Thursday 30 August 2012

My Picks for Autumn

Bold prints and lovely Laces
Picks for Autumn 1

Picks for Autumn 1

This autumn I am in love with bold prints, from tartan to books to medival tapestries. A perfect example is the lovely Bibliotheque from Juliette & Justine. It has made it's way to my dream items list although currently I cannot afford it. But maybe some day. 

The lace cape is equally gorgeus. This particular example is from Innocent world and reminds me of edwardian opera capes which are ever so intricate. For the early autumn it migth even work as outerwear but as the season progresses one migth want look for something a bit more warm.

Practical cuteness

Picks for Autumn 2

As a girl who wears lolita almost everyday and in every imaginable weather I have for a long time hoped for a perfect lolita raincoat. This year baby the stars shine brigth is offering a very cute model which I must admit looks a bit flimsy but that could be just the pictures. Probably the best part of this coat is the large hood that will keep one's curls in tact through the rain.

For the longest time I have loved ankle boots but this knee length one's have taken my heart by a storm. Maybe it's boredom of shorter ones and need for new options but I'm getting myself a pair this autumn.

Full scale hats


I must admit that I am obsessed with hats. I have at least ten of them. So it should be no surprise that one of my picks is a hat and equally unsurprisingly a very classy Victorian maiden one. I do love a big showy piece with veils and roses and what not as much as the next girl but something in the simple lines and elegance of this one is perfect.

So here are my picks for autumn. I'd love to hear what gorgeus things you have found lurking around the lace-filled corners of internet so please comment below telling about your Autumn favorites.

Mademoiselle Parapluie

Saturday 25 August 2012

Tea and treats or what I eat with my tea.

A tea bread with raisin from a local bakery. Yummy.

As one can see from the headline I have decidded to talk about tea... Again. This time I will talk about the things I prefere to eat with my tea, offer some recipes and talk more about the English teatradition. Tea in itself is indulgence but it is nice to have something small with it, especially in parties, though  do like to eat something with my afternoon tea in ordinary days too.

Everyday indulgence

For everyday I prefere to keep it simple. A scone, simple sandwicheses or muffins are perfect for that. Sometimes when I am too lazy to cook I just step out and get something a bit more fancy from the local bakery. Bisquits are a perfect option too all though they do take a while to bake.

Some tea.
  Simple smoked salmon sadwiches

Bread ( I usually use white bread but wholegrain or rye bread will work just as fine)
Butter or good margarine or cream cheese.
Smoked salmon (warm or cold smoked both work.)

Slice the bread to relatively thin slices and butter them. When using cold smoked salmon place the salmon slices on top of the bread. If you use warm smoked salmon just smush the thing on top of the bread. Serve with tea. Earl grey and other citrussy teas go especially well with fish dishes. Other nice salty options are warm sandwiches, croissants, scones and english muffins (I like to grade cheese to the batter).

Easy to make chocolate tart

3 dl of sugar
1½ dl of all purpose flour
2 tsp of vanilla sugar
½ tsp of salt
4 sp of cocoa powder
150 gr of butter, melted
2 eggs

Mix the dry ingredients together. Mix the melted butter with the eggs and add the dry ingredients.
Pour to a buttered and floured pan and cook for 20-30 minutes in 200 degrees celsius.
This cake is supposed to look moist when it's ready. For a more decadent option serve with whipped cream or ice cream and chocolate sauce. Can be served cold and some find it better that way.
Other sweeter options could be fruit breads, bisquits or sweet muffins. I also like to eat sliced fruit with my tea for a healthier option.

Fancy options for teaparties

Strawberry tart. Again a local bakery
 For teaparies it's fun to put one's best foot forward or in this case best food. Simple salty dishes do work in a teaparty setting but sweeter things migth ask for a bit of a fancy up. This is the time for prettily decorated cupcakes, strawberry covered cakes and other decadent confections.

Stawberry cake.

The cake:
1 cup of flour
1 cup of sugar
1 cup of eggs
1 tsp of baking powder.

Whip the eggs and sugar to a foam. Mix the baking powder to the flour and slowly add the mix to the sugar and eggs. Bake for 30 minutes in 200 degrees celcius.

To decorate:
2 dl whipped cream
½ l of strawberries

Whip the cream and remove the leaf parts of the starwberries. Take the biggest and pretties strawberries to the side for decorations. Slice the rest of the starberries in half or in more parts if they are huge. Slice the cake in half and batter the lower half with  third cream. Put the slices strawberris on top of the cream and put the top part of the cake on top of them. Use the rest of the cream to glace the cake and decorate with the pretty strawberries. other berries will work too if you like something better than strawberries.

Strawberry cake (Yes I really like strawberries)
 The afore mentoned chocolate tart is also a good option for parties as it is by nature rather decadent. I like bite sized things so cupcakes and pralines are a hit with me. Flowerthief is also adept at making creme brulëe so that is a nice option too if on has a nice recipe. 

I hope this post was helpful and I wish a delicious and nice tea moments for all of my readers.

Mademoiselle Parapluie

Thursday 23 August 2012

Generic daily outfit vol. something somethiong something.


Excuse the very modified photo. Our camera really really sucks.

I looked like this when visiting library (surprise surpise). I picked some books of fashion history and a novel about the age pharaohs. 

Hat: Self modified
Cape and shirt: Second hand
Dress: Innocent world
Others are quite random. 

Mademoiselle Parapluie

Monday 20 August 2012

Hatters weren't mad

Yesterday I organized a hat modifying meet up turned craft party turned teaparty to my friends. We had alovely time and lovely treats too. Mari had taken the time to make some chocolate dipped marshmellows and meringues and Sanni brougth almond bisquits.




I decorated my hat quite simply. Just some velvet ribbon on a bow and so on. It came out quite nicely however and will get much wear during this autumn.


I wore:
Headpiece, skirt: handmade by myself
Shirt, Broach: Vintage
Shoes: John Fluevog

Mademoiselle Parapluie

Ps. The set on the mannequin is for sale if anyone is interested.


Wednesday 15 August 2012

Neulontaa


Tein tällaisen kaulurin syksyä ja talvea varten. Projekti oli yllättävän helppo ja vei aika vähän aikaa. Yhdistin työssä neulontaa ja pitsin virkkuuta. Lankana käytin merinovillaa.

I made a small cowl for autumn and winter. It was surprisingly easy to do and only took a little time. I combined knitting with crochett lace and used Merino as a yarn.


Mademoiselle Parapluie