Four At 126

I love finding new treasures when out shopping. And that's exactly what happened when I went out last weekend.

My cousin Rajvi and a few other upcoming luxury designers have banded together and are showcasing their beautiful pieces in a pop-up boutique, "Four at 126", on one of London's busiest streets- Upper Street in Islington.

The aim is simple- to deliver luxury items at affordable prices.

Kasturjewels - a luxury jewellery brand named after Rajvi's grandmother Kastur, is embodied with her elegance and grand style, whilst echoing her traditional Indian heritage.

With everything from simple studs to be worn everyday to stunning neck pieces that will simple steal the show, there is quite literally something for everyone to adorn themselves with here.

I'm personally a huge fan of the earrings. They're so regal, and with each piece involving semi-precious or precious gems, no two are the same! In the store they dangle like exotic blossoms from little trees, and they just bloom with rich colours when they hang from your ears!

There are rows of gold plated silver bangles and others studded with sapphires and rough cut diamonds to adorn your wrists with.

I was also pretty taken with luxury handbag range by Esin Akan, an ex-Burberry leather designer. Her range covers every possible scenario from work to play, and uses a range of leathers and exotic skins in every colour imaginable. And the best bit ... the clutches can be connected to the larger bags to make an extra compartments and design detail - AND they're all interchangeable! Huge style win. 

I mean just imagine strolling around carrying some of this arm candy!

There's also Peponita- a new shoe range, mixing new patterns and colours with classic styles. Perfect for work and for play. 

I would love a wall like this in my dream walk in wardrobe! It's like accessory heaven!

And of course there's clothes too, with Matilda & Quinn providing classic cuts in beautiful, ethical fabrics.

The perfect one-stop pop-up for top-to-toe luxury style!

Check it out at 126, Upper Street, London, N1 1QP (and they're open 7 days a week! - talk about committment to style).

Happy shopping!

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Bakewells Baked Well!

In the spirit of watching the Bake Off finale and feeling inspired by the amazing Nancy, out came the trusty Bake Off book and my kitchen scales!

This weekend's taste trial: Cherry Bakewell Cupcakes. (Recipe from the British Bake Off book)

For the cup cakes you need:

150g unsalted butter (very soft)

150g caster sugar

100g self raising flour

60g ground almonds

3 large eggs, beaten at room temperature

1 tablespoon of milk

4 tablespoons raspberry jam

For the icing you will need:

250g icing sugar

3 tablespoons lemon juice

Cherries

Start by preheating the oven to 190C/375F/gas 5.

Then beat the butter until its nice and soft.

Then add in the rest of the dry ingredients for the cupcakes until your mixture is light and creamy.



Once you've got a smooth, runny mixture, spoon it into your lined cupcake tray in even quantities, and bake for 15-20 minutes until they have a lovely golden top!

Leave them to cool on a wire rack, and in the meantime you can make your icing!

Mix the lemon juice and icing sugar together so you have a shiny, white icing that is thick enough not to fall off the edges but runny enough to pour on to the top of the cupcakes.

Once the cupcakes are cool, use an apple corer to scoop out the middle. Then fill it to the top with raspberry jam! (Watch and see the gleeful surprise when your friends bite into these!)

Pour on the icing, and place a cherry on top!

(Great tip from the book at this point: Rinse the cherries to wash off any excess syrup, and let them dry completely before you use them to decorate your cakes.)

These were unbelievably scrummy, but I'm wondering if a layer of frangipan below the icing would just add to it even more? I'll be trying that out next time!

Let me know about your bake off inspiration and recipe ideas. Happy baking!

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