{table for two: meringue-encased lemon cakes}

. . . perfect for mid-march soirées and even better, dinners outdoors . . .

{meringue-encased lemon cakes:}

125g butter, softened
1 cup (220g) caster (superfine) sugar
1/4 cup finely grated lemon rind
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups (225g) plain (all-purpose) flour, sifted
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder, sifted
1/2 cup (80ml) milk
2 tablespoons lemon juice
6 scoops vanilla ice-cream
basic meringue mixture {see below}

preheat the oven to 160°c (320°f); place the butter, sugar and lemon rind in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat until light and creamy; gradually add the eggs and beat well; fold in the flour, baking powder, milk and lemon juice; spoon the mixture into 6 x 1 cup-capacity (250ml) lightly greased muffin tins and bake for 30 minutes or until cooked when tested with a skewer; cool in tins for 5 minutes; remove and cool on a wire rack

using a tablespoon, scoop out a hole in the top of each cake and fill with a scoop of ice-cream; place the cakes on a tray and freeze for 30 minutes; spread the basic meringue mixture over the cakes and place on a baking tray; cook under a preheated hot grill (broiler) or in a preheated 200°c (390°f) oven for 2-3 minutes or until the meringue is set and golden; serve immediately; makes 6

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{basic meringue mixture}

150ml eggwhites (approximately 4 eggs)
1 cup (220g) caster (superfine) sugar
1 teaspoon white vinegar

place the eggwhites in the bowl of an electric mixer and beat until stiff peaks form; gradually add the sugar and vinegar and beat until the mixture is thick and glossy; use immediately

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{p.s.} previous table for two posts:
* homemade french baguettes
* crab bruschetta


{image: scan by this is glamorous from seasons by donna hay}

{holiday inspiration: silver & gold}

. . . while may not have had a chance to get together holiday decorations this past weekend {perhaps & hopefully this week}, have been dreaming up elegant colour palettes for the season, and while the last may have been inspired by tiffany's blue, this year, quite smitten with the idea of simple and classic silver and gold, perhaps hints of pearl and opalescence, gilded garlands and glittering sequins, and perhaps, just the faintest glimmer of palest lilac . . .

{p.s.} also lovely: one & two; & how was your weekend? dying to know what holiday colour palettes you've been dreaming up?

{also:} a few things you may have missed:
* weekend: a few lovely links
* at the shops: andrea bonelli, san francisco
* for the holidays: advertising

{& one last thing:}
* now that we finally have a winner for the philippe starck louis ghost armchair, it's on to the next glamorous give-away {perfect for the holidays!} a little later today -- check back if you like . . . xo

{images: photography by virginia macdonald for style at home}