Christmas Wish List No.6

It's always nice to have something bright and cheery on your wall throughout the year so that's why I'm lusting after this pretty botanical calendar from Rifle Paper Co.

It's bright and fun and the colours are just so pretty. There is also a fruit one too, though a floral print does it for me every time.

Rifle Paper Co. are a Florida-based company but the good news is that they ship internationally so those of us this side of the pond don't miss out!

{Images: Rifle Paper Co.}

Christmas Wish List No.5

It's just not Christmas unless you get a new pair of slippers and the ones I've asked for this year are these knitted fair isle booties.

Don't they look nice and toasty! They are made from 100% lambswool so no need to worry about your toes getting cold this Christmas! You can find them in-store and on-line at Toast and there are three colours to choose from.

{Images: Toast}

Christmas Wish List No.4

Those of you who are regular readers will know I love a good cushion, so my Christmas Wish List would not be complete without one! This year it's this adorable bunny that has caught my eye.

Such a sweet and simple design. It would look as good sitting by itself on a favourite chair or as part of a selection on a sofa. It's from quirky on-line retailer Belle & Boo which you MUST check out- there are so many cute pieces available. It's £43 and is filled with luxurious duck feather. Mmm, cosy!

{Image: Belle & Boo}

Christmas Wish List No.3

Yes, yes, I know I've talked about these pretty bikes before on my blog but I just can't help myself! I love this bike so much that I will just keep talking about it until I actually own it! It is the ladies Bella bicycle in Persephone Pink from BEG if a certain someone is reading.

Isn't it pretty! Though I think I would be just as happy to own that lovely Designers Guild wallpaper in the background too. (It's called Portier Clover and available here)

{Image: BEG Bicycles}

Christmas Wish List No.2

Following on from my success in the kitchen a couple of weeks ago when I made a French Rose Apple Tart, I have found a new interest in baking. French baking in particular. I don't know if that's even a thing, but I'm going to go with it as everything I seem to crave at the minute seems like it's French: macaroons, eclairs, tarte tatin and so many more! So when I was browsing Anthropologie and saw this, it went swiftly onto my list!

Mmm, think of all the yummy recipes inside!

{Images: Anthropologie}

Christmas Wish List No.1

So it's come to that time of year when every every blog and e-zine are compiling gift lists for ideas on what to buy the ones you love this Christmas. These are great if you're getting a bit stuck on what to buy the boyfriend-who-has-everything or the fussy sister. However, what about us, right? So, this year I will be posting beautiful gifts daily that you might want for yourself. Think 'one for you, one for me'! There will be something posted every day so why not stop by and see what you can treat yourself to too?

So, number one on my Christmas Wish List is this beautiful fox charm necklace from my favourite jewellers, RUST.

Okay, okay, it may be a little pricey at £250, but a girl can dream.

{Image: RUST}

Chilly Evenings call for Indulgent Desserts...

So today was a very lovely day indeed. I spent the early morning at a local car boot, then came home and spent a good few hours in the kitchen. I made a hearty beef stew from my mums recipe (perfect food for such a cold and foggy day!) and then made this sweet apple tart for dessert. I came across the recipe on the blog decor8 where the foodie e-mag What Liberty Ate was featured, and it sounded so lovely that I copied the recipe down straight away! The original recipe can be found on page 29 of the magazine, it's worth a look for the styling and photography alone! But in the meantime, here's my version:

French Rose Apple Tart:

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups plain flour
12 tablespoons unsalted butter
5 apples- peeled and cored
1/4 cup sugar

Method:

• Combine the flour and 8 tablespoons of butter in a large bowl. Mix with fingertips until the mixture looks like breadcrumbs
• Add 3 tablespoons of ice-cold water and combine the mixture using hands. A dough should be formed
• Flatten out the dough into a thick disc shape. Wrap in cling film and refrigerate for 1 hour
• Roll out dough onto a floured work surface. Roll into circular shape
• Carefully place the dough into a circular baking tray (preferably one with a loose bottom). Let the dough rest in tray for 1 hour
• Heat oven to 190˚
• Slice apples. Slice in half and then length ways to create fan-shapes
• Place sliced apples onto pastry base working from the outside in, creating a 'rose' shape effect as you go
• Sprinkle with the sugar
• Dot on the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter
• Bake for around 45 minutes (or until the apples start to turn golden)
• Serve with whipped cream

Yum! Let me know what you think if you give this one a go.


{Image: Laura Blanksby for High Street Home, using Instagram}

Thrifting!

Those of you that follow my twitter ramblings will know that I often do a bit of thrifting, and last weeks session happened to be a very fruitful one. Having put on my flats I headed for my local town (towns are always so much better than city centres for this kind of thing don't you think?) and set out to buy, well, whatever really! For those that are interested, here is my loot from that trip.

What do you think? I'm super-pleased with my purchases, especially as the whole lot came to less than seven pounds, hurrah! The crochet cushion cover has to be a favourite as it's a nice big size. I'm going to mix it with other textured cushions and put the on my bed to create a nice cosy space for the approaching winter. Also the little pink box with the dried flower lid is just a beautiful trinket, I can't believe I was so lucky to pick it up for just one pound. The lovely old lady in the shop said it was a very old piece too as she received something similar for her 21st birthday all those years ago! I'm going to use it as a mini jewellery box. The rest of my lot includes a very prettily illustrated Gulliver's Travels book, a Penguin Fruit Growing book, a vintage floral cushion cushion cover and a very dirty piglet which I just couldn't leave behind! He needs a good wash, a new nose and re-stuffing! But when he is finished I hope to give him away to my new nephew.

See you soon and happy thrifting! x

{Image: Laura Blanksby}