marylou-k.com

Welcome to my personal blog.  Occasionally I might make some posts, "friends only," just to have a little privacy.  Other than that you're welcome to follow, but I only become mutual friends with people I know in meatspace.  Cheers.


Don't forget to visit my site, Skinny Chic.  

Sophia when you are a little older I want you to watch this amazing film by a clever man called, "Tim Burton."  It's called, "Alice in Wonderland."  It will teach you that there's nothing wrong with passion, with dreaming, saying how you feel, sticking to your guns and going for what you want.  You mean the world to me and I will do everything in my power to make sure no one ever tries to squash your dreams.  I will always try to make sure that you don't stop believing in yourself. 

Love
Mummy



Alice in wonderland



( Matt Lucas as Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee, under the cut. )

Even though it's belated...(sorry) but the love is still there.  I DID think of you especially because it's so close to MY birthday.  Hope you have a fantastic birthday week with lots of presents, good friends, and good times. 

Thank you for always making me laugh and see the awesome side to life.  Thank you for your part in Little Britain, for Krod Mandoon, for your part in Alice and for having the guts to put yourself out there, just to get a laugh.  It's an awesome gift you give people.



( Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee Photo )

( Matt Lucas All Suited Up )

Today I received my contract to perform at The Knox Festival.  I'm on the program, I have parking permits and nearly everything is ready.  In case you haven't heard, I'm doing a cooking demo for The Knox Festival.  One of their themes this year is Multicultural Food, so the organisers asked me what my background was... When I told them I was Turkish, their eyes lit up and they asked if I could do a cooking demonstration.  I said yes immediately.  I'm so pumped about it!  I'm really looking forward to the show, meeting people and answering questions. 

I'll be cooking my Turkish Dish while George Kapiniaris or Ben Higgs interviews me.  They'll be asking me about the dish, my background and Skinny Chic.  I'll be in Area B on the Ethni-City Cultural Kitchen Stage at 3:30pm on the 27th of Feb which is the Saturday on that weekend.

It's time to get real...  Five days ago, Tony and I split up.  He packed his bags and temporarily moved in with our friends Richard and Tracey.  It's very shocking after 7 and a bit years... We love each other, care about each other but aren't in love.  Sophia is doing well.  My parents are helping both Tony and I settle into new lives, which is the strangest thing.  They're showing us both so much care and love.  We're a bit confused but totally accepting the support.

Last night we went to a party together to catch up with old friends and touch base with loads of people.  We also found out that quite a few of our other friends who we hadn't seen for a while had split up from longterm relationships too.  It's all so unsettling, but we're getting through it.

Anyway, the party was held by Robert and Gina and it had a 70's Theme.  Here are some paparazzi shots from the evening.


Tony and I doing our usual party posing.  We're still good friends.  : )

( Robert and Sven )

( Rick and Rags doin it 70's Style )

( Melissa on Skates )

( Buck giving me a much needed hug. )

( Gina and I having a giggle. )

( Shelley and I posing. )

( Me showing off my white sox. )

( Photos of the Afternoon Spent Sharing Cupcakes with Friends Under the Cut... )

Skinny Chic means a lot to me...Recently my friends showed me how much they understand this.  They know I'll be needing a banner for some events soon, so here's what Tracey and Richard bought me.



Oh and Richard thought he might get them to send me a free pen, just for kicks. 

Thanks for being some of the coolest friends I've ever had in my life.



Now my friend Michelle is working on doing some flyers for me too.  (I'll send you the email as soon as T gets off the other pc which has all my stuff on it.  He says thanks for the crazy little green pillow too.  xx)

We never even had a tree at Christmas time while growing up.  It might sound weird to you guys but, my parents were Muslims when they were kids and then just before I was born, they became Christians, so it's been a kind of confused kind of end of year celebration each time.  To me, it doesn't matter what time of year it is, it's always nice to receive gifts.  Thanks dvdastarr  I love the two little figures/salt and pepper shakers that are hugging and I laughed my titts off when I saw this book.  It also made me a little sick.  ; ) x

I just finished reading it and I loved it. I had no idea it was going to be so connected to my current situation. If you're having a great time in life and everything's in it's place, it's a great read about the culture of Britain. It talks about politician's and their campaigns to get us to...basically do whatever they want and make it sound like they are doing something to help us while they sit on their plump backsides eating 8 course meals, telling us to save by eating left-overs and recycle... (It also talks about behaviour during war time and class differences.)

However, if you are having a bit of a crap time in life...Like myself, lost my job, have to move house, have no money or renting references... *sigh* then this book is an excellent read and shows you how to save and be more creative with your time and little money that you may have. It has taught me to be more social. I have started going out with my friends more and appreciating their company. It's hard for me as I'm so used to spending so much time alone, but it's been nice. I wont start growing my own veggies but I have started taking more care of my note books by decorating them with pictures I like etc. Doesn't sound like much, but it's made me happier, made me feel a bit creative, made my stuff more personal and is a damn site cheaper than going to the movies. It's also prompted me to make a little gift for Tony that I know he'll love when he sees it, can't tell you what yet, but basically it's homemade and will mean more to him than any stupid hallmark card or other plastic rubbish that I might find that will bring 2 seconds of happiness in comparison.

Soon we will have to move into a smaller house, we'll have to leave quite a bit of furniture behind because it simply wont fit into whatever we can afford. We might not take on a home phone or just put one in that can only receive calls so Tony's mum can call it once a week. We'll have to make a lot of changes to make our money stretch further, but I'm pretty cool with that now that I've been given a whole lot of ideas from Janet Street-Porter.

Read the book, be creative.

Before I get vortexed into all the things that I want to get done today, I'll do that post I promised to do about Thanksgiving. It was my first ever on Saturday, there were loads of lovely people to share it with at Lillian's house and Lillian had the best spread ever.

I said I would put this post in my Skinny Chic blog but the food that was consumed isn't exactly appropriate for that blog, (I can hear the people who were at the party reading this having a giggle...) so it's in my personal blog instead.

There was the Turkey of course... and sorry to my Vegan friends and health fanatic friends but I just didn't stop myself on this day. I wanted to try everything, from the delicious Turkey with the best stuffing ever and the Yams with the Marshmallow and Caramel sauce... Apple Pie and Cherry Pie and some things called, "Chocolate and Peanut Butter Cups." The energy in the house was buzzing, so much sugar. Now I've had a taste of what my friend littlebritlover has to eat on holidays. It's crazy. : ) (I was too late to take a photo of the delicious Chocolate/Rum Cake that had cream dripping down the sides.)

Here are some pix of what was consumed.

I'm trying to do as many calm things as possible today. I've had a pretty busy morning. I'm taking a break before I do the rest.

When I was in London earlier this year I mentioned a favourite Visual Artist, but I don't think I mentioned his name. I thought I might give you a taste of this interesting man's work.

Mark Ryden

It might not mean anything to anyone else, and I don't even know for the life of me if anyone even reads Closer magazine in London or the rest of England for that matter, but... I'm in it this week.  Forgive me for being a little proud of my fierce look in my photo that is a plug for my Skinny Chic Blog.

Sometimes I find myself inspired to write to a favourite celebrity or someone that's famous that just happened to say or do something that moved me.  I don't know I guess I think it might be flattering to read an email from a fan that was inspired to do something amazing or push themselves passed their usual limits all because they saw their favourite celeb do something extra-ordinary?  Usually I can find some sort of forwarding email address and just use that, but for Janet Street-Porter there doesn't seem to be one so I'm going to blog about what I would have said to her if I could...

I'm reading your book, "Life's Too F***ing Short," when I'm not working or being a mum.  I'm still managing to get through it pretty quickly but it does have to be squeezed into my busy schedule. 

I had a crap upbringing, a sad childhood and a very long hard road to any kind of success and happiness in my life.  I always wanted someone to show me the ropes, give me advice and inspire me, because my parents never did.  I envy those people with parents who do amazing things that make them strive to be the best and always self-improve.  My parents are just bullies and nothing I ever have done or will do will ever make them happy.  I've given up on pleasing them and am working on making myself and my little family happy.  Once I asked a tutor from college, (via email) if she could be my mentor, but she answered a few months later with, "I'm sorry but I'm off work at the moment on bereavement leave..." or something like that.  I was devastated for her, but was still left wanting.  I gave up on looking for a mentor and have pushed myself to achieve a few big things in my life to date and I'm very proud of my achievements.

In reading your book I have been taught a whole bunch of things that I wish someone was around to teach me, when I needed it the most.  I think what I'm trying to say is that I've taken you on as an unofficial mentor.  I love what you have to say about friends and work.  I've realised some things about work that I would have taken years to work out for myself.  (You've saved me some more embarrassment.) Everything just sounds like we're on the same page.  We eat the same,  work hard, are career focused and passionate. 

I'll be sad to read the last page, wish you had more to share with us.  Thanks for writing an inspiring, thought provoking and witty book.

Warm Regards
Marylou

Something really traumatic happened to me yesterday that I'm probably never going to talk about with anyone, so don't ask.  I'm taking the day off to settle my nerves and regroup.  Tony bought me some herbs from the Naturopath to help me get through it and over it and I went into Borders to help me find a book to deal with it.  Of course not only am I shocked out of my brain that I'm going through it, but there aren't any books on it at Borders so I bought a book by Janet  Street-Porter instead.  It's called, "Life's Too F***ing Short," and I wanted to share what she wrote on page 10 because it's something I always want to remember.

WHEN YOU WAKE UP,
LIE STILL FOR TWO MINUTES

Recite over and over again:

I AM BLOODY BRILLIANT.

I AM GREAT.

I AM NUMBER ONE.

UNIQUE.

I LIKE ME.

I AM WORTH IT.

I AM HIGHLY INTELLIGENT, NO MATTER WHAT OTHERS MAY SAY.

You have to do this, because, take it from me, no one else is ever going to tell you that in the coming twenty -four hours.  To value myself is the single most important thing I have learned over the years.  No one ever did me a favour.  No one ever gave me a career break out of pity.  I did it all for myself.  By believing in myself.
Janet Street-Porter.

(She is truly awesome.)

I guess it's time for an update?  I've been so busy with my new job and then so tired in the evening's, it's been difficult to sit down and write.  Hope everyone is well and happy.  : )

My new job as a Legal Secretary is awesome, the team I work with is a dream, so is the Team Leader.  Couldn't be happier really.  Domestic life is a dream.  Tony has taken over as Home Dad, which is what he always wanted.  We're both so happy with me being the Bread Winner and him the house manager.  Sophia is happier and healthier and we're all just swimming along really nicely together.

Today was interesting.  Tony is in Sydney finishing a TVCommercial and I've had to do a lot of things on my own, so I woke up extra early, got dressed, got Sophia ready, then we went off to daycare early so I could read her a book before I left her in their capable hands.  She still moped when I left.

Then when I got to work, I sat in the car in the carpark, I thought I might listen to the morning news before I went into work, because I was early... The battery cut out, so I went in early anway and had to work out who could help me jump start my car after work.  (My dad always taught me to keep jumper-leads in the car, so I was ready for it.)  Everything after that was a dream.  Several people offered to help me with it, one person taught us how to do it, mum offered to pick up Sophia from day care and nothing else went wrong. 

I feel so supported it's nice.  Have to get a new battery now...

Other news will be mentioned in a friends only post.  Mwah for now kiddies.  *hugs*

If you've been following me on Twitter, you would have seen my first attempts at making, Wheatless-Vegan-Vanilla Cupcakes...  It was pretty funny, they tasted strange and had the texture of... Erm, I don't know, rocks...

Some of you may know that I'm allergic to baked Wheat, so now Ive tried baked Rice Flour and I don't seem to have a reaction, so here is the recipe after a bit of research on Vegan Wheatless Cupcakes:  It's enough to make 1 and a half trays of mini-cupcakes but I'm not sure cos I ate the rest of the mix.  It was too good, sorry.  : )

Vegan Wheatless Vanilla Cupcakes

1 cup Gluten Free Flour

1/4 cup Agave Syrup

2 tablespoons Vegan Butter

1 cup Soya Milk

1 tablespoon Apple Cyder Vinegar

1 teaspoon Vanilla Essence

Mix wet ingredients into dry till all the lumps are gone, then pour into cupcake tray and bake for approximately 20 minutes.


They're chewy and I don't recommend baking them in their casing.  They taste better than they look, they don't have any eggs or the same raising agents so they look different to your usual cupcake.    : )

I've been sitting here trying to work out how I'm going to do my next write up about a different way of making Cupcakes...  Well, I'll do that in the next post but for now I've got this other topic that is playing on my mind this morning...

I want to talk about older models.  Not because I want to be one, but if someone gave me the work I wouldn't say no...  There is a huge gap in the market for beautiful 35 plus models.  Please make it clear that I'm talking about age.  There are so many young models, bless them, that are wearing all the latest fashions and we always hear them going on about putting plus size models onto the catwalk etc. but the fact is they're never going to really get into that idea. (Which I think is sad, because there are loads of gorgeous plus SIZE people in the world and they shouldn't be ignored either.)   BUT, why not have older beautiful, graceful models that are 35 years of age and older?  Seriously, here is a list of absolutely gorgeous women who can make any dress look a million dollars:

Elizabeth Hurley, Madonna, Kylie Minogue, Nigella Lawson, Angelina Jolie, Natalie Imbruglia, Dame Judi Dench and Geri Halliwell, to name a few.

There are also a whole bunch of older models now  like, Kate Moss and Erin O'Connor who should be doing more work than they are, (on the catwalk and in Television Commercials).  The people that turn up to the fashion shows and pay the money for couture are not young girls fresh out of highschool or heaven forbid thinking of going to Uni, it's the older women who have worked for the privilege.

Let's not forget the men, there are so many attractive men that are well passed the age of 35 that should be modelling suits and casual gear, because not only are they the big spenders, they look fantastic.   (There are just so many of them.)

Let's not ignore the older beautiful people and start appreciating, respecting and catering to this lucrative target audience.

Word.

This is mscate and her partner Chris.  They were selling stuff
at the CERES Market.  It was lovely to see them there.  : )


We bought bunnies off Aunty Cate. 


The great salt shaker, I bought from mscate


We saw garden art.


Of course there were bikes everywhere.  Good to see.


Sophia's bunnies had chai with us. 


My Soya Chai


Sophia playing with a puppy. 


Sophia and her mummy.  : )

CERES

Actually Eddie Izzard is really funny and both David Walliams and Eddie Izzard are laudable human beings, no matter what newspapers say about either. 

Marylou: 1 year old. 


Marylou: Age 4 Making Wine


Marylou: Age 5


Marylou: Age 5 Being Taught How to Make Bread.  My mum
is on the left of the photo.


Marylou: Age 7 Received an Award for Highest Acheiver in her Ballet Class.


Marylou and Mum: Age 9 Buying Fresh Fish Bun in Cyprus


Sophia: Straight Out of the Womb