Treats and eats

This weekend we found (lurking in our wine rack) a sneaky little a bottle of red wine.  Warm days aren't really conducive for red wine drinking...but Sangria totally rocks our socks.

We used the basic recipe:  3 parts red wine, 1 part orange juice, 2 parts lemonade or 7up.  Apples, oranges, a pear and some mint are also floating around this lovely little concoction.  

And make room for more excitement!  These bad boys arrived today:

I've got a Vanilla in the freezer awaiting the Berry Iced Coffee treatment.  Nespresso has introduced Vanilla, Caramel and Chocolate flavour capsules.  Holy yum.

In other news, I thought I would bake some macaroons.  I've got a history with macaroons.  A sticky, disappointing history.  I've tried everything: the French method, the easy method, the Italian method, wax paper, macaroon mat, blah blah blah.

I have yet to produce a quality batch of macaroons.  Until today.

See that?  FEET.  ACTUAL MACAROON FEET!

Time for a dirty little secret.

I can't believe it.  The countless attempts - all ending in failure - and then THIS comes along.  And they turn out PERFECT.  I'm shocked.  Plus, it was EASY.  Macaroons?  Easy??

Blasphemy.  Fraud.

So what does this mean for madame baker?  Well.  I'm not going to let a box mix of macaroons knock me down.   I'm going to take on macaroons again...one day.  Maybe there's something special in this mix that I don't know about.  With that said, I'm going to take my freshly made macaroons and my iced Vanilla coffee and I'm going to enjoy the sunshine.  After all - only a week and half left!

xx

Summer Holidays Housewife

Summer Days.  

I know it doesn't feel it, but summer holidays are halfway through, and I'm determined to make the most of my summer - regardless of the weather!

Mio.   I *love* this stuff.  My parents sent B and myself some months ago and we have been addicted ever since.  I had a little collection sent for my birthday (Birthday post!) - I think Blueberry Lemonade is my favourite flavour to date.

Shellac Pink.  Nothing says summer quite like pink fingers and toes.  I love the fact that the polish stays  on my toes for a good month.  Shellac has my vote - well worth the money.  I'm debating my Autumn colour - but for now, the pink rules summer.

Nivea Sun.  Everyday needs sun cream.  This just goes without saying. I hate the feel of it normally, but Nivea Light feel really makes a difference.

Tunein.  This App is AMAZING.  I've had the live Country on every day, blasting from our Ladybug dock while I've been sipping iced coffee (see previous post) in the garden.  Seriously.  Download this app.  It's free and you can get radio from both the UK and USA.  Love love love it!

Hunter Romilly.  I've had my heart set on these shoes for a good few months.  They are now on sale and I'm contemplating buying them in every colour.  SO comfortable and Hunter has an amazing delivery scheme.  I was totally in stalker mode while waiting for my parcel and could see it's journey on a map from the depot to my house! Amazing!

Pinterest.  Ah, Pinterest.  I thought I was an addict before but now I have free time, and I'm spending WAY more time on Pinterest than necessary.  You know all of those food recipes we Pin?  Well, I'm actually making them!  

No Joke.  I'm actually cooking.  I've become a proper little housewife.  B comes home to a proper meal every night.  Yes, I am proud of that.

I've campaigned for a Mexican Night at *least* once a week.  I'm slightly obsessed with Mexican food.  Pinterest struck this meal fo' so'.

Rice.  Charred Corn Tacos.  Salsa.

This was an experiment gone amazing.  Thanks, Pinterest.

BBQ Salmon.  Rice and Corn were leftovers!

Guess where this recipe came from?  Nope.  Not Pinterest.  My mind.  Baked, Sugared Peaches with Ice Cream.  (Hunter Flats made a sneaky appearance in this photo)

I am loving being home for the summer holidays!

xx

Obsession: Iced Coffee

I promised Jen of Two Itchy Feet that I would share my Iced Coffee recipe.  I'm not gonna lie - it's addictive as anything and becomes an obsession after awhile.  In fact, today at work I couldn't make one and felt myself going through withdrawal symptoms.  Honest.

1.  Nespresso Pixie, 2. Linizio Nespresso Capsule (*new fav), 3, Cocktail Shaker, 4. Sweetex sweetener (because I am not sweet enough), 5. Ice Cubes, 6. Mason Jar, 7. Milk, 8. Fancy Straw 

Obviously there is any which way to do Iced Coffee, but this is my way with things I had available in my house.  

Step 1:  Brew coffee (large cup) into a cocktail shaker.  I add the sweetner at this point!

Step 2:  Place coffee in the freezer for five minutes.  (Thank goodness you brewed it in a cocktail shaker, right?)

Step 3:  Add ice to the mason jar (or whatever cup you happen to be using).

Step 4:  Pour now cooled coffee over ice.  

Step 5:  Add milk!

Step 6:  Insert swish straw, drink and repeat!

Love.  It.  Not a joke.  I'm pretty sure I could polish off a dozen vast quantities of these over a day.  I'm going to start a campaign to install a freezer at work. And then bring my Nespresso machine with me on a daily basis.  

Maybe a bit excessive...  Anyone else feeling the love for iced coffee these days?

xx