Sweet as Honey

Springtime means bees are busy collecting precious pollen from delicate blooms transforming it into thick, luscious golden honey. I love the idea of natural honeycomb dripping with fragrant honey. Could anything be as simple and delicious as crumpets with lots of melted butter and lashings of honey. The fact that my name means 'honey bee' may also have a little to do with my fondness for honey. Here a few honey laced recipes from Donny Hay to inspire us all into some spring baking!

Beehive Cupcakes

Honey Butter Layer Cake

Honeycomb semi freddo

Marshmallow Honey Puffs

Honey Custard Meringue Tarts

Spiced Honey Fingers

Xox

Melissah
Images via Donna Hay website

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

After a crazy week at work I have been dreaming of some well deserved 'Me Time'. Just a couple of hours on Sunday afternoon where I can sit quietly under a big shady tree on my lawn enjoying the filtered sunlight whilst sipping a cup of tea. I'll flick through the Sunday Papers, read a chapter or two of my neglected novel and catch up on the latest Vogue and Elle Decoration. Hopefully the kids, dogs, my lovely husband  and neighbor's lawn mower will leave me alone in peace just long enough for me to re-gain my sanity!  

 

 

Melissah xox

A Country Picnic

After a few days of wet, rainy weather I am looking forward to the promise of perfect weather over the weekend. I am making a list of all the lovely things I could do to take advantage of this fine weather after being cooped up indoors for a couple of days. I am thinking about a game of tennis, as last time I played I was sadly in need of some practice, a long walk on the beach and a picnic. I'll make an early start in the kitchen on Saturday morning and whip a batch of muffins for morning tea and I'll bake a quiche for lunch. We'll head off to the country for a drive, a rambling walk and a well deserved lunch in a grassy picnic spot. Can't wait!

Melissah xox

Golden Dreams

There is something amazingly sophisticated about black and gold. The combination is always striking and elegant and never fails to impress. For instance, take a simple well cut black dress then add a gold clutch, gold heels and gold jewellery and it's instant after five glamour. Using gold in design whether it's fashion, interior design, homewares, packaging or invitations the result always feels timeless and stylish with a touch of opulence.

Xox

Melissah

Fun in the Sun

Sunny, beach days are slipping away - it's getting darker earlier and crisper in the mornings. The holiday makers have departed our pretty coastal town leaving the locals in peace and quiet for the autumn and winter months. It's this time of the year that I am desperate to make my summer last as long as possible so I make the most of every sunny day. Today promises to be a perfect beach day so the kids and I will arm ourselves with beach towels, beach bags, sunscreen and magazines and head to the beach for an afternoon of fun in the sun. We'll come back sandy and salty with sun kissed skin feeling very pleased with ourselves!

  Xox

Melissah
Images via  Pinterest, My Summerhouse, Escapade, Everthing Fabulous

Fleur

Fleur is the latest venture from renowned florist and event stylist Fleur McHarg. Located in a quiet part of Armadale, Melbourne a visit to Fleur's boutique is a not only a visual treat but the smell is heavenly. The concept store is both original and innovative with the most divine selection of flowers and plants. Fleur offers event and wedding styling as well as childrens' parties and a beautiful offering of fresh flowers in store. When in Melbourne - why don't you treat yourself.

Images via Fleur website

Xox

Melissah

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Happy St Patrick's Day! What a great excuse to leave work early and meet up with a group of friends and work colleagues at your nearest Irish Pub. Laugh the night away over a jug of green beer or a pint of Guinness. Now, if you're not the beer swilling type and prefer life on the dainty side why not whip up a batch of cupcakes and ice them with green icing and share them with some appreciative friends  over a cup of tea or treat the kids to an afternoon snack of these freshly baked goodies straight from the oven! Following are some images inspired by St Patrick's Day and the natural beauty of Ireland.

 

Xox

Melissah

Images sourced from the following sites Pink Lemonade Design, Escapade, Everthing Fabulous, The Alternative Wife, This Is Glamorous, Simply Luxurious,

Donna Hay Cooks Up A Storm

I am very excited because tonight 'The LifeStyle Channel' is presenting the very first of the brand new Donna Hay 13 part cooking series called 'Donna Hay – Fast, Fresh, Simple'. It is is Donna Hay’s first television series and will reveal what makes her recipes, books and magazine so loved. Focusing on recipes that people can cook at home, the series will showcase recipes from her latest cookbook of the same name. The show will all be about cooking fuss-free weeknight dinners; Donna’s take on traditional recipes; and simple easy shortcuts using fresh and store-bought ingredients.
 

Donna is very excited about bringing the world of her books and magazine to life. "It’s about sharing my secrets and showing how to get all the flavour without the fuss to create dishes that are achievable, look good and taste great” says Donna.

 

Recipes & Images via Donna Hay website

Xox

Melissah

Seafoam Blue

Today I'm crushing on soft faded blues - I am a huge fan of decorating with blue, probably because I live down the coast so I surrounded by seafoam blue and coastal inspiration. I get to work on a lot of modern architecturally designed beach houses so blue is an obvious choice for an accent colour. But whatever shade of blue and whatever style of house - just about everyone loves a splash of blue in their wardrobes and homes! For a little coastal inspiration pop over to my blog Coastal Style. 

Melissah xox

Images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6