cute & colourful

 

Love these shorts! Too cute!

rainbow cake

Vanilla cake
Makes five 15 cm, or four 20 cm layers
• 1/2 cup (113 grams) butter
• 2 cups white sugar
• 3 1/2 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 cups ice water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 4 egg whites beaten stiff
Add sugar to the butter and beat until light. Sift dry ingredients and add alternately with ice water and flavorings, beating thoroughly after each addition. Fold in the beaten egg whites. Pour into greased layer pans and bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for about 30 minutes.


Swiss meringue frosting
Makes enough to frost a 15 cm or 20 cm cake. Add 225 grams of butter to make Swiss meringue butter cream
• 5 large egg whites
• 200 grams sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
Put egg whites and sugar in a heat-proof bowl in a double boiler. The water in the saucepan should be simmering. Whisk with a hand whisk continuously until the mixture reaches 65 degrees C. Remove from heat. Start whipping the egg whites with a stand or hand mixer until they become fluffy and white and the bowl is cool, this can take about 10 minutes.


Absolutely LOVE the look of this cake! Definitely going to give it a try sometime soon *watch this space* Recipe found here

weekend buys

I know this is a rather delayed post but rather late than never :) Though I would share with you some of my long weekend buys! I heart shopping*

1. Ankle boots - Woolworths

2. Leopard print top - Mr. Price

3. Cake Lifter - Home ETC (This is the best buy of the weekend! I have been searching a nice, heavy weight cake lifter, I found this gem at Home ETC for a whopping R50.00! It also matches perfectly with my Carol Boyes matching bread knife and Pate knife! What a buy!)

4. Navy boob tube dress - Lady & The Punk

5. Turquoise blue ring - Mr. Price (such a great find)

6. Leopard print cami (comes with matching panties, too cute) - Mr. Price

7. Clock - @HOME (love this!)

Happy Friday everyone! 

Wishing you all a wooooooonderful weekend!*

home-made vanilla candles

I dunno about you but I absolutely LOVE Vanilla candles! They pretty much just regular candles scented with vanilla oil, which is available at health food stores and even some specialty hardware stores. This is a fun (and messy) project that can show you how to make an entire arsenal of Vanilla candles OR any scented candles as such using old tins and jars from your pantry (which is great for recycling too!)

materials:

1. old wax candles, or any type of safely melt-able wax

2. crayons (for coloring the wax, if you want them in pretty colours)
3. container for melting wax (a sauce pan with another heat safe container inside will be fine, or you can purchase wax containers at a craft store)
4. wicks (available at craft stores)
5. Scented oil - I use Vanilla cos its my fav but you can use Rose, Citronella (to chase away those Summer mozi's), Lemongrass, Lavender, whatever you fancy! 

6. stir stick or spoon (for wax)
7. thermometer
8. old pickle or jam jars or tin cans (look for tins with cute labels, there are a lot once you start looking!)
10. hot glue

instructions:

1. clean out your jars and tin cans. dry completely.

2. put your pot on the stove with some water and your other container inside it.

3. attach your wick bases to the bottom center of your jars and tins with a dab of hot glue.

4. when the water is 140 degrees, put your wax in. stir every once in a while as it starts to melt. add your crayons as well.

5. when all the wax is melted to an even liquid (it will look like the consistency of olive oil), add a few drops of your scented oil and stir (about one drop for a small candle, two to three for larger ones).

6. remove the container and pour into your containers, leaving about a half inch of wick exposed.

7. let cool. if you want to give your jar candles as a gift, cover the lid of the jar with some pretty fabric and screw back on to the jar. wrap the tin can candles with a little kitchen twine and finish with a bow. Possible Mothers Day gift perhaps?

For some more DIY ideas check out Design Sponge HERE

"Later that day I got to thinking about relationships. There are those that open you up to something new and exotic, those that are old and familiar, those that bring up lots of questions, those that bring you somewhere unexpected, those that bring you far from where you started, and those that bring you back. But the most exciting, challenging and significant relationship of all is the one you have with yourself. And if you can find someone to love the you you love, well, that’s just fabulous.”

-Carrie Bradshaw ,Sex and the City

Me and my bear, my soulmate on our wedding day xxx

royal wedding

And they lived happily ever after ....

What a fairy tale wedding. Really loved Kate's dress! How unbelievably beautiful! The elaborate creation - a blend of modern and traditional -was designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen, love the lace applique full-length sleeves and floral detail, so elegant.

Click HERE to watch & read up on the key moments from the Royal wedding.

Love Audrina from The Hills 70's inspired outfit! Not sure if I am brave enough to pull off high waisted flair jeans ... But this pic certainly inspires me to give it a try. Doesnt she look gorgeous? 

For more celeb fashion pics click HERE (Vogue Diaries)

YIPEEEE next week is the next I heart Market. Can't wait to stuff my face fill of pancakes & shop to my little hearts content! Hope to see you there*

sienna's simple steps for sophisticated style

reference: InStyle, design darling

Wishing you a

Hoppy Easter every-bunny!*

my easter cupcakes

Using my featured Martha Stewart recipe I baked up a batch of chocolate Easter cupcakes today! Just added cocoa and made them chocolate. Too delish!*

 

Look yummy right?

easter bunny came early

Lookie what I got!

 My hubby found this warm and cuddly, HEART print gown in Woolies and being the thoughtful and amazing man he is, knew I would LOVE it (mostly for the hearts). Thank you my bear! xxx

some-bunny needs a treat

With the easy peasy recipe below, and a bag of woolies speckled eggs, you will be well on your way to treating your loved ones with the perfect Easter cupcake!

Yellow Butter Cupcakes

From Martha Stewart’s Baking Handbook
Makes 24 delish cupcakes

• 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature, plus more for baking pans
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pans
• 1 1/2 cups cake flour (not self-raising)
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups milk

Preheat oven to 220 degrees. Line two standard 12-cup muffin pans with paper liners.
Into a medium bowl, sift together flours, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Beat in eggs, one at a time, then beat in vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture in three parts, alternating with the milk and beginning and ending with the flour; beat until combined after each addition.
Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cups so that each is about two thirds full.
Bake, rotating the pans halfway through, until cupcakes are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes.
Transfer pans to a wire rack to cool for about 5 minutes. Remove cupcakes from pan and allow to cool completely.

Dark Chocolate Frosting


From Martha Stewart’s Baking Handbook.

• 1 slab best-quality semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup plus 1 Tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup plus 1 Tablespoon boiling water
• 3 sticks (1 1/2 cups) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1/2 cup icing sugar
• Pinch of salt

Place chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over (but not touching) simmering water. Turn off heat; stir occasionally until chocolate has melted completely, about 15 minutes. Set bowl on countertop, and let chocolate cool to room temperature, 25 to 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine cocoa powder and boiling water in a small bowl; stir until cocoa is dissolved.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter, icing sugar, and salt on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 4 minutes.
Add melted chocolate; beat on low speed until combined, 1 to 2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Beat in cocoa mixture. Use immediately or chill until ready to use. Bring frosting back to room temperature and beat until smooth before using.

Making my batch on Saturday ... Hoping they look just like Martha's!

Wishing you all a wonderful Easter this Sunday!*

that seventies trend

70's fashion makes a strong comeback this year combining classic bohemian, with modern staples. Think wide leg trousers, long flowing maxi dresses and skirts, high-waisted pants, shorts with chiffon floaty blouses tucked in and floral floral florals! Accessorise with a big floppy sunhats, headscarves & oversized sunnies.  

70's fashion was full of vivid colors and bold prints, from mustard yellow to bright oranges and regal purples. This trend was and still is all about making a statement.

"Four Season Plates" by Rob Ryan. LOVE his stuff!

cashmere & mafia

Tomorrow night it my bestest best friend, Tazzi (better known as Tazzilicious) house warming party. It is going to be an old school 'house party' with the theme 'Cashmere and Mafia'. How divine! Who better to use than the gorgeous Kate Moss for some dress-up inspiration! This is from her Mafia inspired winter range at Top Shop.


Other than that I have a very busy weekend planned! My darling friend from NZ, Katie has arrived so we are going out tonight in celebration. I have booked my hubby and I dual therapy massage treatments for tomorrow! Eek! Cannot wait to be spoilt! This is still a surprise for him so shhhh ... And Sunday I am looking forward to a late arvie family lunch!*
Wishing you all a happy weekend!*

wild orchid

Wow! How beautiful! I have no idea who 'Wild Orchid' is but love their latest ad campaign in Vogue Spain. Lace & Big floppy hats are a major trend this season!

 

 See more here 

must have

  

Yikes! Gold coat hangers! Who knew? AND they apparently come in silver & pewter! I am seriously in love with them. When I get my dream walk-in wardrobe (one day) my clothes will most certainly hang on gold hangers!

They are rather pricey but you can get them here by the box (100 hangers per box) ... A little bling never goes astray, even if it is plastic!

(and......the contents of above closet look quite divine, don't they?) 

pic from here (where you will also find the most amazingly gorgeous wardrobe! I want!)

I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday!*

ivy & piper

Just love the colourful vases!

I came across this talented duo on the amazing decor8 blog. I absolutely love their gorgeous colourful prints! If you in love you haaaave to check out Ivy & Piper online magazine on Issuu it is just too inspirational, click here. To shop for their pillows and things, visit their beautiful website. Enjoy*

wise words

Isn't she just gorgeous? Love her!

friday socks

Isn't this cute? Not sure about you but I am most certainly wearing MY 'friday socks' today as I have an exciting night planned! Its my friend Tara's birthday and a big group of us are gearing up for a night on the town! As you can tell I havent had a big night out in a while so looking forward to it! The rest of my weekend is going to be chilled, family time on Saturday followed by a friends birthday braai.

Yay for the weekend!*

get spotted

Leopard print is in for another season! I don't think this trend will ever fade out.

Just love kate Moss's pink/cheetah combo and the sheer shimmer of her dress. Ideal inspiration for my night on the town with my gorgeous friends

tomorrow night!*

reference: trendenvy, InStyle, design darling

I am sew (lame I know but just go with it) very excited! I start my sewing lessons tonight. Sewing has always been a skill that I have wanted to perfect but never had the patience or motivation to learn. My mother is amazing with a sewing machine! All of our clothing growing up was made lovingly by her, she made the curtains for our home, the bridemaids dresses for my wedding and is constantly bombarded with minor but highly time consuming alteration requests. She is too thrilled I am finally learning this invaluable skill!

I have a few (ambitious) ideas in mind on what I would like to make, I have got to start small first though so tonight I am planning to make a table cloth. I found this gorgeous baby blue and white heart print (no surprises here) fabric and just think it would look too lovely as a table cloth!
Will keep you posted on my creations! Yay!*
image via love sugar design

heart-shaped goodies

I love hearts! Images via here and here and here


I got the heart shaped silver measuring spoons from Clicks for only R25.00! Would love to get the heart shape pancake maker, spatula & cutting board!!

I know I could never live without mine!*

its the weekend!

Hooray!*