Justine Spencer

The Stories of a Twentysomething

Cinnamon Scrolls

As many of you have realised by now – I’m a cinnamon addict. Particularly when it’s Christmas time. While my Sohum Christmas Gingerbread Candlette has been burning no stop, I’ve been sipping away on my Spiced Apple Cider and watching Love Actually for the gazillionth time. For me, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without cinnamon (and Hugh Grant’s classic “Jump (For My Love)” dance moves). So I figure the best way to amp up the festivities is with my warm, mouth-watering Cinnamon Scrolls. Be warned – there’s no way you can resist these beauties!

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Berry Christmas Cocktails

It’s beginning to look a lot like cocktails!

Honestly, if there’s a time to have cocktails it’s in the lead up to Christmas! On December 1st alone I had at least ten cocktails, and most of those were before happy hour (shout out to my work’s bar tab!). Since then, I’ve remained committed to my love of cocktails, and I don’t plan on slowing down until the New Year!

Along with my Spiced Apple Cider, another cocktail I like to whiz up this time of the year is my Berry Christmas Cocktail. It embraces the festive flavours of blueberry and rosemary whilst also being refreshing for hot Australian summers. If you’re keen for a cheeky drink without the fuss or mess, this cocktail is for you!

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December Wish List

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Why? Well not only is it Christmas, it’s the one time of the year when I can write out a wish list guilt free! To be frank, I started this wish list at the start of November because I was eager to get into the Christmas spirit! Being my first Christmas out of home and away from my family, I was excited to start collecting decorations and develop my own Christmas style. While some might say I’ve jumped the gun, I think it’s never too earlier to start thinking about Christmas and (most importantly) what you’d like to find under the tree!

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Coconut Christmas Cake

Seeing as I’ve enjoyed all of my Christmases in the Southern Hemisphere, I’ve never had the pleasure of experiencing a White Christmas. It’s interesting — and difficult — to  find a balance between the two types of festive seasons. While northerners are wearing ugly sweaters and drinking hot cocoa by the fireplace, us southerners are showing off our Christmas guts at the beach.

Leading up to Christmas, I really wanted to create something that’s relevant to both halves of the world. So what could be more perfect than a Coconut Christmas Cake? It’s perfect for northerners because it looks like a Winter Wonderland. Yet the tropical taste of coconut is perfect for the southerner’s warmer weather!

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Personalised Christmas Reindeer

While my family long suspected that I was a Christmas Grinch, I was secretly Christmas obsessed waiting for my moment to explode with festive spirit. And now it’s my time to shine! Last month when Kmart released this year’s Christmas range, their Geometric Reindeer caught my eye. Instantly, I knew that it would be the ideal centre piece in our apartment.

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December Goals

Despite my best efforts, I wasn’t able to achieve my November Goals. It was a very emotional and challenging month and my routine was completely thrown out. While it’s disappointing, a new month has arrived presenting another opportunity. December will have its own challenges. With an abundance of Christmas events and catch ups planned in the next month, my diet and exercise will be affected. There will also be some financial pressure with my car registration due and presents to buy! By no means am I expecting December to be easier, but I’m not going to let its challenges to stop me from trying.

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FRIYAY: Tis The Season

Big celebrations today as it’s Friday, the beginning of December AND my second post in my FRIYAY series! With the Christmas spirit in full swing at my home (I had my Christmas tree up mid-November — #soznotsoz), I’m excited to make December’s FRIYAY theme fully festive. Without further ado, here’s how I’m planning* on celebrating my FRIYAYs during December.

* While I’ve every intention to enjoy my FRIYAYs snuggled on my couch, inevitably that won’t happen in December. Why? Firstly, I’m spending one Friday flying home to see family – YAY! Secondly, my work Christmas party falls on a Friday, and I’m not passing up free food and booze.

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Creating Stress Free Mornings

Traditionally, I’m a night owl. But now that I’m working full time, with a 1.5 hour (at least) commute in the morning and night, I’ve had to change my routine.

No matter how much sleep I get, I struggle with a 5.30am start. The last thing I want and need at that time of the day is unnecessary stress. And while some hiccups are unavoidable, most can be dodged. So what’s my secret to a stress-free morning? Well it’s pretty simple. The trick isn’t what you do in the morning, it’s what you do the night before: prepare.

I know how hard it can be to peel off the couch and get stuck into preparation mode. But trust me, it saves you so much time and misery and it’ll take you no more than thirty minutes! If that doesn’t entice you, maybe this will: the more you prepare the evening before, the more time you have to sleep in the next morning!

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Roast Pumpkin Salad

A couple of years ago, we were inspired by Little Creature’s divine pumpkin salad and decided to make our own at home. The result, was this little beauty. I have to restrain from loading my whole plate with this salad, because it taste so scrumptious!

Since moving out, I make it regularly because it’s the best of both worlds: easy to make and delicious to eat! And not only can you have it as a salad, you can also add it to a wrap for a slightly different lunchtime treat!

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