Leek, Bacon & Sweet Potato Impossible Pie!

Today I feel like so many mum bloggers who wait till the child has a nap so they can sit down and finally bang out that post that's been floating around in their heads! Except my little one is on her third nap for they day and on a Monday I'm usually at the shop and she's usually in childcare and daytime naps have been long gone. It breaks your heart when your little one is sick doesn't it. 

So the first nap I raced to the laptop and did a quick Oishi-m order for their latest Spring 13 release. So exciting and I'll share more of that later. The second time she fell asleep on my lap while I was talking to my Mum (so good to have a Mum who lives close by when your child is sick) and now this afternoon I left the room for a minute to do some washing and came back to find her asleep on the floor. Poor wee pet. 

So as promised...while I have the chance....I'm sharing our Sunday night easy peasy pie dish and I can tell you it tastes great the next day too. 

Recipe adapted from a Donna Hay Recipe. 

2 tbl Olive Oil

1 Leek trimmed and sliced

1 Sweet Potato peeled and cut into 1cm cubes

250g short cut bacon

1 clove garlic

3 eggs

1/2 cup self raising flour

1 1/2 Milk

1 cup grated cheddar cheese

Sea Salt and ground black pepper to taste

Pre-heat oven to 200'C. Brush 24cm pie dish with oil. 

On a tray toss cubed sweet potato in 1 tbl of Olive Oil and place in oven for approximately 20 minutes or until slightly browned and tender. Put aside to cool. 

In a pan saute leek, garlic and bacon until tender and cooked. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and set aside. 

In a bowl whisk the eggs, flour and milk until smooth and well combined. 

Place leek & bacon mixture in the greased pie dish, sprinkle roasted sweet potato evenly on top, then sprinkle cheddar cheese. Pour over the milk, egg and flour mixture and cover loosely with aluminium foil. 

Place dish in the oven for 45 minutes, then remove the foil and continue to cook for a further 15 minutes. The foil stops the top of your pie from burning. 

Serve with a fresh garden salad. 

My fussy 3 year old loves bacon and eggs so this dish is well received in our house. You could omit the bacon and add any combination of vegetables and it's a great way to get the kids to eat them. 

What's cooking at your house? If you'd like to share some family friendly recipes email them to miriam@petitarmoir.com.au and I'll post them on the blog. 

Happy Monday! xo

Spring 2013 Preview! - Part II

In just a weeks time the new Spring 2013 range for Oishi-m comes out. It's no secret that this is one of my favorite brands and in the last 2 years I've seen it grow to cult following with Facebook fan pages, E-Bay bidding wars and re-sale value of more than the original RRP! 

Here's a little back story and insight into the Oishi-m brand for the uninitiated....

Oishi-m was created by Fiona McPherson who began designing clothes as a hobby for friends and her bespoke garments soon became in high demand. A few years later, along came Miyo Fallshaw to head up the commercial side of the brand. Their partnership works beautifully with Miyo looking after all the marketing and business side of the brand allowing Fiona to do what she does best, design gorgeous, unique and funky garments for your little ones. 

Miyo and Fiona with their own little test models

Photo credit: Oishi-m.com.au

Predominatly a birth to 5yrs range, Oishi-m combines kimono, vintage and retro fabrics with denims and cottons to create their signature jeans, skirts and tee's. The 'tummy toastie' is  a unique and practicle feature of their jeans, skirts and shorts. Anyone who has a toddler toilet training will appreciate how easy it is for them to pull their pants on and off by themselves. It also means that the waist will fit skinny mini's as well as chubba bubba's with no need to pull in elastic. I personally love that the jeans are created with a roll up cuff meaning you can lengthen as the child grows. We've gotten two years out of the one pair of jeans and that's unheard of in children's clothing! 

By the way, did you know that Oishi-m is made in Australia? In a dying manufacturing industry I think this is really important. They employ Mum's and allow flexibility to work around family. 

So now you know what Oishi-m is all about, who'd like a sneak peak at their new Spring 2013 range? 

Well it's all kept a closely guarded secret until the release date but we can divulge that this season they will have a first ever...a dress! There are some gorgeous prints and stripes are back, along with some very cute trackies (always sold out within minutes of stocking them). 

I was lucky enough to get a sample of some of the fabric so here you go... can you guess what it is? 

If you'd like to see more of the new range, check out their video. See if you can spot that gorgeous fabric!

Spring 2013 Preview!

Can you believe Spring is almost here? Last night we had an almost warm night and you could smell Spring was on it's way. We have so many great kids clothing and kids shoes about to arrive that I thought I'd share a sneak peak of what's going to be hot this Spring. 

St Goliath boys clothing for spring/summer features bright colours such as coral and spring green, rolled cuff shorts, classic skater tee's and versatile board shorts. Your little dude will love this seasons range!

Fabrik, true to form, has come up with another stunning collection that any little girl would love! Gorgeous prints, bright melon and lilac colours, vintage florals and laces all feature this Spring. Fabrik is sure to be a favourite!

Something for the 8-14 year olds with the arrival of Eve's Sister! Tropical, Aztec and rainbow kaleidoscope are just some of the inspiration for this seasons prints. Printed pants and bright colours will be huge this season so stock up. They'll wear it I promise!

Check out the new canvas Mary-Jane from WALNUT Melbourne! When I saw these I just had to have them. I've been a fan of their canvas MJ's for my own daughter since she was old enough to walk and the new style is a coated canvas with a more slimline design and rubber capped toe. Team with dresses, shorts or jeans and they're the perfect footwear staple. They'll be available in sizes EU 24-30 from around August 2013. 

Next week I'll give you a few more insights into Spring and Summer including some of the new labels we'll be stocking this season. And I have the big Kids In Style expo coming up from 1st August so stay tuned for all the great finds and new products we showcase from the expo. 

Tell me - what do you want to see more of this Spring/Summer? Is there something you're always struggling to find? What do you think of the new WALNUT Melbourne Mary-Janes? 

Where I come From - Going Home

Last weekend we took off on a road trip to my birth town of Urana, in the Southern Riverina, NSW. We were there for my little cousins baptism and it was the perfect excuse to show Mr PA where I grew up and my old primary school. He also got to meet a bunch of relatives that he wouldn't otherwise see and so I thought I'd share a few of the photo's from the day. 

This is the "good" road. Urana is dry and flat as far as the eye can see!

The local watering hole. I think my parents 'courted' there over a few lemonades and beers. 

Winter blooms (or me trying to get fancy with my iPhone)

My old primary school. There were 28 kids in the school from kinder to year 6 when I attended and apart from some aesthetic changes, she's pretty much the same. 

Our old next door neighbor, Andrew Whitehead, makes these amazing sculptures out of old bits of scrap metal and farm machinery. You can see more of his work here. 

This photo is exactly what I remember about my old home. Red dirt, flat plains that went forever, storms that would tear your house down, and a land that you both loved and loathed. We took this road home so we could drive past the farm I grew up on. 

Lastly this is my old farm. I remember riding my bike up that long driveway every day for school. It took an hour to get to school on the bus and an hour to get home. Such long tiring days. I can't imagine Emily doing it now. Mum spent most of her days out here alone when we were at school. No mobile phones, no internet, and Dad usually down the paddock on the tractor or feeding sheep. I don't know how she did it! 

The trip back to Urana gave us a real appreciation of what we have in town. The lovely rolling hills, the green, the good roads and the friends and family who are just around the corner or across the road. The one thing that has never changed out there is the sense of community and how a whole town really becomes like family. It'd been 20 years since I stepped foot in that place but they were welcoming and friendly and genuine. I'm looking forward to heading back very soon. 

Where do you come from? 

What Emily Wore - Princess Party

Most of my regular customers know that we are very blessed to have a gorgeous, although sometimes a bit too energetic, daughter named Emily. I Instagram Emily a lot, especially if she's wearing something from Petit Armoir. So when her 3rd birthday started coming up I couldn't wait to pick out outfits and 'style' the event. 

OK so Mr PA did mention to me at several times that the party was for Emily and not for me, but I don't think I went too overboard. And she did pick the theme - Princess of course!

The inspiration came from Donna Hay's latest Kids Magazine. Love the styling in this edition and the recipies are well thought out and easy for a novice like myself. 

The birthday girl! I can't believe she's three already. Where does the time go? She's wearing Fabrik Odette Skirt and Fabrik Navy Stripe Leggings, Navy Skeanie Loafers. The tee is models own (wink wink that means I got it from Target ssshhhhh!)

I made the birthday cake. I told you I didn't go overboard! Like the hair accessory on top? The cupcakes are the Rose Swirled cupcakes from the Donna Hay Kids Magazine and the large cake is vanilla butter. They were delicious! 

That gorgeous water urn is from my god friend at Pour Mes Amis. She also supplied the bunting, party plates, cups, napkins and a voice of reason when I started to get a little out of control! The straws are from Paper Eskimo. 

Paper Eskimo Balloons - every Princess needs some pink balloons!

Kissing Frogs. Mum found the mini Cadbury frogs and the little cups are from The Essential Ingredient. Huge hit!

The Pink and Purple Princesses. These two are 8 weeks apart and the best of friends. Emily has a Fabrik Cable Knit Cardigan on. 

The next day we took off for a Sunday drive and lunch to the Gerogery Hotel to listen to some live music. This little pub is an absolute gem. It's located about 25 minutes from Albury and there's a great beer garden with swings and a sandpit for the kids. 

Fabrik Circus Tee and Fabrik Rah Rah Skirt with the Navy Stripe Leggings. Perfect for a swing!

You know your in the country when this is what you see on the way home. 

We had a fantastic weekend. How was yours?