Easy Chicken and Vegetable Soup

With Winter seriously making its mark down here in Sydney, it's about that time where soup becomes a powerful elixir to warm the shivering shackles of our bones. One of my favourites, that I whip up and freeze in batches, is my Easy Chicken and Vegetable Soup.

It's so simple to make and is perfect to reheat with some crusty bread on a night when you can't be bothered to cook. It's also a great way to get your vegetable fix in; fantastic for the immune system! There are a few cheats in the preparation stages to make it really easy, so all of you cooking purists, look away now!

Easy Chicken and Vegetable Soup 
(6-8 serves)

Ingredients: 

3 carrots
2 large zucchinis
2 small potatoes
1 large handful of green beans
1 small capsicum
1 small (or 1/2 large) onion
1 clove of garlic
2 litres of water
1 tablespoon of olive oil
1 whole roast chicken, shredded (this the cheating bit)
1 1/2 packets of Continental Chicken Noodle Simmer Soup (this is the REALLY cheating bit)

Method:

1. Dice carrots, zucchini, potato, green beans and capsicum then set aside in a large bowl.
2. Finely chop garlic and onion and saute until soft in a tablespoon of olive oil.
3. Add all of the diced vegetables and stir together to sweat for about 2 minutes.
4. Add one litre of water and Chicken Noodle Simmer Soup. Bring to boil.
5. Turn down to simmer and add torn chicken and another litre of water.
6. Add second packet of Chicken Noodle Soup, turn to simmer.
7. Simmer for about 1-2 hours, adding hot water to create desired amount of broth.
8. Serve hot with crusty buttered bread, or ladle into portions and cool to freeze.

I choose to add in a little crushed chilli when adding the Chicken Noodle Mix just for a tiny kick, but this is dependent on tastes, it's also great without it! 

And that's it, tastes absolutely delicious and very convenient for those of you who lead busy lives! Do you have any delicious meals I should try? What's your go-to winter warmer dish?

Enjoy, Sarah x

Angus & Celeste: Hanging Gardens

Just recently The Finders Keepers threw their Autumn-Winter Indie Art and Design Market in Sydney, and oh boy were there some treats to be found! It was a packed out day showcasing some of Australia's best up-and-coming brands and designers; I found myself a bit in awe of the creative little people we've got on our fair shores.

Afterwards, (not having been able to spend as much time there as I would have liked) I jumped on The Finders Keepers website to check out some of the things I may have missed. It was there I came across these little hanging planter gems from Melbourne design duo Angus & Celeste!

Will you have a look at these fine things, I am particularly coveting the 'Billy Buttons' design for a hint of happy yellow! -

Aren't they fantastic?! The talented pair also create the whimsical little vases and clocks seen in the photos. All images were sourced from their website, which I would encourage you to check out and swoon over - Angus & Celeste. 

I hope you are all having a lovely weekend!

Sarah x

Vietnam and Thailand

After months of being back home, I have finally downloaded the photos of my trip to Vietnam and Thailand! It has only taken me about five months. Below are are some of my favourites from the trip:

Despite having been to Thailand before, I am always flawed by the simple beauty of places throughout Asia. The way the people in markets and the men fishing create images worthy of hung photographs just by... being. 

I was lucky enough to travel through Vietnam alone and found such joy every morning just sitting with an iced tea near the water, on chairs that threatened to fold over with one wrong move. The boats would pull in with hundreds of passegers and their bikes. The day would begin with organised commotion and colour. It was bliss being a witness to it all. 

Very soon I will be doing a post about the art and items I picked up from Vietnam, and how I used them to jazz up my apartment, so stay tuned. 

Is there anywhere or any moment in Vietnam that reminds you of these simple little pleasures? I'd love to hear your stories! 

Sarah x

P.S. Sorry about the image quality on some of the photos, I found myself hastily using the camera on my phone in moments I wanted to capture.

Emerald and May

A name change.

I want this blog to mean something to me, I also want to mean something to it. And so the name Emerald and May was the beginning of... something.

May - The Story:

My middle name is May, but that is not the beginning. My Nana was called May by everyone who knew her. Her real name was Mary but she didn't much care for that and so until the day she passed away, even in hospitals and nursing homes, the first order of business was ensuring all things name-like were changed to May.

Nothing else was acceptable, so May it was.

Then one day, on the 2nd of May, a little girl was born. Her parents called her Sarah May, after her strong willed Nana. And she was a May, through and through. Insistent, uncompromising and stubbornly Scottish. Yet she was born in a little town, on a farm, in New South Wales, Australia.

She loved that her middle name was May and that she was born in May.

Emerald - The Story:

This little girl, Sarah May, had green eyes, with yellow in them, but she liked to think they looked the colour of Emerald, especially when it rained.

Now Emerald was the colour of her birthstone and her favourite colour to boot. She would drape herself in Emerald velvet (much like George off Seinfeld) if she wouldn't be looked at quizzically everywhere she went.

Emerald is also 2013's colour (or so says Pantone) and that's the year this little blog came about.

So there is my Emerald and May, all wrapped up. I hope you'll join me on my adventures. Sarah x

Autumn's Blown In

After a seemingly never ending summer here in Sydney, Autumn has finally sprung its beautiful coloured head. I barely even noticed it arriving until I was walking on a blustery morning and all around me was orange, maroon and every shade of yellow this side of the (disappearing) sun.

I always find Autumn is the perfect time to 'nest' your home. It creates comfort, warmth and a respite from the increasing chill in the air and the winds that threaten to blow your hair into directions and styles only super glue could usually achieve.

At times like this I search for soft and abundant textures in rugs, pillows and throws; they add a cosiness to the everyday. It certainly helps that this is also preparation for the winter sneaking up just around the corner.

While traditionally the notion of these lovely, warm additions to the home are token creams, beiges and greys, this need not be the case. Geometric and jacquard designs using fluoros and bold hues still remain very much in vogue. As such there are numerous options when it comes to choosing soft furnishings that modernise and update the look of your home without making it seem... snow lodge (not that I have anything against a good snow lodge).

Check out some of these stunning throws and cushions that you can snuggle with in style:

When it comes to gorgeous cushions who can really go past Bonnie and Neil for a splash of colour, a textured print or just for a love of our national flora and fauna. The new range features vibrant designs in all shades. I'm lusting after these red and orange pillows above, for their hint of changing-leaf colour and their delightful fringing on the edges. But there are so many more, head over to Bonnie and Neil here to see for yourself.

Pendleton: Diamond Medallion Throw

Who can go past Pendleton for a classic throw rug... but wait a sec, they've seriously updated their look with the new range that's out now. I particularly love the Diamond Medallion Throw above which seems to bring together all of the colours of Autumn in one geometric beauty. To check out their full range head over at their website here.

If you're much like me and you also have a slight love affair with the fashion label Gorman, from Melbourne, then you will be thanking your lucky stars that this winter they have some of the MOST adorably colourful mohair throws just for you (and me and all other lovers of a great thing). You know I could just cut eye holes in the thing and wear them like that. New winter trend, ghost chic' - hello! Check them out online here or instore.

By Sol Maldonado on Etsy

Now if you're more of a DIY type and want to feel the accomplishment of curling up with a pillow you created all by yourself, then look at this little gem! Bang on trend with pattern and colour, this baby is the perfect Autumn project for those nights when you can't be bothered to rug up and go out. Another bonus is the tiny price tag, from just $7 you can by the pattern off creator Sol Maldonado on Etsy, have a look at this and her other sweet as pie designs here.

And here is just another pretty picture of some Autumn leaves... until next time. 

Six Tips for Studio Spaces

If you live in an inner city studio apartment, chances are you are facing a constant battle to achieve more space, or at least, the illusion of more space. With years worth of furniture, memories and bits and bobs collected from around the globe, this task is not an easy feat. 

Stephen Nicholls, property editor at smh.com.au, has noted the exponential growth and popularity of apartments, especially studios, as both investments and rentals. In his recent article here, he even acknowledges the reversing roles of apartments over houses.

 Image Source: French By Design 

With this in mind, there is a need for intuitive thinking and classic design tricks to turn your little spot of heaven into something that resembles… well, a much larger spot of heaven. Below are six tricks to turn your crowded abode into a calming respite. 

1. Let in the light! The curse of a studio can often be the limit of natural light. To step out of the darkness, apply blinds or curtains that have minimal blockage when they are open. 

2. Mirror, Mirror on the Wall. A tried and tested home decor trick to create more space is the addition of mirrors to accentuate and elongate any room. However, many get the scale wrong. The trick is to add in large, simple and expansive mirrors, rather than small and dainty ones that can often achieve the opposite affect. 

 Image Source: obaz.com 

                                   

3. Possession Purge! Be honest with yourself and throw out any unnecessary items or space stealing (but largely non-functional) furniture. A good tip is the One Year Test. If you haven’t used the item in over a year, chuck it. Come on, do you really need those lecture notebooks from your SCLG101 class 7 years ago? 

4. Organise and Order.  Find a place for EVERYTHING, and I mean every last safety pin and half empty hair spray bottle. When living in a small place, clutter and confusion results from items not having anywhere to ‘go back’ to. Ikea is renown for its space saving organisational designs. Measure your place up and go and grab some. 

5. Swipe the Surfaces. Have clean and uncluttered surfaces on your desks, sideboards and benches to help create the illusion of more space. Leave knick knacks to a minimum by using one or two bold and eye catching pieces. (Also note: in a studio, dust gathers quickly, less clutter equals easier cleaning, yes please!) 

6. Think Smart, Not Small. Today, just a quick search of ‘space saving furniture’ can reveal some truly innovative and functional designs. If you have limited space, try a sideboard that turns into a table, cushioned storage boxes that allow for extra seating or even get creative with how your bed can be transformed from day to night. Seriously, check out this couch-come- dining table below! 

 Image Source: zeutch.com

                       
Do you have any small studio tips for decorating? What is the best storage system you have managed to find? 

Sarah x

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Concrete Interiors

Lately I have been a little umm… obsessed. Obsessed with concrete. A very weird obsession. But if you want to get a little more specific, concrete interiors. 

There is something about interior concrete walls and floors that is so appealing to me. Maybe it’s in the ways that such a simple palate and neutrality can create such daring lines, angles and space. 

Image Source: design-milk.com

Industrial design has been going strong for a few years now, with harsh minimalist features it focuses on what’s not there rather than what is.  However, lately I’ve seen a surge in creating welcoming, rather than cold, minimalist design. 

What can I say, I like it. 

Vibrant colours, foliage and Scandinavian warmth in furniture and accessories are allowing concrete and neutral backdrops to do their thing, without the feeling of living in a factory. 

Design Milk showcased some of these beautiful interiors just the other day also with an emphasis on the warmer side of concrete. 

I’ve also noticed the growth of using comforting textures in rugs and soft furnishings to minimise the hard edges of rooms that use heavy materials. 

However of my biggest loves of the moment and a way to mix in these different textures is mixing neon and concrete, yep… neon! It adds a really playful vibe to mixtures of grey and also allows a fun warmth into any industrial design. To slowly move into neon, try adding one of these two sided screen printed cushions from The Print Society .

Image Source: ThePrintSociety.com.au

Some of you may be letting out some heavy sigh’s right about now. Yes, you love concrete, yes, you even love neon, and yes, you want to hug them when they’re together but this concrete caper comes with a huge price tag!

Never fear! The look of minimalist design and materials can be achieved on a small scale and a small budget! Hallelujah!

In a non-cluttered and neutral room, preferably of grey’s and white’s, simply accessorise with bold pieces in concrete and add splashes of neon. The key here is to not over clutter and let the pieces speak for themselves. 

Something as simple as a few of these nifty little planter’s from Dachshund in the Desert on Etsy can create the look you’re after. 

Image Source: Dachshund in the Desert on Etsy.com

What's your interiors obsession of the moment? Do you have any tricks or products for decorating with concrete? 

Sarah x