A kaleidoscope of creepy-crawly loveliness...

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Alexander McQueen’s iconic skull scarf, the power-fashion house has joined forces with heavy-weight artist Damien Hirst to produce a range of limited edition silk scarves.
 

Adapted from Hirst’s ‘Entomology’ collection – a beautifully executed series where creepy-crawlies are transforming into beautiful kaleidoscope works, this collaboration sees McQueen’s iconic scull merged with Hirst’s Entomology art, resulting in the most beautiful printed scarves.
 

These one-off scarves are available to purchase tomorrow from the Alexander McQueen online store.

Now to dust down my credit card…!!
 

Lynsay
Skinny-malink.com

Season of the Chill…

Ladies and Gents,  I think we can all agree that winter is well and truly approaching! With that in mind it’s time to pack away the Pimms and dust down that trusty bottle of delicious rum because I’ve got some perfect hot beverages to accompany the looming bitter winter. These will no doubt go down an absolute (winter) storm at your next social soiree.
 

Pumpkin Butter Rum

makes 6 servings
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup light brown sugar, loosely packed
1/3 cup pumpkin butter, such as Trader Joe's brand
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Pinch salt
Dark rum
Hot water
Whipped cream, to garnish
Cream together the butter, brown sugar, pumpkin butter, pumpkin pie spice, and salt using a mixer on low setting. Add approximately 2 tablespoons of butter mixture to the bottom of a heat-proof glass or mug. Add 2 ounces of dark rum. Fill the glass with boiling water. Stir to mix. Optional: top with whipped cream. Garnish with a dusting of spice.
 

Hot Apple-Ginger Toddy

makes one drink
a cup or so of apple cider
1 to 2 ounces of dark liquor (I used applejack, but bourbon or dark rum would work well too)
a drizzle of honey
a squeeze of lemon
peeled fresh gingerroot, coarsely chopped (I used a thumb-sized piece)
mulling spices (cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, allspice, nutmeg - whatever you have on hand)
Optional garnishes: cinnamon stick stirrer, lemon slice, apple slice, ginger slice
Add the ginger and mulling spices to the cider and simmer in a saucepan over medium-low heat for at least 5 minutes (or a full 15 or more if you want full flavor). Drizzle some honey into a mug and add the liquor, hot cider, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Stir.
 

Rye and Ginger Hot Toddy

makes 1 drink
1 1/2 ounces rye whiskey
2 teaspoons honey
2 to 3 thin slices fresh ginger, peeled
Lemon wedge
Hot water
In a teapot with one cup of water add the ginger.
Heat until the teapot whistles. If using a saucepot to heat your water add the ginger and strain when pouring into your whiskey and honey mixture.
In a mug add the whiskey, honey, and juice of the lemon wedge. Strain the ginger infused hot water into the mug.
Stir to dissolve the honey and enjoy.
 

Apple Cider with Hibiscus Flower Syrup

serves 6
4 cups apple cider
2-inch knob fresh ginger, sliced
2 cinnamon sticks, broken
1 8.8 ounce jar hibiscus flowers in syrup
Mix the apple cider, ginger, cinnamon, and all the syrup from the flowers in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over low heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes. Serve with hibiscus flowers in the glasses.
 
For more delicious recipes check out The Kitchn. You won’t be disappointed.
 
Lynsay
skinny-malink.com

I’ve fallen for Side Effects Printed Artwork…

Side Effects is a carefully created art graphics collection and an online shop for art lovers. 

Golden Boy : Mane Radmanović
 
Their idea is to present and distribute high quality contemporary art graphics of young aspiring authors from all around the world.

Begining/End : Bratislav Milenković

Side Effects collection promotes their uniqueness and celebrates the best contemporary art of both emerging and established artists. 

Power of Legacy : Lazar Bodroza

They’re in process of taking on more unique artist so bookmark them and check in regularly to view new artists!

Untitled 15 : Jovan Trkulja

Lynsay
skinny-malink.com

A Haunting Beautiful Neon Installation.

Korean artist Jung Lee is showing her first exhibition in Dubai. Lee has two series—Day and Night and Aporia, which translates as “coming to a dead end” in Greek.

The Aporia series was inspired by Roland Barthes’s A Lover’s Discoursem which tells the story of the ineptitudes of people in love. According to Barthes, when one falls in love the beloved becomes a mystery and one will ceaselessly try to figure out the reasons for their mysterious feelings.

I don’t necessarily agree with the pessimistic outlook of Barthes but I do find these neon installations somewhat haunting and ultimately beautiful. 

Lynsay
skinny-malink.com

A very vintage affair for Skinny Malink

We’re now back in Edinburgh after visiting some very lovely brides and grooms up in Aberdeen. 
Thank you to all who came and supported the Vintage Wedding Fair. We’re over the moon with the reception our stationery received. 

...Now to get organised for the next Vintage Fair in Glasgow’s Trades Hall. 

Head along to the Merchant City on the 27th of October and we’ll be waiting with some lovely samples and maybe a tasty treat or two!! oooft...
 
Lynsay
skinny-malink.com

Skinny Malinks New Retro Weave Collection

It’s been a busy couple of weeks for us here at Skinny Malink. Not only have we launched the new website and organised everything for the up-and-coming wedding fairs, we’ve also managed to launch a new vintage-inspired stationery collection.

 The Retro Weave collection was conjured up and sent to sample-print last week.
 

Available in only Blue and Brown at the moment, we hope to get a 3rd colour on offer soon.
 

We love the finished products.

To take a look at the full collection, click here?

Lynsay
skinny-malink.com

Alternative cake for an alternative event...

Following on from Tuesday’s Maggie Austin cake design blog, I thought it’d post some ideas for those looking for alternative cakes… why conform when you can mix things up a bit?

 

Jelly doesn't have to solely be for the kids party

  

Why no add a little snap, crackle and pop to your event, with a Rice Crispy cake

 

For those who want a variety of flavors on offer, go for the cake pop.

Crepes are not only delicious, they're also very stackable! Ideal for an unconventional take on the classic cake.

Who said the focal piece to the event had to be a sweet cake? For the savory lovers out there, try a meaty pork-pie tier. 

 

Finally, I adore this take on the classic cheese board. Ideal for the cheese enthusiast amongst us.

Lynsay
skinny-malink.com 

An Art Deco Stationery Collection or Two...

Here at Skinny Malink we love a bit of Art Deco, who doesn’t? 

We’ve designed two stationery collection based completely around this diverse and eclectic style.

The ‘Classic Deco’ range of stationery takes a gentle more minimal approach to the style.

These sets are available in Black or a gold-nude colour. They are also fully personalised for every customer, free of charge. To see the whole collection, click here.
 

The ‘Bold Deco’ Collection is, well… more bold than the Classic range.
 

It’s focal, heavier, geometric header and footer is also printed as a continuous pattern on the reverse of all the stationery. 
 

Also available in black and Nude, this collection is guaranteed to go down a storm with your guests.
 

Take a look at the full range here.
 
Lynsay
skinny-malink.com

Stylish Statement Sofas Fit For Any Event!

Whether it’s bringing your interiors outside or simply dressing a room for a special occasion, you have to admire the imagination of these assorted vintage sofas.
 

 It’s sure to create a retro style statement at any event!

Now, if only we could guarantee some dry weather in Scotland...
 
Lynsay

Sneak-a-peek at all the services Skinny Malink offer...
skinny-malink.com

The most beautiful cakes you're likely to see

I thought I’d kick off Skinny Malinks new blog by featuring Maggie Austin.   

This cake designer produces the most stunning (and I’m not one to brandish that word around willy-nilly) cakes you’re ever likely to clap eyes on!
 
Here’s a selection from her portfolio...

 

They're almost too pretty to eat! 

Lynsay
www.skinny-malink.com