Anatomy of a Lemon Meringue Cupcake

Bake these lemon cupcakes


using an apple corer, make a hole and fill with this lemon curd




top with this frosting


brown frosting with blowtorch, kitchen torch or broiler - if using broiler, keep a close eye!





e voila!


I made these a few days ago and they were outfrickingstanding!!

Jamie Oliver

I was pleasantly surprised to see some of the Jamie Oliver food line at Williams Sonoma. Love the simple packaging.

Love these bobbin cards

These are way too cool. I have lots of embroidery floss that is just thrown into a big ziploc! This would be a nice way to organize it. Free printable from Wild Olive

Rubbermaid Reveal

I know mopping floors is not glamorous in any way, but this mop just plain made me happy! It works in the same way as a Swiffer Wet Jet but instead of disposable pads, this uses a pad that can be washed and used again and again. The best part is that you get to use your own solution! A little Mrs Meyers Geranium, fill with water and away I go. It is perfection! I have lots of tiled floor and this made light work of it.Love it. I purchased mine at Home Depot but I have also seen them at Target.

RAF bag

Had to purchase this too - a replica RAF duffle bag. Perfect and on sale!
Available from Restoration Hardware Kids

Kids Draftsman Stool

I love this stool from Restoration Hardware Kids.

Gingham Dress

I just want this for my daughter. I have developed a gingham obsession and this just feeds right into it.

Available at Crewcuts

I may have a problem

I ordered some cupcake liners yesterday and picked up a few cute packets at Michaels. When I went to put them away, I realised the extent of my problem - I have way too much stuff! I could bake from now until 2012 and not run out of papers! There are just too many cute items out there. Help me!

Lemonade Stand

I think it is time for the son to learn his first commerce lesson - bring on the lemonade stand! Found some adorable items at Target. Cups, banners, pitchers - all for under $3 per item. Nice!

Excuse the quality of the photos - I am having a bad photography week!

Love serving trays - 3 tiers are better than 1!

Available at Ikea



Available at Pottery Barn



Available from Pottery Barn



Available from Pottery Barn Kids

Ship in a bottle

These would be awesome for a summer party! Love them

Available from Pottery Barn

Driftwood hurricane

I also love this hurricane from Anthropologie but I am more interested in recreating this myself.

Available here

Apron

I love this apron. That is all!!
Available from Anthropologie

Bad Martha Stewart!

I was a little maddened by the Martha Stewart Show last week. They did a great Earth Day show with a wonderful segment on which plastics are good versus the absolute worst ones. They then talked about switching to reusable bottles for water and how this would alleviate the pressure on the environment. Imagine my surprise when the show just 2 days later was sponsored by Nestle Life Water. Water bottles everywhere and each studio audience member also got to take home a case of the bottled stuff. Ugh.

Hair inspiration

I am not a high maintenance girl in any way shape or form. I found these photos in an old In Style magazine and I think this is the hair style I would like. My hair is halfway down my back and it is just not doing it for me anymore. Now if I could just find a hairdresser around here that will not butcher me, I think I am going to just do it! Keri Russell is a cutie by the way!

Update, I took these pictures to the hairdresser and asked for something like this - it has been two weeks and I am still crying. Worst haircut EVER.

Pavlova

I love pavlova. I love meringue and I love berries and I love cream. Pavlova is a no brainer. My mother would make it for me growing up and I never bothered to get her recipe. I found an exact replica in the strangest of places - Geoffrey Rush. Yes, that Geoffrey Rush, Oscar winning actor Geoffrey Rush. He appeared on the Martha Stewart show some time ago and they made his recipe for pavlova. It seemed vaguely familiar to me so I gave it a shot - perfection. Absolute perfection. I crave it on a semi regular basis and if you feel like giving it a go, the recipe can be found here. I do occasionally like to make mini pavlovas but for pure joy, nothing beats a big pavlova sitting on a cake pedestal just waiting to be sliced in massive wedges! Joy

Cool Lamp

I really like this little table lamp. Cool and funky!
Available from PB Teen

Tiered Cake pan

I want this pan




Available from Williams Sonoma

Martha Stewart's Stich Fest

I really wish I lived in the New York City area so I could attend this workshop. It looks like so much fun. Oh well. I shall just console myself with the knowledge that my Encyclopedia of Sewing Crafts will be here soon!

Via House Blend

Liberty at Target

Like most other people, I was curious to see the collaboration between Liberty of London and Target. I thought it was okay for the most part, but the girls section was standout. Beautiful and well made apparel for my lovely little girl. All the pieces are fully lined and the workmanship is excellent. I picked up a dress, a shirt and a swimsuit for my daughter and was a happy camper. I also picked up a teapot but that was merely out of habit!! Not too bad but when I think about all the hype prior to the arrival, I wonder how it would be possible to please!

Martha Stewart Bench

Love this Bench from the new Martha Stewart Living for Home Depot line. It has a lot of potential. It is currently only available online but I hear tell it will be available in stores towards the end of this month. I certainly hope so because I am sure this will be coming to live with me soon.

Available at Home Depot

Saint Patricks Day

I am Welsh and therefore I celebrate my Saint on March 1st. Saint David's day. A wonderful day that is filled with daffodils and song and food. However, I now live in the United States and, therefore, I am surrounded with the whole St. Patricks day hoopla! I just found out that I need to make sure my children are wearing something green else a thumping may ensue. I have also noticed the plethora of crap found in stores and that hurts my eye. Blogs to the rescue. So much St. Patricks day stuff to be found that is both creative, easy and beautiful. I am sending my children to school with the lucky pennies and I think a batch of cupcakes with the cupcake picks will accompany them. Perhaps a few clover crafts too but for now, these two are the winners.

Penny image and details from Pumpkin Petunia
Cupcake picks from TomKat studio

Martha Stewart Living - April 2010

Always love the April issues of Living. The Easter ideas are always exceptional and the issue always seems to usher in Spring. This year is no exception. Just an outstanding edition which I thoroughly enjoyed. Highly recommend!

Sarah's House Season 3

Saw these photos today of the third season of Sarah's House. It started airing in Canada yesterday and will air in the US in April - I cannot wait. I love this show and this mudroom had me at hello! Seriously, is Sarah Richardson capable of doing anything other than gorgeous?!

Williams Sonoma Easter

They sure do Easter right! I purchased these baskets 6 years ago for my daughter and it still looks great. Other family members have also been gifted with them - they are beautiful. I can also vouch for the jelly beans - awesome flavors! I love how the cloche looks but I am sure I can do that myself far cheaper! Beautiful inspiration!
All Items available from Williams Sonoma