fading out

Zara floral dress, New Look tights, Boots via Spartoo.

Worn for a fairly pointless Saturday really, I really should learn to plan better as I had potential to get so much done and yet watched the hours pass by on the clock. I’ll be glad to see the back of January on Tuesday, I’m sure the name of the month itself brings about a disposition to feel down in the dumps.

How has your weekend turned out so far?

xxx

What Katie Drew

So, by now you’ve all seen my new header, right? It was created by the wonderful Katie who In her own words says:
“I’m an illustrator & designer based in NE England.  I was born in Edinburgh and studied animation before choosing to focus on illustration. I’m currently in my third and final year of Illustration & Design at Sunderland University and i’m looking forward to graduating and getting out into the big wide world”

Her work includes these stunning animal creations, including the cutest kitty pet portrait (when we get a new cat, I’m totally commissioning her)

Katie’s talents don’t stop there though…she created these gorgeous pictures for my blog as well as my new header, which I challenged her to do with very vague ideas of what I actually wanted!



This sketch is by Katie’s equally talented friend, Jamie.

Fancy some artwork of your own? Katie has an etsy shop; although currently it is fairly empty, this is going to change, soon!

You can also drop her an e-mail on katiedraws.hello(at)gmail.com with specific requests…she’s really very friendly so don’t be shy!

What do you think? I’ve never been drawn before so it was surreal to see myself in a 2D form. A massive thank you to Katie; I promise not to pester you too much!

xxx

((if you have a talent you’d like to see up on the blog, drop me an e-mail- adaisychaindream(at)googlemail.com))

cranberry crush

Dress- A Wear, Tights- Boots, Shoes- Poetic License via TK Maxx, Necklace- EssBeeVee’s etsy

Over the last couple of months I have gone from owning nothing in pink to loads in pink…finally I’m turning in to a girl, or something like that.
Actually, the label proclaims this dress “Cranberry” but with a price tag of £5 a couple of days before the A Wear shop in Bristol closed down, I wasn’t going to argue that it looked more pink to me.

How cute is this necklace? Made by the gorgeous Sarah, you can get your own in her Etsy shop, I bought one for a friend and she very kindly sent me one too….Sarah, have I told you lately that I love you?

What do we think of the new header? A lovely girl named Katie created it for me, but I won’t say any more than that right now as there is a blog post dedicated to her coming up in the very near future; we go way back!

Friday is finally here. Have a Crunchie and get ready for the weekend.

((if you don’t get the Crunchie thing then we can’t be friends, sorry))

xxx

cake for breakfast?

It’s common knowledge that Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and yet so many people skip it; personally I wouldn’t make it past the front door without some porridge and toast and I always make time for it, but not everyone has that luxury and as a nation we have become used to not breaking the fast until mid-morning or later.

Well,
What if I told you that you can have breakfast on the go…and it involves cake? Or rather, muffins? Would that change your mind? I made these at the weekend for my Dad who decided he wanted to give breakfast a go but needed something he could take to work and eat at his desk…

Apple and Date Breakfast Muffins:
You’ll need:

50g Butter
100g Wholemeal Flour
40g Muscovado Sugar
1.5 tsp baking powder
120g dried, chopped dates (un-sweeted is preferable)
1tsp mixed spice
1 eating apple
1 egg, beaten
100ml skimmed milk
Zest of half an orange

The steps:

Preheat the oven to 180˚C/350˚F/gas mark 4.

Line 8 holes of a muffin tin with muffin cases or greaseproof paper. In a bowl, gently rub the butter into the flour to make fine crumbs. Add the sugar. Stir in the baking powder, chopped dates and spice.
In a separate bowl, grate the apple, including the peel, down to the core and combine it with the beaten egg, milk and orange zest.
Tip the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined, but don’t over mix.
Spoon the mixture into the prepared muffin tins and bake for 25 to 30 mins until golden on top and cooked through. Test they’re cooked by inserting a skewer and checking it comes out clean.

Serve warm or cold.    

Each Muffin contains 135 calories and 6.5g Fat.

Recipe from here

A batch was also made for my Grandad who loves dates and he declared them “the best muffins”. Don’t be put off by the dates though, when baked they take on a toffee like flavour!

Are you a breakfast skipper, or are you like me and need it for the most basic of functioning?

Do you have any portable breakfast recipes to share? I’m in the mood for experimentation!

xxx

knock me down with a feather

I have so many dresses competing for spot as my favourite right now. Motel Heidi feather print dress* is one of them, and quite possibly the top contender! Sent c/o Motel this is the first piece I have owned from the brand (aside from a pink and red striped rugby top when I was about 14!). I’d never bought from Motel before, convinced that the dresses were all bodycon and far too short; but this fit and flare style has won me over…it’s flattering, floaty and one of those pieces that you can’t help but feel good in.

I teamed it with my latest Sarenza aquisition; Georgia Rose Lalia Boots* currently in the sale at £60.60. I thought these might have been too pointed on my big feet, and maybe a little ugly, but in real life they are AMAZING. A little bit punky, beautifully comfortable and very versatile. Potentially a new favourite pair of boots.

Back at work today, I lose my lunch break to life support and defib training too. It’s going to be a long ‘un!

Looking on the brightside…it’s already Wednesday, so ALMOST the weekend!

xxx