Thursday 28 December 2017
Champagne Reflections // End of Year Review 2017
What a year it has been! I hope you've managed to tick a few exciting things off your list during the last twelve months, achieved a few personal goals, taken a leap of faith, kicked some serious butt, laughed a lot and loved a lot.
Despite being of the 'list upon list' tribe, I don't set solid goals or have any 'must do's but tend more to invite opportunities and allow flexibility and adventure. I've found that this way I side step disappointment or pressure to do things just because. What I do find important is constant reminders to live a full life when possible and to ditch the guilt when it's less doable and of course to look back and be thankful and a little proud of all you have seen and done, learnt and loved.
On this most reflective of notes, I've drafted a list of my favourite Faded Windmills posts of 2017. Pull up a chair, raise a glass to the future and have yourself a little read.
Older and Wiser
Textured Treasures // High End Embroidery
Day Tripper // Exploring Muiderslot Castle
Emma Watson's Sustainable Fashion Press Tour
My Grand Canadian Adventure // Snapshots
Vault of Sky // Mood Board Curations
Dive In // Quarterly Book Reviews
Make My Day Concept Store, Nijmegen
Dutch Courage // Tips For Learning A New Language
Soft Stripes // Sew Over It 'Alex Shirt' Pattern Review
Muggle Friendly Butterbeer Hot Chocolate Recipe
Tis The Season To Get Cosy
Wishing you all a truly fabulous and adventure filled shiny new year!
Monday 25 December 2017
Thursday 21 December 2017
Sugar and Spice // Winter Warming Gingerbread Cookies
Are we ready to really amp up the festivities? So we've finished making and gathering our super special handmade gift, we're all snuggled up in our beautifully decorated and cosy AF dens sipping on a very naughty butterbeer hot chocolate but something is missing... Winter spiced gingerbread cookies!
That's right, my merry chums, I'm sharing with you today my absolute favourite gingerbread recipe for a speedy and delicious bake that will add a dash of warmth and sweetness to your Christmas.
Ingredients:
- 100g unsalted butter
- 50g brown sugar
- 225g sifted plain flour
- 1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- 2 1/2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- pinch salt
- pinch ground nutmeg (optional)
- tiny pinch ground clove (optional)
- 5 tbsp golden syrup
Process:
First things first, melt your butter and sugar in a pan over a low/medium heat, just be sure not to let it boil.
Meanwhile, sift together into a large bowl your dry ingredients.
Once the butter is liquid and the sugar has dissolved pour this into your dry ingredients and add the syrup and mix together into a slightly wet dough.
Roll your gorgeously coloured dough into a ball and wrap in cling film then leave in the fridge for 30 minutes to firm up.
Set your oven at 190* and line two baking trays with parchment.
Dust your work surface with a sprinkling of flour and roll out your dough to the thickness of a pound coin or slightly higher (to ensure a bit of bend to your biscuit). Using your shape of choice either press using cookie cutters or get creative with a knife and lay onto your prepared trays. Do this in stages, cut as many shapes as you can fit then re roll the excess dough into a ball and roll out flat again and again until you've used it all up.
Bake in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until the edges begin to darken slightly.
Leave to cool on a flat surface for 10 minutes then you're ready to decorate or scoff!
Gingerbread is such a nostalgic flavour for me, one I can't help but associate with this time of year and one that brings back such treasured memories. I hope you give this little make a go and be sure to let me know how they turned out! I wish you the most magical of holidays and am sending you all jolly tidings!
Thursday 14 December 2017
Tis The Season To Get Cozy
Greetings to you all from the depths of my blanket cocoon on the sofa! How is the weather by you right now? Following on from a very snowy weekend, here in the Netherlands, we've resorted to using the humble canoe to do our grocery shopping... It's non-stop rain right now with a side order of blustering wind and just a hint of icy slush. There can only be one thing for it then... hibernation!
Today I bring you my guide to getting cosy and making the most out of being imprisoned by Winter. Prepare for a weekend of rosy cheeked, laziness- completely guilt free erm weather! and the perfect excuse to rest up and take stock. Even if the sun is shining where you are but you're in need of some Christmas spirit or if you suffer from the blues this time of year then there may well be a few tricks in this here post to help you along the festive season.
- Let us begin by setting the scene! Light your favourite scented candles, yes that's right the ones you treated yourself to but don't want to burn for fear of 'wasting' them- those ones! Switch on your fairy lights, grab your softest blankets and cushions and get some mood music going- my preferred playlists of choice are either 1940s/50s radio or a magical movie soundtrack.
- Next step is a cosy costume! For me pjs are a must when having some seasonally induced me time but whatever allows you to lounge to the max will work. A fluffy jumper, luxe knits, ride or die yoga pants, chunky socks, thick woolly tights, an old hoody- whatever your weapon of choice, suit up and prepare for phase 3.
- Snackage! Now this could be fully prepared in advance comfort food such as soup or cheese toasties, but freshly popped popcorn lends a delicious smell as well as taste, mulled wine is always a crowd pleaser or go old school with bearded gingerbread biscuits and traditional Austrian meringue wreaths accompanied beautifully by my favourite Muggle Friendly Butterbeer Hot Chocolate recipe! Tis the season to be merry so go ahead and treat yourself!
- Once you're all set and ready to snuggle in then it is simply a case of doing your most relaxing/ indulgent activity of choice. Here are a few of my tried and tested holiday faves:
- Wrap yourself up into a human burrito and settle in with your most beloved book (call me obvious but Harry Potter is always a great idea this time of year!)
- Get crafty and make your Christmas cards in front of the telly
- Crack out the golden oldies and play a classic Hollywood movie whilst whilst knitting a handmade gift for a loved one
- Create a cheesy festive playlist to sing along to as you soak in the tub
- If there was ever a board game season, this is it! Get the whole gang round and create some fabulous new memories with a games night
- Skype your bestie! For those that have busy lives or live a distance from your best people, having a good old catch up over the internet could be just the ticket to inject some fun into those rainy days
- Movie marathon! Can't be missed, there are so many great Chrimble films to choose from. Just remember to implement step 3!
- Talking of sweet treats, why not bake your
selffamily some homemade chocolate chip cookies or any wild and imaginative flavour you can think up (Terrys Chocolate Orange and marshmallow anyone?) - Bust out your DIY moves and hand craft a festive wreath to bedeck your front door and to welcome your hibernation buddies
However you choose to spend your blustery Winter days be sure to enjoy the smaller moments, be kind to yourself and others, make time for the special people in your life and for all the things that make you happy and don't forget your ugly jumper! Happy Holidays!
Monday 11 December 2017
Hashtag Blithesome // Instagram Accounts Currently Loving
Guys, it's snowing! Ahh there is something magical about that first dusting of real snow. I can't help but feel all excited at its beauty and stillness. I mean, keep safe out there everyone and remember to look in on your neighbours but what a perfect opportunity to slow down. Lets use this momentary pause in our otherwise busy lives to take stock and reconnect with the people that matter and the things we love!
Whilst you're snuggled up in hibernation mode check out these simply stunning Instagram accounts that I just can't get enough of!
@emily_jeffords
@silkreads
@windmilldreams
@themerrythought
@kayleighawright
@lizlpayne
These instagramming delights should add a twinkle to your day but if you're looking for a few more recommendations to up your inspiration feed then be sure to check out Hashtag Impelling, Hashtag Escape and Hashtag Invoke. See you Thursday for some tips and ideas on cosiness!
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Whilst you're snuggled up in hibernation mode check out these simply stunning Instagram accounts that I just can't get enough of!
@emily_jeffords
Delicate // Festive merriment // Joyful // Hand crafted // Treasures // Watercolour hues
@silkreads
Stacks & piles // Stunning shelves // Contrasting colours // Softness // Classics & contemporaries
@windmilldreams
Treasures of Amsterdam // Hotspots // Hidden gems // Dutch architecture // City streets & canal boats
@themerrythought
Handmade goodness // Christmassy feels // DIY inspiration // Trinkets & treats // Pretty flatlays
@kayleighawright
Heart warming // Comforting // Seasonal snapshots // Everyday life // Winter magic
@lizlpayne
Textural wonders // Mixed media art // Bold & happy colours // Mood enhancing // Needlework
These instagramming delights should add a twinkle to your day but if you're looking for a few more recommendations to up your inspiration feed then be sure to check out Hashtag Impelling, Hashtag Escape and Hashtag Invoke. See you Thursday for some tips and ideas on cosiness!
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Friday 8 December 2017
LOFT - Petit Magasin, Little Department Store, Arnhem
Housed between the bustling cobbled streets of Arnhem city centre, a shining beacon reflecting the city's own multifaceted style of modern meets historical, Loft concept store is the place to shop for your closet, your loved ones and your home.
The building itself is an architect's dream. Its classic Dutch exterior jumps out of the crowd and draws you inside where you're met with bright, light exuding windows, dramatically high ceilings and a serious textural adventure and interactive layout of all the beautiful products within. You can't help but be led through the store from one fabric loaded table to the next alluring rail wanting to take in every single item along the way.
Whether you're shopping for a whole new outfit, for that perfectly unique piece of artwork, for a 'moving in' gift to a best friend or simply looking for interior design ideas Loft has it all, and then some.
Seasonally evolving displays, fashionably ahead of trends whilst always stocking classic pieces this shop really does cater for all occasions and you'll be hard done by to avoid parting with your pennies after just a wee stroll around. I love the super luxe lounge wear and knit collections that seem a staple product, the framed designs and the unusual, stand out home wear treasures that have the ability to transform any room. Take a look for yourselves and get inspired!
As you can see by my excessive abundance of photographs (just imagine the size of my wish list!), the gorgeousness on offer here is vast and plentiful. Treat yourself to a city break to Arnhem and prepare to kit out your home with the most stylish furniture and art work, pick up a few key pieces of statement jewellery, bedeck yourself with the softest t shirts and soak up the fashion forward atmosphere as you go. Just be sure to check in extra baggage!
Friday 1 December 2017
Frost & Frocks // Winter Sewing Wishlist
Greetings Winterlings! Is it getting frosty where you are yet? Here in the East of the Netherlands there is certainly a bite to the air right now! That means ice cold finger tips from cycling thawed out with plenty of hot chocolate.
As the Winter folds us into it's crisp embrace a change of wardrobe is always a good thing and as I'm working on building up a diverse handmade collection I've cobbled together a Winter wish list of scrumptious items I'll be hoping to create!
Keeping things seasonally appropriate I'm thinking of going for wools and tartans, warm textures and drapey silhouettes, navys (shocker) and reds and maybe a mustard or a rust to shake things up.
Looking at the gaps in my current working wardrobe I'm in need of Winter weather proof dresses, a festive skirt would be great, you can never have enough key knits to add softness to any outfit and despite having a heap of coats I'd love a bold cape to pair with some killer biker boots!
Below is my gathered inspiration of each piece, something to get my ideas going and to keep my project focused. Be sure to let me know which items you'd happily wear this Winter!
The Skirt
The Dress
The Knit
The Cape
I can't wait to get my hands on some fabulous textiles and start busting out some of these ideas! Which key season pieces are on your must have/ sewing wish list at the moment?
Save
As the Winter folds us into it's crisp embrace a change of wardrobe is always a good thing and as I'm working on building up a diverse handmade collection I've cobbled together a Winter wish list of scrumptious items I'll be hoping to create!
Keeping things seasonally appropriate I'm thinking of going for wools and tartans, warm textures and drapey silhouettes, navys (shocker) and reds and maybe a mustard or a rust to shake things up.
Looking at the gaps in my current working wardrobe I'm in need of Winter weather proof dresses, a festive skirt would be great, you can never have enough key knits to add softness to any outfit and despite having a heap of coats I'd love a bold cape to pair with some killer biker boots!
Below is my gathered inspiration of each piece, something to get my ideas going and to keep my project focused. Be sure to let me know which items you'd happily wear this Winter!
The Skirt
// Pencil Pusher // Picnic Chic // Winter Scarlet //
The Dress
// Check Mate // Midnight Softness // Velvet Snowflakes //
The Knit
// Mistletoe & Mustard // Snowman's Kiss // Raspberry Purl //
The Cape
// Berry Tartan // Dark Pleasures // Striped Cover up //
I can't wait to get my hands on some fabulous textiles and start busting out some of these ideas! Which key season pieces are on your must have/ sewing wish list at the moment?
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