stationery sunday - enjoy a fruitful valentines day

A healthy way to express your feelings ;) check out these fabulous and free downloads available over at twig & thistle to add some fun and love to the lunchboxes tomorrow.

Foodie Friday - In Love with This Cake

We Heart This Cake - every pun intended :) but also, what a fabulous treat to share with you're loved ones this coming valentines day! Check out this absolutely darling cake and how to actually make it yourself with the full tutorial right here!

Aussie As

It's one week exactly until in true Aussie style we enjoy another public holiday... can't wait! Last year the invite went out alright vegemite & we celebrated with a back yard bbq and a bit of driveway cricket, but in true m&g style couldn't resist imparting a stylish touch to the green and gold... hessian, yellow gingham & gumnuts with home made treats with an aussie flavour, lamingtons & pavalova - yum! An intentionally fun and kitchy spread that went down a treat :) 7 sleeps to go and counting until a mid-week mini holiday yay!

Coming up Roses

Absolutely loving these gorgeous images from over at Design*Sponge... What a fabulous signature cocktail for any girl to add that wow factor and memorable element to any occassion! We're thinking simply fabulous for birthdays, hens days, wedding receptions... endless opportunites for this feminine and delicious martini. Get the recipe here.

OO! Brooches & Balloons!

who says bouqeuts have to be floral? we LOVE these fabulously playful alternatives...

Merci Madame

Head to Atypical Type A and check out the amazing new letterpress stationery line Alicia has developed for Akimbo... LOVE love love it! & we can't wait to see the cake buffet for more of these divine doily cookies! So in love with these doily cookies, & love how you carried through the palette you used in the invites into the food styling - Awesome work A!

Foodie Friday - Anyone else for a much needed Cocktail Hour?

We love this inspired 'Martini Bar' by the super talented team over at Sunday Suppers! Can't wait for an opportunity to appropriate this... enjoy your weekend :)

Oh Baby!

We're very excited to announce that Sonia delivered her beautiful & healthy baby girl Holly on the morning of Tuesday 22nd of June! To celebrate Holly's 1st week we thought we'd share images of the delicious desserts evening that was held a few weeks back in honour of the lovely Mother-to-be.

While it was important for guests to enjoy the feast for the senses, it was most important that the very expectant Mum-to-be couldn't be more comfortable and relaxed, so a cosy lounge setting adjacent the desserts was definitely order of the evening for seating arrangements and the custom themed bunting that flanked the lounge suites ensured a casual & fun, but refined atmosphere. The bunting & the balloon canopy that greeted guests as they entered the front reception hall were some of our favourite decorative DIY elements that announced 'celebration' and contributed to the sense of occasion.
Absolutely stunning, seasonal pink & red themed floral arrangements created by Poppies helped anchor the delicious home made desserts table perfectly and contributed a little lush luxe to the evening. We also chose to break with the strong fashion of ushering the desserts table to one side of the room to generate more communal space and instead chose specifically to make the table literally the centrepiece of the room to add a sense of grandure to a relatively small space & promote interaction among the deliberately limited guest list.
The evening couldn't have been sweeter, & neither could beautiful Holly... Congratulations Sonia & Chris! xoxo

Foodie Friday - Wine & Cheese... Yes Please!

This is the very clever invite from our friend Alicia of Akimbo to the wonderful Wine & Cheese night she held with her man to celebrate their birthdays over the weekend. We Loved the spread she did & she even picked up some amazing amazing ash chevre from the central markets!! (nice one!) When in Adelaide & wanting to celebrate or even just enjoy some fabulous fresh food of any description... number one hot tip - hit up the Central Markets!! We are also very spoilt here in Adelaide with some of the best wine in the world on our doorstep, so needless to say the vino was nothing short of fantastic either... But one of our most favourite details of the night was what had been done with some recycled wine bottles (courtesy of a local restaurant) and taper candles... have a look at how repeating a simple element en masse can create a sensational backdrop - not to mention some great ambient light and a decent amount of warmth for a cold autumn night. Enjoy your weekends!

Foodie Friday - coconut ice

To sweeten your weekend we thought we’d share the recipe for the amazing Coconut Ice Mary made for Gabrielle’s wedding confectionery stall. It was a huge huge hit with all the guests and so easy to make. With every recipe we share and any food we recommend we’re going to aim to pair it with one of our fave refreshments too. As this recipe caters for the child in all of us and for those of you who may like to treat your little ones, we think it best that you enjoy our wonderful coconut ice with a strawberry milkshake or raspberry lemonade... either would suffice and whichever you choose will make for a wonderfully sweet treat for a frivolous and reminiscent weekend! So Enjoy!!

Preparation Time 10 minutes Cooking Time 5 minutes Serves 8-10

Ingredients
125g copha
250g desiccated coconut
500g pure icing sugar, sifted
2 egg whites, lightly whisked
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3 drops red liquid food colouring

Method
Line a square 20cm (base measurement) cake pan with non-stick baking paper, allowing it to overhang the sides (it makes it easier to remove to slice when it's set).

Melt the copha in a small saucepan over low heat then remove from the heat and set aside for 10 minutes or until cooled to room temperature.

Combine the coconut and icing sugar in a large bowl then add the copha, egg white and vanilla extract, and stir until well combined. Divide coconut mixture in half and press half the coconut mixture over the base of the prepared pan.

Add a few small drops of the red food colouring to the remaining coconut mixture and stir until well combined and evenly coloured (less food colouring is the best way to start unless you're throwing a fluro party). Spread the pink coconut mixture over the white mixture in the pan and smooth the surface then cover with glad-wrap and place in the fridge for 1 hour or until set.

Remove the coconut ice from the pan and using a sharp knife cut into small squares to serve and present on a lovely cake stand for all to devour!

Notes
You can make it up to 1 day in advance but be sure to store it in an airtight container out of direct sunlight.