In January we took our five youngest daughters over to Western Australia to be the prettiest flower fairies at our niece’s wedding, while our oldest three were overseas on their missions trips. I have never been to Perth. While the idea of flying across this vast country with five young’ns was a tad daunting, we were all looking forward to an adventure. And what an adventure it was.
Author: Anna Hogbin
Choc peppermint cookies & cream cupcake recipe
A delicious combination of crushed mint cream biscuits mixed into a chocolatey cupcake with peppermint cream cheese frosting on top. Perfectly refreshing when you want something a little bit different to satisfy the sweet tooth.
“I Do” bridal cupcakes
Gender neutral baby shower invitations
I am a classic DIY – er. If you need an invitation made, then I am your gal. None of these non tangible, electronic email invitations please. I insist on using real paper, real scissors and glue. It relaxes me. The more detail the better. The longer they take, the more I enjoy them. It’s just what I love to do. When I finally get a chance to sit down in the evening, I must have something to work on, some craft or project to keep my hands busy. I love the feel of a needle and thread in my hand, or paper, buttons and fabric. I love creating something organic and textural. I love putting things together and personalising them into unique little works of art. I have a few tips on how to make your own vintage invitations HERE.
Happy Easter xx
From my home to yours, I hope you all had a wonderful easter weekend.
” For the bread of God is He who comes down from Heaven and gives life to the world.”
John 6:33
A vintage valentine’s Day
Valentine’s day usually slips by me unnoticed each year. My time is so valuable and with 8 children at home, I have to choose my party styling endeavours very carefully.Valentine’s Day comes hot on the heels of our wedding anniversary and just before our first birthday of the year, so I have conceded that I simply must let this love fest go. This year however, I was in for a pleasant surprise when some ladies in our church wanted to have a Valentine’s day party. I couldn’t possibly let an opportunity like this pass me by, so it was with reluctance and hesitation (not!) that I asked if they would like me to put together a small dessert table. I had less than a week to throw a few things together and bake like crazy for our sweet little vintage Valentine’s Day celebration. I enjoyed it so much that I think I might just have to squeeze it into my yearly party planning schedule.
Part 2 : A day to remember.
Engagement photo shoot. Part 1
Last week I was delighted to be a part of organising a romantic afternoon tea for a special young couple who were getting engaged. The groom- to- be enlisted my help in setting up a pretty tea table out in a wooded grove where he surprised his sweet girl and asked for her hand in marriage. As you may notice from the photos, the location was actually an old historical cemetery – not the first place you would imagine proposing to your girlfriend! But this grove was beautiful. It was a private, shady hideaway that oozed charm and character. The requested colour was yellow, with a distinctly vintage feel. The bride-to-be loves chocolate and peanut butter, and so the afternoon tea was a simple affair, with my own Chunky Monkey cupcakes, chips and dip (her favourite snack food), and peanut butter chocolate. Perhaps the most exciting element of the table was the placement of the engagement ring. I have an old silver dish with a lid that slides over the top. I tied the gorgeous ring with yellow string and laid it on a bed of crocheted doilies to be discovered by the lovely lady. It was all very romantic. For the props, I strung a few of my handmade doily hoops from the trees, along with some old timber frames and a yellow fabric garland. Other vintage props were scattered around the setting.
The stage is set. Stay tuned to see what happens next!!
Rum cupcakes with rum caramel sauce
Rum cupcakes. Chocolate rum cupcakes with rum caramel sauce. The mere mention of the name makes your mouth water. You will love these. Anyone with a penchant for alcohol in their cakes, and even those who don’t, will not be able to resist these grown up blokey cupcakes. Perfect for the man in your life. Enjoy xx
Happy Birthday to me.
Well, you could say it was my birthday last week. Another year has rolled on by and here we are again. Last year I threw myself a pretty glamorous High tea luncheon . The joy of that celebration kept me buzzing for months. A definite winner.