Easy Rhubarb Cordial

The perfect summer drink, rhubarb cordial tastes amazing mixed with cold water and icecubes, with sparkling wine or as a midsummer cocktail. So simple to make and a perfect present to give away, I tap mine into smaller bottles complete with handmade labels. All you need is plenty of rhubarb, sugar, lemon and water and you’re ready to go.  And it's such a pretty colour!

This recipe makes about three litres of finished cordial (can easily be halved if you don’t have a kilo of rhubarb)

You’ll need

·      1 kg rhubarb washed and chopped into smallish pieces 

·      1,5 litre water

·      400 grams of sugar

·      The juice from one lemon

Method

Simmer the rhubarb pieces with the water for 15 min, don’t stir. Drain and throw away the rhubarb (I just used a normal sieve).

Pour back the rhubarb juice in the pan and add the sugar and lemon juice. Heat it to boiling point, making sure the sugar has dissolved.

Remove from the heat, let cool and pour into clean bottles.

You can freeze the cordial in plastic containers for extra longevity.  As this rhubarb cordial is a bit more subtle in taste than other cordials, use a bit more than normal when mixing with water but this is of course just a question of taste. Enjoy! 

Some quiet time in Norfolk

Escaping the sweltering heat of London (35 degrees!), we stayed in Norfolk instead of going back to Hackney as planned this week. The garden needs attention (see jungle above) as well as other bits and pieces that needs sorting in the cottage, we are in fact keen to start renting it out as soon as possible. We went to the garden centre, ate all of our meals outside, I picked elderflower and rhubarb and made lots of cordial and Otto and I have been going for late evening walks just as the sun sets, inhaling the heady scents of honeysuckle, rose and lavender. 

After our trip to the garden centre

Finally got a frame for the lovely screen print by my friend Victoria Collinge

Elderflower cordial in the making

and rhubarb...

Late night BBQs

On my reading table- Cereal's beautiful new book, Swedish interiors bible Residence, Elle Decoration and other bits

An evening walk through the village

A Morning with Alessandra Genualdo & Kira

I first came across Alessandra Genualdo's beautiful work on Instagram and instantly feel in love. Her intricate playful paintings of ladies in amazing outfits, dogs and plants always make me smile and I was so happy to find out that Alessandra lives very close to me and that we even walk our dogs in the same park. 

This week I went to visit Alessandra and Kira, her beautiful English Setter, in Ale's light-filled studion in Hackney Wick and chatted about dogs (mainly!), the importance of reading and our creative processes. Originally from Puglia, Southern Italy, Alessandra did a MA i illustration at Camberwell College of Art and now works as a freelance illustrator and tutor. Working with gouache painting and coloured pencil on paper she takes inspiration from everything from botanical illustration to fashion collections (recent collaborations include work with Erdem & Gucci). The female figure plays a predominate part in Ale's illustrations and the ladies and girls that she paints manage to be mysterious, innocent, fashionable and melancholic- all at the same time. For more inspiring work check out Alessandra's website, if you ask nicely she might even take on a private commission. 

A Shoot with SZ Blockprints

Last week I had the pleasure to do a shoot with lovely Sarah, the founder, head and creative director of SZ Blockprints. I always love a good colourful pattern and these beautiful block printed pieces are all handprinted using traditional methods in Jaipur, India. SZ Blockprints offers a lovely selection of both homewares and gorgeous clothing (can I have all the kaftans please?) and the baby blankets are so cute. Otto came to the shoot and agrees that they can be used for doggies too! Also look out for Sarah's collaboration with US fashion giant J.Crew to be released this month.

A Trip to Lovely Lewes- Part II

You can easily spend hours getting lost in the cobbled alleyways of Lewes and getting fit by walking up and down its' many hilly streets. Lewes also has an incredibly high number of independent shops and it is such a pleasure seeing this small community thrive with creativity and enthusiasm.

A.S Apothecary

With a love for organic skincare, A.S Apothecary is a small batch distillery making natural scents, creams, aromatic waters and balms from flowers, bark, leaves, roots and blossom. They distil flowers and plants in small batches handpicked in Sussex, Cyprus and Scotland. The calming flagship store houses all of their beautifully packaged products as well as a serene treatment room offering signature facials.

On my way from A.S Apothecary I encountered all kinds of beautiful greenery and quaint Lewes scenes.

Freight Store

Located on the High Street and well worth a visit is well-curated and beautifully pared back Freight Store. With a selection of household items, interiors and a small selection of clothing, Freight is run by mother-and-daughter team Adele and Helen who work with small scale manufacturers and craftsmen thought out the UK.

After several coffees at Flint Owl (see previous post) I walked down the the hill to the Needle Makers, an enchanting old factory building who now houses a selection of independent shops as well as a café. Here I met with Victoria who runs and owns the lovely store From Victoria. 

In this beautiful light-filled space, ceramists Victoria Turner offers a selection of gorgeous plants, pots, homeware and her own intricate ceramics. From Victoria also houses pieces from artisans around the world with a focus on quality craftsmanship.

A Trip to Lovely Lewes - Part I

I spent the last two days in Lewes in East Sussex visting my dear friends Victoria and Dennis. Only an hour and a bits' train ride from London, Lewes is a beautiful little town dotted with great antique and independent shops, cute little alleyways, historic architecture, pastel-coloured houses, all surrounded by green rolling hills. Walking around exploring is always one of my favourite things and here are some of the highlights of my trip (in two posts as I took far too many pictures). 

You can easily spend most of a day walking up and down the hills of Lewes and exploring all the great antique shops, there are lots! However, there are also plenty of independent shops that are well worth a visit. Here are some of my favourite spots. 

Closet & Botts

Housed in an former pharmacy, Closet & Botts is run by friends Harriet and Chloe and offers a charming mix of flea market finds, clothing and homeware. An inspiring setting, the shop looks out on it's very own walled garden and is beautifully and thoughtfully curated. 

Lewes is full of Victorian houses with very pretty gardens and the most beautiful spring flowers, the May air heavy with the scent of wisteria and lilacs.

As I was hopping in and out of shops trying to avoid the rain, I returned to the Flint Owl several times for breakfast, coffee and lunch. A real treat!

Flint Owl Bakery

A bakery and calming café complete with a beautiful garden, the Flint Owl offers delicious fresh bread, pastries, cakes, salads and of course tasty coffee too. Definitely my most favourite Lewes food spot, I was very tempted to try all of its impressive bread selection as well as gorgeous cakes. 

A Film in Collaboration with AEG [sponsored post]

We've had the Norfolk cottage for just under a year now and we are still making progress with it. Every weekend we are up there's a new project to undertake, however the sense of freedom and the quiet up here is for me the ultimate luxury. Below is a little film about the cottage, creativity and the importance of windows and natural light in collaboration with #aeg_uk

A while ago I met up with @aegglobal in my Norfolk country house. We talked about how daylight impacts the mood and creativity. Here’s the result, hope you like it! _______________________________________________________ Now you can win a limited edition print of my country house view and an AEG WX7 window cleaner. To compete: Take a picture of a windowless wall in your home and tell why you’d like to give it more life. Don’t forget to tag the post with #myviewbyAEG #aeg_uk #AEGwx7. Three lucky winners will be chosen. Best of luck!

In Collaboration with AEG: Norfolk Cottage Tour [Sponsored Post]

A while ago I met up with the lovely people from AEG in our Norfolk country cottage. We talked about how windows and natural light impacts mood and creativity as I showed them around our little house. Now you can win the below limited-edition print of my country house view and an AEG WX7 window cleaner. To compete: Take a picture of a windowless wall in your home and tell why you’d like to give it more life. Don’t forget to tag the post with #myviewbyAEG. Three lucky winners will be chosen on the 15th of May and will be contacted through a DM. Good Luck! #aeg_uk

The print you can win of our Norfolk garden view

Ren London

I went to visit Ren in her Hackney studio yesterday, a short walk from my flat in fact. It's always such a privilege to see how other creatives work and Ren's beautiful textiles caught my eye sometime back and I was curious to find out more about her creative process. Working with linen, Ren block prints functional and contemporary pieces for the home as well as a line of minimalist clothing. Inspired by abstract art, unusual object and architecture Ren carefully sources her linen from a flax mill in Lithuania when her grandmother worked for nearly 40 years. As we chatted about printing, Southern Italy and the wonders of Naples, our dogs Otis & Otto were happily playing on the floor- a morning very well spent.

Puglia - Love at First Sight

We've had the most magical time in Puglia, I can highly recommend going. Beautiful architecture, serene nature, lovely people, great weather and of course amazing food! We flew in to Bari and spent lovely days in a villa we rented not far from Arbelobello. Other highlights included going to the food market in Locorotondo, exploring the local ceramics in Grottaglie and relaxing at the beautiful Masseria Torre Coccaro. Wandering the deserted streets of Unesco World Heritage site Matera was pretty special too. Can't wait to return to this magical part of the world. 

The narrowest road leading to our Villa

Narrow alleyways of Locorotondo

Lunch at Masseria Torre Coccaro

Cutest Trulli (traditional houses) & an old Renault in Arbelobello

Grottaglie

Ceramic studio in Grottaglie

Antonio Fasano Ceramic shop- Grottaglie

The ceramic district in Grottaglie

Matera- An UNSECO World Heritage Site (technically in the Basilicata district) 

Matera rooftops

Matera courtyard

And a rare picture of me... 

London Styling Story

I've spent most of this week working on a project in South West London, styling the beautiful home of South African interior designer Taryn Driemeyer. Taryn lives here with her partner Paul and their adorable cockapoo Holly - it was lovely to get the opportunity to spend some time in this peaceful part of town. Taryn has done such a great job with this house, the muted colour schemes and contemporary designs work perfectly together. 

The entrance hall and front door

Kitchen and table setting

Tablescape- plates and bowls courtesy of @botanyshope5

Downstairs TV Room

Bookshelf Details

Corner of TV Room

The Laundry Room

Master Bedroom

Guest Bedroom

A Visit to the Urban Flower Company

I'm a firm believer in having plants and flowers at home, not only because it makes your house more beautiful but mainly because it makes your soul happier. I try to always have at least a bunch of something green in our livingroom, even if it's just a branch from our Norfolk garden. There are plenty of great flower shops in London, one of the most beautiful I've come across is the Urban Flower Company in Crouch End which I visited last week. Their creative and slightly wild approach to flower arranging is refreshing, fun and results is some truly innovate and super gorgeous bouquets. Well worth a visit, you can find the Urban Flower Company at 47 Park Road, N8 8TE 

Malta- An afternoon stroll through Mdina

We spent a four nights in Malta and went for a dreamy afternoon walk in the medieval former capital Mdina, also known as the silent city. An ancient walled town, the stunning architecture and quite narrow streets was nothing short of a magical experience. Travelling anywhere in the off-peak season is key for me, and something I can highly recommend to anyone who (like me) suffers from crowd aversion and tacky tourist merchandise phobia. There's nothing quite like an deserted street and the sound of silence to relax your mind and soothe even the most stressed-out city dweller. 

At Home with Corrie Williamson

Earlier this week I had the pleasure to visit talented maker Corrie Williamson in her Lower Clapton home in East London. I first met Corrie when I worked at Botany and she later bought one of my eduards accessories bags but it was only quite recently I was introduced to her beautiful work. 

Working with wood, industrial materials (corian and perspex) as well as precious metals, Corrie makes both bold statement jewellery as well as beautiful hanging mobiles. Influenced by Bauhaus aesthetics, her work features geometric patterns and bold minimalist shapes- I'm completely smitten. I'm in fact now the proud owner of the mobile which is hanging above the piano in the pictures and can't wait to hang it in our Norfolk cottage.

For more info and pictures of Corrie's work you can follow her on Instagram and visit her webshop. 

Lambing Day

Spring is (kind of) in the air and a sure sign is the arrival of all the newborn lambs in the farm close to our Norfolk cottage. Yesterday was lambing day and we took the chance to go and visit these adorable creatures and admire them up close. Also, there's something truly magical about the light in old barns- the way it seeps through all the cracks and gaps of the old ceilings and walls. Being surrounded by cute baby animals and biblical light, I was truly in my element!

A Winter Weekend in Norfolk

Spending the weekend in the cottage in Norfolk is always such a pleasure, even though it was a very grey, wet and cold one. We are finally getting a bit more furniture in the livingroom, slowly making it into the cosy nest we want it to be. Today we went for a long walk with Otto who got covered in mud but seemed very happy nevertheless. We met some lovely horses on our way, but didn't spot any humans- I think most people decided to stay in today, far away from the wind and damp. 

After an hour and a half in the mud we decided to turn back, light lots of candles, make coffee and give the puppy and much-needed bath. 

Snowdrops in February

Even if it’s bitterly cold here in Norfolk this weekend, snowdrops are a sure sign that spring might just be around the corner. Found these pretty creatures dotted around in the churchyard when I went for a walk with Otto this morning. So pleased so see new life in the midst of all the grey, can't wait to welcome spring. 

A Midwinter Wander in Oslo

I'm in the final stages of finishing the pictures for the book project on Scandinavia lifestyle which I've worked on this past year (to be published in September). My last trip was to beautiful Oslo (my first time) and even though we hardly had any daylight, these frozen sculptures in the Frogner Park where nothing short of magical.

Located in the Frogner Park in the middle of the city, these sculptures were made between 1939-49 by native Norwegian Gustav Vigeland. With over 200 pieces in bronze, granite and wrought iron, this is the biggest sculpture park in the world made by one single artist. A thick layer of frost added to the dream-like quality of my last day in Norway. 

In Malmö: Sara's Apartment

One of the greatest privileges of doing what I do, is that I quite often get to see how other creative people live and it's one of my absolute favourite things, snooping around their homes. This weekend I visited Sara at her beautifully serene one-bedroom apartment in Malmö. Full of vintage finds, Scandinavian design classics and calming colours- I'm hoping to be invited for coffee again next time I'm in town :)

We even had time for a Christmas fika, complete with homemade saffron buns and all. Thanks for having me Sara! You can follow Sara on Instagram here. 

At Home with Lulu & Natt

I love visiting creative people at home, it's always such an inspiring insight to their lives and everyday. Last weekend I visited Lulu (of lifestyle brand Lulu&Nat) and her beautiful family in their light-filled house in North London. Lulu and I have been working together recently and I've been helping her style and shoot her new gorgeous bedlinen. With an incredible eye for detail and colour Lulu's house is welcoming and warm, with her two sweet daughters adding extra vibrancy to this stunning London home.