Spaghetti and Meatballs … 1 Dish … 6 Ways …

June 29, 2014

If you’re looking for a recipe that is as versatile as it is delicious, then this dish fits the bill perfectly. These meatballs can be prepared earlier in the day and are quick and easy using simple ingredients. Get super organised, whip up a double portion, freeze one or two extra batches of meatballs and then you have dinner covered for another night (or two). Here’s a recipe that can be served not one, not two but six different ways! Listed below are the six different ways I serve these delicious meatballs: 1. The meatballs can be served in this rich tomato … read more

Pumpkin Soup …

June 27, 2014

Now that the weather has turned very cool here in Queensland it’s time to start cooking those beautiful, hearty meals that bring us warmth and comfort. Winter for me means a bowl of steaming hot soup so here’s my rustic version of the ever-popular Pumpkin Soup … quick, easy and delicious! Pumpkin Soup …   Print Author: Mrs Organised Ingredients … 4 large onions, roughly chopped 3 cloves crushed garlic 1 tablespoon butter 2.5 kg pumpkin of your choice, peeled and chopped into large chunks 2 large potatoes, peeled and chopped into large chunks … read more

A Day at Sentosa Island, Singapore … “Signs on the Loose” …

June 25, 2014

Last October, hubby and I travelled to Borneo stopping over in Singapore for 4 days on the way. We hadn’t visited Sentosa Island in over 20 years so we decided to include a visit on this trip. Sentosa Island is a really popular island resort located just off the mainland. It can be accessed by a causeway, however, we decided to catch the Cable Car. I usually don’t enjoy anything involving heights so I focused on the horizon, repeated many times “Don’t look down, don’t look down, don’t look down” and made it across safely (and back again). Sentosa Island is home … read more

Safety Tips for the Bathroom … For Little Kids … (and Big Kids, too) …

June 23, 2014

Hazards exist all around the home and the bathroom can potentially be one of the most dangerous rooms in the house. However, with a bit of care and some commonsense precautions, most dangers can be eliminated or significantly reduced. Here is a list of the things I tried to do when my girls were littlies to help keep them safe in the bathroom: NEVER leave a small child unattended in the bath. It didn’t matter if the phone rang or someone knocked on the door, I was never tempted to leave the girls alone in the bath. Accidents can happen in a split second and … read more

Decluttering (Part 1) … What is Clutter?

June 21, 2014

Recently I received a few questions from some lovely readers asking for ideas, tips and suggestions on how to declutter different areas of their home. So, today I’m launching a 10-Part Series I’ve written specifically about decluttering. Learning how to deal with and get rid of clutter is the first important step for anyone whose goal is to get organised in their home and to ultimately live a simpler, less stressful life. Over the next few weeks, my aim is to share with you the top tips, ideas and strategies that I am using to gain a less cluttered home and … read more

Almond and Fig Balls …

June 19, 2014

I’ve already shared a number of different recipes for Bliss Balls and here is yet another variety to add to your collection. I haven’t experimented with, or tried, Figs in the past so I was really keen to create a recipe that used them. For this recipe I used dried figs, purchased at Woolworths, and the result was a beautiful, sweet snack that everyone enjoyed. These are ideal for lunchboxes as well but do remember to check your schools “Nut Policy” as these contain ground almonds. Almond and Fig Balls …   Print Author: Mrs Organised Ingredients … read more

How to Create Space Where There is None … Say What!?!

June 17, 2014

One of the things I hear often is “My house/apartment is too small … I don’t have enough storage & cupboard space and need a bigger place”. Sound familiar! I’ve even heard myself say the same thing but I’ve also learned, that’s not always possible and instead, I have to make do with the space I have available. So one of my best tips for getting organised is to find and create space where previously there is none. In other words, finding storage solutions for some of the smallest and least obvious places. How is that possible, I hear you ask! Let me give you … read more

Risotto with Chicken, Mushrooms and Roasted Pumpkin …

June 15, 2014

I just adore cooking Risotto, it’s one of those dishes that screams “comfort food”. I also love that you can take the basic ingredients and then add whatever vegetables you love to create a beautiful, filling, scrumptious dish. Here’s a family favourite that I’ve been cooking for years. Risotto with Chicken, Mushrooms and Roasted Pumpkin …   Print Prep time 30 mins Cook time 30 mins Total time 1 hour   Author: Mrs Organised Serves: 6 – 8 Ingredients … 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon butter 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 ½ cups … read more

Teaching Kids Good Bathroom Routines & Habits (Part 1) … Free to Download …

June 13, 2014

Routine and structure are really important for kids because it gives them a sense of security … a sense that their environment is safe and familiar. It also helps them to develop self-discipline rather than waking up every day to new rules and change. Teaching kids (young ones in particular) to be clean, tidy and safe in the bathroom can sometimes be a bit tricky and I found when my own kids were little, I used lots of charts to help them remember to complete simple tasks and to develop good habits and routines. Today I’m sharing a cute chart that I created for a … read more

Lunchbox Ideas … Silicon Food Bands …

June 11, 2014

Well, school holidays ended here in Queensland on Monday, the kids returned to school, so it’s back to the old Lunchbox Routine again … no complaints though because I love getting creative! Here is the lunchbox I whipped up for Tuesday and I wanted to share these fantastic Silicon Food Bands that I used for my daughter’s wrap … sort of like a hair band but for food! I have been using these for a while and I picked mine up in Kyoto in Japan, however, I have seen them on ebay. Just search for things like Bento or Bento Box and loads of cutters, food picks and other … read more

Macaroni Cheese with Chicken, Bacon and Vegetables …

June 9, 2014

Looking for something yummy to feed the kids? Look no further … this recipe is definitely a winner … and wait till you taste the crunchy, cheesy bacon topping! Most kids love pasta and cheese, it’s such a classic combination but the addition of chicken and vegetables make this a healthier option. The thing I love most about this recipe (apart from the fact that it’s seriously delicious) is that you can add or omit any of the vegetables to suit your family’s tastebuds. You can choose to leave out the chicken and bacon for a vegetarian option and this can also be … read more

What’s My Food and Cooking Philosophy?

June 7, 2014

I bake and cook a lot and I’m often asked by people where I find the time. The answer for me is simple … it’s not easy, however, number one, I enjoy it and and number two I decided a long time ago that my family’s nutrition was something I wanted to focus on. But like I said … it’s hard!! Like a lot of Mums, I’m trying to juggle part-time work, keeping my house looking somewhat respectable (that’s a constant work in progress), looking after the kids and generally doing everything else that us Mum’s have to do! And often, the last thing I feel like doing is … read more

Bathroom Labels … Free to Download …

June 5, 2014

Recently on the blog I shared the story of how I organised my main bathroom and you can read about that here, here and here. To help me locate things easily and to be super organised, I created a gorgeous set of labels which I cut out, laminated and attached to the various baskets and crates I used. I have since had loads of requests from lovely readers for these labels so here they are. Each set of labels contains 18 different individual labels. I have created the same set of labels in three different styles and colours and they are absolutely free for you to … read more

10 Ways to be a Savvy Fashionista and Never Pay Full Price …

June 3, 2014

If I could pass on one piece of fashion advice to my girls, it would be this … avoid paying full price for any fashion items. Regardless of what I buy, whether it’s tops, skirts, jeans, shoes, dresses, coats, handbags, etc. I very rarely pay the full price and, as a result, I save a fortune. The fashion industry is so competitive and consequently, there are loads of sales, every couple of weeks it seems. Add to this the growing popularity of online shopping and there are plenty of ways to save money and bargains to be had for the savvy shopper. To give you an … read more

Apricot Bliss Balls …

June 1, 2014

After achieving success with my Chocolate Bliss Balls, I was keen to produce an apricot version to give my family a bit of variety. I searched the internet but couldn’t find exactly the right recipe so I’ve created my own. This version still uses a lot of the common ingredients I noticed in the other recipes but without the sweetened condensed milk that most other recipes called for. My goal was to create an apricot ball that was gluten free and dairy free while still being quite healthy. Once again, you will need a food processor for this recipe so, if you don’t … read more