I'm intrigued by this buttered popcorn ice-cream recipe by Trotski and Ash. I'm sure it would make a great addition to a movie night with friends.
While you're there check out all their other cute recipes accompanied by the gorgeous photography of Lauren Bamford.
{ photo by Lauren Bamford }
I spotted Happy Lab recently at Chadstone Shopping Center and was immediately enticed by the cute packaging and creative store design. Beakers and test tubes filled with colourful candy and chocolate line the walls whilst staff parade around in lab coats. If the sugar doesn't make you happy, the colours surely will. Don't you just love great packaging?
When I was a little girl I watched 'The Sound of Music' at least 300 times. The songs were a staple in our household, making regular appearances in shower solos and impromptu hums.
Despite possessing the highest regard for this beloved musical, I never related to the song “My Favourite Things”. This is mostly due to the fact that I found Fräulein Maria's list of 'favourite things' somewhat lacking (and, not to mention, rife with the 'cheese' factor). Sadly, “raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens” did absolutely nothing for me.
In addition, I found that prancing around in my bedtime garments and belting out the phrase "schnitzel with noodles" helped little in the event of sheer, blinding terror.
I realise now that perhaps my indifference to Mr Hammerstein's lyrics is also due to one profound and glaring omission: green and black's 85% dark chocolate.
The stuff rocks. Buy in bulk.
{ photo by Amy Moss }
It has recently come to my attention that the combination of pretty novelty chocolate, shiny+glittery hats and a collection of colourful felt balls = happy!
So, if you're out and about in Melbourne and you're looking for some cheering up, here's where to go:
{ photography by Amy Moss }
Confetti Programs by Martha Stewart... Cute dresses from Dear Creatures Spring 2011... Gorgeous fabric tapes from Love My Tapes... Pastel Ice-cream cups from Sur la table { via Love from the Oven }... Cute pic of paint dipped pencils by Tokketok- Photography by Lisa Warninger and Styling by Chelsea Fuss { via Simplesong } ... British Baking book by Peyton & Byrne from Amazon...
I visited Miette when I was in SF last year for my honeymoon. Simply the most gorgeous cakes I have ever seen! And now there's a book !! Must have now!
{ photos from Miette website }
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Note: This post contains a link to 'Miette: Recipes from San Francisco's Most Charming Pastry Shop' on Amazon. I am an Amazon affiliate which means that I receive a small percentage of any sales made when readers click on this link. This helps to keep this website alive. However, please note that I would only ever review and suggest books that I personally recommend.
Dress from Anthropologie
"Don't Forget to be Awesome" art print from Super Swoon
Chair from Serena and Lily
Flower Tote from Mar Y Sol
DIY Twig Lamp by Better Homes & Gardens
Hummingbird Cupcake recipe by Annie's Eats
'Tartine Bread' Book by Chad Robertson from Amazon
Mug from Mr Kitly
Stila's Convertible Color at J.Crew
Pink Flower Hairclip from Seed
Floral Fabric 'Keisarinna' from Marimekko
Cloud Mobile from The Butter Flying
Dress from Orla Kiely
'Love my mum' mini memory book from Kikki K
'Hello' Card from 55 Hi's
Chair 'Montparnasse' from Coco Republic
DIY Ice-cream Cake from One Charming Party
What a frustrating week! First a nasty computer virus then an erratic server- so sorry for the lack of updates thus far! Anyway, better late than never right?
I'm currently tempted to pay a visit to Hare & Grace- a Melbourne eatery and minibar designed by the talented Joost Bakker. Judging from their website gallery both their food and interior look equally delicious!
{ photos from Hare and Grace website }
Wedding Style Guide magazine's latest issue (which features my wedding!) also includes a mint green version of my Ice-Cream Parlour cups as part of their 'retro green machine' spread (pg.78). The cup wrapper can be downloaded for free from their website!
(Print onto glossy photo paper for best results!)
a Stamp Rugs officially licenced by The Royal Mail { via Adore Home }
b Happy Easter gift tags from Kikki K
c Handmade candy by Selfridges { via hooray }
d 'It's OK' banner from Secret Holiday
e Lavender Lorne Button Back Chair from Early Settler
f Sweet collages by Bird in a Bunny Suit
g Missoni Mare Swimsuit from Net a Porter
h Custom designed typographic wood puzzles- "Nuzzles" by John Christenson
i Coral Leather Bow Make-up bag from Topshop
j Teal confetti from Kristina Marie
k Pink Suede 'Meow' shoes by Jeffrey Campbell from Solestruck
l Pintuck Velvet Pillow from Urban Outfitters
So, I'm no cook. However, it has occurred to me that honing my culinary skills would be immeasurably useful. Sure, I can follow a recipe, but construct a meal sans-instruction and it's a hit and miss affair.
Browsing through Avenue Bookstore in South Melbourne (a somewhat dangerous endeavour, judging by the number of books I ended up purchasing), I stumbled across "The Flavour Thesaurus" by Niki Segnit- A gorgeous hardcover reference that contains descriptions of the qualities and resulting flavours of hundreds of food pairings. My first thought was 'Brilliant!". It's exactly what an aspiring, often-times clueless cook, such as myself, needs!
In order to create a vaguely edible dish, it obviously helps to have knowledge of what flavours successfully complement each other and also to be aware of the more unconventional and unexpected combinations that are possible. (Chocolate and bacon, anyone?) Although I still may be lacking in technique, I truly believe that this compendium brings me a step closer to full culinary enlightenment.
It also just makes a rather interesting read. The author combines the more serious, historical facts with personal anecdotes and witty observations. Included are also handy recipes and cooking tips. Heston Blumenthal describes it as "An original and inspiring resource". Definitely a must for even the most adept cook.
And, what kind of style-obsessive would I be if I didn't remark on the gorgeous book cover design by Peter Dawson of Grade Design. It was, of course, the pretty rainbow of colours on the cover that initially drew me to the book. A beautiful gift idea.
Brains paired with beauty, just the kind of flavour I love!
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Note: This post contains a link to 'The Flavour Thesaurus' on Amazon. I am an Amazon affiliate which means that I receive a small percentage of any sales made when readers click on this link. This helps to keep this website alive. However, please note that I would only ever review and suggest books that I personally recommend.
{ all photos by Amy Moss }
01 Sweet Dreams teapot and teacup set in 'Ice Blue' from T2
02 Creme Royale collection from Sohum
03 Cushion cover from H&M
04 Limoges tea sets from The Cooking Company
05 Royale Savon Bon Bon collection from Sohum
06 Macarons from Paulette Macarons
07 Madeline Chair from Urban Outfitters
08 Pavlova dress from Review
09 Perfectly packaged P.J.'s from Peter Alexander
01 Blue plate from Perfect Pieces
02 Crisp Folded Dress by Marnie Skillings
03 3d Petal Pouffe from Marks and Spencer
04 Mast Brothers Chocolate packaging, via Lovely Package
05 Colour Etch Letters from Urban Outfitters
06 Mrs Godfrey Chair from Jonathan Adler
07 Petal Shoes from Kling
Love this pretty illustration of vintage candy jars for Day 350 over at A Collection a Day by Lisa Congdon. Such beautiful colours!
These tea towels by Charlotte Farmer look good enough to eat. Available at To Dry For.
Styling goddess, Donna Hay recently launched her new website. Some cute + irresistable things for parties and entertaining in her online store.
Beautiful colours in these gorgeous wall illustrations for Marks and Spencers by Emily Robertson
