Midweek Treats: Raisin Petits Fours

As today was a bit of a wash-out with the weather, I decided to get out my favourite recipe book, The Art of French Baking, and have a go at some petits fours. There were loads of different flavours, from coffee, cherry and orange, but I decided to stick with the classically simple raisin version. This is how they turned out:

Yum! If you like the look of them, here's how to make them:

Ingredients:

 90g  softened butter

120g caster sugar

240g plain flour

125g raisins

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 tsp baking powder

2 eggs

Method:

• Preheat oven to 180°c and line a baking tray with greaseproof paper
• Mix the eggs with the sugar and the vanilla extract
• Separately, combine the flour with the baking powder. Then stir into egg mixture
• Add the softened butter
• Stir in the raisins
• Form mixture into mini mounds and place on the baking tray 
• Bake for 15 minutes

*Recipe make 12 petits fours*

I ate mine with a big mug of coffee whilst watching day-time TV; a great way to waste a rainy afternoon if you ask me :-) 

{Image: Laura Blanksby for High Street Home, using Instagram; Recipe adapted from The Art of French Baking, Phaidon}

Isabelle Pink

Isabelle Pink: the wallpaper for my new bedroom?

Isn't it just so pretty? So fresh and Spring-like. I think it would look great as a feature wall in the bedroom, just behind the bed. Though if it's a little too girly for the OH, maybe it can be used in the utility room, as I don't think he'd go in there very much anyway! For those wondering it's by British designer Ella Doran, and can be found here.

{Images: Ella Doran}

ON TREND: Kilim

My, it has been a while since I was last here! Thank you all so much for sticking around, it's so nice to know you are all still here. The OH and I have been looking for our new home and it's taking up every free second that we have! Exhausting work, but hopefully it will all be worth it in the end and I'll be able to share our new pad with you! But back to business and today I want to share with you the latest trend in interior decoration, and one that I like a LOT: the kilim.

Kilims, pile-less woven rugs, have been used in households in the Middle East and southern Europe for centuries. Now, these beautiful textiles seem to be the latest 'must-have' in western interiors. Not only are they great for adding a splash of colour and texture to a room, they are also really versatile and can fit in almost any room in the house. The photo below is of Refinery29's office space.

The mixed-matched cushions look fantastic together don't they?

Kilims also look great in the home environment and this highly decorative rug below adds interest to a fairly plain room.

Again, in this hallway below, the kilim rug just completely makes the room. It's also a lovely neutral version compared to the red, burgundy and maroons ones we are used to seeing.

The kilim also works in the kitchen environment, an area that is normally a no-go area for rugs and textiles. This beautiful white, industrial-style kitchen instantly feels more homely with the addition of the rug. It brings a bit of softness to a harsh colour palette.

Kilims even work outside and can help create a cosy little snug in a conservatory or porch area, as seen in the photo on the left. Also, an original idea I came across on Design*Sponge this week was to use a beautiful rug as a tablecloth and this kilim looks GORGEOUS as a table-runner for a little al-fresco dining.

Owning an original kilim will set you back a good few hundred pounds and should be bought from specialists in this craft. However Anthropologie do a great selection of decorative rugs if you want the look for less.

1. Vilcanota rug, Anthropologie; 2. Agadir twist rug, Anthropologie.

Kilim cushions are more readily available than the rugs and this selection below, along with a whole lot more, can be found on Etsy.

1. Turkish kilim cushion cover, Etsy; 2. Handwoven cushion cover, Etsy; 3. Turkish Anadolu cushion cover, Etsy; 4. Handwoven cushion cover, Etsy.

{Images: Design*Sponge; Apartment Therapy; Pinterest: Poppytalk; Style Files; Design*Sponge, Anthropologie; Etsy}

Trinkets and Treasures

Wow, look at these pretty little trinket boxes I came across today! Aren't they so sweet?

No need to bake when you've got one of these macaroon-replica trinket boxes in your life. You can even have a selection of different colours. But lets pretend they're different flavours 'cos that's way more fun!

They are made by The Cross and can be bought on-line here.

{All images: The Cross}

Geometric Crush

The geometric trend is in full swing and I couldn't be happier. I love the pattern (and often colour) this trend brings into a living space. It really lifts a room! Below is an image I found on the fantastic blog, SF Girl By Bay, and while I adore everything about this room (the oil portrait, the mid-century-modern headboard, plump white pillows) it is the geometric throw that really gets me going. I just HAVE to have it!

However, a one-off piece like this may take years to find, so in the meantime I'm opting for one of these soft blankets from the Human Empire shop.

Don't they look just super cosy? The blankets are 100% wool and come in all the pretty colours shown above. You can find Human Empire on-line here where there are lots of other contemporary accessories for your home. Be sure to check out these coasters if the geometric bug has got you too!

{Images: SF Girl By Bay; Human Empire}

I've Been Thrifting Again!

I've been thrifting again and this time I've uncovered some GEMS. Here is my loot from my last couple of trips.

I found this mid-century sewing box in my home town centre and decided to walk away, convincing myself that I didn't have the room for it. But an hour after I got home I was on the phone to my mum begging her to pick it up for me as I just couldn't live without it! Luckily it was still there and I could bring it home with me that next day. Phew. The floral pillow was a lovely little find I thought as you don't see many circular-shaped ones any more so I snapped it up straight away. The only problem is that it had a decidedly large rectangular pillow stuffed inside it, so I'm now on the lookout for circular cushion pads. Recommendations are greatly welcome!

Below is a selection of other bits and pieces I came across on my travels.

The fabric scraps were a bargain at 75p each and are great for me as I'm just learning to sew after getting a lovely Singer sewing machine for Christmas. My plan is to start simple and turn these fabric remnants into envelope-flap cushion covers. I will approach zips and buttons with caution and in due course! I fell in love with the leather saddle bag as it's just so teeny tiny! I don't know if it will be entirely practical as I can't fit anything inside it, but at least it looks pretty! My other buys were the sweet crochet hangers, vintage pale pink cotton and these dessert glasses (which came as a set of 6).

{Images: Laura Blanksby for High Street Home}

La Rara

I'm finding myself increasingly addicted to stationery at the minute, from washi tape, coloured bakers twine and Kraft paper to cards  and files. There is just so much choice out there at the minute, all with fresh new designs. The latest brand I have fallen for is La Rara, a boutique stationers based in Sydney, Australia. They sell everything from screen-printed notebooks, cards, invitations and gift tags. Ran by Lara, originally from London but who now lives in Sydney, La Rara have a fresh and bright style which uses simple designs in bright shades. Here are some of my favourites.

I absolutely love the balloon design! It comes on cards, calendars and postcards and is available in yellow or pink. There is also a balloon print notepad made from brown card with a single screen-printed pink balloon on it, it's so cute!

Another fave is this happy 'You are my Sunshine' card. A perfect gift for a dear friend?

And last but not least here is a small selection of other products that are available. There's bound to be one to take your fancy!

Thanks for stopping by!

{All images: La Rara}

Midweek Treats: Cranberry, Walnut & White Chocolate Cookies

For the first time in a long time I have a Saturday off (hurrah!), so this months instalment of Midweek Treats comes to you on a weekend! I must say I have certainly made the most of my unexpected day off as I've been doing all the things I love to do: thrifting, baking, sewing and blogging.

Today I made some crunchy cranberry, walnut and white chocolate cookies, but the best thing about this recipe is that you can substitute any of the flavours to suit your taste. You could try anything from raisins, chopped apricots, dark chocolate, almonds, toffee pieces or hazelnuts - anything goes!

Ingredients: 

110g unsalted butter

50g caster sugar

110g soft brown sugar

170g white chocolate/died cranberries/walnuts

150g plain flour

1 large egg (beaten) 

2 tsp vanilla extract

Method:

• Preheat oven to 180˚c and line a baking tray with greaseproof paper
• Mix together the unsalted butter, caster sugar and brown sugar
• Add the egg and vanilla extract
• Stir in the flour, a bit at a time, until the mixture forms a dough
• Add in white chocolate, cranberries and walnut pieces (or your choice of flavours). Make sure they are evenly distributed throughout the dough
• Mold small balls of the mixture into circles and place on the baking tray, leaving a large gap between each cookie so they don't stick together while in the oven
• Bake for 12 minutes

*Recipe make 12 medium-sized cookies*

Now, put that kettle on and serve with a mug of English Breakfast Tea!

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