The Cherry Blossom Girl

I love these photos by The Cherry Blossom Girl from the ever so cute photo shoot entitled, Winter Birds. How fab are the feather face masks and decorative bird cage?! I just adore the vintage hints she adds to her delicately beautiful photos.

Happy Friday, sweets!

Winter Wonderland Etsy craft supplies

This week on "Wonderful World of Etsy" I bring you some pretty Winter Wonderland craft supplies. I picked up some of the wooden bird cages on a trip to Hong Kong last year and have still not done anything with them! So this year they are coming out of their little box for a make over! I would also love to get the mini deer mould; how cute would it be to make mini iced deers to decorate the top of Christmas cupcakes with?!

• Pretty white bird cage pendants
• 100 industrial folder deer
• Mini deer mould
• White wooden leaf pendants

Have a sweet day!

Such Pretty Things

Today on shops I love, I bring you some of the pretty treasures from online boutique, Such Pretty Things. Such Pretty Things was started in October 2010 by Jessica, an artist, designer and author of the blog Such Pretty Things. Jessica's love of pretty things started in her childhood whilst scouring yard sales with her dad. Always on the look out for something glittery, pretty and pastel, Jessica's collection has grown over the years and now we all have an opportunity to buy something from her wonderful collection. She stocks both new and vintage trims, from velvet forget-me-nots to glittered feather birds, to a host of vintage papers for the wall, to crafts. For the baker there are darling cake toppers and the prettiest shades of candy. So check out her store for some of her latest treasures.

Have a sweet day!

My Winter Wonderland craft supplies

Small pots of glitter, bird buttons

Winter bird decals

Folklore bird ribbon, wooden spool, pink pom pom ribbon

Plywood deer, pale aqua mini pom pom trim

Antique pink, teal, off-white, pale jade, moss green wool for felting

Yesterday I shared with you my Christmas theme, "Winter Wonderland", and today I am showing you some of the craft supplies I have collected so far. I am thinking hand glittered bird cages to hang on my tree, pom pom trimmed stockings, ribbon tied treat bags, hanging deers and needle felted toadstools and roses. For where to buy just click the links below the photos.

Have a sweet day!

My Winter Wonderland Christmas

Today I am kicking off my Winter Wonderland Christmas. I love Christmas and it is my favourite holiday to decorate for. There are just so many options with colour and style and don't get me started on all the home-made decorations and treats I want to make. So this year I have started early. I have been working on my colour and theme ideas over the past few weeks and have decide to go with a woodland nature theme in a colour palette of snowy white, pale pink, vintage bubblegum pink, icy aqua, teal, fresh green and olive.

I love the idea of using last year's Winter Woodland decorations of shimmery toadstools, pearly owls and smooth white deer and doe, but giving them a fresh new look by adding pretty colours and lots of bird motifs. So come join my journey to what I hope will be a Winter Wonderland Christmas full of pretty crafts and sweet treats!

• Wooden deer decoration by Torie Jayne
• Fashionable tree
• Button tree by Post Road Vintage
• Bird buttons by Torie Jayne
• Porcelain stag, doe and fawn
• Pastel woodland Washi tape
• Way of the birds
• Branches with birds and butterflies by Such Pretty Things

Have a sweet day!

Macarons by Bossa Cafez

This week on Flickr Faves Sunday, I bring you beautiful macarons from Evanline of Bossa Cafez. Her macarons are always picture perfect and I love her use of colour and fillings. How delightful is the box of macrons in silver grey, vintage pink and caramel?

Some beautiful shots from my Flickr favourites (clockwise from top left):

• The pretty stack of two colour shell macarons in Happy Holidays!
• The bright colours in Macaron Order - Danielle
• The fresh raspberry filled Mini Ispahans
• The delightful box of Macarons

Have a sweet day!

Macarons by Annie Rigg

This week I'm reviewing Macarons by Annie Rigg, from illustrated lifestyle publishers Ryland Peters & Small and CICO Books. Annie Rigg has been baking since her early childhood and has spent the past seven years as a freelance food stylist and writer. She currently has five books in print and her work has featured in numerous bestselling magazines. Before this she cooked for Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd and the Rolling Stones to name a few whilst on tour.

I chose to review this book as of all the treats I have baked in the past few years, macarons have been the hardest to get right. This Christmas I would like to make picture perfect, delicious macarons for my dessert table and to give as gifts.

The first chapter is all about mastering the art and technique of basic macrons with step by step instructions and a host of tips for success. Taking the basic macaron, it also shows how you can make a variety of traditional flavours, from zesty lemon to nutty pistachio to velvety chocolate. Then it takes you through the steps to make a choice of fillings from chocolate ganache, vanilla cream, buttercream, mascarpone cream and lemon curd. All of these are beautifully illustrated with dreamy photographs by Kate Whitaker.

After equipping you with all the know-how on making delicious filled macarons the book then shares with you inspiration for matches made in heaven, like the coconut shells filled with caramelized banana that sound divine or the Christmas themed almond shells filled with a gingerbread spice. Then it moves on to the creative combinations where you make up two different flavored shells and three or four fillings. This I can't wait to try as I have always made them with matching shells in the past. I love the classical autumnal fruit combination of apple and blackberry that sound yummy and look fantastic! The decadent chocolate and cherry ones also sound amazing, filled with a chocolate ganache and a cherry cream.

At a recommended price of £9.99, I think this hardback book is a fantastic book that will leave you feeling more confident and inspired to make your own macarons and is beautifully illustrated with stylish photographs.

Some of my favourite macarons:

Flavour combinations

Apple and blackberry

White chocolate and raspberry

Rose

To summarize, Macarons is a great book for those looking to master the technique of making macarons and experiment with flavours.

Please note that my opinions are my own and I am not paid for these reviews (apart from receiving a free book, of course!).

Have a sweet day!

Top Drawer - Winter 2011 trends part 2

Shelter A/W 2011

A wholesome, fun trend inspired by vintage mountain ski lodges set among snow capped mountains and evergreen trees. Winter woodland motifs of trees, stags, deer and bears. Lumberjack checks and fair isles knits in a colour palette of warm, woody browns, rustic reds and icy blues.

I am now officially looking forward to Winter, getting snuggly and preparing for Christmas!

Have a sweet day!

Ornate aqua bird cages

This week on "Wonderful World of Etsy" I bring you some gorgeous ornate birdcages, from prints to plant pots, to a light all in shades of aqua.

• Air plant in blue bird cage
• French vintage flying birdcage art print installation D'Appartements Versaille
• Vintage French bird cage art print Paris Nest Aceo Giclee
• Aqua wooden bird cage lamp

Have a sweet day!

Red Lilly

This week for my 'shops i love' page I bring you Red Lilly. I chose Red Lilly this week as they have some adorable bird home and gift accessories.

Red Lilly is an online boutique selling an eclectic mix of stylish homewares, gifts, jewellery and bags. As well as their own label they also stock Scandinavian brands, British labels and exotic finds from further afield!

I adore the ceramic bird stoppers and must get more of the hand painted birds for this year's Christmas tree. Currently I have an aqua one that resides on my bird cage notice board in the kitchen and another pink one that hangs on my louvre doors.

Have a sweet day!

Top Drawer - Winter 2011 trends

Winter White A/W 2011

A layered story of textures in milky whites, luscious creams, oyster and powdery grey. Ethereal wings, birds, and barely there leafy florals. Bird cages and houses. Juxtaposed materials of shiny porcelain and matt ceramics. Rustic cotton and wool against slick shiny leather and plastic. A perfect Wintry White Christmas story!

Have a sweet day!

Fun candy table ideas

I have been thinking about candy tables recently and have found some gorgeous new inspiring ones. I love the bon bons in such bright colours, and the wooden tree with the kites is super cute. I can't wait to do a candy table for Christmas this year!

To see more inspirational candy table ideas check out my Candy Table Ideas board on Pinterest.

• Bubblegum and soda party, pink and white candy table, balloons and pom poms
• Strawberry soiree
• Kite Birthday party, little pots of panna cotta, and mini cheesecake, kite and bow cookies

Have a sweet day!

Pretty Aqua Glass

This week on Flickr Faves Sunday, I bring you some pretty aqua glass with these inspiring photos. I so need to get myself some blue Ball Mason jars!

Some beautiful shots from my Flickr favourites (clockwise from top left):

• The pretty aqua glass in A view of the table by Citrus and Orange
• The pretty pink blooms in an array of bottles in my livingroom mantel by air kiss / lara sheleheda
• The cute litte jars of aqua stones in sunshine and seaglass by ctaylor 1987
• The cute Pretty Toothbrushes by Such Pretty Things

Have a sweet day!

Bohemia leather satchel winner

The fabulous giveaway ended yesterday and I just picked a winner using random.org and I am delighted to announce the winner of the Bohemia leather satchel giveaway is...

Drumroll please? Without further ado, the lucky winner is...

Nicolette, of the Tumblr blog Pink makes me high. Please e-mail me your details letting me know if you would like the baby pink or neon pink?

Congratulations Nicolette, you will receive a 12.5" pink leather satchel.

Thank you to all of you sweets that entered, to my loyal followers and new friends.

Have a sweet day!

Heart Home magazine launch

On Thursday 15th September Heart Home magazine launched its first virtual issue and I am delighted to tell you that I was one of the columnists. Some time ago I was approached by the editors of Home Heart Magazine about doing a feature for their first magazine. What an honour! After much deliberation and a few trials I decided to design and make some pretty bird hooks for my new decorated cloakroom. I love the final result and my keys are now easy to locate!

Heart Home magazine is the brain child of Daniel Nelson, Arianna Trapanni and Carole King. Their vision was to create a magazine that celebrates British design, from showcasing real homes to highlighting home-grown designers. The first issue is packed full of great images and designs. From Zoe Murphy's gorgeous studio where she creates unique seaside inspired interior products to the wonderful home of Jenska Hearne, of the delighful blog Lobster and Swan. There is also a great little shopping guide to some cool areas of London and interviews with Terence Conran and Holly Becker of Decor 8.

Thank you Daniel, Arianna and Carole for letting me be part of your inspiring magazine!

Have a sweet day!

Tilda by Tone Finnager

Welcome to Friday Feature. This week I am sharing with you the gorgeous work of Tone Finnager for her brand, Tilda.

Norwegian graphic designer and artist, Tone Finnanger, started her craft brand Tilda in 1999 aged 25. She is known for her feminine, whimsical, comical and naive characters in the form of animals and dolls. Her range consists of craft books, craft products for sewing and paper crafts.

I have several of her books that I have had for some time now and have made several of the crafts she writes about, from fabric birds to deer heads. This year I am in love with her winter bird range, seen in pic 2 in a colour palette of aqua, teal, pale pink and green. I have already ordered some fabric to make Christmas stockings out of and paper to wrap my gifts in.

To see more of Tone Finnanger's work check out the Tilda site and to purchase her fabrics, trims and books go to Panduro Hobby.

Happy Friday, sweets!