Homemade lemonade...

In 2007 I was lucky enough to get the chance to travel around Europe during my summer break from uni. It was a glorious summer, spent exploring new cities and countries, from the beautiful coastline of Croatia to the mountain range of Slovakia to the vibrant square of Brussels. It was such a fun time spent with friends and it's something I will always treasure. But hours spent on (un-air conditioned) trains and wondering around in the searing heat with our backpacks while we attempted to find our latest hostel certainly worked up a thirst (and also an overwhelming need for ice cream. a lot of ice cream). Nothing quenches my  thirst like freshly made lemonade. I literally lived on the stuff. And because of the wonderful way our senses like to help memories linger, whenever I take a sip of 'limonata' now, it never fails to bring me back to fun memories and the relaxed feeling of being on holiday. I drank gallons of it (slight exaggeration) while we were in Croatia last year, and, now that Summer has finally arrived in the UK, I'm relishing squeezing my lemons again!

I adore 'intense' lemonade (if such a thing exists) because of my strange love of the sourness of citrus fruits - if it doesn't contort my face into all sorts of strange shapes then it's too sweet. Whilst I hardly ever add in sugar, it does give this drink a lovely sweetness to cut through the sour lemon. If you prefer it a little weaker or want the lemons to go further you can add up to 1l of water to 4 lemons.

Recipe (serves 2)
4 lemons
400ml water
Sugar to taste

Squeeze the juice of the lemons and mix with the water. Stir in sugar to taste. Serve with ice.

And there, my friends, you have my ultimate Summer drink - Happy Tuesday!

4 gift wrap ideas fit for a bloke (maybe!)...

Whenever I feel like I've finally found a regular blogging routine, something always seems too happen to disrupt it! Sorry my posts have been on the bare side lately, realistically it's probably going to stay this way over summer - funny how my motivation to stay indoors on the computer wains when the sun comes out! I hope you're all enjoying Summer though, this last week has been just beautiful here in the UK!

I hope it stays this way because Andrew's birthday is coming up, it's always so much more fun when you can party outdoors! It's also fun for me because it means I have some gifts to wrap. Maybe I'm a bit strange but I love wrapping gifts, I love making cute little decorations to pretty up the package. I know it's going to get ripped of in ten seconds flat...but it just looks so pretty in that brief moment! But I do have a tendency to go all floral and bows with my wrapping...which isn't exactly his style. In fact, let's be honest here, fancy schmancy gift wrap probably isn't his style full stop...but hey I'm wrapping the gifts so I say I get to have my fun! But I figure I should at least try  to make it slightly more 'blokey' :) .

So here are four ideas I came up with for 'bloke - fit' gift wrap...we'll have to wait until his birthday to see if it's 'bloke-approved'!

Circle garland

 I pinned this idea yonks ago, here's my version of it! What you need: craft paper, scissors, circle template (I used lids), string, sellotape. How to: Simply use circular items as a template to draw and cut out circles of your preferred size from craft paper. Wrap the string round the package a couple of times then bring the string to the front and lay out your first line of circles. Once you've decided their position, add a little tape to secure it to the string. Continue to wrap the string round, adding circles as you go, then tie with a bow at the back.

Go plaid

 

What you need: Plaid fabric, scissors, sellotape. How to: This is self explanatory but cut out a strip of fabric, wrap round and secure at the back with tape!

Polka dot stamps

I've been wanting to try this ever since Danni shared this idea at Oh Hello Friend. What you need: paint, pencil with a rubber top (I tried without rubber and it didn't work so well). How to: Pour out a little paint, dip the rubber end of the pencil into the paint, remove any excess paint and stamp onto the paper.

Washi tape

What you need: washi tape, scissors, craft paper. How to: Again, pretty self explanatory! Just wrap the washi tape around the gift and cut out a tag from the craft paper!

I'd love to hear how you decorate your gifts, I'm always looking for new ideas :)

Happy Saturday!

5 fab DIY ideas...

Happy 4th July to any readers from across the pond (and to my American friends here!)! I hope you all have a wonderful fun day with your family and friends!

I do have some projects to share with you but I feel like there hasn't been a moment to sit down and sift through photos for those posts so I thought I'd share with you 5 of my favourite DIY's that have been floating around on Pinterest :)

1. Dip-dyed shoes by Frankie

2. Mini celebration pennants by The Sweetest Occasion

3. Polka dot stamped umbrella by Design Love Fest

4. Tile topped repurposed crate by 101 Woonideeen (it is in Dutch but the photos are self-explanatory)

5. Hand-stamped upholstery fabric by Remodelista

What DIY projects are making it onto your to do list? My list is ever-growing but at least it means I'll never run out of things to do!

Happy Thursday!