Sunday Schmooze Savouries Sweets and Scrabble

Hello Nelly Belliers!

I hope you are all having a relaxing Sunday before returning to real life tomorrow. Sometimes Sunday's can be a bit gloomy, as Monday is not far behind, so I thought it would be fun to do a 'Sunday Schmooze Savouries Sweets and Scrabble' post.

Schmooze

I have noticed a few comments floating around the world of YouTube that are quite negative and nasty (not on my channel, but on YouTubers that I follow). Some are directed at the person making the videos, but some comments are directed at their partners, etc. 

I would just like to say that words said online can be just as hurtful and harmful as those said in person. So let's try to spread more love and kindness this year. 

I think we should all take a minute to think about our initial reaction to something, and really ask why something might be the way it is (this also pertains to the non-online world as well). For instance, just because someone chooses to blog and vlog it doesn't necessarily mean that their boyfriend or girlfriend, partner, etc wants to be on camera or included. My boyfriend hates being on camera but at times he has no choice depending on what I'm shooting, or at times he will be on camera here or there for me (he's the best).

I remember when my dad got a video camera (wayyyyyyyy wayyyyyy back, the really big clunker kind that took those huge tapes) and my mum would always say "don't point that thing at me". Now imagine that scenario but shared with the world.

So if you see someone who doesn't look too happy on a vlog, remember that they are an innocent bystander. They are being more than kind just being on the videos! Imagine if your partner was a dentist, and you had to go to work with them every day (ok that is my own personal nightmare).

Savouries

As some of you may know, I have a slight addiction to sausage rolls. My addiction started pretty much from the moment I entered the world, and when I was in school my mum would make me homemade sausage rolls to take for my lunch (yes I was spoilt, go mum!). My friends would try to 'trade' their food with me, but they had nothing that could come close to my little piggies in their blankets, so I always gobbled them up. 

Over the holidays I made sausage rolls twice. The first time I made them with store bought puff pastry, but I just can't eat that stuff any more. Not only is it not fair on the sausage, but it actually makes me sick (and my mum would be appalled). 

So for the second round I thought I would try Gordon Ramsey's Rough-puff Pastry recipe (click here to try it out). Let's face it, we all need a little Gordo in our life, and using his recipe gives you a good reason to swear in the kitchen. These little guys turned out great, but I have to say "holy butter batman". Now, I do have a sensitive stomach, but even Chris went in to a butter coma. If you make these I would definitely try to cut back on the butter (if possible, you might have to play around), or maybe you could substitute here or there for something else. Or if you make as is, then only eat two in one sitting. Is that even possible?

Once I find the perfect puff pastry recipe, I will share it with you (probably in vlog format). 
Until then, the search continues...

Sweets

Since today is the last day of the holidays, I thought it would be nice to make something different for breakfast (we have been eating Weetabix pretty much every morning up until today). 

Chris and I weren't very hungry this morning, so I ended up making us a brunch treat. I used to make Jamie Oliver's pancakes back in New Zealand all the time, and for some reason I forgot about them. Today I had a new twitter follower from kiwiland which triggered this delicious memory.

I highly recommend these pancakes. They are light, fluffy and ‘lovely jubbly’! I incorporated grated apple and small slices of apple into ours, but I have to say the flavour didn't stand out. I would recommend using blueberries, bananas, or my personal favourite raspberries! Jamie uses pears in his recipe, but they would definitely need to be the really tasty kind in order to stand out. Click here, you will never be the same again. :)

If you only have all purpose flour, do not fret. Here is an easy way to make your own self-raising flour (click here).

"All I ever wanted to do was to make food accessible to everyone; to show that you can make mistakes - I do all the time - but it doesn't matter." ~ Jamie Oliver

Scrabble

Today's word is Saponify.

v. - Become converted into soap by being hydrolized into an acid and alcohol as a result of being treated with an alkali

v. - Convert into soap by hydrolizing an ester into an acid and alcohol as a result of treating it with an alkali

Sunday Pics

 

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read." ~ Groucho Marx, The Essential Groucho: Writings For By And About Groucho Marx

Thursday is ALL Nelly Bellie & Travel Rant Featuring New Zealand

Hello Nelly Belliers!

Happy New Year everyone! I can't believe it is already 2014. I remember when I was younger and it felt like time was going so slow, and then boom, you are an adult with a family, living somewhere you didn't imagine you would be. Life is cray cray. 

My 2014 Rant

Not to get all "listen to me, I'm an adult" on you, but if you are younger, enjoy it! Go on adventures, and do as many things as you can (that are safe and good) before you have responsibilities, bills, and all that jazz. Don't get me wrong, I love my life right now, I just think that sometimes we are all in such a rush to grow up, that we forget all the amazing things and opportunities you have when you are young and free. 

If I could go back in time, the only thing I would have done earlier is travel travel travel. I am so lucky that I got to live in New Zealand at the age of 29, but it just showed me how important travelling is. Personally, I feel that going somewhere on your own, gives you so many life skills that you can never learn at University, or travelling an hour down the road, or even travelling with someone else. It changes you forever, and unless you have done it, it's truly unexplainable to anyone that hasn't (you almost feel like you can conquer the world).   If we are blessed with kids, I will definitely be encouraging them to go on an OE (Overseas Experience). So go! Get a working visa while you can (there are age limits to them) and go on a life adventure. You have plenty of time to work, get married, and have kids (if you want them). Ok, that's my 2014 rant done. :) (I've included some pics of New Zealand below to get you inspired! Also if you have any questions about working visas, etc, definitely contact me. I'd be glad to help.)

New Year's Resolutions

While I am not making any resolutions this year (click here if you don't know why), I do have some goals for my blog that I wanted to share with you guys.

I am definitely going to be putting up way more vlogs (video blogs) (I really needed a new camera so now that I have one I'm ready to rock n' roll) and I am working on creating a schedule for myself, so that I am more organized for you and for me. I have had a couple of requests that I will definitely be including: 1. more recipe vlogs (like this one) and 2. a "what's in my closet" vlog. The second one is definitely more difficult because I am a bit of a clothes horse (a Thursday truth for you!). I love fashion, and I love a variety of styles, so I might turn this in to a small series. Let me know what else you would like to see this year? I read all of your requests, and really enjoy the interactive process of blogging and vlogging.

Other vlogs I will be doing include: reviews on puppy/dog products (so if you have anything you would like me to review, please contact me) and "Nelly Bellie Tips" blogs where I give you guys tips on raising/training/grooming/etc a puppy, and of course truths on having a dog. I think sometimes we only hear one side of the coin, so if I can give you a more rounded perspective I think you can make a more informed decision on whether owning a puppy/dog is for you.

I will also be making haul vlogs, and doing more giveaways (I'm really enjoying my current Christmas / New Year Giveaway (click here to enter: it closes Jan 10, 2014).

I think it would be really fun to include some "Day in the Life" type vlogs, and in regards to the cooking ones, I would also like to do a "Make or Miss Recipe" vlog, where I try out different recipes that I find, make them, and then let you know whether they are good / bad / or let you know things that I feel need to be altered. 

We also have plans to travel to Vancouver (soon-ish) so I will also be including some travel vlogs for you guys. Finally, we have some exciting stuff happening this year (which I will reveal when the time is right) so there are going to be surprise vlogs as well. 

The Truth About Owning a Puppy

As per above, I want to give you a more well-rounded perspective on owning a puppy. Nelly Bellie is now 7 months old, and she is definitely calming down a lot. Don't get me wrong, she still loves to play and run around, but we can let her roam around the apartment more without worrying that she is going to chew something, or pee on the floor. She still has the odd accident here or there, but overall they are becoming few and far between.

One thing that hasn't changed much is her stubbornness. Sometimes when I tell her to sit or come it can take about 10 times of repeating it until she actually does what is asked (especially if it involves food in some way, she is food obsessed). For those of you who don't know, West Highland Terriers are quite stubborn breeds. It's just the way they are, and if you get one, you have to accept that quality about them. Sure, you might get the exception to the rule, but I have spent enough time with Nelly Bellie and her fur-Aunt and fur-Uncle to know that most of them love to be stubborn.

Overall, I am definitely enjoying this age more than when she was younger. I think because I can relax more, it has just naturally become more enjoyable for both of us (but I do miss how little and adorable she used to be - she's still adorable but you know what I mean).

PS

I apologize for not putting up a vlog yet. I am STILL sick, and this bug has definitely knocked out all of my energy, but I am on the mend, so it shouldn't be long, I promise.

If you would like me to review a product, or if you have any business enquiries, or…………. if you have any suggestions of what you would like to see, email me at mynellybellie@gmail.com


Thursday Pics of Choice - My New Zealand Adventures

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

"Mrs. Campbell once attempted to smuggle her pet Pekingese through customs by tucking him inside the upper part of her cape. "Everything was going splendidly," she later remarked, "until my bosom barked." ~ Beatrice Stella Campbell

Fridays : Finals : Food : Festivities : Fashion : Fur-daughter @ Nelly Bellie

Hello Nelly Belliers!

Fridays: 5 more sleeps until Christmas! Yayyyyyyyy

Finals: So turns out I did very well on my final exams and my overall course marks. I'm going to have a "pat my own back" moment because I honestly have never had such good marks. I ended up getting 82, 92, 93, and 96 for my final marks! Woot woot! Next semester (starting in January) I will only be going to school part time so that I can work at the same time. I'm looking forward to a little more balance in my life, and some casholla in my pocket.

Food: I made a delicious shrimp pesto pasta recipe last week, and also found a new way to make carrots (like a carrot mash). I will either post these recipes in an upcoming blog or possibly video them for you. Stay tuned.

Festivities: This week-end is low key for us. Last minute Christmas shopping, a haircut for Chris, and I definitely want to watch my favourite movie in the world, Love Actually. Last week-end we had a huge family Christmas get together with Aunt's, Uncle's, Cousins, etc, (it's so nice to have a new big family) so it is definitely time to take a little rest before the festivities start again this week!

Fashion: These are a few of my favourite things this week, and things that I am really hoping Father Christmas will be bringing me :) :) :) : 

• If you haven't heard of Sigma (cosmetics) then you are probably living under a rock. JK. Their make-up is the bomb diggity, and their brushes are ah-may-zing (I'm hoping Santa is bringing me some). They are on the pricier side, but worth spending the extra cash on because they last a long time, and make a huge difference to your make-up look: http://www.sigmabeauty.com/category_s/46.htm

• I'm sure a lot of you have heard about Urban Decay's new eye shadow palette Naked3. I have seen a lot of blogs and vlogs about this palette, and it is definitely getting rave reviews. Most of the shades are very pigmented, and the colours are very usable for every day looks, but can also be jazzed up. I highly recommend splurging for this palette, or any of their other palettes: http://www.sephora.com/naked3-P384099?om_mmc=esv103465-GG&om_kwpur=344024656&ppc_crid=30983892857&country_switch=ca&site=ca_search&esvcid=S1387596902_ADOGOe_AGI4055347_CRE30983892857_TID344024656_DVCc_RFDd3d3Lmdvb2dsZS5jYQ%3d%3d_RAWdXJiYW4lMjBkZWNheSUyMG5ha2VkJTIwMw%3d%3d

• I am absolutely in love with this dress (link below) from Next UK. I think it is stunning, and would be such a conversation piece at any holiday party. I showed this to someone and they said you would need to have a rockin' body to pull this off, but I disagree. Everyone should feel confident in their own skin, and we need to stop thinking that dresses like this are only for women who can wear a size 2. Confidence is sexy no matter what size or shape you are, and if you are confident then you should definitely buy this dress: http://www.next.co.uk/g4916s1#888319g49

Fur-daughter: I have picked up 3 new puppy toys for Nelly's Christmas stocking, and weirdly they are all in the same colour palette. I bought them completely separately and it looks like I purposely wanted all her toys to match… hehe. Three sleeps and Nelly is 7 months old! I can't believe she is now approaching 1 ….. it's sad looking back on all her first puppy pictures. She used to be the size of my running shoe (actually maybe smaller, I have big feet!).

For Tomorrow: Make sure to Subscribe to my YouTube Channel, follow me on BlogLovin and Twitter, and to "Like" me on Facebook - because tomorrow you will have a chance to win my Nelly Bellie Christmas Holiday 2013 Contest. 

I will let you guys know once the video is up so you can see what you will win, and for specific instructions on how to enter the contest (you will need to post 2 answers below my YouTube video - both questions will be given tomorrow). This contest is open to anyone (it is international) and you can enter as many times as you like. Feel free to pass this on to friends, family, etc. This contest opens once my video goes up. Good luck!

http://www.youtube.com/TheNellyBellie
https://twitter.com/TheNellyBellie
Follow my blog with Bloglovin


Fotos:

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

"The greatest pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him, and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself, too." ~ Samuel Butler

Thursday is ALL Nelly Bellie

Hello Nelly Belliers!

If you haven't been here before….welcome to Nelly Bellie! A blog inspired by my Westie puppy Nelly (Nelly Bellie), turning the big #-5, and taking life by the balls!

Sorry for the late post but as they say "better late than never" (who is "they" anyway?). As some of you know I am in the midst of final exams (click here to find out why), so things are weeeeeee bit hectic but I am committing to putting up a blog every day (I will prevail!). 

This weekend I will also be working on some more vlogs, including a recipe vlog & some more Christmas goodies (all I'm going to say is "possible Christmas giveaway…red alert red alert"). Since I will be done another semester towards my life as a teacher, I will be able to creep out of the darkness and have a normal amount of time on my hands (at last!)! Yabadadoooooo (yes I may need some sleep).

So I promised this blog would include some truths about owning a puppy, so here is a moment of honesty about today. Sometimes trying to focus on very important things (such as studying for final exams) and having a 6 month old puppy around, just don't go well together (it's sort of like baking a Chocolate and Baked Beans cake). I may have Googled "my puppy is driving me crazy" at some point today (there's my honest moment). 

Well everyone good news. The Google response land told me that "I'm Only Human!" and said, "understand that Rome was not built in a day and that it takes time to train a happy puppy. So if your feeling doubtful or a bit crazy, just remember that these bad feelings are perfectly normal and will pass in time". Phew…. the only part I have issue with is the happy puppy comment. Nelly Bellie is over the moon, it's me who's loosing the plot. Maybe it should say "it takes time to train a happy human"?

PS - I love today's dog quote (see wayyyyy below).
PPS - If you are fabulous, please contact me for this upcoming blog - click here
PPPS - More pics to enjoy (see I still love Nelly Bellie!)

If you would like me to review a product, or if you have any business enquiries, or…………. if you have any suggestions of what you would like to see, email me at mynellybellie@gmail.com

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

"I never married because there was no need. I have three pets at home which answer the same purpose as a husband. I have a dog which growls every morning, a parrot which swears all afternoon, and a cat that comes home late at night." ~ Marie Corelli

Christmas Party Update & Monday Non-Blues

Hello Nelly Belliers,

Thank you so much to everyone who voted on my Christmas dress and hair style. Dress #3 and Dress #4 were neck in neck for a while, but Dress #3 won in the end (and so did wearing my hair down). 

We had a FABULOUS time and we ended up making some great new friends. Do you ever think "wow, can the universe can hear me?". It's not always easy being so far from most of my family and some of my closest friends, and it's not always easy to make new friends… well not only did the universe deliver some amazing people to us this weekend, but I also ended meeting a Spanish couple who are further away from home than me! I ended up having a great conversation with them, and discovered that there are people in the universe who have much bigger distance issues than me (it's always great to get a new perspective on things). I couldn't believe how happy it made them when we asked them to come for dinner some time, and the wife of the Spanish couple almost cried when I gave her a hug.

My wish for today is that you reach out to someone or give someone a random hug - it goes along way and sometimes I think we forget that little things can have a huge impact!

Here are some pics from the night of the party….

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.” ~ Milan Kundera

Christmas Party Outfit - Which Dress Should I Wear Tomorrow Night? VOTING HAS CLOSED

Christmas Party Outfit - Which Dress Should I Wear? VOTING HAS CLOSED
Thumbs UP and Subscribe :) 

I am going to a Christmas Party tomorrow night (voting has closed - click here to see the results) and I need your help on which dress I should wear. I will show you four outfits and all you have to do is vote in the comments area below the YouTube video or this blog page. Also let me know if you think I should wear my hair up or down.

To subscribe to my YouTube Channel - log in to YouTube using your gmail account and then click on the Subscribe button on my Channel. To like a video click the thumbs up symbol below the video.

Leave suggestions for topics in the comments and let me know what you'd like me to discuss!

My Places ::: 

MAIN CHANNEL : http://youtube.com/thenellybellie
BLOG : http://nellybellie.blogspot.ca
TWITTER - https://twitter.com/TheNellyBellie
FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nelly-Bellie/463172693803812?skip_nax_wizard=true
INSTAGRAM -- Coming Soon!
PINTEREST -- Coming Soon!


Yesterday's Nelly Bellie Video "Christmas Haul & Puppy Treats" 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOuYCiCZd0Q&feature=c4-overview&list=UUWqW8pYITGp3B8zekTb5t3A

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

“I'm half-Irish, half-Dutch, and I was born in Belgium. If I was a dog, I'd be in a hell of a mess!” ~ Audrey Hepburn

Nelly Bellie :: Christmas Haul & Puppy Treats Video & a Nelly Bellie update

Hello Nelly Belliers,

Video #2 is up - Nelly Bellie :: Christmas Haul & Puppy Treats (click here or the image below)

My initial thoughts about starting this blog….

Starting this blog / vlog has been one of the best decisions I have made. Not only do I love working on my blogs and videos, but I am also learning a heck of a lot! 

Unless you've done a blog before, I think you are probably sitting there going "this looks so easy", and "this won't take much time at all". Not true. 

I too didn't understand the amount of work that goes in to posting all over social media (including trying to remember the passwords you have created for each site), writing posts, taking photographs, and of course shooting and editing video. Did I get everything? 

I have also discovered how important your camera choice is and that lighting can be a pain in the you know what. I keep apologizing for the quality of my videos (only 2 so far), but when you look at other blogger YouTube channels, you discover how high the video calibre is out in the online universe. Anyway, I am getting a new camera yahooooo, and I should hopefully have it by next week (fingers and toes crossed). What camera do you guys use in the blogging world?

Update about Nelly Bellie….

Poor Nelly Bellie got spayed yesterday. She came home rather groggy and sore, and we didn't get much sleep last night, but she seems to be doing a bit better today. She hates her cone that she has to wear around her neck (when we aren't around), but hey if you had to wear a cone around your neck and walk on all-fours all day, I think you would hate it too (you think by now that vets would have found an alternative option). Other than the cone all is going well. She is sleeping a lot and she is still food obsessed (that's our Nelly).


Here are some quick tips about spaying your puppy:

• before your puppy can be spayed your vet will need to do a complete blood work check to make sure they are nice and healthy
• when should your puppy be spayed? There are lots of different opinions out there, so I would recommend finding a really good vet (we found ours because of a family referral, it's always great to use a vet that someone close to you can recommend). Once you find the right vet, they will be able to make the right recommendation. I would also recommend asking family and friends what they did.
• are the myths true? Some vets will tell you that your puppy will put on weight after being spayed, and other bits and bobs. Good old Cesar Millan says that a lot of these myths are not true. Here is the link, but again, I would recommend doing your research:: http://www.cesarsway.com/tips/basics/spay-and-neuter-myths

What tips do you have? Or what was your experience?

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

“I'm half-Irish, half-Dutch, and I was born in Belgium. If I was a dog, I'd be in a hell of a mess!” ~ Audrey Hepburn

My First YouTube Video on Nelly Bellie

Happy Wednesday Nelly Bellier's!

I'm excited to share that I have put up my first YouTube video. This is just a little intro blog showing some of Nelly Bellie's cutest or funniest moments. It's short and sweet, and the quality isn't fib fab (I'm working on getting a new camera so please keep this in mind). 

I will be posting a lot of different videos in the future (reviews, treats and truths, bits and bobs about my life, etc), and coming soon I will be putting up some excellent holiday treats. If you have anything you would like to see (let's keep this appropriate please), then post a comment below or send me an email.

HERE IS THE VIDEO. PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND 'LIKE' IF YOU ENJOYED IT. CHEERS! 

Ok - I have a had a few questions on how to comment, like, etc… so here's some quick tips: in case you are new to the online world, when you watch the video on my YouTube Channel you can click the thumbs up right below the video to "LIKE" it. Also, if you want to leave a comment on one of my blogs you have to go to the actual blog page for that post, not the home page (i.e. http://nellybellie.blogspot.ca/2013/11/happy-wednesday-nelly-belliers-im.html)

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

“Happiness is a warm puppy.” 
~ Charles M. Schulz

Welcome to Nelly Bellie

Hello Nelly Belliers!

Welcome to Nelly Bellie! A blog inspired by my Westie puppy Nelly (Nelly Bellie), turning the big 3-5, and taking life by the balls!

Nelly came into our lives in July of this year (she just turned 6 months two days ago - Happy Birthday Nelly!) and I want to share my experiences of having a new puppy (the good, the bad, and the ugly… very little bad, very little ugly, but I believe in full honesty!). Along the way I will also be reviewing dog products (with the help of Nelly of course) and posting some cutsie YouTube videos (Vlogs) for you to enjoy, because let's face it, she's the cutest puppy in the world.

I also recently just turned 25+10 (Nelly and I have the same birthday... well other than the year :) ) and I want to really get into life at 35, and offer some realness out there. Again, there are good and great things about being 35, and for me, some not bad things..... but real things that I would like to share.

I am also a lover of fashion, beauty, food, travel, yoga, writing, anything British (since I'm a half Brit -  born in England), music, and more... so I will be including lots of great information, reviews, experiences, etc on "all of my favourite things" and letting you in some zing zangs about my life (such as my amazing boyfriend who I live with and love with all my heart).

This is my VERY first blog in my whole life (could this be the start of something big?), so please feel free to let me know what you like, love, or dislike (but remember Nelly will also be reading your messages, so please be kind to her little puppy ears). 

If you would like me to review a product, or if you have any business enquiries, or…………. if you have any suggestions of what you would like to see, email me at mynellybellie@gmail.com

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself. ~ Josh Billings