The Design Files

The Design Files

13 Oct 2010

Have you heard about this blog, The Design Files? I received a google alert on Friday and when I checked the link it led me to this article on the first Melbourne Finders Keepers Market which was held last weekend.

When I read through the article I noticed they'd used quite a few of my photos from the Sydney Finders Keepers Market. When I do a bit of blog surfing, it's amazing where and how often my images pop up!

If you'd like to use any of the images you see on my blog, please email me and I'll be happy to help out.

Jillian

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lemon pistachio shortbread

lemon pistachio shortbread

11 Oct 2010

Greetings from sunny (not) Brisbane. It's rained constantly since I arrived last Saturday and unfortunately I brought all the wrong clothes with me. I've been wearing some of my brother's way too large for me but comfy sweaters to keep me warm. Apart from a quick dash to the store with my Dad this morning, I've not left the house. So much for going to the Valentino exhibition.

I made these cookies on Labour Day and brought them into work for morning tea. The recipe comes from side of a supermarket flour packet. I'm not at home; my parents don't use the same brand of flour and unfortunately, I haven't been able to track down the recipe on the internet for you so apologies. The texture wasn't quite as I'd anticipated - not quite shortbready enough and they certainly weren't sufficiently lemony for my taste. The lemon icing was yummy though and I finished off the bowl for my lunch.

I took the cookies into work, a bit worried that my workmates wouldn't like them. The biscuit tin was empty by day's end, which is always a good sign.

I kept a few at home and I have to say the biscuits do improve their flavour on keeping. I bought another packet of pistachios on Saturday and I have a bag of lemons in the fridge so I do have plans to make some more lemon pistachio shortbreads. I have lots of lemon flavoured treats to make first then I'm going to try making them again using another shortbread recipe I've used before.

I hope you all had lovely weekends and that it wasn't quite so rainy wherever you are.

See you all again on Wednesday,

Jillian

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Apple Cinnamon Scrolls

Apple Cinnamon Scrolls

8 Oct 2010

Do you remember me telling you a little while back, my struggles with yeast cooking? Well, never the one to give up I tried making some apple cinnamon scrolls last weekend. I used this base recipe but left out the butter in the dough and the accompanying steps.

I had problems with the yeast failing to activate and when I checked the expiry date on the bottom of the tin it was 2008! As I didn't have any fresh yeast I persevered and although the buns didn't rise as much as they should have, the scrolls were still delicious.

I froze half the unbaked scrolls and have tried the rolls both with and without the icing. Either way they are delicious. It's something in the way the apple, brown sugar and butter caramelizes that makes them so scrumptious.

I'm going to make these scrolls again but this time I plan on increasing the bun to filling ratio by doubling the flour, sugar and liquid quantities, cos you can never have too much of a good thing.

I'm heading to Brisbane for a few days so I'm not sure what I'll be posting next or when. I'm going to try and see the Valentino retrospective at the Queensland Art Gallery when I'm in town and get some summer clothes shopping done.

I hope you all have nice, relaxing weekends. See you all next week,

Jillian

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shopshoot - miljo

shopshoot - miljo

6 Oct 2010

I know you've been waiting a while, but here is the shopshoot I did of Miljo late last month. As you know I recently visited Scandinavia but couldn't carry back as much as I would have liked. I thought Miljo might have some of the items I sadly had to leave behind.

The Miljo shop is housed in a fairly typical Bondi building on Curlewis Street and the shop is on the ground floor. Bondi is a pretty funky place for those of you not in the know and as you can see, it was an absolutely glorious day that Saturday.

The shop is light, bright and airy and filled with all things lovely - lighting, ceramics, glassware, jewellery, shoes clothes, fabric, brushes and so much more.

I have one of these serving boards at home.

I grew up in a household filled with Scandinavian goodies, so I guess I inherited my love of sleek goods and blue and white china from my Mum.

Sleek Scandiavian fashion.

How can you go past such simple but well designed homewares? 

My own favourites are the Tonfisk warm range from Turku in Finland.


I managed to contain myself, but only just.



My favourite colour way.



I'd like to thank Ainsley for putting up with me while I photographed the shop and to Sarah for granting me permission to shoot her shop.

See you all again on Friday,

Jillian

2016 edit - Miljo is no longer open for business

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Luna Park

Luna Park

4 Oct 2010

Hi Every-one,

I hope you all had lovely weekends. We've just had a 3 day weekend for the Labour Day holiday. As expected it rained and rained so I didn't take a single photo of my trip to Bowral. I'd planned to share some food photos with you today, but when I found out it was Luna Park's birthday I looked through my old film files to bring you these images.

Luna Park is an old fashioned amusement park and today is Luna Park's 75th birthday. I didn't grow up in Sydney so my first visit to Luna Park was as an adult, when I was studying photography. Luna Park is a great place to take photos and I've always wanted to shoot a wedding there.

I must admit I'm a bit scared of rides. 



My favourite part of Luna Park is the fabulous face, complete with eye lashes. This photo and the following one are the only photos I have of my own on display in my apartment.

I wonder how many first dates have taken place at Luna Park? The last time I went to Luna Park was with some workmates. I think they went on every ride imaginable and I can confirm, that adults have as much fun at Luna Park as children.

I'm not very good on rides so this Merry-go-round was about the only ride I could manage.

Happy Birthday Luna Park! I'll be back on Wednesday with some more Miljo shop images.

See you all then,

Jillian

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In the Garden - Part II

In the Garden - Part II

1 Oct 2010

Well it's officially spring here in Sydney so I thought I'd share some spring blossoms with you. The weather is still in a state of confusion though. Last weekend we had a touch of summer when the mercury hit 27ºC. This morning, when I left for work it was 9ºC, so go figure.



We're celebrating Labor Day on Monday, so I'm looking forward to a 3 day weekend. I'm heading down to Wollongong but with rain forecast I mightn't return with too many photos.

I'd like to thank Holly for featuring my photos of miljo store on decor8. I'll prepare some of my images and post them next week so you can see my take on the store. I'd also like to thank Remodelista for featuring my photos of the Bison Australia store. I'd forgotten how gorgeous Brian's work is. I might need to drop by the store and pick up a few goodies for myself.

Have a great weekend and I'll see you all again next week,

Bye for now,

Jillian

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