pretty recipes - with rhubarb.

Hi there,
just a quick post that I wanted to share, because after doing a bit of time spent relaxing in my favourite way, {web-surfing and pinning inspirational fab things on my Pinterest boards}, I really want to show some recipes I came across.
 I. am. a. huge. fan. of. rhubarb.
I love that it can be summery & light or wintry & cosy, so where ever you are reading this from, be-it Northern or Southern Hemisphere, I've got you covered!

These are just so pretty too - don't you think?

1. Summery - Rhubarb Muffins from La Tartine Gourmande...

2. Summery - Roasted Rhubarb Sherbet with Poppy Flower Sugar 
                      from Cannelle et Vanille

3. Wintry - Rhubarb Upside down cake  from Cooking for Seven 
                  ~ {served warm with a little ice cream of course!}

4. Wintry - Strawberry Rhubarb Tart from talented artist Stephanie Levy 
                  at Kitchen Sketches.

5. Wintry -  American Spoon's Rhubarb-Hibiscus Tart

I'd love to hear how you get on if you try out any of these recipes. I am hoping to sometime soon!

Or please let me know if you have a tried and tested favourite rhubarb recipe (or just one that looks delicious!! I'll happily take any suggestions! )

Hope it's not as wet, where you are as it is in Sydney right now!

Take care,
Sally x0x

Monday Marvellous - Taste Test Pretties

Hello happy Monday to you Lovelies!!

I decided to take an Etsy Taste Test for fun today (I haven't done it for a while), it has been much improved since the last time I tried it! So much so, that I had a go 3 times in a row!!


Have you tried it yet? Even if you have - do it again, why not?!


Here are some of the pretty discoveries I made:

linen dress

stunning painting

Tomato Server

sweeties

vintage necklace

Queen Anne's Lace

shabby hearts

have a great week,
love,
Sally x0x

Fab Finds #10 - Dream Sweetly

Hi there,
today it's cold, I'm tired, it's monday.... and I was feeling rather "blah' but I was just given a huge lift thanks to coming across a posting on facebook, about a painting given as a gift...

Dream Sweetly Acrylics on canvas

78 x 60 inch

So, NOW I am inspired by one the most wonderful paintings I have ever seen!
It was painted by Tinniegirl (aka Cathy Kirwan) as a surprise birthday gift for her friend Curlypops (aka Cam).
Thus my latest 'fab finds' from Etsy are in the spirit of this painting, be it reminiscent of the lovely name, the happy /hot colours or the fabulous abstract floral theme...

colour wheel necklace byTamar

Banksy Poster from Davidsphotography

Felt and Button Festival Bracelet- Pinata Picante by PoorRobin

Junk Mail mixed media canvas by Jill Reister

Citrus Soleil Messenger bag by The Pokey Rose

Coral Dreams corsage brooch by Vivid Spirit

I'm now off to collect Mr.6 from school, and on my
return, I'm really hoping to set the boys up with a
 crafty (yes, pun absolutely intended! teehee!)
 creative activity, as I am feeling
in the mood to make some more of these.

{ie. my Graffiti Flowers, embellishments made from
found papers, such as security envelopes, junk mail, and pages from
old forlorn vintage kids books! You can find
them in my shop here.}



Finally, let's just take a look at another of Cathy's 
wonderful paintings...


Ohh, how I wish she were MY best friend and I too had such a painting gracing MY wall!! :0}

Untitled {as yet}

Acrylics on canvas

30 x 30 inch

Have a great week My Dears,

Sally x0x

HAPPY EASTER!

cute bunny garland

Hello Lovlies,

it's Easter Sunday. 
I hope you are having a great long weekend. Here we are lucky, we have five days off. Yes FIVE! It's a public holiday on monday because it's Easter Monday, but it is also 'Anzac Day' (which coincidentally is ALSO my birthday!!). Well because the two holidays coincide we have been lucky enough to have Anzac Day on tuesday in lieu of monday. Yaay!!


Chocolate, family time and extra sleep, my idea of heaven!! :)

Aren't these brioche bunnies cute?! (pic on right).
Will you be having anything special this easter? Do you have traditional family recipes or meals?
We don't, just chocolate and maybe store bought hot cross buns.

from Martha Stewart

I love the pretty spring colours associated with easter, don't you? (Even though, for us it's Autumn,

having grown up in the UK, for me Easter is synonymous with spring).

have a lovely easter,

Sally x0x

French Macaroon is the new 'Black'!!!

photo from Bombini blog

...ahem, what I actually mean is:
 ~ French Macaroon is the new 'Black' Cupcake!!!! ~
hehe!
You must have noticed just how popular this adorable little, sweet treat is becoming.


Just in case you have not discovered the pleasure yet, a macaroon is a small meringue cake characterised by a dome-shaped shell made of egg whites and almond meal, hard to the touch with a chewy interior,
and usually filled with a creamy centre.

Here in Australia, the popularity of Macaroons (aka macarons) has been largely down to the appearance on the HUGELY popular TV show"Master Chef" Australia  of Adriano Zumbo, patissier extraordinaire!

I didn't watch it myself, but Zumbo's shop is in my 'village' (as we locals call the Sydney suburb I live in),
and I have loooong been a fan of these delectable lovelies!


They are not cheap and I am sure not very forgiving when it comes to my waistline, so they are an occasional treat.


But they come in an astonishing array of appetising varieties, such as Strawbwerry & balsamic, Pineapple and lime, Toasted Marshmallow, banana - flavours I've sampled, and these I have not:

Patissier Adriano Zumbo with his tower of terror dessert. Picture:
Tomasz Machnik Source: The Daily Telegraph

• Pancake and maple syrup
• Sweet musk                                  
• Basil and passion fruit
• Macadamia and mango                     
• Ginger
• Smoked almond
• Peach Tea
• Francesco chocolate 
• Annunziata chocolate
• Bloody Mary
• Cinnamon
• Salted butter caramel
• Rosemary and apricot      

...and also some less-appetising flavours, (I also have NOT tried!!), eg. Wasabi & pickled ginger, Salt & Vinegar, Eucalyptus, Blue Cheese...

My favourites so far have been 'Raspberry & Licorice', 'Blueberry & Lavender' and Choc-Orange. Mmmmmmm Mmmmmmmmmm!!!


There is something just so delectable and satisfying, biting through that crisp shell, then enjoying  the chewy 
texture and the oh-so-smooth, creamy filling.
Oh! Divine!
{With a cup of Earl Grey or peppermint tea in my favourite mug - it's a little slice of heaven!}


Sorry cupcakes - I love you because you are fun and kitsch and versatile, I have fun decorating you and you can be very, very tasty, but I have a new fave sweet treat.

But then again Cupcake old friend I think YOU are way easier to make.
For those that are game here's a recipe

For the rest of us - let's enjoy the lovely macaroon images!!!

Sparkles Kitchen on Etsy

divine Macaron photo - Etsy shop here

La Patisserie - Fine Art Photograph 4 x 6

Between you and I, I am also rather partial to newly discovered Blackcurrant licorice from Darrel Lea!

That is what I am succumbing to today, to satisfy the sugar craving I set off with this post!!

Enjoy! nom nom nom......

Sally x

Fab Finds #8

Hello. How are you today?

I just came across this brilliant and beautiful item in one of my favourite eye-candy Etsy shops.
Plum Pretty Sugar

Jewelry/Cosmetic Bloom. Darling Jardin Bleu.

I have also been admiring this gorgeous creation for quite some time...

Kimono Style Robe. Knee Length. Silk Road Sweet.

pretty, yes??! The fabric this robe is made from is just so lovely... ♥

I'll be back soon to catch up more, but for now enjoy these pretties.
take care,
Sally xox

Fab Finds #7

Just a quickie .... thought I'd 'give' you some flowers!!  ♥

The source for this flowery lovliness, is one of my utmost favourite Etsy shops 'Bomobob', by a talented photographer from Montreal, Canada. You really must check out Bob's work, it's awesome!!


Hope you've had a great weekend,

Sally xox

Fab Finds # 3

here's a little pretty for your friday!! :)

photo from Photogenic Gallery

hope you are having a great day! If not, take heart - it's almost the weekend. Yaay!!

Sally xox

Happy Wednesday to y'all!

Hello my Deers Dears!
How are you? It's a beautiful day here in Sydney today! I thought I'd share these cute photos with you...

These oh-so-cute images are the work of talented photographer Jess Wyma, who has a fab Etsy shop called
Sunny Day Rain  (psst. now is a good time to check out her shop - there's a special deal on!)

Sally x0x

aren't these pretty?

                        Cute handmade fabric pushhpins by Hollie Lollie a really sweet little Etsy shop.

... a beautiful flower still life by talented fine art photographer  Joy

 ... and finally for today this ~  Shabby chic Matryoshka paperdoll bookmark by  munieca  an Etsy shop well worth checking out!