Valentines Day ' GIFT GUIDE

the nature lover

Nature is one of the greatest teachers. In fact, Albert Einstein once wrote that if you “look deep into nature, you will understand everything better.” Being amongst nature encourages you to be completely present, to take in breathtaking sights and to be at one with the rhythms of the world. It can be challenging and tumultuous at times, yes. But it is also incredibly beautiful, rewarding and entirely infinite. In our eyes, a romantic relationship is all of this and so much more! So, why not immerse yourself in the beauty of nature and enjoy a romantic dinner outside in your backyard under the stars? Fresh air, nature’s embrace, delicious food, and each other. What could be better?

Clockwise from top left. 1. Urban Rituelle 'Flourish' Organic Hand Cream in Uplifting Lemongrass, $25. 2. Urban Rituelle 'Flourish' Hand & Body Wash in Uplifting Lemongrass, $31.95. 3. LUMIRA 'Persian Rose' scented candle, $69. 4. 'Thoughts' Cushion, $125. 5. 'Whisper' Cushion, $125. 6. 'It's a Keeper' Tall Ceramic Cup in Raw Earth, $15. 7. 'Isabella' Pot Extra Large, $40. 8. 'Tinker' Candlestands, from $39. 9. Antique Chinese Shanxi Pot Medium, $205. 10. 'Callista' Glass Votive, $30. 11. 'Keturah' Glass Votive, $32. 12. 'Everywhere You Go' Guided Journal, $30.

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Pasta from Tortellini at Midnight by Emiko Davies Hardie Grant (2019) Ziti al Forno [Baked Ziti] Serves 6 80 mL extra virgin olive oil 1 garlic clove, thinly sliced 400 g tomato passata Handful of fresh basil leaves 300g Ziti pasta 300 g pork and fennel sausages, skins removed (optional) 250 g scamorza or mozzarella, sliced thinly 50 g pecorino, grated Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. In the meantime, begin preparing a tomato sauce by heating 2 tbsps of the olive oil in a saucepan over a low, gentle heat. Add the garlic clove and infuse the oil for a couple of mins, then add the passata and about 250 mL water. Season with some salt and pepper and bring the sauce to a steady simmer over a medium heat. Cook for 15-20 mins, or until the sauce has reduced and thickened slightly. Just before taking off the heat, add about 5-6 basil. Set aside until needed. Once the pot of water is boiling, add the ziti (they are rather long, so break them in half if necessary, to fit them in the pot). Cook until al dente, referring to the packet instructions (minus 1 or 2 mins of cooking time). Drain and toss the ziti with the sauce until well coated. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. In to a 20 x 30 cm baking dish, add 1 tbsp of olive and about 2 tbsps of the tomato sauce. Now add half of the ziti and (if using) scatter over half of the sausage – broken up into small pieces and, if you like, rolled into small meatballs – half of the scamorza and half of the pecorino. Repeat with the ziti, sausage and cheese, finishing with the remaining olive oil. Bake for 15-20 mins, or until you can see the sauce bubbling around the edges and the top has formed a nice golden crust.

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the Dinner Party Enthusiast ~ date idea ~ Host a dinner party, of course! Invite all the loved-up couples in your circle.

the dinner party enthusiast

Columnist Art Buchwald once quipped, “Dinner is not what you do in the evening before something else. Dinner is the evening.� This sentiment rings true for those who absolutely love to entertain when a special meal becomes an event to enjoy for hours on end. Invite all of the loved-up couples in your circle for a delicious sit-down dinner to celebrate love in all its forms. Pair flutes of French champagne with thoughtfully curated cheese platters and follow with a stunning tablescape and hearty homecooked dishes. The laughter will chime, the drinks will flow, and the conversation will be endless.

Clockwise from top left. 1. 'Banquet' Linen Tablecloth in Natural, from $130. 2. Mixed Stone Salad Servers, $120. 3. 'Era' Wall Clock, $220. 4. 'Granada' Dipping Bowl in Olive, $8. 5. Green Aventurine Serving Board, $170. 6. 'Boulevard' Patina Napkin, set of 4, $108. 7. 'Granada' Serving Platter in Olive, $66. 8. 'Pavilion' Acrylic Champagne Flute, $11. 9. 'Menu' Table Mat, set of 4, $119. 10. 'Arya' Taper Candle Holder, $175.

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Recipe from Share by Theo A. Michaels Ryland Peters & Small (2020) Veggie Halloumi Souvlaki with Harissa Makes 6 4 tbsp good quality harissa paste 4 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for drizzling 400 g halloumi, cut into bite-sized chunks (about 12-16 pieces) 1 red capsicum, de-seeded and cut into chunks 1 red onion, cut into thick strips 16 button mushrooms 6 asparagus spears, cut into thirds Salt, to taste Handful of chipped mint, to garnish Generous pinch dried oregano, to garnish 4 wooden skewers, pre-soaked in water Preheat the grill to really hot. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the harissa and olive oil. Add the halloumi chunks to the bowl and toss them until coated with the harissa glaze. Thread the halloumi and vegetables onto the prepared skewers, alternating between different ingredients. Drizzle over olive oil, season with a pinch of salt, and cook under the preheated grill until the halloumi has started to char, then turn once to cook the other side, removing from the heat as soon as the halloumi is golden. Stack the vegetable skewers together on your board and scatter over the chopped mint and pinch of dried oregano to garnish. Serve with accompaniments of your choice

9.

the young at heart

Celebrating Valentine’s Day doesn’t need to be a public affair. In fact, romance can be found in the smallest moments of your day. So, why not celebrate this special day by sharing a slow stroll to your favourite beach or park and enjoy a personal, fun and intimate picnic together? Take your time packing your favourite treats and drinks and then walk hand in hand to your destination. Enjoy your delicious picnic foods while you reminisce on your fondest memories shared over the years or decades you have spent together. You will see that love is one of those glorious things that knows no age and no boundaries.

Clockwise from top left. 1. 'Winter Boathouse' Print, $610. 2. V&A Pruners, $30. 3. 'Museo' Cushion, $90. 4. ECOYA Rinse-Free Hand Wash in 'Lotus Flower', $10. 5. Leif Kakadu Plum & Macadamia Nut Hand Balm, $24. 6. 'Shoreline' Spoons, set of 4, $35. 7. Antique Chinese Rice Box, $275. 8. 'You Matter' Thoughtfulls pop-open cards, $15. 9. 'Flemington' Acrylic Wine Glass in blue, $10.

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Recipe from Homemade by Eleanor Ozich Penguin Books (2019) Date, lemon and Coconut Yoghurt Scones Makes 8 2 cups wholemeal spelt flour 2 tbsp coconut sugar ½ tsp sea salt 1 tsp baking soda Zest 1 lemon 60 g hardened coconut oil or chilled unsalted butter ½ cup coconut or natural yoghurt 1 cup pitted fresh dates, roughly chopped Nut milk, for brushing Preheat the oven to 200 degrees and line a tray with baking paper. Combine the flour, coconut sugar, sea salt, baking soda and lemon zest in a large bowl, and whisk to combine. Rub the coconut oil or butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs, then mix in the yoghurt and dates until you have a soft dough. If the mixture is a little dry, you can add a little more yoghurt until it comes together nicely. Turn the dough out onto the baking tray, and shape into a large circle, about 3cm. Mark into 8 triangles, scoring about halfway into the dough with a sharp knife, then brush the top with nut milk. Bake in the oven for 10-12 mins or until lightly golden and nicely risen. Allow to cool slightly, then enjoy warm.

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the Brand-new Parents

the brand-new parents

Novelist Anne Lamott wrote, “There are places in your heart you don’t even know exist until you love a child.” Parenthood is the journey of a lifetime, and for first-time parents it will definitely be a huge adjustment. But your heart will expand to its most full and its most fulfilled, which is a feeling like no other! Use your first Valentine’s Day as parents to rest, reflect and celebrate the fact that the love you have for each other has created, and is nurturing, another life. Begin the morning with a slow breakfast in bed, complete with piping hot coffee. Then spend the day pampering each other with candles, essential oils, body scrubs and foot rubs.

Clockwise from top left. 1. Leif Buddha Wood Hand Balm, $24. 2. Addition Studio Australian Native Essential Oil in Blue Gum & Lemon Myrtle, $34.95. 3. 'Finn' Vase, $60. 4. 'Sorrento' Table Lamp in Terracotta, $310. 5. CADDIS 'MIKLOS' in Matte Pink, $149. 6. 'You're Here' Keepsake Baby Book, $35. 7. 'Granada' Serving Platter in White, $66. 8. 'Senseo' Mug in Musk, $20. 9. Addition Studio 'Synergy' Oil Burner, $179.95. 10. 'Mono' Cushion, $90.

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Recipe from Posh Eggs by Lucy O'Reilly and Louise Hagger Hardie Grant (2016) Bacon Beans on Eggy Crumpets Makes 4 1 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for frying 1 red onion, finely chopped 85 g smoked streaky bacon, chopped 400 g tin chopped tomatoes 1 tbsp dark muscovado sugar 1 tbsp red wine vinegar 400 g tin haricot beans, drained and rinsed Dash of hot chilli sauce (optional) Handful chopped flat-leaf parsley leaves For the eggy crumpets: 4 eggs 1 tbsp harissa (optional) 8 crumpets Good knob of butter Salt and freshly ground black pepper Heat the oil in a pain, add the onion and bacon and fry over medium heat for 5 mins, stirring occasionally. Add the tomatoes, sugar, vinegar and 100 mL of water and simmer for 20 mins. Now stir in the drained beans and continue to simmer for a few more mins to warm the beans through. Add a dash of hot sauce if you like, and the chopped parsley. Whisk 2 of the eggs, the harissa and seasoning in a shallow bowl. Add 4 of the crumpets and immerse on both sides; the crumpet will soak up the eggs like a sponge. Heat half the butter and a drizzle of oil in a pan, add the 4 egg-soaked crumpets and fry for around 2 mins each side over medium heat, until golden and crisp. Remove and keep warm while you repeat with the remaining eggs and crumpets. Spoon the bacon and beans on top to serve.

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~ date idea ~ Have fun with a spirited games night in the living room and celebrate the love you share as a family.

the Whole Family

the whole family

The inimitable Maya Angelou once said, “I sustain myself with the love of family.” No truer an adage was ever spoken. For most of us, family is sustenance, safety and joy. They are the people, either the ones you made or the ones you’ve chosen, that you love unconditionally and beyond any measure. Valentine’s Day is not just a day for romantic love. In fact, it is the perfect day to celebrate the love you share as a family unit. Gather together your little tribe and enjoy a spirited games night in the living room (furry family members are welcome, too) and laugh a little louder, hug each other a little tighter and play together a little longer.

Clockwise from top left. 1. Ridley's Games Room 'Sing It Back' Music Quiz, $19.95. 2. 'Flemington' Acrylic Tumbler in Amber, $8. 3. 'Flemington' Acrylic Jug in Amber, $45. 4. Ridley's Games Room Tumbling Blocks, $36.95. 5. 'It's a Keeper' Short Ceramic Cup in Sprout Green, $14. 6. 'Windward' Throw in Charcoal, $100. 7. 'In Bloom' Cake Serving Set, $75. 8. 'In Bloom' Teaspoons, set of 4, $45. 9. 'You're Amazing' Thoughtfulls pop-up for kids, $15. 10. 'I Wrote A Book About You' Book, $25.

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Recipe from Family by Hetty McKinnon Pan Macmillan (2018) Choc-Orange Self-Saucing Pudding Serves 6 ½ cup milk 1 egg 80 g butter, melted and cooled 1 tbsp orange juice Zest 1 orange 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 cup self-raising flour 2 tbsp cocoa powder ½ brown sugar Berries, to serve Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, to serve Chocolate Sauce: 2 tbsp cocoa powder ¾ cup brown sugar 1 ¼ cups boiling water Preheat the oven to 180 degrees and grease a 1.5 L pudding steamer, bowl or baking dish. Lightly whisk together the milk, egg, butter, orange juice, orange zest and vanilla extract until well combined. Sift the flour and cocoa powder into a large bowl and stir in the brown sugar. Add the milk mixture to the dry mixture and gently fold together until everything is combined and smooth. Spoon the batter into the pudding steamer, bowl or baking dish. For the chocolate sauce, combine the cocoa and brown sugar and sprinkle this over the pudding. Very slowly, pour the boiling water over the back of a large metal spoon over the pudding (this helps the water land more gently without disturbing the batter). Bake 30-35 mins, until the pudding bounces back when pressed in the centre. To serve, scoop a big spoonful of pudding into a bowl and top with berries and a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Tip: If you don’t like orange, simply omit the zest and juice. No other changes necessary.

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