LAFW MIA

I've gone MIA again...sorry. I know I promised I wouldn't but I've been covering LA Fashion Week for Dedicated and got muchos distracted.

In case you missed me above is a really strange picture of me...you know one where you don't even recognise yourself. I'm rocking an 80's Glam Rock vibe and supping champagne from a plastic cup between shows. Classy wouldn't you say?! I'll be posting a tutorial for my fancy epaulets on the Dedicated blog later (done in 10 minutes and for under $5 you should definitely check it out!)

I'll be back posting soon but in the mean time do run over the Dedicated Follower of Fashion and see what we've been up to!

Homemade Nutella!

raw hazelnuts

Yes, I actually made nutella this week. Impressive non? Now when I first found this recipe I was super excited. But I do have to add this disclaimer, this particular recipe is not an exact nutella duplicate. The flavour is more bitter, I think this has a lot to do with type of cocoa I used and the lack of dairy in the recipe. It is also a lot thicker in texture, again this could be dependent on the power behind my blender.

I do prefer the 'real' nutella, but I'm the kind of person that prefers milk chocolate over dark, so that explains that.

So with this in mind, homemade nutella:

What you need:

• 1 cup of hazelnuts
• 4 tablespoons of cocoa
• 6 tablespoons of maple syrup (I used pancake syrup as it was what I had)
• 4 teaspoons of vanilla extract

The first step is to roast the hazelnuts, do this for about ten minutes in an oven at 350˚F. Once roasted transfer to a paper towel and let cool for ten minutes.

roasted hazelnuts

After the hazelnuts have cooled down, it's time to remove the skins, to loosen them up get another paper towel (you can use a dishcloth) and rub the skins loose. Pick off any remaining skin. Not all the skins will come off.

naked hazelnuts

Once the skins are removed pop them in the blender and blend until you have a thick butter. Depending on the speed and power of your blender this process can take a really really long time. I tried but I was either impatient or it was just never going to happen. So mine didn't end up as buttery as I believe it's supposed to be.

At this point add your other ingredients and blend until smooth.

almost nutella

The above picture is what it looked like during the process. At this point I did taste test it and found it to be too bitter for my tastes and added a little more syrup and a little more cocoa, but this time I used Nestle Toll house Cocoa as opposed to the premium ghirardelli cocoa I had used previously. This improved the flavour. I then blended some more.

nutella!

Spoon into a jar and eat up! I got this recipe (and doubled it) from the Steph Chows blog here, I do have another recipe for nutella that is a little more complicated that I will try when this jar is all eaten up so stay tuned!

nutella in a jar

The Morning of Our Lives

=

When my husband and I first got married almost three years ago (the latest wedding was the big affair for all the family) we eloped to Vegas. On the journey home Scott played me this simple song that had made him think of me.

It's gone on to be my inspirational anthem. I listen to it whenever I'm down, or need a burst of energy and it really works. It's makes me smile, it makes me teary eyed. But ultimately it motivates me and picks me up.

The song is 'The Morning of Our Lives' by Jonathan Richman and the Modern Lovers and today I feel like sharing.

So have a listen and let me know how it inspires you.

Love,

Kelsi x

Generations of Stylesmith

At my recent wedding it was wonderful to have all my family together. Aren't they a beautiful bunch?!

On the run up to the wedding I found myself fulfilling some very special Stylesmith orders... for them!

They're the perfect models to prove that there is no such thing as too old or too young to wear Stylesmith. My Grandma (top right pictured with my Papa) looked devastatingly gorgeous in her navy fascinator (on a headband - ultra wearable!) with vintage navy veiling. My dear Mummy (bottom left on the left) looked sensational in her modified 'Hummingbird' made extra special with vintage veiling.

My niece who is made of adorable rocked her lime green headband trimmed with vintage daisies (pictured top left with my equally adorable nephew) which matched her Converse perfectly! My bridesmaids (Lauren - centre left and Josie bottom left pic in the centre) looked super pretty in their combs with vintage daisies and vintage veiling and my gorgeous older sister (bottom left on the right) artfully modelled an organza and vintage veiling flower brooch on her pretty dress (tutorial coming soon!)

Then of course the Bride (that'd be me then...) topped off her (my - took the third person too far) with a juliet cap, which I custom made from wire and vintage daisy lace.

Everything pictured was made specially for them but if you want something similar for your big day or other big or small event - let me know!

(if you want to see the picture bigger just click on it!)