VALENTINES DAY....AKA 'SINGLES AWARENESS DAY'
The 5 Top Valentines Survival Tips for Singles
When I was single, I used to hate Valentines Day so much, that I would call it 'Singles Awareness Day'....why?...because if you're single and its Valentines Day, you are REALLY aware of being single! It can be a bit of a downer seeing all those red roses flying about the place....couples off for dinner together.
And so, if you're single Valentines Day doesn't have to be a day filled with envy and loneliness...instead it can be fun.
Here's my top 5 tips for making Valentines Day special for singles.
1. Remind a friend that they are loved. There's no better way to get yourself out of the Valentines Day blues than to make a friend feel special. Make a phone call....say hi...there's always someone who has the blues, especially on the day of 'love'...bake them a cake or if youre like me..buy one!...share it together over a coffee, or glass of bubbles!
2. Send yourself some flowers....only you know the flowers that you love the best. Put them next to your bed at home...or in the bathroom! Brighten up your day...you deserve it.
3. Love the past. When you get home on Thursday night, pop your feet up, pour a glass of bubbles and raise your glass to the past...reflect on all the positive experiences that have shaped your past. Smile, be positive and look forward to more great things!
4. Love yourself! Pamper....ah, the home pamper...lunch time on Thursday, grab your favourite hair treatment, select a new nail colour, face mask, essential oil blend...all the things that make you feel pampered so when you get home youre ready to indulge. Relax, pamper and give yourself the time and attention that you deserve.
5. Share the love...invite your single friends over. Ask everyone to bring their favourite food....put it all out to share....be sure to have some bubbles handy too. Laugh, keep it light and enjoy the love and fun that only friendship can bring!
HAPPY SINGLES AWARENESS DAY!
____________________________________________________________
'BLOOM-FREE' GIFT GIVING
Looking for something completely different and unique for your Valentine this year?
Most usually wouldn't equate romantic gift giving with horses, Deborah Harry or ornate French Candlesticks...but hey...we never have actually thought inside the square, and understanding the frustration of trying to dazzle your loved one with a box of chocolates or the usual red roses....well, it can all be a bit blahhhhhh.... So, here's some Valentines Day gift giving ideas for those of you who really want to ramp things up in the love department.
Lovers of Blondie or Deborah Harry will love this personally signed print by the artist Emma Sheldrake....only one in stock.
These French inspired ornate antique gold Candlesticks in 2 sizes are the epitomy of romance and style....I know what I would be asking for if I had the choice between these and roses....?
Create romantic mood on the night and forever with these large glass lanterns which look stunning on a table, bathroom...or wherever you want to keep the light soft and romantic. And if it's candles you want to give, we also have a large range of silver candle holders, perfect for the smaller spaces.
Well thought out gifts are always appreciated and equine lovers will adore our range of carved horses. We have one antique horse left and other styles available.
Pop into the showroom at 59 Doggett St. Newstead before Thursday. We will be happy to show you all the gift ideas we have ready for immediate purchase.
___________________________________________
WHAT'S NEW?
We couldn't find Jen for a meeting this week....guess where we found her? Possibly the most comfortable day bed ever and gives a wonderfully elegant spin on the standard boring old 'bali style' day bed.
Our antique, intrically hand carved Indian doors are huge! Come and check them out....they're magestically placed behind Caths desk...trust me..you wont miss them!
Carved wooden boot moulds.
Our old wooden Antique pillars have beautiful hand carved detailing.
Now available in a range of sizes and timber colours, our wooden busts are perfect for that space that needs something a little different.
www.charcoalinteriors.com.au
___________________________________________
OUT AND ABOUT
The Gasworks end of Doggett St, is changing at a rate of knots...one minute the bridesmaid to James Street and quickly becoming the Belle of the Ball...we are now a very vibrant and happening 'place to be'.
We are excited about new kid on the block, Locale/Kitchen Angel which has just opened up on the corner of Doggett and Commercial Road...its a hop, skip and a jump from Charcoal Interiors.
We have a new kitchen going into the showroom (see below) and havent been able to make a coffee or lunch....soooo its been a good opportunity to try out the fare from Locale.
Laura and Mario Cali not only have a buzzing cafe (Locale) sating the locals with Di Bella coffee, assorted Paninis, cakes, biscuits and loads more, they also have a thriving business within a business, being Kitchen Angel. Like me and really, really bad at baking?...cant be bothered with all the preparations but still wanting to dazzle your friends?...then Kitchen Angel is your new best friend.
Designed to save you time whilst using the best ingredients and following traditional Italian recipes Kitchen Angel allows you to produce quality desserts with limited effort...everything you need to create divine delicacies at home...and all are preservative, gluten and dairy free!
Well worth the sticky beak and offering you quality, traditional fare and service, we give these guys the big thumbs up and feel lucky to have them so close to the showroom...not only for our own selfish reasons but for our clients too.
3/50 Commercial Road.
________________________________________________________
...NEW KITCHEN...
Not super exciting now...but wait til next week when its all in!
Stay tuned and watch this space for all the details....you can have one just like it!
______________________________________________________________________
GRAB YOUR PARTNERS...ROUND AND ROUND...IT'S COCKTAIL FRIDAY!
LET'S INDULGE IN A POMEGRANATE MARGARITA...OR 2!?
It's not surprising that many bartenders have claimed they created the Margarita, one of the worlds most famous cocktails. Carlos Herrera's case is certainly of of the the most colourful. In the late 1930's American showgirl Marjorie King was a regular customer at Herrera's Bar in Mexico. Marjorie was allergic to all spirits apart from tequila, and because she refused to drink it straight, Danny struggled to serve her. One night he came up with the idea of blending tequila and Cointreau with fresh lime juice and crushed ice, a concoction he dubbed "Margarita", the Mexican version of Marjorie!
WHAT YOU NEED....
120ml pomegranate juice
Splash of Grenadine for added colour (optional)
28ml freshly squeezed lime juice, plus extra for dipping
Fine or coarse sea salt
14ml Triple Sec
28ml Tequila
Pomegranate seeds
WHAT TO DO...
Pour the pomegranate juice (and Grenadine if using) into a shallow container and freeze until ice crystals form. Dip the rim of a cocktail glass in lime juice and then into salt until it is evenly coated. Break up the frozen pomegranate juice until it is slushy. Place in a cocktail shaker with 28ml lime juice, the Triple Sec and tequila. Shake vigorously and strain into the glass. Float a few pomegranate seeds in a drink and serve.
Voila!....enjoy and sip slowly whilst watching Django when it comes out on dvd!
________________________________________________________________________
VALENTINES DAY
credit Kevin H via flickr
THE FOOD OF LERRRRV.......AND MOST POSSIBLY THE EASIEST 'RECIPE' WE HAVE EVER POSTED!
OK, I'm speaking to the ladies here...is it not enough that we look fabulous on Valentines Day, let alone have to come up with something amazing for dessert?...Hello...we should be dessert enough! But, I suppose as a pleasant prequel to all things promising, it is nice to have a dessert to finish things off...or start things up perhaps? Oh that's enough!...
And, so here's possibly the easiest dessert ever....other than plopping a scoop of icecream in a bowl...but thats not very romantic is it?
WHAT YOU NEED...
A punnet of fresh strawberries.
Dark Chocolate for melting
Wooden Skewers
WHAT TO DO...
Wash the strawberries. Skewer them in groups of 4 to 5.
Melt your chocolate...I do mine in the microwave...just be sure to keep an eye on it.
Drizzle the melted chocolate over the strawberries, holding them up vertically so the chocolate cascades down.
Variations: Roll in crushed nuts like pistachio after you've drizzled with chocolate.
Credit via -mrsraggle- flickr
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
We look forward to seeing in the showroom soon!
Until next week...Love, Light and Laughter!
