colour block purses

this week I have been using left over samples from work to make these very cute colour block purses, they are so easy, all you need is a 20 cm zip, they are 99p on e-bay or 5 for £2.99 and a piece of fabric 20 x 30 cm, simply pin the zip on the 2 shorter edges and then sew along the middle of each side and then sew the side seams together with right sides facing, then turn the right way out....

upcycling vintage plates

last night my friend Sally and I ventured to north-west London to learn the art of upcycling, this basically involves using decoupage to update a vintage plate to look a bit more interesting and quirky, its pretty simple and the results are very effective and striking, well i think so anyway.... Handmade by you, is a rather cute, eclectic workshop where the very lovely Alice & Daisy offer a variety of different classes, its a very friendly relaxed atmosphere and I can't wait to go again, next on the list limoncello making!!!

Macaroon making

last night, my friend Sally and I attended a baking course with the Kent Cookery School at The Secret Garden in Ashford, to learn how to make macaroon’s! I have been to The Secret Garden a few times for tea and cake and have always enviously peered through the windows into the kitchen classroom, think Great British bake off / Mary Berry’s kitchen, heaven!!! So I was very excited to actually be taking part in a class.

I have never attempted to make macaroon’s before and after my last baking challenge of the fondant fancies I was wary to give these ago, as I have heard many baking horror stories from friends..... It turns out there are a few handy tips that will ensure you get the perfect macaroons.... So here goes

Handy tips (we learnt from our egg lecture)

medium egg should weigh between 53-63g

large egg shoud weigh between 63-73g

if freshly laid, do not use the eggs till they are about 7 days old for baking purposes (fresh eggs have too much carbon dioxide in them)

Eggs should NOT be kept in the fridge, store them in a cool dark place.

Recipe

Ingedients

Macaroon paste :

185g icing sugar

185g ground almonds

2 medium egg whites

Food colouring

Italian Meringue

50ml water

185g caster sugar

2 medium egg whites

(sugar thermometer)

Method

1 – Preheat oven to 180 degrees, place baking tray in the oven

2 - cut greaseproof paper to exact size of baking tray

3 – mix icing sugar, ground almonds and 2 x egg whites until a smooth paste, add food colouring for desired shade

4 – whisk 2 medium egg whites till they form firm peaks, meanwhile soft boil caster sugar and water in a saucepan till it reaches 120 degrees exactly (use a jam or sugar thermometer for this)

5 – whilst whisking the egg whites slowly pour the hot sugar syrup into the bowl and then whisk for 2 minutes

6 – carefully add meringue mixture to the almond paste, cutting and stirring, minimum amount of work possible

7 – fill piping bag with the macaroon mixture and pipe into circles  onto the greasproof paper (around 3cm diameter each 50 pence piece size)

8 – Carefully slide greaseproof paper onto the hot baking tray and cook in the oven for 8 minutes.

9 – allow to cool and then fill with your preferred fillings (cream, chocolate, lemon curd, jam...)

photos of the week

the weekend before last the sun was out and i fancied a pub lunch and a walk, so we headed to The Three Tuns in Lower Halstow, Kent, the food is amazing, good pub food, rather large portions.... we then walked along the riverside, check out my photography skills....

The London Coffee festival kicks off tomorrow 03-06 April, Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, I am going on Saturday in the afternoon, so will report back next week, but this is what it is all about... 

On top of entry to The London Coffee Festival for a three hour session you can expect coffee and food samples, tastings, demos and live music! Learn about the various different ways to make and brew coffee at home, visit your favourite barista at the True Artisan Café and graze your way through the artisan food and street food markets. You won’t go home hungry or thirsty!

my best friend Sarah sent me this picture this morning, i have a rather strange obsession with hippo's and this little baby one is absolutely adorable, could't help but share it with you.... 

my soon to be brother-in-law bought me this Lazy Frog midwifery fob watch for christmas last year, i cannot wait to wear it come September....

Finally, on Instagram I saw this lovely photo today, how gorgeous would this be for a wedding table setting or posh dinner party.... 

new beginnings....

this weekend is pretty monumental for me, as i am packing up my flat and moving back home..... the time has come a bit sooner than planned however I am really looking forward to this new chatper in my life! After 6 years of working up in London I have decided to go back to university and study to be a midwife, the course starts in September and so my lovely parents have agreed to have me back in the family nest for the foreseeable future, wish them luck.....

there is a reason for this blog and it’s this gorgeous shabby chic weekly planner / organiser I have bought from e-bay so that my parents can keep a track of me and my hectic life!

crafty classes: whimsical plates, wedding bouquets, macarons & Jane Eyre

 i seem to have booked myself onto a lot of courses for the next few weeks, very excited about all of them, will blog about each one once i've completed them, wish me luck.... oh and I've also got a trip to the theatre booked next week to see a new adaptation of Jane Eyre, my friend Shainey arranged :) 

handmade-by-you - £25 - 10.04.14

Make Whimsical China- you will learn how to "print" images directly on to a china plate and then set the image so you can still eat off and wash the china, as usual.  Choose from our selection of pretty vintage plates or bring you own for a £5 discount.  We have selected so many lovely images to use- you will be spoilt for choice- foxes, top hats, rabbits, vintage scissors, buttons, tea cups......

kent cookery school - macaron class - £50 - 03.04.14

This course will teach you to create amazing Macarons.

After being given a demonstration you will let loose to recreate your own Macarons. You can choose the colour and filling of you choice before packing them up to take home to your friends and family.

This course is great fun and not to mention delicious.

blooming Green - hand tied bouquet & button hole - £45 - 16.05.14

Learn to make a hand-tied bridal bouquet and buttonhole, using fresh flowers from our plot. Perfect for brides-to-be who have opted for our pick-your-own wedding flowers... or for budding florists.

jane eyre - Rosemary Branch Theatre - £10-13 - 12-30.03.14


By Charlotte Brontë
Adapted and directed by Bryony J Thompson
Original Score James Young

This gripping adaptation of a favourite classic, part ghost story, part Gothic romance, and part religious tract is back by popular demand following last year's sell out run. Charlotte Brontë's original text is combined with the actual narrative to literally bring the book to life. Set in 1840s northern England, the early stirrings of feminism shine through the strict adherence to social hierarchy, giving this venerated novel its iconic status.

With Lily Beck, Philip Honeywell, Helen Keeley, Hannah Maddison, Rob Pomfret, and Joss Wyre.

Cakes & Crochet

for the last week i have mainly been crocheting and baking, and here is a sneak peek, I made this delicious lemon drizzle cake for my crafty night tonight with all the generations coming over, mum, aunty, nan and cousin... here is the recipe, give it a go its easy peasy lemon squeezy 

I also ordered a new crochet book "Granny Squares: 20 Crochet projects...." by Susan Pinner as i was getting bored with the standard granny squares, so many lovely patterns, check out my first attempt below...

crochet: granny squares

inspired by lots of crochet granny square blankets popping up in shops and in home magazines, i have been inspired to get back into crochet and attempt a granny square blanket, i am using a 5.5mm crochet hook from Minerva Crafts and i bought the wool from Deramores, it's called Vanna's Choice and is £3.49 per ball, colour references in the shopping list at the end... there is a also a how to crochet granny square video at the end of the blog post if you fancy giving it a go. i have only completed 6 squares at the moment, so more to follow ....

shopping list 

- 5.5mm crochet hook £1.79 Minerva Crafts

- Vanna's Choice Wool £3.49 per ball - mustard (158), Fern (171), Raspberry (112) Radiant Orange (132), Aqua (102), Purple (147), White (100) 

sushi lesson with Sarah

last night my lovely friend Sarah taught me the art of sushi making, we made cucumber maki, mini ISO, Futomaki and a California hand roll, here is the result of our efforts....ps they were delicious, especially the harissa, crab & avocado... this is my first attempt at vlogging also, hope you enjoy!!! if you want to give it a go, you can buy a starter kit from Kazari for just £4.99

love is....

 so it's that time of year again, love is in the air and I have seen so many lovely cards and gifts, i felt i had to share them with you.... i absolutely love this card from naughtylittlecards, Etsy £3, especially if you are in a new relationship and its all a bit awkward still

this card is extra cute from Lazy Oaf £2.75, my little sister would appreciate this card

these sentimental prints from M&S make a very thoughtful gift, and would look really graphic with a chunky black frame and a bargain at £19.50 for 4

 this has to be my favourite gift idea, M&S "Me & You" T-Towel, £6 could also frame this if you didn't want to use it ...

this be-jewelled i-phone cover is AMAZING and especially for you Lara .... Asos £12

for all those bakers out there, this has to be the perfect gift... although purely for display purposes only get the Fiolmena Muffin tray from Anthropologie £36 (Sally & Charlotte thought you would like this...)

for the miniature lover (Sarah this is right up your street), this is adorable     "i think you're great" NOTHS £7