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A Game of Thrones
Friday, 29 April, 2011
A Royal Spread...
I figured since I'm up at 2 in the morning, watching CBC for the 5th straight hour and eagerly anticipating the impending ceremony (t-minus 35 minutes!), I'd offer a look at what my coffee table is adorned with:
Devon cream and blueberry/raspberry scones are a last minute alternative to the Queen's Biscuit Cake I had posted I would make (I seem to have sneakily eaten all the baker's chocolate in the house without without being conscious of the fact). The Devon cream, however, is not made with marscapone because I did not have it...instead I substituted a light cream cheese. Really though, it's pretty much the same. The trick is to add a pinch of lemon zest to the cream before beating it. Trust me.
Oh, just don't burn your scones, like I somewhat did to the bottoms of mine. I doubt the Queen would tolerate her scones with the underside scraped off with a butter-knife.
The funny thing is about my fandom in all of this is that without any coercion at all, Khaleel has suddenly decided to also get interested and has set his alarm for 3am to watch the ceremony before going to work. Whether he will actually get up so early and have some Earl Grey and scones with me or whether he will just hit the snooze and forgo the whole thing is yet to be known.
Oh my goodness! Will is in the abbey! Sooooo excited! I like that he doesn't seem fussed that he's all but lost his hair. Updates to come!
The macarons are a French touch to the overtly Birtish day, just to keep with my roots:
A lovely antique cream and sugar set I bought on ebay a while back. Simply love the claw feet!
The funny thing is about my fandom in all of this is that without any coercion at all, Khaleel has suddenly decided to also get interested and has set his alarm for 3am to watch the ceremony before going to work. Whether he will actually get up so early and have some Earl Grey and scones with me or whether he will just hit the snooze and forgo the whole thing is yet to be known.
Oh my goodness! Will is in the abbey! Sooooo excited! I like that he doesn't seem fussed that he's all but lost his hair. Updates to come!
Chic tags:
British,
chic,
china ware,
decor,
DIY,
Ebay,
french,
me,
photography,
romantic,
Royal Wedding,
TV,
Viewing Party,
vintage,
wedding,
William and Kate
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Thursday, 28 April, 2011
Worth a Thousand Words
Awesome? Oddly, yes. I'll be waiting for 1am tonight...I have macarons and tea at the ready!
via Fabulous K
via Fabulous K
Friday, 22 April, 2011
Fashion Friday
I've been obsessed with period dramas - especially their wardrobes - for quite some time now. Yet, shamefully, I have still to make a true era replica with my humble little Janome. The worst part is: I've already bought the fabric...bought it ages ago. No, instead I've been occasionally purchasing the odd replica piece (or even original) from the likes of Ebay or Etsy, with paypal funding provided by sales of vintage items from my own Etsy shop. A lovely cycle of e-shopping, to be sure. Anyhow, you can get gorgeous items at Salvation Army prices, if you look carefully enough. Cases in point:
From Ebay...
A lovely army green circa 1950's shirt-dress with sufficient pleats to make room for a petticoat:
A delicate white-work Edwardian blouse, at LEAST 100 years old and still in great condition:
Another one, but with a higher Gibson girl-esque collar and lace edging:
Now I just need a bustle-skirt to go with the tops and a pair of pointed leather ankle-boots!
From Etsy:
A Regency-style green velvet gown complete with empire waist, puffed short sleeves, and lace detailing (my favourite piece!):
I'm thinking it might make a good Halloween costume. Perhaps go as Miss Lizzy Bennet? Hmm. I will need a bonnet, if that's the case.
I really should get down to making those Georgian-style summer gowns. It's just that pleating is a royal pain in a seamstress' tuchas. Oh, well. That's what semester breaks are for: computer games, BBC period dramas, and sewing!
Chic tags:
affordable,
antique,
chic,
clothing,
Ebay,
Edwardian inspiration,
Etsy,
fashion,
Fashion Friday,
feminine,
green,
History,
me,
online shopping,
regency,
roccoco,
roccoco/rococo,
Victorian,
vintage
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Thursday, 21 April, 2011
The Royal Wedding Hubbub
Is it sad that I'm just as suckered in to the hype over Will and Kate's impending nuptuals as normal people are over things like Christmas, the Olympics, or Spring Break? Please don't answer that.
The April 29th wedding event is just around the corner and, with my finals now over, I find myself planning special things I can do (and you too!) to enhance my viewing experience. Here's what I'm thinking:
First, bake the Queen's Chocolate Biscuit Cake. This is Will's favourite and what he has chosen to be made for his bride at their Reception. It's painfully simple to make and doesn't even require that you have much in your cupboards (i.e. perfect for the starving student or paranoid hermit).
You'll need:
- 20 Arrowroot Biscuits (the box of baby digestive cookies you got in that Christmas gift basket four months ago)
- 8 oz Bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped (if you don't have bittersweet, you can use semi...but it will turn out a little extra sweet)
- 1/2 cup sugar (even starving students have this)
- 1 cup whipping cream (borrow from your mum)
The April 29th wedding event is just around the corner and, with my finals now over, I find myself planning special things I can do (and you too!) to enhance my viewing experience. Here's what I'm thinking:
First, bake the Queen's Chocolate Biscuit Cake. This is Will's favourite and what he has chosen to be made for his bride at their Reception. It's painfully simple to make and doesn't even require that you have much in your cupboards (i.e. perfect for the starving student or paranoid hermit).
You'll need:
- 20 Arrowroot Biscuits (the box of baby digestive cookies you got in that Christmas gift basket four months ago)
- 8 oz Bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped (if you don't have bittersweet, you can use semi...but it will turn out a little extra sweet)
- 1/2 cup sugar (even starving students have this)
- 1 cup whipping cream (borrow from your mum)
Instructions:
Line a smallish loaf pan with waxed paper; set aside. Break biscuits into 1/2-inch pieces; place in a large bowl. Place chocolate in heatproof bowl. In saucepan, stir cream with sugar; bring to boil over medium heat. Pour over chocolate and whisk until smooth. Add 1 1/2 cups of the chocolate mixture to biscuit pieces; stir to coat. Pour biscuit mixture into prepared pan; smooth top. Cover and refrigerate cake and remaining chocolate mixture separately until cake is firm, about 4 hours. Remove remaining chocolate mixture from refrigerator; let come to room temperature. Invert cake onto serving plate; peel off paper. Using small palette knife, spread remaining chocolate mixture over cake. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Slice thinly. Looks like fudge, tastes like cake!
Next, for the wedding viewing, make sure you have some lovely tea (or wine) on hand. Pour generously for either. Works best if you have lovely vintage china to use, but if not, any old mugs or stemware will do.
Set out any nice linen napkins you might have, and if not, substitute in a pretty shawl or chiffon scarf as a table runner:
Dress as if you were off to Sunday brunch with your Grampy at some lovely garden somewhere. A kooky hat or fascinator is a bonus:
Monday, May 2nd, I will post photos from my little day of wedding watching. So get some Anglomania up in you and stay tuned!
Line a smallish loaf pan with waxed paper; set aside. Break biscuits into 1/2-inch pieces; place in a large bowl. Place chocolate in heatproof bowl. In saucepan, stir cream with sugar; bring to boil over medium heat. Pour over chocolate and whisk until smooth. Add 1 1/2 cups of the chocolate mixture to biscuit pieces; stir to coat. Pour biscuit mixture into prepared pan; smooth top. Cover and refrigerate cake and remaining chocolate mixture separately until cake is firm, about 4 hours. Remove remaining chocolate mixture from refrigerator; let come to room temperature. Invert cake onto serving plate; peel off paper. Using small palette knife, spread remaining chocolate mixture over cake. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Slice thinly. Looks like fudge, tastes like cake!
Next, for the wedding viewing, make sure you have some lovely tea (or wine) on hand. Pour generously for either. Works best if you have lovely vintage china to use, but if not, any old mugs or stemware will do.
Set out any nice linen napkins you might have, and if not, substitute in a pretty shawl or chiffon scarf as a table runner:
Napkins only $2 US on Etsy.
Dress as if you were off to Sunday brunch with your Grampy at some lovely garden somewhere. A kooky hat or fascinator is a bonus:
Etsy is such a great place to find these; this one is $26 US.
Monday, May 2nd, I will post photos from my little day of wedding watching. So get some Anglomania up in you and stay tuned!
Chic tags:
British,
inspiration,
loving,
me,
romantic,
Royal Wedding,
TV,
Viewing Party,
wedding,
William and Kate
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