Five things to love

{ my mom's tea cup collection }

{ bright and beautiful fruit }

{ a delicious lunch made by me, which is amazing since I hardly ever move away from baking! }

{ a rewarding view after a three kilometre hike! }

{ trying stratichella gelato for the first time }

Much love, Vivi  



Quite a blessing

A few nights ago I had an incredible night at my youth group. We've been doing a series on the Holy Spirit for the past few weeks and it has been life changing. Every week God has revealed something new and so exciting to me. Isn't it so cool how the Holy Spirit, sent from God, lives inside you and me? I can't think of a better gift. Tonight's message was on the gifts of the Spirit, and I felt God poking me inside to share this little something with you.
Each and every person has been beautifully designed and lovingly created by God. And every person has a purpose. No matter how you feel right now, God does have a plan for your life. (Jeremiah 29:11) God has given us each different gifts, to make up a part of the body of Christ, different and perfect, just like an ear, leg, and an arm all serve different purposes, but without them, the body just wouldn't be complete. I wanted to encourage everyone reading this. I want to encourage you that no matter where you are in life, you have beautiful gifts given from God, gifts that are going to bless others and YOU! You may not see them now, but trust me, God wants to bless you abundantly more than you can even imagine. I know that this is true about each and every single person, and yes, that includes you! Be encouraged today that God is faithful in His promises, and you have special gifts perfectly designed for YOU.

Much love, Vivi

Upside Down Plum Cake

A few days ago, my family and I experienced our annual plum jamming night. I know, sounds roaringly fun... ;) The fruit from our backyard plum trees was piling up in our kitchen as more and more plums ripened. By the time we began the jam making, two plastic totes and six ice cream buckets were overflowing with plums. It was definitely the largest amount of plums we've had in years! After a long evening of processing fruit, adding sugar, stirring on the stove... and repeating around thirty times, we had a happy family of jam jars lined up on our kitchen counters. Almost every inch of the counter was covered in jars! I had always wanted to try my hand at an upside down cake, and having so much fruit at my disposal and finding this recipe just sealed the deal. Upside down plum cake was a done deal.

Much love, Vivi

Something about floral

There's always been something about flowers that my eye just can't resist. Be it their sweet scent, vibrant colours, or the way they can instantly add life to any room, my heart will never cease to have a sweet spot for these beauties. So, of course, my love for flowers has made it's way into my wardrobe as well! I purchased this skirt last year in New York and have faithfully worn it ever since. I added a belt to cinch the waist, and a simple tee to create a more laid-back summer feel.  

top: forever 21 necklace: Michael hill jewellers belt: thrifted skirt: H&M sandals: pay less shoe source

A beautiful display of mini sunflowers at the local farm market!

Much love, Vivi

Five things to love

{ an afternoon at the local farmer's market is always well spent }

{ beautiful light reflecting on beach waters }

{ farmer's market flowers that caught my eye }

{ my dear friend kendra snapping happily away on her camera in a gorgeous peach dress! }

{ a new favourite of mine: menchies! a frozen yogurt bar with more choices than room in my bowl... }

Much love, Vivi

Through the phone

avocado toast learnt here with a blueberry salad, spicy rice, and green tea
a full moon on a late-night drive home
my friend kendra and I going for coffee
sparkling water and lovely light at the beach
streams of light through the blinds hitting the pages of my Bible
a new favourite: Menchies!
campfires in my backyard with the family
freshly picked daisies at the end of my bed, which look lovely, but smell. So. bad. Sadly they had to be thrown away quickly...

Much love, Vivi

Mocha buttercream

It's a long-known fact in my home that I love to bake cupcakes. So much so that a few nights ago I came home to an ultimate cake decorating set as a gift from my family! From the moment I saw it I was itching to bake up an entire fleet of these adorable little treats. Faced with the decision to only bake one treat for the rest of my life, cupcakes would most definitely be my number one. Give me a cupcake and a chai latte and your wish is my command. Seriously. ;) I used a box mix for the cake and a simple mocha buttercream for the icing!

Ingredients:

1/2 cups butter, softened

3 cups powdered sugar

4 tablespoons cocoa powder

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 tablespoons instant coffee, dissolved in a splash of hot water

Directions:

1. In your mixer, beat the softened butter until creamy, then add the powdered sugar and beat till creamy again.

2. Add in the cocoa powder, vanilla extract & coffee.

3. Beat with the mixer until it's nice and fluffy (about a minute or 2)

4. This makes a perfectly spreadable frosting. The nice thing about it is that you can put it in the fridge to make it a little more firm if you would like.

  

Much love, Vivi