Peppermint, The Blog

Posted on March 18th, 2013

A fresh start of this week, with a new name for Mintstudio Creations!

photography by Noortje Emmerink, Peppermint

I wanted a simpler, easier, shorter name. One that’s fresh and easy to remember.

PEPPERMINT IT IS!

Besides a name change & a new blog design, nothing much will change. This is still going to be my online platform to share everything I love with you. A place where you can feast your eyes. At least, that’s what I’m aiming for! ;)

Later this week my social media profiles will change to Peppermint as well. I will keep you posted via Twitter, Instagram and Facebook! Hope to see you here again! ∗

Hot topic: aqua

Posted on March 18th, 2013

Aqua tones -from mint to turquoise- are hot in interior as well as fashion this spring. I think aqua & green are a match made in heaven.∗

photography by Noortje Emmerink, Mintstudio Creations

Coconut – raisin cake recipe

Posted on March 11th, 2013

Yesterday I baked this delicious cake and I thought it would be perfect to share its recipe with you. It’s super easy to make. You just need to stir all of the ingredients in a bowl. No mixer needed!

photography by Noortje Emmerink, Mintstudio Creations

Here’s what you’ll need for this solid, moist cake that serves 8 people:

100g raisins
200g butter
175g white caster sugar
55g grated coconut
2 eggs
2 tbs brown syrup
200g self-raising flower
icing sugar for garnish
baking tin (24cm)

Preheat the oven to 180C

Let the raisins soak in a bowl with 500ml hot boiled water. After 15 minutes drain the raising in a strainer.
Butter the baking tin and cover the bottom of the tin with baking paper.
Melt the butter in a saucepan on low heat. Be careful not to brown the butter, it should only melt.
Grab a large bowl and a wooden spoon or a spatula and stir the raisins, sugar, coconut, eggs, syrup & flower all together. Add the butter and mix to a batter.
Poor the batter into the tin and bake in the middle of the oven for about 30 minutes. Check if the cake is done by gently poking a wooden skewer in the center of the cake, until it touches the bottom of the tin. If the skewer comes out clean & dry, your cake is done. If the skewer doesn’t, then bake the cake for another 3-5 minutes. If you leave the cake in the oven for too long, it will get too dry, and this should be a moist cake. So, I don’t recommend baking the cake for longer than 35 minutes. Let the cake cool, and generously dust with icing sugar before serving it.

Enjoy!∗

Update

Posted on March 7th, 2013

…..aaaaand I’m back! It’s been a while since I posted anything regularly lately, so I figured it’s time for a quick update. I’ve been busy with a few different “projects” which led to me lacking the energy or the time to maintain my blog as I wish. But that doesn’t mean I forgot all about it! Far from it!

The lovely weather of the past few days over here have given me a positive energy boost, and I’m full of ideas. I’ve been working on a new blog design in between, which I will launch within a week or so. In fact, it’s not only a new blog design, it’s a whole new blog which will replace Mintstudio Creations eventually. I’m very excited about that! Hopefully this has made you curious to find out more! ;) A little more patience…

Another fun project I’ve been asked to do, is taking care of the styling for a (fashion) photo shoot. I’m really looking forward to this. I’ve never done it before, but I’m always up for a challenge. Especially a fun one like this. The first photo shoot is happening this month. Can’t wait to show you the results!

all photos by Noortje Emmerink, Mintstudio Creations

In the meanwhile I’ve moved into my teeny tiny, but very practical and lovely workspace. The photos above give you an impression of what it looks like.

Have a lovely day! ∗

Spring 2013 fashion with Anthropologie

Posted on February 19th, 2013

The Fall 2013 runway shows are in full swing right at this moment, but I wanted to immerse myself in spring fashion, simply because I can not wait untill spring finally arrives…

photos: Anthropologie

I love the rich colors & the mixing of different prints & patterns in one silhouette. The ethnic atmosphere of the Anthropologie Spring 2013 collection almost makes you feel the warmth of summer already. It’s feminine and bold. I love it! ∗

DIY pom pom decoration

Posted on February 11th, 2013

Do you have a boring corner in your living room? Or do you want to add a subtle color accent? Then make these mini pom pom embellishments! I used them to add a fun splash of color to our living room. I think the coral looks beautiful against the blue-ish grey background.

This is what you’ll need:

a fork
scissors
colored yarn (wool or cotton, it doesn’t matter)
needle & thread

photos by Noortje Emmerink, Mintstudio Creations

And here’s how you make them:

Wrap the yarn around the outer two prongs of the fork as evenly as you can
Once you have enough yarn wrapped around the fork cut the end
Using a new small string of yarn bunch the pom-pom-in-the-making together and tie really tightly so it is secure. Do this in the middle of the pom pom, in between the prongs to make sure it’s central.
Take your yarn off the fork and cut all the loops. Be sure to get them all!
Now give your mini pom pom a trim to shape it into a perfect, plush, round pom pom
If you want to hang your pom poms like I did, simply use a needle to get a thin thread through the center of the pom pom and tie a knot.

That’s it, have fun!∗

Hot monogrammed succulent planter

Posted on February 6th, 2013

I’m still on the search for plants to decorate our living room. I absolutely love the colors of these succulents combined with the neon pink planter!

image by Rooted in Succulents

The one plant that I bought recently is already starting to show some brown leaves. So I’m guessing the bathroom isn’t a suitable place for this one, in terms of light I guess (I have been watering it regularly, that can’t be it!). Until now taking care of plants has not been my best quality. Usually they die within a year :(. My mom even suggested to get succulents or cacti, since they don’t need much care… Which is actually not a bad suggestion at all, since both succulents & cacti are making a huge comeback.

This photo above proves it: succulents are hot! ;) ∗

Favorite finds

Posted on February 1st, 2013

Since we moved to our new home about two months ago, I’ve been on the lookout for beautiful things to style our home constantly. Two items which are high on our wish list are a large rug for the living room & hanging lamps for our hallway & kitchen (which are both sooo incredibly hard to pick!). I find myself being attracted to cheerful colors like yellow & pink, and geometric shapes & prints. Here are some of my recent favorite finds:

1. pillow via DwellStudio / 2. Jonathan Adler mini sputnic chandelier / 3. Fair Trade Original vase via De Bijenkorf / 4. watercolor print by Vapor Qualquer / 5. Mima Pillow via Shop Blu Dot / 6. stool by Glimpt via Dezeen

Have a happy weekend!∗

A pop of pink

Posted on January 29th, 2013

I don’t know about you, but I can definitely use a splash of color on this gray, rainy day… These bright pops of neon pink make me feel a lot happier already! ∗