Cheat's Chocolate and Nougat Ice Cream

As someone who grew up in southeast Asia and Australia, the concept of a white Christmas and all the traditional cold weather Christmas food is something I still struggle to get my head around.

Which is why I often look for food ideas that are more suited to a day that may reach 38 Celsius (20-25 C if you're lucky).

So this last Christmas, inspired by my love of nougat, chocolate, and ice cream, I whipped up a very easy summer dessert to spoil our loved ones at our various Christmas celebrations.

Here's how to make your own summer treat!

Ingredients

- 2 litres of good quality vanilla ice cream

- 150-200 g soft torrone nougat bar (I used Quaranta's strawberry nougat and country berries nougat)

- 100g dark chocolate bits

- 100g milk chocolate bits

1. Chop the nougat into 1cm cubes.  Open the chocolate packets, ready to pour into the ice cream.

2. Scoop the ice cream into the bowl of your stand mixer (or large mixing bowl if you are using a hand held mixer).

3. Place the empty ice cream tub back into the freezer.

4. Gently mix the vanilla ice cream until softened, then add in the nougat and chocolate pieces.

5. When thoroughly mixed, put the ice cream back into the original ice cream tub and freeze for at least 5 hours, or until ready to eat.

Merry Christmas!!!

Wishing you all a blessed Christmas and a 2019 filled with joy and peace!!!

And many thanks again to all of my supporters for making my creative journey what it is today.

"... the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."
Luke 2:10-11 (NIV)

DIY luscious Christmas desserts

If you don't know by now, let me tell you, I am a HUGE fan of desserts!  Not just eating them, but making them too.  So what better time for me to spoil my loved ones with luscious desserts than at Christmas.

So in the mayhem that the lead up to Christmas is for many, enjoy this luxurious roundup of desserts that will wow your guests at any time of the year.

1. Cherry ripe pavlova

2. Italian struffoli

3. Candy cane and brownie ice cream

4. Fruit-filled horns of plenty

She sells seashells by the seashore

I had the privilege this past week of working on a special bespoke order for a friend of mine, a little piece to help remind her daughter of their holiday.

This cute shell was collected as a memento of their holiday and is beautifully highlighted as it hangs on the satin-like cord necklace.
What holiday memento would you love to have turned into a piece of jewellery?

Melbourne's Jane Austen Convention

Melburnians, this post is for all the Jane Austen fans out there who despair at the lack of Jane Austen conventions being held in Australia, let alone Melbourne!

I will be appearing next month at the very first Austen Con being held in Melbourne, running a stall that will feature fan favourite Austen- and regency-inspired creations from both Two Cheeky Monkeys and Domum Vindemia.

So if you've been hoping for the chance to shop in person and enjoy a day of immersing yourself in regency times and Jane Austen's literature, head to the events link and book yourself a spot!

Where words fail, music speaks

Another post to inspire the music fans out there as well as those who have a music-loving bestie!  I was asked to make these bespoke hair barrettes by a music teacher, and I am LOVING how they turned out, even if I do say so myself.

The smaller, contemporary-looking barrettes feature a range of musical symbols, while the vintage-inspired barrettes highlight the all important treble and bass clefs.

Let me know below which style of barrettes you love best and what symbols or literary characters you would like to wear in your hair accessories!

Have yourself a very scented Christmas

Christmas lovers, it's that time of year when our nearest and dearest do their best to restrain our Christmas decorating enthusiasm to reasonable limits!

But never fear, I am here to enable you in your Christmas joie de vivre!!!

Although Mr Monkeys is adamant that we won't be pulling out the Christmas decor until December, I have been happily working on our brand new range of Christmas ornaments for Domum Vindemia.

Created from vintage doilies and table linens rescued from landfill, these Christmas tree-inspired ornaments not only look pretty, but will smell great too!

The tree's "trunk" is made from balsa wood which will deliciously hold your favourite scents just like a reed diffuser. 

All you have to do is add a few drops of your best essential oils to the trunk of the Christmas ornament and your home will be beautifully scented!

There will be three initial designs in this range, with more to be added as I can.  Let me know which design you love best!