Thermochef

Ok I'm back! Sorry I've been a bit MIA but had a crazy week or so and needed to get a few things sorted. So I'm back and here's my first review of a product I have played with at work but do not actually own myself.

Thermochef  

What's a Thermochef you might ask? Don't you mean Thermomix.....?

Well this is a Thermochef.

  http://www.matchbox.com.au/Products-and-Brands/Appliances/Thermo-Chef/44

Still not helping....... A Thermochef is a new wiz bang kitchen gadget that is the perfect product for people without enough time or interest in being chained to the stove on a regular basis. It has multiple functions including heating, steaming, stirring, chopping, grinding, kneading, cooking and weighing. So basically your blender, food processor, mix master, digital scales and stove all in one.

All too good to be true? Well, you are going to pay for such a product. The Thermochef is $795, not an amount to be sneezed at for most of us but considering it's competition is $1939, for many it would be their only option in this market.

I am by no means a Thermomix basher, if you can afford this baby I'm sure it would be a brilliant product. I however have not had the honour of trialing it so have no comparison to go by. If you're interested in a full and comprehensive side by side comparison Michelle at Iron Chef Shellie wrote one late last year after using the two side by side - Thermochef vs Thermomix.

The differences I'm aware of are that:

• The Thermomix is up to their 5th generation and is made in France and designed in Germany. The Thermochef is the equivalent to their 3rd generation and is made in China and designed in Spain. 
• The Thermochef's bowl is made of 18/10 grade stainless steel (the same as stainless steel cookware and cutlery) where the Thermomix's bowl is made of surgical grade stainless steel, which is more hygienic and less likely to take on strong smells. 
• The Thermomix has a reverse function that the Thermochef does not. This reverse function is designed to minimise chopping of certain products and to gently break apart others. I have not witnessed the reverse function as I have not used the Thermomix but heard from a customer that she was told at a Thermomix demo that this means the Thermochef is unable to chop mushrooms or shred chicken, however I have been able to perform both of these functions in the Thermochef using their lower speeds...... 
• Also the scales in the Thermomix are within the bowl and ingredients are weighed in 5gm increments as added to the bowl. Whereas the Thermochef's scales are located on the side over the keypad and measure in 1gm increments. Personally I find the separate scales to be a much better idea as I am a chronic over-pourer who always over estimates and puts too much in and has to take some out which would be much harder if the extra ingredients were already in the bowl with the other parts.

There are pros and cons to both machines and different functions will work for every different person. We had a lady come into our shop who had worked as a Thermomix demonstrator and borrowed our Thermochef to compare. While she admitted she did write a list of differences she decided taste testing was going to be her decider and found that in the end her family could not tell the difference.

Here's a video From New Wave - the Thermochef's producer.

What I have made -

• ANZAC biscuits. What else do you make in April? :-) Using the recipe in the included recipe booklet I whipped these up in no time. Melted the butter and heated the syrup while combining them, whizzed in the boiling water and Bi-Carb and then added all other ingredients and gave it all a quick knead. Done. I used one measuring jug to weigh out all the ingredients on the scales, measuring spoons, the provided spatula and a spoon for portioning at the end. 10 mins in the oven and the best tasting ANZAC's I've ever made were ready to be scoffed down!  And believe me as a sample they disappeared fast!
• Risotto. Yum, yum is all I have to say about this one, chop and saute the onion and garlic in a little oil, lock on the butterfly whisk (this stops the blades from chopping while still spinning, and helps mix the ingredients). Whip through the rice, add wine, stock, mushrooms and s&p and leave to cook and mix for 15 mins. Mix through some parmesan and butter and serve with fresh chopped herbs. So quick, so easy and so yum! I was extremely happy with this result as the rice was fluffy and there was still just enough liquid so make it smooth and creamy and not gloopy.
• Soup. I whipped up a pumpkin, potato and bacon soup. Very yummy and the bacon gave it a perfect saltiness that meant no more was required. Recipe was chop onion and bacon and saute with some oil, pop in cubed and peeled pumpkin and potato with the stock and cook for 30 mins (no butterfly whisk here as you want the food to be chopped) Let the soup cool slightly (as apparently whizzing soup once cooled makes for a smoother consistency) then give it a quick fast whiz, and mix in some cream or natural yoghurt and fresh parsley. Re-heat if needed and serve. Mmmmmmm!
• Steamed Chicken into chicken spread. I was yet to use the steaming function and seeing as there's three steaming baskets and it's a fantastic and healthy way to cook I was desperate to give it a go. I steamed an entire chicken breast and this took around 30 mins all up, now there is a list of how long you need to cook each item but as chicken has so many variable sizes and weights it was a bit of a test. I was unsure of how much water to put in so I went with the maximum suggested and had some aside in case more was needed as this was a HUGE chicken breast. I put it on for 15 mins and knew it needed more time so added more water but stupidly added cold water so put it on for another 5 mins but the water was only just started to steam again by the time this was up so I started it for another 5 straight away. After this it looked pretty done so I cut it in half to check and it was still a tiny bit pink (as I said this was a huge breast) but another 5 mins cut in half we achieved perfection! (Next time I'd definitely cut up the breast before steaming) Now to turn it into a spread. 4-5 pecans given a whiz, 1 celery stalk cut in chunks given a whiz and set aside, chicken breast cut in 4 whizzed on speed 3 for 15 seconds and it was a perfectly shredded mound. Mix pecans, celery and chicken together, add mayo and s&p to taste and Wha La, a perfect chicken sandwich spread! (also great on crackers as a sampler/canape!)

Chopping/grinding options

• Raw Almonds - Almond meal
• Rice - Rice flour
• White sugar - Castor Sugar
• White sugar - Icing Sugar
• Whole Nutmeg - Ground nutmeg
• Etc, etc, etc

There are so many things these machine can do: knead bread, mix cake batters, make curry pastes, cook curries, steam rice, make dips, make sauces, whip cream, make sorbet and I could go on and on and on! I may as well just say the only thing it won't do is the dishes and a back massage...... Buuut, on speed 4 at 70 degrees with some water and a drop of detergent it cleans itself pretty bloody well ;-)

Here's an image with all included extra's Obviously starting with the machine itself on the left. Then from top to bottom the Butterfly Whisk, Steamer Baskets (2 baskets plus lid), Extra Jug (A limited edition offer), 3 Piece Spatula (pulls apart for storage and so the handle can be used to lift the steamer insert) and the Steamer insert (sits inside bowl for steaming rice etc). You also get included in the set is a folder that's about 5cm thick with recipes and an easy to understand instruction manual as well as a DVD where you can watch the machine being used.

So the details....

• Blending and heating for easy cooking with multiple functions
• 2 litre jug capacity. Detachable jug with S/S blades
• Multi-functions: scale, turbo, blend, heat, kneading, steam and timer
• Optional temperature levels from 37-100°C
• Optional 1-10 speed levels, plus turbo.
• Gift box accessories includes: instruction manual, DVD, recipes, warranty card, rating label sticker, steamer, butterfly, spatula, and basket.
• 2 Year Warranty
• 1550W（Motor:550W，Heater:1000W）

 http://www.newwavekitchenappliances.com.au/catalogue/products/thermochef-natura/thermochef-natura

So what else can I say, so easy, so simple, so thorough, so capable, so versatile, this is truly a brilliant machine that is going to make life 100 times easier for so many. If you need something to make cooking at home easier, to make space after getting rid of those machines you never use anymore, to do all those little things that just make a mess and a fuss and to inspire you to cook fresh over bottled and packaged, then this is the product for you. 

So after reading my personal observations I hear many people asking "would you buy one?"......... Honestly, no. This is not though due to the quality, function or maintenance of the machine, it's because I LOVE TO COOK! I love to stand in my kitchen throwing together big meals and playing and fiddling with all the nitty gritty, chopping, mixing, stirring etc. While I'll complain as I do them (I do not have a dishwasher) I feel so accomplished after doing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen. I love staying home all day as something slow cooks in the oven or on the stove. I love kneading bread and waiting for it to prove, I love it all. Currently as I build my business and it's just my partner and I, I have the time and patience to cook (well most days anyway). So this is not the machine for me, I have many other items on my wish list before I'd spend $800 or even $2000 on a product that takes some of the fun details out of cooking a meal. Strange I know, to rave about a product that you wouldn't buy yourself but I guess I'm becoming a true salesperson. I see merit in a product, even when it's not for me. :-P

Anyway, that's my first product assessment, I hope you've enjoyed it and now that I've decided to go ahead with my blog I'll try capture some of my own pictures to put in my posts.

Thanks for reading xxoo

Roxanne
This post is not a paid review it is purely the opinion of the author after personal experience using this product.

My plans for The Block Week 1

So I decided to follow up my post about the Week 1 Rooms From The Block with what I would have done if I was competing. I would have done a Sitting Room/Study/Home Cinema. Ambitious I know, but I'll show you in pictures how it would have worked. (I'm sure this would have been fairly out of the question budget wise but if Sophie and Dale can spend $6000 on their share house/second hand look dining room...........)

Also I do not own the rights to any of these photos they are images I have used from Pinterest the online photo sharing site, so citing the true owner is a bit tricky. I have included the link from the place they were "pinned" from.

Firstly I would have, like Sophie and Dale, knocked out a door to the left of the fireplace but would have taken out the original door to the hallway. This gives you a lot more room and furniture space. Though I would have put in a door in the new opening instead of leaving it open.

Main theme

 http://bijouandboheme.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/some-prettiness.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%253A+BijouAndBoheme+%2528Bijou+and+Boheme%2529

This is the style I would have gone for in this real estate market. Minus the carpet though, it's a bit too busy for me, but remove the pattern and it's the perfect colour. I would probably minimize the artwork but the couch and chairs are perfect! Also love the recessed curtains just not their colour, I probably would have gone a gold or taupe! (Floor length yes!!)

Feature 1

 http://studioten25.com/blog/?p=7683

Like most of the teams I also would have restored the fireplace, leaving the mantel in place! The furniture would sit in a similar way to this also.

Feature 2

 http://www.houzz.com/photos/269134/Coranado-traditional-home-office-cincinnati

Then against the opposite wall I would have put in high and dark shelving and depending on space would have used a separate desk like this or would have put one in the centre of the shelves. With lots of work space and a big comfy office chair it would make a traditional style home office.

Feature 3

http://www.diynetwork.com/home-improvement/media-room-makeovers-for-four-hollywood-celebs/pictures/page-21.html

Then to really make this room special I would have hung a hidden/drop down screen, making this a home cinema and second entertainment space. This would be over the desk/office space as it would be unneeded when the screen's in use and the couch and chairs would be used to watch from.

Feature 4

 http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/look-hidden-projector-behind-w-78139

And finally the projector. Quite unsightly hanging from the roof or sitting on a big shelf, I love the idea of a hidden recessed shelf with an artwork hiding it. This would fit perfectly in the styling I'm going for and would add some value and extra use to a room some may think unnecessary.

What would you have done for this space? xxoo
Roxanne

Pizza Stone

Have you heard of a Pizza Stone? Or a baking stone? Well I hadn't until I began working in a kitchenware shop. A new and exciting discovery for me, they're a great gift idea for budding Chef's as well as really reasonably priced and don't need cleaning!!

Since my baking has taken off wildly lately and my Chef is very partial to a pizza (homemade and bought) I decided to invest my hard earned $10 in one :-P Yep, $10! Or you could go $15 for a BBQ shaped one.......... I even got a pizza wheel cutter as a bonus extra.

This is the one I went for, a 33cm round stone with a wire rack. The rack is used as handles to get the stone in and out of the oven and then can be flipped and used as a stand.

Bread was actually the reason I made this 'dramatic' purchase. I was watching an episode of Hugh Fernley-Wittingstall's River Cottage and he made a super easy Soda Bread and I copied down the recipe and knew that a stone would be the best cooking aid in my residential kitchen.
For the yummy recipe I used go here. http://www.rivercottage.net/recipes/classic-soda-bread/

 This was the outcome, so yummy I almost ate the whole loaf in 24 hours!

Anyway back to the pizza's. Today I went out and bought all of our favourite homemade pizza supplies and went to town! Pita bread, cheese, pasta sauce, salami, ham, fresh tomato, sun-dried tomato and olives! Mmmmmmmmmm!

The way the stones work are you pre-heat them in your oven (or BBQ) as you prepare your toppings. They will take on the heat and hold it so beware they get very hot, this is where the rack comes in handy. You want the oven to be quite hot, 220˚C Plus! The idea of the stone is that it takes on all the heat and cooks food faster by drawing moisture out of the it. Therefore the surrounding heat needs to be high to cook the toppings faster to keep up with the base. Because the stone works by drawing the moisture out you'll get a lovely crisp base on your food. You may get some food spillage on your stone but never fear this is a good thing!! Depending on how crisp and/or brown you like your pizza it will only take 10-15mins to cook. Also if you're cooking for a crowd you may want two stones running at once for an even faster turnover.

Yum, yum, my first pizza of the night straight from the oven!! (after 10mins cooking)

Once you've finished cooking on your stone put it back into the hot oven and turn the heat off. This allows the stone to cool slowly (as quickly may cause it to crack and break) drying out all the moisture and any food spillage. Now the best bit, once cooled, scrape off any dried food and put away. You do not want to put moisture near this baby so washing or wiping with a damp cloth is strictly forbidden! And that messy spilled food stain? This will become a seasoning, it will increase every time you use your stone and eventually will begin smoking and giving your food a wood fired oven flavour!!!!! Yep, a wood fired oven flavour in your regular old oven!

Food spillage? No problem!

 

Lastly another golden rule is to not cut on the stone!! These cheaper stones are made of a sort of clay and running a blade over it will cut into the surface and make cracking an almost certainty. Also serving on them is not such a brilliant idea as they are incredibly hot and you risk burning the table surface or reaching hands, plus sticking to the 'back into the oven to cool slowly' rule will ensure the life of your stone is extended. There are stones available that are enamel coated and therefore fine to cut and serve on and they come in wonderful colours but you're looking at over $50 for one of those.

So all in all a very simple design and fantastic kitchen gadget! I'm in love <3 and can't wait to whip up another bread xxoo

Roxanne

This blog post was not sponsored by any outside source. It is entirely my own opinion on a product I already own.

The Block 2012 Week 1

So, I'm obsessed with The Block! It's funny, I was not interested in the first few series from years ago and last year I was very skeptical but it sucked me in, and this year I've been waiting with bated breathe for it to begin.

So week one is done and dusted and the first room has been judged and Dan and Dani's Bedroom/Study reined supreme. However it was a week of low numbers all around and I am with the judges, they all need to step it up and buy some DECENT CURTAINS! So here's my personal judgement on the rooms.

Dan and Dani's - Bedroom/Study 

Walls - Colour! Yay, often the 'blockheads' are so safe sticking to white but I feel it's much more relaxing and luxurious to be in a bedroom with some colour. A subtle grey like this is neutral and calm.
Floors - This dark grey carpet works very well with the softer grey on the walls and white skirting.
Furniture - The bedspread is very busy and looks fuzzy here. It's actually a fine grey chevron but a larger pattern would have looked better as well a throw and a few bigger cushions would have creating the 'display bed' look. I love their use of colour. Bright splashes seem to be their style. The desk is great although the shelves are a bit sparse and I like the mirrored wardrobe but to me the desk is too small to call this room an "office" as such. I LOVE the ghost chair, it has such a lesser impact than a clunky office chair would have. I like the upholstered bedhead but the checkered pattern is a bit much. I do like the Bally poster buuuuut the idea is a bit 'been there, done that' on the block..........

My vote 6.5/10
This couple have a strong style. If you have seen all the episodes you would have seen this style of theirs in both their elimination room and their own apartment. I like it but I don't think they are thinking of the area they're in or the buyers they're looking at. This room is very coherent, smooth and streamline.

Mike and Andrew's - Office/Guest Room

Walls - I can see why they went a stark white when they've chosen such a dark floor but white is so plain.
Floors - They are extremely dark and to me maybe a little overpowering in such a small room.
Furniture - I'm a massive fan of the restored fireplace and love the desk and the chair, this is really an office to me. Also loving that they actually filled the shelves, as the room looks much more lived in. I would have hung the mirror, but I also agree with the judges that the shelf (not seen in this photo) and the mirror should have been reversed. I liked the little reading nook (again not seen in this photo) but the lamp was way too high! The tilt away bed rocks, and they've got great shelving around it. But I agree with the judges the artwork/pull lever looks really out of place. And to finish, cow hide rug......... urgh!!!

My vote 6/10
The guys are seeming to go for the bachelor pad look and it could work in this area. I'm wondering if they will extend this flooring and wall colour throughout the house, I'm thinking yes, I believe though it will be very overpowering without some more colour....

Brad and Lara's - Sitting Room

Walls - White has worked well here as they're keeping the period features and are going for neutral colours in the furnishings.
Floors - Loving, Loving, Loving the red wood polished floor!! I'm assuming they'll extend it throughout the house and it will fit the house perfectly and future buyers will be able to add any style they want to the room.
Furniture - I love and blue chair and ottoman and am so so about the white couch. I love the modern coffee table and modern entertainment features. However the rug does not work for me! White rug, with a white couch and white walls, too much white. A navy and cream stripe or grey chevron would have worked much better. The mirror looks a little odd until you realize it matches the flooring but it took me a minute to find that connection...... The shelving looks cheap with all the resizing holes so visible and I agree with the judges, put the mantle back!!

My vote 6.5/10
I think this couple have done the right thing taking the real estate agents advice. This is a million dollar area and a formal sitting area works much better and I think will match the buyers needs the best. I'm so happy that they're focusing on keeping the period features of the house. I love their frames and skirting!!


Sophie and Dale's - Dining Room

Walls - Again stark white...... Imagine how much cosier this room would have felt in a grey, navy or taupe!! I love the skirting but the contrast they're going for with the coloured skirting has not worked for me and shrinks the room a little... I'm not a fan of the exposed brick work, usually I would like it but in this housing market it looks cheap. I love that they punched through the wall and created a stream line between this and the rest of the living areas.
Floors - Perfect flooring choice to me :-)
Furniture - The table is stunning!!! I love it and the clean and simple look it gives with the steel legs. The light fitting is gorgeous and a brilliant touch. The sign..... OKaaayyyy, but would have looked better on a coloured wall. The chairs are a massive disappointment! This is a terrace house in a multimillion dollar area, not a student share house furnished with op shop finds! And the same goes with the hutch/dresser, there are so many better shelving options or even a side board would have worked better. The mirror collage is a bit amateurish, photos would have fitted much better, or a single large mirror.

My vote 5/10
The table and light fitting are the heroes of this room, everything else is rather disappointing. Where has all the imagination they showed in elimination gone? A rug on the floor would have centred the furniture much better and a set of formal dining chairs would save this room. And just like the judges I say "invest in better curtains!!" Especially in a room with so little furniture in it. Floor length curtains are a must! I'm torn about keeping the second door, I think I'd need to see the house to make a better assumption, however taking it out would have given the room a bit more space.


Ok, so here comes week two. Two rooms! Wow, intense for the second week but I think they can do it. Some people need to think about their health and sleeping patterns a bit better if they want to get through the 10 weeks without a mental breakdown. But I'll be watching every second! (sometimes a day late though as some days I work evenings)

Are you as addicted as I am? xxoo
Roxanne

Cuppa Tea

The older I get the more I love tea. Is it a natural progression that comes with age or is it just I love a hot beverage but the thought of instant coffee makes me gag? Ehhh, who cares I just love starting my day with a big cuppa tea!

Here's a picture of my morning magic. Lipton black tea, Sanitarium So Good soy milk and a good fine bone china cup! Add some boiling water and Tah Da, a perfect morning ;-)

It's gotta be Lipton for me. It's the tea my family always had in the house and I've always bought for myself. I ran out of tea a while back and my Chef bought me some and grabbed a no name el-cheapo brand and urgh! It was not Lipton and the flavour was not right!!

 As a Lactose Intolerant person I struggled giving up my dairy and moving onto soy but Hot Chocolate and Coffee got me there and now I can't even tell the difference. Which can sometimes be a bad thing if a waiter makes a mistake with my drink order and I don't realize I drank milk till I'm running to the loo :-P But after trying a few Soy's I settled on Sanitarium So Good 99.9% fat free. It's nice and light and creamy without being too nutty and I love it in my tea, on cereal and in my mash potato.

I can only drink tea out of fine bone china! It's so delicate and really nice to drink out of. Holding a hot cup of tea on a cold morning is brilliant. These two are my very special first ever Cath Kidston purchases and I use at least one every single day!

Tell me what is your morning magic? Do you like a morning routine? xxoo

Roxanne

This post was not sponsored by any outside source. These opinions are entirely my own. :-)

Buttermilk Scones

Taste.com.au's Buttermilk Scones

I'm a massive fan of scones!! I love them and covering them with jam and cream is amazing!

I used to work with a lady named Janine who made the greatest lemonade  scones I've ever tasted and she used to make them into these great big things that had people coming for miles around. It was funny to see how disappointed people would get when they discovered that she only worked on the weekends and her scones weren't available on other days ;-) She and I got along and she knew my love of them so would always throw the last little bits of batter together to make a smaller scone and would save it for me :-) I loved these days! (for any foreign visitors lemonade does not refer to the yummy lemon and sugar drink often made in the US, it refers to the clear fizzy soda, lemonade)

I also remember when I was very young and my Mum was working nights in a restaurant and whenever we visited her work we'd always get scones with jam and cream and would all sit together (mum, my brother and sister) and eat them. I'm sure this was just a ploy to keep us quiet but it is one of my earliest food memories :-)

So you'd think I would make these every week the way I'm talking but no, as easy as they are, they aren't something I've made that often in the past and only really ever ate them when available outside my home. Then about two year ago I was given a recipe for lemonade scones and my love affair was rekindled! Yet this time I became the baker. I've perfected the lemonade scone recipe however I always need to go buy the ingredients to make them as I don't keep them around regularly. Then one day I had a massive craving for scones but had no lemonade. I did however, due to my baking endeavors, have buttermilk! So a quick search on my go to site http://www.taste.com.au/ and I discovered buttermilk scones!

This recipe has been a favourite ever since, though now I am torn.......... Lemonade or Buttermilk - Buttermilk or Lemonade? I cannot make up my mind and decided I would write a blog on each to compare and contrast and give me a chance to eat a lot of scones!! However since there's only two of us living here making two batches of scones in one day is a liiiiiittle extreme so I'm going to do it one at a time. So here's my buttermilk scones!

http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/19423/buttermilk+scones

 Sift the flour and add the sugar.

 Weigh and soften the butter - my measurement was slightly over but oh well :-P

Add the butter and rub in with your fingers until mixture 'resembles fine breadcrumbs'. I've never actually understood this instructions as flour and butter has never to me resembled fine breadcrumbs but I say just make sure there's no lumps of butter and it's all combined.

Next make a well, pour in buttermilk and stir to combine :-)

Now for the REALLY messy part! Knead dough on a floured surface and cut into any size you like and place in a square baking tray.

 It's oven time!!

And 15 - 17 mins it is!!

 I take this time to clean up...... Dishes!! Gaaahhh!

 All done in record time, though with a bit of a mess on the floor! I am not the most skilled at keeping all the water in the sink buuuuut, we can't all be perfect :-P

 And it's cream whipping time! Out comes the trusty Kenwood tri blade with the whisk attachment.

 And for easy cleaning I pop off the attachment and give it a quick wash and away the Kenwood goes!

 My most favourite part, the non slip base on the beaker comes off and fits on as a perfect sized lid.

 Mmmmmmm, fresh from the oven!

 I couldn't wait so I popped some out and served them with the whipped cream and a yummy blood plum jam I bought in Cobram late last year.

You can't see but there was steam coming off them at this stage. I could barely wait to eat them!!!

Mmmm, so I was eating my last scone when I remembered I should probably grab a snap of one smothered with toppings! Mmm, I would eat another right now if I wasn't totally full from the first round :-)





They are so fluffy and moist and I pull them out before they all brown so they don't get too crispy as a prefer them soft! They really are yum and with the sugar are just subtly sweet unto themselves. They are great and very easy, so if you have the stuff in the fridge and the cupboard give them a go and let me know what you think! As I said I'm torn........

Happy cooking xxoo
Roxanne

First Post!

Well hello and welcome to my blog....... As an initial post I'll introduce you to me and what I hope this blog will become.

My name is Roxanne and basically I have a butt load of opinions and want to share them. Just like you I have opinions on every aspect of life and often share them, I tend to be stubborn but will freely admit that I have had my mind changed on occasion, so don't give up on me just yet. ;-) However this blog is not going to be me just spouting crap (although some may question the validity of my content :-P). Mostly I'm going to be offering reviews on products, books, magazines, foods, movies and general news.

I have friends who run the most wonderful blogs and I love getting those special emails telling me that a new blog has been posted! It's exciting and has got me thinking, I have a fair few opinions and like to try out new things, maybe it's my turn.

I'm a self confessed social media addict. I love how Facebook has changed my world and brought back friends into my life who I'd probably never have seen or spoken to again. I am yet to venture into Twitter. I'll probably get there eventually buuuuut I was a late comer to facebook so I'm sure I'll get there one day. Pinterest is my current vice. I joined earlier this year and got a little bored of it for a minute but am back with a vengeance and with almost 2000 pins currently I think you can say I am on there a liiiiiittle too much..... :-)

I'm a dance teacher and own my own dance school. We are a very small school and are growing slowly but surely. You'll be amazed the things this career will lead me into discussing. But around concert time (November) expect me to be a wild haired freak who discusses sewing incessantly and you just want to grab hold of and shake, whilst yelling "CALM DOWN!" in an entirely un-calm manner.

I also work in a wonderful kitchenware shop that will open up opportunities to review and discuss the products we all dream of owning due to their prestige yet don't actually know all the details and functions of. Which of-course leads me to my love of cooking. Namely baking. I am a cake lover and with my job offering me the option of expanding my decorating skills, I've become quite the little baker. Buuuut with a partner and a brother who are chef's I do tend to get a little shown up every now and then.........

So here goes nothing, I hope you like it....
P.s. being a dancer I feed off constructive criticism. So if you have any advice or ideas to offer I'll never turn down an offer of help :-)

Thanks for reading xxoo
Roxanne