Cherry Shortbreads with love........

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner I thought it was time to show you all my baking skills (these are much better that my cooking skills! ha) one Thursday afternoon. After flicking though many recipe books I decided on Shortbread hearts, perfect for the coming occasions. I added cherries for taste and colour and the heart shape cutter just makes anything look pretty.

Here is the recipe I used and a few pics (only a few, I got a little messy) of my baking fun! Enjoy!

Cherry Shortbread Hearts

You will need:

A Handful of glace cherries,  9oz Plain Flour, 3oz Caster Sugar, 6oz Butter and a Heart shaped biscuit cutter.

1. Heat oven to Gas Mark 3, 160c, 325f and place grease proof paper on your baking tray.

2. Finely chop a handful of cherries.

3. Mix flour and sugar in a bowl, rub in butter.

4. Add cherries to the mixture

5. Knead well to form a smooth dough.

6. Roll dough out (on to a floured surface) using a rolling pin and cut hearts using heart shape cutter.

7. Place hearts on a tray and put into the premins or until pale and golden.

8. Remove from the oven and cool on a cooling rack.

Now your cherry shortbread hearts are ready, give to those you love or just enjoy with a lovely cup of tea. Just like me...

 



Mary Katrantzou meets denim..... and Current/Elliott

Mary Katrantzou x Current/Elliott
Images sourced from shefinds.com

Mary Katrantzou has been a designer I have loved since I first saw her designs grace the catwalk. Those amazing digital prints seriously grab your attention!
My favourite collection so far has to be Spring/Summer 13, the dresses were simply stunning yet modern.

I am now excitied to tell you Katrantzou has collaborated with denim company Current/Elliott. It was there 'Vintage-feel coolness' she admired. For this collection she took print inspiration from passports and visa stamps and added them too 'The Ashdale dress, Boarding Tee and Boyfriend jeans'. (Source: ELLE, March 2013)
This collection is denim and print heaven!

This collection will bring Katrantzou a whole new customer, one who LOVES print but with that denim edge! Enjoy!

Trend Notes: Spring/Summer 13

Activewear  

Missoni S/S13 Ready-To-Wear 

Stella McCartney, Missoni, Richard Nicoll, Victoria Beckham and Jonathon Saunders all put their own twist on sportswear this Spring/Summer 13. Who knew a sweatshirt and pencil skirt could look so good!

Stella McCartney reminded us of her olympic summer with oversized jackets and sweaters, teamed with shear pencil skirts and dresses. Splashes of orange gave the collection colour and energy.

 Stella McCartney S/S13 Ready-To-Wear

At Victoria Beckham, sportswear was crisp and clean  with athletic cuts. Fabrics included beautiful chiffon in block colours - whites, reds and blacks. Lace added texture to this very feminine and luxurious collection.

Victoria Beckham S/S13 Ready-To-Wear

Images sourced from style.com

Grace Coddington  - Creative Director American Vogue

Grace was fashion's best kept secret...... till the 2009 documentary 'The September Issue' (about the goings on inside the American Vogue headquarters). With her fiery red hair and cheeky smile Grace 'represents the hero in all of us' (i-D Winter 2012). She has a real eye for detail and a true belief in fashion.

After reading an interview with Grace in i-D I knew why she was an inspiration. Grace born Pamela Rosalind Grace Coddington grew up on the remote Island of Angelsey and moved to London Town (by bus) aged 18. She started out in the sixties working as a model and was first photographed by photographer Norman Parkinson. Grace become one of the famous faces of the 1960's along with Twiggy and Jean Shrimpton.

 In 1968 Grace joined the British Vogue team as Junior Fashion Editor, 1987 saw Grace arrive in New York and begin to work for Calvin Klein a year later she joined Anna Wintour at American Vogue as Creative Director a position she still holds today. From there on she has influenced the fashion industry for over twenty five years.

"Grace is unique as a fashion editor because she cares about the photographs."               
David Bailey

"Grace taught me how to look at everything through different eyes. Colours, light, nature and art. As if I was seeing it for the first time. She truly was and is, the greatest inspiration......It was a real privilege to see her at work, seemingly effortless, but all in preparation."                                                                                                                               
Lucinda Chambers, Fashion Director, British Vogue

Over the years Grace has created some amazing photo shoots, her inspiration comes from 'English Garden's, flowers, Paris couture, innocence, crazy hair....'  (i-D,Winter 2012)

After reading this amazing interview I can't wait to get my hands on a copy of her new book, Grace, A Memoir. When I do I will report back, Speak Soon......

'Cool Cafe'

'The Sparrow' opened in the city centre of Bradford in 2011 has become a favourite hangout of mine!

With great drinks, (real ales, vintage ciders and much more) my favourite being the Brooklyn Lager, quirky art work, cool, chill out music and chic 1970's style tables and chairs it’s a great place to drink and relax come the weekend (day or night).

I even spent my New Year’s Eve there, they hosted a free party with DJ's playing classic 80's tunes.....the good ones!

I even wore my classic 1980's trainers - Nike Air Force 1's