Autumn Lovelies
I hate being someone that seems to be wishing summer away, but unfortunately I work in a very hot office and to be honest I haven’t been able to get and enjoy the sun as much as I wanted to this year. All this, combined with the recent turn in the the weather has let my mind drift to Autumn and winter fashions. Warmer colour combinations and snuggly over-sized jumpers seem so perfect right now…this may have something to do with being quite tired? Anyway, here’s a little collage of the things making it onto my Autumn wish list.
1. Fleur de Bois frangrance from Miller Harris
2. Holly Bow shoes in mustard from Hobbs NW3
3. Ultimate Winter Duffle coat from Topshop
4. Cream slouchy jumper from Topshop
5. Tassle bag (very Luella) from Topshop
6. Heath Scarf from Hobbs NW3
7. Yarra Desert boots from Clarks Originals
8. Casio retro gold watch from ASOS
9. Rob Ryan bird Brooch for Tatty Devine
(the brooch reads ‘Our adventure is about to begin’ too cute!)
What are your Autumn lovelies?
Day Trip to Versailles
Last photos from Paris, I promise. I thought I’d share my pictures from our day trip out of the city and down to Versailles. I have mixed emotions about Versailles, the palace and grounds are breath taking and stunning, however I went in August and the it was completely over-run with tourists (like myself). This in it’s self is fine, but lines were really long for everything and I spent most of the day waiting, not exploring. Moan aside, I would totally recommend this as a day trip if you’re in Paris, just don’t go in peak tourist season, like I did. Also, if you’re under 26 and have id you get in free – which is very nice. Here is a selection of photos from the day, we started with the main palace, the gardens, boating on the lake and then out to Marie Antoinette’s estate including the Queen’s Hamlet – which was my favourite thing by far. Also, I have to say thank you my sister for lending me her camera – as you can see I was very snap happy! If anyone is thinking of going to Paris, I have put a few more pictures on my Flickr.
Merci, Paris
Whilst in Paris I visited the very lovely Merci. It really is a stunning concept store filled with imaginative things. I loved how much space they have and the interesting ways they have used it. One thing that really stood out to me in Parisian stores was how relaxed they are. Taking a few snaps never seems to be a problem, unlike England and the service never pushy. Many of the items in Merci are a little eye watering and out my modest price range, but the space is so inviting. The used book cafe downstairs draws an eclectic crowd of coffee drinkers, lunch eaters and mothers with push chairs. I loved how the store was more than a store, it was a place to relax, meet and gain inspiration. I really hope more of these spring up everywhere (especially London) – it’s a fantastic concept. Here’s a little peek at how it looked during my visit last week.
Exploring Paris
Last week Miles and I went to Paris for a long weekend. It’s no secret that I am a real francophile, I love the language, the food and romanticism of France. It’s the country that I have visited most, I just seem to keep going back. We have been to Paris before 5 years a go, way back when both Miles and were students, so this visit was very different to the last. Most notably, we could afford meals out, something we didn’t have the luxury of last time. We made do with bread and snacks for breakfast, lunch and dinner! Anyway, student days aside here is a run down of our trip in photos.
You may notice a lack of Eiffel Tower etc shots, sorry Miles and made the decision, having explored the main tourist attractions last time to try to explore the lesser known and more unseen parts of the city. I love all the main attractions in Paris, but wanted to see more of the city that the residents see. This is why we hired bikes, went to parks, stayed in the East and eat at many places that only spoke French (he,he it was tough, we try our best). I have to say thank you to Hip Paris as I followed the restaurant reviews and guides to the word. We ate at The Rose Bakery, Pramil, Coco Cook and Le Temps au Temps – all on Hip Paris’ recommendation and loved them all! I love being able to find a blog like this that I feel I have a lot in common with and can use it as a real resource. More Paris to come.
Blanket Cushion
I thought I’d share my cushions with you all as I have been meaning to get a snap of them, but the light was never quite right. I got them whilst at the Country Living Christmas Fair last November (you may remember the other goodies I got there here). It was love at first sight as the colours are calm yet colourful, which I love!
The very sweet company that made them is called Calon and each cushion, or pair of cushions they make are individual. I love the fact that they are all slightly different and made from vintage wool blankets. I like to think about who might have owned it first or who had a picnic using it (don’t worry they are all properly cleaned before they make the cushions). Welsh blankets are in short supply these days so I’m pretty pleased I have a little bit of a very pretty one sitting on my sofa.
This week other than snuggling up with my cushions I have been lusting after the new Boden Autumn collection, especially their Heritage Range! I wish my bank balance would allow me some purchases, alas I’m saving for my trip to Paris with Miles. Also, very excited by the Gainsbourg movie that is out, I feel this would make the perfect Paris preparation film. Alas, I have not a moment to spare for it – sob!
Summery Lemon Cupcakes
I decided the other day it had been far to long since I last baked, so this weekend I re-stoked my baking cupboard and set about making something yummy. Since the weather has been so unseasonably hot here the situation called for something fresh, light and lemony. So, after much debate I decided to adapt my vanilla cupcake recipe and make it a lemon cupcake recipe – the result was quite yum indeed – just what the stomach called for! Well, not really since my taste buds love cupcakes but stomach really quite hates anything with white flour in! he,he!
I wanted to use my new Greengate cupcake cases that Holly got me for Christmas and my new edible flowers Miles bought me from Squires Kitchen. All-in-all they make a yummy, light, summery treat if you’re looking for something fill the sweet craving without being too heavy. If anyone fancies giving them a whirl here’s the recipe – it makes around 8-9 cupcakes.
You’ll need the following:
115g of unsalted better
115g of golden caster sugar
115g of self raising flour
2 medium sized eggs
the grated rind on one lemon
a table spoon of milk
For the icing:
50g of unsalted butter
100g of full-fat cream cheese
300g icing sugar
half a lemon rind grated
1 drop of vanilla extract
How to make the cupcakes:
1) Cream the butter and sugar together until fluffy and light, then beat one egg in at a time until mixture is smooth.
2) Add in the lemon rind and mix again. Now sieve in the the flour and mix until smooth. Then add the milk to make a dropping consistency.
3) Spoon mixture into cupcake cases, making sure to only fill them a 3/4 way full. Bake for 20-25 mins at around 150 degrees.
4) To make the icing cream together the butter, cream cheese – then sieve in the icing sugar mixing as you go. Add lemon rind and vanilla extract mixing until smooth. Pipe onto the cakes once they are fully cooled.
Simple, yummy and fresh – let me know if anyone gives the recipe a go, I’d love to know how you got on! Have a lovely week.
Someone had a Birthday
I’m not usually one to put lots of pictures of myself or people here on my blog, but I thought I’d share these shots as they are a little bit special and really do capture what I’ve been up to. Last weekend was Miles’ birthday, the weather was glorious and we headed down to kent to see our family. We had lots of cake, Miles got lots of pressies and we had a yummy BBQ in the sun. It was perfect photo weather and I managed to snap these pictures of Miles on my iPhone using the Hipstermatic app.
We spent Miles’ actual birthday in London. A trip to Hackney City Farm, some yummy food at Trullo and lots of lounging in the sun – then topped off with the World Cup final. A lovely day, made even better knowing that we are heading off to Paris together in just a few weeks. This was my present to Miles, well it seems quite modest compared to his trip to America that he planned for my 25th. I’m so excited about visiting Paris for a second time – macarons, cakes, parks and lots of beautiful buildings!
If anyone has any helpful tips, hints or suggestions for things to see and do in Paris I’d love to hear them. As it stands I’ve been reading some great Parisian blogs and using the great Design Sponge city guide for Paris. I’m so excited – a long weekend in the city of pretty!
Sunshine and Stamping
Sorry for the super long delay between posts. Miles was away for ages and took with him the camera that we share since mine decided to give up and die a year after purchase (boo). He’s back now and so too is the camera – Hooray! It’s been a busy few weeks here, sweltering in the summer sun, working and all the day-to-day stuff that seems to take up all my time. However, I did get a little time to make these new gift tags with my Russian doll stamps that Miles got me for Christmas, yes I’ve waited since Christmas to get some free time and inspiration to use them. They are from the very lovely Make Lounge – I think? They are hand carved and pretty cute even if I do say so myself.
The Paris stamps were a birthday gift from Miles again, he knows I love nothing more than a beautiful rubber stamp! I was very lucky today, I hit Islington’s Upper Street for browse of the summer sales and one of the local design shops, Aria had this Orla Kiely note book for £3 reduced from £9.95 because it has a little mark on it (I’m not fussed). They also had this great Wallpaper guide to Bilbao reduced to £3.50 – which was a stroke of luck as this is where I’m off to on my work holiday on Thursday. You may remember me blogging about previous work holiday’s to Barcelona and Athens and this year we’re off to San Sebastian near Bilbao, Spain. Looking forward to relaxing in the sun and hopefully seeing some lovely sights.
I really loved how these two books co-ordinated in colour and once I made my labels they seemed to match so well too. Fresh, yet muted summer colours are just what I need right now as every where feels so bright and sunny. This weekend is mostly going to be spent spending time with Miles (catching up and hanging out after his sky diving adventure). We’ve spent hours in the park reading, with a butterfly landing on Miles back several times – amazing! Looking forward to catching the England game tomorrow, fingers crossed for a win! If anyone knows the San Sebastian area and have any good tips please share them, I have done very little research and it doesn’t seem to be a place that many have visited. Have a great week!
Peach and Sweet Potato Muffins
I’m feeling rather summery at the moment. The sun is shining and flip flops are the staple footwear choice. I’m sure all this will change in the blink of n eye and rain will pour – after all this is England! I managed a spot of baking today, another recipe from the Harry Eastwood cookbook. Previously I have attempted the courgette cupcakes, but today I went for the peach and sweet potato muffins. My thinking was that these will make really great breakfast snacks. If you are not familiar with Harry’s philosophy, she tends to avoid butter in her recipes and substitutes this with vegetables to get the same (if not more) moisture – cakes that are actually pretty good for you, whoop!
For anyone looking to give them ago here is the recipe.
You will need the following:
2 medium free range eggs
120g caster sugar
200g peeled and finely grated sweet potato
100g white rice flour
100g ground almonds
1 table spoon of poppy seeds
2 teaspoons of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of barcarbonate of soda
1/4 teaspoon of salt
3 small peaches cut into small cubes (or 1 regular tin of peaches cut up)
These are really quick and simple to make with very few steps.
Here’s how to do it:
1) Whisk the egg and sugar together for 3 minutes, until fluffy and light.
2) Use a wooden spoon to mix in the sweet potato, ground almonds. Then sieve in the flour, baking powder, barcarbonate of soda and salt. Finally adding in the poppy seeds. Mix well.
3) Add in the chopped peach (I coated my peach cubes in a teaspoon of flour to avoid them sinking to the bottom) and mix well again.
4) Spoon the mixture into muffin cases to the top, make sure you use a muffin tray to bake them. Then they need 3o minutes in the oven at 180 degrees or gas mark 4.
5) Once ready turn them out on to a wire rack to cool – then Eat! Yum!
If anyone tries them out please let me know, love to know how you got on. Also if anyone wants the book here’s the one that I have.
Growbot Gift
Whilst I was in San Francisco I spotted this little Growbot in a very cute shop called Lavish in Hayes Valley. You plant him up with grass seeds and they create his head/hair. I bought this little man a present for my robot mad boyfriend – plus I am a real sucker for white ceramics! I love how he stands so proud and tall with his cute little green grass hair. I was all fingers and thumbs when planting him up and as a result he’s a little thin on top, the grass is a little patchy! I think a bit of extra seeding is needed to give him fuller hair.
I had to stop mid flow in writing this post as the UK announced that David Cameron was to become our new Prime Minister and he was on his way to Buckingham Palace. I have been totally sucked into politics this election and on election night Miles and I were up until 3am glued to the TV. I’m glad a decision is finally made, even if it’s not one I’m that happy with. I must mention that the two frames either side of the growbot are Liberty of London for Target, I bought so much of the collection whilst I was in the US, I think Target ended up being by favourite stop, that and Crate and Barrel. Still there’s lots to be happy about, Stornoway (my fave band) have announced their album will be out on 24th May – yay! I also finally have a bed to sleep on after some very uncomfortable nights on a mattress on the floor – Yay!
