multiple pizza trays so I could have the next one ready to go in the oven when one came out. At $6 a pop, you can afford to have a few of them on hand even if your family aren’t quite the pizza fans that mine are. We did 8 pizzas in total from a double batch of dough plus a mini one for the kids.

The star of the night for me though is my new chopping board. This baby is solid, has legs with pads to stop it moving and it photographs like a dream. At my house {not shown in these photos} my kitchen is very white and grey. The multicoloured wood of this board just adds the extra something special looks great sitting on my bench top. Which it does most of the time.

So there you go! Below is a list of Target Essentials that will get you on your way to hosting your own pizza night and a hot tip for Thermomix owners when it comes to the pizza dough. I’m signing off, over and out, this post is making me hungry. Anyone for pizza? Haha.

Stock up on these essentials for your very own pizza night!

Pizza Cutter {gifted}
Small Chopping Board
Large Chopping Board {gifted – as shown}
Jamie Oliver Mortar and Pestle
{I’ve owned one of these for at least 5 years now, the best!}
Pizza Crisping Tray {gifted x 2}
Jamie Olivier ‘Don’t Mess with the Chef’ Tea Towels {cute!}

And don’t forget the cheese. You always need LOTS of cheese. 

Happy pizza night folks! Keep warm. 

{disclosure}

p.s. The fail proof pizza dough recipe is from the standard cookbook you receive when you buy your Thermomix. I’ve never had this baby fail me. That makes it idiot proof, I think. Fail proof so much so that even the time I used old plain wholemeal flour in the batch it worked. Now’s THAT’S special.

I joined a Blog Chicks group on Facebook a week or two ago now. It’s a place for bloggers to have their questions answered, chat blogs and just, you know, hang out. It was early days in the group so there were a lot of introductions happening. SO many great blogs and woman roll calling. As it does. But I wanted more!

I wanted the hot tip.

The inside track to the best content the web has to offer.

I wanted a new favourite blog!

So I asked.

What’s the best blog post you read this week? And not one of yours, don’t be weird.  

And do you know over 100 people saw that post and I received TWO responses. TWO. So it turns out either we, as bloggers, are more interested in flogging our own stuff than reading, or we just aren’t reading. I know for myself I’ve slowed down my usual blog visiting. I used to manage a blog roll with over 800 blogs on it. I’d visit as often as I could but could confidently say that I would see them all, at least once, every month. I sort of wore myself out!

But why is that? Why when push came to shove did I quit visiting other blogs? Why when I’m a little stuck at the moment for inspiration and ideas did I stop visiting the people who do it best? Am I the only one? It’s a phase, I know I’ll be back. My question above is proof of that I think. A desire to read more blogs. A desire to find that new hidden gem. A new favourite. But I wonder, where it went in the first place.

I’m calling this phase the blogger’s have their heads up their own butt phase. I think the response to my question is testament to that. To some degree. Comments in general are down, I’m constantly hearing people complain about it. Content writers everywhere are lamenting the downturn of conversation. Maybe what’s really happening is people aren’t really reading? Maybe the content isn’t WORTH the effort? Hmmmm.

Or could it just be that we are too busy doing our thing and much, much too busy to share our precious time with anyone else. Afterall it’s already spread between all the other things that are important to us. Family, friends, work, hobbies, Pinterest… It’s just a theory but when push came to shove visiting, communicating and reading other peoples blogs was at the bottom of a very long list, there must be a reason. What do you think?

Now I’m asking you…

What’s the best blog post you read this week? And not one of yours, don’t be weird.

Saturday when I packed my bags to head to Liv’s disco party I had to put together an outfit for our day spa adventure, organised by the team at Blog Power events, yesterday. I packed two outfits, this one and a peplum, stripe skirt thing that I’d planned to wear if I could be bothered to suck in all day. HA. It turned out yesterday was not one of those days. So I opted for this one. Casual cool thanks to a long line tee and ponte pants {leggings as pants basically}.

I wasn’t in it for long anyway. As soon as I arrived in my rather shabby condition {tired, a wee bit hung over and sporting some seriously teased hair} I was ushered into a room to change into my robe. What followed made these photos possible, the team at Beautiful You Hair, Nails & Spa made me human again. From head to toe. Thank goodness for that.

The hair is probably my favourite, though the makeup is pretty darn amazing too. There’s just nothing better than a nice treatment followed by a blow dry. Hello flickable and silky smooth hair. A far cry from the teased, poofy ponytail I’d arrived with. Thank goodness for these woman. It was the perfect end to the MOST perfect weekend.

Best time since my birthday party in March! Seriously. Awesome. Now shhhh, getting back to work today is going to hurt my brain. I’m sure. And I just don’t bounce back from late nights and over indulgences like I used to. Let’s not talk about the probable relationship to my advancing years, shall we? HA. Now if only I had the gorgeous team here to get me ready today!

Jacket – Autograph {size 18}
Tee – ASOS Curve {size AU20}
Necklace – Lovisa
Pants – Target {size 22 gifted}
Shoes – Target {gifted}

{disclosure}

Seriously, best jacket ever!

Last night we went to the show here in Gympie. I decided to take my camera because I just knew all the lights and colours would be WAY too great to miss. And they were! I decided to share some photos here because once again I’m not that motivated to write anything. Meh. Long weekends will do that to a person. As for the photos, I compressed them so I could add heaps. Sorry if it still takes you a million years to load. Enjoy!

the end.

Goooood morning you gorgeous things!  It’s a bit of a late start here this morning. It’s show day here in Gympie and I slept in. I snuggle myself around my ridiculously gorgeous Hubby and enjoyed the slow start to the morning. I woke up with an idea of what I would wear today. I’d been looking at this dress for a while wishing it was still warm enough to wear it. Wishing it wasn’t too short for the office.

Then it hit me!

I’ll winter it up. Layer it over a shirt and some tights. Matching OF COURSE because that’s the way I roll. Add my boots and stripe blazer and I’m ready to take on the day. I felt good. It’s a cute outfit I think. So I made Hubby take some photos before he left this morning. I have my ways. Insert inappropriate eyebrow wiggle here. Meet my garage door everyone.

So here I am blogging my outfit before I leave the house because it just feels like this day could run away with me. Get busy having fun, eating Dagwood Dogs and living life. I don’t mind, that’s the point, right? I couldn’t wait to share, even if my eyes haven’t woken up and I needed sunglasses to head into the ridiculously sunny day.

I’m here now eating my oats and sipping my tea while I type. Life’s good.

Even if my toes ARE freezing through socks and Queensland is trying to freeze me to death.

Stop laughing. No. Stop! Come on. Haha.

Taking it Easy Top – Harlow Australia {gifted}
Dress – ASOS Curve
Tights – Autograph {2011 – gifted}
Boots – Autograph {2011′ish}

{disclosure}

Is it cold where you are?

It’s a tough game this running thing. I’ve become quite dependent on my brother to not only keep me accountable but to push me onwards. I’ve been scared to be really truthful about it. Scared I won’t do it, scared I’ll let myself down, scared of actually injuring myself and scared that maybe I’m just making excuses so I can quit. Yesterday’s run it had been 4 days since my last run. I’ve completed week 3 now but the 3 minute run intervals had felt like such a big jump up. I was doubting myself.

It’s in your head, he said.

You’re psych’ing yourself out, he said.

Just imagine the end, he said.

He, being my brother, was right.

My inner voice, the jerk one, kept repeating that line from the Simpsons. The fat, German child chases the bus and shouts as he drops behind, ‘I can’t run, I’m full of chocolate..!’. This is what I hear in my head. After a weekend with a few too many indulgences I was sure I would be back to square one. The voice taunted me. Comically at least, but no less intimidating  I felt like this would be my hardest run yet. I was nervous every time the run counter went to start. I would grumble and sigh dreading the ding of the bell and the prim and proper voice declaring… Run!

But as I ran, I found that my legs were just as strong. My breathing was just as deep. I was impressed with myself. The progress I’ve made. I didn’t need my brother to remind me to breathe once. Progress, trust me. I ran and soon I was done. Week 3, done and dusted and absolutely nailed. I’d managed the 3kms in 25 minutes and was happy with that. My brother knocks out over 7km in a similar timeframe. But for once in my life I don’t feel like I need to go faster or be better I’m just myself.

Isn’t that amazing? After all this time all it took to quiet my competitive mind for a moment was to run. To shut out the noise, focus off in the distance and put one foot in front of the other. Run. Powerful, strong, controlled and brave. Just run. I got a hint of this last time I completed the C25K. I struggled through with the mental game. This time feels different. No one to beat. Just quiet for once in my noisy life. Quiet. I just have to lace up my shoes and get started. The voice disappears then.

Run, just run.

Well this post has been a little while coming. I’ve been looking for a suitable pair of boyfriend jeans for a while now. A month or so ago ASOS went nuts and was all of a sudden covered in them. Then I had to choose whether I wanted ripped ones, dark ones or lighter washed looking ones. Tough call. I ended up choosing the new indigo wash cuffed ones.

It’s nice to have some relaxed fit jeans, even though my heart will always belong to the skinnies, I like it. I can’t wait to cuff them up even further and show off a peek of ankle with some pointy flats. Hubby said they sort of reminded him of the whole baggy jeans thing from when we were kids. Maybe he’s right. Maybe I’ve been harbouring a desire to be Lauryn Hill in Sister Act 2 all this time! Picture that final concert hall scene. I never did have the midriff for that orange top though…

Ahh who am I kidding, as a teenager I wouldn’t have known it if it I did!

For their first outing I paired the jeans with a new jumper and necklace that cost me $35 total from Mix Apparel and boots I picked up second-hand. The boots are virtually brand new and a sort of weird fit, long and narrow. But I’m dedicated to making them work because they’re just so beautiful. Thin socks are the order of the day and thanks to the supple suede, I’m sure they’ll give. I’ll keep you posted.

Jumper – Mix Apparel
Necklace – Mix Apparel
Boyfriend Jeans – ASOS Curve
Boots – Tess by Barefoot Tess

What’s your favourite style of jeans?

Well hello out there Sugers. Nice day for it. So curiosity got the better of you, did it? you had to pop over and find out how this all happened? How the heck did Suger start? How did the ‘e’ end up in there? Some of you will have heard this one, especially those who have been around for a while. But here goes. And seriously, I could be handing over any marketing credibility I ever had with this one. Sorry folks who endorsed me on Linked In, it was ALL a lie. Haha.

One night in 2009 I decided to start a blog. I’d opened one months before and hadn’t blogged a single thing. It wouldn’t work though. I wanted a NEW one. So I started the Blogger naming your blog tango. I entered name after name after name. Nothing was available. In fact, this is how I originally found the blog Sunny Side Up. Darn! I really wanted that one. I wanted something positive. Something that would be flexible as I undoubtedly would change my mind what I wrote about and something that wasn’t already taken!

Mostly something that wasn’t already taken.

Then, at the end of my rope I typed in Suger Coat It. And hey presto it was free. HOLY COW! How did that happen. Excellent. So I started writing my blog. My original profile photo didn’t even have my face in it. I think I was considering anonymity for a minute there. It took almost a month before the first person asked me why Suger with an E? I realised quickly that this was not how sugar was spent but it was too late.

I liked it.

No one else had it.

It still got the point across.

And it was unique.

So I kept it. Never once shying away from the question of why. In fact it’s become my calling card. Dani nicknamed me Suger and it caught on. Google suger and you’ll find me. I’m all over that. In fact my first nasty comment on the blog referred to the spelling of the word pointing out my other repeated and horrible spelling and grammar mistakes. Stab me in the heart why don’t you? Go right for my Achilles heel! Interesting fact, I almost didn’t blog because spelling and grammar have just never made any sense to me.

But I did. Blog, that is. And I’m glad. Because no amount of spelling mistakes, or grammatical errors will keep me from doing this thing that it turns out that I love. Neither will mean comments, bossy comments, a little too personal comments or all the praise and validation in the world. I will not be swayed. The good times are too good to give up. The chance to have my say is too intoxicating to let go. I’ve found my groove and I’m going with it. I’m a blogger at heart.

I’m Suger with an E. This I Suger Coat It. And that’s my story.

What is yours bloggers?

Here’s Lara’s story. This post was inspired by her.

I’ve never really been interested in leather as far as clothing goes. Handbags, yes. Shoes, certainly. But skirts, pants and jackets, naaaah not really. I blame that episode of Friends when Ross wears leather pants and sweats up a storm in them, takes them off and can’t get them back on. It created a bit of a phobia for me. I’ve steered clear of leather pants, skirts even, just in case. I’m sure you understand.

I have however been looking for a decent black leather jacket but I can’t decide on a style yet {Bomber or more Blazer looking} so I keep looking. But no matter how cool leather is this season I just can’t do it. Maybe I just haven’t found the right piece. But seriously ALL I see is Ross in that darn bathroom hopping around… Awkward.

Soooooo, a nice alternative for the leather-phobes amongst us doesn’t have to be pleather. This cute skirt sent to me by Harlow Australia gives the look without the possibility of ending up going home covered in lotion and baby powder without your pants on… If you know what I mean {Ross!}.

The material is stretchy and comfortable to wear. Mine gave a little swish when I walked. The upside/downside is that Hubby wouldn’t quit touching my ass. Embarrassing really. But he’s right, of course, the feel of the skirt is really silky and supple. And I think it goes wonderfully with this chunky knit and some heels. I can also see me wearing it with my black knee-high riding boots when it gets colder. Mmmm snuggly.

Jumper – Valley Girl
Wet & Wild Scuba Skirt – Harlow Australia {gifted}
Shoes – Emerson for BigW

{disclosure}

 Leather {even leather look}, it’s just a little bit sexy, right?

So in the interests of sharing my favourite work outfits with you guys, here is the latest. This peplum top, stripe skirt combo gets trotted out at least once a week. I add a blazer for my chilly office {hello a brisk 19 degrees all year round, ick} and I’m all set. The classic black and white combo is perfect for my office that has a fairly corporate dress code feel that I almost always fail to meet. Even with a hot pink blazer though, this always gets the nod from my boss.

Can I take a side note minute here and explain the photos. Again at the local racetrack, I met Hubby there on his way home from work to grab a couple of photos. You can sort of tell it wasn’t going well by the look on my face. I’m sort of scrunched up and cranky looking. Sorry about that. It really can be a bit tricky to convince him {and I} that getting some photos after work, when all he really wants is dinner and a sit down, is a good idea. Grumpy all round.

Now! Where was I? Oh yes, I wanted to say that a lot of people get worried about the stripes. Stripe pencil skirts in particular. Almost every time I do a post with a stripe skirt or dress someone find the need to tell me {Pinterest is the place for this at the moment} that they don’t think fat people should wear horizontal stripes. I’m all like, what the hell people, I look GREAT. Okay, so I’m not that brash about it, but you know what. Old school rules can suck it. Rock those stripes lady. Same goes for dots and patterns and floral and shiny metallic and sequins. Meh. Do what you want.

Top – ASOS Curve
Skirt – Virtu {2012 – gifted}
Shoes – Evans

{disclosure}

What’s your big fashion rebellion?