Dearest Reader,

In an exhilarating whirlwind of delightful reunions, retail therapy, ridiculous sleeping patterns, and plenty of good food... For many of us, our beloved midyear hiatus has come to an end. Of course, it is of great importance that the final week of any sort of break must be filled with as much merriment as one can contain in 168 hours. Yes, every hour counts, doesn't it? As for me, I must say... This has certainly been an exceptionally pleasant week! Here are just a couple of things I decided to shake up in my cocktail of bliss before returning to the monotony of university life...

Good food and good company... Two very important yet simple joys in life. So off to Newtown I went, with Mr Biffle, to have a very lovely lunch at the one and only Luxe cafe & bakery. Their pea fritter is to die for. Trust me, I have ordered it every single time without fail!

As much as I enjoy strolling through the city, sometimes a lazy day at home can be just as enjoyable. On a cold winter's day, how can one say no to snuggling up in bed with some good old chick flicks? Confessions of a Shopaholic. How appropriate for such an occasion! 'If a man doesn't fit, you can't exchange him seven days later for a gorgeous cashmere sweater...'

Don't fret, dearest reader... I made sure that I switched off those chick flicks before my IQ was completely diminished. Later that night I had the great joy of being reunited with ten highly independently minded young women - my fellow high school prefects. A metre long pizza followed by a churros fiesta was definitely worthy of such an event!

This week also came with the very much anticipated return of a loved one bearing a rather special gift. For those of you who don't know, I am in fact Vietnamese. I do believe that it is truly important to value and take pride in your heritage. This silk hand embroidered clutch was a beautiful souvenir from Vietnam - a little reminder of the vibrant and tropical country my parents grew up in.

Oh and of course I had to visit all of my favourite places one last time before diving into the workload of semester two. Tasting nougat under chandeliers at Bon Bon? Yes, please!

Now can I just say... Mellow burgundy and navy blue tones may be very winter appropriate but rules are meant to be broken. Adding a splash of yellow and emerald green here and there on a winter's day, certainly lifts my spirits!

Though I do enjoy shopping with friends and family, most of the time I prefer to stroll past the gleaming windows and poised mannequins alone. Call me antisocial, but I find it quite therapeutical to absorb the decadent elements of the my city when solo... (sometimes with the company of a dark mocha frappuccino from Starbucks?)

Though the thought of early mornings rushing out the door and late nights cramming, may seem somewhat bitter... Try to think of this as a fresh start filled with plenty of opportunities to better ourselves and work towards higher goals. I will certainly continue to post regularly and I do hope that this blog brings a little joy to your day! Thank you so much for the wonderful support and kind words since I started Coffee with Julie T. It means more than I can say to know that my humble collection of musings have been so appreciated. As another semester dawns, I'd just like to wish you the very best! 

Love,

Julie T.

WINTER WARMERS: GOLDEN POPCORN

Eating is an exceptionally sensual experience. To best explain this concept to you, today we shall be making then devouring one of my favourite winter nibbles: golden popcorn. There's something so comforting about this winter warmer, even before your taste buds are kissed by the sweet golden glaze. It's the burst of sizzling as the cool butter touches the pan, the gentle bubbling of the golden syrup, the warm and luscious aroma of caramel that just dances around your kitchen for hours. 

So if you're craving something sweet, put down that chocolate bar and read on... At just a fraction of the calories, your golden popcorn is only five minutes away!

Preparation Time - 2 mins
Cooking Time - 3 mins 

Serves 2-3

Ingredients
1½ cups Puffed corn (lightly toasted)
½ Tbsp butter (preferably light)
1 Tbsp golden syrup 

Toasting Puffed Corn.
Heat up a medium sized pan on high heat, then lightly toast puffed corn for a minute (give the pan a bit of a shake every 10-20 seconds to ensure that the puffed corn is evenly toasted). Transfer onto a lined tray.

1. Wipe pan to remove any crumbs and return to stove on medium heat. Melt butter on hot pan. 

2. Add golden syrup. 

3. Once the butter and golden syrup begin to combine and bubble, reduce heat and add puffed corn.

4. Stir occasionally for an even glaze. Transfer onto lined tray once puffed corn is evenly coated and golden. Allow to cool slightly before devouring! 

If you're wondering what on earth these little round balls are, they are in fact 'puffed' corn. Puffed corn (as well as other various puffed cereals) have always been a pantry staple for me, because they're so great to nibble on when you're feeling peckish - especially as a healthy midnight snack during exam season! I always use the organic range from Abundant Earth, which you should be able to find in the health food aisle at Woolworths. Oh and they're only 54 calories a serve... Brilliant.

Happy munching!

Julie T.

Dearest Reader,

How are you? Good or bad? Comme ci, comme ça? I do hope this post finds you well!
However in the world bloggers and blog readers... I always seem to find that this blogging experience is more enjoyable when those on either side of this screen are able to interact on a more personal level. I'm afraid, I'm not quite ready to share your toothbrush (perhaps I shall never be, not to mention that is awfully unhygienic) but I would love to, instead, share my day to day experiences with you.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words and I couldn't agree more. Call me slow, but I have been recently blessed by the wonderful world of Instagram! So I've decided to write you a little letter at the end of each week based on my Instagram adventures. Shall we begin?

Yes. My week began with a bubble bath. I do believe that becoming extra lazy to make up for the torment of Semester 1, has caused my days to merge into one very long day dream. So why not embrace the situation and fix yourself up with a lovely bubble bath. How peachy! (Pun intended...)

Strolling down the balconies of The Strand Arcade, I always feel so very much like Miss Holly Golightly. There is something so magical about this elegantly opulent building and it's beautiful little shops. Each and every time I go on a little shopping expedition to the city, I can't help bit pay a visit to this little piece heaven. 

When we seek a getaway, most of us will think of Hawaiian beaches and little umbrellas shading the contents of a crystal cocktail glasses... As lovely as that sounds, I prefer to find beauty in the places close to home or in this case in my second home! That is, Pitt St. 

And why not make a toast to a brilliant day of fine (and hopefully well considered!) purchases? On this particular day, I decided to visit the new T2B tea bar in Westfield Sydney. Forget Starbucks or juice bars, and pick up a fruity slush tea with popping apple juice bubbles... Beverage innovation at its finest!

You know what else makes shopping so thrilling? Trying on ridiculously extravagant pieces. I've never been one to prance about in neon yellow, but come on... After the mannequin in the window waved me in with this flamboyant maxi, I couldn't help but skip into the store and have a go! As the shop assistant happily handed me a gold buckled statement belt (cause bother with subtleties now?), she couldn't help but laugh. I was the sixth customer that day who had been lured in by the same mannequin in the window!

Now here's one for those sweet toothed readers and indulgent souls... Let us bask in the beauty of the Ladurée window. Need I say more? (Oh except, please try not to salivate on your keyboards!)

Hope you enjoyed my very first 'Dearest Reader' post! And for those of you who are wondering you can find my little abode in the world of Instagram by clicking right here!

Love,

Julie T.

WINTER WARMERS: ROASTED CHESTNUTS

As we dive into the dark depths of winter, we tend to take with us plenty of sweet and fattening edibles. Then in the wake of summer, in the harsh and unforgiving sunlight, we face the shocking repercussions of our winter gluttony...

My dearest readers, it does not have to be this way! I have come up with some simple winter warmers that are nutritious and most of all: delicious. Brace yourself for what I am about to say but... Comfort food can be healthy. I have decided to begin our nutritious quest for heart warming winter delights with the magnificent chestnut:

There's something so beautiful about these nuts, with their dark woody shells which break open to reveal a soft and sweet content. When choosing chestnuts, make sure the shell is firm and free from blemishes. I do confess that I love a freshly baked muffin, but I find that a bowl of roasted chestnuts is just as, if not more satisfying (I do believe it's the lack of guilt that makes food taste better). Even before they are cooked your kitchen (and the rest of your house!) will be filled with this heavenly nutty aroma that almost defies the laws of physics - I swear on my beloved blog, they smell 'warm'...

Roasting Chestnuts

Step 1. Preheat your oven to 180°C. Begin by giving them a quick rinse, then pat dry with a tea towel. 

Step 2. With a serrated knife, carefully cut a horizontal and vertical slit onto each nut. This prevents excess pressure from building up under the shell during the cooking process. (I shall not be held accountable for any exploding chestnuts!) Transfer onto a tray lined with baking paper, cut side up.

Step 3. Place tray into preheated oven and roast for approximately 20 minutes. You will notice the shell peeling back as they cook!

Step 4. Remove from oven and allow to cool for a few minutes. (Though this wait may be difficult with the mouth-watering aromas filling your kitchen, I wouldn't want you to burn your fingers!)

Step 5. When cool enough to touch (but still nice and warm!) peel back the shell and enjoy!

Now that you're happily munching on your chestnuts, I thought I might add to your joy by informing you that these nuts are in fact low fat, gluten and cholesterol free. There're also a great source of iron and potassium! See I told you comfort food can be healthy.

Happy roasting!

Julie T.

BUTTER ME UP!

‘Wouldn’t it be nice if the world was Cadbury…’ The melody dances through my mind whilst the smell of cocoa tickles my nose. Though it could be quite entertaining to smear chocolate all over oneself, I do believe that cocoa butter makes much less of a mess and just so happens to be rather moisturising too...

Winter has come for us Southern Hemispherians, and finding the perfect moisturiser to prevent that dull and rough winter skin is vital. My all time favourite is definitely Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula. Feeling it melt into your skin is just the most satisfying feeling. With added vitamin E, it also helps with scars or blemishes. Don’t forget to moisturise after you come out of the shower, when your skin can best absorb the lotion! I usually have one in the bathroom and another by my bedside table. So alternatively, one could apply the cocoa goodness before bed for supple skin and very sweet dreams.

Butter up!

Julie T.