Inspired by...

I was cruising through blog land and came across  this post by lovely miss Zara of Zaranne handmade... I have a small stash of woolly blankets ready to cut into so I grabbed some out and started playing. I have made a few of these, so far none of them fit, but it is fun trying!

I am due to make my small person a new jacket. I made These two last year -









These are a size 2 and Zav is turning 4 in September. Time to get her rugged up again! I am thinking jacket and matching snuggly hat with bear ears. If you know of any great patterns please let me know.

Bec xx

Around here lately...

Its that time of year and once again my small person seems to continually sick. The last two weeks she has been home with me everyday, missing daycare and preventing me from getting much done. I do have the most amazing stack of dresses all ready to finish with zips and trims and I can't wait to show them off to you. Hopefully she will recover soon and I will be able to get stuck in to sewing again.

I have been on a few op-shopping adventures with a haul of about 25 new fabrics last week, and numerous parcels have also been left on my doorstep with plenty of vintage goodness within... My studio is once again overflowing with fabric and I had better get it sorted out soon or it might bury me. I think the fabric library may me long overdue for an update.

I have been trying my best to keep my baby happy and well fed. Lots of snuggle time on the couch, watching shows together like the Block and House Rules. Lots of slow cooked meals and bed socks.

I have also been making lots of THOSE healthy brownies, although this time I added a few choc chips... They are ridiculously delicious. Looking after my sick girl has not been too stressful, she has actually been an angel. I am a lucky mumma. 

I hope you are all well and happy and healthy, wherever you are in the world...

Bec xx

healthy brownie recipe - baking with black beans!

I am trying to learn a few healthy treat recipes to spoil my small person, guilt free. This is the first recipe I have tried and it worked out perfectly. It is for a very rich and indulgent chocolate brownie. You whizz all of the ingredients together in a food processor or blender until smooth and then bake in a cupcake tray for about 20 minutes.

You will need...

1 banana
3 eggs
1 tin of organic black beans, drained and well rinsed
1/3 cup of cacao
1/3 cup of honey
1 teaspoon of baking powder
1 teaspoon of  sea salt
1 teaspoon of Vanilla extract
4 tablespoons of coconut oil, melted

You could add nuts or chocolate chips. And you can substitute banana for pureed apple or pumpkin. You could even substitute the black beans for butter beans or chickpeas. I didn't even bother using a measuring cup and they still worked out pretty damn tasty. Dense and rich and full of healthiness!

Combine all of your ingredients in a blender or food processor and mix until smooth and a little bit mousse like.

Pour the mixture into a muffin tin that has been lightly greased, you could use the left over melted coconut oil.

Bake at approx 180 degrees until the brownies have risen gently and spring back when you touch them.

Yummo. Let me know if you try this out, I would love to hear what you think. Do you have any favourite , idiot proof healthy recipes that you can share with me??

Bec xx

bridal gown...

I am exhausted and nearly falling asleep watching the smurfs with my small person. Last night after I put my little to bed inspiration took hold of me and I stayed awake until 3 am sewing this dress. Maybe its because love is in the air? I'm not sure why, but I felt compelled to make something bridal... It was so nice to make something from start to finish in one sitting, listening to my favourite music, drinking wine and not worrying about the time.

I was so completely thrilled with the finished dress that I wanted to dance around in it all morning. My neighbors must think I am crazy, running around in the front yard in a wedding dress with a tripod, taking self portraits. At least Zavian thinks that it is amazing. She thinks her mummy is a princess.

I am not getting married. If I was I would try to keep my dress a secret until the special day. This dress is exactly what I would want to wear if I was getting married right now. I will sell the dress because now I have shown everyone and I am sure my taste will change before I actually do tie the knot. I will make my own dress though, when it happens.

I made this dress from a very soft old sheet with a subtle print. The bodice detail is in a thrifted lace. The wreath normally hangs above my bed, and the flower crown is actually a necklace I pinned in my hair. The bouquet is a bunch of flowers my love gave to me last week. Impromptu dress-up sessions call for a Macgyver  approach to styling. I did feel every bit the part though.

Yes, I do think I will make more...

Happy weekending.

Bec x