Little Raven’s World


A Day at Work
November 12, 2009, 10:15 am
Filed under: Vintage Fashion | Tags: , , , , ,

Now we all must work in some way or another, though i suppose there are some people who do not NEED to work, but never-the-less i still think we all do things that are ‘work’. My ‘work’ is, for the most part, fairly enjoyable. Having worked briefly in a shoe store which was horrible, I appreciate my workplace(s). I waitress, but that is not usually a photogenic activity, thus what follows are a couple of pictures of me in my wonderful newvintage romper/playsuit from  the gorgeous girls at Rockpaper Vintage, check out their things they come highly reccommended!! ( http://myworld.ebay.com.au/rock.paper.vintage/ )

On the way to work

On the way to work

Marie Antoinette chairs

I love these chairs, the colour and style reminds me of Marie Antoinette, and since they are antique French ones I don't think i'm far wrong...

The Fence Sitter

The Fence Sitter



Tax Time Cupcakes
November 11, 2009, 6:30 am
Filed under: Handmade & Craft | Tags: , , , , ,

A friend of mine helped me do my tax return, and as payment I made him a batch of cupcakes. (Recipe is Below!) They are simple chocolate cupcakes with chocolate mousse hidden inside, whipped cream on top and then gingerbread angels on top!

Gingerbread Angel

Gingerbread Angel

Many Gingerbread Angels

Many Gingerbread Angels

Strawberry Angels

Strawberry Angels?

Recipe:

Simplicity Chocolate cake
These amounts make about 14 cupcakes or 1 cake, but i doubled it and made 28 cupcakes
This recipe has NEVER failed as far as i know, it was the ’specialty’ of my next-door neighbour when i was a child, and she shared it with me before we moved house.

Ingredients:
3 Tablespoons of melted butter
2 Tablespoons of cocoa powder
1 Cup Self Raising flour (or one cup of plain and a teaspoon of baking soda, whichever you like)
1/2 a teaspoon of Vanilla essence
1 Cup Sugar (I always use caster sugar because it is very fine)
1/2 Cup of milk
2 eggs

Method:
Pre-heat the oven to 180-200 degrees C (Moderate heat).
Melt the butter (in a saucepan or the microwave). While it is melting place all the other ingredients into a large bowl. Add the butter when it is melted.
Using an electric mixer,  beat all ingredients on high for 3 minutes or until the mixture is smooth.
Spoon into cupcake pans.
Cooking time depends on the size of the cake/cupcakes but is usually 10 to 15 mins.

HOW EASY IS THAT?!

For the ‘Angel’ tops this is what i used…..

King Island Dairy ‘Creme Dessert’ Belgian Chocolate flavour (You c0uld use any type of chocolate mousse)

‘Queen’ Vanilla Bean dusting sugar (You could use normal icing/confectioners sugar)

Mini gingerbread men (From my local bakery- shhh secret)

Thickened cream
1 Tablespoon of Sugar
1 Teaspoon of Vanilla essence

Method:

When the cupcakes have completely cooled (don’t rush into it because you will burn your finger and make a mess! :P ) using a sharp, narrow knife cut circles in the top of each cupcake, angling the point of the knife in towards the centre so that when you complete the circle you will be able to remove a piece of the cupcake. Cut each of those piece in half, these will be your ‘wings’.
Spoon a small amount of chocolate mousse into the center of each cupcake.
With an electric mixer whip the cream, sugar and vanilla.
Spoon a generous amount of cream onto each cupcake, covering the mousse (its heaps of fun to see peoples surprise when the bite into the chocolate!), then arrange the ‘wings’ and the gingerbread men (or strawberries).
Finally dust with some sugar et voila! You have gingerbread-men cupcakes!



Spring Cleaning with Enthusiasm!
November 6, 2009, 3:38 am
Filed under: art | Tags: , , , , , , , ,

So today is so lovely! Bright sunshine, nothing could be better than to NOT write an essay and instead clean out my room!

My room is a reflection of me, i think everyone surrounds themselves with the things they love, some people don’t like a LOT of things… I am not one of those people. I collect, and i treasure all the little (and big) things in my room, and I love the way all the things mix together. The pictures speak for themselves, I have French antiques, modern things, Japanese things, broken things and shiny new things what brings them together is that they are all things i love!~~
Enjoy.



Melbourne Cup- Fashion Faux Pas or Fabulous
November 4, 2009, 12:51 am
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: , , ,

Melbourne Cup 2009, you surprised me, amazed me and of course shocked me. Thousands of people dressed in (what they believe) is their finest, who am i to judge? Love them, hate them, one true thing which can be said is that they are all unique…

Lime Green should Never be Seen



Time For Climate Justice
October 17, 2009, 1:57 am
Filed under: Sustainability | Tags: , , , , ,

http://www.timeforclimatejustice.org/

I came across this today, not only is it a song i have loved ( <3 Midnight Oil) but this version is amazing, it inspired me.
I sent the link in a text message to many of my friends, and I hope anyone who reads this will share it on facebook, and talk about it with all the people they know. Copenhagen is going to be the ‘make or break’ moment for climate change action, and if we all add our voices we will be heard.

So visit http://www.timeforclimatejustice.org/ download the song, watch it on youtube, upload your ‘tck’ or your photos to the website and make a difference.

xoxo



Embrace the Seasons, Live in the sunshine!
October 11, 2009, 5:46 am
Filed under: Pets, Sustainability, Vintage Fashion | Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Spring is in the air, I love it. It is so inspiring and uplifting. The latest phrase going around is ‘Shop you wardrobe’ instead of buying new things in the GFC your should re-use things you have. I love this idea, not just because it saves money when times are tough, but simply because i just can’t stand to see things wasted! Thus today’s outfit was born for a lovely afternoon tea with my best-friend K.

'Fresh as a Spring Daisy' as my grandma would say

'Fresh as a Spring Daisy' as my grandma would say

I was not the only one to be rejecting technology today.  Shunning the heater and piles of blankets, turning up her nose at the laptop she loves to watch, was my lovely kitty Abby.

What could be more wonderful than to appreciate the weather!

Abby love Spring sunshine too

Abby loves Spring sunshine too



The power of images
September 22, 2009, 4:02 am
Filed under: Sustainability, art | Tags: , , , , ,

New book of knowledge

tree

For me these images are so emotionally powerful, they really resonate. I think everyone would take something different from them and their story.

View the whole collection here http://www.flickr.com/photos/sweetjuniper/sets/72157603302647339/

And read the story here http://www.sweet-juniper.com/2008/04/knowledge-of-what-happened-and-what.html

Thankyou to Darling Darling for featuring them, so that I could find them.

http://recycleddarling.blogspot.com/



Little Raven’s Etsy Store is Open!
September 21, 2009, 11:17 am
Filed under: Handmade & Craft, Vintage Fashion | Tags: , , , , , ,
Welcome to Little Raven's World

Welcome to Little Raven's World

I have taken the plunge! Yesterday  I opened my very own etsy store.

So far there only a couple of items up there, some of my vintage inspired artworks and a pair of GORGEOUS vintage leather shoes.

Tri-Tone Leather Pumps

Tri-Tone Leather Pumps

I have many MANY gorgeous vintage clothes to share with everyone, hopefully I will be able to list them in the next week or so, depends on the decidedly NON-fun burden of uni assignments and exams.

If you are looking for something in particular let me know and I will keep an eye out for you, or if you would like some sort of art-work for your walls I am more than happy to create something personal.

Spreading my wings,
Little Raven



My Green Bottle & Stripe Dress!

My Green Bottle and Stripe Dress

My Green Bottle and Stripe Dress

Today I have a gorgeous new vintage dress from leasvintage.etsy.com (again! I love her etsy store!!)

I also have ‘My Green Bottle’ www.mygreenbottle.com.au
I received mine for free when making a presentation about Fair Trade at a high school a couple of weeks ago. To receive it I had to make the pledge not to buy any bottled water, because of the HUGE amount of resources that uses and how wasteful it is, not to mention the health risks associated with chemicals in cheap plastic bottles.

I must admit since then i HAVE bought one bottle of water, at the cinemas :( but considering I used to buy 2 or 3 bottles PER WEEK, i think 1 in a month is a pretty remarkable reduction.

The most awesome thing is how EASY and how much CHEAPER it is not to mention everyone comments on my stylish bottle! I was spending about $6 or more a week on water when the same amount from my tap costs a few cents!

There are so many great re-usable bottles out there, the aluminum ones are probably the best:
For more info: http://www.thegoodhuman.com/2008/03/17/choosing-a-safe-reusable-water-bottle/

You can buy some great bottles at these places:

http://www.reusablebags.com/store/reusable-bottles-c-19.html

http://mysigg.com/

http://www.ecobags.com/Brands/EcoUsable-Reusable-Bottle

So get shopping and saving money and the planet!
xoxo



Women’s Climate Change Action
September 9, 2009, 11:55 am
Filed under: Sustainability | Tags: , , , , , ,

About a month ago i found this website http://www.1millionwomen.com.au

Dedicated to helping Australian women make little changes in their lives that will have a BIG impact on our planet and ultimately on our lifestyles. When i signed up i chose a few tasks that i wanted to focus on which gave me a ‘pledged target’ that you can see below. Today I updated my progress and you can see i have made a small saving already.

There is some amazing and truly inspiring things on that website and i urge anyone who reads this to get involved! Already 8410 women have signed up and taken the pledge, because every little difference is a little step towards a more sustainable future.

64kg

YOUR CO2 SAVING TO DATE

3,505kg

YOUR PLEDGED TARGET