When I think of a Bloody Mary, I think of ‘the morning after the night before’. This drink is a well known, and much loved hang-over cure. But, it’s also a wonderful choice for brunches, lunches and afternoon teas.

This recipe is a little different from your traditional Bloody Mary and along with Vodka and tomato juice it also incorporates the wonderful fiery North Africian hot red paste, Harissa. This is an exciting twist on a classic drink.

 Ingredients:

-       75ml Vodka

-       250ml Tomato Juice

-       1 teaspoon Harissa Paste

-       Juice of 2 Limes

-       Salt and freshly ground Black Pepper

-       Ice

Method

1. Mix the harissa paste, lime juice and vodka together till the paste is evenly distributed

2. Add tomato juice and stir to combine

3. Add ice cubes

4. Season with salt and black pepper

5. Garnish with a fresh crispy celery stick

(serves 1-2)

Photography by Nicky McLauchlan

Ms Gingham says: Yum!

About Ms Lace: A Brisbane girl who writes the inspiring wedding blog, Chasing Rainbows Kissing Frogs which showcases ideas, vendors and weddings from around the world. Having lived everywhere from Paris to Beirut and Saudi Arabia, the only language Ms Lace is fluent in is weddings. “Weddings make me giddy!”

Ms Lace writes regularly for the blog. Read her previous posts here.

Cocktail Friday, Made | Comments 0

This has to be one of the easiest and most fun DIY projects! Chalkboard table numbers are such a fun way to add a personal touch to your tables (becxause why stop at numbers? Name your tables anything you like!) but we loved the idea so much that Ms Gingham and I turned it into a DIY project for our recent TV segment!

What You’ll Need:

- Chalkboard Paint

- Chalkboard Marker or chalk

- Paintbrush

- Wooden Shape

- Dowel

- Glue

Instructions:

1. The first thing you need to do is determine the shape of your “number” and the length of your dowel. Spotlight sells “Heart wands” with the dowel and heart shape already attached, but if you need to do these yourself, or want to try a different shape you’ll need to purchase your own shapes and glue them onto the dowel.

2. Ensuring your shape is smooth, paint on the chalkboard paint as instructed. The makers recommend two thin coats.

3. Leave to dry and cure for six hours.

4. You can use chalk or chalkboard marker for this project, ms Gingham picked up a chalkboard marker and I have to say, if you are transporting your numbers, then the marker and it’s sticking power is definitely the better option!

5. Write your number, name or quote onto your “chalk board”

6. To help your table numbers stand up in your vases or vessels, stick them into a stack of florist’s foam.

You don’t have to be limited to one shape! Maybe you could put a heart in for your table number and one saying “The Sweethearts Table” or “The Family Table”. The best part about these is that if you don’t like what you’ve done, you can wash it off, rub it out and re do it!

Photography by Ms Polka Dot

Ms Gingham says: We had so much fun putting together this little DIY segment for The Circle at Channel 10 and although I wasn’t invited to be a guest “on the couch” (clearly an oversight) our DIY expertise is sure to impress! Hehe!

DIY Tutorials, Made | Comments 0

Amal is a charming font is based on Arabic calligraphy. Try using this font  if you want to add an exotic touch to your day with Middle Eastern lanterns, rich colours, and brass serving platters. Think velvet cushions and a gentlemen’s lounge and you have a perfect decor for a sumptuous wedding.

This font also comes in semi bold and bold.

Amal is available from My Fonts

Made, Tuesday Type | Comments 0

1. Nest with sparrows from TheBohoBride   2. Chocolate filled woodland toadstools from andiespecialtysweets   3. Edible wild sugar mushrooms  from andiespecialtysweets   4. Birds from cottonbirddesigns   5. Assorted sugar autumn leaves from andiespecialtysweets   6. Edible fondant acorns from MysticLair

Etsy Roundup, Made | Comments 1

This is a recipe that evolved in my mind. I was imagining a sophisticated martini sporting with a fancy swizzle stick with a rind of orange artfully twisted onto it. In reality, the drink took me where it wanted to go with the taste and I rather like the result! So here we go! To make an Orange Twist you will need:

• Cointreau
• Vodka
• 1 Orange (juice and some rind)
• Crushed Ice
• 2 Teaspoons Sugar

Step 1

Slice two thin pieces of the orange peel, each about 5 cm long, and place into your cocktail shaker.

Step 2

Add 2 teaspoons of sugar and use your muddler (or the end of a wooden spoon) to press the rind and release the natural orange oils.

Step 3

Once your orange has release it’s oils add 6 tablespoons of crushed ice, the juice of your orange, 1.5 shots of cointreau and 1.5 shots of vodka Give it a shake for a good 2 to 3 minutes as you want to make sure all your sugar is dissolved. When you’re done, strain your mixture into two glasses.

Step 4

Add some more crushed ice and a fresh piece of orange rind and enjoy!

Photography by Ms Gingham

Cocktail Friday, Made, Recipes | Comments 0