Gratefulness

I was recently overwhelmed by the feeling of peace and happiness I felt whilst at work. I know what you might be thinking...what is she on about?! I have worked in many different environments, schools, shops, offices and even in dingy basements with no windows.

I think God puts us through tough times, so that when he gives places us somewhere great we thank him. We recognise how much he changes us and how much we have to thank him for.

In my new job I have through him been able to accomplish things I didn't know where possible, I know that is God working and not me. So I am going to try whether good day or bad to continue thanking him for this job. 

When we are starting out in our careers or studying it can feel daunting and scary. You might feel like you have talents that are not being recognised, maybe you don't feel like you are gifted. Please know that you do have something to contribute, sometimes it takes a while to figure it all out.

1 Corinthians 12 v 12 says " The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body.

We all have a purpose and different skills and talents, keep pushing and trying and you will find the place God wants you to be.

Wedding Bells....

I had the privileged this summer of being a Bridesmaid for this wonderful girl, the new Mrs B!

A beautiful start in scenic countryside, cooked breakfast and flower arranging. I helped put the flowers around the arch..see below! (whilst taking my life into my own hands up a ladder)

The Bride being Argentinian made sure her roots were acknowledged with Spanish being involved. The buffet style food was, well epic and speeches timed perfectly. Other Bridesmaids and I had such a blessed day!

All matching in Coral, we loved being able to encourage our close friend with her special day, and she is now happily married to soon to be Dr B!

1Thessalonians 2:11 " Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing".

Friendship is key to keeping us going in the faith, going through different seasons with people and seeing them through each one. I love that I can go to a friend any time and explain how I feel without judgement. " The road to a friends house is never long".

Happy days and Happy Friday..stay blessed. x

DIY Emma Bridgewater

A secret gift for the wedding next week!

The Pottery Cafe Northcote Road, what a wonderful way to spend a Thursday morning! Basking in summer sun, London really is in it's element. If you haven't tried pottery painting it is a lot of fun, even if you think you are not creative, there are ways! 

Step one, choose the item you would like to paint, all items are individually priced starting from about £5.95 for a single tile. 

Step two, choose any stampers from the display jars and the colours you would like to use. Each item needs three coats of paint otherwise it will not come out as you might expect!

Step 3, the sessions last around 2 hours which is long enough generally speaking. You leave your item for them to burn in the Kiln and go back a week later for collection.

 

There is a studio fee of £5.99 per person but this does not mean per item. Check out their gift shop too full of toys, cards and they have a cafe too!

Baby Sophie was Six Months Today!

Post paint refreshment needed, nothing better!

Whistles Wishing

Whistles Wishing by louisebronwenpeddar featuring black sunglasses

Whistles jersey tee
$93 - whistles.com

Whistles backpacks bag
$495 - whistles.com

Whistles drop earrings
$34 - whistles.com

Whistles black sunglasses
$120 - whistles.com

A Thrilling Cup

So can you think of anything better than a good book and an delicious cup of fresh coffee? Bodum have been celebration 70 years in the making.If you haven't come across the company, it started in Copenhagen, Denmark.They make wonderful kitchenware.  My personal favourite is Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Fairtrade Colombian Ground coffee with a a dash of Yeo Valley Organic Milk. These limited edition cafetiere's are available here.

Add some excitement to your morning wake up call!

Ah Gillian Flynn, how I adore your Novels. So first of all this book sat on my shelf for maybe 6 months before I actually got around to reading it. If this sounds familiar then go and pick it up right now! I insist it is one of the best thriller's I have read. It is diary entry style following the lives of married couple Nick and Amy Dunne. I won't give much away as I don't go in for spoilers, you just must give it a go for a brilliant summer read. If its your type of book then check out her other titles, including Sharp Objects and Dark Places. Its really is the simple things in life...

It really is as addictive, give it a go I dare you!

How do you like your eggs in the morning?

Olympic Barnes on Church Road, is a cinema and Cafe/Dining Room. Barnes is such a beautiful spot, in London yet you could be in the Countryside.  A pond filled with ducklings and a farmers market to boot. Oh and did I mention there is a butcher, fishmonger and a deli? YES! Barnes has it all my friends. I tucked into poached eggs on sourdough with an americano. My friend had the french toast..this looked epic and also had probably a days worth of calories on it! This place had such a nice feel to it, boutique yet cool. I would definitely recommend a visit :)

Rooibos Tea and granny tea cosy

Good Morning Sunshine!

I like mine with a Kiss!

A slice of America

Peanut Butter, Banana Chocolate cake

Happy Birthday Zoe! I found this cake online after realising as always I had banana's in the freezer. I have never made a peanut butter cake but the birthday girl loves the stuff. I did a generic google search and found a recipe on www.epicurious.com
It was simple enough to follow apart from the cup to metric conversion can take a while.
Click here for the recipe!

Leave a comment if you have any other epic cake recipes which include peanut butter :)

Mucho Gusto El Nino!

Sebastian J Peddar was born on the 20th March in Leioa, Bilbao..En Espana. My First nephew which means he is going to be one spoilt little chap!

Crop Top and Earrings (Topshop) Nail Varnish Rimmel

And the Mountain Echoed (Khaled Hosseini)

Pinxtos Square is just round the corner from my brothers house, I found a small cafe which did the best Iced Latte's ever and sat in the sun watching the world go by. On the continent life moves a little slower, people have more time and the inhabitants know one another well. I was in an area called Leioa which is ten minutes away from the beach is a peaceful area with parks, cafe's, bakeries and great gelato. Gracias Espana

a Jen Do

First ever HEN DO!! You of course can imagine my excitement, being a keen baker and a keen DIY anything girl! I must say, this was not just my first hen do...it was my first time planning one as a bridesmaid so it was such a privilege to host.

So organising a group of 7 girls, getting everyone in the right place at the right time is not easy, believe me, Jen had a scavenger hunt to navigate..including Tooting Market, photographs with random men and dressing up like a South American. She looked epic though!

Supermarkets provide the best party accessories, I found a Pinata and foil balloons, pink plates and a cocktail kit. The Pinata was loved momentarily before being demolished by a slightly intoxicated Jen!

 Dinner at Beunos Aires Wimbledon, best Steak ever and Jen even got to chat in her Spanish Lingo with the Waitress.

Spa London (Wimbledon)

So every Londoner will understand the need for a spa trip, working and commuting into the smog is bad for our skin, health and mind. Spa London has several branches spread across the City.  We had a thermal experience which was £18 and included a 3 hour use of all the facilities. Check it out, it is well worth it! Spa London

Breakfast in style, this is how its done with Fresh juice, fruit and greek yogurt. Oh an for you carb lovers out there we had Cinnamon rolls and Croissants. (For cinnamon rolls check out Asda's refridgerator isle) or click here.

The bride to be loved it and so did all her Hens...SUCCESS! xxx
Leave a comment with any fun activities you did at your hen do, or any disasters! x

Am-Sterrr-Dam

So as the months in the year go by, the need for a holiday increases, non? I think being in the UK means we are so close to an abundance of culture and life to be explored! Amsterdam has always appealed to me, maybe its the canals and the fact that you can just punt around the city. The trip was amazing and included a dangerous adventure of a bicycle and some rooftop cocktails!

 Packing is always something I leave until the last minute or I spend days gradually filling my bed with things I could take! Essentials include the camera's, passport and Time Out guide. Zoe and I did stumble across a little gem of a cafe though...perhaps Time Out should put it in their next guide?

 Breakfast time at the airport calls for poached eggs on sourdough toast, protein please! Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated on the plane and try not to wear make up ...if you can resist!

Cafe Brecht we found by accident...amazing shabby chic cafe with a large range of tea, cake and alcoholic drinks. This place reminded me of Alice in Wonderland. Large lampshades and old sofa's and chairs that only your grandma would dare own!

This is the view from the rooftop at the Hilton Doubletree hotel opposite our hotel, rooftop bar in the evening sun...nothing better I tell you!

Kwekkeboom is a bit like Paul or Gails in the UK, I had the most amazing marzipan apple pie with hazelnut ice cream, treats are ok at the weekend right?!

So on reflection I want to explore more, see more and absorb more culture! I think next on my list is Croatia, Budapest, Prague or Venice...any thoughts?

big love x

Look what the Stork dropped off...

My Nephew Sebastian Joseph was born on the 20th March, 10 days post due date. Weighing 6lbs 14oz, he is the cutest baby going. I am hoping to meet him in a couple of months as he was born in Bilbao, Northern Spain.

Having waited 9 months to find out whether I would have a niece or nephew I am now on a constant hunt for cute baby grows, toys and books.

I have my own personal favourites like Each Peach Pear Plum and Peepo by Janet Ahlberg. Gap have also started selling a Paddington Bear range which is super adorable, either way this is going to be one spoiled little boy! x

Going Home

 Goodness me! So much going on that I almost neglected my blog! 
After having a foot operation, (much to my disliking) I returned home to my flat in Battersea

My two beautiful flat mates were really pleased to see me. We have been living together for 5 months now and all love it. 
Independence is a great gift, after living at home with wonderful parents & a dishwasher though it can be a challenge. Sharing life with others is something not to take for granted, it means you see friends in a different way.  Community is so important, it makes you feel like you are really a part of something bigger. 
I can't say how long I will be here, but God has blessed me with such an organic way of living. 

Mr Wes Anderson

Hello World! 

Up until the other night I was not very familiar with Wes Anderson...sure I have seen Fantastic Mr Fox but I don't believe this shows off his ability to direct. On Sunday my housemate Charlie and I went to see his latest production...The Grand Budapest Hotel. Having seen the trailer at least 10 times I thought I had a good idea about the outcome of this film. This film has an all star cast from Jude Law and Tilda Swinton to Ralph Fiennes and Willem Dafoe. A unique film with lots of wonderful detail. I enjoyed and admired the smallest detail, down to the boxes that they used for Mendl's Bakery. Prada luggage made an appearance as well as a cat made of plywood and fake fur. This is a must see film...be prepared to laugh out loud and I am eagerly anticipating another production by this genius.

Mendl's Bakery Boxes

The Grand Budapest Hotel 2014

Actress Kara Hayward as Suzy in Moonrise Kingdom 2012

A taste of Hollywood

This is turning into what looks like a baking only blog, there are plenty of other things I have to talk about but recently I have been experimenting and christening some new recipe books. Today I started with Mr Paul Hollywood, you may know him from the British Bake Off series.

I have never made choux pastry before so this was definitely new and exciting. Its the pastry that is typically used for éclairs, profiteroles and croquembouche. I decided to go for a classic éclairs with a slight twist...salted caramel.

For the choux pastry

• 50g/1¾oz unsalted butter, cut into roughly 1cm/½in pieces
• 1 tsp caster sugar
• pinch salt
• 65g/2¼oz strong white bread flour
• 2 medium free-range eggs, beaten

For the choux pastry, put the butter, sugar, salt and 150ml/5fl oz of water into a large saucepan. Heat gently until the butter has melted, then bring to the boil. Immediately remove from the heat and tip in the flour. Beat with a wooden spoon to form a smooth ball of dough that leaves the sides of the pan.

Now vigorously beat the egg into the hot dough, a little at a time. This takes some elbow grease! As you add the egg, the dough will become stiff and glossy. Stop adding the egg if the dough starts to become loose – but you should use up all or most of it. Spoon the mixture into a piping bag fitted with a 1cm/½in plain nozzle. Pipe four sausage shapes, about 12cm/4½in long, on each baking tray, leaving plenty of space for them to spread during cooking.

Bake for 30 minutes, or until well risen and golden-brown. Remove from the oven and split one side of each éclair to allow the steam to escape. Cool on a wire rack.

 

For the filling

• 200g/7oz mascarpone
• 1 tbsp icing sugar
• 3 tbsp cold strong coffee/Vanilla extract
• 250ml/9fl oz double cream

To make the filling, beat the mascarpone in a bowl until smooth. Beat in the icing sugar and coffee. Whip the cream until it holds soft peaks when the whisk is removed. Fold the cream into the mascarpone mixture. Spoon the mixture into a piping bag fitted with a 1cm/½in plain nozzle and fill each éclair with the mix.

 

For the salted caramel icing

• 150g/5½oz soft light brown sugar
• 75g/2½oz soft, unsalted butter
• pinch salt
• 50ml/2fl oz full-fat milk
• 125g/4½oz icing sugar, sifted

To make the icing, put the sugar, butter and salt into a small saucepan. Gently heat until the butter has melted and the mixture is smooth. Add the milk, bring to the boil and boil for two minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and sift in the icing sugar. Stir until smooth. Spread the icing on the éclairs. You’ll need to work quickly before the icing sets but it can be reheated if it sets before you have finished.

 Find the recipe online here!
 Happy baking :)