Danelle Kimberley: March 2015

My Month in Photos

17:15:00

1. This is a beautiful building near me. It is up on a hill and I can see if from a while away when I am driving. I decided to go find it one day to take a photo, and this is what I got.

2. A view of Brisbane City from around the corner from my house. I often drive up to this place to take a photo, because I love how much the sky can change, and this is one of the places I see it happen the most.

3. Lavender is one of my absolute favourite flowers and my favourite smells. I took this of the lavender bush at the side of my house at dusk.

4. "The years between eighteen and twenty-eight are the hardest, psychologically. It's when you realise this is make or break, you no longer have the excuse of youth, and it is time to become an adult - but you are not ready." - Helen Mirren - This is one of my favourite quotes I have come across this month, and, to me, is very true.

5. This day was so unbearably hot at home, so I decided to go to my closest shopping centre to do some work. Gloria Jeans is one of my absolute favourite coffee shops, my local one treats me so well. Normally I get a Iced Coffee but decided to go with their newest flavour of Rocky Road, it was delicious!

6. Some yummy Chocolate Slice I made (recipe post here). One of my favourite recipes to make because it is so easy!

7. I love clouds. Enough said.

8. "Don't expect change to happen overnight, even if its not always visible, it's making more impact then you think." - Emma Watson #heforshe

9. As you can probably tell by now, I love baking. I find it so fun and relaxing, and I mean obviously it's a win, because I get some yummy food out of it. I bake banana bread A LOT, it is such a favourite in my family, and definitely my favourite. (Recipe post here).

10. The first time I've been to Southbank for about three years, and of course there was a massive down pouring of rain. I snapped this picture of the Wheel of Brisbane just before the storm.

11. Whilst at Southbank, I went to the cafe Denim Co. on Little Stanley St, and grabbed this amazing Tiramisu Cake and Iced Coffee (two of my favourite things), and they were both delicious. They also garnished our plates with lavender, which I still have in my room.

12. A beautiful picture of Italy. I love Italy, have loved Italy since I was about 8, and am so desperate to visit this beautiful city.

13. Oh look, I went to Gloria Jeans.. Shock! My Dad got back from a work trip early, so we went to our local Gloria Jeans to grab a coffee and bite to eat. I grabbed my favourite Signature Iced Coffee on Soy, and a cute little Easter Bunny Cookie, so yum. (Thanks Dad).

14. Clouds.

15. "Darling don't forget to fall in love with yourself first." - thearticsoul

16. This was my first time baking Hot Cross Buns. A recipe that I would have put up today, if I was happy with it, but unfortunately I wasn't. It didn't turn out as great as I was hoping, but I will keep trying until I nail it, and then I will post it up!

Danelle x

food

Sneaky Snack Sundays - Banana Bread

09:00:00

Life

A Child of Divorce

16:37:00

There are so many hard things that you go through when you’re parents decide to get a divorce. The hardest thing for me was that I lost a lot along the way, including myself. I was 13 when it happened, old enough to know what was happening, but still young enough for it to deeply affect me. I’ve always been one of those people that take everything to heart, and I don’t often say enough what I’m feeling and that I’m hurting. So things just keep building up, and building up, until I explode, which I did many times, and which also got me in trouble many times.

So many things can change during a divorce, firstly, obviously the relationship between your parents, they can be the kind of parents that get along even after they divorce, they can be the kind of parents that talk shit about each other behind their backs to their kids, or you could have one of each. I had one of each. Secondly, the relationship between the parents and the kids can change. You look at this person, who raised you, who once loved you, and not know who they are anymore, and because of that, your relationship with them has changed, forever. I also had that.

There’s one thing I’ve always quite liked about myself, and that is that I have very good instincts about people. I can read them well; I can see through their bullshit, and see what that person is really like. I had that at 13 years of age, but I was told that I was wrong, and that I was just angry from them divorce. For many years, I was told I was too young to have an opinion or that my opinion was wrong. That was one of the hardest things for me, because I wasn’t being listened to, and because of that, I went through a lot more shit than I would have, if someone had listened to my opinion in the first place.

I don’t ever blame anyone for that, because I have always believed that everything happens for a reason, and that I was supposed to go through these things, so I could become a stronger person. But when you’re a teenager, you’re trying to figure out who you are, and when there is someone who is constantly putting you down, and making you feel like you are unwanted and unworthy, what else are you supposed to believe. Especially when it’s coming from someone who is meant to protect you from people who make you feel this way, from your bullies. But how can they protect you, when they’re the one who is bullying you.

Almost 10 years on, and lots of shit later, I have finally accepted the choice I made, to keep that person out of my life. The choice I wanted to make when I was 13. I understand why what I wanted when I was younger was not really ‘allowed’, because there were people looking out for me, that didn’t want me to make a mistake that could ruin a relationship, I get that. But when a person doesn’t change, when a person doesn’t believe they have done anything wrong, when a person never apologizes for the wrongs that they’ve done, then how can someone ‘like me’ who just wants to be happy, change their opinion on that person? Like they say, a leopard doesn’t change its spots, and this person certainly hasn’t.

I’ve always gotten so many questions, asking me how I could just let them go. Believe me, it was never easy, and there are days when I question if I’ve done the wrong thing, and I’m not going to lie, there are days that I miss them, and wonder if maybe they have changed. But I know I’ve done the right thing for me, maybe not for them, but I have for me. And I know that if after 10 years a person hasn’t changed, then why would they now? And honestly, I think I just miss the person I knew when I was a kid, not the person that showed who they really were when I was 13. Not the person who decided they didn’t want to be a parent anymore. Not the person who became my worst bully.

I have lost many things with losing this person. I’ve lost other family members; I’ve lost memories, photographs, and pets. But I’ve gained many things also. I’m not quite there yet, but for the first time since I was 12, I can see myself being genuinely happy again, I can see a future where I am happy, and confident, and myself. I know I have a long way to go, but at least I can see it now, I couldn’t before.

Like many things, not everyone is going to have the same experience as me, when they are a child of divorce. Some may be better, some may be worse. This is just my story of millions that are out there, I’m not telling it for sympathy, I don’t need or want that. It’s just something I felt the need to talk about as it could help someone who is going through the same thing. Because if you ask me, people don’t talk about they’re problems much anymore, and that’s how they can get worse. So I’m trying to encourage people to talk, get things off their chest. Don’t bottle it up, someone somewhere, understands and wants to help.

Danelle x

Don't ever be afraid to ask for help;

BeyondBlue:1300 22 4636

Kids Helpline:1800 55 1800

Lifeline: 13 11 14

food

Sneaky Snack Sundays - Chocolate & Coconut Slice

10:00:00

So I've been trying to think up a couple of new post ideas for my blog, as I'm sometimes at a loss for ideas after big events like the Oscars and Fashion Week are over. I was really craving chocolate one day so I decided to make my favourite Chocolate Slice. Now I love baking, and I love eating even more, and well everyone loves food, so I thought, you know what, I'll make a post about this. And that is when I came up with the idea of a regular food post, and decided that Sunday's would be the best day to post it. So that's when I came up with 'Sneaky Snack Sundays'. Now I'm going to try and commit to this weekly, but I know that won't always happen, but I will definitely give it a good crack. So now, I'm going to stop babbling on, and lets get into the recipe!

Ingredients:

Chocolate & Coconut Slice

125g Melted Butter
1 Cup Brown Sugar
1 Egg
I Tsp Vanilla Extract
1/2 Cup Plain Flour
1/4 Self Raising Flour
2 Tbsps Cocoa Powder
1/2 Cup Desiccated Coconut

Icing

1 Cup Icing Sugar
2 Tbsps Cocoa Powder
10g Melted Butter
1 1/2 Tbsps Hot Water (approx)

Method:

1. Firstly add the melted butter, sugar, egg (lightly beaten), and vanilla into a bowl and stir together until combined.

2. Next, sift both the flours and cocoa powder into the wet mix and stir together until ingredients are combined well. Lastly stir through the coconut. (I forgot to take a photo of this, whoops).

3. Grease a 20cm x 30cm pan and add baking paper. (I grease first so that the paper will stick, and then add the paper as it is easier to take out the slice). Place the mixture into the pan, and smooth out as much as possible. (Don't worry if it's not completely even, as once in the oven it will smooth out a lot from the heat). Then place the slice into a 180°c oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until a skewer inserted comes out clean.

4. Whilst your slice is baking, lets get started on the icing. Add all the ingredients together in a bowl, and mix well until you create a spreadable paste. (You may need to add a little extra hot water if this doesn't happen).

5. When your slice has finished cooking, spread icing over the top whilst it is still hot, then sprinkle with some extra coconut. Allow to cool completely in pan.

Now just cut up the slice and enjoy!

This is one of my absolute favourite slices, I have been making this recipe for years and years. I love having it for afternoon tea, with some hot chocolate or coffee. Also this recipe can easily be made gluten free, by just swapping the flours with GF flours and double checking the cocoa powder you're using is GF. I have made this recipe GF tonnes of times for my Dad and he loves it!

Let me know if you try this recipe out and how you like it, and I hope you enjoyed this post!

Danelle x

fashion

Paris Fashion Week Front Row

16:00:00

Favourites

February Favourites

16:00:00

Hey Everyone! Here are my February favourites (even though it's like the second week of March, whoops!) I hope you enjoy.

Place: Eat Street Markets

On the last day of February I went to Eat Street for the first time. I had heard loads about it (or seen it really) from Facebook and Instagram friends, and I had always wanted to go. So for my dad’s birthday we decided to go check it out for dinner, and wow, was it something! I’m not kidding when I say; this is what my heaven looks like! There are lots of different types of food, literally everywhere; there was also some live entertainment and pretty lights, so you know, heaven. My favourite food that I tried was the gluten free doughnuts, they were amazing, and I will literally keep going back until I’ve tried everything. Twice!

TV Shows

As always, Pretty Little Liars is my favourite show, and I have been obsessed with season five, which is almost over (sad face). But that means we’re about to find out who A is! It’s all I’ve wanted to know since the show started, but I don’t know if I’m ready for this! Moving on to How To Get Away With Murder, and I may have binge watched the whole season in one day. I normally don’t like this kind of show, but it is very addictive and I definitely recommend it! Lastly, I have been loving Faking It. It is a bit more of my kind of show, you know, one of those teenagey to young adult, funny, corny shows, which are my favourite. I’m all caught up on the episodes, and am impatiently waiting for more.

Music

My top five songs for this month are:

Masterpiece by Jessie J

Glory by Common and John Legend

Love Me Like You Do by Ellie Goulding

One Last Time by Ariana Grande

All Hands On Deck by Tinashe (I do prefer the one without Iggy, but this was the only one on Tinashe's Youtube Channel).

If you haven’t listened to any of these songs, go do it! Right Now! GO! (If you click on the song names, I have linked the songs to their Official Music Videos, your welcome).

YouTubers

Lastly for my monthly favourites are of course, YouTubers. As I spend pretty much the majority of my time on YouTube, I try and find a new channel each month, and this month I have been loving these Channels: Essie Button, Vlogbby11 (Alisha Marie Vlogs) and Tara Michelle Vlogs. Now I have been watching the first two for a few months now, and Tara for about two months, but I find that these three in particular, post a lot of good quality videos on a regular basis, which is why they have been my favourite for this month. (Click on the names if you want to go check out their Channels!)

So that is it for my monthly favourites, let me know what yours were below, and I’ll check them out!

Danelle x

fashion

Milan Fashion Week Front Row

16:30:00

fashion

London Fashion Week Front Row

15:19:00

fashion

Oscar's 2015

18:31:00

The Oscar’s are one of the most hyped up events of the year, and I definitely see why. In one night there is a recap of the best movies of the year, discovering who the best of the best Actors and Actresses are and seeing what this years host can throw at us. But for me, it’s the red carpet, and all things fashion and beauty. The biggest stars wearing the biggest designers, what could be better? So keep reading if you want to find out my favourite Red Carpet fashion, beauty looks and After Party fashion from this years Oscar’s.

Red Carpet Fashion

There were countless amazing looks on the Red Carpet this year. Every time I though I had chosen my favourites, someone else would appear and blow me away. So I have narrowed it down to my top 5 favourites.

Without going into much explanation, here are my three of my five favourites from the red carpet. All these women looked beautiful, classic and graceful when walking on the carpet, which is why they are in my top five.

Chrissy Teigen Jamie Chung Zoe Saldana

in Zuhair Murad in Yanina Couture in Atelier Versace

These next two were my absolute favourites from the night and I could not decide whom I liked more. Both of these looks were so different and so well put together. I want to give a massive shout out to their stylists, makeup and hair teams, as they made these beautiful women look completely flawless from head to toe.

Rita Ora

Rita wore a gorgeous strapless, Custom Marches Gown. The gown was a blue satin and sported gold detailing on the upper half of the dress, whilst the lower half was cinched in at the knees, to form a mermaid tail look, and then flowed out to form a gorgeous train. Rita teamed this look with Giuseppe Zanotti shows, Loraine Schwartz jewels, a slicked back hairdo and neutral makeup.

Jennifer Lopez

JLO looked like a princess when she stepped onto the Oscars Red Carpet. Wearing a nude, embellished Ellie Saab gown, she proved once again that she is the Queen of the Red Carpet. Her natural makeup and slicked back pony made her look youthful and vibrant. Jen finished off her look with a Salvatore Ferragamo Clutch, pink lips and simple diamond earrings. Definitely a fairy tale moment!

Beauty Looks

I always feel like the outfit is what most people focus on and highlight, but to me hair and makeup is what can make or break the whole look. I also sometimes prefer the beauty looks of the celebs rather than what they’re wearing. The beauty looks that seemed apparent to me on the Oscar’s Red Carpet this year were; Natural makeup, bold lips, slick ponies and long wavy locks. The ladies below are the ones that really nailed it for me, from their hair to their makeup, they all looked seriously stunning.

After Part Red Carpet Fashion

The Vanity Fair Oscar’s After Party, brought out a whole new load of celebrities and fashion, and crazy cut outs seemed to be a major theme this time round. The three following ladies really stood out to me, as they completely nailed their looks from head to toe.

Hannah Davis Nina Dobrev Gigi Hadid

in Dolce and Gabbana in Reem Acra in Atelier Versace

So that’s it for my Oscar’s fashion and beauty recap for the year. Let me know below what your favourite looks from the Oscar’s were, and the trends you’re looking forward to at future red carpet events.

Danelle x

Pages

My Month in Photos

Sneaky Snack Sundays - Banana Bread

A Child of Divorce

Sneaky Snack Sundays - Chocolate & Coconut Slice

Paris Fashion Week Front Row

February Favourites

Milan Fashion Week Front Row

London Fashion Week Front Row

Oscar's 2015

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