30.

when i was younger, 30 seemed pretty old. now that i'm only two weeks shy of arriving there, it feels just like it did when i turned 20 (it helps when you have my baby face appearance), but with the wisdom/mistakes/lessons/stories/memories of my 20's attached. A LOT has happened over the past 30 years and i am truly blessed to be living the life i have. if there's one thing that hasn't changed though, it would be my instinctive drive to follow my heart. my parents are responsible for this life lesson and have always supported me, so this makes them two of the best people in the world. as they begin to organize their move back to europe where the majority of my family is, i eagerly await sharing this new chapter with them. for me family is everything, nothing compares. in my reflective state*, i am also truly blessed to be in the presence of the most delicious man, who has become my confidant/lover/partner in crime/best friend over such a short amount of time. i knew from the moment that i met him that he was going to change my life in a brilliant way, with the past 6 months being a testament to trusting my heart. i have never experienced a love like this and it blows my mind everyday. i look forward to many more adventures with him and for this very reason, believe my 30's will be my best decade yet. i plan to bake a small cake, enjoy a dinner with my love and then shortly after head to paris to spend some much needed time with my sister. my heart is full with excitement and anticipation for what the next year will bring. see you soon 30! x

           

* sorry for the love-fest, turning 30 has apparently made me 829403 times more sentimental.

saturday.

the weekend started off super sweet with a pink ombre cake order for a talented lady. the boy and i decided to roll with or rather ride to a gorgeous little bakery for our long awaited cronut fix. if you're not already familiar with the cronut craze then please, get on this delicious bandwagon and hunt one down immediately (if not sooner) as the photos speak for themselves. as the afternoon rolled around we made our way to the north to sample the many offerings of the northern flavour festival, which included the ever popular instawalk. we joined the talented bunch for a wander around the street art adorned/vintage shop filled/cute boutique laden, design loving streets of the noord. we got backstage passes into an amazing old heineken brewery with roof top views all whilst i networked my IG adoring butt off. although an area i've visited many times over the past few months, the company, creative offerings and contacts made yesterday another experience that makes me realize why i live here.

naked cake.

dressed cake.

i could barely contain my excitement.

2 seconds after this photo was taken it was in my belly.

instawalking the north.

kopje thee anyone?

can i interest you in a cake?

one of my favourite places to ferret.

this guy always makes it more fun.

this girl loves her new city.

cutie pie cupcake stand.

love this guy.

roffa from the roof tops.

paste love at & designshop. 

sweet hearts.

i've been a busy little baking bee lately. the weather has cooled to temps in the early 20's which for me equals perfect baking weather. some old favourite recipes were dusted off, ingredients hunted down (which meant a visit to my favourite windmill) and an armful of gorgeous cake tins were added to the collection. a chance visit to my local second hand shop resulted in a vintage bundt tin find for a mere 3 euros which helped produce one of my favourite looking cakes to date! (see banana cake below). i am excited about trying some new recipes (enter bill granger) and experimenting with new icing techniques. the universe has really delivered over the last week and i have been busy chatting to a local cafe and doing some freelance for a favourite magazine. i have never doubted my need to be in rotterdam but was searching for a little creative drive that could help fund my new life and refuel my independence. i look forward to sharing some delectable delights with you as i go. happy monday all! 

banana cake with lemon/cinnamon icing.

cinnamon donut muffins. oh yes.

made with love.

red velvets aka crowd pleaser.

couldn't resist.

this blondie has changed lives.

rosy.

chewy chocolate chip and hazelnut cookies...get in my belly.

party cake!

get your skates on.

for 6 wednesday evenings in summer, the wednesday night skate takes over a 13km route of rotterdam. when i first heard about WNS last year, my inner speedskater was beyond excited about participating in such an event. so with this year's skate fast approaching, it was time to find some skates and get back on the rink/road. i picked up a pair of 30euro beauties at a vintage store and pimped them with purple laces a day later. the boy dusted off his in-lines and we took the skates for a test run around our local lake. it was awesome to say the least but oh boy did i underestimate the endurance needed to skate for longer than 5 minutes at a time. obviously my long break from skating (ummm, like 10 years) had taken it's toll but i was still eager to participate. so last wednesday we rode into the city, greeted by thousands of rotterdammers on skates awaiting the 7.30pm departure time from the market square. i was nervous but with the music pumping and energy at an all time high, we soon got rolling and it was just as fun as i had imagined. i was a sweaty but happy mess after the hour and a quarter skate through and around the city. it was an incredible sight, and one you should check out here. once completed we headed to a favourite hang-out for a much deserved beer or three. rotterdam, you sure know how to show a girl a good time. see you next wednesday! 

coming up roses. (tutorial to come!)

i've loved making sweet treats for as long as i can remember. i really got into the baking groove when i was attempting to obtain my bakers badge as an eager girl guide. i do recall it being a packet mix but good old betty crocker did the job well. at uni i combined my love for baking with my contemporary art studies and was soon known as the betty crocker of my friday afternoon philosophy class. after much support and interest from friends, family and co-workers i began my little business in 2010. i was baking orders for weddings, birthdays and soon after a local boutique cafe. juggling a full time job at my beloved gallery and baking every week soon took it's toll and i decided to only take on smaller more manageable orders from then on. it's only now, a few months after arriving in holland that the drive has returned and i'm back in the baking game. the photos i'm sharing with you are inspired by a current creative project that has allowed me to go a little crazy with colours and styling. i get asked A LOT about my techniques and materials so because sharing is caring....i will soon be sharing MY VERY OWN 'HOW-TO' VIDEO! i am currently working with a creative team as we speak to produce a little something for you. check back soon!