Braids for Spring Racing Carnival...a hair how to.

This fun hair style is a great idea for Spring Racing Carnival, especially if it's a windy day. Pantene were kind enough to share their step by step with me. You can see my DIY version and everything I used to create the look at the end of this post.

This look was inspired by the SS14 Moschino show, which marked the 30^th Anniversary of the Fashion House and created by Sam McKnight, Global Pantene Stylist Ambassador.

Two hair looks were created for this special show – good girl vs evil girl. The ‘good girl’ hair look was inspired by innocence and youth and comprised of a braid on either side of the head that met in the middle above the nape of the neck and was twisted into a delicate bun.  This ethereal and angelic look juxtaposed the sharp side parting and slick finish of that of the ‘evil girl’.

Get the Good Hair look:

• Start with freshly washed and conditioned hair using Pantene Ice Shine Shampoo and Conditioner
• Apply Pantene Styling Treatment Foam Soft Curls through the hair from root to tip and brush through
• Blow-dry with a round brush if you have curly hair and rough dry if your hair is straight
• Apply Pantene Intensive Damage Repair Oil to the ends of the hair for a smooth and healthy finish
• Create a centre parting all the way down the head (I did a zig zag parting) and section off into two pony tails either side of the head
• Braid the hair at each side of the head from front to back along the sides of the head and join the braids together just above the nape of the neck
• Tie with elastic and then fold the tail of the braid back up on itself, forming a bun
• Tease the braids for an imperfect texture and spray with Pantene Stay Smooth Hairspray to keep everything in place

Time for a colour touch up too!

Stay tuned for some more 35+ beauty and make-up posts for Spring.

x Marnie

Disclosure: These products were provided for editorial consideration. 3pickles has no affiliation with any companies mentioned and has received no remuneration for posting this review. All opinions are those of the author.

So you wanna be a Make-Up Artist? part 3

So, I'm on the home stretch of my Ultimate Artistry Course with FX with the RPM online Make-Up Academy.

I have talked about this course before (here) & (here) and highly recommend it for beginners or anyone (like myself) that is experienced but just wants a refresher or to pick up some new skills like airbrushing. I airbrushed the Blue Creature below as part of the course exams.

Here's some more work I've been doing, using a few little tricks and techniques I've learnt.

I've got 2 more exams to go and I'm done!

.........so what next?

glad you asked.

I've just enrolled in RPM's Eyelash Extension Course and have already begun training. The online training makes it so easy to fit in with my busy life....just like all of us.
As soon as I'm finished the lash extension training, I've planned to do the Facial Training Courses with RPM. With all of the wedding work I do, these courses will add to my skill set and give me the opportunity to generate a bigger income for myself and my family.

Check out the video's below to see what you can learn....they have so many great course.....I want to do them all!

Now all I need are some willing faces....who's up for a facial?

 Here's the link to the facial courses http://onlinefacialcourses.com 

x Marnie

Disclosure: This product was provided for editorial consideration. 3pickles has no affiliation with any companies mentioned. All opinions are those of the author.

Dinner in 20 mins - I can do that

Can you get dinner on the table in 20 minutes or less? I'm not talking frozen meals or junk from the takeaway, I 'm talking home cooked...with a little help.

In this case, I'm talking pizza...one of the most requested meals around these parts. My family don't like it any old way either. They have become pizza connoisseurs and it's my fault.

As you may have seen from a recent post, Mr3P and I met up with some of the lovely people at Bakers Delight and tried their take home, DIY, fresh pizza bases. I'm impressed with how tasty they are and how they take all the hassle out of making your own bases, or buying those less than fresh ones I've seen in the supermarkets (which, yes, I have tried them too and IMO, they don't taste home made).

You don't have to be a master chef of even a pizza chef to turn out these meals in no time at all. I simply popped into my local Bakers Delight and grabbed a few fresh bases (they come in packs of 2).

Place your fresh (par cooked) Bakers Delight bases on a pizza tray or an oven tray if you don't have one.

Add some pizza sauce.

Top with a few of your favourite toppings...I like to do a quick prep and put all of my intended toppings on a plate on in some bowls. 

We like to get the kids to top their own pizza, so there is no arguing over who wants what or picking off of toppings later. A nice way also to get them involved in the dinner making process. My pickles LOVE cooking with me....it's just the washing up part that they suddenly become magicians, and disappear..................

These pizzas take around 10 minutes to bake at around 200ºC, depending on your toppings.

I like to serve the pizzas with a fresh salad and lemonade!

My favourite topping for a pizza is chorizo, anchovies, mushrooms, olives and capsicum with a tomato or ricotta sauce on the base.

I'm doing a little giveaway on my Facebook page, thanks to Bakers Delight. Just pop on over and tell me what your favourite topping for your pizza is. I have 3 kids colouring packs (to give them something to do while you assemble and bake you pizzas!) You need to use the hashtag #BDpizza and #BakersDelight in your Facebook post.Or feel free to post pics of your creations on Instagram with the same hashtags and @3picklesMarnie

Only open to Aussie residents sorry.
I'll choose my 3 favourites over the next few days and announce it on Facebook this weekend.

Happy pizza making!

x Marnie

Beauty Favourites August

Well August is drawing to an end this week and Spring is almost here!! I'm looking forward to some sunshine and warmth as Melbourne certainly did it's best to freeze me from top to toe this year.

In Winter, I find my already dry skin cops a beating from the cold and artificial heating and too many hot showers.

Below are a few of my favourite products that I've been using this month.

This is Pantene's NEW Ice Shine, Pantene’s new silicone, dye and paraben-free collection that protects against damage to give you a healthy, natural looking shine with zero weight and zero residue....that's the claim and now that I've been using it for a while, I can tell you that it is fantastic. I don't feel that build up in my hair like I do with a lot of products on the market. My hair seems to hold the style longer since I've been using this too.

 I've been slathering the Aveeno Stress Relief Moisturising Lotion on after a shower. The lightly scented lotion absorbs really well, so I can dress quickly...there's nothing worse that waiting for a body lotion to absorb while you freeze your bits off or dressing while it's still wet and your clothes feel gross on you. I regularly skip body lotion for this reason and wonder why my skin feels so dry. Happy to have found this little gem.

 I was asked by Aveeno if I'd like to try this facial moisturiser, BUT I already had it and have been a fan for many months. 

I like how I get an SPF in this moisturiser but it doesn't smell or feel like I'm wearing a sunscreen. There are natural "light diffusers" to give you a slight glow...and yes it DOES! I normally would think this was a bit of advertising fluff, but it does give your skin a lovely radiance. 

I took this great for travel bottle with me on a recent road trip and used it every day and bonus...no leaking!

Ahh, Jurlique...you know I love you so. 

These 4 products are my dry skin lifesavers. You have probably heard me go on about the Skin Balancing Face Oil in the past and on my Instagram or Twitter. The Herbal Recovery Gel has been a star on my skincare regime this season and is a must under the oil after too many late nights.

If you have dry skin, do yourself a favour and try this out! I wear it under makeup too.

My tweezers are always going walkabout, so I purchased some girly looking ones from my local hairdressing supplier. Very cute and hidden in a secret place......

How many times have you been in the shower with a treatment in your hair....your standing there, reading the instructions on the bottle where it says "gently comb through hair"? Doh! So then you have to get out of the shower, drip everywhere, freeze your bits off (again) to rummage through looking for a comb.....well not anymore!  I picked up this cute comb from Priceline for around $3 and it easily hangs on the shower tap. And it's PINK!! 



So there you have my little list of faves for this month. 


I'll be back tomorrow with some 20 minute meal ideas and maybe a giveaway. 

See you then xx

Marnie

Disclosure: These products (Jurlique and Pantene) were provided for editorial consideration. 3pickles has no affiliation with any companies mentioned and has received no remuneration for posting this review. All opinions are those of the author.

Yorkshire Pudding

The first time I remember tasting these little,  golden-brown puffs of delight was with my Nana. She prepared the Sunday roast (usually lamb) with a matter-of-fact style. I don't know if cooking was a pleasure for her, but she always seemed to do traditional English & Irish fare with ease. 

The Yorkshire Pud, as it is better known is always best if eaten straight from the oven and smothered with gravy (homemade gravy of course).

 I never had the chance to make these with my Nana, but was fortunate enough to be given the recipe from a work friend many years ago. We were unpacking boxes of cosmetics at the time, when the conversation came up. This recipe is from her Nana...I'd like to think it's the same one my Grandmother used. I wrote it on a piece of cardboard that I tore from one of the cosmetic boxes and I've kept it with all my other little scribbled down recipes ever since.

Mr 3P loves these protein rich dumplings....they taste even better with farm fresh eggs, laid that day, if you can get them. 

So I made them for him this week when we had a roast pork, potatoes and steamed winter veggies.

And I thought of my Nana...and how much I miss her

Yorkshire Pudding Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup plain flour

3 eggs

pinch of salt

2/3 cup milk

1/3 cup water

(oil for cooking)

Mix all of the ingredients (except the oil) together ...whisk to remove lumps.

Add a few drops of oil into each cup of a muffin tin and place in the oven at 210º C to heat for 7 minutes.

Carefully remove from the oven and pour batter into each cup about 2/3 full.

Return to the oven and cook for 13-15 mins at 210ºC until risen, golden and puffy.

Serve immediately with your roast and gravy.

Pizza Master Class

Hands up if you like pizza?

....me too!!

Last week Mr 3P and I attended a Pizza Masterclass in Melbourne and I thought I'd share a few of the tips we picked up from the experts and what we used for our base and toppings.

• Yummy fresh ingredients will always make your pizza special. 
• Not overloading the base with too many toppings will ensure that your pizza will cook evenly and not end up a soggy mess. I love that the pizza (above) that one of the chefs' made has just a few simple ingredients and fresh, uncooked toppings too!
• Some toppings, like mushrooms should be pre-cooked before using. The chef cooked his mushrooms in a little olive oil and garlic. I cooked some at home in the same way but added some chilli too!
• Other toppings should be added AFTER your pizza is cooked... like rocket, baby spinach and freshly shaved Parmesan cheese.

Now you can make your own base (like my Farmer's bread recipe here) or you can save the hassle, especially if you're on your way home and can't be bothered making the base, but still want to have some home made pizza. You can pick up these fresh bases from Baker's Delight. They kindly supplied the bases on the night and they were really yummy. Simply add your toppings and pop in the oven....easy

On my pizza I used

• a little of the Leggos Traditional Basil Pesto and some Sugo di Pomodoro
• Bertocchi Flat Sopressa hot salami
• Sauteed button mushrooms
• Lots of anchovies
• Fresh chilli (seeds removed)
• Bertocchi pancetta
• Black olives
• Perfect Italiano Pizza Plus...what a difference this cheese makes to a pizza! I'd normally just use some cheddar. This was a blend of cheese that is perfect to sprinkle on your pizza. It really made the difference and wasn't oily like the cheddar can be.

 Mr 3P and I enjoyed a few drinks on the night thanks to Dan Murphy's. I had a beautiful Cabernet Sauvignon called Cat Amongst The Pigeons and he tried this interesting beer ^^

 We were so inspired by our pizza masterclass that we made some more for lunch the next day.

So, what's your favourite pizza topping? And the biggest debate of all time.....does pineapple have the right to be on a pizza?


x Marnie

All of these photos were taken with my iphone as I didn't want to lug around my DSLR on the night, so sorry about the picture quality. xx

Chocolate Cups

Do you like my little chocolate cups? 

The look kinda fancy pants don't you think? 

If you stick around for a minute, I'm going to tell you how to make them for your next fancy pants dinner party....or any shindig that requires chocolateyness.

That would be any day ending in Y................

 I hosted a Chef's Toolbox party for a friend of mine, many moons ago and one of the things I purchased was a set of mini silicone tart cases (not sure if that's what they were actually called, so if you work for Chef's Toolbox, feel free to share in the comments). I've seen similar in most kitchenware shops...so long as they are flexible to peel away from the chocolate, then you're good to go.

Grab some chocolate melts and place into the silicone case. I then microwaved for about 40 seconds. Carefully remove from the microwave and use a teaspoon to spread the melted chocolate evenly over the base and sides. you need a nice thickness so the cups don't crack when you remove them. I'm still trying to perfect this!! You will probably make a few at first that will not work out...but practice makes perfect AND there's leftover choccie to crumble and garnish...or taste test ;)

When you've spread the chocolate evenly, then turn the case upside down onto a plate. I set mine in the fridge and it only takes about 10 minutes.

When set, VERY GENTLY peel the casing away.....and there you have it! 

Ready to be filled with whatever takes your fancy pants!!

I've filled these with whipped cream, sweetened with a little icing sugar and topped with some sweet strawberries. I was thinking a nice adults only version of whipped cream flavoured with a little Baileys and mixed with crushed Maltesers, maybe in a white chocolate case? Or a mixture of fresh berries and yoghurt?

What would you fill your choccie cups with?

sharing here today........

Maggi Stir Fry Creations

I was recently invited to try the Stir Fry Creations range from Maggi as part of Product Talk by Nuffnang.

The team at Maggi has discovered that the secret to a great stir fry is the layering of flavours.  Working with Asian cooks, they have developed a way for you to do this at home.  

The unique two-step process allows for the perfect depth of flavour as the paste and sauce come together to create delicious Asian flavours. And by cooking the stir fry in steps the meat stays tender and the veg stays crisp.

The unique-two step process uses an Infusion Paste to coat the meat, so that the meat infuses with flavour as it cooks.  And a Finishing Sauce is added as the final step to complete the dish.

There are clear directions to follow and all you need to do is add meat and veg. In the picture below (taken with my iphone) I used a pack of frozen, stir fry veggies with Maggi Sweet Chilli, Ginger & Lemongrass Chicken, but of course you could use fresh veggies too....whatever ingredients you have on hand really.

 It took only minutes to make and even the fussiest one was impressed.

This one ticked all the boxes for me.

• Quick and easy to prepare.
• A balanced meal for the ones I love.
• I can use the meat and veggies I have on hand (and I know they'll eat)
• I'm often time-poor when it comes to dinners (especially soccer training nights) so these are truly convenient.
• Stir fry's have always been a challenge for me but since using the Maggi Stir Fry Creations, my meals look and taste like I've made it from scratch.  (OK, so everyone now knows that I didn't....don't tell the fam)

A range of five products gives you a diverse set of flavours to choose from – some old favourites like Honey, Soy & Garlic, and other more adventurous flavours in Sweet Chilli, Ginger & Lemongrass.  

I even had a little leftover to fill crepes for lunch the next day. First time making crepes too!

The verdict.....will certainly be repurchasing.

You can pick them up from Coles, Woolworths & Independent supermarkets for $3.29 RRP.

So what's for dinner tonight at your place?

Chocolate & Coconut Bites {recipe}

You know you want it................

 I'm sure many people already know how to make this tempting little treat, but I'm here to share it with you anyway.

I'm forever trying to think up new things for the kids lunchboxes and today I had a little light bulb moment....choc & coconut balls/bites!! It's enough of a little sweet snack to keep a smile on my pickles' faces, yet not so naughty to turn them into sugar OD fiends.

Pickle number one is currently playing "Lunchbox Wars" with his buddies at school and he left this morning with a huge grin, declaring that no one will outdo his lunch box today...WIN!

 Apparently...according to pickles one & two, this is THE BEST THING I have EVER made....in the history of my cooking.....like, EVER.

I'm not sure if I should be honoured or feel insulted?

Here's how you throw this treat together......

In a food processor (I used my trusty Ninja)... pulse a packet of Arrowroot biscuits until they are completely crumbed, them dump the crumbs into a bowl.

Add about 1/2 a cup of cocoa and combine.

Add a small can of sweetened, condensed milk and combine until you have a dough like mixture.

With dampened hands, take little meatball sized pieces and roll into balls, then roll to coat in dessicated coconut.

Place in an airtight container and chill until set.

Eat at least two before they get to the fridge.

Told you it was easy!

Till next time.