dear self - you are strong

when you were growing up, your parents raised you to be your best self and they encouraged you to chase your dreams. they picked you up when you fell down, they praised your successes and helped you learn from your mistakes. they believed in you more than anyone else, they saw your potential, they nourished your creativity and they loved you for you.

you grew up and people started telling you differently, they told you that you were just like everyone else, that the things that made you special made thousands of other people special too in turn making you average. they told you that your dreams were risky, that your creativity was never going to pay off and that your mistakes define you.

that's when you made your first big mistake, you believed them. you see they were a test, they were put there to challenge you, to make you fight harder, run faster and trust yourself more. sadly, you listened to them, you started forgetting the things your parents taught you, you started thinking that you shouldn't shine as bright because it would make you stick out.

self, there's something i want you to know -  you have the power to beat the odds, to overcome any and everything that comes your way. you may have to fight for your dreams, you may make a few mistakes along the way, but never give up.

dear self, you are strong.

i hope you like this new segment on the blog - #dearself - each month there will be a new print which will be a reminder/note to self. i believe self empowerment is so necessary in order to be your best self and reach your full potential, if you don't believe in yourself - why should anyone else. it all starts with you.

if you use this print, i'd love to see how you style it/where you place it to remind yourself daily of your strength, so share it with me using the hashtag #mrtimothyjames on social media.

if you could give yourself one piece of advice what would it be? want a #dearself print of your own? leave me a comment below and i will do my best to incorporate it into the series. 

with love timothy xx

caprese tart

so, i'm going to cut right to the chase here - it's the season of indulgence, the time of year when rich and fancy foods take the cake... oooh cake... *starts daydreaming about cake* sorry, i got carried away. what i'm trying to say is that xmas is usually when we allow ourselves to indulge on foods that we wouldn't normally eat - all without guilt of course. now being someone who loves to cook and entertain, i love to spoil my friends and family with delicious and decadent foods - but just sometimes you want to have lunch or a bbq and not end up nursing a foodbaby. now don't get me wrong, i love indulging at xmas time, but sometimes you just want something light - i mean, it is summer after all. 

this tart is the perfect mix of deliciously indulgent and light and summery. it's literally the easiest thing to make ever - and it's also the yummiest tart you ever will eat!* 

* this may be a completely biased opinion

the recipe

(recipe makes one tart)

caprese tart

preheat the oven to 180oC / 160oC fan-forced. grease the tart tin with non-stick cooking spray. line the tart tin with pastry (you may need more than 1 sheet based on the shape and size of your tart tin), and trim away the excess. cover the pastry lined tart tin with baking paper and fill with rice, beans or pastry weights. blind bake the tart shell for 15minutes or until golden brown.

to a large bowl, add the room temperature cream cheese, chopped tomatoes, chopped mozzarella, chopped basil and minced garlic – using a spoon or spatula mix together ingredients until they are thoroughly combined. season with salt and pepper to taste.

once the tart shell is cool, fill with the cream cheese mix and spread out evenly. top the tart with cherry tomatoes, basil leaves and mini bocconcini; alternating their placement to create a pattern. chill in the fridge for an hour or until firm to the touch - enjoy.

please note that this tart is seriously addictive, so don’t be afraid to have a second slice. it should also be noted that this tart is best served with friends

i'd love to see your creations, if you make this delicious caprese tart share it with me by using  the hashtag #mrtimothyjames on social media.

what's one food you're addicted to? do you think a foodbaby is a christmas essential? tell me all of the things in the comments below!

love and indulgence timothy xx

do it yourself: emergency chocolate stash

*everyone rolls their eyes*

seriously? d-i-why??

*i clear my throat*

look, it's christmas - and a box of chocolate's simply isn't going to cut it!!

for reals, i get it - being told to do something yourself is seriously the pitts. and if i'm being completely honest there's nothing i love more than cutting corners, or paying someone else to do things for me, but... christmas is a time of giving - of giving gifts (duhh), giving of yourself, and of your precious time to make others happy and show them your love. but seriously, this diy takes literally minutes and costs you like $20 and you can find everything you need to make it at good ole Kmart!

you will need. a shadow box photo frame, peanut m&m's, liquid chalk and a gift box.

step one. take the back off the frame, and remove the insert. 

step two. on the glass front of the frame, using the liquid chalk, write 'in case of emergency break glass' (or your desired sentiment).

step three. once the chalk is dried, flip the frame over, and fill with the recipients fave m&m's or other lollies. 

step four. replace the back of the frame and secure.

step five. wrap your gift and surprise your loved one with a thoughtful gift. 

notes

you can find shadow box photo frames at kmart, spotlight, or online.

you can wipe down the inside of the frame with vinegar before filling it to make it food safe.

liquid chalk is not permanent, it will brush off easily if not treated gently. for a more permanent solution, try a sharpie or a white paint pen.

a 440g box of peanut m&m's filled this 6x8inch shadow box nicely, you may need less or more based on the size of your frame.

mrtimothyjames does not recommend actually smashing this frame, because... glass, mess, danger, etc. this is merely a cute and creative way of gifting chocolates.

mrtimothyjames loves sturdy gift boxes like these from Domayne for this gift because they allow space so that the liquid chalk sentiment will not get brushed off.

if you make this gift for someone, i'd love to see how it turns out, share it with me on social media use the hashtag #mrtimothyjames

ever made someone a diy gift? in case of emergency, what is your go to chocolate? tell me all of the things in the comments below.

happy diy'ing love timothy xx