Saturday 30 July 2011

WE SHOULD JUST RUN AWAY.


A few snaps from last weekend's trip to Glasgowbury. I went with a few friends (including two of my classmates/housemates) last saturday morning to pitch our tent and enjoy!

  
 
 

It turned out to be unbelievably good weather after my previous concerns, and we had a super day between hanging out at the campsite and seeing some great music too!

   
 
   

Some of my highlights were Elspeth, Rainy Boy Sleep and the surprise special guests General Fiasco - all worth a click and a listen if you fancy!


 
 
 
 
 

Next week, I'm going to be on a pharmacy placement, working hard from 9 to 5.30, so I'll not be up to much very interesting, but I'll still be stopping by with a few posts anyway!

love, Jessica

Thursday 28 July 2011

VELVET.



A few weeks ago I tried my hand at baking Red Velvet Cupcakes topped with cream cheese frosting! Again, I used the lovely Hummingbird Bakery cookbook, which I used to make this lemon loaf. The whole baking process went really well, although when I got to a certain point, mixing in the cocoa powder and red food colouring, when I realised that these cupcakes weren't exactly going to be 'red' velvet. 


I used regular food colouring, though the recipe did recommend Dr. Oetker's version specifically. Not having it readily available, I went ahead, and unfortunately, ended up with what was essentially brown velvet. My friend, Emma, told me that brown was more vintage anyway, and again, they tasted pretty good, so I was happy enough!


Next week I'll be posting my photos from baking with white chocolate and pecan cookies, which were unusually successful!

love, Jessica

Tuesday 26 July 2011

EARLY IN THE MORNING.


Another week, and another musical recommendation from me! One of the more recent additions to my music library, and already one of my fast favourites, Dublin born-and-raised folkster James Vincent McMorrow.

I'm fairly sure I first heard If I Had A Boat on the radio in work, and fell in love at first listen, downloading the single as soon as I got home. A few days later, I found out that he was supporting City and Colour in the Royal Albert Hall in London, a gig that I was already unbelievably excited for - so it was a wonderful wonderful discovery! When his album, Early in the Morning was released in February, it was on repeat on my iPod for a fair few weeks, and my feelings for McMorrow as an artist were confirmed as not just infatuation but true and unwavering love.



His lyrics, emotional, magical and at times, dark, coupled with his folksy guitar and banjo and soft, charming voice, just give me chills and a warm feeling in the cockles of my heart at the same time. His performance at the Royal Albert Hall was breathtaking. The audience were respectful, probably more respectful than I expected for such a huge venue and for a supporting act, and the silence in the hall when he started to sing gave his songs an echoing and haunting dimension that can't be justified from just listening to the album. His humbled demeanor certainly didn't do anything to dissuade my adoration and in short, he was fantastic!


If you get the opportunity, see him live. Otherwise, buy this album and lose yourself in it! (iTunes + Amazon)
 
love, Jessica

Monday 25 July 2011

WALK IN THE PARK.


Last week, Mr Sally and I went to the park for a little picnic in the good weather, stopping to get supplies on the way, including pringles, pasta, cookies and some pink lemonade!
 
I had a little glass of wine with my pasta and it was just lovely sitting in the sunshine! I work a few days a week with a photographer and Mr Sally works and lives most of the time in Belfast, so time off and together is always precious and it's nice to combine that with a day out somewhere, even if it is just to the local park. We had fun!
 
 

'Meeow!' tank - Topshop
Denim shorts - Miss Selfridge
Blazer - Asda
Sandals - Aldo
Boater - Primark

Conor graciously took a few snaps for me to post up here. My top was a gift from him himself (which i love a lot!), the shorts were a super sale buy from a few weeks ago (they're perfect), my blazer is an oldie bought a few years ago, and the sandals are maybe my favourite purchase from this summer so far (after I broke them in, there were a few weeks of blisters and cuts which are still healing). I love their ethnic, tribal colours and patterns, and they're really perfect to pair with anything!

love, Jessica

Thursday 21 July 2011

LEMONWORLD.


When I'm at home during weekdays, particularly over the summer months, I love to pass the time by baking, and recently, all of the recipes I've used have been out of the wonderful Hummingird Bakery's cookbook.

 
I'm a bit of a sucker for aesthetically pleasing books, and the book is packed full of beautiful photographs of delicious baked goods. There's cupcakes, cakes, muffins, cheescakes and cookies to choose from, and honestly, even thinking about them now has got me feeling a little hungry!

Today, I'm going to share some posts with you from one of my recent bakes, a Lemon Loaf, complete with a lemon syrup drizzle!



 

 
 

Unfortunately, something went a little wrong during the baking process and my loaf refused to come out of the tin properly, so I was too ashamed to even take any photos of what actually ended up on the cooling rack! It was later made a little more loaf like thanks to my mother, but at the end of the day, it tasted good, and well, isn't that all that matters!


You can purchase the book online on Amazon if you fancy!

Tomorrow, I'll be sharing some photos from last week's picnic in the park!
[EDIT] ^^Turns out I've been too busy packing and organising for Glasgowbury! More posts next week! Have a good weekend!

love, Jessica