How are we half way through January already? This week we have been experiencing some very warm weather here in Sydney. To match the boiling weather, I have been making recipes that require boiling. And this next week the warm weather will continue, but I have a gorgeous summer cocktail for you for an evening cool down. Enjoy!

sandy hairdressing salon, north curl curl

I think I have found the one… my new hairdresser!

The search for a new hairdresser can be as meaningful, important, and elusive, as the search for your soulmate. Someone who listens to your wants and needs, someone who makes you look your best, someone who works their magic and makes you feel like you could run the world. I have lived in Sydney for eight years and really struggled to find a hair stylist I liked. It was either the salon had an amazing feel and vibe, but I didn’t like the way they did my hair, or the hair was amazing, but the stylist was rude. I had been to salons where the wine and champagne was offered to clients, but my hair was fried. I had also been to a salon where the stylist berated an apprentice, while she asked a colleague to get her graphic designer brother to do designs and screen-printing for her, but only if they were free.

But the search is over.

Sandy Hairdressing Salon is conveniently located in the stunning beachside suburb of North Curl Curl. They have an excellent reputation here on the Northern Beaches, and for good reason, the team at Sandy are all incredibly talented. Sandy’s stylist have incredible experience, many having worked Mercedes Benz Fashion Week events, amongst other things. And they’re dog friendly, which I’m sure Harry will be thrilled about.

My stylist, Amy could not be faulted. As soon as I sat in her chair, I felt taken care of. I went in for a complete restyle, which can be daunting, enough, but she put me at ease. I told her what I wanted and she asked a lot of questions, and made suggestions. I wasn’t happy with the condition of my hair, so she described a few treatments they can provide. She then brought me a glass of rose and got to work. Once she had finished with the hair cut, she took me through how to style my new locks, and showed me the products I could use to recreate the look.

I am so happy with my new look, and with my experience at Sandy. I have made another appointment for a few months time, so there is my vote of confidence.

chicken bone broth

I know it’s not exactly the time of year for warm, cozy broths, but this recipe is too good to wait for winter.

Bone broth has gained popularity in recent years, due to its potential health benefits. You can spend $5 for a cup of bone broth from the health food shop, or you can use your left over roasted bones and veggie scraps to make your own. Bone broth is quite versatile and can be enjoyed as a warm, comforting drink, or can be used for a base in soups, stews and sauces. I don’t drink coffee or tea (very often), so this will be my go-to morning beverage.

It’s important to use high-quality ingredients and allow for a long, slow simmering process to extract the maximum amount of nutrients from the bones. This can be done using a stovetop, slow cooker, or pressure cooker, depending on personal preference and convenience.

For the recipe for my chicken bone broth on my recipes page.

blueberry chamomile iced tea

I was baking some blueberry muffins (recipe coming), and as a part of the recipe, I needed to create a hydration solution for the blueberries. The solution is made of chamomile tea, balsamic vinegar and sugar. Once I had used the blueberries, I was left with this delicious brew that turns out to be the perfect afternoon iced tea cocktail.

This gorgeous vibrant drink has a beautiful sweetness from the blueberries and the chamomile, a fresh acidity from the balsamic and the lime, and a herbaceous aroma from the mint. To turn this into the ultimate happy hour companion, just add a nip of gin or vodka.

The recipe can be found here.

broad city

Living in New York City as a normal person is quite often glamourised. Characters living in massive apartments, running around the city in stilettos as high as the buildings, stylish meet-cutes in the city’s hottest spots. Broad City is not that show!

The tv series Broad City is a well-loved comedy that follows the lives of two Jewish women in their twenties as they navigate the complexities of dating, careers, family, roommates, and life in New York. Ilana, the free-spirited and sexually fluid one, often finds herself in troublesome situations due to her wild hijinks, but her undeniable charm manages to get her out of trouble, at least some of the time. On the other hand, we have Abbi, the more grounded of the pair, who also finds herself in plenty of precarious situations, despite her best efforts. The dynamic between these two characters creates an entertaining and relatable storyline that has resonated with many viewers.

This show doesn’t do things by halves. The adventures are wacky, without feeling over the top (even though they really are), the characters are larger than life, while remaining relatable. With its humor and authentic portrayal of the ups and downs of life in your twenties, Broad City has successfully captured the hearts of audiences, giving it a popular cult status. I first got into this show back in 2015, and the show finished up after five seasons in 2019. I recently rediscovered this show and accidentally binged it. It is a fun, enjoyable, outrageous ride that detours into tender and heartfelt territory.

In Australia, you can watch Broad City on Stan and Paramount Plus.

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