Tip of the week

Currently I have 3 things in my fridge that are in granule or powder form. They are Milo, instant coffee and vitamin C powder.  I don't drink instant coffee but have some handy for visitors. I find if you leave coffee, Milo etc, it starts getting hard and then you have to dig in the jar with a knife to break some off. (Well, happens to me). So I end up throwing the jar away & some money too. Then I got this tip from my mom - put it in the fridge! I'm happy to say it works!

Images courtesy of:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/skwishy/3408285768/
http://mannequinofeuphoria.blogspot.com/2010/04/my-simplest-and-cheapest-pleasures.html

Princess Party Part 2

Part 2 - additional pics from my daughter's party. Unfortunately not the best of photo's. I always vow to take more; must work on this. Here are a few princess party must-haves! Well not really essentials but they made our little princess feel special on her big day.

Ponies

Cutting the cake - making a wish!

The dress - which HAD to be purple!

Bunting

Crowns

Pin-the-tail on the unicorn

Presents

Cards

Victorian necklace

Saw this exquisite victorian necklace on Etsy - would love one of these - so pretty!

I feel it all by Feist

Love this tune!

Princess Party Part 1

Here are some pics I took of some things I made for my daughter's birthday. I also used my hubby's work camera, but he forgot the cable at work so I can't download the pics. (Those will come in Part 2). 


The theme was a princess party and if she could get her way, everything would've been purple - her favourite colour at the moment. My hubby helped me with the princess cake which turned out better than expected since it was my first attempt. He helped keep my sanity 'til 2 am. I like to make the cake at night and then surprise my children in the morning. Unfortunately she got there before me so I missed the actual moment she saw her princess. When we brought the cake out at the party she was literally screaming so I think I got her stamp of approval!


I made unicorn shortbread biscuits with butterfly necklaces for the 'party packs' which her friends could take home. Yesterday we had birthday ring at her school; I also made fairy cupcakes for her class. Of course the unicorn one was a special one for her. Happy Birthday my little principessa!

Marshmallow crispy squares

I'm making these for my daughter's party. They are easy to make (albeit a bit sticky) but more importantly a big hit with children! I got the recipe from Nigella Lawson. I use pink and white Beacon Mallows as I can't get my hands on mini ones. The pink marshmallows give them a pink hue and the edible glitter on top make them look like pearlescent treasures - perfect for a princess party! 

Nigella Lawson's Recipe
± 24 squares


Ingredients:

• 45g butter
• 300g marshmallows
• 180g Rice Krispies
• Edible glitter or sprinkles (optional)

Method:

1. Melt the butter in a large, heavy-based saucepan over a low heat.
2. Add the marshmallows and cook gently until they are completely melted and blended; stirring constantly.
3. Take the pan off the heat and immediately add the cereal, mixing lightly until well coated.
4. Press the mixture into a greased 32cm x 23cm tin; you may have to put on vinyl CSI gloves and press it down into the corners, as it will be very sticky. Flatten the top and then scatter over the edible glitter or sprinkles, if so inclined.
5. Let the marshmallow crispy squares cool completely in the tin and then cut them into squares.

For a very dear friend

Wishing you an extra special day!! 

Belle and Boo

Boy & Girl

My latest purchase from {the thrift collection}. I have a son and daughter, so I was quite drawn to these sweet, old-world pics.

Speechless

I have no words to describe the work of Dalton Ghetti. I'm just blown away.


“Many artists have used pencils to create beautiful pieces of work – but only one creates stunning masterpieces on the tip of one. Microscopic artist Dalton Ghetti spends up to two-and-a half years painstakingly crafting each handmade piece on the graphite of a pencil. “  – Dalton Ghetti Facebook

Dreaming of a white garden

One of my dreams (one of many) is to have a white garden. I would love to come home to the most exquisite English garden filled with an array of white blooms.

Images from:
http://blog.bloomsbythebox.com/index.php/2011/06/america-the-bloomiful/
http://www.art.com/products/p12268918-sc-i1650930/abby-rex-stunning-white-arum-calla-lily-on-dark-background.htm
http://ruffledrose.com/page/7/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotos-g1078445-Bourton_on_the_Hill_Cotswolds_Gloucestershire_England.html#29900118
http://missrumphiusrules.blogspot.com/2009/05/white.html
http://www.places-to-go.org.uk/sissinghurst2006_white_garden.htm
http://www.invectis.co.uk/sissing/sswhite.htm
http://www.countryliving.com/homes/house-tours/reinventing-1795-Connecticut-house-0207

Thank you Cleo

Thanks to Cleo Fitzgerald my son has an amazing continental pillow. It has been handmade and designed by Cleo. She has a day job and does this 'hobby' in her spare time! This lady should have her own shop; she is a hidden gem in Durban!  We got together for coffee after I saw some of her portfolio pieces. Then I commissioned her to do a pillow for my son's room.  Cleo was very quick with her design ideas and suggested a silhouette of his face. She suggested the beautiful blue denim to match his bedspread and the piping detail in the vintage fabric - such a nice touch! All I had to do was take a photo of him and the rest was all her talent! 


I found this amazing vintage fabric years ago; which has been stored in my cupboard having no purpose in life. Let me just rewind here - I do not sew, only repair buttons. I have zero patience for it, so I salute anyone who has the talent for it. Wish I did but I don't, now that that's out the way... 


Here are some pic's of my son's room with his favourite pillow; he refuses to take it off his bed - he just loves it so much! Check out the vintage fabric - love it! The handy tog bag behind his door was a gift for his birthday, last year from Cleo. The other pics are just some of the awesome things she has designed and made. If you want to contact Cleo you can inbox her: cleo@techgear.co.za


Thanks Cleo - you rock! Now if only I can convince hubby to have the 'pink bird in birdcage' cushions for our bedroom!

My favourite mug

I had one of these mugs when I used to live in Ireland. I brought it all the way back to South Africa with me, but alas it got broken. Its designed by talented Emma Bridgewater from her Black Toast range. I love the shape, the ear and the typography on the mug; simple but beautiful. She has plates, jugs & much more. My heart did a little leap when I opened my gift from my sister-in-law in the UK. The perfect mug for tea, coffee & hot chocolate! Thanks J x!

Planning for a Princess Party

The day has arrived - my little girl duly stated she wanted a 'princess' party, no hesitation whatsoever.  So this week I have been looking for inspiration for her big day.  I'm hoping to organize her some ponies for her party. I always wanted one for one of my parties as far back as I can remember. So I will be living my little fantasy through her, as most moms do I imagine! I look forward to seeing her little face light up when they arrive. 

Images Resourced from:
http://designersandus.com/images/PEGASUSMyLittlePonyParty82006UPclose.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcTNoK3qVk-7C_g5qZS2yUIr6V4VkbSzCyimnA3Ta-AUjK5In_G1YkVfvYq51EhYeoIbuHIlZwZAPzba_XJmBtdiqvb4mb99oI6iWlooVOpzN1g2BWL7FjufI2nsFBN2VNgez-fgCCUEX-/s400/princess+party.jpg
http://3kidsandus.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/princess-party-for-emma.jpg
http://www.thepartydress.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/Princess-Tea-Party-large.jpg