homemade: almond milk.

ice, cold almond milk is so refreshing and delicious. we make a litre every three days around here, so i thought that made us some sort of experts and that i should share with you how to make your own perfect drop.

what you need:
1 cup almonds
3 cups water
2-3 dates

what to do:
soak your almonds in enough water to cover them overnight.
drain this water and add fresh water to soak them again.
drain again after they have soaked and put almonds into blender.
add 3 cups fresh water and 2-3 dates for sweetness; blend.
once blended into a pulp, strain through a piece of muslin into a pot or bowl.
once thoroughly strained, refrigerate.

that's it!  *you could then save the almond meal to use as a flour substitute, but we have not had as much luck with this.

for some reason, i just love how we hang out the muslin on the back of the chair afterwards to dry. it reminds me of something my little grandma would have done.

i heart hong kong.2.

more from that vibrant city; check out the colours of the bustling streets. this place was everything i wanted it to be and so much more. i want to go back for a jade bracelet and the bok choy in garlic. oh, and the mango tapioca drink you can get from a street vendor- yum!

 

i heart marrakech.

On my recent around the world trip that took me to Canada, France, Spain, Morocco and Hong Kong; Morocco was expected to be the most stand-out adventure- and it was.  Everything you've ever seen in a photo of Morocco or what these photos suggest, is exactly what you get when you are there.  It's incredible!  The colours, the smiling faces, the achingly beautiful wares-silver, textiles, ceramics, leatherworks-the food, the architecture (!!!) complete with every finishing touch you can imagine down to the last tile, to a gold hand-shaped knocker on a door or a fresh rose accent in a vase.  

The main square in Marrakech on day one was rather overwhelming for me, but it is safe and exciting and has been around for almost 1000 years!  All around you there are snake charmers, donkeys, motorbikes, horse and carriages, musicians, stand upon stand of fresh squeezed orange juice & moroccan mint tea (yum) and my favourite- a man with a school sized little desk, selling a collection of single teeth and full dentures under a big umbrella.  

When you step into your Riad it is as if you are stepping into a sanctuary from the crazy streets of the Medina.  The service for my entire stay was second to none, but not over the top; you feel right at home right away.  

We also ventured into the desert for 3 days...I could not go to Africa without riding a camel in the Sahara!  The long drive there which we were semi-dreading turned out to be the best part of the whole desert trip.  The landscape was constantly changing and like nothing I had ever seen before.  First there would be Berber villages built right into the mountains, then you'd come across kasbahs (castles) that look like actual life-sized sandcastles, then a tiny town that looks as if it were a hollywood set built specifically for a spaghetti western- and it probably was.  The changing colours of the earth from light sand, to rosy-hued, to deep red informed the colours of the town with all the homes being built mostly with mud and hay; so stunning.  Along the way you would see the women working the land, men shepherding sheep and proper nomad families on the move with their camels, donkeys and chickens.  The Sahara did not disappoint- it's just like in the cartoons!  We trekked for one hour into the dunes where there was a camp set up, rectangular style tents draped in Moroccan rugs and Handira (wedding blankets)- ridiculous!  The guide makes you a beautiful feast in the make-shift camp kitchen, plays some drums and then we got set up on cots with fresh sheets to sleep under the stars.  This was a highlight, just little you with the one you love in the big wide open and the brightest night sky above you- I saw at least ten shooting stars! *photos of saharan adventure to come.

Then back to Marrakech for a delectable hammam and feeling more comfortable cruising the streets in search of more allure and delicious food (it's easy). I'm ready to go back!

here are a few images to give you an idea of marrakech's colours, richness and vitality. my story was beautifully shared here with more photos too.

*these just happen to be the gopro version of events. more to follow :)

tie a string around your finger...

don't forget the favourite things markets this saturday (tomorrow) at the beach road hotel, bondi. hope to see you there!!

little nicki

instalo.ve.11.

delicious beverage you don't often find down under:

gifted from the one and only renee anne; it's a top from the eames museum:

i'm with the band:

all dressed up in my new favourite crushed velvet & silk kimono for a wedding last weekend. the clincher is my massive top bun; so proud:

my lyrical class is leaving me battered and bruised. and i like it:

multi-tasking. mid-week natural fabric dyeing/scrumptious lunch- hot,  buttered beets:

beach bunnies. we're not in sydney anymore here:

i was expecting more hippies in the much hyped byron bay, but i did go to the crystal shop (!) and see this handiwork on the beach:

my wrist candy, spyin' up the coast:

feeling fruity.

i've been noticing lots of fruit inspired things (for lack of a better word...sorry!) around town lately.

my mom just scored these vintage fruity garden party lights on eBay today:

i noticed these shoes while on my online shopping frenzy this week (not really my bowl of fruit, but they are cute):

nasty gal

i think i'd like to try making this beauty of a cake today (yum!):

apollinas

annnndddd...my best friend is the watermelon is this kooky fruity ukuladies band:

fiesta, fiesta.

had dinner at el taco loco on saturday night to meet up with our newly engaged friends (and for me to check out Sibella's latest handy-work). my camera is not the best at night and i refuse to use a flash...so here's the best i could capture with it.
p.s. the tacos were delicioso! and the pink grapefuit, ginger frozen margaritas-que rico!