we heart some good cookery book suggestions! x

it seems that in the past 3 weeks, I've aquired 3 new cookery books... perhaps it's that my first year anniversary is coming up and I should be playing the good-wifey part?! (I'm not all that willing when it comes to cooking to be honest- Mr A does the lion's share...)

not to say that I don't enjoy cooking but after a long day at work, I just can't be bothered. which is lazy I know, I know..

and actually, I'm much more likely to be baking than cooking..

..which brings me to my first purchase:

I can't begin to rave more about the Peyton & Byrne British Baking book- buy it! It's a baking bible!

this is one of those books that your mother or grandmother had on her shelf in the larder and constantly referred to time after time. I can just see myself using this as the best reference cookery/bakery book for years to come!

and the pictures are just so prettily mouth watering...



I first came across Peyton & Byrne during my final years at college when the candy-coloured cupcakes from the Tottenham Court Road store (sandwiched between Heals & Habitat) always distracted me from my trips to Paperchase, a few stores down!

I now love to visit The Inn in The Park in St James' Park, although it's pretty difficult to avoid the ever-present tourists!

my second amazon purchase of May was Gwyneth Paltrow's latest foray into the cooking world

Notes From My Kitchen Table.

I'm sure many of you will be familiar with Gwyneth P's regular blog GOOP (which I myself subscribe to) so you'll be familiar with her 'style' of writing..

I have to be honest here, I was not a huge fan. I have, in the past, found her posts a little 'removed' from reality, often quite pompous and then at other times I've found her to be spot on...

and this is quite how I find her (personally) as an actress. I've never really connected with her, and then just recently (in Glee of all things!) Ms P suddenly turned on me and became all funny and witty like and suddenly I quite liked her!

which then prompted me to buy this book. and I'm actually glad I did!

short of some rather smug quotes, I've been really happy with the recipes in the book. they're all incredibly easy, healthy (which is a massive tick in our household) and kind of a good reminder to eat seasonally and organically where possible. I did think it would be pretentious (and some of the quotes are a little..) but it is just very 'accessable' to everyone.

in the week I've had it, I have used the book for every evening meal!

and I do rather like a bit of simple rustic styling...

my final cookery book this month found me at a local car boot sale for the bargain price of £3! Elizabeth Craig's COOKERY ILLUSTRATED AND HOUSEHOLD MANAGEMENT was, in 1936, an encyclopedia for all wives (let's be honest- this is not an oversight in being politically correct- it definitely was aimed at the women of the house, not the men) and became an essential for many homes. the lovely lady who sold it to me said her mother had a copy which was still in use today!

the illustrations/photographs have been so beautifully drawn and painted and in such bright colours. I'm surprised they have remained so intact!

I can kind of imagine that the Queen Mother would have had her breakfast served to her just like this!



I will definitely be trying some of the recipes- perhaps when I have some leftovers and need a bit of inspiration. I'll post photos if and when I manage to do this!

we heart Lassco. x

During my final year of college I lived south of the river near Brixton and in that time I failed (heaven knows why- I had every opportunity) to stop at the amazing treasure trove of a salvage 'yard' that is Lassco. On Sunday I finally made it- I have no idea why on earth I had not managed to make it there before now?!

I am a salvage junkie. I'll happily admit to spending hours wandering around many a yard when Mr A and I bought our flat (now on the market just in case anyone is interested?.. no takers?..). We tried our best to find as many salvaged items to replace those that needed replacing but it wasn't easy to find everything. It was mildly annoying then to find that IF I had just stopped in Vauxhallo 5 years ago I would have found everything I needed!! Yes, annoying...

I completely love the most random of objects that I clearly have no current use for- on our honeymoon in Bali I was actually considering an antique Indonesian carved door and looking into how much £ would be involved to ship it back... I do think that if it wasn't for Mr A's more minimal stance on home decor, I might well live in something that vaguely resembles a junk shop/your granny's attic.

So needless to say I found a gazillion objects of fascination on Sunday afternoon.



(probably all poisonous but how pretty?..)

and of course amongst all the pretty decorative items, there was the practical home fixtures and fittings. This pendant is just stunning and would have been perfect in my flat.

we have the exact same wooden cistern!

and we also have the same toilet seat!

Isn't this just the most stunning of toilet pans? (never thought I'd write that on my blog!) Seriously, the most mundane of home fittings turn into the beautiful of objects.


and my most favourite of finds was this quail cot.

err, does anyone want to lend/give me £550?...

I am totally besotted with this place!

AND if that wasn't enough, I started having hot flushes when I popped into Brunswick House Cafe to one side of the house. I think I must have been stood there gauping for a good few minutes. It's an Aladdins cave of chandeliers, pendant lamps,large neon-bulb signage and random hung objects strewn around a haphazardly arranged selection of chairs and tables, roughly resembling a restaurant.. I didn't eat there but I am definitely going back very soon!

hint to Mr A: do they hire I wonder? Birthday party??.. x

photo from lassco.co.uk

AND to fill my fix even further, there is another site on the way home to Gloucestershire in Oxford.

A visit is already pencilled in my diary. x

we heart RE at Libertys! x

Northern favourite, RE, has landed at Liberty and for a limited time has introduced a selection of it's beautifully sourced and selected products for the good people of London town!

I loved these vintage (20s/30s?) table lamps with twisted flex styled amongst retro titled hardback novels... sadly a little out of budget for me.


I love RE's selection of products on their online store but I always wanted to buy random small items (at different times) so the shipping price was often more than the total of my basket. I'm so glad that they're visiting the capital! I'll admit, I did buy a few odd bits and pieces (a rusty rustic Great Britain hanging ornament for the front door!) and some of the concertinaed paper balls ready for future (birthday?) parties.. but I was very good and didn't splurge TOO much! I may have to pay another visit to make up for that... Too many rustic, vintage items in one store- I'll have to start saving!
I might also have to find a long weekend to take a trip up to Corbridge in North East England- their shop/workshop looks completely amazing and I'm utterley jealous of anyone who lives close enough to visit!
find the RE pop-up store on the 4th floor of Libertys, London.
hurry as it won't be there forever! x

100 layer cake- our wedding featured! x

we have been featured on one of my favourite wedding blogs

100layercake!
this blog was one of my daily reads in the year running up to our wedding so I feel extremely priviledged that our day has been included amongst so many other amazing weddings!

thank you so much guys, and thanks to everyone for the lovely comments! x x

click here to read the feature. x

we heart some bridesmaids suggestions. x

so I've been doing a bit of bridesmaids shopping for you..

with the british summer making an appearance over the past few weeks, I'm feeling some of these pretty high street dress suggestions:

these pretty white h&m dresses are from the well advertised 'Conscious Collection' which I'm actually really impressed with- there's some great pieces in there (amongst the polyester..!). I can't tell you whether it's available at all stores, but it's worth keeping an eye out.

following in the footsteps of our royal bride, I do rather like the idea of coordinating your bridesmaids with your own dress and having them also in white (or ivory, champagne or whatever you chose for yourself..). summer chic!

I don't actually think the below dress with pleats is so appropriate as a bridemaids suggestions but it would make a great guest outfit (should the bride be ok with you wearing white- best to check first!)

and if you're feeling a slightly more conservative affair, this linen dress from Warehouse is great value right now and comes in 4 colours- taupe-y grey, peppermint, peach and white. I actually really like the idea of using all 4 colours for adult bridesmaids. super elegant and super summer-y!

find them online here

nude/white/peppermint

all available at warehouse

we heart colour & print & gorgeous clothes from Boden's AW'11 collection

oh my gosh, call me a cab!... all the way to Boden's Autumn/Winter '11 collection! (cheesy..)

Thursday saw the London press day for AW'11 with a jolt of colour and a lot of truly bold and bright Boden prints to liven up the dull days ahead!

the rainbow of colour transfered to the decor- it must haven taken stylist Amanda weeks to cover everything (from dog kennels to pianos) in various prints- it looked stunning!

outside I bumped into the gorgeous Helena from A Diary of Lovely- it was great to finally meet her and say hello!
Everyone seemed very much to enjoy the press day- the PR team did a great job...

(my jeans! a proud moment...!)

mini Boden's collection was grouped below drops of print raining down on the cutest of outfits. I think my favourite was a knitted kitty hat for cold days..

Boden's autumn collection will be out in august, but until then, check out the current summer collection here. x

we heart papier mache magazine- issue 7 online now! x

aussie online magazine papier mache, issue 7 out now!

click here to view.

the birdie themed issue features an interview and illustrations by super talented artist amy borrell and more gorgeous photography by one of my favourite commercial photographers Amanda Pratt. x

all above photographs from papier mache

illustration by amy borrell