Apricots & Apron Strings
- Words by Peppermint
It’s nice when somebody creates something with thought; something that feels at once intimate and inviting. In terms of cookbooks, Julie Jansen’s independently produced Apricot & Apron Strings achieves just that: like a warm homemade muffin on your favourite chipped china plate, its charm is an irresistible one. Locally produced in Melbourne and printed on 100% recycled paper with vegie inks, you’ll find a homely mix of Julie’s favourite tried and true recipes from over 30 years in the kitchen, with plenty of her own foodie wisdom thrown in for good measure. Though we know a few mums might enjoy unwrapping this little treat on Sunday (or waking up to the smell of the Orange Almond Cake – shared below – wafting out from the kitchen), there’s no reason Dad should miss out on the chance to don his favourite apron too.
Orange Almond Cake
with Orange Blossom Cream
Serves 8
Ingredients:
2 large oranges (preferably organic), well washed
6 eggs
2 cups almond meal (ground almonds)
1 cup caster sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
Orange Blossom Cream:
½ cup thickened cream
½ cup Greek style yoghurt
1 ½ tablespoons caster sugar
1 ½ teaspoons orange blossom water
Method:
Place oranges in a large saucepan. Cover with water and bring to the boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered for 1 hour, ensuring oranges are constantly covered with water.
Drain oranges and allow to cool. Cut in half, remove any pips and roughly chop. Place orange pieces into a food processor with remaining ingredients and process for 1-2 minutes or until smooth.
Pour into a greased and lined 20cm square cake pan and bake in a preheated 170°C oven for 45 minutes, or until light golden on top (and when a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean).
To prepare orange blossom cream, whip cream until thick, then fold through remaining ingredients until just combined. Chill until required.
Serve cake with orange blossom cream.
Tips:
To speed up the cooking of the oranges, piece their skins with a knife and place in a microwave safe bowl or jug. Add 1 litre boiling water, cover and microwave on HIGH for 20 minutes or until soft.
Known as orange blossom or flower water, this fragrant essence is made from the distillation of orange blossoms and used in sweet and savoury cooking. You can find it in some supermarkets, health food and Middle Eastern grocery stores.
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She’s giving comfort, she’s giving style, she’s giving palate-cleansing sewing. There’s nothing quite like an easy breezy dress that’s not only a dream to wear but a delight to sew, and the NEW Peppermint Myrtle Shift Dress delivers!
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Myrtle cuts above the knee with options to customise the length. Don’t think she’s reserved for hot weather either: try a heavier-weight fabric to turn your Myrtle into a pinafore-style garment for layering.
For our fabrics we chose two from @Karmme_Apparel – the bold Rottnest Stripes in a lightweight, soft-drape cotton, and the quality linen in the handpainted Mexico Collection. Karmme also stocks darling tassels so we popped a hot pink one on as a closure!
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Our dresses were superbly stitched by our sewing manager @Laura_The_Maker, and modelled magnificently by Shannon @Pins_And_Tonic and Serah @SerahSews. And that perfect pink wall was courtesy of the good folk at @ShareTheDignityAustralia, an organisation that aims to bring dignity to women, girls and those who menstruate who are experiencing homelessness, domestic violence and period poverty.
Get making the Myrtle – the only question is, can you stop at just one?
Link in bio 🪡
Photos: @KelleySheenan
Sewist: @Laura_The_Maker
Patternmaker: @GarmentaApparel
Models: @SerahSews and @Pins_And_Tonic
Fabric: @Karmme_Apparel
#PeppermintMyrtleShiftDress #PeppermintPatterns
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Everyone is craving more connection.
Use these friend nights to make it happen in 2026.
Send this to the people you want to do these with.”
#Connection #Friends #Community
No bull - these pants are the cat`s (or cow`s) pyjamas...
Jenny from @RhubarbSundays:
And they are done! My @PeppermintMagazine #PeppermintFernPleatedPants made using a gorgeous fabric from @IndyBindyFabrics! I absolutely love this fabric! It’s soft and drapes beautifully. And the best thing about it is that, from a distance, it looks like an abstract print and then you look closer and theres a curious bull looking right at you. 🤣🤣 🐄 🐮
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Grab the pattern from the link in bio!
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Missed issue 64 at the newsagent?
Grab a digital copy from our website and read it whenever you like. 📱💻️
Link in bio! 💜
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For ten glorious days, beaches, streets, galleries and unexpected corners of the coast become places to wander, wonder and play. There’s music drifting on the sea breeze, performances that make you feel things, art you can step inside, and plenty of moments where you’re invited to join in rather than just watch. With 35+ events across the region (many of them free), expect live music, First Nations gatherings, immersive dance, family-friendly fun, writers’ talks, artist markets and more. At its heart, @HorizonArtFest is a celebration of people, place and shared imagination, honouring the first artists and storytellers, while making space for new voices and bold ideas.
Then there’s ‘Radical Hope Machine 2’: an immersive exhibition at Caloundra’s new Library+ that will fuse textiles, technology and storytelling. Featuring textile artist @Shaye_Hardisty, award-winning author Peter Carnavas and artist Sarah Winter, this series of events explores what hope looks, feels and sounds like to the Sunshine Coast community in response to the question: ‘how to solve the world’s wicked problems?’ We spoke with Shaye about tech vs textiles, magical garments and tiny joys.
Read more at the link in bio!
Photos: @HorizonArtFest
#HorizonFestival SunshineCoastEvents
Style, sass and simplicity: Miss Myrtle is almost here! 💕
Lay your peepers on the new Peppermint Myrtle Shift Dress – this sensational sewing pattern is going to be winging its way to subscribers inboxes this Sunday 1st March at 11am, so if you`re not a subscriber already, you know what to do!
We created this pattern with the support of @Karmme_Apparel – and how gorgeous are those fabrics! The love child of Imby Langenbach, Karmme Apparel (fittingly pronounced ‘calm’), is a haven of boho apparel sewing patterns alongside fabrics steeped in traditions with modern iterations from Jaipur, India.
Modelled magnificently by Shannon @Pins_And_Tonic and Serah @SerahSews, the Myrtle Shift Dress is a beginner-friendly make with sleek lines and elegant curves. You won’t be able to stop at just one!
Subscribers – keep an eye on your inbox on Sunday for your exclusive download code. Everyone else - subscribe now before Sunday so you don`t miss out!
Launch date: 5th March 💕
Link in bio 💕
Pink wall courtesy of the good folk at @ShareTheDignityAustralia, an organisation that aims to bring dignity to women, girls and those who menstruate who are experiencing homelessness, domestic violence and period poverty. 💕
Sewing and instructions: @Laura_The_Maker
Photos: @KelleySheenan
#PeppermintMagazine #PeppermintPatterns #PeppermintMyrtleShiftDress
