Thứ Ba, 12 tháng 7, 2011

M&M World comes to England

M&M World, London, England
M&M World, London, England
M&M World, London, England
M&M World, London, England
M&M World, London, England

When I heard that M&M World had opened in Leicester Square, I just had to stop by! I usually have to rely on my trips to the US to stock up on M&M's in a variety of colours from their twenty two different ones. I love using them for the roofs on my gingerbread bird houses and filling candy jars with them to co-ordinate with my candy tables. Now I can get them in all twenty two colours within a short trip after work!

M&M world opened it's first store in 1997 in Las Vegas, in 2005 in Orlando, Florida and a year later in 2006 they opened one at Times Square, New York. On Monday 13th June 2011, M&M's World store in London officially opened to the public, in Leicester Square. It is the world's largest candy store, at 35,000 sq ft, bigger even than the store in New York City. It sells a variety of M&M merchandise from clothing and sporting goods to home wares, stationery and toys. The London store is decked out with a London red bus, giant M&M's dressed up as knights and guards and, of course, lots and lots of M&M's!

Thứ Hai, 11 tháng 7, 2011

Lounging around

Lounging around

Today in my series of posts "Inspirational Pins", I bring you some gorgeous pictures of sofas that have got me dreaming of just lounging around for a day or two! I am loving the washed out vintage colour palettes, delicate prints and the array of textures - all with a hint of glamour!


Have a sweet day!

Chủ Nhật, 10 tháng 7, 2011

Sweet Fudge Treats

Sweet Fudge Treats
This week on Flickr Faves Sunday, I bring you some sweet fudge treats with these gorgeous pics. Check back soon for some more of the most inspirational photographers on Flickr.

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

Have a sweet day!

Thứ Bảy, 9 tháng 7, 2011

Eton Mess Fudge

Hand made Eton Mess fudge

I love fudge and have not made any for years, so thought it about time I make some. I started with a fresh strawberry creamy fudge with chunks of meringues in it, just like the real British summer time treat, Eton Mess. First served to students in the 1930s at the prestigious Eton College after a dog sat on a picnic hamper!

Next I want to have a go at some other British Summer pudding inspired fudge. Perhaps a fresh strawberry and custard fudge to emulate the trifle or a mixed fresh strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and red currants fudge to emulate the Summer Pudding.

I packaged mine up in pretty pink strawberry bags I bought in Jusco.

Eton Mess Fudge (makes 24 pieces)

Ingredients
  • 1 cup of fresh strawberries
  • 56g (4 tbsp) unsalted butter
  • 555g (3 cup) caster sugar (superfine sugar)
  • 1 cup double cream
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup light corn syrup
  • 4 meringue nests, crumbled
  • Cooking spray or butter


Cooking instructions
  1. Line a 8" square pan with foil, lightly butter or spray foil.
  2. Blend strawberries in a blender so they are pureed.
  3. Place the pureed strawberries, butter, sugar, cream, milk and corn syrup in a heavy based jug.
  4. Stir over medium heat until mixture starts to boil.
  5. Place candy thermometer in jug and leave until mixture heats to "soft ball", 238 deg F
  6. Remove from heat, do not stir.
  7. Leave to cool to 120 deg F.
  8. Beat mixture with a wooden spoon until it loses its gloss.
  9. Quickly stir in broken meringues.
  10. Pour mixture into greased pan.
  11. Leave to set
  12. Cut into small squares
  13. Store in airtight container in fridge.


Hand made Eton Mess fudge
Hand made Eton Mess fudge
Hand made Eton Mess fudge
Hand made Eton Mess fudge

Have a sweet day!

Thứ Sáu, 8 tháng 7, 2011

Selina Lake

Selina  Lake
Selina Lake
Selina Lake

Welcome to Friday Feature. This week I am sharing with you the delightful work of stylist, Selina Lake: a long time favourite of mine.

Selina Lake is a UK-based stylist with a background in Surface Design and author of Best Selling Interiors book, ‘Bazaar Style’, published by Ryland Peters and Small. Her beautiful work has appeared in Living Etc, Ideal Home, House Beautiful and Country Homes and Interiors, to name a few.

I love her eclectic style of mixing vintage with modern and the bright pops of pink seen in a few of her pics. To see more of Selina Lake's work check out her portfolio.

Happy Friday, sweets!

Thứ Năm, 7 tháng 7, 2011

Tamar

Tamar

This week on "Wonderful World of Etsy" I bring you the beautiful work of Tamar of Nest Pretty Things. After graduating from Parsons School of Design in NYC she worked as a Creative Director, Style Editor and Photo Stylist for women's magazines. Five years ago she and her family of five moved away from the big city life to a small rural village in the beautiful Lake Champlain valley in Vermont where she started her dream of living in the country and having our own home business. Well, I am so glad she did because her work is just so beautiful!

Have a sweet day!

Thứ Tư, 6 tháng 7, 2011

Rie Elise Larsen

Rie Elise Larsen
Rie Elise Larsen
Rie Elise Larsen
Rie Elise Larsen
Rie Elise Larsen

This week for my 'shops i love' page, I bring you label love Rie Elise Larsen.

Rie Elise Larsen is a Danish stylist and author who, in the Spring of 2008, launched her own collection of home accessories. It has gone from strength to strength and is now available in Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, the UK, Belgium, Austria, Holland, The Faroe Islands, Switzerland, and Japan.

Rie Elise Larsen's collections feature folded paper lampshades in evocative colours and prints that you can hang using one of the fabulously colored cords. For the kitchen there are brightly embroidered tea cosies, varnished metal trays in bright pops of colour and a range of tea-towels in an array of colours (this season patterned with stripes and stars). You'll also find an extended stationery collection of quirky printed boxes, delightful wrapping paper and ribbons.

Available in the UK from Berry Red.

Have a sweet day!