Things I love this September

Y Watching the Great British Bake Off every Tuesday night. These guys are really inspiring, they really make me want to jump in my kitchen and make something straight away. So far all I've managed to rustle up is a lemon tart with a meringue top. The tart was delicious, but I won't mention what happened to the meringue...

Y The true return of Autumn. After this afternoon’s rain and wind, there’s no mistaking it for anything else!

Y Posie’s new ornament kits for this Christmas. This year I have not even tried to resist – with new postage pricing to Europe, it would almost be a crime not to order any! I cannot wait to get them, make evrything, and show you.

Y Ramen soups – my favourite at the moment. So clean and healthy, yet super yummy.

napkin rings

A couple of months ago I posted about hand-made napkin rings, but at the time I didn't know just how popular they would end up being at my wedding.
Not a single one was left on the tables the next day, every woman had taken theirs home - and that of their partners!

Honestly, girls, this is one easy project if you are looking for a beginner DIY project, and the good news is, you don't have to make 60 like me! I think a set of 4 or 6 would make an ideal Christmas present...just think about it and give it a try. The tutorial is now also listed on the right hand side of the screen.

I would love to see your creations if you make this project.

And talking of presents and all things exciting - here's another snap of my big day, and the favours I made with my beloved Atina's help. Couldn't have done it without you!

epp project

Having a bit of time on my hands (but not much motivation) I have finally started my epp rose star project again. I cannot believe I've neglected it for this long- shame on me!
I know what you're thinking - "epp - does that stand for Extreme Pink Project?"
Well, no, you silly, it's english paper piecing, and I just happen to have a very big piece of pink fabric from Thailand (one of my colleagues brought it back for me), and honestly, who can resist pink?
Anyway, here they are. My last two rose stars. Now I keep thinking about how many more I need to make a decent quilt to wrap myself with this winter, and that's what's killing my motivation I think. The putting together bit is really fun, but the prep work is really dire and tiresome.

Well, I say that but then when they're all together, they do start to look like something that could eventually be put together...

 So I started another one!

longing for autumn

To continue with my last post, here is a set of small bowls I got from Anthopologie the other day. They really remind me of the kind of cups we had tea from in Japan, and no wonder- that's where they were made!

I long for autumn now. Summer is just not my scene, even if I appreciate its offerings, it's time to move on. This morning for the first time in ages when I got up the windows had a bit of condensation, a clear sign of a cold night, and wow, that put me in a good mood straight away. I just can't wait to make 2 or 3 pots of tea a day, cosy up on the sofa, go for walks and feel the crisp fallen leaves under my foot. Come soon, autumn!

simple lunch

My - has it really been that long already? It kind of feels like ages, but at the same time the last six weeks have gone by so quickly. More on that at a later date.
Well, to ease my way back into the swing of things, I am showcasing another one of my simple lunches - really a sad excuse to show you the fabulous new bowl I treated myself to from Anthropologie. I simply love going to the Regent Street shop and admiring all their ranges of clothes, soaps, jewels and of course, kitchenware. And they have an amazing green wall full of plants going over three floors- beautiful!
I've been eyed the bowls and cups for a while, and now feels like the right time to finally get rid of the old and let the new in!

More eye-candy from the shop...