Rose Delight Cake

Rose Delight Cake

The fragrant scent of rose evokes memories of English gardens, middle eastern sweets and my Grandma. Maybe this is why rose is one of my favourite flowers, scents and tastes. So I decided to create a twist on the classic victoria sponge. This cake is filled with a rose buttercream which have little jewels of turkish delight mixed in. This is just gorgeous. <3

Ingredients:

175g Soft Margarine

175g Caster Sugar

175g Self-Raising Flour, Sifted

3 Eggs beaten

Splash of Rosewater (to taste)

Icing Sugar for dusting

Rose Delight Buttercream:

75g Butter, softened

175g Icing Sugar (or slightly less)

1 tbsp milk 

Splash of Rosewater (to taste)

Turkish Delight pieces, chopped

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. Lightly grease and line the bottom of two 18cm/7in sandwich tins. 

2. Put the margarine and caster sugar in a bowl and mix together until light and fluffy. 

3. Add the eggs, small amounts at a time, beating well after each amount. Fold in half of the flour and then add the rest.

4. Divide mixture between the two tins and smooth surface with the back of a spoon.

5. Bake for 25-30 mins, until the cakes have risen and are golden brown and firm when touched. 

6. Take out of tins carefully and cool on a wire rack. 

7. Mix the icing sugar, butter, milk and rosewater for the buttercream. Then add in the turkish delight pieces.

8. When the cakes have cooled, spread the buttercream on one of the cakes, then sandwich together. Dust the top of the cake with icing sugar and...enjoy <3

Lipstick & Marzipan *TIP*:  Rosewater is a very tricky ingredient, very good supermarkets sell them or in authentic middle eastern shops. If you have roses that have not been sprayed in your garden you can make your own. When you do find some, make sure you check the percentage of rose in the ingredients the higher the better. Just add as much as you want depending on how strong the rosewater you have.

This cake is delicious with my new tea love from Twinings. 

Recipe: My own 

Assistir Filme »

BoyFriendBlazer

Ik wil een boyfriendblazer!!!! Ze zijn echt super leuk en ze passen bij alles!!

Ik heb er wel een maar ik vind ze niet zo wauw!!

Deze zijn wél leuk:

Assistir Filme »

T-Shirt

Hey, ik heb een super leuke T-Shirt  gevonden op Lookbook.

Zo'n T-Shirt wil ik oowk wél hebben x

Assistir Filme »

Looklet

Ik ben een Looklet verslaafde!!

Looklet is een website waar je outfits kunt samenstellen op een model, ze publiceren en mensen laten stemmen! Ik ben (bijna) elke dag op Looklet! Ik vind het gwn zo leuk om mijn fantasie de vrije loop te laten gaan!

Dit zijn een van mijn favo looks die ik zelf heb samengesteld:

I Love deze outfit!

Love the Leggings

Dit zou ik zeker dragen x

Ik wil deze jurk zooo graag!!

Tottaly my style x

Assistir Filme »

Trend:: Thé FloralPrints

Ik ben dol op bloemenprint!

Love fot the leggings&&The the whole outfit

Love haar kleddjje&&Zonnebril x

Assistir Filme »

Chanel Crazyness

Enkele leuke foto's van Chanel

ChanelCakes

So Cute x

See your life with Chanel

I want to live here

Zo'n stylish ijsje wil ik ook wél x

Assistir Filme »

LookBook

Heeeeeyy, I'm back!

En ik ben terug met een nieuwe obsessie:: LookBook!!

I Love it!! Ik vind er super veel inspiratie, als ik een fototoestel zou hebben,

dan zou ik mij ook aanmelden bij LookBook!

Deze outfits vond ik super mooii;;

Super cute x

Love haar rokk x

Love haar vest

Dit zou ik zeker dragen

Cardigan;; H&M

Oowk Boyz hebben style!

Assistir Filme »

The Big Smoke

Red Buses. Black Taxis. The Underground. Bond Street. Overcrowding. Pollution. The City. I love London. I've lived here since I was a little girl, I was born in Watford which is utterly random. But, I  moved to London when I was still a baby. London makes me smile and frown simultaneously, often at the same time. I only have to wait around 2 minutes for a train, this makes me smile. There are around 50 people squeezed into the tiniest carriage, this makes me frown. I love the bright lights that never sleep and the lingering smell of stale city air. I love waving my hand at a black taxi and finding new little gems that I have never seen before.

I am newly-in-love with Big Smoke nail polish from Topshop Make Up. As promised I tried it out and the range is great, me and some of my fellowfashionstudents spent quite a well browsing through with countless squeals and jumps for joy. This colour is perfect, it is a lovely grey/brown/mink. Quite similar to Chanel's Le Particuliere. For me it sums London up. 

Assistir Filme »

Vintage Finds of The Month

I have made a vow not to make any purchases unless they are for my holiday (New York, End of July). However, I keep buying things and claiming that they are for NY. Sigh. So I went to my local vintage shop  to find some 'holiday' clothes. I actually did find some pieces to slot into the NY wardrobe, and my summer wardrobe too. I like to kill two birds with one stone. Did I seriously say that? How clichéd of me... All items are as usual from one of my favourite places in the world, The East End Thrift Store.

Belt: I have way too many belts, I'm talking at least 40 plus. Which is quite ridiculous to be honest. I had a browse through the menswear rail and came across this Christian Dior black leather belt. It's more rustic and distressed than the plethora of my other black leather belts so I decided to purchase it. Plus it was £5. Can't really argue with that.

Belt: Ok, so I just said I have too many belts, yet I bought two today. Well... I realised that I only have a dark brown leather belt (two actually) so I needed a lighter shade. I picked this up on the menswear rail also, for a bargainous £5.

Blouse: I thought this would look cute with some Levi cut-off denim shorts, some wedges and a hairscarf. Slightly channeling Daisy Duke and a 1940's land girl in one look. I am yet to cut off my jeans, I have some dark high-waisted jeans which will look very cute when snipped into some hotpants.

Playsuit: I am in love with playsuits at the minute, I have a few high-street ones so wanted some vintage ones that were a bit unique. This little one has a utilitarian/safari look and the shoulder pads add some volume. I love this <3

Playsuit: I love this as the bottom half is deliciously high waisted, it needs dry cleaning but it is definitely worth it. I want to wear it now in fact. Which I shall go and do... despite me not going anywhere.

Assistir Filme »

Mini Raspberry and Almond Tartlets

Mini Raspberry & Almond Tartlets

I keep buying almond tarts on my travels, especially the bakewell from good old Pret. So, I thought it was about time that I made the giant leap into tartdom and make my own. These sweet little bites are gorgeous especially with a glass of elderflower cordial in the sunshine. 

Ingredients:

1/2 x 375g Pack Sweet Shortcrust Pastry, chilled

2 tbsp Seedless Raspberry Jam

25g Butter, softened

25g Caster Sugar

25g Ground Almonds

1 Medium Free-Range Egg Yolk

Few Drops Almond Extract

1-2 Level tbsp Flaked Almonds

Icing Sugar, for dusting

Plus:

7cm Fluted Pastry Cutter

12-hole Bun Tin, greased 

Method:

1.  Pre-heat the oven to 200C, 180C Fan, 400F, Gas 6. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface. Using the pastry cutter, cut the pastry to line the holes of the bun tin. You can re roll the pastry if you need to.

2. Mix the raspberry jam until it is runny, then place a small amount in the base of each pastry case, smear until you cover the base of each.

3. Beat the butter so it's really soft, then add sugar, ground almonds, egg yolk and almond extract. Beat until smooth, then divide the mixture between the pastry cases, spreading it out slightly. Sprinkle the flaked almonds on top. 

4. Bake the tartlets in the centre of the oven for 10 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 150C, 130C Fan, 300F, Gas 2. Cook for a further 10-15 mins or until light-golden. 

5.  Remove the tartlets from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool. Dust with icing sugar just before serving. 

 

Recipe: Woman & Home Feel Good Food Magazine- Summer 2010

Assistir Filme »

The 2010 Shopper

As we live in a world of excess, mass-market retailers and global conglomerates are the leading figures of today's retail industry. However, as it is with any trend, there is always a backlash. And this past year, we have noticed a growing number of smaller, personalized boutique shops popping up all over major cities, creating intimate shopping experiences for those who want to purchase something that hasn't been replicated by the thousands.

photo via: J.Crew

It seems that as we live in such a globally-saturated, technology-driven society, consumers today want something different in their shopping experience. Rather than going to five floor department stores carrying every brand known to man, cosy settings with small, carefully selected products displayed with crafty art installations seem to be the preferred choice. And it is not just the local, underground shops, well-recognized stores like Anthropologie, the J. Crew Men's Liquor Store, and ABC Home have been much about keeping that intimate store atmosphere, despite the number of their chain stores.

As there are rapid expansions of chain store retailers all over the globe, there is a new, deeper value for things that are local, hand-made, limited, or one-of-a-kind. Although such products may be a bit more costly, consumers today are more careful about their purchases and want something that is special. Because there are so many options for practically everything nowadays, the infinite number of purchasing choices have created a more educated consumer; one who is more particular of what he or she buys, and willing to pay more if it deems worth. With the economic recession and the last several years of globalization and mass-consumption, there is less concern for buying the latest brand name and instead, a greater interest of things that carry a unique story behind it's exterior.

Guy Wolff pottery at Restoration Hardware 

Commercial brands such as J. Crew, Urban Outfitters, and Restoration Hardware, for example, have taken note and recently began collaborations with smaller designers and artists to bring in something unique to their collections. J. Crew just released it's small collection of chain necklaces made in collaboration with NYC-based Dana Lorenz, designer of FENTON and FALLON. Restoration Hardware is selling hand-thrown pottery designed by Connecticut-based artisan Guy Wolff. And Urban Outfitters works with a number of independent designers, with current exclusives from New York designer Ulla Johnson and the NY-LA boutique The Reformation. Although these retail stores still largely carry mass-market products, these small additions help them to stand out amongst the big name brands, while also offering competitive products against the local boutique shops.

And as online shopping is on the rise, there are several websites dedicated to providing hand-made or one-of-a-kind goods. Etsy, the social commerce site is all about building an economy that reconnects makers with buyers, taking advantage of the Internet to allow independent artists, designers, and craftsmen to sell their work in a global market. Culture Label is another, recognizing the importance of a cultural product, carrying handpicked items from artists all over the world. Offering what they call "products with soul", the founders behind Culture Label understand the need for purchases that are beyond mainstream and original in design, integrity, and authenticity.

So for those of us in New York needing to go on a shopping venture, there are a number of great, promising shops that are just walking distances away, and definitely worth checking out. Here we leave you with a short list of our favorites and recently new finds, and we'd love it if you can drop a note and give us your recommendations!

photo via: Albertine

Albertine, 13 Christopher Street

photo via: Refinery29

Maryam Nassir Zadeh, 123 Norfolk Street

photo via: Yatzer

Droog, 76 Greene Street

photo via: Refinery29

No. 6, 6 Centre Market Place

photo via: Refinery29

Kiosk, 95 Spring Street 

photo via: Refinery 29

Pixie Market, 100 Stanton Street

photo via: The Choosy Beggar
King of Greene St, 72 Greene St. 

Assistir Filme »

Profile: Keri Hilson

Keri Hilson is een R&B zangeres en songwriter die geboren werd op 5 december 1982.

Ze is een lid van een groep songwriters en producers die zichzelf The Clutch noemen.

Zij schreven bv.: Like a boy van Ciara, The way I are van Timbaland,....

Miss Keri heeft ook Wait a minute van de PCD&Timbaland geschreven en daar zingt ze ook achtergrond.

Haar 1ste album heet In a perfect world...

In 2009 won ze een BET-Award voor Best New Artist.

Ik hou super veel van haar kledingstijl. Ze kleed zich zo apart maar toch stijlvol!

Ze is ook een super mooie vrouw!

I Love This Outfit (Check die schoenen!)

Haar tas vind ik ook super mooi!

En of course: Haar zonnebril x

Assistir Filme »

I dream of a Fendi Peek-A-Boo on my arm

Am I the only one who goes on to Net-A-Porter everyday and browses through the virtual aisles and places numerous products into the bag and then 'forget' to check out? Well if I am, I suggest you all do it. Imaginary-Virtual- Retail Therapy is good for the soul. Yes, it does physically pain me that I am not actually making these purchases but it's good to dream. My card is saved on the website and The Mother often worries that I may accidently click 'checkout' and flood my card with £15,000 worth of delectable treats. Hmmm.... maybe I should remove my card details just in case.

I have noticed a recurring item in my shopping bag, which is the Fendi Peek-A-Boo. I want it in the cream canvas with chocolatey brown leather and gold clasp. Sigh. It is just beautiful. Until... it became sold out so I can't even put it in my basket! I have to 'add to my wish list'. This is no fun.

Photos: www.net-a-porter.com 

Assistir Filme »

Topshop Make-Up: Fun, Fun, Fun

Oh, Topshop. How could you possibly make women and girls everywhere fall more in love with you? With make up of course. But, not just make-up. An affordable, young, trend led and interactive make up collection. Before I talk about the actual make up, the website is just so much fun. The make up section, includes the collection, the SS10 trend collection, video tutorials, instore events AND virtual makeover. I was on the virtual makeover for way too long last night. You can upload pictures of yourself and play with the collection, or use a model. Delightful. It's a great way of trying looks and products before buying them.

I haven't tried the products yet, but the range is really wide. The core collection are beauty basics, with fun and bright colours and the SS10 collection have seasonal colours and based on SS10 trends, and the video tutorials tell you how to interpret them. Great stuff. Plus the packaging is just way too cute. Their Lip Stick, which is like a crayon also looks great. Not sure how much coverage they will give on the lip, but I guess I will have to just try it. Call it research.

Photos: www.topshop.com 

Assistir Filme »