Finding the perfect cake stand...

You may have seen my earlier post about cake stands. I love baking and feeling that sense of achievement when you pull that beautifully risen cake from the oven, but nothing upsets me more than when you've given out the portions and the rest of the cake goes into a tupperware in the cupboard.

That's why cake stands are beautiful and like i showed you in a previous blog Nigella, Donna and those Gorgeous cake stands

The one i loved which i found on etsy.com turned out just to be for decoration and not to be used for food due to the paint that was used. 
So i was bake to trying to find a cake stand on a pedestal with a glass dome. Its easy enough to find a pedestal cake stand and as i showed in that blog i simply adore Nigella Lawson's which comes in all pink, white and my beautiful blue (pictured below)

My hunt for the perfect cake stand has led me to big brand stores, vintage shabby chic boutiques and even wholesale yards. Literally on both sides of the world in New Zealand and the UK and the searches on the internet proved disapointing too. In the end i even thought about just purchasing the cloche (glass dome) but to get the measurements right with the stand proved tricky. Then i thought about buying a cheesedome and painting a candlestick and adding it to the bottom to give it the pedestal effect!

I know what your thinking there would be no point to my ramblings if there wasnt an ending but there is and a successful ending too!!
Well... almost!
Trust Mumsy to come up trumps on a trip to 'Hobbycraft!' Hobbycraft!!??? i kid you not!

I absolutely adore my new cake stand, (which mum brought for a birthday present in the end) one catch... the cake stand was brought in England and im in New Zealand so i will have to wait till our return back to England to live to actually use it. In the meantime i just have to look at this lovely photo mum has sent me of it and think of the beautifully baked smelling Victoria Sponge she has promised to fill it with on our Christmas visit.

I'll make sure i post a picture of the sponge! :)

My Little Dream... Coasters

Coasters... not really something to dream about, but there are always so many to choose from!

Ive been looking at some fun different coasters!

The first design i stumbled across was on Etsy

I love this idea... something simple to do yourself with your old scrabble set and some strong glue adhesive.
You can pick the tiles up on ebay! But it might be worth popping round to Nans and I think there might be a rush at car boots for old scrabble sets!
Or for those who are less crafty you can buy this from Etsy for  $14.00 USD


Another great crafty idea for coasters! is to simply pick up sample tiles you love from your local DIY store?  Slate tiles can look funky and you can also use them to create little blackboards! and its up to you if you decide to glue the base to some corkboard?

If you do have corkboard (you can pick it up from your local craft shop) , another fun idea i stumbled across was the one below, cutting corkboard into bread shapes! Simple... and I think this is a fun and quirky idea which would also, the way its presented as a loaf make a great gift!

However, again for those less crafty! these are Avaliable at Moma Store for just $10.00 USD

As many of you know i have a thing for nautical seaside decor and i just cant get enough of Duck Egg Blue Colours and Beach Huts so here are a couple of my much loved coasters:

Left, Beach Hut Coasters By Martin Wiscombe 7.95 GBP
http://www.giftsfromhandpicked.com/view-our-full-range/beach-hut-coasters.html

This cute design (right) is avaliable from beach chic designs at 24.00USD for Four













However, my  Favourite of all favourites  is this simple design, avaliable for the absolute Bargain price of 2.50 GBP from http://www.romseybeeremporium.co.uk/2012/01/11/coaster-place-glass-here/ 

It is very similar to the 'Keep Calm and Carry on' range which is so popular at the moment

My Little Dream... Recipe Book Holder

When cooking... im not the cleaniest person in the kitchen! I'll quite happily make a big mess and clean it all up between stages or at the end of the cook!

One of my biggest bug barers is when i have purchased a beautiful brand new cook book and after one bake it then has chocolate, batter or sauce all over the pages!

In some of my favourite cookbooks you can definately tell which recipes have been loved! (put it that way!)

The recipe book holder is a great little idea to prevent mess on your nice new cook book!

There are some delightful holders avaliable on notonthehighstreet.com

Prices vary on Notonthehighstreet.com
from 22.50 GBP- 30.00 GBP .

There are modern,shabby chic, metal (pictured above right) and just page holder stands.

These are a little expensive... if you shop around you can get a decent one for as little as 11.00 GBP

I personally prefer a pretty or wooden stand... for the times it has to sit in your kitchen without a book on it!

I found this gorgeous little wooden one on http://www.prettymaison.co.uk/kitchen/cook-book-stand-hevea.html

Solid Wood and priced at just 13.00GBP i think this is abit of a bargain! sadly at the moment pretty maison only post to the UK. But there are similar ones around on amazon and in local kitchen stores!

Although this came close my favourite recipe book holder comes from a few different retailers but the cheapest price i have found is at Room Remedies... for just 11.00 GBP
They only provide delivery prices for UK but if you contact them they are willing to give a quote where you are!

I think this looks fab! and it even has a little cupcake recipe on it! gorgeous for that shabby chic kitchen.

http://www.roomremedies.co.uk/store/product.php?id=417

Although if your crafty! these would be pretty easy to make with some old chopping boards!!

My Little Dream...Mothers Day Hamper

There are thousands of gorgeous mothers day items avaliable on the internet and instore...


Like this beautiful sign from notonthehighstreet
17.50 GBP and international delivery is avaliable.

However with much scalling of the internet, i wanted to share with you a simple cost effective idea for mothers day, that can be done last minute for those forget me nots! and is really really personal!

A gorgeous Mothers Day Hamper! now you dont need to spend 50.00 GBP at Marks or John Lewis to make this a success it can be done very easily and with a personal touch.

I made one at Christmas for Dad as i had no idea what to get him and was abit strapped for cash!





To start off you will need a Hamper! 
Slight problem they cost a fortune and where are you going to get one last minute! Dont worry theres a solution! At Christmas i managed to get a cute little wicker basket for 2.00 GBP at a charity shop, but you can pick them up in Wilkinson, Pound shops and other little nick nack stores. Alternatively a shoe box or cardboard box will do just fine!

Jazzing up the Hamper

All you need for this is something to cover the box with.... its up to you what you use?
- Wrapping paper
- Crate paper
- Tissue
- Bows
- Straw (for the bottom)

Whatever is avaliable to you. I like crate paper if you can, because you can scrunch it up and leave it, no sticking, gluing or mess!
You can pick crate paper up very cheaply from your local pound shop or craft shop!

Tip: When you are jazzing dont forget to not only cover the cardboard with paper but stuff the bottom of the box too so that when you lay your contents in they rest up and look fab!

Contents

The contents of your happy will all depend on your mum and what she likes!

Remember its completely up to you and all mums are different... so be personal with it.

I will give you an idea of what my hamper looks like:

- Good Housekeeping Magazine
- Home Made Jam
- Homemade Scones
- Yorkshire Tea Tea Bags
- Clotted Cream
- Homemade Blueberry Muffins

Believe me this is so simple and looks great!


How to Make Simple and Easy Homemade Mothers Day Muffins! Makes 10!

You will Need:

-2 cups of Plain Flour
-1/2 cup of sugar
- 100g butter
- 1 egg
- 1 cup of milk
- 2 cups of blueberries (or as many as you have)
- 1 tbsp cinnamon (or more if you like it!)
- 4 tbsp of baking powder
I have made this recipe with self raising flour you just dont need to add the baking powder if you do this!

1. Preheat oven to 180C/fan 160C. Place muffin cases in a muffin tin.
2. Put flour in a bowl, add sugar, cinnamon  and baking powder and mix together.
3. Melt butter in a pan and add to the dry ingredients along with a beaten egg and milk. Gently stir in the blueberries, don't over mix, the mixture is meant to be lumpy.
4. Place equally into muffin cases coming nearly to the top. Bake on the middle shelf in the oven until risen, golden and springy to the touch.
5. Remove from tin and transfer onto a wire cooling rack.

Enjoy!

How to make the Simple and Easy Homemade Mothers Day Scones!  Makes 15!

You will Need:

- Spray oil
- 3 cups of self raising flour
- 75g butter
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1tbsp salt
- 1 1/4 cups of milk
Extra milk for brushing

1. Preheat oven to 210C  Spray an over tray with oil
2. Put the flour, sugar, salt in a bowl. 
3. Add butter and process until mixture ressembles breadcrumbs
4. Make a  well in the centre of the flour mixture. Pour in the milk and use a knife to quickly mix in the dough. Tip out onto a floured bench.
5. Gently shape into  a ball, then pat out to about 2cm in thickness.
6. Place them onto a the prepared oven tray. Brush tops with milk 
7. Bake for 10-15 mins 

How to Make Easy Mothers Day Jam!
Makes 500ml

You will need:

-500g strawberries or your chosen fruit? plums, blackberries, raspberries etc..

- 3 1/2 cups sugar

- 3/4 teaspoon of tartaric acid

1. Prepare and steralise jars.The simpliest easiest way to steralise is to clean the jars as normal. Rinse but leave the jars a little wet.Microwave for no more than one minute.do this is to microwave them!
2. Place the strawberries in a medium heavy based saucepan and cook, uncovered over a low heat for 15 mins. Use a fork or masher to gently mash the strawberries.
3. Add the sugar and tartaric acid. Stir until the sugar has dissolved.
4. Boil rapidily for 5 minutes
5. Remove any scum from the surface of the jam with a spoon, Stir occasionally to prevent jam from burning on the bottom of saucepan
6. Test the Jam and when ready pour into jars.The best way to test the jam:
   Leave a cold saucer or plate in the freezer . When you think jam is done pop a spoonful onto the freezing dish. The Jam is set if the surface wrinkles when touched!

Finishing the Hamper off!

Lay all your contents inside the box and cover with clingfilm! If you have one tie a bow around the outside!

Whola!

Happy Mothers Day Mum!

My Little Dream... Icecream Sundae Dish

Mmm... what more can i say! this blog is making me hungry with cake tins, biscuits and now icecream sundae dishes!

http://www.eatdrinkchic.com/ came up with this fantastic DIY Ice Cream Parlour concept (pictured left) which is becoming very popular for weddings and others events! I just had to show you this pic!

I have been searching for the perfect sundae dish, after seeing an article about these gorgeous blue Laura Ashley ones in a magazine article.

They sold out quickly and i have never been able to find them since!

However on my search i have found a gorgeous selection of different glasses and dishes that i think are just as lovely and not at all badly priced!




Here is Laura Ashley's latest pink sundae glass priced at 5.00 gbp!    (pictured below)

Anthropologie.com do these uber cute Latte dishes that i think would make gorgeous icecream sundae dishes!

What's more... they come in a variety of colours: orange, yellow, red, blue, green, cream, grey and my favourite that duck egg blue!
A set of 4 is $20.00 USD

(Pictured below)

While visiting the Anthropologie website, which is always worth a Sunday afternoon browse... i also found these gorgeous Atom Art Bowls   which could be used for anything around the home.

Cereals, salads and icecream! There beautiful patterns means at $8.00USD each we can treat ourselves to one or two to brighten up the kitchen!

I love all these sundae dishes and the traditional clear glass ones avaliable at a variety of stores, as you can dress them up and let the icecream do the talking! 

 Above both from John Lewis!

Although not environmentally friendly my ultimate favourite is by MeriMeri and is avaliable to buy from shopsweetlulu for just $13.00 AUD I think this a must have for parties!

This cute little ice cream van is decorated with bright patterns and contains 12 matching patterned ice cream cups and wooden spoons.

My Little Dream... Biscuit Tin

After my post about favourite tea mugs... what could follow it more perfectly than the biscuit tin?

If you are one of those strong willed people that can have one biscuit from a pack and put them away without finishing them you'll need somewhere to keep them so they dont get soft!

Biscuit tins like most homewares, come in many shapes, sizes and prices... I wanted to share with you a few of my favourites and my ultimate dream biscuit tin!

First up is...

The Biscuits of Loveliness by Edward Monkton (pictured right).

Edward is best know for his greetings cards and im sure you will recognise his style if you check out the website http://www.edwardmonkton.com/

If you looking to buy though the website will redirect you to http://www.campusgifts.co.uk/ where it is avaliable for 12.00GBP


Cookies Anybody? if its not already empty!

If you like a little chuckle and dry humour the Waldo range is for you and the Waldo Pancake Biscuit Tin is no different. Again from Campus Gifts

This tin comes at the bargain price of only 6.29GBP 
For all items at Campus Gifts international delivery is avaliable!

 
















Lakeland have a 'My London Range' which has a witty take on London Street names.
The Biscuit Tin has been taken from the notorious Baker Street, Home of Sherlock Holmes.

The range also  does cake tins, mugs, coasters, tableware and lots more...

A great gift!

Other quirky street names include:

• Victoria Sponge
• Oxtail Circus
• Shephards Pie

and my personal favourite...

 Piccallilli Circus!

 Brilliant!!






There is of course the more traditional biscuit tin... avaliable at most homeware retailers! the one below left is from Briscoes http://www.briscoes.co.nz/ and is currently on sale with 50% off at the moment at just $20.00!

I have really struggled on this search to find something i love... something that will fit in with the duck egg blue/pale pink and cream theme and host the most important thing in the kitchen safely...biscuits!  

If in doubt with anything its always best to buy in wood! then you can buy a tester pot of your chosen paint from your local diy store and whola! it fits perfectly into your home. Just remember to only paint the outside if storing food! Something like this one from Amazon (above right) would be perfect!

After a long long search i have found the ultimate Little Dream Biscuit Tin for my home!
Its from the Kirstie Allsopp Range at Marks and Spencers and is priced at 15.00GBP but remember they do do international delivery.

If this sells anything like the polka dot blue sewing basket at christmas that Santa unfortunately didnt get to Marks and Spencers in time for, for me last year, Id get it quick! and hopefully not before me!

My Little Dream... Tea and Coffee Mug

There is nothing better than coming home after a long days work and putting your feet up with a cup of tea (and maybe a chocolate biscuit... or two!)

I am a slight Tea addict... it definately stems from my mumsy and the English in us!
I have to have tea when i get up and tea before i go to bed and god knows how many in between.

Because of the importance of Tea/Coffee whatever your preference is, it is most likely your regular mug is something sentimental... maybe you were given it or maybe you just love it! and if its not... you need to get one you do love!

There are so many hundreds and millions of different mugs and designs around nowadays is seems like just about everyone is stocking them! and to top it all off its now pretty cheap and easy to design your own!

Most photo printers now do the printing of photos on mugs... and they dont have to be fantastic quality! 

I recently had a mug made up of a photo taken from skype and it turned out great!

Kodak- http://www.kodakgallery.co.uk/
Moonpig- http://www.moonpig.co.uk/

Boots- http://www.boots.co.uk/

Vista- http://www.vistaprint.com/ (international)

If you are looking for that perfect mug... they can be hard to find! If you love tea like me, you cant go wrong with a Cath Kidston Mug http://www.cathkidston.co.uk/ they are reasonably priced and you can sometimes pick them up on amazon for as little at 5.00 GBP and the best thing about them... they hold 18oz's of tea!!!

Wow!!! you dont need that teapot anymore!

See 2 of Cath Kidstons designs below and above right Facebook 'Like Tea' Mug on Amazon 6.25GBP
              

 

Check out some of the other quirky mugs i took a shining too!

Yanko Design have aload of fun funky and quirky designs like this mugs above on their website  they have locations in Australia, Canada, India, Japan and the US, and at $16 per mug its definately worth a look.

With the 'Keep Calm' Range hugely popular at the moment this mug is fun and i adore the colour! there are so many different versions such as the traditional keep calm and carry on, keep calm and go for a run and so on...

This mug is avaliable at many UK highstreet retailers such as, Lakeland, Clinton Cards, Debenhams and online at Amazon, Ebay, Funky Pigeon and play.com and can be brought for as little as 2.50GBP!!

My all time favourite mugs though that i really really would love to run out and purchase right now!

Are the Seaside Sea Mugs Avaliable at John Lewis. John Lewis.com do ship internationally which is great but its worth trying to find a few things you like as you can pay around 25.00GBP for postage to Australia and New Zealand ouch! These Mugs are an absolute steal at 6.00GBP and i love them!

We may all just have to wait for a friend to take a trip to England! :)

 

I can just see myself sipping tea looking at this gorgeous mug!! definately high priority wish list!

And incase you were thinking this blog was completely girly...     

Theres always a good mug out their for the man in your life!

'Mr Tea' Novelty mug is avaliable at findmeagift.com for 6.49GBP or approx $10.35 USD.
I think the handle is so cool!

Lastly... this mug is avaliable at Amazon, MenKind Gifts and Gadgets and House of Fraser
all priced at or around 7.00 GBP

Other Mister Men Characters are avaliable... just incase you have a Mister Happy!!

My Little Dream... Cake Storage tins

If you havent got that beautiful cake stand, or you have more than one cake, or you need to take one to a party,  Cake storage tins are perfect!
There are so many wonderful designs now that there is no excuse for using that recycled plastic christmas biscuit box.

With the exclusion of  Marks and Spencers (of course) who make some absolutely gorgeous tins for their biscuits!

Did you see the one to commemorate the marriage of Prince William and Kate Middleton last year?

Its absolutely divine!

This tin can still be found on ebay... but are selling for around 20.00 GBP!!

Debenhams have a really cute retro range of tins... they are currentLy selling a collection of 3 tins for 17.00 GBP  this includes sweets, biscuits and cakes.

In addition to these lovely tins!

Debenhams also stock Tea, Coffee, and Sugar storage jars as well as a selection of spice jars in the same pastel colours and design!
Very very sweet!




There are so many gorgeous tins around its hard to know where to start... and i love picking up vintage ones from Car boots and craft fairs with old adverts on and things... especially the old cadbury ones...

Tala do another retro design of cake tins and they are avaliable on Amazon and from The Range for around 15.00 GBP i really like the polka dot in the three colours.

Shying away from the gorgeous cake tins... and thinking of storage in general my all time favourite has always been the originality of
Alessi Gianni!

You have to check out Alessi's website http://www.alessi.co.uk/
just to work out how the jars work as well as his other fascinating original items!

I originally discovered these jars in John Lewis a long while ago... they come in a variety of colours, shapes and sizes. Whether you are looking to store spaghetti pasta, sugar or spices! Here are some examples of different shapes and colours below...

Im not sure that with storage jars though... you can even beat the traditional Kilner Jar... these can be found all over at boot sales, kitchen shops, craft shops and i once got some for 1.00 GBP in Asda.
These come in so many different shapes and sizes now and are so popular... you can even buy them with different colour lids! and you guessed it theres lovely duck egg blue ones on amazon!



Jamie Oliver also sells them as part of his range and they are great to make up presents for people.

My sister absolutely adores shortbread but has no idea how to bake... i got a Kilner jar filled it with the mixture for shortbread and put some chocolate chips at the top and attached the recipe as a tag!

Fantastic simple gift!

My Little Dream... Fridge Freezer

Since i decided to flee the nest at mumsys... theres only ever been one dream fridge freezer! Even when i moved into my first little flat and i couldnt afford my dream i was very very picky about my fridge freezer.

I dont know why? maybe its because it takes up such a huge space in your kitchen that it has the potential to be a complete eye sore or a beautiful focal point.

The place we are currently renting in New Zealand came with a hideous fridge freezer that i have covered with magnetic photos of friends and family! Which is actually a really nice touch if you cant afford your dream fridge yet!

We picked up the magnetic frames from Boots for 2.55 GBP for a pack of two.  You can also get them on Amazon for as little as 1.99 GBP for a pack of 6 depending on the sizes you want.

Im afraid the fridge i want is over 1000.00 GBP which is ridiculous i know! especially when you can pick a fridge freezer up on Ebay from 50.00 GBP but this isnt a blog about what i can afford... this is the dream!

Drum roll please...

The ulimate dream fridge of all dreams goes too... the pastel blue SMEG!! pictured in these gorgeous kitchens!  and it come in pink too!