food adventure: baklava

In my efforts to become a domestic goddess, rather than a domestic (ie: one who cleans the shower and packs the dishwasher when one's housekeeper is on Christmas leave) which is what I am now, I tried a bit of light cooking/baking. I turned to the trusty the pretty blog for a recipe for baklava. It is supposed to light and syrupy and flaky, but mine turned out a bit stodgy. I shall blame this on the 33 degrees and 90% humidity in Durbs on that day, and NOT my hopeless lack of basic pastry skills.

My hubby still ate almost all of them, bless his heart...

Note if you want to try this recipe: even though it says leave some texture in the nuts, do NOT take this to mean large goblets of almond/walnut like I did because then the pastry doesn't lie nice and flat (and you may break your teeth).

Just so you know, this is what baklava is supposed to look like:

Image by Tasha Seccombe

tea themed wedding (and Mrs Potts)

Yes, I am featuring a cup of tea inspired wedding on my cup of tea inspired blog...but this wedding is just too pretty not to share. And the reason the couple used a tea theme "we have not stopped sharing pots of tea and plenty of laughter"...too sweet for words. Don't they sound like such a warm, happy couple?

I saw this wedding first on one of my favourite wedding blogs - bloved. See the original post here.

Images by Juliet Mckee

The little details are to die for: the spotty teapot cake topper, the tea inspired table names "Earl Grey" and "Peppermint" and "Redbush" (this one really cracked me up, because I mean come on Rooibos is a trademark surely?) and the white and royal blue theme throughout. 

While we are on the subject of teapot cakes, look at this recipe for Mrs Potts cake pops (whew that's a mouthful). These would be sweet for a little girl's fairytale birthday party. One day I may be blessed with a little blonde girl, I'll have to remember these *wink*...

i like gen motley

Don't you just love this sweet birdie necklace? 

It's made by Genevieve Motley. Her jewellery is so pretty and quirky. Plus she's been on the pretty blog, so you know she's amazing!

anniversary 1.0

happy anniversary to us

Estefania Romero

What an adventure it has been, I cannot wait to see what the rest of our marriage holds....

Love you hubby x

pantone colour of 2013

At first I thought oh Pantone, but it's such a stuffy colour. Reminiscent of Granny's musty velvet dress and heavy old brocade curtains.

I was wrong. So wrong.

It is the most beautiful colour. Rich, versatile and soothing. And this year I wish I was a redhead, because emerald looks just perfect on you.

Credits clockwise from left: Pantone model words (from Etsy) tote (from shopbop) hair dress (Lanvin) cake scarf (Jimmy Choo) ring (from Etsy)

lemons? lemonade!

My sister-in-law gave me a giant bag of home-grown lemons. So, as one does, I made lemonade. I used a castor sugar syrup (water and sugar boiled up on the stove and then cooled) and freshly squeezed lemon juice. So yummy on a hot summer's day.

The irony of me making lemonade in January, the grumpiest, poorest month of the year, does not escape me.

Pics by me using hubby's iPhone 4, recipe from here

new kettle

This is what my hubby got me for Christmas. A Caribbean Blue Le Creuset stove top kettle. Oh yeah.

The perfect gift for a frequent tea drinker. 

What a legend!

new year, new blog, new kettle

So happy to be blogging again YAY!!!

A changed URL, a changed name and lovely new content. I hope to post some personal stuff, some beautiful photography, some beautiful weddings (that much has not changed), some inspiration; things that I love and admire.

What's in a name? Hopefully you will feel this is the blog you come to with a cup of tea...for a smile and some comfort during a busy day, something beautiful and maybe to learn something new.

Welcome!

CS Lewis quote available on Etsy