DESK PICNIC

Today I decided to have a picnic at my desk at work. If it seems like all I do is have picnics, well, that's because that is an accurate reflection of my life. It consisted of: rice cakes with bean hummus, ricotta and salad; and apple slices with blue cheese. I feel sorry for my coworkers who would have had to put up with the stench of my blue cheese. 

        

A WINTER PICNIC GUIDE

Image from We Heart It.

Image from Tumblr.

Picnics are the awesomest thing ever, but they are usually relegated to the warmer months. Here in Australia, though, it never gets too cold (although this Winter is shaping up to be a real killer), so I don't see why the picnics can't continue. In fact, I think they can be made even more fun and way more romantic, with plenty of blankets, cushions, cuddling and hot chocolate. If it rains, fort up! Maybe use some tarp or plastic sheeting over the blankets to waterproof?

one || Hurricane Candle Warmer Lantern // for cold nights you're going to need to keep warm, and a fire isn't really an option most of the time, unless you are in an actual wood or something. But that sounds scary, I never venture very far for my picnics. Most of the time Rob and I have picnics in the park either across from his house, or up the street a little. Sometimes, if we're feeling adventurous, we'll venture down to the wharf. 

two || Organic Cotton Knit Blanket // the best thing about Winter picnics is the opportunity to snuggle up together under a warm knit blanket. 

three || Isabela Picnic Basket // I love my basket, but there are plenty of other cute ones around the interwebs. I think that a picnic basket is a great thing to invest in, since you can pretty much keep it forever. 

fo||ur || God is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens and The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins // picnics don't just have to be about eating, they can be for reading as well! Rob and I are both outspoken atheists and we like to read up on our atheist literature. 

five || Picnic Blanket // a proper picnic blanket is especially important for a Winter picnic, because   they have a plasticky side, in case the ground is wet. 

six || Grey Thermos // it's Winter, and you'll probably want to eat warm things, so a thermos is your best friend. Have one for soup and one for hot chocolate. 

seven || UGG boots // yes, I know they're ugly, but they are so freaking warm. I am planning on getting a pair on sale tomorrow, but I don't think I would pay full price for UGG boots, they're usually more expensive than other brand boots of the same (or better) quality. They're basically asking you to pay a premium on ugly.

eight || Donna Wilson Cloud Cushion // to add to the warm, cuddly atmosphere, bring along some cushions and pillows to sit on. 

nine || Mason Jars // for everything - holding tea light candles; drinking hot chocolate out of; or collecting flowers or leaves. 

Images from One for the table, and A food lover's journey.

What to eat at your Winter picnic ||


❄ Cheese: brie, brie, brie. Brie is the most deliciousest thing in the world. Other cheeses are good too: Camembert, Stilton, Chevre... Summer or Winter, your picnic must have cheese. Unless you are lactose intolerant, or a vegan. But if you just don't like cheese, then you're dead to me.

❄ Crusty bread: baguette or sourdough, you must have crusty bread for your delicious creamy cheese. Crap, I really want cheese right now. Other things to have with your bread: home-made pesto, guacamole, or jam and butter.

❄ Soup: to warm you up. For a Summer picnic I would recommend watermelon, but a Winter picnic needs soup. Pumpkin, spinach, or my favourite, leek.

❄ Berries: you'll probably want some fresh fruit to cut through all that creamy, rich stuff above. Berries are the most wintery of fruits. They're also pretty, delicious and will go well with your...

❄ Hot chocolate: the first thing that comes to mind when I think Winter picnic. Buy or make hot chocolate kits in jars (which also make awesome gifts) and bring boiling water in a thermos.

Image from Creative Organising.

If you are in the southern hemisphere right now, or live in a particularly chilly area in the northern hemisphere, then I wish you many lovely cold-weather picnics to come.

CHIPSTAGRAM: VIVID EDITION

I got a new phone! The Samsung Galaxy Note, yes, it's GINORMOUS. When I was talking to a sales rep on the phone, he asked me why I wanted this device, and I was like "um, because it's huge?" He said that was fair enough, although I could tell he thought I was a weirdo. Anyway, it's very exciting because I am finally free of Apple's evil grip. I'm not the kind of person who constantly wants to get a new phone and with my iphone people were always surprised that I had such an "old" model - but it was less than 3 years old! I had my old Sony Ericsson brick for at least 5 years and it was still going strong until it was smashed with a hammer. I plan to keep this phone until it falls apart.



Thank Cthulu, Instagram is Android compatible. The Vivid festival in on in Sydney now, which means pretty light projections and displays all over the city. I didn't even get to see the projections on the sails until my third night of work - this year is creative, but not as visually appealing as in previous years.



Working at the Bennelong Bowlo bar besides Brigitta (tee hee alliteration). I dressed in my little old lady Chipster gear for the occasion. No, those glasses aren't prescription - YES, I'm one of those people. I actually require prescription glasses and I never wear them. That's why I'm such a road hazard.





The Customs House is the star of Vivid this year, it's so awesome, with it's game-like animation. And these customised rickshaws are beautiful, I love seeing them floating through the Quay.



Okay, I'm a marketing student and despite knowing all the evil tricks behind packaging and advertising I STILL FALL FOR IT. I bought this overpriced bottle of apple juice because a) "organic" and b) pretty, minimalist packaging. I'm such a sucker.

Rob's dad makes the prettiest, tastiest food. I love his Hasselback potatoes and his meringue. 

THINGS I ATE THIS WEEK

I have had a very uneventful week, unless you count meals as events... which I do! Here are things that I have eaten this week, chosen on the basis of how easy they are to draw.



Fuck, I just ate that entire plate of tofu and I am still peckish.

A VERY CHIPSTER CHRISTMAS

I hope everyone has had an amazing Christmas! I spent mine eating way too much chocolate, baking maple-glazed turkey, watching the Dr Who Christmas special and the cartoon version of The Hobbit, exchanging presents and hosting my very first Christmas party.

My boyfriend, Rob, and I hosted the little get-together at his house. His front patio is beautiful, because his dad has the greenest fingers, and of course the view is gorgeous.

The colour theme was Christmas-y red and white, so I picked out all the red and white lollies from a mixed packet. That's attention to detail, yo.

We had way too much food for such a small party, so much that I actually had a nightmare in which I was worried about where to put it all.

It was a gendered affair. The boys, all dressed in plaid, stuck to the barbie and their beers.

I love how well my friends fit into the colour scheme. Look at Jessie's bow!

Those straws! They took me so long to find, but they're so cute it was worth it. And Rob plays the ukelele, whilst looking adorable.

I made fancy jelly shots! The ones above are Frangelico and cranberry, and Bacardi and lemonade. The ones below (my favourite) are tiny Mojitos complete with tiny mint leaves! I got the idea for them here. They were so time-consuming to make, but also worth it because they looked fantastic.

And I think I have concocted the perfect Summer cocktail. Watermelon juice, with lemonade and rum (Bacardi and Malibu)! Served in jars, because I am chipster.

The night ended with some games. Twister, charades and Trivial Pursuit: Baby Boomers edition (which was insanely difficult). I rigged this game to force the boys into ridiculous positions, I am pretty evil.

It was such a pretty party. Hopefully all my friends had fun, but even if they didn't, at least the pictures turned out nicely. :D