Tuesday, June 30, 2009

It's Pimms O'Clock! The Perfect Recipe


This week finds us half way through the best fortnight in tennis- Wimbledon! Every year I usually throw a Wimbledon party, we eat scones and strawberries and cream, I make a huge Victoria Sponge, we play Wii tennis and we drink jugs and jugs of Pimms.

Pimm's was first produced in 1823, by James Pimm. Pimm offered the tonic, (a gin-based drink containing quinine and a secret mixture of herbs) as an aid to digestion, serving it in a small tankard known as a "No. 1 Cup", hence its subsequent name. (For more history see it's Wikipedia page!)


Pimms is the perfect, quintessential English summer time drink. It's thirst quenching and surprisingly strong. One of those tastes so good, it will get you drunk quick so watch out!

You will need:


1 Jug/Pitcher & glasses

1 bottle of Pimms

Lemonade (carbonated - in the US I have found Sprite or Squirt works best, you can also use Ginger ale)

3 cups Strawberries
1-2 Apples

1-2 Oranges

1 Lemon

1 Cucumber

Several sprigs of Mint


To Make:


Chop the apples, oranges and lemon into quarters, the strawberries and cucumber into cubes and throw it all in the jug.

Pour into the jug two cups of Pimms, now I usually eye ball it but supposedly it's supposed to be two cups....I usually cover at least the fruit.

Then add four cups of your English lemonade, or Sprite type alternative. Or if you're eyeballing then just dilute your Pimms!


Gather your Mint sprigs and smack the leaves between your palms, this release the smell and flavour without crushing up the mint and leaving it all bitty in your drink.

Add to the jug.
Stir. Pour. Drink. Ah.....

Enjoy!


Monday, June 29, 2009

Festival Collection


A new collection from Stylesmith! And something completely different!

Straw fedoras! These vintage fedoras have had an upgrade! I used petersham grosgrain and managed to strain my shoulder working the soft curve (seriously pushing, pulling, pressing, these fedoras were hard work!) and each fedora has their own special trimming...vintage, straw, feathers.... all one of a kind.

Depending on how popular these are I make bring more in as time goes on, despite the strain it was quite freeing to make one of kinds, and not worry about the pressure to be able to reproduce them!

They are modeled by my lovely intern Brittan ( a gem who's been helping me with Dedicated and my organisation skills)

The full collection can be seen below and purchased in the Stylesmith etsy store!

Friday, June 26, 2009

Sneak Peek! New Collection in Progress!



Rock, Gems & Butterflies is my newest collection, currently in progress, and hitting the store by the middle of July.

The name says it all, shiny, sparkly and beautiful in a magical array of colours, I've been excited about this one for awhile! It will include jewelry, hair combs and these lovely little jeweled fascinators.

Yay.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Summer Additions to Bird on a Wire


The new summery additions to the Stylesmith: Bird on a Wire collection are now here. Gorgeous pastels and super unusual feather combos...

I love it, I hope you all do to!

I currently have a straw collection in progress which I'm very very excited about and a Rocks, Gems and Butterflies collection will will be out in the next couple of weeks!!!

Yay.

To celebrate if you mention my blog in your message to seller I will refund your shipping costs whether it's domestic or international!

But for now you can shop Stylesmith here

The Full Collection.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Giveaway at Dedicated!

Hey All! If you haven't done this already, you must you must you must!

Run over to Dedicated Follower of Fashion and enter our beyond awesome giveaway with Lisa Romero from Paperbullet!

An original piece of art created just for our readers!

Winners will be drawn on Wednesday.

Whilst you're there be sure to check out our newest editorial shoot 'Miami Woman'

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Shooting for Dedicated Follower of Fashion


Yesterdays shoot for Dedicated Follower of Fashion is more than a little tongue in cheek. A Miami housewife who does EVERYTHING in a bikini?!

Yup.

This really blown out image whilst awesome, was a complete accident. Not where we actually went with the shoot, but I thought I'd share it nonetheless.

It was a fun shoot spent working with both children and animals, we proved the theory wrong and had a lot of fun.

The behind the scenes shots are up at Dedicated and the shoot should be posted by Friday.

Yay!

Monday, June 8, 2009

New York with Erica

As many of you know I am a companion to young woman with autism. A few weeks ago we took our annual trip to New York.

Yesterday we put together these collages of some of our favourite days and I thought I'd share them with you. Enjoy!







Sunday, June 7, 2009

Sample Sale at Stylesmith


In an effort to move my old stock and forgotten designs (and making room for the new collections!) Stylesmith is having a huge sample sale, various feather headbands, fascinators and some jewelry under $15.

Go grab some bargains while you can!

www.stylesmith.etsy.com