Daydreams and Reality

Knit, Stitch, Bake

2011-11-30T16:50:00.001Z

For the love of craft, baking and all things handmade...

(and for an excuse for me and my good friend Natalie to shop on Amazon and visit Hobbycraft) we have set up a new blog to share out adventures in the kitchen and our experiments with our knitting needles.

Knit, Stitch, Bake is a mix of Nat's super-cool knits, spooky bakes and patchworks and my love of Cath Kidston, French seams and cakepops. Over time the blog will become jam-packed with ideas, inspirations and projects from jumpers, birthday cakes to sewing machine disasters.

Join us on the adventure in to the handmade...just don't expect it all to be cute.

For the love of Jam...

2011-10-17T16:22:00.000Z

I am a huge jam fan and nothing tingles my taste buds more than a deliciously sweet home-made jam.

Whether it's drizzled on ice cream in the Summer or to melt into steaming porridge as the mornings get colder, there is nothing that takes me back to childhood more than a home-made jam.

Mayflower's Apple and Damson Jam

When I visited my friends at Mayflower Events in the Summer their kitchen was a hive of activity with gorgeous vintage jars being filled up with red syrupy goodness and a pan on the cooker, releasing the sweet smell of apples and damsons boiling in sugar. It could only mean one thing. Jam time.

Mayflower's Apple and Damson jam wasn't quite ready back then, so I waited patiently until my very own jar arrived on my doorstep this month...

Vintage style jar with handwritten label completes the package

It was worth the wait. It tasted just like I thought it would, the right amount of sweetness with the delicate taste of the damsons. It was like a complete Summer country harvest in a jar.

A swirl was just the thing to finish off my first bowl of porridge this Autumn, served with seeds, dried mixed fruit and goji berries. A perfect start to any October morning if you ask me.

Delicious swirled into porridge

It's not going to last long in our house though, it's perfect on a doorstep slice of toast and I am sure there's been talk of scones being baked especially for it....now where is the clotted cream?

You NEED to try in on a slice of crusty white bread too.

Follow Mayflower Events on Twitter HERE or on Facebook HERE or visit their brand new website HERE

The Herman Journey

2011-10-17T15:05:00.001Z

So after ten long days and nights, my love affair with Herman the German came to an end on Saturday night. You'll be pleased to know I managed to keep him alive and he was pretty tasty too. (Even my 97 year-old Nan would agree!)

I spent most of the last week worrying that I'd forget about little Herman, but every morning I came down and stirred him like I was told. I even conversed with my bubbling bowl of yeast, as it's said to make him even tastier! His bubbling continued and after feeding him on four he even spilled out of his bowl. That's when I knew he was going to survive!

I decided that when I sent him on his holidays - he likes it hot you know! - I added spiced apple, chopped figs and mixed dried fruit to him, with a sprinkling of ginger and mixed spice. A perfect Autumn cake if you ask me.

Now I need to choose my friends carefully and decide who's going to take good care of my little Herman babies. I best decide quickly though, because they're growing in their pots by the hour.

My Herman 'Spiced Apple and Fig' the German journey in pictures

Day 1 - Herman arrives at my house.

Day 2 & 3 - I kept him alive by giving him a stir!

Day 4 - Time for food little Herman!

Day 5, 6, 7 and 8 - To be honest I nearly gave up on Herman here, it was a bit boring just stirring. This is when I decided to start talking to the mixture to liven up my time with him!

Day 9 - Right, now this is where he really grows, the little bloater. I added the same as Day Four and watched him expand - and give birth to three little Hermans.

Day 10 - Time to send Herman on his holidays. Along with the ingredients needed to keep Herman alive I added my own to create a 'Spiced Apple and Fig Herman'

- 5 Chopped 'Juicy Dried Figs'

- 2 teaspoons Mixed Spice

- 2 teaspoons Ginger

- 2 cooking apples (pre softened in a pan)

- 200g dried mixed fruit

Herman came back from his 35 minute holiday, nicely tanned with a sweet spicy smell. I sprinkled him in a special mix of cinnemon and caster sugar and served to family and friends...

He came out perfect (bar the fruit falling to the bottom, but this was actually really nice base to the cake!) He is event moist and soft two days later. Although, having spent nearly two weeks carefully seeing to my mixture I DID feel a little guilty eating him (I mean, it)

A successful Herman journey if I do say so myself.

(You can find the instructions for your own Herman on my earlier post)

How aware are you?

2011-10-09T21:14:00.004Z

Did you know? 1 in 4 people will suffer from a mental health related illness at some point in their lives.

Tomorrow (Monday 10th October 2011) is World Mental Health Day and the start of OCD Awareness Week. An important week to raise awareness of mental health issues globally and hopefully reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.

This year the theme is "Investing in mental health". The World Health Organisation states that; "Financial and human resources allocated for mental health are inadequate especially in low resource countries. The majority of low- and middle-income countries spend less than 2% of their health budget on mental health.

FACT: Many countries have less than one mental health specialist per one million population. Even a considerable part of the limited resources is spent on large mental hospitals and not for services delivered through community and primary health care.

I have suffered with mental health problems since the age of 8, along with friends and family who have battled (and still battle) with OCD, depression, eating disorders and anxiety. They are some of the strongest people I know.

It is definitely something I feel strongly about and it is time that people try and understand the battle people suffering with any mental illness go through on a daily basis. Remember, just because you can't SEE someone hurting, doesn't mean they are not hurting.

For more information or support visit OCD-UK or join the Facebook group

For more information and fact sheets on mental health visit the website or join the Facebook group

Meet Herman the German..

2011-10-07T14:01:00.001Z

...the friendship cake.

So a couple of days ago my Mum passed me a portion of Herman. I remember getting Herman when I was younger and being fascinated by looking after him, so I was excited when I spotted the tea-towel-covered bowl on my Mum's kitchen side.

Herman is a sour dough 'chain cake' which 'lives' in your kitchen for 10 days, before you pass him on to three friends to keep the chain going and bake you're own cake.

Today I am entering into Day 4 as Herman's carer and need to remember to feed him. I couldn't deal with killing off a cake, plus, how could I let my friends miss out on raising their very own Herman?

Herman and his blanket!

Herman bubbling away in my kitchen - he's still alive!

Here are the instructions I received with my little pot of Herman...

Hello, my name is Herman.

I am a sourdough cake. I'm supposed to sit on your worktop for 10 days without a lid on.
You CANNOT put me in the fridge or I will die. If I stop bubbling, I am dead.

Day 1 -You get Herman and put him in a large mixing bowl and cover loosely with a tea towel.

Day 2 -Stir well
Day 3 - Stir well

Day 4 - Herman is hungry. Add 1 cup each of plain flour, sugar and milk. Stir well.
Day 5 - Stir well
Day 6 - Stir well
Day 7 - Stir well
Day 8- Stir well

Day 9 - He's Hungry again. Add the same as day 4 and stir well. Divide into 4 equal portions and give away to friends with a copy of these instructions. Keep the 4th one.

Day 10 -Herman is very hungry. Stir well and add the following:

1 cup sugar
half tsp (teaspoon) salt
2 cups plain flour
2/3 (two thirds) cup of cooking oil
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla essence
2 cooking apples cut into chunks
1 cup raisins
2 heaped tsp cinnamon
2 heaped tsp baking powder.

Mix everything together and put into a large greased baking tin.

Sprinkle with a quarter of a cup of brown sugar and a quarter of a cup of melted butter. Bake for 45 minutes at 170-180C. When cold cut into finger pieces. Cake freezes well and is also delicious warm with cream or ice-cream.

Just like Mrs Beeton would....

2011-10-02T20:39:00.000Z

....coming soon..

My own insight into the fabulous Mrs Beeton and my dreams of becoming a domestic goddess just like Isabella did. Making, mending and tending to the servants...all in a days work for a household mistress.

(Just don't expect me to make pigeon pie!)

Baking Bookshelf

2011-09-24T17:49:00.003Z

I suppose I have always been a coffee-table bookworm.

There isn't much which beats opening the crisp pages of a new hardback coffee-table book. From the beautiful photography to the scrumptious recipes hidden within, everything about a new cookbook is delicious.

Sexy, stylish and super-scrumptious - in Cox Cookies and Cakes

The shelf in my bookcase dedicated to cookbooks has grown and grown in recent years with books of cupcakes, vegan delights, easy-peasy student books to my own scrapbook created from recipe cards and newspaper cuttings, displayed for all to see.

It's not just about the ingredients and measurements, oh no. These kitchen manuals are much more than 'how to's' these days. Some people will never open their trusty copy of 'Domestic Goddess' and read it cover to cover, and nor did I. Until last Christmas....

I was kindly brought Nigella Lawson's 'Kitchen' and on a snowy, cold and boring boxing day, I began to read it. The book captured the same flirty, witty and dearly delightful tone of her television series. It's only then I started to actually 'read' my cookbooks.

Another worth reading is Sophie Dahl's book 'Voluptious Delights' The diaries from her kitchen adventures are just as spellbinding as her grandfather's magical tales of marvellous medicines and giant peaches.

There are so many hidden pieces of gorgeous writing inside Dahl's books

There are so many little gems of wonderful writing hidden inside the pages of cookbooks and it's time you put down your latest chick-lit paperback and took time to read your recipe books. I'm off to read my two newest editions - The Hummingbird Bakery's 'Cake Days' and the Official Great British Bake Off's 'How to Bake' cookbook. Yum.

Here are some of my favourites I can't help but pick of my shelf and read (even if I haven't got the time or ingredients to actually make anything!)

1. Nigella Lawson's - Nigella Express ...

...the first of Nigella's books I was brought, and still my favourite

2. The Hummingbird Bakery Cookbook....

...is my all-time favourite and 'go to' cupcake cookbook.

3. Harry Eastwood's 'Red Velvet and Chocolate Heartache' ....

....Because sometimes creating cakes can be guilt-free!

4. Cox Cookies and Cake .....

....for days when I want my sweet treats served with added sex appeal!

5. Appetite for Reduction - By Isa Chandra Moskowitz....

......for simmering up some tasty vegan dishes

Be warned though, reading them may cause cravings for cupcakes, candy, cous cous or curry!

Feeling Festive?

2011-09-13T17:30:00.003Z

Yes, I did it, I used the 'F' word, I could have happily used the 'C' word too.

I know it's only just September, and yes, I realise I am the wrong side of 12 years old to be excited, but...."My name is Sarah, and I'm a Christmas-holic."

I'm not alone, oh no. (ho,ho,ho!) I justify those pangs of excitement I feel as the Yuletide approaches in a number of ways...

1) ....if it's good enough for Selfridges it's good enough for me.

Selfridges on Oxford Street brought Christmas to London back in July, a mere 151 days before Christmas Day. It's not that the big wigs at the world-famous department store are as excited about candy canes, mince pies and wrapping paper in the same way as I am, they're more bothered about cashing in on the tourist trade and profit Christmas can bring (in the Summer!).

Christmas arrives in July at Selfridges, London

Really, 151 days isn't that long is it? I mean, there is SO much to do before then. I mean, if I am actually going to make a Christmas pudding or super-rich cake this year, I'm going to have to start soon aren't I? Plus, to avoid the annual melt down of present buying and manic wrapping, it's totally sensible to think about it now too.

Selfridges isn't alone in hanging the mistletoe and ivy and banging out the carols this side of Halloween either. Other 'shopaholic Meccas, Liberty of London and Harrods, already have their wonderful Christmas worlds open too.

The Selfridges online Christmas store is open too..

What's more, I can indulge in my guilty, childhood excitement by choosing my baubles and bells on the Selfridges website, right now!

2) The 'official' Twitter countdown to Christmas has started - @OfficialSanta is counting down (It's currently 103 sleeps 'till Christmas) with lots more festive themed tweets happening all over the twittersphere! I'm also following the @Hyde Park Elves (from the amazing Winter Wonderland) and the @North Pole Post ....to name a few!

3) I secretly never take my Christmas playlist off my iPod, so it's not that wrong to let the Pogues 'Fairytale of New York' play every now and again is it? (Press play, you know you want to!)

4) M&S are stocking Mince Pies. Enough said.

The list is endless, but the point is. It's totally okay to be excited, it's totally okay to be planning Christmas parties and I'm going to do it, I'm going to admit, I can't WAIT for the Coca-Cola 'Holidays are coming' advert to hit my television.

So, when can I book my panto tickets and arrange a trip to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park?

National Cupcake Week 2011

2011-09-12T11:38:00.000Z

Cupcake-a-holics rejoice, it's National Cupcake Week!

It's time to get out those cupcake tins, whip up a batch of sugary-sweet frosting and get creative to celebrate our miniature bakery favourite.

Now in it's third year, National Cupcake Week is organised by British Baker magazine and you can follow the cupcake adventures of fellow frosting addicts from your kitchen...(if you can tear yourself away from your mixing bowl and sprinkles that is...)

The Official National Cupcake Week Twitter or Website

The website is full of FREE downloadable resources to help you celebrate, including bunting, logos and posters. It's crammed full of recipes, news, pictures and all the cupcake information you could ever need.

Celebrate all things cupcake on Cupcake Cavern and kit yourself out with the tools you need from the Cupcake Cavern Store

Read Time Out's guide to the most scrumptious cupcake bakeries in London HERE and make time to treat yourself to one (or two) this week - it'd be rude not to really! My personal favourites are the Hummingbird Bakery on Portobello Road or Soho's super-cool Cox's Cookies and Cakes

Or treat yourself to a new recipe book - it won't be here in time to bake this week, but I am excited about Lola's Kitchen's first book that's released next month landing on my doormat, so why not order yours too?

The bakery claims to 'hand-craft the best cupcakes that you have ever tasted' and after sampling a few of their cakes from the Selfridge's bakery over the years, it's a close call...so get baking your own versions!

Whatever you do to celebrate the sweetness this week, have fun cupcake fans!

Photograph by Lindsay Garvey Photography

Let's Get Knitting (or Baking?)

2011-09-12T09:37:00.004Z

I've been lusting after 'Yarn and Sewing' themed cupcakes and cookies for a while now.

I don't know why and what's brought it on, but Sugar and Meringue's Yarn Ball Cupcakes are so twee that I really am going to have to indulge in some knit-based baking that my Granny would be proud of. You can't leave the blog before 'ahhhing' over their super-cute Button Cookies either. I'm in love.

Having a 'coffee and biscuit' moment recently also meant I stumbled across cookie company, Biscuiteers recipe for knitted cookies in their gorgeous book, the 'Biscuiteers Book of Iced Biscuits' (Buy It) It's full of iced goodness for all occasions and so the fascination continues...

Somehow they just all seem so homely and quintessentially English, and as a non-knitter, it's the closest I'd come to making my own woolly jumper any time soon.

Here's my Top 5 'Knitted' Cookies and Cupcakes...(in no particular order!)

1. Yarn Ball Cupcakes (See the recipe on Sugar and Meringue)

Sugar and Meringue's 'Yarn' Cupcakes

2. Biscuiteers 'Sewing Kit' Biscuits (Visit the gift store or buy the book online to make your own)

Biscuiteer's 'Sewing Kit' Iced Biscuits

3. An ACTUAL knitting patten for a cupcake from Spud & Chloe

So, you can't actually bake them and yes, I've admitted I can't knit, but I'd love to try and how cute would these delightful knitted cupcakes look on a sweet table at an event? (Get a FREE pattern on the website)

4. Vegan Yum Yum's 'Knit Night' Cupcakes (Visit the Blog or Buy the Book)

These vegan (which gets bonus points from me!) are stunning - and you can see how they are made on You Tube from a demonstration on Martha Stewart HERE. The detail is fabulous and perfect Autumnal and Winter cupcakes...and I do love Marzipan!

Vegan Knit cupcakes with marzipan

5. Sewing Machine Cake and Cupcakes from Small Things Iced (Visit the Blog)

To say I'm impressed with the detail and skill on this cake and coordinating cupcakes is an understatement. How amazing is the Singer sewing machine cake and the fabulous pin cushion idea for the cupcakes? There are a few avid seamstresses amongst my family and friends and this cake would be perfect. It'd be a shame to eat it...

Vintage Sewing machine and Pin Cushion Cupcakes

I'm not sure whether I want to bake some knitwear or knit some baking now?

Let’s do breakfast...

2011-09-09T16:07:00.000Z

....at the S&M Cafe, London

My vote for the totally British brekkie at the S&M made the Top 10 Breakfast Destinations in Delicious Magazine's feature...and what a breakfast it is....

And I maintain that the ALL-DAY VEGGIE BREAKFAST (£7.50) crammed full of veggie sausage, egg, baked beans, mushroom, tomatoes, hash browns and toast (no mushrooms please) is the best start to any weekend. It comes with a FREE cuppa or filter coffee too.

Feeling less hungry? The WORKERS BREAKFAST (£4.95) with any three items and some yummy toast is a great middle-man between the big boy and my 'health concious' morning coffee and BOILED EGG AND TOASTED SOILDERS (£2.75)

Or suppose you're feeling a bit ropey? Get a Bloody Mary down you or go all out with an AM Bucks Fizz! If you can't quite face the hair of the dog, just get another banger ordered and the super staff will wing it straight over to your table. As the gals and guys at S&M promise, you do 'come sad and leave happy!'

Have a look at the full menu and get your day-break juices flowing LOOK AT THE MENU

The Essex Road, Islington cafe will always have memories for me of lazy days in N1, but it's served its last banger, so Spitalfields it is...48 Brushfield Street, London, E1 | 020 7247 22 52 FIND IT HERE

After all, who doesn't love a little S&M in the morning?

An Italian Love Affair in N1...

2011-09-05T17:51:00.001Z

...I often wonder if there was ever a time when I lived in Islington that I didn't suggest eating out at Carluccios? The answer, probably not!

I can't help dropping by when walking Upper Street

My love affair with Carluccios, Upper Street, started when an ex-boyfriend (and fellow veggie!) first moved to Islington. I remember it well...On a warm spring evening we took a walk down Upper Street looking for somewhere to eat. The gorgeous cakes and biscuits in the blue window drew us to Carluccio's and the delicious food kept us coming back for more, more and more.

With so much choice on Upper Street alone, it's tough business for all the bustling and busy restaurants, but for me the Carluccio's menu has to be my favourite. There aren't many places where this self-confessed fussy eater spends time looking over a menu because I have too many favourites.

There is always a time or occasion that’s an excuse to visit or someone new to take to my favourite Italian caffe. I sometimes find myself wondering how I became so emotionally attached to a restaurant, but then I recall personal memories made in the red room, happy times and not forgetting the menus…

For breakfast it has to be the Breakfast Bread Tin (£3.95) a delicious mix of “Freshly baked croissant and toasted breads served with butter and our Italian jam, honey or clementine marmalade” teamed with with a silky smooth Cappuccino. For lunch I can't help but opt to mention the 'Al Fresco Picnic' service first recommended to me by an old friend. For £45 you get the best-ever picnic selection, and not only that, there is a special veggie option - full of focaccia, olives, pasta and deserts. A must-have for long, lazy summer lunches and a picnic that always makes other Highbury Field picnickers green with envy!

The Red Room holds so many memories. Make your own here too...

Then we have dinner, which, by the way, has to be served in the 'red room' at the back of the caffe. With the risk of sounding predictable here, it has to be a Savoury Bread Tim (£3.95) to share, or not to share in some cases! Get your companion to order a focaccia and do some more dipping. Perfect! That was always followed by one of my two favourite pasta dishes. The Gnocchi Di Patate Con Spinaci E Gorgonzola (£8.25) - a fresh potato gnocchi with a gorgonzola and spinach sauce or the Ravioli (£7.95) - truly delicious parcels of spinach and ricotta and served in true Italian style with a sage butter - perfetto! It is always a case of close my eyes and let my finger decide!

But remember to leave room for dessert. I want to try so many of the delicious cakes and deserts on offer, but I am afraid I’ll never get tired of savouring every last bite of the super-rich of the Torta Di Limone (£4.50) or making every mouthful of the creamy and warm Affogato with coffee (£4.60) last for as long as I can. It’s simply the best vanilla ice cream this side of Rome, surely?

Carluccio's Upper Street, London, N1

Whatever you choose, I apologise in advance, but you won’t be able to walk down Upper Street without wanting to eat at Carluccio’s or at least taking a little shopping trip to buy some biscuits, giant pasta or coffee for the kitchen cupboard.

You know you want to...

305-307 Upper Street, London, N1 2TU |Tel: 020 7359 8167 | Fax: 020 7354 9196

www.carluccios.com/restaurants/islington

(My confession: Since leaving London Town, I would also admit to persuading my Northern friends to visit the Manchester, Trafford Centre branch on more than one occasion and grabbing a quick shopping lunch at Bicester Village.)

Where Shall We Eat....?

2011-09-05T16:58:00.002Z

...It's the age old question between lovers, friends and business partners when a lunch time meeting is planned, a girls' evening is long overdue or you have that all important first date to plan.

Not forgetting all the other times when messing up the kitchen just seems totally pointless when there are so many scrumptious restaurants cooking up culinary masterpieces. My signature pasta and tomato ketchup or jacket spud just don't cut it when I could be tucking in to a dish from one of my favourite eateries.

As a slightly (okay, very!) fussy vegetarian, eating out has the potential for disaster, especially in the said 'date' situation. One has the potential to seem 'slightly' neurotic, studying the menu harder than I studied for my degree, then precdeeding to order a 'bespoke' meal, much to the chef's delight.

However, after living in North London for a number of years I found a selection of cafes and restaurants which I swore by for all social occasions...You need to book a table at each, seriously!

I'll divulge and share my favourite parts of each of their menus later, but the top three have to be...

Carluccio's
305-307 Upper Street, London, N1 2TU |Tel: 020 7359 8167 | Fax: 020 7354 9196

www.carluccios.com/restaurants/islington

S & M Cafe

4-6 Essex Road, Islington, London, N1 8LN | Telephone: 020 7359 5361

www.sandmcafe.co.uk/islington.php

Ottolenghi

287 Upper Street, London N1 2TZ | Tel: 0207288 1454

www.ottolenghi.co.uk/locations/islington/

*Nom, Nom and more Nom*

Pink Chilli Vintage: Do you set goals?

2011-08-31T22:35:00.000Z

Pink Chilli Vintage: Do you set goals?: I'm a list person. I have lists for everything. I have lists for lists. Some people may say I'm a control freak, and yeah I suppose am a lit...

I have to agree with Pink Chilli here. I can't go a day, moment, minute or second without a list. They make my day go round...maybe it's why I love cooking books? There are lots of lovely, yummy lists to work from...

Adventures in 'Weddingland'

2011-08-31T11:24:00.002Z

With this table plan and these glittered rose petals I take thee...

After a Summer of Chief Bridesmaid | Wedding Planner | Events Management duties I have learnt a fair amount about how to pull off a beautiful, enjoyable, stylist event - and have it run to time. It's all about the people you use, the people who take the photographs, style your hair and serve your food.

Lydia and Gareth's 'Midsummer Nights Dream' inspired wedding at Slaugham Place, West Sussex wouldn't have been the same without the creative and talented individuals which made the day sparkle and shine and the left the guests (and bride!) breathless...

Alex Beckett Photography
I may not have (in the words of Beyonce) 'a ring on it' yet, but if anyone at all is going to be there to take my wedding photographs when I do it will be Alex.

From the moment he arrived at Pound Cottage he fitted in to the bridal madness and made Lydia, Jody and I feel comfortable with his lens around. His creativity and ideas are amazing and the results are breathtaking. Even seeing the teeny, tiny previews of some of his photographs on the camera preview has gave me goosebumps.

You need to take a visit to his website - Alex Beckett Photography

Read Alex's Blog ....HERE

Follow Alex on Twitter HERE

The fairytale cake with cascading white chocolate layers, fluttering dragonflies and beautiful floral design was the perfect addition to the magical marquee and was baked and intricately designed and crafted by La Papillon Patisserie

Layered with the Bride and Groom's favourite flavours, this wasn't your average wedding cake. Lydia and I first came across the delicious delights baked by this luxury patisserie at a wedding fayre in London. We couldn't tear ourselves away from their stand. It wasn't just their cake samples though, like with Alex, Neil's personality and approachability made him stand out and the combination of his premier baking talent made him the perfect choice for the big day. (I still have a few slices of cake in the fridge too!)

Visit La Papillon's website HERE

Follow La Papillon on Twitter HERE

More to follow....including the impeccable events team at Super Event, the spell-binding talents of the acrobats and statues at Flaming Fun Agency, the super-fun photobooth wedding reception idea from Disco Fever, Make-up by Zara, Hair by Daniel and stunning flowers by Distinctly Floral

Cupcake-Lit Review

2011-08-18T13:16:00.001Z

It's still totally ALL about cupcakes, and don't let anyone persuade you otherwise!

They're fun to make, fantastic to decorate and yummy to devour but my latest cupcake obsession would have to be finding the most girlie, fun-filled and sugar-coated cupcake and baking fiction. They're the perfect books to make you feel as warm as freshly baked red velvets straight out of the oven.

Check out my latest review of 'Meet Me at the Cupcake Cafe' by Jenny Colgan on Cupcake Cavern

Find out more about chick-lit queen Jenny Colgan or to buy the book to have a read yourself visit Amazon

We Heart Cupcakes

2011-06-27T20:51:00.003Z

So, if you're anything like me and hundreds of other wannabe domestic goddesses out there you'll have totally become whipped up in the frosting frenzy that is the cupcake revolution.

Checking the book store shelves for the latest, gorgeously designed and photographed and utterly divine recipies has quickly become a favourite pastime of mine and a sneaky taste of 'reject' cupcakes is now a given.

Not only that, my family and friends have joined the revolution too, talk of cakes, cupcakes, frosting and icing has taken over from gossip of men, shoes and lipsticks (well, maybe!) The mutual love of our sweetly frosted friend has given a whole new slant on the Stepford Wives bake-offs of days gone by and has shot baking bang into the 21st Century. So have the baking bloggers...

My favourite, newest and sweetest blogs is edited by a fantastic friend of mine, Rebecca. Her tasty blog, Cupcake Caven is the place to be for all things cupcake. Her love of baking, and more specifically the decorating and eating of, our little treats is inspiring and Cupcake Caven is a one-stop for all my cupcake needs...you may even see a culinary creation or two of mine in there soon too.

Click the picture to visit Cupcake Cavern

However, her ever-bettering talent also means I need to up my baking game sharpish, so off to the kitchen I go....

http://www.cupcakecavern.com/

Depression, Divorce and Dress Fittings

2011-03-22T10:32:00.002Z

So, a week in to being the ripe old age of twenty six and, my gosh is life more complicated than a decade ago. Not only is my life more often than not in some type of trauma or crisis, but my friends around me seem to be suffering from some sort or mid-to-late-20s breakdown slash life laundry process. Although at the moment I really hope it's a quick wash...

There seem to be two main types of 26. One is planning her wedding, trying for babies or buying houses. The other, myself included, still doesn't know what she wants to do, is single non-committal-but-having-fun type of relationship girl, really wants to earn more and sees her beauty and psycho therapists once a week. The third group, which is thankfully smaller, is getting divorced already.

Whilst lying in bed watching women younger than me give birth on C4's 'One Born Every Minute' I do often wonder why there is such a split in lifestyle at this time in our lives?

Take me friends and me for example. I am single. Not happy in my job. Not earning enough money and not meeting worthwhile men. But kinda okay with it all. Then meet my friends;

One friend, I'll call her A, is going through a sticky divorce, has two children and lost her Dad last year. She's had an eating disorder and has suffered from depression.

Another, friend B in this case, is getting married, wants kids soon after but gets constant crap from her employer, we are regularly in tears to each other on the phone.

Friend C has been signed off from work with depression and recently been prescribed anti-Ds to help her get through a mess of a situation with a recently rekindled relationship with a man who had an 8 month affair last year. He too has a big mess to deal with.

D hasn't spoken to me for over a year now, she was sectioned under the mental health act for anorexia, bulimia and depression to name a few. I hate this.

The lovely E is getting married, shes still crazy and works her arse off, she owns her house, has a brand new car and loves her job. Most people would envy her. I know she also has issues, has been depressed and a war is brewing with her sisters. Watch this space.

Then there is F, she is expecting her first baby, lives with her long term boyfriend and seems really happy. Bless.

I am left wondering what I want. Where I want to be and who I want to be WITH. I need to get over this commitment phobia I seem to have developed, stop working so hard and let myself go a bit. Or, I could just get a cat?

Teenage Troubles: Feature Series

2011-01-12T22:44:00.003Z

O.M.G...Why does MY family have to be different...life is so unfair.

Everyone thinks their family is like, totally, the most embarrasing family in the whole universe. The reality is that all families are different. For Emma, aged 12, it's the fact she has two Mums and is one of the growing number of young people living with lesbian parents.

More and more teenagers are growing up with gay parents...

Pink Parents

“Meet Louise, my new partner.” 12 year old Emma looked up from her homework. Her jaw dropped, standing in front of her was her mum’s girlfriend.

If you think this is unusual, think again. It is estimated that by 2020, just 14 years time, one in ten teenagers will have two mums. This means that in your average lesson at school at least three of your classmates will live with a lesbian mother.

Read her full story HERE

Teenage Trauma: Feature Series

2011-01-12T22:23:00.004Z

Sometimes life just totally sucks as a teenager, but sometimes it can get more serious than anyone could ever imagine. For Becky, it took over her life. Read her story...

“Cutting Myself Helped Me Escape”

After her Mum left, Becky thought self-harm was the only way to cope...

“Looking back its crazy how things got so bad, but at the time I felt as if cutting myself was the only thing that stopped my life spiralling out of control.

“I was 14 when my Mum sat me and my brother down in the kitchen to tell us she was leaving. It was a huge shock to everyone, but she said she felt trapped and had to leave.

“We‟d always had a perfect family and I was even teased at school for my dream life with designer clothes and big house, but from that moment I knew that life was never going to be the same again.

Download the full feautre here

Daily Daydream: The Best Days of Your Life?

2010-10-04T10:37:00.002Z

So, after another day at the office and another handfull of teenagers finding they can talk openly to me, in my quiet space at the top of the school its made me wonder...are these really the best days of their lives?

It's amazing how I am too quick to forgot the pains, traumas and complete confusion of those now so distant school days. I feel some anecdotes of my day coming on to help paint a picture of the modern school kid!

1) The boy who threw the cushion.

On telling him off for throwing a seat cushion at his, well, not so 'cool' mate (the term 'mate' is used loosely here) he looked at my in his 'kevin-esque' way as to say "Erm, Madam, Why CAN'T I throw the cushion across the LRC?"

2) The girl who won't speak.

I am currently working with a teenage girl who has become so shy and timid that she struggles to go to lessons, has a reduced timetable and can't even speak aloud to me one-on-one. She will become yet another statistic in a olympic sized swimming pool of teenagers with mental health problems, and we can't seem to help her break of out her shell.

3) Kiss Chase

On a lighter note why is it that Year 8 students are still playing kiss chase around my LRC? How come rumours are doing the rounds about girls getting pregant, which climaxed (no pun intended) in the 'pregnant girl' screaming...."BUT MADAM, I havent EVEN Started my periods yet!" ....que thirty 12 year old boys making a quick exit to the footie pitches....

4) My big fat gypsy wedding experience

Chatting to Year 7 traveler students about last nights 'My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding' on C4, and discussing their plans for their own big day, with glamorous, 35 feet long trains, tiaras, bling and layers of fabric, which will makes their wedding day the best. I am fascinated by the prospect of getting married so young and in such a big way and WHY they are so OTT for that big white wedding... I feel a feature coming on.....

Daily Daydream: Perry vs. Gaga

2010-09-22T13:18:00.001Z

It's the question on my daydreamin' mind this afternoon.

My two fave ladies are up for a handful of awards each, I can't decide who I like more. The weirdness and originality of Gaga or the infectious and super-LA stylish Katy?

They are both nominated for Best Video at the MTV Europe Music Awards, but which music video do I prefer? Hmmm....

Katy Perry - California Gurls....

Lady Gaga - Bad Romance

Dear Diary....I hate reading!

2010-09-22T12:49:00.000Z

.....So, three weeks in to my new post surrounded by media, magazines and fiction I am searching for the perfect book to engage stroppy teenage girls in reading rather than blusher...Here goes this week's reading list...

The Carrie Diaries By Candace Bushnell

Published By : Harper Collins Children's Books

"Before Sex and the City, Carrie Bradshaw was a small town girl who knew she wanted more. She's ready for real life to start, but first she must navigate her senior year of high school. Up until now, Carrie and her friends have been inseparable."

Need By Carrie Jones

Published By: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

"Zara collects phobias the way other high school girls collect Facebook friends. It's little wonder, since she's had a fairly rough life. Her father left when she was a baby, her stepfather just died and her mother's almost given up - in fact, she's sent her to live with her grandmother in cold and sleepy Maine to 'keep Zara safe'."

My Name is Mina By David Almond

Published By Hodder Children's Books

"There’s an empty notebook lying on the table in the moonlight. It’s been there for an age. I keep on saying that I’ll write a journal. So I’ll start right here, right now. I open the book and write the very first words: My name is Mina and I love the night. And so Mina writes and writes in her notebook, and through her stories, thoughts, lessons and dreams, Mina's journal and mind grow into something extraordinary."

Winner of the Carnegie Medal and the Whitbread Children's Book Award. David Almond is also winner of the 2010 Hans Christian Andersen award...always popular with teenagers.

Buy all of these books HERE

Working with Sportsround and Watford FC...

2010-09-22T12:23:00.001Z

It's always good to have a kick about while at work and yesterday was no exception. CBBC sports news programme, Sportsround, popped by The Harefield Academy to check out the elite sports and home-grown talent on the pitch at this north London football hotspot...

Take a look at the day in pictures and read about the day on The Harefield Academy's website HERE

The crew talk to students from THA

Sportsround reporter, Jon shoots at Watford's training ground in Hertfordshire

Marvin Sordell has worked his way up the ranks at Watford from The Academy


Sportsround talk to Nick, the Assistant Academy Manager at Watford FC

The show goes out this weekend (25/26th September 2010) on BBC2 and the CBBC channel.

British Acrobatic Gymnastics Blog

2010-03-30T13:06:00.000Z

Read the lastest news from the world of Acrobatic Gymnastics in Great Britain and international updates on my gymnastics blog. Work uploaded is published in The Gymnast magazine or the British Gymnastics website

Read the blog HERE

Photo Credit: DEphotos

The Harefield Academy Website

2010-03-09T20:46:00.002Z

I currently edit and write news and features for The Harefield Academy's website. The Academy is based in the London Borough of Hillingdon and is one of the UKs leading Sports Academies, with close link with Watford FC, British Gymnastics and UK Table Tennis. It's 'Active Learning' philosophy and elite sports programme set it apart from other schools.

The website is the centre of the Academy's media and communication system, and is a window in to one of the country's most exciting schools. Take a look....

http://www.theharefieldacademy.org/

Agent Seduction

2010-03-07T13:33:00.004Z

A peep behind one of the World's most luxurious lingerie companies.

To read the feature Click Here

BBC Girl Talk Portfolio

2008-08-14T15:18:00.010Z

A selection of my work published in BBC Worldwide's Girl Talk magazine.

Do you live in a TV Show-Quiz(Issue 356)

Click HERE for the PDF

Pet Paparazzi(Issue 356)
Click HERE for the PDF

Write On - Back to School/Quiz (Issue 356)

Click HERE for the PDF

Girl Band Comic (Issue 356)
Words By Sarah Robertson
Click HERE for the PDF

My CV

2008-06-29T12:45:00.011Z

Click here to view my current curriculum vitae

"An experienced, enthusiastic and dynamic writer with fantastic communication skills. I pride myself on being successful at working closely and maintaining good relationships with PR and marketing agencies. I’m a driven and passionate team player with the creative ability to write for a wide range of audiences, with experience in reporting, features writing, sub-editing and copywriting."

Striking A Balance

2008-06-29T12:01:00.003Z

An investigative piece of work looking at the pressures of elite gymnastics on young girls embarking on a career in an elite sport. The article discusses the physical and psychological pressures of demanding training regimes on young gymnasts across multiple disciplines.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

KRAZE CLUB Portfolio

2007-08-08T16:49:00.004Z

Please find a selection of features I have written for KRAZE CLUB magazine as Staff Features Writer. Click the Links to Access the PDFs.

The Simpsons Movie
Click Here For PDF

Winter X-Games
Click Here For PDF

Everybody Jump- Extreme Sports
Click Here For PDF

Press Play
Click Here For PDF

The Global Warming Debate..

2006-05-23T11:32:00.000Z

Post-Kyoto World Comes in to focus in Montreal...

What is it going to take for America to wake up to the state of the environment? Is anybody ever going to be able to convince President Bush to help reduce global warming?

Let’s hope so. In the time it has taken 189 countries to discuss the issues surrounding global warming, millions of tons of greenhouse gases have polluted the air, sea levels have risen and acres of forest have been chopped down.

Climate Change Conference

The UN Climate Change conference in Montreal was seen as a new chance to convince reluctant counties that something had to be done about the state of the environment. Yet another opportunity for the likes of super nations, America and China to offer their help in reducing carbon emissions.

As talks came to an end President Bush was still adamant America would not commit to any binding agreement to cut its carbon emissions- he believes it’s bad for business.

It may be bad for the American economy but the affect on the environment is devastating. The reality can be seen in melting glaciers, disintegrating polar ice, dying coral reefs, rising sea levels, changing ecosystems and fatal heat waves. (Image Left: Polar thaw has already started at a fast rate.)

Rise In Natural Disasters...

Perhaps even more devastating is the recent rise in the frequency of natural disasters. The Tsunami in South East Asia, the flooding of New Orleans, the Pakistani earthquake, and a long list of hurricanes and droughts worldwide could all be due to the changes in the earth’s climate over the last decade. Already, the global incidence of drought has doubled over the past 30 years.
when a natural disaster destroys a city on his own land, he continually refuses to commit to, or even talk about cutting America’s emissions.

Back in 2001 Bush rejected the Kyoto protocol (wikipedia definition) and had to be persuaded by Tony Blair to even attend environmental talks at the G8 summi
Leaders, like President Bush, can see this happening like anyone else, but even t in July this year.

The History...

The protocol was originally set up in 1997 as a framework to reduce the damage to the environment. This month, the talks in Canada were simply to discuss plans for new targets post-2012, when the first stage of the Kyoto process ends.

In the lead up to the conference officials said they were not hopeful in making immediate progress in Montreal, and it’s a good job; none was made. It is beginning to seem as if the message that the situation is ‘urgent’ is not being fully understood by certain counties.

The USA accounts for 25 per cent of the worlds greenhouse emissions yet continues to deny that human activity is to blame for the rise in pollution. It was only during talks at Gleneagles in July that Bush admitted that global warming ‘may be’ a problem.

The reluctance to participate had led to serious criticism from nations across all five continents. Those who are committed such as the UK and Canada are being urged to go ahead without America. Officials have hinted at a change in American policy when the Bush administration ends in January 2009.

America The Biggest Sinner?

However, last year in America alone, drier-than-average conditions contributed to an active wildfire season that burned more than 8.5 million acres of woodland and at the end of November, 18 percent of the U.S. was in moderate-to-extreme drought in contrast to 6 percent at the end of November last year

Included in the ‘high risk’ areas of the US was President Bush’s own private ranch, which was under threat of wildfire during the crisis.

America is not the only nation failing to pledge their help in reducing emissions to 5 per cent below the 1990 levels. Other large and powerful nations, including China, Japan and Australia, also show unwillingness to reach the 2012 targets.

China?

China is quickly becoming a superpower to rival the influence of America and another serious threat to the reduction in global carbon emissions.

China is already the second biggest giant of global warming. It stands as a developing nation outside the guidelines of the Kyoto treaty, yet with more than one billion people and a huge energy exhausting economy, it is one of the most influential countries in climate change. (Image Above- A Polluted Hong Kong)

It is the nation with the largest coal consumption and the number two nation in carbon dioxide emissions behind the United States. Many of its cities are thick with air pollution and large regions are plagued with drought, failing crops and sandstorms linked to global warming.

Organisations like Greenpeace are running huge campaigns in countries like China, urging the nation to stop burning fossil fuels and other non-renewable sources and to begin the swap to renewable sources.

Despite this, China's leaders remain fixed on rapid development and increasing energy use, and the expansion of the nation as a global superpower. As the talks drew to a close in Montreal, attention turned to the Asian country, Chinese officials and industrialists are resisting pressure to limit emissions, saying China has a right to catch up with wealthy countries. At the same time, the country is happy to accept funding for projects aimed at promoting energy efficiency.

At least this is a step in the right direction on behalf of China, and it seems now that some U.S. states are becoming greener, by taking matters in to there own hands. Even though America pulled out of Kyoto, the state of California sent representatives to

California Doing Things For Itself...

Montreal to make its own deals. A new state policy aims to reduce California's smog "exports" by requiring out-of-state power providers to meet the same clean-air standards as in-state plants. However, the initiative is getting mixed responses from other states across America who are not so willing to cut carbon emissions.

At the close of the conference in Montreal President Bush was persuaded to take part in further non-binding talks in 2006. This agreement to talk some more is all very well, but isn’t it time something was done about climate change before ‘Dubya’s’ ranch goes up in flames?!