Babycakes - a coffee break

|When the lovely Ingrid from work suggested a coffee break at a new cafe in her area, Sheen, it didnt take much persuasion to go! Especially when she told me the name - Babycakes. Cute. I was expecting lots and lots of pink and white girly furniture but was pleasantly surprised to be greeted with muted greys and a flash of neon. I straight away decided I liked it despite the cafe mainly geared up for a yummy mummy hang out (child friendly menu and the vast space between tables for prams!). We agreed we were lucky that no crying babies were present throughout our visit and enjoyed the natter while sharing a slab of cake. 

This place was definitely worth the visit and feel quite jealous of this being my friends local cafe. I mean for starters, the red velvet cake was made with chocolate! Babycakes, you are a winner in my eyes. 

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Blue skies

Oh happy days! I am a true Brit, as soon as I feel the slightest sliver of a sun ray I am out there. I don't care what important plans I have, it all has to be dropped. So instead of catching up on a multitude of things that have piled on top of my desk, to do list pad, surfaces... etc. I have opted for a few chilled out mooching days in the sunshine. 

  

 Here's a few pics of the walk me and P had along the river from Richmond to Isleworth yesterday. Any stress we had lurking around from the busy week finally left us.

The old part of Isleworth is beautiful. We mustered up a plan to buy some oldy worldy cottage there one day but our rightmove app crushed that dream!

After all that walking we needed a big glass of coke so headed to the cosy pub in St Margaret's.

Blue skies have cheered me up no end. How about you? What did you do this weekend? 

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The Langham - Afternoon tea

I had the privilege of dining at The Langham this weekend! It was just as I had imagined; traditional, elegant and luxurious. From the velvet chairs, attentive waiters and Disney songs played by the pianist in the room, I truly felt like a princess. Thanking P for taking me there for a Valentine's treat on a perfect sunny day. 

Embracing Spring with some lighter layers. Note - no woolly scarf! I'm still not prepared to give up my tights yet though!

Check out those heels! I do love a chunky heel. 

A trip to The Langford meant a quick detour to Topshop to pick up some lipsticks I had read about on a few blogs. P  didn't mind too much as he got to sit down and  became quite amused with quote 'crazy illuminous weirdos' that walked by. I don't think he quite appreciates the pastels and brights that are in this Spring.

Some champers to celebrate. Not too sure what we were celebrating really as Valentine's day was a few days ago, but we just felt we needed to treat ourselves!  

All the food was very indulgent and packed full of strong flavour! Even these tiny macaroons made us feel like we'd gorged on Ben and Jerry's.   

With sore feet and the nicest doggy bag I have ever had we headed home-bound.

I'm looking forward to my next trip to some posh afternoon tea! Was much fun. I have a list as long as my arm and have Tea at Bea's on top of it! Do you know anywhere nice to go for fancy afternoon tea? Let me know.

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Glittery millionaires

Okay, I may have burnt the base a teeny bit and poured my centre of caramel on when it was tad bit runny, but in my defence, everyone has wolfed them down while reenacting a scene from 'when Harry met Sally' before me! It's a recipe from one of my favourite bakers - Harry Eastwood. The only thing I added was the glitter...

Ingredients:
397g tin of condensed milk
100g unsalted butter (melted)
3 tbsp golden syrup
300g digestive biscuits
pinch of sea salt
150g very dark chocolate

     Preheat oven to 180°C

   Line the base of 22cm square by 5cm deep brownie tin with baking paper.

   Cover the tin of condensed milk in a deep pan of boiling water for an hour ( no less or it will result in my runny pale caramel!).

     While the caramel is doing its own thing make your biscuit base. Put the butter and golden syrup in a little heatproof dish to melt in the oven as you smash up the digestive biscuits. I used a large sandwhich bag and rolling bin to crush them into a sand like texture.

  Poor in your melted butter and syrup and crushed biscuits into a mixing bowl and, well, mix together.

   Tip the mixture into your prepared brownie tin. Use your fingers to push down so the base is firm.

   Place in the oven for approximately 20 minutes but make sure you take it out once nice and golden! Best to keep checking at this stage.

  After the caramel has been boiling for an hour carefully take the lid off with a can opener. Pour into a bowl so you can mix with the salt. I was lazy and tried to mix in the salt while still in the can.

    Pour on top of biscuit base.

    Now place in the fridge for 30 minutes so the base sets.

   Meanwhile melt the broken chocolate in a bowl resting on a pan of boiling water.

    Pour melted chocolate on top of cold/set caramel.

    Place in the fridge to set for another 30 minutes.

   Remove from fridge, cut into cute squares and voila you can finally enjoy!

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