Friday, July 30, 2010

late night shopping...

*Super Dachie card


I just love all of Rocstar's products especially the cards, they are classic! To see them in person head to the brisStyle Indie Twilight Market tonight in Brisbane's King George Square. To see more of the rocstar dog boutique products head to the website or to read more about these models visit the roc n ralph blog.

*The amazing photography is by Serenah Photography

Thursday, July 29, 2010

studio spreads to dining room...



thankfully Ryo is a very patient soul. Living with someone who works from home in a creative field must be frustrating to say the least. I'm in full life instyle preparation mode now which means a little hot toffee chaos has spread to almost every room in our home...

Friday, July 23, 2010

tiles, markets and pop-up shops..


While we are choosing tiles for a hearth to go under our new wood stove which will fit perfectly in this little nook, others will be enjoying The Bardon Market, the Laidley Market or the wee pop-up shop presented by tricycle at nook. However you spend your weekend I hope it's lovely x

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Windsor Deli: Gluten free Garibaldi






"Squashed fly slice" or "Fly cemetary" to so many Australians. What a terrible name for something so buttery and flaky and fruity!

It is called Garibaldi and I found it in a book that my Dad brought back from America for me a few years ago. I started making it at the deli about 6 months ago when I needed a shortbread that I thought kids could take to school and I found that the older generations just loved it as it brought back so many memories of the version of the English Garibaldi Slice!

The great thing about this buttery shortbread is that I have now made it into a gluten free version. I know that it will work well with your cup of tea in the morning or for a great morning tea to take to a friends house.




********************

the windsor deli posts are kindly shared with us by Katrina Higham, owner of Windsor Deli in Victoria. For more of Katrina's yummy gluten free recipes visit;

the blog: Windsor Deli


the deli: 33 Hornby St, Windsor Victoria. {open 7 days 7am -5.30pm}

*photos courtesy of Katrina

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

label love...

sweet impressions


even the misprints are great



imagine my delight when I saw this old DYMO label maker at my local op shop. It's old, it's clunky and I love it. The tape cartridge sits inside the handle making it a neat little printing machine!

Friday, July 16, 2010

the sun will set.


I'm planning a mostly quiet weekend, I'll probably visit a couple of garage sales, potter (= do some desperately needed weeding!!) in the garden, walk with pochi, drink wine with Ryo, watch the sun set and eat some yummy food.



Do you want to see some handmade goodness?

The BrisStyle Indie Designers Exhibition and website launch opens at the Brisbane Square Library tonight and runs through August.

Also, the handmade expo is on tomorrow in Ipswich.

Enjoy x

welcome: Windsor Deli.


photos courtesy of Marianna Massey


Remember I mentioned Katrina Higham a while back, the owner of Windsor Deli in Victoria? Well, we've been emailing back and forth and have decided that Windsor Deli will be making regular posts here on the hot toffee blog - yay! So, the plan is that Katrina will share some of the gluten free recipes she's made in pictures + words linking back to her blog with the full recipe {we figure by doing so we can reach more people who have to live the gluten free life = sharing the love}. The first post will be on the 21st of this month. Please make Katrina feel welcome by leaving comments here or on the deli blog and please, please let us know your experience making the recipes. We'd love to hear from you. xx

Friday, July 9, 2010

kumihimo = japanese braiding

kumihimo by TrishAlan

Tomorrow is the first ever brisStyle Indie Eco Market. I won't be able to make it but over 35 of the brisStyle Indie Designers will be showcasing their handmade eco-friendly and vintage wares so it's sure to be a fun and inspiring day. To learn how to make your own Japanese braids, like the gorgeous ones pictured (I'm particularly taken with the little red hearts, so sweet!) join Trish at the TrishAlan stall. Click here to see the full list on who will be there. To read about some of the new products that will be for sale visit the brisStyle blog.

impossible pie..


..is just one reason I love the library! The 'impossible pie' is from this cookbook. I made it last week but didn't photograph it so this photo is from the book itself. It was so simple and so yum! All I did was substitute the flour with gluten free flour and the milk with rice milk.

I always feel quite rich when visiting the library. Maybe it's because I have access to so many books and when I can't afford to buy my favourite magazines I can borrow them so I never miss out!

Thursday, July 8, 2010

coming up roses.


sweet entrance





lovely window dressing



dotty washi tape added to my collection



Yesterday after enjoying morning tea and giggles with an old friend and her little people in the park I stopped by coming up roses* to take some photos. (I was so excited earlier this year when coming up roses* became a hot toffee stockist and have desperately been wanting to photograph the shop before sharing the news here.) This is one of the loveliest shops I've ever been in. Managed by Lorraine and Sarah it has such a beautiful selection of products which are just so exquisitely displayed. From the price tags to window displays the tiniest of details are lovingly given the attention they deserve. I highly recommend a visit!

Oh and just in case you are wondering.....yes, I did come home with my very own copy of Pia Jane Bijkerk's AMSTERDAM: MADE BY HAND.


*coming up roses
118 bilyana street
balmoral Q 4171



Friday, July 2, 2010

it's Friday I'm in love...


Isn't this speech bubble necklace by the morose bee sweet - what would you write if it was yours? This song has been playing in my head all day so that's what I'm thinking I would write..although it could be a little long to fit into a tiny speech bubble...

Now it's time to enjoy some dinner and wine with Ryo and catch up on this week which has flown by.

Hoping everyone has a great weekend! I'm thinking of heading to the Young Designers Market or maybe I'll stick closer to home and go to this antique fair as I've never been to it before. Let's see how the weekend unfolds.... enjoy

Thursday, July 1, 2010

out of the studio...

love this!

looking in..



fresh flowers


Since finishing teaching I have been very strict with my hot toffee working times and so far it's going well. Set times for checking emails, cutting glass, packaging, morning tea, lunch etc mean I'm working more efficiently than before. It's very easy when working from home to procrastinate.very. very. easy and I'm determined not to fall into this trap. So, Wednesdays are my day to get out of the studio (and home) to visit stockists, suppliers and the odd coffee shop :). Yesterday saw me dropping some stock into Province Modern Country in Ipswich and having a lovely chat with store owner Naomi. It's always a pleasure to visit this store. Fresh flowers greet you near the entrance as treasures from near and far lay within.
You can visit Province Modern Country at 197 Brisbane St, Ipswich.