Visit the I heart Market this Saturday

Something for Dad: whiskey, caramel, marshmallow & bacon bark

We found these goodies while on the hunt for something for dad for Father's Day. Besides looking absolutely delicious, we think this is a much better gift idea than a tie and a pair of socks. Thanks to Endless Simmer for sharing the recipe. 

Preparation: Line pan with parchment or wax paper with a one-inch overhang on each side.

• 450g of semi-sweet chocolate
• 4 cups of mini marshmallows
• ¼ cup whiskey
• 1 cup caramel 
• 1 cup of spiced bacon crumble 

Bacon Crumble

• 450g bacon
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 4 tablespoon water
• 1 egg white
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne

1. Cook bacon and set aside to cool completely. Once cooled, coarsely crumble bacon with hand; set aside and heat oven to 150 degrees C.

2. Place sugar and water in a pot and heat until sugar is dissolved. Toss crumbled bacon in sugar syrup to coat. Pass coated bacon through a strainer to drain excess sugar syrup.

2. Add egg white to a bowl and beat until fluffy and foamy. Add in black pepper and cayenne. Whisk to combine. Add in crumbled bacon and toss to coat.

3. Spread coated, crumbled bacon on a parchment lined bakesheet and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool, then crumble bacon one last time.

Caramel Filling

• 1 cup sugar
• 4 tablespoons water
• 4 tablespoon butter
• 7 tablespoon heavy cream

Instructions:

1. Add sugar and water into a saucepan over medium low heat. Stir until sugar has dissolved. Use a wet brush to remove any crystals that form on the side. Once sugar has dissolved increase heat to high. Now and then, using the handle, give the pot a swirl to keep the mixture moving. Do not stir the mixture directly. The mixture will start to bubble after a minute. As the mixture darkens to a medium amber color, approximately 5-7 minutes, add the butter and heavy cream to saucepan. The mixture will bubble wildly. Whisk to combine (bubbles will subside upon cooling). Set aside to cool completely.

Whiskey, caramel, marshmallow & bacon bark

Instructions:

1. Place chocolate in a bain marie or in a heat-proof bowl above simmering water. Heat on low until chocolate is melted. Pour half of melted chocolate into parchement-lined pan. Then using an offset spatula, spread chocolate until smooth. Transfer pan to freezer to chill for about 5 minutes or until melted chocolate becomes solid.

2. Place marshmallows in a large saucepan and heat until marshmallows starts to just melt and forms web-like strands when stirred. (See picture). Remove from heat and add in 5 tablespoons of whiskey; stir to combine. Spread marshmallow mixture over solid chocolate layer. (To easily spread the marshmallow to an even layer, spray offset spatula with non-stick spray.)

3. Pour caramel on top of marshmallow layer. Then, using an offset spatula, spread caramel until smooth. Transfer pan to freezer to chill for about 5 minutes or until caramel becomes slightly hardened. Pour remaining half of chocolate over caramel layer and, using an offset spatula, spread chocolate until smooth. Sprinkle and gently press bacon crumble into chocolate, Return fully assembled bark to refrigerator to chill for 20 minutes or until bark becomes solid. Bring bark to almost room temperature before cutting.

Notes:

• If you are gifting this, best to keep it whole and let the recipient dive in and cut it as they go. But if you decide to cut it up and box it, make sure to place a sheet of parchment between each layer.
• Bark can be kept at rooom temperature for up to two days.
• You may have more caramel then you need, so keep the leftover in a jar to use in or on another dessert.
• To keep a nice sharp edge while cutting the bark: (1) Use a really sharp knife and press the blade’s tip into the bark and then bring the remainder of the blade down into the bark. Depending on the kind of knife you use, most blades are shaped at an angle, so don’t bring the knife down in one push, the uneven pressure will crack the bark. (2) After the bark has set in the refrigerator bring it to room temperature before cutting. This will soften the chocolate and make for easy cutting. If the bark starts to split or start to chip off as you cut, the bark is still too cold to cut.

The South African Wedding Show

The 'biggest and best bridal expo' in SA is just around the corner. Showcasing the work of 250+ wedding specialists, The South African Wedding Show is sure to be packed with inspiring and amazing ideas that will make your special day even more memorable.

Click here to visit The South African Wedding Show website for more info on this big event and discover how you could win a wedding worth R 800 000. Good luck and enjoy!

Kitchen lighting round-up: bright ideas for creative living

Looking for inspiration? Well you found it, or rather we have and we're sharing it. We've rounded up some of the brightest ideas in kitchen lighten we've ever seen. Best of all - they're DIY friendly! Just click on the image to find the tutorial.

The ideal chandelier for an industrial kitchen	Add vintage charm with this colander light fixture
A must for all Masterchef enthusiasts	We love this idea for breakfast nook or even a shabby chic dining room.
Consol jars as lamp shades - sounds like a fab idea!

GRAND DESIGNS Live is all set to serve delicious decor this weekend!

Grand Designs Live, SA’s leading contemporary home show, will open its doors from 24^th – 26^thMay 2013 at the Coca-Cola Dome and as always promises to deliver a unique, award-winning show packed with even more design and inspiration for your abode.

Click here to book your ticket today!

Decorating with washi

How About Orange continues to fuel our addiction to washi tape with these gorgeous decor ideas. 

Art in the Park 2013

Good Food and Wine Show: Cape Town

Capetonians, the time has come to explore the finest fare in the land; to tickle your taste buds with exotic delicacies and adventurous combinations and to let your inner foodie run wild. It's time for the Good Food and Wine Show. 

 As always there will be wide range of interactive theatres for you to get invovled in, plus the chance to see your favourite local and international chefs live at the Chefs in Action Theatre. 

"Explore your inner foodie with kitchen commander, Gordon Ramsay and patisserie provocateur, Eric Lanlard of Baking Mad fame, as they inspire and delight the senses."

As an added bonus, this year's event will act as host to the first ever South African Bar Show, a showcase of liquid style. 

Click here to book your tickets to the show.

DAME's miniature doll's house collection on display

Turn up the heat, but not the bill with One Energy

As things get a little nippy outside, we turn up the heat inside and while it’s all very well to have warm fingers and toasty toes, it does do a number on the electric bill. Wouldn't it be nice to reduce your bill by as much as 60%? Hang on a minute. Thanks to One Energy you can.

Committed to providing better solutions for a better world, One Energy specialises in top quality heat pumps, solar geysers, photovoltaic systems and low energy lighting. That’s not all! They also offer a host of services including energy saving consultations and annual product check-ups. It’s not surprising that they’re considered the ‘largest and most successful renewable energy network in South Africa’.

 Find out how One Energy can help you ‘go green’ and save some moola here. You can also contact them via enquiries@oneenergy.co.za. 

Washi tape your thumbtacks!

Need we go in to how great we think this idea is? We think not. 

Many thanks to Jessica Jones at How About Orange for sharing her brilliance. 

Lover of washi? Then check out this post on how to washi your keyboard.

Web Find: Takes the Cake Plates

We spend a lot of time online blog surfing and inspiration gathering, which is how we are able to bring you so much deliciousness. Our latest find is the 'Takes the Cake' plate range and oh, how we love them.

Designed by imm Living, an eclectic group of creatives in Toronto, these cake stands are perfectly quirky and suitably fun. The collection includes a horse, owl, duck and rabbit, all of whom are ready to "elevate any delicious confection to new heights". What's more, you can stack them! 

Wait... look what we just found: Animal Body Containers. Ok, so we're feeling a bit high on imm Living love right now and we doubt the buzz is going to wear off any time soon, especially since we've found out that Youngfolk Co. in Durban are registered stockists.

Tom's Art Verno: bringing the world's top artists into your home.

Looking to add class and elegance to your home or business? Then, welcome to South Africa’s premier art vendor: Tom’s Art Verno.

With both local and international branches, Tom’s Art Verno offers clients quality pieces from some of the world’s top artists. From ornate frames and oil paintings, to ceramics and furniture, they have an extensive collection that ranges from the Abstract to the Classical. But, it doesn’t stop there.

With a commitment to helping their customers find the best-fit, they willingly provide the services of their team of profession interior decorators. Together you and the team are able to take a comprehensive approach to interior design and choose those pieces that, not only appeal to you, but also don’t clash with the couch.

Click here to discover more about this art treasure trove or you can always contact Gideon at Tom’s Art Verno via 082 445 3662. 

DIY: Glass Jar Typography

This glass jar DIY project is a must for lovers of typography, or those looking for personalised wedding favours or unique place holders. Actually, we can't find a reason you'll not want to make a few of these babies, especially once you see just how easy they are to create. All you need are a paint pen and some glass jars after all.

Click here for more on this fabulous DIY.

Recipe: Homemade Oreos

It's not uncommon for the slimming diets of summer to be forgotten on chilly winter evenings. 'Tis the season for indulgent roasts, delicious soups and rich, cream covered deserts, after all.

Here's a recipe that's sure to see you through those cold nights: Homemade Oreos. Now, these aren't just any homemade Oreos, these are Bakerella's Homemade Oreos. The genius behind cake pops brings you a delicious treat that is far to good to resist and they're shaped like cats - BONUS! 

Click here for the recipe.

Rock Pots KZN – helping you create your Eden

Rock Pots KZN offers a range of garden pots, vases and water features that are perfectly suited to nurseries, landscapers, interior designers, gardens and home owners.

With the strength and durability that can only come from the cement fibre from which they are created, Rock Pots are quality that can’t be matched. They are available in a range of colours and styles ranging from earthy and rustic, perfect for indigenous gardens, to the more classical and contemporary shapes and finishes.

But it’s not just about pots! Rock Pots KZN also manufactures a range of rustic wooden garden benches, bird feeders, pot plant stands, arches, etc.. Everything you need to create your own Eden.

Click here to learn more about Rock Pots KZN or here to contact them via email.