{ happy friday }

{ 1 } Cute little Clover bunny with her pink cheeks embroidered so beautifully by Posy+Petal.

{ 2 } So many things about this room I'd like to borrow for my room.

{ 3 } So many things from this collection by So Sense I'd like in my size.

{ 4 } Oh, and ditto this collection by Annice.

{ 5 } Is Peggy Porschen's the prettiest, and the pinkest, bakery in London?

{ 6 } Strawberry picking plans on hold due to weather.  Consoling myself with this sweet print.

{ 7 } How much do I think I'd like The Old Haberdashery?  Quite a lot I think.

{ 8 } Thought for today. Just be kind.

{ 9 } How much do I love this dreamy botanical print by Danse De Lune?  Quite a lot I think.

{ + } Weekend baking goals; gluten, dairy, egg, and sugar free Beetroot & Chocolate Cake.

{ have a happy day }

{ my january }

January is very nearly over.  The first month of the year successfully, and quietly, navigated.  The year started with resolutions to last for the next few years, and I will be very honest in saying that since I published that post precious little has happened to make anything in that list happen.  Lets just say that getting the list done was January's contribution to the list, and lets hope I won't be writing the same thing at the end of February.

So how did I spend January?

{ reading }

I started working my way through Nigel Slater's second volume of Kitchen Diaries, made a start on "Golden Hill", which was then put aside for Elizabeth Gilbert's "Big Magic". This is not the kind of book I usually read, I love escaping into the world of fiction, and I still can't quite remember what prompted me to order this from the library.  But I'm so glad I did.  It's a magical book, which shares Gilbert's view on living a creative life.  Through her opinions, thoughts, anecdotes of her own experiences and of others, she lends a unique perspective on dealing with the mysteries of creativity.  A thoughtful read for anyone who has ever struggled with the fearfulness that seems to accompany most creativeness. So back to "Golden Hill".  I tried and I hate to be defeated by a book, but I also believe there are too many books out there to spend time reading books you're not enjoying.  And so, once again, that was put aside. So I end the month having just started "Tony and Susan" by Austin Wright, the book that the film "Nocturnal Animals" was based on.  In spite of having seen the film, so already having an idea of the plot, after reading the first few chapters I have a feeling this one will draw me in, and will find me reading way further into the night than I really should.

{ baking }

Unlike last year, this January didn't bring with it any aspirations of sugar free eating, though I like to think there has been enough vegetables, good grains & pulses digested to off set the chocolate hob nob habit that was adopted part way through the month.  These chocolate hob nobs from Top With Cinnamon are just a little too easy to put together, and FYI the recipe does scale down well, if you weren't feeling that your resolve could take having twenty or so of these in the house at any one time.  I also discovered that they are just as nice, actually make that a little nicer, by swapping the golden syrup for maple syrup.  I'm not going to pretend for a single second that this makes them any healthier, but thought it was worth mentioning.  When I wasn't baking up yet another small batch of biscuits, it was Smitten Kitchen's everyday chocolate cake that was occupying my cake tin.  This calls for a little more patience;  an hours baking time, versus the wonderfully short ten minutes for those biscuits.  But worth the wait it is.  My tip, switch half the buttermilk for strong espresso coffee. 

{ watching }

* sigh* La La Land.  This is a film that I went to praying that it would live up to it's hype.  And it really did.  It is whimsical, magical, and lyrical.  It made me smile from the very opening scene.  I still find myself humming the tunes, I still sigh when I read that a friend has gone to see it, I would still love to see it once more on the big screen, and I now want to learn to tap dance!

{ visiting }

Just before it closed I managed to see the final "Fashioning a Reign" exhibition at Windsor Castle.  Having seen both the one at the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the one at Buckingham Palace last year, both of which were a delight to visit.  I have a bit of a soft spot for the beautiful ballgowns and fashions from the Mid Century and in particular to see the Queen's wedding dress and coronation dress, with the workmanship and detail that went into them, was wonderful.  Almost as delightful as the exhibition at Windsor, were the sweetest cottages on the estate, that I would have loved to have had a peek inside!  And there was more Mid Century loveliness at the Josef Frank exhibition which opened at the Fashion & Textile Museum this weekend.  After walking through the cold, grey, London streets, to arrive at this wonderfully colourful building and walk around gazing on bright blooms, paintings and prints, was a lovely way to spend a Saturday.

And now for a quiet end to the month.  To make the most of the last days of January and a little planning for the new month ahead.

{ have a happy day }

. hEllo sEptember .

{ do all things with kindness }

hEllo sEptember

. lOving reading Jane Eyre .

{ i would always rather be happy than dignified }

. doodling & drawing .

. baking along to the BakeOff .

. window shopping the new season in London .

&

. wistfully dreaming of a little shop of my own at Top Drawer .

. enjoying a stitch&bitch session at SewBrum .

and

. ending the month with coffee and cake .

. have a hAppy & kind dAy .

. time for afternoon tea . { twelve treats for a perfect teatime } .

did i mention it's Afternoon Tea Week this week ? yes, all week, the perfect excuse to indulge in dainty finger sandwiches, pots of freshly brewed tea, &, freshly baked scones topped with jam and cream, & perfect petit fours . if you have room for all that . i'm not sure i've successfully finished an afternoon tea yet . they deceive you with their daintiness, their one bite delicacy . you take your time, and savour each mouthful, & then you reach that final tier of cake & pastry loveliness . & . realise you can't eat another mouthful ! { if anyone has the answer to this, please, please, do tell ! }

did you know that we have Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, to thank for the wonderful thing that is Afternoon Tea . her mid afternoon lull was solved by asking for tea and a light snack to be served in her room . to which she asked friends to join her . & . so the practice of Afternoon Tea began . it's popularity seems to keep on growing, adopted by hotels, bakeries & tearooms alike . some serving a very traditional version . others taking a more unconventional approach putting modern & themed twists on each tier of treats . and whilst it may seem like the ultimate tea party for grownups, it's also a wonderful thing to introduce children to . there already being a sense of occasion and whimsy about the whole affair that appeals to young & old alike . i think there are few things in life that are so universally appreciated . { including Afternoon Teas for the gentlemen in your life too } .  

so . lets start at that bottom tier shall we . plates ready to choose your first tea sandwich ?

. 1 . 2 . 3 .

{ lets start . with . tea sandwiches }

. 4 . 5 . 6 .

{ cream before jam . or . jam before cream }

?

. 7 . 8 . 9 .

{ fairy cakes . fondant fancies . french macarons }

. 10 .

{ the Mad Hatter's Tea Party . at . The Sanderson London }

. 11 .

{ Charlie & The Chocolate Factory . at . One Aldwych }

. 12 .

{ Afternoon Tea Bus Tour . on . B-Bakery Bus }

how will you celebrate Afternoon Tea Week

?

. if you are still looking for more inspiration . take a peek at my Pinterest board .

. have a hAppy dAy .

. hellO from kEllerman's . { wish yOu were here } .

a little while ago . on the spur of the moment . three girls decided to go to Kellerman's for the sUmmer . { well, it was one evening . but . for now lets pretend ! } . they booked their tickets . they packed their sUmmer frocks . a cUte cardigan { they'd heard it got quite chilly in the Catskills } . love notes for their dance instructor . a polka dot neckerchief . Oh . and not forgetting the wAtermelon .

they travelled off in search of adventure . cocktails . dancing . fun and games . & . a secret cinema experience not to be missed .

without wanting to give too much away . { & . to use every cliche from the film } . nobody put bAby in a corner . & . we all carried a watermelon . & . we really did have the time of our lives . 

for those who've not heard of Secret Cinema before, it began 9years ago with a secret screening of Dr.Strangelove . followed by several more iconic films over the past few years . much more than a film screening it is an immersive . interactive experience . & . from what i've read . Dirty Dancing may have been their most ambitious yet with a recreation of Kellerman's holiday camp . including secret " forbidden " staff quarters . where . like the film . the dancing was indeed a little dirtier than elsewhere . the location is kept a secret you simply get told to meet at a particular location & then follow the crowds of likeminded people . { in our case lots of girls in gorgeous frocks & lots of people carrying watermelOns } . as you arrive at the location you're required to put your phone into a sealed envelope - this is strictly a technology free zone - which is actually really refreshing . you actually take the time to enjoy the event . rather than the temptation to view it through the lens of your camera as you hunt that perfect instagram image . & . there is sO much to enjoy . the hours before the film began just whizz by . & . you're almost sad to tear yourself away to watch the film . but you do . & . you laugh & cringe a little at the iconic " I carried a watermelOn " line . & . you cheer when Jonny declares " nobody puts Baby in a corner " . & . you get up and dance along as the opening beats of " Time of My Life " begin .

whilst you're not allowed to use your phone to capture the evening . you can buy an old fashioned 35mm camera at the event . we did . & . it was quite amusing . when you are so used to being able to take multiple images . to crop . rotate . brighten . darken . & . apply any number of filters to perfect that shot . all in an instant . to return to a time when you have 24 shots . no zoom . no selfie stick . was actually quite liberating . & . that anticipation of how they'll turn out . somehow prolongs the memories of the evening . 

but enough of my ramblings . lets get back to those three girls . let's call them Peggy, Jill & Jennifer . & . lets take a look at their holiday at Kellerman's . { un-edited . un-cropped . no filter required } .

we really did . & . i would go to another secret cinema screening in a heartbeat .

. have a hAppy dAy .

. cAfe lOndon . { brunch . lunch . coffee . & . cake } .

a few weeks ago i was asked by Lynn of the Clandestine Cake Club to review a book that was shortly to be published . Cafe London { brunch . lunch . coffee and afternoon tea } . highlights the best places to go & eat & i'm not sure Lynn would have realised how perfect a choice of book this was for me . one of the things i love when visiting a new place is to search out all the newest coffee shops . & . lovely independent cafes . usually ending up with a list far longer than i need for the meals & coffee stops i'll need . which is indicative of how many new & independent places have sprung up over the past few years .

beautifully broken down into chapters for different eating;  brunch, lunch, coffee, cakes & bakes, afternoon tea, culture & shopping, & the unusual and alfresco .  although i don't live in lOndon it is somewhere i visit quite regularly & thought i was familiar with most of the best coffee shops & cafes around . how wrong i was ! there were places that i knew and whose names were familiar; The Ritz for afternoon tea, The Hummingbird & Primrose Bakeries, and some that i'd been to; Sketch for brunch, The Breakfast Club for lunch, and Bea's of Bloomsbury for afternoon tea, but so so many that i didn't know . 

each review is accompanied by beautiful photography . showing each place & their food off to their best . the reviews are short & sweet but give a lovely snapshot of the feel & the vibe of each eatery . there's also an enticing list of Other Places to Try at the end of each chapter { as if the ones already listed weren't tempting enough ! } .

i love the fact that they cover so many different areas of lOndon . & . there's a handy map at the back of the book so wherever you are exploring in the city you can look up & read up on the best places to eat . one little tip from me;  read this book with a cup of tea . or coffee . & . a little snack . & . a pile of post-it notes to hand . it's impossible to read this book without feeling hungry . & . without thinking * i must try there * .

{ gooseberry oat crumble bars . clare ptack for the guardian }

one lovely place that's listed that was already on my * to visit * list was Violet Cakes in Hackney, owned by Clare Ptack, who also has a column in the Guardian . & . as luck would have it on the weekend i was reviewing this book she had a lovely recipe for gooseberry oat crumble bars . which just sounded the perfect sweet treat to accompany the reading of the cakes & bakes chapter . they were . just yUm .

since i've had the book i've had chance to try a few new places . one that caught my eye was Foxcroft & Ginger on Berwick Street . by chance . just around the corner from the office i work in when down in lOndon . the pictures & the review in the book are spot on . you are welcomed by the most tempting array of baked goods as you enter & the brunch & lunch menu's are equally as tempting . unfortunately the service . on the day i visited . didn't live up to the expectation of the food . & . a mix up with my order meant that my lunch was just a pot of tea . such a shame . but i'm planning to pop back there as the cakes looked too good not to give it a second go .

i had a little more luck with the second bakery on the list . the Nordic Bakery on New Cavendish Street is a lovely scandinavian bakery who are known for their cinnamon buns . again, the book delivered on it's review, though happily it did have one thing wrong;  their predictions of those cinnamon buns selling out by 11.30am proved unfounded & i happily bought one to take away & enjoy at home . { & . yes . they are deserved of their reputation } . 

cAfe lOndon is a real gem of a book for those who live in the city or go there often & like to find out the places that are a little bit different as well as those places whose reputation is a little more longstanding . i'm looking forward to working my way down my { very } long list of places to try .

a very big thankyou to both Lynn at The Clandestine Cake Club . & . also to Quarto Publishing for being kind enough to send me the book to review . if you fancy a gander at the book you can find more details here & here .

. have a hAppy dAy .