Seasonal Friday...

We are loving this autumnal display!

To make one for your table, you need 2 vases (one needs to sit inside the other)

Place some lovely golden leaves inside the bigger vase, 

then carefully lower in the smaller vase containing a candle and there you have it!

Getting to know....

Today we're giving you a closer look at one of our very talented retailers...

Mel from Kimono Reincarnated!   Inspired by her love of all things Japanese, 

she makes the most beautiful papercrafts, jewellery and sewn objects to lust after...

make sure you see some of her creations, you won't come away empty-handed!

Taste

Something old-fashioned is in order today!

Jam Drops

125g butter

1/2 cup caster sugar

1 tsp vanilla essence

1 egg

1 1/4 cups SR flour

1/3 cup strawberry jam

Method

Preheat oven to 180c.  Line 2 trays with baking paper.

Use an electric mixer, beat the butter, sugar and vanilla until pale and creamy.  Add the egg and beat until combined.  Sift flour over the butter mixture and stir until just combined.

Use lightly floured hands to roll teaspoonfuls of mixture into balls. 

Place on trays about 5cm apart.  Use a lightly floured finger to make an indentation in the centre of each ball.  Spoon 1/2 teaspoon of jam into the centre.  Bake for 15 mins or until just golden. 

Note:  for a crunchy change why not try adding a cup of corn flakes, rice bubbles, nuts or dried fruit!

Make

We recently came across this stunning idea and had to share with you....

instead of using wall decal stickers directly on the wall,

divide the scene up and place on a number of canvas's...

paint the canvas's a complementary colour first too for extra impact!!

Monday inspiration...

Anzac day today - time to reflect and pay respect.

Seasonal Friday...

Happy Easter to you all, 

enjoy a relaxing and safe long weekend...

and some decadent chockie!!

Getting to know....

....one of our favourite retailers....Ink and Whim!

Indulge your love of paper, pattern, fabric and culture 

combined with a need to draw, imagine, glue and scrap!

Taste

I made this for my daughter's 1st birthday on the weekend, 

but is a divinely decadent grown-up cake too!

Red Velvet Cake

Ingredients

125g butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

330g caster sugar

2 eggs

225g plain flour

2 tbsp cornflour

2 tbsp cocoa powder

250ml buttermilk

1 tbsp pink food colouring

1 tsp white vinegar

1 tsp bicarb of soda

Method

Preheat oven to 180.  Grease and line 2 22cm cake pans.

Beat butter, sugar, extract and eggs in a small bowl with an electric mixer until fluffly.

Transfer to a large bowl and stir in sifted flours, cocoa and combined buttermilk and colouring in two batches.  Combine vinegar and soda in a cup and allow to fiz, then fold into mixture.  Divide mixture between pans.  Bake for 25 mins.  Stand for 10 then turn out to cool.  

Cooks notes:  I found they took 10 more mins to cook.  

I wanted a really high cake, so actually made two batches of it to get 4 cakes in total.

Icing

250g cream cheese, 160g icing sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract,

250g mascarpone cheese, 300ml thickened cream.

Beat cream cheese, sugar and extract with an electric mixer until smooth.  On medium speed, beat in mascarpone then beat in cream until smooth.

Assembly

Place one layer of cake on plate and spread with 1/2 cup icing. 

Repeat layering, finishing with remaining icing spread 

over the top of the cake.  (sides too if you wish!)

Make

Hosting an Easter brunch this year or just after a cute decorative idea?

Simply place a cup of water inside a birdcage 

and then push long-stemmed flowers through.

Pretty huh!!

Monday inspiration...

'Be pleasant until ten o'clock in the morning 

and the rest of the day will take care of itself.'

Elbert Hubbarb

Seasonal Friday...

Looking for something to do this weekend?

If so, you just have to check out all this Exhibition - 'The Reincarnated Kimono Project'.

The artworks have been produced by 15 artists using and inspired by fabric from the same two vintage kimonos and each talented artist has interpreted it differently which is stunning to see! 

Boutique Markets very own Melanie from Kimono Reincarnate organised the show and along with many others, are market regulars Nan's Garden, Wimcee and Nicole Lacey.

This wonderful project is also benefitting Red Cross Japan, with some proceeds from every sale being donated to assist Tsunami and earthquake victims.

You can find these gorgeous artworks and many others at:

Hanasho

5/235 Boundary Street

West End

Mon-Fri 7.45am - 6.30pm

Saturdays 9am - 4pm

Getting to know....

How gorgeous are these stunning creations from Wimcee!!?

We love them all and so will you - 

so check them out market day for some delicious colour and heart-warming creativity!

Taste

Fancy an idea for a grown-up Easter treat?!

Caramelised Figs with Chocolate Ricotta

Ingredients

• 360g (1 1/2 cups) fresh ricotta
• 60g good-quality dark chocolate, finely chopped
• 40g (1/3 cup) diced dried apricot
• 2 tbs coarsely chopped pistachio kernels
• 2 tbs icing sugar mixture, sifted
• 6 ripe figs
• 1 1/2 tbs honey
• Honey, extra, to serve

Method

1. Combine ricotta, chocolate, apricot, pistachio and icing sugar in a bowl.
2. Preheat grill on high. Cut each fig in half and place, cut-side up, on a baking tray. Drizzle 1/2 teaspoon of honey over each fig half.
3. Grill figs for 2-3 minutes or until slightly caramelised. Divide figs among serving plates and top with ricotta mixture. Drizzle over a little extra honey to serve.

YUM!!

Make

Egg cozies shaped like hens will have brunch guests flocking to the table!
Made of felt, they keep hard- and soft-cooked eggs warm.
Slip them over eggs in eggcups, and position a hen at each place setting.
The cozies can double as take-home favors for friends.

Egg Cozy How-To

Cut 2 pieces of felt to 7 x 18cm.  Draw a hen-shaped outline and cut out 2 copies.
Stack felt pieces; lay 1 template on top. Trace perimeter with a disappearing-ink fabric pen. Push a needle through felt pieces to mark eyes. Embroider eyes with a needle and contrasting thread. Using a sewing machine, stitch through felt layers, following outline. Cut along dotted line of second template. Lay template on 1 side of cozy; trace head. Stitch over traced line. Cut out shape, just outside stitching, with fabric shears. Trim bottom with scallop shears.

 

Market day wrap-up!

Put simply - a perfect day!