Lets study....

Here is a little playlist for you to get chilled or get geeky too.... subscribe and enjoy....

http://open.spotify.com/user/lauramckenzie89/playlist/6M7BesFTY61vnQ286hT38z

I'm back...

I haven't been on my blog for a long time and it's time I got back on it! I am studying Visual Merchandising for the past few months with the BDS- British Display Society, it's a fantastic course providing me with insight into the industry and setting me up ready to head into the VM world.

Harvey Nichols, Bristol, Christmas window 2012

No Noise, Selfridges, London 2013

Liberty Christmas Window, 2012

Diptyque, Paris

Here is a few of my fave windows so far!

Films To watch out for...

On the Road (2012)

Ruby Sparks (2012)

10 Years

Love.

Blueberry Whoopie Pies

I've become a lover of the American Whoopie Pie! Since purchasing a whole book dedicated to them, The Whoopie Pie Book by Claire Ptak, baking has become a regular pastime in my home!

Blueberries are delicious, you can have them with lots of desserts such as yoghurt, ice-cream, pancakes, porridge and so on. I wanted to incorporate them into a whoopie pie baking session so decided to create my own version on the Blackberry Whoopie and use Blueberries instead.

Here is how you create these delicious whoopies, whack some music on and get your apron on :)

 

Makes 9 large or 24 mini whoopie pies

250g plain flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
125g unsalted butter, softened
200g caster sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
50ml whole milk
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
150g fresh blueberries

Blueberry cream filling:

1 cup fresh blueberries
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
400ml double cream

How you do it.....

1. Preheat oven to 180/Gas 4. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt together.
3. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, using an electric mixer with the flat beater. Add the egg and vanilla; mix well.

4. Measure the milk into a liquid measuring cup and add the lemon juice. It will curdle. Beat this into the butter mixture. Add the dry ingredients, mixing until just incorporated. Chill for 30 minutes.

5. Drop 18 large or 48 small scoops of batter, about 2 inches apart, onto the baking sheets. Press a few blueberries into each scoop. Bake 10-12 minutes for large whoopies, or 8-10 minutes for minis, until the cakes are left with a slight impression when touched with a finger. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
6. For the blueberry cream filling, mix the berries with the sugar, vanilla and lemon juice, using a fork to break up the berries a little. Let macerate for 10 minutes.
 Whisk the cream until it just starts to thicken. Fold in the berries and chill for at least 10 minutes before using.


8. To serve, spread a generous scoop of blueberry cream on the flat surface of a cooled whoopie.

AND THEN EAT :):)

Little Liberty

If only I had the cash I would buy these adorable Little Liberty products, the windows have already sold it to me! Adorable.

Wonderful VM from Liberty once again, they never cease to surprise me! Gorgeous interpretations and creative scenes, so beautiful!

Cute Mondays

Cute Food!

 Griottes

David Shrigley on at the Hayward Gallery, London
Have always loved his work! it's quirky its cute and it's humorous!
On until the 13th May.

Instagram!

I'm absolutely obsessed with Instagram and i decided i wanted to try create something with all the images i've got, I found Printstagram, its a site that you log into your Instagram with and can create lots of different things with! I decided to create a Poster so i can put it up in my new room! Excited for it to arrive!

You can create your own here- Printstagram

Handmade.

I've been getting a bit creative as i've had a bit of time off to get ready to move to Bristol with my best mate so I decided to make some cushions to go on our comfy sofa, I got the idea from working at Liberty last year, I had some left over fabric so wanted to use it wisely! I decided to sew hearts and pockets onto cream cushions!

Give it a go it's so easy and all you need is a plain cushion, some patterned fabric, a needle, scissors, thread, buttons and your good to go!

I actually cannot wait to see Florence next week, she is just so epic and powerful! This video is what music and summer and being in love is all about. :)

Atlas hands

bring me sunshine, beaches, fish and chips and daydreaming.... x

Beauty products I can't live without!

Here are some of the beauty products I can't go without day in day out...

Cake Pops!

I love them, and as its Valentines I will be attempting some of my own!

Beautiful!!

Christmas is here!

Christmas it upon us and i can't believe how fast it has come round! Sorry I haven't posted in a while, been a busy bee trying to plan for 2012!
I thought i'd do a little post to inspire us all at Christmas, there are lots of little things i would love, and present shopping for others is a real stress at times so here is some top picks that i would recommend to Santa....x

Weston Scarve, Liberty.co.uk



Winter Mini Candle, Diptyque





Tea: An Everyday Indulgence Book, Liberty.co.uk





Gold Plated Little Feather Necklace, Alex Monroe



Pink Marc De Champagne Truffles, Charbonnel et Walker

Valentina by Valentino Eau de Parfum



Merry Christmas! x



People Help the People- Birdy

Love this girl, can't believe she's only 15 and full of raw talent.
Album is out now go buy go buy!

For my love of Tea.

I have recently purchased a La Cafetiere teapot which i'm rather excited to start using! It arrived today, a lovely cream modern teapot ready to brew the finest tea!

 

I have also got some lovely white peony, lychee red and silver needle loose tea on its way from JING tea ready to experiment how tea should be done properly :-) 

For my love of tea!

11.11.11
image via katies cakes

Children in Need National Treasures

Loving these from the amazing Liberty store :)

"The traditional yellow Pudsey has been recreated in an array of different fabrics from suede to leather; in a rainbow of different colours; from silver to blue, and in a variety of different patterns; from tartan to floral. Each Designer Pudsey is unique and will allow fans of both the Bear and the designers the opportunity to own a piece of fashion history.

Giles Deacon used his Spring/Summer 2012 collection as inspiration turning Pudsey into a silver leather vision; Patrick Grant, Henry Holland and Jonathan Saunders have all gone for varying shades of tartan; while Erdem's 2012 spring collection has been a huge influence on his creation and Pringle have gone for pure cashmere, with 1 carat diamonds to finish off Pudsey’s cardigan. These Bears are not only beautifully designed, but also offer an insight into fashion trends for 2012, straight from the designers themselves. We've even created our very own Liberty Print bear! "- Liberty.co.uk

Absolutely love this idea of taking something so iconic and being creative with it for charity, I want to make my own pudsey bear!!

images from liberty.co.uk