Good enough to eat: Lover the label meets Bonne Maman Yogurt

There are very few brands that season after season produce covetous and quality handiwork. Australian brand, Lover is one such label. Helmed by a guy and girl duo, the pair consistently create work that is feminine, strong, delicate yet detailed.

Their new collection, “A Dance for One” has a ballet theme. But don’t expect tulle and flounce, rather through the choice of colour and fabric the collection reflects the elegance and grace of a ballerina.

This particular blouse and trouser caught my eye – it reminded me of the Bonne Maman apricot yogurt I saw in the latest issue of Living etc magazine. Lashing of creamy white dense yogurt atop a smooth orangey apricot base housed in a reusable ribbed glass jar. Divine!

images via lover the label and living etc

Craven Maven guest post on Cellar Door Magazine Blog

Check out my guest post on the blog of stylin’ UK magazine Cellar Door. I correlate three gorgeous RTW outfits from the Spring 2011 runways with three equally mouth watering dishes. A veritable starter, mains and dessert!

Many thanks to the lovely ladies of Cellar Door for featuring my article!

screengrab via cellardoor

Good enough to eat… Asos meets Jamie Oliver’s Get-Ahead gravy

Ahhhh gravy. Probably one of the most basic of sauces you will ever make. Gravy in it’s simplest of forms has the power to morph a ‘blah’ dish into something exceptional. Often brown, and let’s face it, how many GREAT things in life are brown?! It’s colour, warmth and texture can be a veritable blanket of flavour.

When I came across this Asos outfit on the dressing miss dolly blog, I was stopped in my tracks. Not just because of the subtle lines and textures { yes those are mesh shoulders on the top } but because the colour instantly reminded me of good gravy. Speaking of which, this week my attention was turned to Jamie Olivers ‘get-ahead gravy’, for the most part because it includes star anise, bacon rashers, chicken wings and the optional splash of Sherry in the ingredient listing. This is the ultimate gravy if ever there was one.

Just like good quality basics that make an outfit look special, well chosen basic ingredients can push your gravy over the edge. Give the recipe a try and let me know what you think of it! I for one will be rustling up a vegetarian version.

images by asos and david loftus

Good enough to eat…Tory Burch Vs. Raspberry Blancmange

Growing up, I used to bury my nose in books like The Famous Five, Secret Seven, Just William and the Malory Towers adventures. Tales of adventures, mischief and blancmange inevitably unravelled. I used to day dream about eating blancmange while solving crimes and other mysteries..ah childhood.

Therefore when I saw this gorgeous dress from Tory Burch’s Spring 2011 RTW collection, I found myself filled with nostalgia, excitement and my tongue tingling with the phantom taste of blancmange. I think it has something to do with the cascading soft pink fabric top with a definite geometric berry shade pattern along the neckline. Compare it to the rose and raspberry blancmange pictured…coincidence much? I think not.

Blancmange is not too dissimilar to panna cotta in texture and taste, but made in a decorative jelly mould. As in the case with the one pictured, adding a layer of berry blancmange makes it all the more beautiful and yummy. The ribbing in this blancmange softly mimic the folds in the skirt of the Tory Burch dress, while the geometric pattern also nods to the jelly mould shape.

I would wear this dress in a heart beat..and equally as fast make the blancmange. Let me know if you try either!

image via ny mag and homes and garden magazine.

Good enough to eat…

Very few condiments exude the pure, sweet, nostalgia that Strawberry Jam does. It’s with you in your childhood as a dollop in the center of your rice pudding, present in your adult years when its spooned onto the perfectly toasted piece of crusty bread and is a staple in old age – as a taste that catapults you back to the memories of your youth. Scarlet in it’s hue, you aren’t alarmed that it’s the colour of danger, because it’s more like the colour of the love hearts you drew as a kid. Oh and did I mention how good it tastes?!

Anthropologie’s Autumn 2010 collection really speaks to how to do knit well. It can be feminine not bulky and in tones that don’t reflect the grimness of the impending winter. Red, sadly, is not my colour when it comes to clothing – but this cardigan has my heart. The detail from waist to chin are cute, the pockets charming, it has a little girl lost feel that will take you through the lower temps of the season. Like most of Anthropolgie’s photo shoots the picture is evocative. Like strawberry jam.

image via effortless anthropologie and tea for two