Get Baked: Adriano Zumbo salted caramel macaron mix review

 So the other day I finally tested out the Adriano Zumbo macaron mix that's been sitting in my pantry for about 6 weeks. From memory, they are easier than the Donna Hay mix I've tried before (just add water!... and maybe a bit of butter) and definitely more 'beginner/lazy person friendly'.

In the box: salted caramel mix, almond flour mix, icing mix, cardboard ring for tracing and 2 piping bags. This is definitely a big plus in my books- the one pain in the ass thing about making macarons is getting them the same size to be able to pair them up, so marking out the sizing on baking paper and being able to pipe them out instead of dolloping them out using a spoon makes this a heck of a lot easier.

I had a bit of a giggle at the fact that Adriano knows that there will be some screw ups. The instructions say that the mix will allow you to pipe at least 40 cases.... then pick your best 30 and pair them up. I was like screw that, these things are so delicious I'm pairing up the crappy ones too.

The first batch I put in the oven looked pretty good aside from the fact that for some reason (probably the heat distribution from the fan... or whatever) that the cases only developed 'feet' on one side. Also, looks can be deceiving; I baked these for 14 minutes since I didn't want to burn them (instructions say 14-18minutes) but after letting the cases cool and attempting to remove them, half of the filling was left on the paper and I had 2 batches of almost hollow shells (oh well, more room for that sweet, sweet icing).

Below is what happens when you pipe out your cases, remember you have to go have coffee with someone, put them in the fridge and then pop them in the oven over 2 hours later. They don't rise evenly, and basically turn out looking like mini volcanoes. So I don't recommend doing that. But again, so tasty it doesn't matter.

Finished product above. All in all I think I made about 20 or so (including all the misshapen ones). They are super tasty and keep well in the fridge for a few days (not going to lie, I've been having these for breakfast). Again, they get big points for the sizing ring and piping bags included and I'll definitely be trying these again in the passionfruit flavour. Yum!

Lazy girls' guide to holiday decor.

If you're like me [read: lazy] and got to the week before Christmas without putting up a single bit of holiday paraphernalia [and considered not putting any up altogether since you'd just have to rip it all down in the next week] then this one is for you.

I'd left holiday decorating too late and didn't want to put up the full tree because that means taking down a full tree later. I'm calling this a modern, minimalistic approach to Christmas decor *cough*.

Step 1: Find a cool looking branch and spraypaint it white [or whatever colour you choose].
Step 2: 'Plant' your branch in a pot with enough sand so it doesn't tip over.
Step 3: Decorate with baubles.
Step 4: Step back and take in the awesomeness that is your DIY tree :)

Perfect for smaller houses/apartments without the room for a ginormous fir, and slightly better looking than a tabletop tree made entirely of tinsel.

Getting in the spirit

While browsing the interwebs the other night I came across this tutorial and since I'd already painted my nails red and silver for the holidays I figured I'd go (jingling) all the way. It's more fun anyways.

Just in case you can't tell what they are from my terrible attempt at photography this morning, there are some santa suits and a mish-mash of red/green/silver/gold designs.

Pack on le back

I booked a big girl holiday today (aka: going alone). All my previous travel has been with mum or a boy, and they always seem to have a sensible bag to put all the important stuff in while I prance around with a tiny handbag or open topped tote that offers zero security.

So I'm on the hunt for a good bag for hand luggage and thought: backpack. Nothing that looks completely dorky and transports me back to 4th grade, but not something that is too hardcore backpack/outdoors-y. Also needs to be able to comfortably fit all the crap I carry around with me daily plus the extra holiday schtuff: passport, headphones, camera, nunchucks etc. Zip closure mandatory. Guys, choosing a backpack is more difficult than I thought!

On my hunt I got distracted by these cuties:

But in reality I'm considering something similar to these:

Decisions, decisions.

All images via polyvore