Book Review: Sweetie!: 50 Delectable Treats

Sweetie!: 50 Delectable Treats is an adorable recipe book filled with 50 mouth-watering treats to tempt you into a sugar-enduced coma. Amen.

The recipes are taken from The Hardie Grant Test Kitchen and are all illustrated (not a photograph in sight) by Daniella Germain.

I found the recipes easy to follow including plenty of detail (imperial, metric and American cup conversions) with clear content that makes up for the fact you don’t really see what you are making – my only concern. However, I will hold my hands up and confess that may come down to my lack of confidence in baking – ah macaroons how you taunt me.

I’ve yet to make a recipe from Sweetie! but will be putting a few ideas together from the book when I have a little tea party this summer in our local woods. As soon as the sun pops out I’ll be paying homage with a G&T popsicle! Hurrah.

The book is compact and great for the baker (and appreciator of good illustration!) in your life. You can purchase Sweetie!: 50 Delectable Treats from Amazon for just £6.99 and I thoroughly recommend you do!

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P.S Thank you Hardie Grant Books for the review copy!

Bookmarked: WRAP magazine

I like a multi functional product. In these strapped-for-cash times something that works hard for its price tag leaves me feeling satisfied. Ah *contented sigh*

WRAP, a magazine for reading and wrapping leaves my head spinning. I’m partial to cutting up magazines and newspaper to wrap up goodies and now someone has actually gone and made a product out of it! Clever clogs.

WRAP, priced £9.50, is a large format illustration and design magazine and is held together in a hard cover with a large elastic band and no staples, thus making it super easy to wrap up that box of chocolates you owe me. Joy!

However, I don’t want to take away from the very talented illustrators and designers involved in this magazine and would find this a great read to discover new and emerging talent from around the world.

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P.S I would like to fully disclose that my boyfriend discovered this (otherwise I won’t hear the end of it!).

Book Review: Celia Birtwell

 

When the Celia Birtwell book was handed to me by the postman, courtesy of Quadrille Craft, I was more than a little excited (I may have squealed at him – he thinks I’m crazy). Being the first book (long overdue) published on Celia,  I was curious to know more about the life and work of such an iconic British designer.

 

 

The book is hardback coffee table perfection, accompanied by sketches, artworks and personal photographs. But not only is the book a visual treat, it delivers such an inspirational kick, I wish I’d had the book years ago.

The book concentrates on the designers career span of over 50 years, from couture to home interiors and her collaboration with Topshop.  Rather than focusing on her personal life (relationship/partnership with Ossie Clark)  it is a biography that celebrates Celia’s work, ambition and inspirations.

The book makes a great gift for admirers of Celia’s work, design/fashion students or anyone with an interest in British Culture (holds hand up). The book has also persuaded me to buy this edition of  my favourite novel,Wuthering Heights, that she illustrated back in 2009. I must find a copy!

You can purchase the book from Amazon for £15.19.

Please note, I was sent this copy to review and was not paid for writing this post.

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2012 calendars.

In under ten weeks we will be celebrating Christmas. There I said it – I am officially talking about CHRISTMAS on my blog. Muhaha. There are only two paydays to go and I don’t want to be skint in December or January, so I’m planning a whole heap of makery and minimal spend. I’m hoping by early next month I’ll have everything sorted and can spend a fine day in December wrapping them all up, joy!

But let’s go one step further, lets discuss 2012…dur-dur-durr! Don’t worry, the only reason is so I can feature all of these beautiful 2012 calendars! How lovely!

Via Etsy

This linen Calendar is just so chic and pretty.

Via Rifle Paper Co.

I’m a bit in love with Rifle Paper Co. I would happily fill my shopping basket with their bits and bobs.

Via Frankie

Illustrated goodness. Need I say more.

Via Etsy

I love this colourful calendar featuring foxes, bears, owls, birds and other delights.

Via Etsy

This limited edition calendar from illustrator, Anke Weckmann will delight all year round. After? I’d get snipping and frame my favourite prints!

Happy Monday!

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Post of the week – Ella’s Blog

It’s a little late, but better late than never!

This week’s post of the week comes from the delightful Ella’s Blog written by Ella Masters. The post in question, tutorial on how to illustrate outfit posts, is just lovely.

I envy bloggers who do outfit posts. It’s a really good way to be imaginative with the clothes you have plus a great record for when you’re stuck for ideas! I love to see what ‘real’ people wear and often compliment random strangers, “Ooh that’s a lovely skirt, where did you get it from?” therefore outfit posts are reading candy for me. My favourites are Ella’s, Jen from A Little Bird Told Me and the ever so stylish Elizabeth, from Rosalilium.

In this post, Ella shows us how to illustrate outfit posts (For days when she doesn’t fancy being in front of the camera ). It’s a great tutorial and I love how she’s encouraging us all to have a go!

How beautiful are her drawings? Go! Take a look at her tutorial and get those watercolours out.

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