My aunty once told me about her old boss and the unusual gift registry she had on her 50th birthday. She asked each of her friends to give her what they were currently into for a birthday present. For example a book they’d recently read, a TV series they were addicted to, a CD of their favourite songs, a voucher to a great new restaurant they’d discovered. It was such a great way to get to know her friends again and to discover new things she wouldn’t have known about otherwise.
It inspired me to start a new segment of reader recommendations. I often run surveys to get more information on the Smagglets, like how old you are or if you have kids or not, but this time I want to know what your obsessions are. So each month, I’m going to ask you for your top 3 recommendations from that month. It can be anything; a vegetable that’s been a staple in your weeknight dinners, a new workout that you’re loving or a fabulous app that’s changed your life. I’d love to hear about it!
March: What Are The Top Three Things You’d Recommend To A Friend This Month?
Here are my top 3 awesome things from March.
SensatioNAIL
I don’t want to sound ungrateful but a fairly large percentage of stuff I get sent to review on the blog is rather… interesting. So when this little package arrived about a month ago I honestly didn’t have high expectations. I LOVE a gel manicure but they’re expensive so I tend to save them for special occasions. I’ve never tried an at home gel system before and this little kit totally blew me away. The claim that it lasts for 20 days is a touch lofty though. It actually lasts about 7 days before it starts peeling at the edges, which is about how long a salon gel mani lasts on me. To do a full manicure, it takes about 10 minutes and there’s no drying time. Removal of the gel can be a bit fiddly but they include foil wraps and a little scraper to make it easier. I generally always have my nails painted and with regular polish, I find myself re-doing my nails every three days. For the last three weeks I’ve been giving myself a SensatioNAIL manicure on Saturday afternoons and it’s been lasting the whole week. Bonza. I’m actually going to stock up on some other colours, I love it so much. Recommended for those that love a gel manicure but can’t afford to fork over $50 every 2 weeks.
Haloumi
I’ve been ordering it everywhere I go lately. When I was in Canberra, I ordered my Brodburger with haloumi. Outstanding. Then I went to State of Grace for dinner with Hair Romance and we ordered their grilled haloumi with fig relish. Seriously amazing. Then the other day I just bought some haloumi and cooked it and ate it because I’m awesome. I feel like people forget about haloumi so here’s a big fat reminder. HALOUMI!!!!
iSleep Easy Meditation App
I’m usually a champion at sleeping but recently I’ve been sucking at it. Hard. In desperation one sleepless night, I downloaded this weird app called iSleep Easy and it has worked brilliantly for me for weeks. My brain is very busy and I have a hard time winding down at the end of the day so I listen to the Relax into Sleep track. There are heaps of others like a midnight rescue track for when you wake up in the middle of the night and tracks with or without narrative. It’s not a very well designed app but the tracks are really effective and I’ve been falling asleep much easier since I got the app. Give it a try, it’s surprisingly effective.
Melbourne Bonus
Aunty Donna
A friend of mine dragged me along to the Aunty Donna show at The Comedy Festival last week and I swear my face hurt from laughing so much. They’re a comedy troupe that started out on YouTube and they do a few stage shows every year as well. They’re hilarious. If you ever get the chance to see them, do it. They have so much energy and lots of their humour is based on 90s nostalgia so there are lots of jokes referencing Pogs and Jack Johnson. Brilliant.
Tell me… what are your top 3 recommendations from March? A product? A restaurant? A television show? What made March rock for you?
* The SensatioNAIL kit was sent to me for editorial consideration. When the PR person asked me if I wanted to try it I was like ‘YES BUT YOU CAN’T MAKE ME BLOG ABOUT IT!!!!’… but I did anyway because it was awesome.
44 Comments
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It’s starting to get cooler in the southern hemisphere, so go out and buy yourself a slow cooker if you don’t already have one! My partner has moved away for six months (job contract), so I’ve been making big meals in the slow cooker and living off those goods for the following three days. Yesterday I made the best damn dal makhani I’ve ever made. Other hits include dal tadka (sensing a theme?) and creamy barley and tomato stew.
I’d also recommend MyFitnessPal to anyone who wants to know a little bit more about what they’re eating. I’ve found it really useful — it’s shown me what things I need to cut back on, where I’m getting my protein and iron (I’m a vegetarian), and lots of other little things.
And finally, if you haven’t seen House of Cards, go watch it. It took me three episodes to get into it properly, but after that I marathoned that bitch until it was done.
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Yes! Slow cookers are the best! I got one for my birthday three years ago and I use it non-stop in the cooler weather.
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We had a slow cooker but I think we lost it in our last move… must get one they aren’t even that expensive really!
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House of Cards is next in line for us. We binge watched True Detective this week when we were both sick so we definitely need a new one!
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Fried haloumi, basil and a juicy red tomato together Oh my goodness!,
1. Big W! Whilst I wasn’t looking it got totally trendy. I picked up a pair if perfect bf jeans which I have been hunting for for months for $29!!! #bargain
2. Scandal, not sure if I have recommended this show before but is the absolute best! Fast paced, full of twists, sexy, smart andvtye red wine glasses Olivia drinks out of are to die for.
3. My husband makes these spicy pork balls, a combination of pork mince, corriander, chilli, ginger, egg and lightly fried, serves them with a Asian crunchy coleslaw and some chilli dipping sauce (the Bondi coconut chilli sauce is the best) We call them Amazeballs!-
I’ve heard Scandal is fantastic… must get on it. I’m making Asian slaw today actually! Weird!
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I will also recommend Scandal. I watch it while I walk on the treadmil and it’s amazing!
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I’ll third the recommendation! Amazing show. And her CLOTHES!
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Yes!!!!! Love her snuggly cream cardigans!
I won’t even mention how envious I am of her apartment!!!
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Haloumi is so delicious. My favourite way to serve it is to fry some up in a pan with a sliced green apple. It makes a lovely dessert.
1. Oil pulling. I started about two weeks ago and I’m loving it. My breath is fresher, my gums are less tender and some of the stubborn stains on my teeth have begun to lift.
2. Aldi’s Has No Gluten raspberry and Coconut macaroon biscuits. So delicious. I’ve always got a pack of these in my cupboard for when my gluten-intolerant mates come over for a cuppa.
3. Cards Against Humanity. It’s a card game for 4 or more players that’s a little like dirty, filthy mad-libs. So hilarious you’ll wet yourself.-
With apple??? I have a pathological fear of fruit with savoury things. *twitch*
Tell me more about this oil pulling business?
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It’s an ancient technique for overall health and wellbeing. Each morning you swish a tablespoon of oil around in your mouth for 20 minutes. You do this before eating or drinking anything. The oil draws out impurities and bacteria that cause bad breath, gum disease, tooth decay, stains on the teeth and other complaints. It’s supposed to have great long-term benefits on your oral health and overall health. I’ve only been doing it a short while, but I’m happy enough with the results to keep going. It sounds pretty out-there, but I’d definitely recommend giving it a try.
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20 minutes? That seems like ages! I’m not sure I could physically do that!
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The first time felt like an eternity. I had to work hard to get my gag reflex under control. Now, I find it really easy. It’s an odd sensation but you do get used to it.
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1) Tanqueray ‘Rangpur Lime’ Gin: http://www.nicks.com.au/tanqueray-rangpur-export-strength-gin-700ml
2) Kiehl’s Men’s Deodorant Stick: http://www.kiehls.com.au/body/all-sport-formulations/cross-terrain-anti-perspirant-deodorant-stick
3) Sour Patch Kids: http://www.sourpatch.com/-
I had no idea Kiehl did a deodorant. I WANT! And yes to sour patch kids. They’ve been on sale at my local for far too long…
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1) Nachos but with the meat/sauce/salsa/cheese/sour cream all baked together and served as a dip.
2) Game of Thrones – I’d say The Walking Dead but since we are out of episodes until October that would just be mean
3) Smoked cheese-
I CANNOT wait for Game of Thrones. I’m actually away when it starts. I’m hoping Mr Smags can hold on for me until I get back.
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Ooh that’s a big ask – my partner does Fly In Fly Out and we’re still negotiating how our GoT viewing will work, haha! (though I cheated and just watched The Walking Dead eps twice, once as soon as it came out and once with him this past season so shhhhh may do the same for GoT … hope Mr S is more patient than me!)
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I would like 1 of each of your 3 things please!
1. The Forever New sale. I managed to score a black trench coat for $74.95 (reduced from $140) and my fave sunnies for $9.95 (reduced from $30).
2. Dumplings. I love them. I especially love that I now work a 2 minute walk from the Adelaide Central Markets, so I go with a colleague and we share a plate of steamed and a plate of fried dumplings. So decadent and full of dumplingy goodness! {tip: buy a bag of frozen dumplings from your local market. They make a perfect lazy Sunday night dinner steamed and served with your fave dipping sauce}
3. Real Housewives of Melbourne. Trashtastic! I love the early seasons of shows, as you can see they are so green and not really sure what they’re in for. Also makes for great entertainment when you can tell they’ve so been told to talk about a certain topic – cue awkward, stilted conversation!-
DUMPLINGS! Have you had soup dumplings? Full of delicious soup? If you’re ever in Melbs we’ll have a soup dumpling bloggy date. Haven’t watch Realhouse wives but I bloody well should it sounds amazing.
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1) Dryad, Naiad and hanging out for publication of Nereid, GM Worboys (http://gmworboys.com/)
2) cooking up a mix of amaranth, red and white quinoa and whacking great spoonfuls into my lunchtime salad.
3) panela/rapadura – ie sugar before it’s been processed.
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Oh my local cafe has panela and it always makes me wish that I had sugar in my tea.
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1. Corn fritters. The Year 8 girls I teach make them for Home Ec and I have borrowed the recipe. I’m onto my 4th batch already this term. So tasty and great for lunches with salad.
2. SOF – http://www.sof-labs.com/ I train with these guys in Brisbane and their protein powder and green powder is so good. I feel much better since starting it.
3. HIMYM Season 9. I downloaded the last 3 episodes last night and watched them all in a row. I cried and laughed. It was a great series (when watched in bulk, Australian stations never did the show any favours as we only got dribs and drabs).
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CORN FRITTERS! I love them. Like potato chips but not as naughty. I’ve just starting taking spirulina and I’m like a new woman.
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1. SBS French series The Returned, excellent television (not to be confused with the American version Resurrection.
2. Bobbi Brown creamy matte lippy in Crushed Plum. Good colour on me and no bleeding despite having eaten a toasted sandwich and bowl of soup.
3. Ditto Haloumi. Makes a quick dinner too.-
OMG seconded on The Returned. So amazing! The soundtrack by Mogwai is also excellent to put on while you’re working as it’s instrumental. Love it.
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Done. It’s on my list.
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Oh! I should try Bobbi Brown lippy I’ve heard fabulous things about it. Must get onto to this Returned business. Everyone seems to love it!
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Still dreaming of that haloumi!! I’m loving Carmens nut bars for an easy gluten free snack, Charles Francis Mindfulness meditations from itunes for helping me to concentrate and my new “who gives a blog” tshirt from Chip Chop x
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Carmens are amazing. Ben’s favourite. GOD I WANT THAT HALOUMI!
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Haloumi fried for ever.
My three are : a pumpkin and choc chip cake from a American gf, roast chicken shredded and bagged up in ziplock bags for a quick addition of protein for any meal and learning that exercise is only 10% and what you eat is 90% contributing factor to your well being. I am backing off that treadmill and focussing more on eating better-
I’m so glad everyone is on board with the haloumi thing. I think the ratios are very individual dependant. If you mean weight loss, absolutley but for well being exercise is about 40% for me and food is the other 60%.
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Halloumi is the bomb-diggidy. Never bored of that crazy cheese.
This month I’m all about harissa paste (add it to EVERYTHING), knitting (lots of new tiny people in my life means I can knit tiny blankets, which is adorable) and podcasts. Specifically Joy the Baker and The High Tea Cast. It’s nice to have my favourite Internet people accompanying me on my (infrequent) runs.
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Talk to me about harissa paste? Is this a fancy thing? I love the Joy the Baker her stuff is awesome!
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It sounds kind of fancy, but really it’s just a spicy paste – I usually get it from the supermarket but I think you can make your own. It’s good for Moroccan foods (it makes couscous the opposite of bland) but I’ve been rubbing it on chicken and adding it to pasta sauce and stirring it into hummous. So. Good.
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1. The new pharrell album, it’s seriously good
2. Montrose black label Shiraz and great value only $16 at dan Murphy’s
3. House of cards season 2.-
I actually really love the Pharrell song Happy. It literally makes me happy. And Shiraz FOREVER!
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Its April.
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Sure is! But I can’t tell anyone the top three things I discovered in March unless March is over! 😉
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I have never had a manicure. Random fact for ya. One day I will.
My 3 things.
Good taste thai green buttercup and coconut soup with kaffir lime .. OMG its the best soup I have ever tasted. I might have slipped to my local supermarket and purchased it 3 days in a row this week. I will be having it again tomorrow night for my birthday tea with cheese rolls (a generally Southland/South Island New Zealand food)…. followed by cider and cheese and crackers etc.
The daughter of smoke and bone trilogy by Laini Taylor. (YA fiction) LOVED it. Waiting for last book in series right now.
Simply squeezed happy belly Juice. Love it.
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1. The Bronze Horseman trilogy
2. Settlers of Catan
3. Getting real photos printed and hanging them up around the house – instant happification. -
Haloumi! What’s not to love? Gooey salty golden loveliness .
Mine:
1. iTunes Radio because I’m over my iTunes playlists
2. Mandarin segments dipped in dark choc & sprinkled with Himalayan salt ala Ms Critique
3. Shotproof coffees from About Life Cafe – coconut oil , organic grass fed butter and double espresso – needs to be tried to be believed (blogged all about it this week) -
Steve Hughes – Aussie comedian living in UK now. Youtube him. Parkers Organic Green cold pressed juice – have only found in Woolies fridge aisle – cheaper and quicker than home made. Going with the Cheese themes here I’d say Chevrette mild cheese which I discovered in March.
