Scrapbook: Food & Drink

Heavenly Treats

I am planning a birthday party with a 'Pretty in Pink' theme and I'm looking for some inspirational ideas to make or buy. I came up with lots of gorgeous frosted, sugared and iced confections that has left me brimming full of ideas for cupcakes, table settings, balloons, invitations and a heavenly macaroon covered birthday cake from the ever-inspiring 10th anniversary issue of Donna Hay!

Images via 1, 2 Collage by Scrapbook, 3, 4, 5

Sweet Temptations

I love exploring cake shops and patisseries for dainty treats to serve guests for afternoon tea or after dinner treats. You can also add them to a picnic for two for a romantic touch!. My favourite shops in Melbourne are 'Babycakes by Design' and 'Let Them Eat Cake'. They both do custom made to add that something special to a party.

Images via 1-2, 3-4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Happy Days

I spend a lot of time pouring over food magazines and recipe books. One of my favourite things is to spend an entire Sunday morning in bed with the bed piled high with all the latest issues of Vogue Entertaining, Gourmet Traveler and Donna Hay. I love the Marie Claire cookbooks and anything by Bill Granger and Donna Hay. I mark up pages, rip out recipes and plan menus but never can quite find the motivation to ever get round to making them! When I bake, I tend to stick to the old favourites : cupcakes, muffins and butter cakes - everyone loves them and I hardly even need a recipe! However, these are some of the recipes I'd like to get round to making one day!

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Sweet Tooth

I must confess I have a real sweet tooth and love anything that's sweet and sugary. Maybe part of the reason is that things that are sweet are always packaged up so beautifully. Brightly coloured candy, enticing wrappers, exquisite chocolate boxes, dainty presentations tied with delicate bows, delicious desserts and divine pastries that are more works of art than mere pastry ... who can we resist such pretty temptations?

Images via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Anyone for Tea?

I have a collection of vintage china from my grandmother which I mix back with some pieces I have collected over the years from Royal Doulton and Wedgewood. Everyone once in a while, usually for Mother's Day and Easter, I like to set up a big table on the the lawn and lay out the white Damask tablecloth. Out comes the china, my Harrods silver and lots of crystal vases filled with old fashioned roses. The morning is spent baking scones with strawberry jam and cream, making dainty chicken sandwiches and icing cupcakes. Although it's not my husband's cup of tea - I know he enjoys the food!

Images via 1, 3-4, 5, 2, 7, 3, 4, 5

In Love with Laduree

Your biggest dilemma will be what flavour to chose! You may be tempted by the more traditional flavours such as bitter chocolate, rose, mint, orange blossom, blackcurrent violet, caramel and salted butter or you may prefer to experiment with exotic flavours like liquorice, lemon cedrat or chestnut.

Images via Laduree

No trip to Paris would be complete without a trip to Laduree. Not only are their delicate macarons, in every delectable colour, probably the best you'll ever taste but their famous cafes / shops are a heavenly visual treat. Everything from the pistachio green exteriors to their lavish interiors, delicate pastries, and dainty packaging is an absolute delight. Macarons should be crisp on the outside, smooth and soft in the middle. They are made fresh every morning at Laduree's 'Laboratory'. Every new season, Laduree pays tribute to it's most famous creation by creating a new flavour.

Donna Hay

My scrapbook would not be complete without paying tribute to Donna Hay who's monthly magazine never fail to inspire me. As a designer, I have great admiration for her artistic flair and creative talents. I believe that Donna Hay has been the leading figure in changing the concept of food styling into the simple, more streamline approach that is standard issue today.