31.03 outfits, easter biscuits and life

31st March 2010

Hello, I hope everyone is having a good week so far? This might turn in to a bit of an epic post, so apologies in advance!

Yesterday saw me gravitating towards a lot of blue for my outfit, I’m not sure why, it isn’t a colour I am instantly drawn to, but it also gave me a chance to re-experiment with the double denim approach.

I guess it’s a semi nautical look as well? I’m not sure, I did remember part way through the day why I don’t wear these shorts often; they button up both sides at the front and are a nightmare for toilet breaks!

Today I reverted back to my more typical style, not at all weather appropriate as it is still bitterly cold and miserable outside, but it’s almost April, I’m dressing for spring regardless…

As you’ve probably noticed by now, Wednesday is my typical baking day…with Easter on Sunday I went seasonal and made traditional Easter biscuits, which are a real family favourite. These smell incredible when baking with the spices and dried fruits!

You can find the recipe I used here
when it came to adding the spice, I was very liberal…so I hope they are still edible! I used approx a tsp of mixed spice, and a further tsp of cinnamon.

I couldn’t resist breaking away from the traditional round shape of the biscuit when I re-discovered some bunny shaped cookie cutters at the back of my baking supply drawer!

And finally, on a serious note,
my appointments Monday led to me having to make a difficult commitment in terms of treatment for my eating disorder,
I won’t say more than that for now as I’m unsure as to when things will happen etc,
but mentally my head is all over the place at the moment, and so, please forgive me if I don’t get around to commenting on your blogs as much as I usually do…it’s hard to focus and find the words.
Silly to apologise? Perhaps, but I have always prided myself on keeping up to date with everyone who takes the time to visit my little blog and leaves such wonderful words for me, so I do have a sense of guilt going on
*hides away embarrased*

Much love all
xoxox

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29.03 manic monday

29th March 2010

Hello, Happy Monday! Just a quick post today as I’m inbetween appointments…oh yes, lucky me gets a double whammy this week!
UK people, hasn’t the weather turned miserable? I hope no-one has snow as predicted!

Outfit today is super sloppy/boring, I need to be comfortable, so style goes out of the window!

I clearly had too much time on my hands first thing to take photos!

Anyway, the real purpose of this post is to announce the five winners of my Nokia/Comes with Music giveaway!
Congratulations to the following ladies:

geisharock
un petit lapin
Lady Bug Says
heartshapedbruise
Alex

well done girls, I’ll be in touch asap!

Have a great week all! x

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27.03 PennyDog Jewellery + Outfit

27th March 2010

Clearly I’ve become a bit of a sellout lately, as when the lovely Kerry, creative genius at PennyDog Jewellery got in touch asking if I’d like to review her jewellery I jumped at the chance!
I’d never really heard of her site before she got in touch, but was smitten from the second I followed the link and found it impossible to pick a favourite piece. Instead, I asked Kerry to suprise me, and I was rewarded with this gorgeous necklace:

Kerry says on her website:
“I specialise in affordable, handmade costume jewellery made from resin. Every piece is unique, and though similar pieces can be made, no two are ever the same! From just £12 I offer a custom service to commemorate pets and loved ones by embedding their hair into a piece of jewellery, please contact me for a quote.

I source the embedded objects, mix and pour the resin, dry the piece over two days, then drill it, file it, polish it and varnish it, so each piece is carefully made entirely by hand!

Each necklace, ring or pair of earrings comes in a solid plastic box, and each bangle and bracelet comes in an organza bag. All items are provided with care instructions to help you get the most out of your new purchase. I also can create custom-made orders, so if there’s a special photograph, trinket or name you would like embedding in a piece of jewellery, or you require hypoallergenic fittings, for example”

She really is a talented lady and each and every piece on her site is unique. My personal favourites lie in the Sweetheart collection and the Retro range

As promised, the necklace came in a sleek black box and was beautifully presented. It has a good weight to it, without being too heavy and it hung wonderfully around my neck. The quality of both the pendant, and the chain is outstanding, and knowing it is handcrafted and something you can’t just pick up in Topshop or Primark adds a charming touch. I love the fact you can also request a custom piece for a special gift, or a memorial piece for a pet or loved one.

I wore it when I popped out to the shops yesterday and was complimented several times and I can see it working perfectly with much of my spring and summer wardrobe as a contrast against the nudes and florals I am favouring. I also have plans to team it with my much longed for maxi dress when I finally get my paws on one!

And because I can, here is a bonus outfit/what I wore my necklace with yesterday (excuse the blurry first photo, still struggling with the camera!)

Polka dot tights and floral dress? Loving it!

Anyway, it is payday weekend for many, so go and check out Kerry’s at PennyDog and treat yourself. I demand it.

xxx

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Nokia X6 comes with music + mini giveaway

26th March 2010

Now, I’ll preface this post by saying I am not the most technology savvy of people and until I was presented with this oppurtunity I was perfectly content with my faithful old Samsung phone that did everything I needed it to and more. Smartphones; be it the iphone, blackberry or latest release from anywhere really, always passed me by and I dismissed them, and the related gadgets as too complicated for my easily confused brain to handle.

This changed when Nokia and Comes with Music contacted me at the start of the year, coincidentally just as my valiant pink phone finally gave up the ghost. They offered me the Nokia X6 phone and subscription to Nokia Comes with Music and after initial hesitation (I don’t blog for free stuff, I blog because I love to) I accepted, realising I’d be kicking myself for years to come if I let this pass me by.

So firstly, the phone…

Slim, sleek and touch screen, this is far more advanced than anything I have ever owned before (including my laptop!) I had reservations about a phone with no key pad as such but the touch screen has proved simple to use, as is the phone in general with it’s easy to navigate menu, and built in help guides.
It’s great to finally be able to check e-mails on the go, and keep up with social networking (particually fab for reporting the status of the doctors waiting room it seems), it also means I am never behind on any important advances in my friends and fellow bloggers lives.
But, the main feature, and main appeal of this phone has to be the music player.

I hadn’t actually heard of Nokia’s music service before now
but again “Comes with Music” has opened my eyes to a whole new world.

I guess the easiest comparison to make would be to itunes, which I have used before. I genuinely prefer Nokia’s offering though, it is easier to navigate and the downloads are very fast.
There is a huge range of music, set out in a clear and concise way; categorised with an excellent search function and a constantly updated new releases list to make sure you don’t get behind.

Linking the music with the phone could not have been any easier. In fact you can download the software directly on to the phone; although I opted to keep it on my laptop and just transfer the music across (takes seconds!)

Basically, I’m a fan. A convert. Finally up to date in an ever changing world.

I realise this is perhaps a mish-mash to read (it’s 6am as I write this) and that potentially you have no idea what it is I am wittering on about,
so, for my UK readers at least, I have a wonderful oppurtunity for you to test out the player for yourself; my music collection has never been more up to date!

Giveaway Time

Nokia and comes with music have kindly provided me with FIVE codes each good for 10 free downloads from the Nokia Music Store
This will of course involve downloading the software if you haven’t already, but if I can manage it…then well…the rest of you can!

How to enter:
– open to UK readers only (sorry, I have another giveaway coming up!)
– the giveaway will run until Monday 29th March
– there will be five winners each getting a code for ten free tracks e-mailed to them
– to take part just leave a comment on this post saying “I want free music” and your e-mail address
– winners will be announced and contacted on Monday

Simple!
(and anyone who doesn’t want to/can’t enter, give me music ideas, I need new stuff!)

Good luck,
and thanks for reading this post! I’ll hopefully be sharing an outfit tomorrow…apologies for the scattered nature of my posting this week!

xxx

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Recipe: cheese scones

24th March 2010

So, as mentioned yesterday I made Cheese Scones today. I used my good old faithful Be-Ro cook book which is yet to fail me. With Dad home I had an eager taste tester and he’s put in a request for these for his lunchbox when he is back at work, after declaring them delicious. Hopefully he will save at least one for my Mum when she comes home for her lunch break!

Ingredients:

175 g (6 oz) Be-Ro Self Raising Flour (any brand self raising is fine!)
pinch salt and pepper (I added 1/2 tsp of each as the recipe in my book stated)
1 x 2.5 ml spoon (½ tsp) mustard powder (I didn’t have mustard powder so added an equal amount of mustard from a jar)
25 g (1 oz) margarine
75 g (3 oz) cheese, grated
1 medium egg
2 x 15 ml spoon (2 tbsp) milk

With the cheese, I added all the cheese to the recipe and then grated some extra for the top of the scones.

Method:

1 Heat oven to 220ºC, 425ºF, Gas Mark 7. Grease a baking tray.
2 Mix flour and seasonings, rub in margarine. Stir in cheese, reserving a little for the top.
3 Mix to a soft dough with the egg and milk, reserving a little for glazing.
4 Roll out to a round 1.5 cm (½ inch) in thickness and cut into 8 triangles.
5 Place on the baking tray and brush with egg and milk and sprinkle with cheese. Bake for about 10-15 minutes until golden brown.

[recipe from the Be-Ro website]

And of course, I can’t post a recipe and not share photos.
As you can see, I opted for rounds rather than triangles as I think they look neater. The recipe still made 8 scones.