So I am now all ready to print some samples and photograph these beauties, a perfect opportunity for a give away. Please send me your details, with colour preferences. The best colour combinations I will photograph and use of my website. Winners will receive a FREE Birth or Wedding Date Story print ready for you to frame. Please email me your details to louisa@tonicgifts.com.au Today, Tuesday 1st June 2010.

Birth Date Story Details

including, but not exclusive to

1. Baby’s full name

2. Day, Date Month, Year and Time of Baby’s birth

3. Baby’s Birth Weight

4. Baby’s Birth Length/Height

5. Town, City, State, and Country of Birth

6. Parents Names

7. Nursery decor, please select up to three colours

Wedding Date Story

details can include

1. Bride and Groom’s married names Mr & Mrs or Individual surnames

2. Brides Full Maiden Name

3. Grooms Full Name

4. Date of Marriage

5. Ceremony location

6. Reception Location

7. Colour preference please select up to three colours, that will compliment your decor

I am looking forward to creating your personalised prints!

Thank you for all the gorgeous recipes I am yet to finalise the winner, and will get my apron on and announce a winner very soon.

Hope your day is fabulous xo

The BYO Coffee cup is one of my favourite products, I use mine daily. Its a cool looking coffee cup you can re-use again and again and again. Made from silicone, it’s firm but flexible, light-weight but tough, and will withstand 200ºC heat. It’s pretty much indestructible. Which means it won’t contribute to the mountain of discarded disposable coffee cups shoved into landfill, that will never decompose because of their polymer lining. The BYO keeps your coffee warm yet it’s cool to the touch. Use it. Wash it. Use it. It’s a way of enjoying the coffee of your choice – without adding more rubbish to the world. Make the change and help save the planet, one coffee at a time.

I often fill mine with a hot tea as I leave home, or to pop into my favourite coffee haunt and get it filled as I head home. It great in the car, the silicon means it sits firmly in the cup holder without any spills. The clever people from HookTurn industries have added a delightful video featuring their BYO Coffee Cup

Hookturn Industries reusable BYO Coffee Cup from Renae on Vimeo.

oh and conveniently I have the cups available from Tonic Gifts, just $10.95

For those of you who are enjoying the Masterchef series, I thought this was a bit of a giggle…

Janie - The MasterChef Reject

Have a fabulous day, the sun is shining in Adelaide and Ava and I are heading outside to enjoy it. And sending strong, positive thoughts to a dear and very special friend today xo

Whilst I can cook I am certainly no baker, so please email your delicious yet simple cake and slice recipes – the best will be posted and you will win a lovely tonic parcel!    Please leave a comment at the bottom of this blog stating your favourite quick & easy recipe (and email the recipe to me) to WIN a gorgeous Murchison Hume Laundry pack valued at $63.90!

So here is the first recipe to share with you: Frittata! A frittata is a rustic omelette, and you can vary the ingredients according to what you have on hand.  We often have this frittata.  I separate the egg whites and whisk them into a dense foam, giving the frittata great height. This recipe for frittata uses leftover roasted vegetables.

Roast Vegetable Frittata

1 x sweet potato, cut in half length ways

2 x carrots, cut in half length ways

1 x onion, cut in half

½ cup of peas

½ cup capsicum, roughly chopped

½ cup of grated parmesan cheese

½ cup of sour cream

6 x eggs

2 x tbspns chopped fresh parsley

5 x fresh basil leaves

Salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions

Chop the roasted sweet potato and onions into 1cm slices.

Chop roasted carrots into 3cm chunks.

Separate eggs, add salt to the whites and whisk until you have a white foam.

Lightly whisk the egg yolks.

Fold the whites into the yolks, adding the sour cream, cheese and parsley.

Heat a small frying pan.

Spray cooking spray into the pan and add capsicum, sauté until nicely charred, remove and put aside with other vegetables.

Heat a 26cm heavy frying pan and spray with oil.

Whilst on a low to medium heat pour the egg mixture into the heated pan, carefully add the vegetables paying attention to presentation.

In my round pan I placed the sweet potato at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock and then neatly arranged the remaining vegetables.

Neatly place the fresh basil, and season with salt and pepper.  Cook on a medium heat until the outer edges of the frittata are lifting away from the pan.

Remove from heat and place in a medium oven, until the outer edges are crusty and the frittata is set in the middle. (Usually about 15 – 20 minutes.)

Cool in pan for 5 minutes.

Cut and serve into slices and serve with a crisp salad.

Apologies for not having a photo to share with you, I had the camera ready and in my rush to dish up, simply forgot! I will share with you the kitchen scene from Mrs Doubtfire, it is still such a giggle…

I first discovered Murchison-Hume organic house hold cleaning products when I was pregnant. I was able to keep the house clean, and nest despite 8 months of severe morning sickness.  It is difficult to describe just how luxurious and delicious the Murchison-Hume cleaning products are. I once recommended them as a gift for my girlfriends mother-in-law. Her response was “Lou, I really don’t want to give her cleaning products as a birthday present!” To the unwitting that would be a fair comment, but Alison now knows the glory and decadence of Murchison-Hume products.

Heirloom Dish Washing Liquid

Without a shadow of doubt, my favourite Murchison-Hume product is the “Heirloom” Dishwashing Liquid. Being able to display the gorgeous amber glass bottle by the kitchen sink may have something to do with this – yes people it looks fabulous, smells fabulous and performs beautifully!  Is a welcome addition to any sink, especially those of us who have a love of all things beautiful! The pump dispenser is good quality and not flimsy like many generic brands providing effortless dispensing and little waste. (Refills available) Heirloom is a low-foaming formula yet cuts through grease and smells delectable! Max Kater developer of Murchison-Hume, beautiful Mum, and divine domestic diva says that Heirloom dish washing liquid “actually improves the condition of your waste water as it drains. Regular use also helps to keep your plumbing clean and odour free.
Have gleaming, guilt-free dishes while simultaneously improving the environment? Yes, please!”

Join our face book fan page to find out how you could get 33% discount off your next purchase from Tonic gifts

Please post a comment to be in the running for a Murchison-Hume dish washing pack. The winner will be announced on Sunday 18th April. Have a fabulous day!

Tagged: baby safe cleaning, green cleaning, Max Kater, Murchison-Hume, nesting, safe cleaning products, Shannon Lush ]]> http://toniccreative.wordpress.com/2010/04/14/green-cleaning/feed/ 10 louisaattonic heirloom http://toniccreative.wordpress.com/2010/03/03/five-steps-to-a-fabulous-cup-of-tea/ http://toniccreative.wordpress.com/2010/03/03/five-steps-to-a-fabulous-cup-of-tea/#comments Thu, 04 Mar 2010 07:08:46 +0000 louisaattonic http://toniccreative.wordpress.com/?p=173 ]]> Steps to making the perfect cup of tea

There are few things I enjoy as much as a good cup of tea. I have been a tea drinker since I was 18 months old. My Great Grandmother, Nan-Nan Ethel Hurley believed that a sugary cup of tea with a drop of cool water was essential for a happy child! Many childhood memories I have involve sitting around a table with my grandparents, aunts and mum chatting, laughing and enjoying a fabulous cup of tea.  I do make a great cup of tea, something so many don’t achieve; this is especially so in Adelaide with our Café culture dominated by coffee.  Follow these easy five steps to a great cup of tea, and enjoy!

Tease Tea available from tonic gifts, mention this blog post for your free tea infuser.

Five Steps to a Fabulous Cup of Tea – with a tea bag!

1. Many tea drinkers swear by loose-leaf tea, but I bet they use a tea bag for their morning cuppa!  I love tea! I have many tins of loose-leaf tea, but my morning cuppa is always a Lipton Intense tea bag.  Draw fresh water and fill your kettle, (filtered water is best) bring to the boil.

2. Select your favourite cup or mug, it must be white on the inside, otherwise it is difficult to judge the strength. I always choose the largest and finest mug, especially for my morning cup. Warm your cup or mug, simply pour about 60ml of the freshly boiled water into your cup, swirl around, once the cup feels warm discard.

3. Lay the teabag in your warmed cup or mug, drape the tea string over the side of the cup. Pour the freshly boiled water into the cup, and allow the tea to steep for 2 – 3 minutes.

4. The tea is now ready, add milk, sugar or lemon to your taste – but do try it black and without sugar, the taste is so delicate and delicious.

5. Enjoy!

Encounter Bay

The home was purchased fully furnished, so we were able to use it immediately without the fuss of furnishing or setting up the kitchen.  The home was decorated in the late 90s, with blues and yellows. It reminds me of all the gifts I received for my 21st, I was mad for blue and yellow back then. There is literally nothing in the home that is not blue or yellow! Fortunately the walls are all painted the very calming and necessary white and the blinds are white, so decorating will be relatively easy, just a matter of paring down the blue and yellow and adding neutral pieces.  Dad is contemplating a new floating timber floor (existing carpet – blue!).

We have decided on a beige and white theme, a calming retreat for the family to escape. It has started with a clock by Alessi, in grey, which is really more of a beige.

Alessi 'Firenze' Wall Clock

I have the same clock in my kitchen, a wedding gift from my Godparents. I have also given this clock on several occasions, it is neutral, classic yet modern and would fit most decor’s, call us mad but it is the basis of our design inspiration!

Has been a little difficult getting back into life at home, after having such a restful Summer break. I spent the best part of last week in bed with a cold, but now that that has eased I have managed to get onto some de-cluttering and organising.  My husband has crohn’s disease and his medical papers were multiplying, he commenced a new treatment last year and the paperwork had got out of control. I am pleased to say that I have created our family medical file! Initially it was to be just for Nick, but with my pregnancy and then Ava’s birth we all have need for our medical file. So happy with my effort. I have it all neatly filed in the super stylish Semikolon file folder box, in red of course! The semikolon range is now on sale, at least 30% off all prices. No need for codes, prices already heavily reduced. I am having to clear the decks for new homeware designs I am working on to sell at tonic. I am very excited about it and promise I will reveal the new products soon.

Semikolon File Folder box

Stylish Semikolon Range On Sale Now

I have found the Semikolon range to be fabulous for organising children’s rooms, I also have the private document box (pictured above in pink) by the phone as a catch all, we keep gift vouchers, envelopes, stamps and the like that left by the phone. I have also used a pink one for all Ava’s little special keepsakes, her hospital bracelets, early scan images and other little bits I just can’t bare to part with.

Looking forward to you taking advantage of the huge reductions on the Semikolon range, prices are as marked.  I am ready for your orders, be quick they stylish Semikolon range wont last at these prices! All Semikolon sales until Sunday 28th Feb 2010 (this Sunday) will receive a FREE Semikolon folder dividers, while stocks last.

Have a fabulous day!

The fabulous medical staff at Ashford hospital, in Accident & Emergency and also in the Cardiac Care Unit are truly remarkable. These people put their lives on hold, to care for others. Selflessly working, Doctors and surgeons consulting in the early hours of the morning, and then back again at 7am. Words can’t express our gratitude. My charity of choice is the Heart Foundation, and  now even more so, check out the heart foundations website, it has some great tips about how to approach fitness and diet.

My first personal experience with dedicated medical staff was also at Ashford hospital, where Ava was born. My Obstetrician and Ava’s paediatrician. I have so many letters to write now that it is the New Year, to thanks these wonderful, selfless individuals.  And of course in writing to these people I need beautiful cards and stationery.

Kombi By Tim Crawshaw

My Christmas cards for 2009 were by my very dear friend and thoughtful photographer, Tim Crawshaw.   The Kombi is my favourite card, it reflects our Christmas far better than the snowmen and white Christmas themes. It infuriates me when going to my local newsagency and on offer are winter themed Christmas cards, so irrelevant! To Tim’s website I went, Tim has a collection on RedBubble, gorgeous cards, a canvas and a stunning wall calendar.  With RedBubbles quick and easy ordering process and fast delivery you will be writing to your loved ones in no time!

The Cruel Sea - Tim Crawshaw

Jetty Mechanix by Tim Crawshaw

Winner of the BYO Coffee Cup + Tease  Tea pack is ‘Anita’

congratulations Anita and I will get in touch with you soon for your postal address, so I can send your great prize pack out to you.

I am determined to make a concerted effort to write to my family and friends, it doesn’t have to be a ream of paper, maybe just a thoughtful note in a gorgeous card, or a short note to let those special few know, I am thinking of them. This week I have a beautiful letter writing set from the gorgeous Italian made (the best stationery comes from Italy) Portofino letter writing and note card, new to Tonic I haven’t yet listed them on the website, Pack is valued at over $50. Please subscribe to the blog and make a comment on this post to be in the running for the beautiful letter writing pack. Good luck and thanks for following my blog.

* WIN * Portofino Stationery Pack * WIN *

Happy New Year to you all, 2010 is going to be fabulous!

Murchison-Hume Luxury Laundry Soak

Murchison-Hume Canvas Laundry Bag

My love White on White decor

My love of the white on white theme first evolved when I purchased my first home. Being a relatively small apartment in the the Adelaide CBD the decor was neutral with brilliant white walls, blinds and kitchen. I immediately decorated within my almost non-existent budget with a can of white paint and a tin of Dulux Whisper White. I painted all my photo frames, side tables, you name it – if it could be painted, I painted it white. It was so serene and peaceful, the perfect retreat from my demanding job at the time. As soon as I would walk through the door of number 43, I was calm and at ease.

My white colour scheme was skewed after Nick and I married, we bought my parents home, after mum and dad had purchased a new home by the beach. We jumped a the chance of having more space and an extensively renovated home, Dad has a similar love for cream as I have for white. I now live in a home that is cream, the carpet is cream (nightmare!), the bespoke living room cabinets are cream (fortunately a milky cream), the walls are cream (a very 90s yellow sponged cream). And as I am sure I don’t need to tell lovers of white, cream is a poor excuse for white!

A favourite blog is The Design Files, by Melbourne blogger Lucy Feagins. Lucy featured the new White by Kikki K store in her blog. My two loves together in one store. Design inspiration aplenty, clean fresh lines, just the motivation I need for our Summer painting – lovely! Finally after two and a half years I have made plans to reduce the cream, and inject some much needed white, well buttery white so it goes with the kitchen cabinets. This is much to Nick’s horror, as we will be getting out the paint brushes ourselves. Check out the lush White by Kikki K for your self.

White By Kikki-K Photo from The Design Files

White By Kikki-K Photo from The Design Files Blog

My desk (I wish!!) White by Kikki-K Photo from The Design Files Blog

Tonic Giveaway

This weeks giveaway is for a BYO Coffee (or Tea) Cup and Tease Tea pack. Simply make a comment on this blog, winners will be selected with the assistance from random.org

BYO Coffee Cup

Tease Irish Breakfast

Tonic Gifts - unexpected necessities

I have loved bringing so many new products to Tonic this year, and so many of you have let me know how much you are enjoying your new purchases. Thanks so much for that, I do love to hear from you all! I thought it was time I compiled the top 10 tonic gifts, making your last minute Christmas shopping quick and easy. FREE GIFT WRAPPING UNTIL CHRISTMAS, just send me an email following your order to let me know to wrap your gift and what to write in your card.

Keep update with whats happening at Tonic, by following my blog

WIN – email me your name and address details to go in for a draw to win a Murchison-Hume Laundry Gift Pack Valued at $64. Email me by Wednesday 16th December 2009, to win this luxurious laundry pack. The parcel will be posted to the lucky winner on Thursday 17th December 2009, good luck!

1. Pat Says Now Laptop Sleeve either Louis XIV or UK designs. Buy at Tonic For Just $64.95

Pat Says Now Louis Laptop Sleeve

Pat Says Now UK Laptop Sleeve

2. The BYO Silicon Coffee Cup from Melbourne Designers HookTurn only $10.95

The BYO Cup by Melbourne's HookTurn Industries

Murchison-Hume Heirloom Dish Washing Liquid

3. A long time favourite brand of Tonic Gifts is the luxurious Australian made Murchison Hume range. The Heirloom Dish washing Liquid is non-toxic, eco friendly, kid friendly and beautifully presented in an amber glass bottle with quality pump, $32.00. Choose from Juniperberry or Australian White Grapefruit. Order before 21st December for your BONUS Murchison-Hume Dish or Pot brush. Strictly while stocks last.

4. Our diamonte USB padlock pendant is hard for any girl to resist. The sparkling Diamonte USB Padlock Pendant, is a must for the fashionable workers out and about. $64.95, and free gift wrapping – too easy!

Tease Tea From Tonic Gifts

Tease Green + Jazzy T

USB Bling

5. The beverage of choice in the Tonic office is always a strong pot of Tease Tea. My personal favourites are Irish Breakfast and Green and Jazzy. Give this luxurious tea to the tea lover in your life. Purchase any two tins of Tease Tea priced from $13.95, and I will bundle the tins into a tonic gift box hamper, including a bonus tea strainer. Offer while stocks last, and valid until 21st Dec 2009.

6. Semikolon is a cult German stationery brand. The File Folder Box looks so great on the desk, and keeps file neat and organised. Great for home to sort the families bills and accounts. Neat, tidy and looks fabulous! Normally $65, on sale now for just $55.

Semikolon File Folder Box

Corban+Blair Passport Folder

7. Corban & Blair Red Leather Passport Cover is an ideal gift for the traveler in your life, even better gift for yourself if you are planning a big trip. And a bargain to boot, normally $45 now only $34.95

8. Our sparrow pegs from Qualy are simply delightful, a great addition to the home. I have them in the kitchen for pegging notes, bills and the like. In the office I use them to try and keep the chaos of documents in some sort of order. But my favourite use for the sparrow pegs are on Ava’s pram, just the cutest way to secure a wrap or blanket to the pram while we are out walking. Normally $18.90, a Christmas bargain at just $15

yellow sparrow peg

9. Bring a little class to your laundry with the range of Murchison-Hume canvas laundry bags. A bag for each member of the family, especially gorgeous are the embroidered ‘babies laundry’ bags, an ideal gift for the new baby, who will get so many squeaker toys and wraps!

Baby's laundry canvas bag

Laundry Bags

magnetic hook keyring

10. The very designer Magnetic hook keyring, is a must for the lover of design. Always know where your keys are, on the fridge! SAVE $5.95, now $18.95

Remember to enter the competition for the Murchison-Hume Laundry pack. I am looking forward to beautifully wrapping your Christmas gifts and sending off your parcels.

Enjoy your day,

Louisa