Halloween! All the fun starts with the Prep!

Welcome to Madia & Matilda's

Halloween Party

Halloween isn't just for kids. We're excited to bring you a post all about the world's favourite Autumn festival— for adults! Step this way for boozy Halloween beverages, delicious pumpkin treats, and some amazing outfit ideas that are too good to only wear on Halloween!

Disturbing Drinks

Our first recipe is a cocktail that Snow White's evil stepmother would be proud of. Cosmopolitan magazine calls it called Poisoned Apple Pie... 

• Add 2 oz. dark rum, 1/2 oz. heavy cream, 1/2 oz. of cinnamon syrup and 1 medium egg white to a cocktail shaker without ice
• Shake it up! 30 seconds should do it. Next add ice, then shake again to chill through
• Strain the mixture into a glass and top up slowly with sparkling apple juice (Cosmo recommends the IZZE brand, but we suspect another one would work just as well) 
• For that wicked finishing touch, add a little ground cinnamon powder and 2 pinches of activated charcoal powder. Seriously, it looks amazing! Get some here.

The evil-looking Poisonous Apple Pie cocktail, courtesy of Cosmopolitan magazine

Halloween in the Tropics. Our next offering is a calming tonic for the evil stepmother after she hears that Snow White is still the fairest of them all. The Food Network calls this one a "brew to chill out stressed witches". After an evening of small ghosts hanging on the doorbell, you're going to need it!

• Mix 30ml pineapple juice with 30ml cranberry juice in a pewter cauldron (we recommend using a pewter cauldron, size 2. Buy from Potage's: first shop on the left after the Three Broomsticks, on Diagon Alley)
• Add 60ml lemonade. Stir clockwise 3 times
• Pour into 4 glasses
• Just before drinking, add one shot (40ml) of Malibu coconut rum to each glass

Green Slime Soda, a non-alcoholic drink for tiny vampires, or grown-up zombies who have to drive home after the party!

• Stir 3 tablespoons of sugar into 1/4 cup of lime juice
• Add 1 cup of sparkling water and give it all a stir
• Measure one scoop of lime sherbet or lime sorbet and add to the drink. Stir well and serve

Other tips and tricks:

• We love the idea of mixing a little red food colouring into golden syrup in a shallow bowl and dipping the rim of a glass into it. It should look as if there's blood dripping down your glass!
• Food-grade dry ice cubes add drama to cocktails
• You could try adding slices of blood orange to your glasses when serving, either to line the inside of the glass or as a garnish on top of the glass

Spooky Treats

Pumpkin everything! Bring it on! What Halloween gathering would be complete without some delicious homemade bakes? Not ours, no way! So put on The Monster Mash at full blast and get making.

Pumpkin Puree

Use this as the pumpkin-y base to all your baked pumpkin-y delights!

• Preheat your oven to 170℃/gas mark 3
• Take a small-medium pumpkin and chop the top off, where the stalk is/would be. (It's best to use pumpkins which are grown to be eaten, rather than the ones that are grown to be carved)
• Chop the whole pumpkin in half vertically, right down the middle. Remove the seeds and stringy bits with a spoon. Don't throw the seeds away! You can roast them later
• Next, chop each half in half again, lengthways. Repeat with the other half of the pumpkin, so you end up with four chunks of pumpkin which look a bit like giant orange slices
• Pop the pumpkin wedges on a baking tray and into the oven for about 45 minutes, or until they go a bit brown on the edges
• Remove the skin from the pumpkin slices while they're still warm, scraping an flesh leftover on the skin off with a knife
• Whizz up the flesh in a blender or food processor. If the mixture looks dry, add a little water. If it's too wet, strain it gently through a muslin cloth or similar
• Use immediately or freeze. This puree keeps for a good 6-8 months, so feel free to carve up more than one pumpkin and put the lot into the freezer for use at a later date. For more about this recipe, see this fab blog post from The Pioneer Woman

Using your pumpkin puree

Put your beautiful puree to good use! How about these spiced pumpkin cookies, perfect for a cold evening...

You will need: 

• 300g plain flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 125g butter, softened
• 300g caster sugar
• 250g pumpkin puree
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract  

Method: 

• Preheat your oven to 180℃/gas mark 4. Combine the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves and salt; then set aside
• In a medium bowl, cream together the butter and caster sugar. Add the pumpkin puree, egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture, and beat until creamy. Mix in the dry ingredients. Drop tablespoons of the mixture onto the baking tray and flatten slightly with the back of the spoon
• Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from the oven, cool and devour. How easy is that?! Thanks to All Recipes for this great one.

The Costume Competition

It's a Halloween party, after all! Here are our top picks for the Autumn Season...

Presenting our wonderful, versatile Emily dress! You can layer her up by wearing a woolly sweater or top underneath (it is October after all), or dress her up by adding... whatever you want! Bats' wings, devil horns, a veil, you name it. This dress is the perfect sustainable canvas: not blank, but adaptable. Get it here.

Emily dress

Dracula's Bride? More like Dracula himself in female form. If you're after a perfect Halloween dress with just the right amount of drama, look no further: our Rosemary dress has it all. Buy it here and channel your inner Wednesday Addams. You know she's in there!

Well, that's all from us! Hope you have a kooky, spooky Halloween! Please get in touch with pics of your Halloween outfits, drinks or bakes, we'd love to hear from you!

Sincerely Madia & Matilda

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Shop Unique - Brands Feature - Lily Flo Jewellery

Madia & Matilda curated selection of brands, SHop UNique features our independent designers and brand who share our passion and ethos for ethical fashion, jewellery and products. We interviewed Diana Sherling founder & designer of Lily Flo Jewellery 

1. Can you tell us a little more about the brand?

I grew up in a family who loved art and travel, but it was the art of the Ancient worlds of Greece and Rome that really captured my heart and soul all through school and university culminating in lecturing at the British Museum. Much of my aesthetic is inspired by the art of the ancient world. However, it was my career in luxury advertising as a global strategist for some of the worlds largest advertising agencies that helped shape my sense of style and fashion. I believe in the power of great style, in contemporary twists on timeless style, and how jewellery is essential to finish a modern and elegant wardrobe. I started Lily Flo Jewellery in 2015, frustrated that I couldn’t find the jewellery I desired, ignited my passion for designing and making, learning traditional jewellery skills with a modern take

2.How do you make your jewellery?

Passionate as much about design as much as craft, I learnt metal smithing and gemstone setting at the University of Arts London, but I designs from the heart and everything is made in my studio in London. I love to experiment, curious about creating new shapes and designs through my love of mixing traditional techniques with the innovation of creating new shapes. I have always had a passion for colour, and often select the colour palette first before choosing the gemstones. When I do, I am particularly drawn to the symbolic and empowering nature of gemstones, often playing with the contrasts of rough and finessed, precious and industrial. All the jewellery is made in our studio in London. We believes in authenticity and honesty throughout the supply chain, materials and working practices and be ensuring that everything is made under her meticulous eye.

3.What is the jewellery made from? Components?

Why did you choose this material? Our fine jewellery uses Eco Gold and Silver sourced from the best in Hatton Garden, the Diamond Jewellery centre of London. Eco Gold and Silver is high quality recycled gold and silver without human or environmental impact. Its the most green you can get. We source our gemstones and diamonds directly from India, where every stone is cut and faceted by hand from rough, using contemporary cuts. They are sourced from small businesses who we have personal, long term and trusting relationships with us to not only does ensure quality, but we feel passionately about businesses helping each other. Whilst gemstones are responsibly sourced and our diamonds are sourced through suppliers that adhere to the Kimberley Process and the World Diamond Council's System of Warranties, preventing the distribution of conflict diamonds both in rough, cut and polished stones.

4.What inspires you?

I often visit galleries and museums in London and around the world. I love ancient and modern art milling through the British Museum or the V&A, fine portraiture of Klimt and Rembrandt as well as weird sculptures at the Serpentine and lighting installations. I love colour, texture and form, but art that is imbedded in culture and has something to say. I read a lot of biographies and autobiograhies of artists and designers, fascinated as much about Georgia O’Keefe as Tracey Emin, Diane von Furstenberg and Coco Chanel. I am currently reading Vidal Sassoons Biography which is fascinating.

5.Where do you make the product and what does sustainability or making a quality British product mean to you?

Everything is made in our studio in London. I design everything and make everything as far as possible using traditional silver and goldsmithing techniques. Sustainable and responsible production is at the very heart of the brand and the ethos of why I made the brand into what it is today. I see many other British jewellery brands either outsource the manufacture abroad often to China and Thailand where large factories make the pieces at the lowest price, faceless workers, unsure conditions, all for the lowest possible retail price. It just didn’t feel ethical, honest, right for me. I wanted to create a brand that is ethical, credible, pure, loved for the designs as much as the people who make them. Passionate about more than just the product, but people and the environment. A brand that can live and evolve and I felt the only way to do this was to be true and have a long term view of every part of the design and creation process. For me that means made in London. It means using ethical and responsible materials, metals and gemstones as far as I possibly can. Our metals come from Hatton Garden to ensure quality. It means reusing and limiting the waste of the actual making and supporting small businesses through packaging, retouching everything. I am a born and bred Londoner. I have lived and worked in London my whole life. I love London and never tire of it. So being a British Designer is very important to me and I aspire to represent British as a top British Jeweller one day.

6.Where you would you wear your jewellery?

I specifically design jewellery that can be ageless, timeless, occasion-less. It is designed to wear all the time to feel strong...personal symbols of independence and freedom. ‘I bought this for myself, I wear it because I earned it, it makes me happy..’

7.Favourite place to relax?

I love being by the water… ideally the sea, on a boat swimming.. I’m a massive gym bunny and love jogging in Hampstead Heath..

8. In the future what styles do you plan to make next?

I’m working on extending my fine jewellery collections, for the International Jewellery Show in London in September 2017. Named Stardust it will feature droplets of multi coloured Sapphires, Tourmalines and Diamonds in delicate and dainty shapes, like waterfall chandelier earrings, multi-layered necklaces and bracelets, soft to wear, falling on the contours of the body, smooth and delicate.

9. What do you think about sustainability and how does it impact your business?

I have built my business around being sustainable and responsible. It’s very much a conscious decision to build it to be ethical from the ground up. It’s easier to do it this way than have a business and then change as much as possible to be ethical and responsible. It’s part of everything who we are and what we do. We are all about being good, honest and responsible from the products we make, the partners we choose to sell with, our suppliers and our customers. We believe that there is a massive trend in consumer’s behaviour to be better educated and more knowledgeable about who, what and how products are made. So although they are little treats and beautiful pieces that uplift and simply make women happy, it is genuinely a vital part that they can feel reassured and comfortable that they were made honourably too.

10. What do you like about collaborating with Madia & Matilda?

There aren’t many retailers that genuinely put sustainability and responsibility at the heart of the business. Without a question, great product comes first. Beautiful fabrics, exceptional cut and shapes, insightful and inspiring colours and fabrics, but heart and soul means a great deal. Shalize created her business with that at the heart, she is a great designer.. Yet she has given herself the added challenge of making her products sustainable. We know there is a great deal of wastage and fast fashion has helped augment the issues of sustainability, but Shalize has quietly and confidently addressed them from within and produces on trend, key essential pieces, well priced with a soul.

To shop now, you can find Lily Flo on our Shop Unique selection or under accessories on madiamatilda.co.uk or in-store in our boutique.

Sincerely Madia & Matilda

Muse of the Autumn Season

As we transition in to the autumn season, we thought we share our muses for the season; Caroline Issa, who is an fan of Madia & Matilda and our sustainable clothing ethos.

CEO and Editor of Tank, Because magazine Caroline Issa exudes classic feminine style, that the Madia & Matilda woman portrays. Always, making a statement in the front row or street style blogs, Caroline style is understated and sartorial.



We have hand selected, work style we feel Caroline Issa would approve of; to transition into the autumn season. 

1. Effortless everyday staple - Shan Blouse worn with the Phoebe skirt, in a fitted silhouette  with a contrast elasticated waist band. A great selection if you are planning on going for drinks after work.

2. A less conventional classic Work shirt - Adian has embroidered flowers or for a classic work shirt the Carrie - Chiffon Blouse as seen worn with the Eduora skirt a midi Length pleated skirt.

3.  Floral beauty - River Top a cap sleeve, pleated top; worn with a smart crop trouser Zara is perfect for running from meeting to meeting!

Sincerely Madia & Matilda

What to wear at a festival

Whether you are off to Glasto, Hide out or Boardmasters or somewhere further afield…

... We've got a few styles for you to stand out from the crowd; in a sustainable outfit you can wear again and again.

 Our ‘Levannah’and ‘Carly’ dresses are easily our favourite festival go-to.

With such a versatile style, the ‘Julia’ dress is easy to pack, just add your favourite accessories and of course glitter! Tip: The‘Lena’ skirt looks super with it too for increased variety; why not rock the perfect sheer vs. matt ensemble?

 In the mood for music? Check out our Summer Playlist here on Spotify. 

DIY Flower garland

You will need:

·         Scissors/a knife

·         Horticultural wire

·         Tape (preferably green washi or masking tape)

·         Dried flowers or artificial flowers

Step one

Bend the horticultural wire in a loop about 2cm larger than comfortably sits on your head to create the main structure

Step two

Arrange flowers without tape to ascertain how the final product will look. If there’s a variety in the flowers then ensure they’re evenly distributed (or not if asymmetry is your desired effect.

Step three

Begin to tape the flower stems covering each with the next flower. Where you finish will be the back of the garland.

Step 4

Add ribbons or other trimmings for more festival fun!

Aiming to crowd surf or sit on shoulders?Our ‘Jain’ playsuit offers a cool alternative to dresses, for the more adventurous side of fashion.

DON’T FORGET: Sunscreen is the best accessory with any outfit in the sun!

  Sincerely Madia & Matilda

Travel

Travel

Peak holiday season is almost upon us. Here at Madia & Matilda we want to share our go-to holiday outfits as well as some nifty tips.

Plain and simple

Opt for minimal pattern to achieve effortless style. We live the M+M Tess - dress for this reason. Not only is it comfortable enough for that long haul flight, its fun tie-back design ensures just the right amount of flair to be suitable for all occasions.

Creative combos

Mix and match items for maximum versatility. Our top picks from Madia & Matilda are the Phoebe - contrast panel skirt and the Lisa May - tank top. Block colours work best for this but patterns could be introduced with accessories.

Pre-plan outfits

we cannot stress how important it is to make sure you have already planned out your outfits to wear on holiday, we have previously often thrown a load of summer clothes into my suit case and arrived on holiday with no assembled outfits.

Take minimal accessories
You won’t want to turn up on holiday with 100’s of accessories, just try to take accessories that will co ordinate well with your outfits, sunglasses a must!

Take clothes that are durable for travel
It is a pain when you’re travelling and your clothes get damaged, so too avoid this make sure to not take clothes that are already damaged and take clothes that will be right for what you plan to do whilst travelling.

Try to avoid taking a huge amount of beauty products                                      
If you’re planning to wear makeup during your travels, try not to avoid taking most of your beautystash, try taking a makeup palette that includes eye shadow, lipstick and blush instead of taking those individual products.  

                                                                                                                                             

                                                                                                                                           

Sincerely Madia & Matilda

e::  info@madiamatilda.co.uk       w::  www.madiamatilda.co.uk/

Style - This weeks top picks

Stuck in the office or uncertain of what to wear to keep cool in a during the height of summer.

Instead of feeling envious at those hot-dog-leg photo or the next upload of seaside views, you’re left to tackle the question of: what to wear to work in the heat? Fortunately top 5 picks will help you keep your cool this summer, taking you from the office to after-work drinks with ease. 

1. The contemporary Alicia Skirt is worn with the Cathy Pleated Tee
an effortless look to wear to any day job. 

Shop the Alicia - Mini Skirt and the Cathy Tee

2. Rachel - Easy summer dress 

Relax into the weekend with the lightweight denim Rachel dress for your go to summer dress,  with the contemporary detailing of the Rachel Dress will be sure to impress. Maximise the versatility of the dress with mid block sandals for work or clean minimal trainers for the weekend. 

Shop the Rachel - Dress

3. Stone - Day dress

A sweet a-line style dress is not only adaptable and versatile, but is also very light and airy, perfect for a summer heat wave. A block court shoe to wear at night or for work or change up with a sandal for the weekend.

Shop the Stone - Dress

4. Modern Twist

Cut from luxurious fabric, this laid-back silhouette - Angelica - top, Simone - Skirt  lends itself as an every day essential, paired with flatform sandals and our Simone skirt  modernity. Keep jewellery subtle with a delicate wire bangle or stud earrings see our curated brand accessories for further styles. 

Accessorize with a spacious Hettie tote bag which come in 2 different fabrics (spot or tweed) or with our curated brands, crossbody bag Ella; crafted in tweed with a contrasting inside, is an understated classic perfect for day-to-day wear.

Shop the Angelica - top, Simone - Skirt, Ella Crossbody Bag & Hettie Tote Bag