FELT BALLS + POM POMS

After posting the DIY Felt Ball Wreath last month, I've been seeing pom poms everywhere! Did you know you can buy a Pom Pom Maker? If that's to modern for you, learn to make them on your own by clicking here.

 {photos via Oh Happy Day, Small Bird Blog, My Ideal Home, HonestlyWTF}

DONNA HAY MAGAZINE

Earlier this year I was fortunate to assistant the incredibly talented food stylist, Susie Theodorou, on a couple of projects. Below are some photos from the Donna Hay photo shoot I worked on. I hope you enjoy! I will post more shoots I worked on with Susie as they get published.

{photos via Donna Hay Magazine}

TIE IT UP TIGHT

Hi Friends. Sorry for the silence this week. I have another round of final exams coming up this Friday and next Thursday. Most of my energy has been focused on memorizing recipes and whipping up a storm in the kitchen so I apologize if I'm not totally on it this next week. I did, however, find time to gather up a bunch of adorable ribbons. It looks like the holiday season is officially underway!

{palomasnest, petits detail, kate's paperie, not on the high street}

SNOW DAY

Today is the first day of snow for the season in London. Happy winter everyone!

{photos via: unknown}

WEEK NO. 8: PLATED DESSERTS

This week in Intermediate Patisserie we worked on plated desserts. I was particularly proud of the way my Passion Fruit Mousse turned out...

{photos by Julia Ferguson of Room for Dessert}

HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM LONDON

{photos via Craftily Ever After}

SPICED HOT APPLE CIDER

It's getting cold, and nothing is better than a cup of hot apple cider! My favorite secret ingredient is Williams-Sonoma Mulling Spices, but it's easy enough to make this on your own. Spiced Hot Apple Cider is one of my favorite things to serve at a holiday party because it makes the house smell AMAZING, and people absolutely love it. At my last Christmas party, I had 25-30 guests and went through about 6 gallons! Like I said, people really love it.

Julia's Hot Apple Cider:
1 Gallon Apple Cider
18 Large Cinnamon Sticks (or 24 small sticks)
12 Cloves
Strips Peel from 2 large Oranges (or 3 medium-sized oranges)
Optional: Captain Morgan Spiced Rum

How to:

Simmer apple cider. Put spices + peels in a large tea infuser or tie up in a cheese cloth. Add spices to the cider and bring to light boil. Bring to simmer for 5-10 minutes, then remove spices. Keep cider on low heat. Ladle cider into mugs and add rum to taste. Garnish with one star anise or a cinnamon stick.

*If you are making more than one gallon for a party, you can reuse the spices.

{photo via coco + kelly}

DIY: BOOK PAGE DECORATIONS

I keep walking by a shop in London that used recycled book pages to decorate their store front for Christmas. The result was absolutely charming so I thought I'd round up some great decorative DIY pieces made from book pages for you to check out...

{photos via Flickr, Piney Flats Style, Saratops - Etsy, Green Wedding Shoes, Trash 2 Treasure}

WEEK NO. 7: LOTS OF CHOCOLATE

Sorry for not posting photos last week. I accidentally left my camera at school...oops. Last week was so much fun, and I have decided that I really like chocolate work. On Thursday we made four types of bite sized chocolates including Dark Chocolate Mousse Truffles with Baileys (YUM!), Malakoff (sliced almonds + pistachios in chocolate milk), Caramel Cups and White Chocolate Raspberry Truffles. All of them we absolutely delicious. On Friday we made chocolate sculptures. We had a choice of 5 or 6 cartoon characters we could create, but we also had the option of bringing something in ourself. I chose Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup. I'm really happy with the way it turned out!

Chocolate work is quite difficult, but once you get tempering down, it's much easier. Tempering is the heating and cooling of chocolate which causes the molecules to properly align (for dark chocolate, heat to 45°c, down to 25°c and back up to 30/31°c). When done incorrectly, the chocolate will be left cloudy or grainy (think of when you leave a chocolate bar in the car and it melts, and then hardens back but is left white/cloudy). When done properly, the tempered chocolate will be shiny/glossy and have the good snap when broken. 

{photos by Julia Ferguson of Room for Dessert}

KIOKI BAGS

Kioki London bags are made from vintage kimono Obi fabrics, and are absolutely stunning! With great shapes, beautiful design, and limited numbers, you'll want to get your bag before they run out.

{photos via Kioki London}

COLORFUL STAIRCASES

I love the idea of adding some pizzazz to a mundane staircase. Whether it's a bit of paint or a fabulous rug, a staircase can be taken to another level (no pun intended) with simple enhancements.

{photos via Tumblr, Beach Bungalow 8, Happily Nested, Ling Home}

STRING GARDENS

How cool are these String Gardens? Plants are suspended into hanging works of art, a variation of the Japanese botanical style, Kokedma.

{photos via String Gardens}