Giveaway: Em's Birthday Bash

Hey Guys! Emma from Emma Dear is turning 27 and to celebrate, she's put together a giveaway! You can win a large ad space on my blog as well as heaps of other prizes!

C/O Emma Deer // Grits and Moxie // Gypsybeee //  Emphatically Elle // Ramsay Grace

C/O My Dearest Friend // East 80 // Young Mommy Memoirs

C/O Hopeless Notebook // Three Inch Stitch // Live Well and Breathe

C/O The Wandering Deer // Dear Sweetlings // Acute Designs

C/O Okay, Allison! // Ilaria Ruggeri // The Pepper and her Pups

C/O The Laughing Medusa // Bamboo Blossom // The Cottage Diaries

C/O Arrow in the Eye // Oh So Pretty // Pony Chops

C/O Lulu's Wonderland // Pretty Confused // Chane

C/O Zakka // Anchors & Honey

a Rafflecopter giveaway

... and remember, you can tweet once a day for more entries! :] 

X

Molly

South Island: Dunedin and Central Otago

1.Pretty buildings

2-4.Dunedin Railway Station 

5.Steepest street in the world

6.Picnic in the botanical gardens

7-11.Scenery around Central Otago

Dunedin had some of the most amazing architecture we saw on our trip.  The railway station is the second most photographed building in the southern hemisphere (behind the Sydney Opera House).  Its so big that it's hard to get a good photo though!  We went on the Cadbury chocolate factory tour and then walked up the steepest street, and I think we definitely worked off all the chocolate we ate!

Central Otago is really beautiful, with scenery unlike anything else in New Zealand.  It has a really warm climate and we ate some amazing stone fruit! At one place we were a bit confused when no one was at the shop, but then we figured out it was set up so you could pay via EFTPOS.  The new honesty box haha.  That's the South Island for ya!

Smudge Saturday: Settling in for winter

Hey guys! I've been away all week so today I've been spending lots of time catching up with my Smudgie-pie! He's found a new favourite spot by the fire.

I must say, as much as a love summer, its been nice to have some cooler days! Its a great excuse to stay inside with hot cups of milo.

What are you all up to this weekend?

X

Molly

Lookbook Love: Ruche

OMG how amazing is the new lookbook from Ruche?!  So flirty and floral and feminine, and who doesn't love a tea party?!

Shop New Arrivals

To see the rest of the AMAZING images have a look here.

Take a look at their sale items here: Shop Sale

Did you spot the plate wall? I think its beats my one.

X
Molly 

Shop New Arrivals

Polka Dot Overload

Polka Dot Overload by thecottagediaries featuring a denim boyfriend shirt

Closet cotton dress
$79 - awear.com

J Crew sports shirt
jcrew.com

Equipment top
modaoperandi.com

Denim boyfriend shirt
$30 - newlook.com

Topshop
nordstrom.com

Marc by Marc Jacobs mid-rise jeans
$295 - harveynichols.com



Linking up with Long Distance Loving for Friday Fancies.

Have a good weekend everyone!

X
Molly

March Favourites

Just a look back on some of my favourite posts on  the blog this month:

I showed off my gorgeous kitty Smudge:

 Some pictures from our South Island trip:

 The beautiful lookbook from Sabo Skirt:

Our lovely afternoon in Napier:

 I shared a recipe for Apricot Slice:

 Our trip to Duvauchelle:

 I shared one of my favourite outfits:

X

Molly

Hot Cross Buns

Hot cross Buns recipe

Ingredients

3 tsp yeast

450g white flour

1/2 tsp salt

2 Tbsp milk powder

75g butter

3 Tbsp brown sugar

1 Tbsp orange rind

3 tsp allspice

200ml water

1 egg

3/4 C sultanas

Crosses

1/2 C Flour

2 Tbsp oil

Water to mix

Glaze

3 Tbsp milk

3 Tbsp caster sugar

Method

I made the dough in a bread maker, so I just threw everything in and pressed start!

When the dough comes out, knead it until all the air is gone.  Shape into 10-12 balls, place on a greased tray, cover and leave in a warm place to rise.  Wait until the buns have doubled in size, which will take about 30-40 minutes. 

Make the crosses by mixing together the flour and oil, and enough water to make a smooth paste.  Spoon into a piping bag and form a cross on the top of each bun.

Bake in oven at 200 degrees for 15-25 minutes or until golden brown. Meanwhile, boil together the glaze ingredients until syrupy.  Brush buns with with the glaze once they come out of the oven.

Lastly, you must eat at least one while they are still warm!!

Happy Easter!

X

Molly