Road trip overload

We are finally back from another 3pickles road trip adventure. 

I feel like I've been away from this blog for such a long time since I started working again but because I've been on the road for the past couple of weeks, I've had plenty of time to think if I wanted to keep blogging here or not.

I do. 

I hope you'll stick with me. I've have so much catching up to do with all of you and so many things to share from our latest adventures across this wide brown land.

As always, this blog is still a mixed bag of family, food, beauty for women 40+ and home renovations but you're going to see a lot more of our road trips ( I think we've taken 4 in the past 12 months and my camera is about to explode! 

I'll  be sharing lots of little tips for travelling with the family, doing it in style AND all without breaking the bank.

I hope you'll join me with the first installment very soon.

See you then.

Marnie x

Once - The Musical

The smash-hit, multi-award winning musical Once has premiered in Melbourne  at the Princess Theatre and Mr Pickle & I were privileged to be invited to the opening night's performance last night. 

We have lived in Melbourne for 12 years and have never been to a live theatre performance other than the little pickles' school productions (which are totally entertaining too). This was a rare "grown up" evening for us as most of our nights out involve family activities. 

My kids would not have gone the distance with this one anyway....the show began at 8pm and runs for 2 hours and 20 minutes, including intermission. If you have young ones who like musical theatre, I'd suggest a matinee. As much as I loved Once, I doubt it would be my kids cup of tea. They'll wait for Nintendo the musical....

We chose to catch the train into the city so we didn't have to worry about parking. Parliament station is a very short walk from the theatre....easy peasy getting there and getting home too.

I wasn't surprised to learn that Once is the only show to have music that won the Academy Award®,  Grammy Award®, Olivier Award and Tony Award®. 

Set in modern day Dublin, Once is the story of a Guy who gave up on his music and his love and the Girl who inspired him to dream again.  

We were truly blown away by the cast and the talents they brought to the stage. 

I don't think I've ever seen a group of people with the ability to sing, dance, act AND play several musical instruments so well. 

Inspiring to say the least.

Guy and Girl are played by Tom Parsons and Madeleine Jones who perform the Oscar award-winning song ‘Falling Slowly’ . Their voices will blow you away...I can't get the song out of my head (and I don't want to).

x Marnie

Spring Salad

We ate this salad today.
Loved it.
Will be making more of it.
Here's what's in it.

• Rocket
• Capsicum (red peppers)
• Fresh corn 
• Red Onion
• Cherry Tomatoes
• Good 4U+U Crunchy Combo (a mix of legumes like mung, peas, chic) I got them from Coles, next to the rocket. I have also used canned 4 bean mix and canned chic peas.
• Carrot
• Freshly steamed, green beans
• A drained can of red salmon
• Avocado
• Salt & pepper
• Salad dressing

Toss to combine & serve with Turkish bread if you like.

x Marnie

Homemade Lemonade with Ginger

 ’This post is an entry into the Nuffnang ‘Fresh Recipe’ Network Competition, thanks to BRITA. Check out betterwithbrita.com for inspiration and exclusive recipes by Gary Mehigan’.

After nearly 2 years of TLC, our 25 year old lemon tree is back in action. 

Although tiny, the lemons are just as sweet and tangy as they have always been....so it's time for homemade lemonade. 

But this time I'm adding a spicy twist. Ginger!

Our lovely old lemon tree has tried so hard to recover from the wasp damage and I feel I owe it to her to use as many lemons as possible this season. 

My 3 little pickles love the occasional sweet drink but I'd much prefer to give them something that is fresh and I'm fully aware of the ingredients...it's why we like to cook from scratch as often as possible. 

I also love the idea of using filtered water in this recipe because I feel secure in knowing that the water I'm using is also fresh and clean. It's often the one ingredient we forget about, yet water would have to be essential in just about every recipe when you think about it.

Ingredients 

• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup plus 6 cups of filtered water
• 1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger

Method:

1. Place the white sugar and 1 cup of the filtered water in a large saucepan. 
2. Stir on low heat until sugar has dissolved, then bring to the boil, continue for 2 minutes. 
3. Turn off heat.
4. Add one cup of freshly squeezed and strained lemon juice and some freshly grated ginger, stir. 
5. Put lid on saucepan and leave to rest for 20 minutes. This step makes a huge difference to the finished taste.
6. Add 6 cups of filtered water and stir. Fill a jug with ice, throw in some bruised mint leaves, pour lemonade over ice. Enjoy.

x Marnie

Poached Eggs & Smoked Salmon on Rye

This is a quick, easy & tasty meal that is high in protein and healthy fats. You could lose the toast if you were wanting to reduce the carbs. It would be yummy served in a cup of lettuce instead.

This is the first time I have added a nutritional label to my recipes. I get my labels from Calorie Count   and it is to be used as guide only. I cannot guarantee perfect accuracy, but I have found this site useful for my own diet and calorie counting. If you know of a better site (I'm still looking) then please leave your suggestions and links in the comments please.

Ingredients:

1 free range egg

100g smoked salmon slices

1 slice light rye bread, toasted

1 teaspoon capers, drained

green salad to serve

Method:

• Use your favourite method to poach egg. I like to place a small amour of water into a small frying pan and add a teaspoon of white vinegar. I bring the water to the boil and then turn heat down to a simmer. I crack the egg into a cup and then gently pour into the water. Use a spoon to carefully splash hot water over the top of egg until cooked to your liking, then remove with a slotted spoon.
• Meanwhile, lightly toast the rye bread and arrange on a plate with the slices of smoked salon on top.
• Top with your poached egg and sprinkle with capers.
• Season with salt and pepper to your liking. (I love Himalayan Pink Rock salt)
• Serve with a green salad.

x Marnie

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.