Millionaires Gingernuts...

So, the other day, what I thought was rather a good idea hit me whilst eating a little gingernut biscuit with my cup of tea.

I had been planning to make Millionaires Shortbread, but then when I remembered how good ginger nuts were and thought about all the flavours together it seemed stupid not to give Millionaires Gingernuts a go (I could maybe have been a little more inventive with the name but hay ho!).

So essentially we have a yummy gingernut biscuit base, topped with sticky caramel and topped off with smooth chocolate.

And here is how you do it...

Ingredients:

200g Ginger Nut Biscuits
50g Digestive (or something similar with little flavour)
100g Butter

1 tin condensed milk
150g Butter
150g Sugar

200g Milk Chocolate


Method:

• Put all the biscuits in a sandwich bag and bash with a rolling pin until they are fine crumbs. 
• Melt the butter and add it along with the biscuits to a bowl until all the crumbs are coated and when you press them with the back of the spoon they should hold together. 
• Add the biscuits to a square 20cm tin lined with greaseproof paper and pop in the fridge.
• Next get a saucepan, and add in the butter and sugar for the caramel. When these have melted add in the condensed milk and bring to a rapid boil. Then turn off the heat and add the caramel to the tin creating the next layer. Leave it to cool, then put in the fridge to set for about an hour.
• Finally, melt the chocolate and spread over the cooled caramel layer. Put in the fridge once more until it is all set and cold.
• Cut into squares and don't forget (like I did) to heat the knife with warm water to stop the chocolate all cracking.
• Enjoy!

So that's it ....really simple and tasty! 

Let me know if you try it...I know lots of Instagrammers were keen!

Much Love,

Ailie xxx

Help Me Write

Help Me Write is a new app that I am going to start using. It's a great way for bloggers like myself to find out what you, our readers actually want to hear about.

I'll be posting ideas on there quite frequently so do make sure you check out my profile when you get a moment.

My first idea is all about 'what to do next', I am coming up to the end of my first year at college and am being encouraged to start thinking of what the future may bring for me. In this feature I will try and interview people in different job sectors to tell me how they are where they are why etc and whether they went to uni, did a special course or what. Hopefully this will not only help me, but readers out there too...

Sound good? Let me know by VOTING on Help Me Write now :) 

Much Love,
Ailie xx

Video Post: A pretty posy

I have been really eager to make a new video over the last few weeks as everyone seemed to like my last one.

So, yesterday afternoon I decided I would revamp a little glass jar and cover it with some fabric and ribbon and pop in some pretty flowers to have on my windowsill.

It can't really be called crafting as there is NO sewing or anything like that involved...really I was just playing with bits and bobs I had, but I think the end result is rather pretty...even if a bit rough round the edges!

Here is how I did it...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCPglAgrGxg

Let me know what you think - comment, subscribe, like...Whatever you fancy!

Have a great weekend!

Much Love,
Ailie xxx

Jude's Ice Cream

With summer round the corner (hopefully!) it's time to start dreaming of those days where all that can possibly be eaten is ice cream! My favourite ice cream brands is by far Judes, last year I spotted their tubs in our local farmshop and I just had to try it and boy is it yummy...plus it's made just down the road and I am all for supporting local people!

So I contacted the lovely people at Jude's and Chow, Jude's son has shared how this ice cream dream started and how it all works...over to Chow!

Jude's was started by my dad 10 years ago.

We have these old dairy barns at home and he thought it would be really fun to start a small business and try to make the best ice cream he could / in the world!

He named the company after his wife (my mum) Jude.

We started the tasting sessions with our friends in the village and our first customer was the pub across the fields called the Chestnut Horse.

Then my brothers and sister got involved and we have built our reputation supplying some of the top restaurants and pubs in Hampshire and London including Gordon Ramsay's gastro pubs and Raymond Blanc etc. We love sourcing local ingredients and now get our milk from some friends at Matterley Farm just down the road from our dairy, apples from Hill Farm and Mint from Summerdown Farm.

In our 120ml and 500ml tubs we now supply lots of specialist delis and farmshops  as well as COOK and some selected Waitrose stores.

Flavours get developed through talking to lots of chefs to try to find new interesting things as well as being influenced by what we see out and about. My brother Alex first saw Salted Caramel chocolates in France about 4 years ago and said that we had to start making it straight away because it was so delicious…it has been our best seller for a few years now! My dad is still the chief taster and has the task of turning everyone’s ideas into delicious ice cream – sometimes we take months and months perfecting a recipe before we release it.

This is my favourite flavour - it's soooo yummy!

Originally my brother Olly, who is an artist, designed all our packaging. Recently we have used a great company called ASHA in Cheltenham who have taken our ideas for a really great english ice cream brand and made them much better than we ever could have!

Thank you so much to Chow for sharing this info about what life is like at Judes, I have loved finding out more about it and can't wait until I can get my hands on one of those stripey pots soon! There website is fab and well worth a look at too...Enjoy!

Much Love,

Ailie xx

Brodie Blog

So, Brodie wanted a go at the whole blogging thing ;) - Here is his first post!

xxx

Hey everyone, I'm Brodie! I think Ailie has introduced me already, but I am the Williams' new puppy!

I've been here a over week now, I'm loving all the new smells and not having to share toys with my all brothers and sisters.

Personally I think I have been pretty well behaved - yes I probably shouldn't have attacked a teabag on the cream rug, that really didn't go down too well...nor should I have dragged a geranium with all its soil all the way through the house oh and it turns out Ailie goes ballistic when I eat her 'stripey straws' (I mean seriously, they are ONLY straws)  and her converse too!! 

So that works out at about a crime a day, which isn't that bad is it!?

My favourite toy has got to be this tube thing, look I'm stuck - isn't that hilarious! I'm going to be gutted when I don't fit in it anymore!

I've heard from mum that apparently I have a vets appointment on Thursday then I can go out and run FREEEEEE! I'll ask Ails if I can blog about my first walk cause I'm pretty damn sure it's going to be fab-woof-ous!

Plus, it's only fair...I helped her in her picnic playlist post...well I thought I was helping!

See you soon!
Barks and tail wags - Brodie x

xxx

So that was Brodie's first blog - he's cute isn't he...oh and I definitely had reason to be annoyed about the straws didn't I?! He'll be back soon - leave him lovely comments below, he'll be barking pleased if you do!

Much Love,

Ailie xx

Summer Playlist

Hello! 

So today I am sharing what I will be listening to this spring/summer! The radio is constantly on in our house so subconsciously I am always listening to music in some shape or form, I am a huge Radio 1 fan. Grimmy & Scott Mills' records of the week are always fab and up my street! 

 I think this playlist is one perfect for a picnic...so grab your Roberts, your rug and your sarnies and have a listen....

• Blurred Lines - Robin Thicke 
• Young & Beautiful - Lana Del Rey
• Tangled Up - Caro Emerald
• Laura Palmer - Bastille
• English Rain - Gabrielle Aplin
• The Bay - Metronomy

Let me know if you have any song recommendations for me....Brodie liked these ones too!! 

Much Love,

Ailie xxxx

Cherry Menlove's book, 'The Handmade Home'

I am so excited to write this post about my new bible. You all know I love and get on so well with Cherry Menlove and all she does. When she announced that she was writing a book, you can imagine how happy I was about it! So, when The Handmade Home arrived a few weeks ago, I actually, physically squealed! It was all I had hoped for and MORE!

Each chapter covers a different event. What I love about it is that although key dates and celebrations are covered, there are also more unusual events like village fetes and a cosy film afternoon!





I am desperate and determined to try all the crafts, recipes and styling ideas that Cherry has included and she has made them all seem achievable and simple with the patterns and wording she uses. Not only that, but she also has added in her special 'hints and tips' and ways the ideas can be adapted for other things!

There are tiny little touches in the book that I think are gorgeous - for one the striped lining - how gorgeous is that!! The front also has a panel of fabric, which I think adds the cherry on top (sorry!!
couldn't resist) as it makes it so luxurious and also as Cherry does have a slight fabric love!! Oooh and when you look at the book side on, it's like a pastel rainbow - so pretty! 

Obviously, I was super keen to get my copy signed and see Cherry to congratulate her in person. Yesterday myself, my mum and my dad popped up to London, into Harrods and watched Cherry do a brilliant demo of her cupcakes and biscuits and Cherry signed the inside of my book! yay! It was fab! All her family were there and I felt as though I was celeb spotting as I recognised them from the book and her blog!

So, basically what I am saying is that I ADORE the book and am extremely proud of Cherry and cannot say in words how much she inspires me! WELL DONE Cherry and I seriously recommend you all pop and get the book or have a look to see if you can make another of the book events.

Much Love,
Ailie xx