something for your screen

Hi friends! I'm just full of freebies at the moment! Here's this months downloadable wallpaper to spruce up your desktop. Enjoy these sugar coated geometrics by downloading them right here.

Tweet

so good together

Oh look, it's friday again! How did that happen? If you were thinking of going out in search of a Valentine's Card this weekend then add some extra pennies into the gift pot and print this free downloadable card instead. It couldn't be much simpler and you end up with a hand finished card all packaged up with lots of love.

For the card you'll need...

• Downloadable Valentine's card
• A4 card
• Scissors or a scalpel & a ruler would be even better

To make...

1. Download your card here and print onto A4 card
2. Cut out/ or scalpel according to the markers
3. Score to fold in half neatly

For the envelope you'll need...

• Downloadable envelope
• A3 paper
• Scissors or a scalpel & ruler
• Double sided tape or glue

To make...

1. Download the envelope here and print. You will need a printer that can print A3 for this, in order to accommodate the card size.
2. Cut of scalpel around the edges and then score following the guide.
3. Fold and secure with your glue or tape. You can use a dot of glue or tape to fix it shut or alternatively use a sticker of some sort.

Tweet

full of love

Hi! Sorry for my absence in blogland. There's been a whole lot going on and changes brewing which have left me little head space for much else. To my surprise January whizzed past, turning into one big rainy blur. Now suddenly it's February and nearly Valentine's and I went to get in quickly and share this simple little DIY with you.
All you need to make your little jar of love is...

• downloadable labels
• A small jar
• A4 paper or inkjet sticker paper
• Scissors
• Heart shaped sweets

To make...

1. Start by downloading your free printable sheet of labels. You can either print this onto paper and glue your labels onto the jar or you can print them onto inkjet sticker paper, which is a little easier.
2. Choose a heart size that works with your jar and draw a circle on top of the heart pattern to cut out and use for the lid. Stick them on.
3. Then fill your heart with sweets. I used heart shaped Haribos but it would work just as well with heart shaped chocolates.

And there you have a Valentine's gift you could probably rustle up in your sleep!

Tweet

pick six: tapas to try in spain

Another instalment from Aspiring Kennedy, tapping in further to the wealth of Lauren's travelling experience. Her 10 month old baby is the most well travelled teeny tot I've ever met! So well travelled that they'll pretty much be out of the country until April. Here she gives us some tips for tucking into tapas. You can't go to Spain without it! Oh and do check out her blog...

I hadn't been to Barcelona in a long time- in almost 10 years, actually. When I got the chance to meet up with some of my best friends from high school there for a girls weekend, I couldn't' book my RyanAir flight fast enough. Eventually, the girls weekend expanded into my husband + baby coming, too. Three nights in Spain was enough to wet my appetite for spending more time there in the future. The combination of the relaxed culture, the great style, the affordable prices won me over…. and, of course, the food! I could eat tapas all day long. And with the affordability of traveling to Spain, that dream can become a reality!

If (and when!) you find yourself in Spain, here are the six tapas items you need to fully embrace. Not only will they get you the best taste of Spanish cuisine… but they'll just give you the best taste in Spain period.

1. Pan Con Tomate

This is a basic staple for any Spanish tapas spread. Simple bread rubbed with a juicy tomato and lightly salted. Mmm. The combination leaves a tasty (and toasty) combo.

2. Croquetas

This is the tater tot's classy cousin. Mashed potatoes mixed with delicious accompaniments like manchego cheese, tasty local meats like jamon or spiced chicken, are then rolled in bread crumbs and pan fried. The best part- most restaurants sell them for about €1.50 each. Yum.

3. Patatas Bravas

I'm a potato girl… if you saw my butt, you'd agree. I like my starches. I'm a universal starchie. Wherever carbs & potatoes may be across the world, I'll seek them out and befriend them. In Spain, there is no exception to this affection. Lightly roasted (ok, maybe fried) potatoes with delicious spicy & creamy aoili on top. Si, señor.

4. Peppers Padron

Just because these are low in calories doesn't mean they skimp on flavour. I could pop these like chips. Oh man. Apparently, 1 in 100 is spicy, but don't let those odds make you sweat. Padron peppers have a fantastic (and not too spicy) flavor that makes them easy to inhale, err, eat.

5. Tortilla
I think of the Spanish tortilla as the love child of a quiche & potatoes dauphinoise. To us Texans, it's a bit confusing as we conjure the corn or flour variation upon hearing this word. However, the tortilla of spain involves potatoes, eggs & various additions cooked in a skillet… and the result, well, it's really delicious.

6. Chorizo
Maybe this is an obvious choice, but how could a meal be complete without Spain's beloved chorizo? I'm not a huge pork eater, but this spicy delight will make me a believer.

Tweet

something for your screen

It's Friday (yay) and I feel a freebie coming on! Here's a new downloadable wallpaper to brighten up your screen. Get downloading here, enjoy and I'll think up a new batch for next month. 

Have a great weekend. I plan to!

Tweet