Read About March's Featured Swan Princess Fan Here

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Top o' the mornin' to ya!

March 17th is St Patrick's Day, an Irish holiday that celebrates Ireland's Patron Saint: Saint Patrick!

What does Saint Patrick have to do with pinching?

St Patrick's is a symbol of good luck. Leprechauns are ancient Irish fairies that are very lucky because they can grant wishes to humans. Leprechauns are also mischievous and will pinch anyone they can see. Wearing green makes you invisible to leprechauns. People began pinching those who didn't wear green as a reminder that leprechauns would sneak up and pinch them.

Keep reading for "Luck of the Irish" themed crafts and activities!

 Limited Edition Pins

 Our Bridal Princess Odette pin is selling fast and will soon be shipping out to presale buyers!

This is your last chance to preorder the new pin for the exclusive price of $24.99 - after the 5th March, the price will increase!

 The new pin measures 2.5 inches wide with an official back stamp and will be available soon.
Limited to only 50 copies worldwide

Click here to buy now!

 

Irish Whisky Mousse

This delicious recipe incorporates flavors traditionally associated with Ireland!

These deserts are great for any St Patrick's Day celebration or to finish on as part of a delicious dinner.

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup instant coffee granules, dissolved in 1/4 cup hot water

• 4 eggs, separated

• 2 1/2 tablespoons Irish whiskey

• 150g dark chocolate, roughly chopped

• 150g unsalted butter

• 300ml thickened cream

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 150g caster sugar, plus extra 1 tablespoon

• 2 tbsp Baileys Irish Cream liqueur

Method:

1. Set a pan of water on the heat and carefully place a heatproof bowl on the top, making sure that the bowl does not touch the water. Place the coffee, chocolate and butter in the bowl and allow the water to gently simmer. Stir the ingredients until the butter and chocolate have melted.

2. Remove the bowl from the heat and set to one side.

3. In another heatproof bowl, place the egg yolks, vanilla, whisky, 150g sugar and 1tbsp of cold water. Set the bowl over the simmering pan, making sure that the water does not touch the bowl (you may need to top the water up).

4. Whisk the egg mix in the bowl whilst it sits on the pan for 3 minutes until the mixture is thick and pale in color.

5. Remove the bowl from the pan and sit the bowl with the mix in a larger bowl filled with iced water.

6. Whisk the warm mix for 2/3 minutes until the mixture thickens and cools slightly.

7. Stir in the chocolate mixture until well combined.

8. In another bowl, whisk the egg whites with a pinch of salt until soft peaks form.

9. Add the extra 1 tablespoon sugar to the peaks and beat well until stiff and glossy.

10. Gently stir a quarter of the egg white mix into the chocolate mixture, then fold in the remaining egg white until combined.

11. Spoon the mousse into small serving glasses, leaving a 2cm gap at the top.

12. Chill the mixture in the glasses for 3-4 hours to set.

13. Once the mousse has chilled, whisk thickened cream and Baileys together until stiff peaks form.

14. Spoon the Baileys cream over the mousse.

15. Scatter the top of the cream with grated chocolate and serve chilled.

 This month we are celebrating the birthday of Mister Lorenzo Trudgealong, but his friends call him Speed!

This means Speed is a Pisces in the zodiac and aquamarine is his birthstone.

Pisces is the most intuitive and sympathetic of the zodiac signs and always goes out of their way to make sure everyone around them is happy. They are gentle, kind, and always ready to listen. They are very friendly and selfless.

Because it is so easy for the Pisces to make friends, they are often friends with many different kinds of people with strong personalities. They are the glue that hold these relationships together. Pisces are very tolerant and always willing to help others, no matter the situation; they often neglect their own self-care in the process. 

Aquamarine symbolizes courage and friendship. It can also be used to improve communication skills and encourage quick response.

We think this sounds just like Speed!

Is your birthday in March or do you just like the color blue? Purchase your Aquamarine Birthstone Locket here!

Paper Plate Rainbows

This craft depicts the legend that a pot of gold can be found at the end of a rainbow!

If you can't remember the colors or the order that they go in, use our Swan Princess mnemonic:

Royal - Red

Odette - Orange

Yields - Yellow

Glowing - Green

Beauty - Blue

In - Indigo

Volumes - Violet

You Will Need:

• Paint for all 7 colors of the rainbow

• Glue

• Cotton Wool

• Paper Plate

• Black Card

• Gold glitter/sequins

Method:

1. Cut the paper plate in half.

2. Then cut out the inner semi circle of the plate.

3. Paint the outer piece like a rainbow.

4. Allow the colors to dry then add glue to one end of the rainbow.

5. Stick the cotton wool to the end of the rainbow with the glue on.

6. Cut out a pot shape from the black card and stick some gold glitter and/or sequins on the top edge to make it look like the pot is filled with gold coins.

7. When the 'pot of gold' has dried. Stick it to the other end of the rainbow.

Incredible Irish Pie

Princess Odette makes the most of every season and makes sure to wrap up warm when she goes out in the colder weather. However, a warming meal on a cold day is both a comforting and delicious thing to enjoy.

This pie combines two of the most common meals enjoyed during the winter seasons - stew and pie!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, divided

• 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided

• 3/4 teaspoon pepper, divided

• 1 pound boneless lamb shoulder roast, cubed

• 2 medium carrots, finely chopped

• 2 tbsp canola oil

• 1-1/4 cups beef stock

• 1 medium onion, halved and sliced

• 2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed

• 1 fresh thyme sprig

• 1 bay leaf

• 1 teaspoon tomato paste

• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

• 3 tbsp chopped fresh mint

• 1 large egg yolk

• 2 tbsp heavy whipping cream

• 1 package (17.3 ounces) frozen puff pastry, thawed

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Mix 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.

3. Add the lamb, a few pieces at a time, to the flour mix and coat the cubes, shaking off any excess.

4. In a Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Brown the lamb cubes in batches then remove them from the pan.

5. To the same pan, add the carrots and onion.

6. Cook for 6-8 minutes until crisp-tender, gently stirring throughout.

7. Add the remaining tablespoon of flour and stir until blended.

8. Gradually whisk/stir in the stock.

9. Bring to a boil, stirring as it cooks to loosen any browned bits from the pan.

10. Add the potatoes, thyme, bay leaf, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, the remaining salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and the lamb before returning to the boil.

11. Reduce the heat and simmer (uncovered) until the sauce has thickened and the lamb is tender (approx. 25-30 minutes).

12. Discard the thyme sprig and bay leaf. 

13. Stir in the mint.

14. Transfer to a greased 9-in. deep-dish pie plate.

15. Whisk the egg yolk and cream together and brush the mix around the edge of the pie plate.

16. Unfold a sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and lay another sheet on the top of the first.

17. Roll the pastry to fit over the pie plate.

18. Carefully place the pastry over the filling before trimming the edges to fit.

19. Use a fork to press the crust onto the rim of the pie plate to seal the edges.

20. Brush the pastry with the remaining egg mixture then cut slits in the top.

21. Place the pie on a rimmed baking sheet.

22. Bake fir 35-40 minutes until golden brown.

23. Allow to stand for 10 minutes before serving