I have always loved carrot cake (I even had it as one tier of our wedding cake!). I tend to nowadays veer towards flavours that are new and interesting but there are times when the classics are called for and comforting. With the global shutdown for coronavirus currently confining us to our homes and lending an air of anxiety to our daily lives, I decided to make a classic carrot loaf cake (with a twist of course!) for an Easter treat.

It was my birthday this week (I'm an April fool!), and this year I had time to make cake. We are currently in a global shutdown to combat a coronavirus pandemic and it is an anxious time for everyone I think. We have to live day-by-day and hope that we can overcome it together. In the midst of all the gloom it is important to keep busy and do things you love...and that would include baking!

Thrilled to share with you some images by talented photographer Emma Russell, of clients Laura and Andrew's  wedding at  Virginia Park Lodge in Co. Cavan last year.

Be prepared for some Pinterest-worthy imagery in today's post! Delighted to share with you some images by award-winning fine art photographer, Laura Gordon, of clients Laura and Gregory's destination wedding at the stately Adare Manor in Co. Limerick. 

Today I am sharing two weddings from 2019 photographed by the supremely talented Adam and Grace Photography, who masterfully capture weddings in a candid, elegant and timeless style.

I am delighted to have been a contributor to an inspirational wedding editorial, A Rose of  Different Colour, which was featured in the January edition of Ireland's premier glossy magazine, Image. Victorian splendour meets modern eccentricity was the theme, with concept and styling by the talented Kate O'Dowd of Love and Gatherings

I am always a little indecisive about what to make for a Christmas dessert, but generally come to the conclusion that a centrepiece cake can never go amiss!  I have hence been experimenting with some traditional seasonal flavours and am delighted with this resulting Chocolate Chestnut and Cranberry layer cake recipe. 

I only recently discovered scented rose geranium as a baking ingredient, having bought some at our local farmer's market. While not the pretties of leaves, it releases a wonderfully delicate rose scented flavour simply by rubbing  to release the oils. It can be used in sweet dishes in a variety of ways, for example by infusing sugar to use in baking and desserts in place of normal sugar, or in scented syrups or jams. It pairs well with citrus flavours, fruits and spices.  I choose to use my geranium in a jam with plums, which happened to be in season at the time of late Autumn. It is quite possibly the best jam I have ever made!

Award-winning stylist, wedding and event planner Kate O'Dowd of Love & Gatherings approached me last summer to contribute to a wedding editorial for Image magazine to be shot at Gloster House, a beautifully restored 17th century mansion that is a lived-in family home as well as a magically elegant wedding venue. The results were truly inspirational!