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Rewrite the Stars

DIY wedding projects, lifestyle and travel blog

Categories: Lifestyle, Tips, Weddings, Wellbeing

Inner Wellbeing and your Wedding

As we enter February, we are feeling the cold weather and wall to wall grey all around us, today, we are talking ‘Inner Wellbeing’, or ‘mindfulness’  It’s a word that you may have heard a lot and may wonder what it’s all about and how it relates to you and indeed wedding planning.

DIY wedding top table florals

Photo by mariana acevedo on Unsplash

 

Mindfulness 

 

Firstly, I use mindfulness every day to stay ‘present’ to be ‘mindful’ of everything around me helps to do this. A really great way is to get outside into nature, go for a walk, everyday – it doesn’t have to be a long one – but go the same way. On your walk, look for nature all around, what can you smell? What can you hear? Feel the leaves and the ground under your feet. At this time, you can’t be anything BUT present and, in the moment, so all of the stress and worry of the day will melt away.

If you walk the same way every day, you can notice the miracle of nature. I never knew until practicing this myself, that nature never stops. I always assumed that in the depths of winter ‘everything was dead’. This is so far from true!! The buds on the trees start as soon as the leaves fall off, there are flower buds and plants that begin to grow in winter.

To document this and to use as a tool, I took photos of an oak tree I passed through all the seasons. It’s a wonderful way to think that ‘this moment will pass’ if you are dealing with any stress or worry.

There can be more to it than that of course, as you can add in meditation and other practices but for now, it’s a great place to start.

Spring tree
Summer Tree
Autumn tree
Winter tree

 

Wellbeing  and Weddings

 

If you are keen to explore this further and look into how you can incorporate this into your wedding, here a few ideas.

  • Keep it Cosy – (handy in these times!) when you have a large wedding it is very difficult to engage and connect with all of your guests. From experience, there are not enough hours in the day to speak meaningfully to everyone and it will affect your own experience as well.
  • Less is More – this is about a marriage and not ‘stuff’ if you can’t afford it, there is no reason to go overboard on material things. Keep it simple and beautiful.
  • Preloved – In these days I believe the stigma has gone around using something that has been previously used – your dress for example. Imagine you wanted a party dress and you found one that has been worn ONCE in a charity shop – you would be over the moon! So why is it so different to look for a preloved wedding dress?
  • Regift -what can you regift from your wedding? Can you gift your flowers to your local care home? There are companies that can do this for you if you don’t know where to start.
  • Keep it lovely and local – where possible try and support your local independent businesses, they will so appreciate it!!

 

Meditation

 

Now this is something that I TRY to do, and I cannot profess I am much good, only that it does help to refocus and relax. I would advise to consult a practitioner in order to learn this art correctly. Failing this, I sit in crossed leg on my meditation pillow (all the gear and no idea springs to mind!)

If you would like to try, my advice is to set up a space for this, consider the following:

  • Something to sit on – being comfortable is really important, so whether you choose a meditation cushion, a large pod, a lounge pouffe, it will help keep you supported
  • Make it cosy – I tend to like to go outside for this practice, always make sure that you are cosy and warm. I take out gorgeous soft, fluffy blankets
  • Scent – I like to think this is a sensory practice, so I choose scented candles with aromatherapy oils to match my mood. Also candles help with the ambience and soothing light.
  • Nature – for me this is essential for my practise, if you can’t use an outside space, consider some indoor plants

 

Worry Time

 

Are you a worrier? I know I am! Here are some practical things that you can do to alleviate your worries.

  • Put aside ‘worry time’ – I know this sounds odd but it’s a great way to separate it and stop it from taking over.
  • Write it down – maybe use your ‘worry time’ to get it all down on paper. Also leave a note pad in easy reach so that you can write it down and put it to one side. Also leave one by your bed to alleviate any worries that may wake you and keep you up.
  • Put a positive spin on it; where possible, in your notebook, write an alternative, positive statement.

 

Affirmations

 

These are statements that you read aloud to encourage positive thinking and self-empowerment and I lOVE them! A great way to stay positive and focussed. I have some affirmations available soon in the shop. I hope this gives you a little guidance and I would love to hear your practises in the comments.

DIY summer wedding

Click HERE to go to some lush recipes.

 

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Categories: DIY Projects, Lifestyle, Recipes, Weddings

Seville Orange Marmalade

This super tangy, tasty marmalade is fantastic to go into the ‘Spread the Love’ Jars project for your favours. This isn’t just ANY recipe for seville orange marmalade, this is Granny Ockwell’s Seville orange marmalade recipe!

My Granny was a wonderful cook and was known for her AMAZING Seville orange marmalade. Over the years that I have made it, I may have adjusted the method slightly, but the Ingredients remain just the same.

DIY wedding orange marmalade

 

RECIPE for Seville Orange Marmalade

 

You will need:

A large pan – I have a Maslin pan

A long wooden spoon

Scales

Ingredients:

3lb Seville Oranges

2 Lemons

6lb Sugar

4 1/2 Pints water

TIP: Seville Oranges are only available for about 3 weeks a year around February time (this is what I have found)

BUT the good news is that they freeze really well so stock up when you see them.

 

Method:

 

Pour boiling water onto the fruit and cook gently for two hours. I tend to then leave them in the water overnight until they are cooled as I find them easier to handle.

Take them out and finely cut them up, I put the flesh back into the water. This is a very laborious process so be warned!!! Get your friends to help if at all possible because really thick cut is not overly nice (of course you may like it like that!

Next, return to the water and add the sugar. Bring to the boil for 15-20 minutes and then test.

I do this by putting a plate into the freezer and then drop some onto the cold plate and press along. If it crinkles it will set perfectly.

Next; make sure that you sterilise the jars; wash in hot soapy water and i then pop them in the oven to dry. Be careful to remove the rubber seal and metal parts if using clip jars.

Mini Kilner edible favour
edible favour spread the love

Finally, fill the jars and pop a wax seal on top. Leave to cool and then you can clip/screw shut and these will keep really well so you can definitely make these in advance.

DIY wedding favour

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Categories: Lifestyle, Recipes

Light and Fluffy Cheese Scones

I don’t know about you, but I LOVE light and fluffy cheese scones. But it just has to be super cheesy, and super light and fluffy. I have made these many times and they are always a hit with Mr RTS and family and friends alike. Don’t be put off by the yoghurt; it makes them so light! The only trouble is they are so yummy it’s difficult not to eat them all when they are fresh and still warm…….

Cheese scones

 

Recipe for light and fluffy cheese scones

 

Ingredients:450grams SR Flour

2 heaped tsp Baking Powder

Pinch of salt

50g butter – cut into cubes at room temperature.

Cheese – I tend to just grate loads – say a bowl full. I use extra mature or a blend of 3 strong cheeses some as Gruyere.

500g pot of yoghurt – you may not need it all. I use fat free live yoghurt

 

Method:

 

Rub the butter into the dry ingredients, much like you are making a crumble. Add most of the cheese leaving some for the tops. You then add the yoghurt a tablespoon at a time until it forms a dough. (if I have over egged the yoghurt I simply add a little more flour)

Roll it out to about a cm and half and cut using a 7cm round cutter (of course you can make them bigger if smaller if you wish)

Brush the tops with a little milk and add the rest of the cheese to the tops.

Bake at 180 degrees centigrade for 20mins.

Cheese scones

Variations:

You can try these variations by simply adding the ingredients in when you add the cheese.

Chorizo and paprika

Bacon

Herbs

Poppy seeds

Also try with a fresh herb butter; simply chop up some chives and mix it with some softened butter.

Enjoy!

Fancy something sweet? Click HERE for my lotus biscoff cheesecake recipe.  Rewrite the Stars Blog

Categories: Lifestyle, Recipes

Lotus Biscoff Cheesecake Recipe

Grant absolutely loves cheesecake and lotus biscuits; I love strawberries! I really think Lotus Biscoff are the ULTIMATE biscuit. Seriously lush!

Give this ago; I like quite a thick biscoff base but you can half the ingredients less if you prefer a thinner base.

Strawberry and lotus biscuit

 

INGREDIENTS

 

300grams Digestive Biscuits

250grams Lotus Biscoff

200grams Unsalted butter

600ml Full fat cream cheese

300ml Double Cream

100grams Icing Sugar

1tsp Vanilla Paste

Punnet Fresh Strawberries

Puree: Handful of Strawberries, a few tablespoons of water and icing sugar to taste

A 9inch Spring Based Cake tin – a deep one

 

METHOD

 

Grease the cake tin and line with greaseproof paper.

Crush up all of the biscuits, I use a bowl and a wooden rolling pin. Mix them thoroughly. Melt the butter and mix with the biscuit. Put into the tin and press down gently. Don’t press down too hard as it becomes impossible to cut!

Chill in the fridge for an hour.

Next empty the cream cheese into a mixing bowl, add the icing sugar, cream and vanilla paste and mix thoroughly.

Spread onto your base and return to the fridge to chill thoroughly (about 4 hours)

Pop the handful of strawberries into a blender or bullet and add the water, mix thoroughly. Add the icing sugar to taste.

When the cheesecake is ready, remove from the tin and pour on the puree. Put the remaining strawberries prettily in the middle, and then sprinkle crumbled lotus biscuits to finish.

ENJOY!!

Strawberry and lotus biscuit cheesecake

I have these super cute Fork Candles…..so if it’s a special occasion add these to each slice. They are exactly what they say; forks with a candle holder!!

Alternatively, if you are not serving it as an entire dish, cut the slices, plate up and then add the puree, strawberries and biscuit. Keep them all separate until ready to serve otherwise it will go soggy.

Fancy a healthier treat? Click HERE for my banana oat cookies. 

Rewrite the Stars Blog

Categories: Lifestyle, Recipes

Banana & Oat Cookies

I have an approach to baking a little like my cooking, I tend to chuck it all and hope for the best! But I have to say, these little cookies were a triumph, so I had to share with you.

Now they don’t look the most attractive, not even my gorgeous Emma Bridgewater could help with this!!

 

Over Ripe Bananas

 

I had 5 in total to use up so decided to try 2 types of cookies. They contain a couple of more expensive items as I tend to add supplements to my porridge in the morning so I had them in the cupboard, however I dare say you could miss them out.  Have a read up on the supplements to see if you think you may benefit and also if they are suitable for you to take – check with a health consultant for proper advice.

They have been tried and tested and the favourite are the chocolate peanut butter ones, sensational when they first come out of the oven and perfectly lovely kept in an airtight tin.

For a truly healthier option, be sparing on the chocolate bits!

Healthy oat cookies

 

Ingredients

 

Oat Cookies with Cacao, Maca and Reeses pieces.

 

2 ripe bananas mashed

1tsp vanilla paste

2 cups of oats (I use gluten free)

1 egg, beaten

Squeeze of runny hunny

Squeeze of natural fruit syrup – salted caramel (I used sweet freedom)

4tsp of Maca powder (I use Funktional Foods)

2tbs Cacao powder (again, Funktional Foods) 

1tsp baking powder

Splash of milk if needed

Bag of Reeses Peanut butter pieces (found in the baking section at Sainsburys) 

Method

Put all the ingredients into a bowl and mix! Spoon onto a lined baking sheet and bake for around 15mins at 180

This made around 12, and I made them around a dessert spoon size – they do grow whilst baking.

Below is a variation, you can mix and match to your taste, but these were not as popular, and I believe there are still some left in the tin!

Healthy Cookies emma bridgewater

 

Oat cookies with Maca, Matcha and white chocolate

 

3 very ripe bananas, mashed

1tsp Vanilla paste (or essence)

2 cups of oats

Squeeze of runny hunny

Squeeze of natural fruit syrup – salted caramel (I used sweet freedom)

2tsp cinnamon

4tsp Maca powder  

2tsp Matcha green tea – I ordered my online, look for the ceremonial quality.

1tsp baking powder

Splash of milk if needed

Let me know which you prefer, or have you come up with a better one?

Click HERE for my Lotus Biscoff cheesecake recipe.

Rewrite the Stars Blog

Categories: Beauty, DIY Projects, Weddings

How to Make Rose Water

Dreaming of the summer whilst wall to wall grey skies cover me like a blanket, sigh. Dreaming of the blooming roses that I can make rose water with.

I always think we do not appreciate the summer when it’s here and now I really wish I could catch some rays that have that magically uplifting power!

In the summer I always like to make rose water from the petals of my roses in the garden, so here I am showing you ‘how to make Rose Water’ 

I use my rose water for many things; I add it to sweet almond oil for a gorgeous face oil, a toner, a refresher, its such a gorgeous thing to make. 

Rose water diy wedding

 

Foraging

 

In preparation for the summer foraging, I thought I would show you how easy it is to make DIY Rose Water, it’s a great gift or wedding favour.

I think it would be a lovely fresh spritzer to add to your bathroom baskets or into the bridal parties’ rooms.

I am so lucky that I have a couple of rose bushes in the garden and one has a beautiful fragrance.

 

YOU WILL NEED:

 

Saucepan and lid

Bowl

Fragranced Rose Petals

Distilled water

Funnel

Coloured glass bottles

 

HOW TO: 

 

I pick the petals as the rose is nearing the end of its bloom as I like to enjoy them in the garden first. I collect a bowl full first thing in the morning. Place a heatproof bowl that will fit inside your saucepan to collect the hydrosol as it drips down.

HYDROSOL: This is the condensate water that is collected through distillation. You can make all sorts of these; I am planning to make a geranium leaf one later this year, it smells sublime and evokes memories of my grandmothers green house.

 

DIY wedding rose water

Turn the saucepan lid upside down so that the dome can let the hydrosol drip down and into the bowl.

I use distilled water that I purchased on Amazon in order to have the purest hydrosol possible.

Put the petals around the bowl in the saucepan and cover with the water. Simply heat gently and collect the condensate in the bowl. Add ice cubes to the top of the lid to create extra condensation.

DIY wedding rose water

Decant the liquid into coloured glass bottles (to protect from light) using a little funnel.

When I was ready to use, I decanted into pretty bottles and sprays (keep these in the fridge for a really fresh spritz!)

DIY wedding rose water

Summary

I did note that the fragrance lasts a few months only, so if you are making for your wedding, ensure to prepare around 6 weeks prior to use.

For more DIY favour ideas go HERE 

I would love to hear if you have made some?

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UK Wedding blogger cassie ockwell

Welcome to my blog!

I hope you will find tonnes of wedding inspiration here, as well as crafts for your home. Hop on over to the lifestyle if you fancy a break from planning.

Do pop into my shop to find some curiosities and downloads to help with your projects.

XoXo

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✨HAND DYED SILKS✨ These look gorgeous on a han ✨HAND DYED SILKS✨
These look gorgeous on a hand made bow book…. What other colours would you like to see? 
Ribbon @thecuriouscat_boutique 
Available in the boutique ✨
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😳😳😳😳😳😳 Gosh the time goes so qu 😳😳😳😳😳😳 
Gosh the time goes so quickly!!!! I still have about 5 DIY projects to do, but luckily I am quieter in September so it will be all hands on deck…. Well, myself and my MOH anyway! 
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✨THE START….. I have handmade paper and card, ✨THE START….. I have handmade paper and card, my hand dyed silks and some gold wax …. Can’t wait to get started and show the finished invitations! 
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💫WORD💫 Now don’t get me wrong - I am ALL a 💫WORD💫
Now don’t get me wrong - I am ALL about the details but I do think it’s really important to remind ourselves of WHY we are doing this, so when you feel overwhelmed and stressed out with planning, try and take a few moments to reflect.
On the day itself, relax and enjoy it!! This will make your guests relax and enjoy it too!!! 
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WEDDING DRESS SHOPPING 🛍 A few tips which I fo WEDDING DRESS SHOPPING 🛍 
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✨IDEA✨ what a sweet idea, if your grandma has ✨IDEA✨ what a sweet idea, if your grandma has her wedding dress/ dress jewellery , take some of the detail/jewellery and pin to the underneath of yours! This was a something old AND a something blue.
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I am really hoping for some old earrings belonging to my granny for my something old - what’s yours going to be? 
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