Megan Rapinoe is one of the world’s most talented athletes and beyond her massive professional success on the soccer field. In One Life she discusses becoming an icon to millions, boldly speaking out on the issues that matter most.
Happy Friday everyone! It’s sooo close to being the weekend so let’s just close the laptop, make a cuppa and pop our feet up. Hope you all have a fabulous weekend.
This week on the blog Karen’s sharing the latest YA titles hitting the market. It’s a hugely popular genre and one we can’t get enough of. What was your fav book as a teen?
Hopscotch, knucklebones, elastics, hacky sack, downball…there were so many great games that filled up our lunchtimes. Which was your favourite game to play as a child?
It is that time of year when eating chocolate and buttery buns for breakfast is not only acceptable, but expected. So we are jumping on board the chocolate bandwagon and have rustled up six fabulous chocolatey cookbooks that will definitely give you a much needed sugar hit this easter. So pop the kettle on, make yourself a tasty cup of tea and why not heat up an eastery bun while you’re at it.
The Ultimate Book of Chocolate by Melanie Dupuis
In The Ultimate Book of Chocolate trained pastry chef Melanie Dupuis will teach you how to make your chocolate dreams become a reality. Learn how to temper, mould and decorate like a pro with the complete guide to everything chocolate. Melanie guides the reader with step-by-step pictures and detailed instructions on all the essential techniques, from tempering to making ganache, chocolate mousse, creme anglaise, biscuit bases, meringue and more. The main recipes include every chocolate dessert you could ever imagine, from caramel bonbons to shortbread to Easter eggs, truffles, macarons, cakes, swiss rolls, eclairs and more. This is a masterclass in making chocolate desserts from an expert pastry chef, and is truly a chocoaholic’s dream book!
Chocolat by Pierre Marcolini
Belgium’s foremost practitioner of the art of fine chocolate making shares his passion and his knowledge in this extravagantly beautiful volume. Pierre Marcolini’s confections have been acclaimed as the world’s most delectable chocolate creations, and his book is a delicious immersion into the world of fine chocolate and a tribute to its majesty. Marcolini was the first chocolatier to create his chocolates according to a bean-to-bar philosophy an idea born from the realisation that just as the finest wines reflect the terroir in which the grapes are grown, so too would chocolate benefit from careful selection from specific estates. Here, he reveals the trade secrets of the art of fine chocolate making: learn how to roast, grind, and temper the chocolate at home just like the professionals and master all aspects of chocolate making. His recipes run the gamut of chocolate possibilities irresistible creamy sauces, decadent pastries, bars, truffles, and even a smattering of savoury dishes and are beautifully presented and gorgeously photographed in this handsome volume that no chocolate lover should be without.
Lonely Planet’s Global Chocolate Tour by Lonely Planet
Chock-full of the world’s tastiest chocolate experiences, the latest book in the Lonely Planet Global Tour series is sure to satisfy the sweet tooth of cocoa lovers near and far. From South America to Europe to Australia, Lonely Planet’s Global Chocolate Tour includes master chocolatiers and artisan producers, exotic cocoa plantations, and must-visit shops, plus illustrated spreads on the history, production, and science of chocolate making. Features 150 chocolate experiences from around the world with full-colour photos guaranteed to make mouths water.
Chocolate by Ferrandi Paris
This is the ultimate reference on cooking with chocolate from Ferrandi, the Parisian school of culinary arts that was dubbed the “Harvard of gastronomy” by Le Monde newspaper. This book offers a complete chocolate course for the home chef from the world-renowned professional culinary school Ferrandi Paris. It presents comprehensive techniques for working with chocolate, from tempering and decorative flourishes to recipes such as molten chocolate cake. From rich chocolate ganache to melt-in-your mouth truffles, this book leads aspiring bakers through every step-from basic to special occasion skills. Starting with advice on how to equip your kitchen, to essential techniques, fillings, and decorations, the books covers everything from quick desserts to holiday specialties and from frozen ice creams and sorbets to candies. Ferrandi offers an intensive course in the art of baking with chocolate. Written by the school’s experienced teaching team of master chefs and adapted for the home cook, this fully illustrated cookbook provides all of the fundamental techniques and recipes that are the building blocks of the illustrious French chocolate tradition.
Cocoa : An Exploration of Chocolate by Sue Quinn
Chocolate has beguiled us for millennia. From the spiced drinks sipped by the elite in ancient Mesoamerica to the artisan bars spiked with intriguing flavours we devour today, chocolate has always had a magical pull on our senses. Exotic, indulgent, hedonistic and sensual, its power over us somehow exceeds the sum of its parts. This ground-breaking exploration of chocolate, by award-winning writer and lifelong cocoa enthusiast Sue Quinn, will intrigue, inspire, surprise and fascinate you in equal measure. In these pages is a wealth of cultural, historical and culinary information about the story of chocolate through the ages and across the world, illustrated with vintage packaging, iconic adverts and stunning illustrations. Interspersed throughout the book are 80 tantalising sweet and savoury recipes, such as Salted Caramel and Lime Chocolate Sauce; Triple Chocolate and Liquorice Cake with Treacle Syrup; Spelt, Cranberry and Cocoa Nib Crackers; and Sticky Slow-Roasted Beef Short Ribs with Cocoa and Maple.
The Chocolate Addict’s Baking Book by Sabine Venier
Sabine Venier, founder of Also the Crumbs Please, shares her favourite chocolate recipes, including Dark Chocolate Almond Truffles, Caramel Pretzel Chocolate Skillet Cookie, S’mores Chocolate Cheesecake Bars, Chocolate Fudge Birthday Cake, Black Forest Cupcakes and Fudge Brownie Chocolate Ice Cream. Sabine’s rich, creative treats go beyond the basic cake and brownies to help readers discover new ways to get their chocolate fix and incorporate it into their baking. Perfect for bakers looking for that next deliciously chocolaty recipe or as a gift for the chocoholic in your life, this book is the ultimate guide to all things chocolate.
Enjoy!
This week we are continuing our love of Australian literature and are exploring beloved children’s books. Today’s wise words come from the super creative Alison Lester.
It’s the weekend (well, nearly). Time to close the laptop, pop on your sunnies and head outside into the glorious sunshine…before it rains tomorrow.
February – it can be a hard month to get into the swing of work. It’s still summer and the sunny days can make sitting down to the laptop a little harder than usual. Maybe it’s returning from summer holidays with days spent at the beach or around the pool that make zoom meetings a little less enticing. Fear not, we have gathered six of the hottest titles on the market that will inspire you to dust off the brain cells and get back to work. A common thread in each of these books is that to live your dream life and have a career you really want, you have to work very hard for it. It’s not going to be the easiest of rides, nor will it be handed to you. It’s not a new concept, but these business leaders are proof that hard work pays off.
This Is Me by Mrs Hinch
Have you met Mrs Hinch? Mrs Hinch took the UK by storm with her infectiously addictive charm, clever cleaning hacks and her passionate belief in the life-changing magic of tidying. Following Mrs Hinch’s huge success with her first two books Hinch Yourself Happy, the cleaning guide and The Activity Journal, this is the stand-alone memoir every hincher has been waiting for. Readers will discover the story of becoming Mrs Hinch- her journey to becoming the Instagram star she is today, overcoming anxiety, how cleaning has got her through her toughest moments, getting married to Jamie, her close friendships, her relationship with her dorgeous dog Henry Hinch, and becoming a mother to her beautiful son, Ronnie.
Make Life Beautiful by Syd McGee, Shea McGee
Okay, so I have read this book twice already, and binged the Netflix special (both seasons). For the one million-plus followers who turn to Syd and Shea McGee for advice on building a beautiful home and life, Make Life Beautiful is a behind-the-scenes look into how the couple transformed Shea’s small room of fabric samples and big dream of becoming a designer into one of the most successful and fastest-growing interior design businesses in the US. Both long-time and new fans will not only gain insight into how the McGees built such a successful company but also be inspired to apply design principles to their lives.
The Rip Curl Story is the remarkable tale of two young surfers Doug ‘Claw’ Warbrick and Brian Singer who pursued an audacious dream to make a living in pursuit of the ultimate ride. The brand they built, Rip Curl, not only satisfied their own surf wanderlust, but also inspired countless others, riding the wave of the global youth revolution of the late ’60s. Rip Curl’s mantra became ‘the Search’: the pursuit of new waves on distant shores, new thrills – skiing, snowboarding, windsurfing – and better equipment to elevate the experience. Along the way they supported the careers of many of the world’s great surfers from Midget Farrelly to Michael Peterson, Tom Curren to Damien Hardman, Pam Burridge to Stephanie Gilmore, and of course Tyler Wright and Mick Fanning. Bestselling surf writer Tim Baker tells this implausible story in an irresistible series of ripping yarns, offering rich life lessons, a maverick business primer and a wild ride of adventure, good times and outlandish ambitions spectacularly realised. The Rip Curl Story will make you want to surf more, travel further, follow through on that great business idea and pursue your own search.
Don’t Push Too Many Trolleys And Other Tips from Navigating Life and Business by Ying Tan
Don’t Push Too Many Trolleys teaches readers ten crucial principles required to succeed in life and business. Written by Ying Tan, Founder and CEO of a multimillion pound financial services company, Don’t Push Too Many Trolleys imparts sage advice suitable for anyone, at any stage of their life.
The author describes the attitudes, lessons, and traits that allowed him to become one of the youngest Vice Presidents ever at Goldman Sachs. He shows readers how he built a company from the ground up to create one of the most influential and powerful financial services companies in the UK. Full of concrete strategies and practical advice, this book provides a deeply personal and humble perspective on success in life and business with actionable advice that makes a real difference in the pursuit of happiness and wealth. Written for entrepreneurs, business people, financial professionals, and anyone else with an interest in improving their personal and professional life by taking full responsibility for their choices and actions, Don’t Push Too Many Trolleys is an indispensable addition to the libraries of people across the world.
Invent and Wander: The Collected Writings of Jeff Bezos by Jeff Bezos
Invent and Wander is the core principles and philosophy that have guided Jeff Bezos in creating, building, and leading Amazon and Blue Origin. In this collection of writings including his unique and strikingly original annual shareholder letters, plus numerous speeches and interviews that provide insight into his background, his work, and the evolution of his ideas, you’ll gain an insider’s view of the why and how of his success. Spanning a range of topics across business and public policy, from innovation and customer obsession to climate change and outer space, this book provides a rare glimpse into how Bezos thinks about the world and where the future might take us. Written in a direct, down-to-earth style, Invent and Wander offers readers a master class in business values, strategy, and execution.
Each insight offers new ways of thinking through today’s challenges and more importantly, tomorrow’s.
Family Business Success Stories: How Australia’s iconic family brands have stood the test of time by Graeme Lofts
Family Business Success Stories tells the stories of eight of Australia’s oldest and best-known family-owned businesses in Australia, all of them more than one hundred years old. The stories illustrate the passion within each generation and demonstrate the influence of individuals in the families on the evolution of a successful business against a background of the social and economic history of Australia. Each chapter tells the story of how the business started, the hopes and dreams of the founders, the colourful characters, humour, setbacks and tragedies along the way. The author also shares the triumphs of the family business, including landmark products or services and awards. For fellow family-business owners there are lessons to learn about innovation, collaboration, conflict resolution, resilience and transfer of leadership. Family Business Success Stories is readable and engaging. It will appeal to both the business community and consumers of these eight iconic brands. This book will send a strong message to Australian consumers about the social, cultural and economic value of family owned businesses. Although not a ‘How to . . .’ book in name, it is a must-read for anyone contemplating starting a small business or any family business in its first or second generation.
Enjoy!
It’s nearly the weekend and the sun is expected to shine (despite the forecasts of a downpour this afternoon). Fingers crossed we get a bit of time to sit in the garden and read a good book.
It’s raining here in Melbourne and will be for the next few days which means we can all snuggle up with a great book for the whole weekend with no guilt! Yippee! Enjoy a safe and cosy weekend.
