Starry, starry night..

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S9tG7jzm0nI/AAAAAAAAAEI/Q0E8MmW4t10/s1600/DSCF7896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S9tG7jzm0nI/AAAAAAAAAEI/Q0E8MmW4t10/s400/DSCF7896.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S9tIOnenLfI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/fb_9LlS1YdA/s1600/DSCF7842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S9tIOnenLfI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/fb_9LlS1YdA/s400/DSCF7842.JPG" width="328" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>                                        <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S9tI6zWFAXI/AAAAAAAAAEY/HBhDmenZ4z0/s1600/DSCF7861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S9tI6zWFAXI/AAAAAAAAAEY/HBhDmenZ4z0/s400/DSCF7861.JPG" width="300" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S9tJMWmU9zI/AAAAAAAAAEg/-uo8hIIYQdc/s1600/DSCF7865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S9tJMWmU9zI/AAAAAAAAAEg/-uo8hIIYQdc/s400/DSCF7865.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S9tJfZP_obI/AAAAAAAAAEo/ZyE6ia9BQPY/s1600/DSCF7889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S9tJfZP_obI/AAAAAAAAAEo/ZyE6ia9BQPY/s400/DSCF7889.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S9tJn17GBVI/AAAAAAAAAEw/CuEXxx04rKw/s1600/DSCF7870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S9tJn17GBVI/AAAAAAAAAEw/CuEXxx04rKw/s400/DSCF7870.JPG" width="313" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S9tJwgRP73I/AAAAAAAAAE4/-63gAH2j78A/s1600/DSCF7882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S9tJwgRP73I/AAAAAAAAAE4/-63gAH2j78A/s400/DSCF7882.JPG" width="386" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lounging between periods of intense, soul-crushing study. In my mother's best cardi (she's far more stylish than I'll ever be.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Also, my interpretation of the Wang side-braid; cos sometimes you simply do not have enough hair. I do enjoy the way the dark roots make the white plaits look extra 3D. It's the little things..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cardigan - Topshop</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bra - Bershka</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Belt - vintage</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Watch - Casio</div>

Starry, starry night..

                                        Lounging between periods of intense, soul-crushing study. In my mother's best cardi (she's far more stylish than I'll ever be.)Also, my interpretation of the Wang side-braid; cos sometimes you simply do not have enough hair. I do enjoy the way the dark roots m…

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Blondes prefer gentlemen.

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S9azRedIWeI/AAAAAAAAAEA/PUW5ZrGOr5o/s1600/IMG_3128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S9azRedIWeI/AAAAAAAAAEA/PUW5ZrGOr5o/s400/IMG_3128.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">40 vol. developer with Superlite Blue bleach for 50 minutes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">1 part Luocolor P01, 1 part P02, 2 parts Luocolor developer for 5-10 minutes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bottles and bottles and bottles of deep conditioner..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>

Blondes prefer gentlemen.

40 vol. developer with Superlite Blue bleach for 50 minutes.1 part Luocolor P01, 1 part P02, 2 parts Luocolor developer for 5-10 minutes.Bottles and bottles and bottles of deep conditioner..…

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I made a quilt!

<div style="text-align: justify;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zMr0kRPhxNwlhYk9ys6RRkHE0NEW4xIPyX6AVOba7lSqa8sdhDQQiXmYRrZJT9eLGML-JNF9dSY6drKELMEAQgmxhg_Z0ubNK8-1PiEk0zfR4oSRbhvcMDhwAkKK91wCkIWc1Y7HTDg/s1600/quilt.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462838885450259826" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zMr0kRPhxNwlhYk9ys6RRkHE0NEW4xIPyX6AVOba7lSqa8sdhDQQiXmYRrZJT9eLGML-JNF9dSY6drKELMEAQgmxhg_Z0ubNK8-1PiEk0zfR4oSRbhvcMDhwAkKK91wCkIWc1Y7HTDg/s400/quilt.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Well, it's only five inches square and some of the stitching is in the wrong place, but it's still a quilt. It's got batting in the middle and a binding and everything! I like the little boat pattern. It's supposed to be a mug coaster, but I like it too much to spill coffee on it. My lovely neighbour took me to her patchwork class and taught me the basic techniques, it was great fun and now I want to make more quilty things.</span><br /> <br /> <a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFDsogVZ33wJnsz5yomclzdLL3BPsXvUD-bDMQoG6immvobqTyryrhvv3LtPTaZsDs4z3fvDBpMjG6J6NdxEnhbGqZNXCKZHsLZ6Csbzw4prAdEmfKlnXb5QLwPA73ef90NqI8dHiTBQ/s1600/eggcozy.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462838892698470434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFDsogVZ33wJnsz5yomclzdLL3BPsXvUD-bDMQoG6immvobqTyryrhvv3LtPTaZsDs4z3fvDBpMjG6J6NdxEnhbGqZNXCKZHsLZ6Csbzw4prAdEmfKlnXb5QLwPA73ef90NqI8dHiTBQ/s400/eggcozy.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" /></a><br /> </div><div style="font-family: verdana; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Oh, I also made a little hat for an egg. Here it is. I saw the pattern <a href="http://isamo.typepad.com/blog/2010/03/designing-easter-2010.html">here</a>, and added a little scallop edging. I don't really eat boiled eggs, but this makes me want to eat them just so I can use the cozy with its bright colours. I made it from embroidery floss!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;">It's a busy few months for me. Every day for three months, my little car Jim is driving me forty miles to Gloucester so I can learn to be a chef. Today is only day four and I'm enjoying it so far but I suspect I'll be exhausted by the end of it! Plus I have Portuguese exams in less than a month... So if I fall behind and don't post for a while, you'll know the reason why not.</span><br /></div>

I made a quilt!

Well, it's only five inches square and some of the stitching is in the wrong place, but it's still a quilt. It's got batting in the middle and a binding and everything! I like the little boat pattern. It's supposed to be a mug coaster, but I like it too much to spill coffee on it. My lovely neighbo…

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Hero.

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S882z9vGv0I/AAAAAAAAADo/mGXddrYDiHE/s1600/2295289522_a2ae93f7fd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S882z9vGv0I/AAAAAAAAADo/mGXddrYDiHE/s640/2295289522_a2ae93f7fd.jpg" width="460" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S8829qvxa0I/AAAAAAAAADw/Fkk0pRLnqrs/s1600/01m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S8829qvxa0I/AAAAAAAAADw/Fkk0pRLnqrs/s640/01m.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S883B5W2UKI/AAAAAAAAAD4/WdDp1WAJO9s/s1600/12m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S883B5W2UKI/AAAAAAAAAD4/WdDp1WAJO9s/s640/12m.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Daphne's too good for words..</div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Hero.

Daphne's too good for words..…

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Once there was a thing called Spring..

<div style="text-align: center;">Spring = study and exams, unfortunately.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S82Xm6XOU7I/AAAAAAAAADQ/s_R4dcaJd4k/s1600/DSCF7697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S82Xm6XOU7I/AAAAAAAAADQ/s_R4dcaJd4k/s640/DSCF7697.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Study and exams = comfy clothes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S82X8gaYwkI/AAAAAAAAADY/KMZxdSn5gRw/s1600/DSCF7708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S82X8gaYwkI/AAAAAAAAADY/KMZxdSn5gRw/s640/DSCF7708.JPG" width="502" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And comfy clothes = dancewear.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S82cYtuNfdI/AAAAAAAAADg/rdiEq8dVdv8/s1600/DSCF7712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S82cYtuNfdI/AAAAAAAAADg/rdiEq8dVdv8/s400/DSCF7712.JPG" width="400" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lazy Spring days are so lovely.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Leotard - Topshop</div><div style="text-align: left;">Skirt - Penneys</div><div style="text-align: left;">Belt - vintage</div><div style="text-align: left;">Tights - Penneys</div><div style="text-align: left;">Earrings - Topshop</div><div style="text-align: left;">Cardigan - River Island</div><div style="text-align: left;">Flats - Penneys</div></div>

Once there was a thing called Spring..

Spring = study and exams, unfortunately.Study and exams = comfy clothes.And comfy clothes = dancewear.Lazy Spring days are so lovely.Leotard - TopshopSkirt - PenneysBelt - vintageTights - PenneysEarrings - TopshopCardigan - River IslandFlats - Penneys…

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Birds of a feather..

Each year our college has a massive ball (apparently the largest private party in Europe) around April/May. It's basically just a good excuse to get beyond drunk in black tie; although I did manage to go see Dizzee Rascal, and get completely crushed in the process.<br /><br />Somehow, through all the crowds and the messiness, my rather delicate dress survived.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S8r8QCYHFRI/AAAAAAAAACo/bY6dyl1E3Zs/s1600/DSCF7759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S8r8QCYHFRI/AAAAAAAAACo/bY6dyl1E3Zs/s640/DSCF7759.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S8r8zkPyrnI/AAAAAAAAACw/YEKzrodV7_A/s1600/DSCF7760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S8r8zkPyrnI/AAAAAAAAACw/YEKzrodV7_A/s640/DSCF7760.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The top is made out of white feathers, the bottom out of frayed chiffon petals, with a chiffon tie and velvet ribbon around the waist. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S8r_qT-jjuI/AAAAAAAAAC4/zrtzdTovRVk/s1600/DSCF7761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S8r_qT-jjuI/AAAAAAAAAC4/zrtzdTovRVk/s640/DSCF7761.JPG" width="324" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Worn with a crochet-back cardigan from Penneys (April nights are cold here!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S8sAK5xD7FI/AAAAAAAAADA/zFiO4VTHzuU/s1600/DSCF7793.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S8sAK5xD7FI/AAAAAAAAADA/zFiO4VTHzuU/s640/DSCF7793.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And large round cream, gold and black earrings  black and pearl bracelets and silver flats (cobblestones plus heels is a recipe for disaster)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S8sBCVnoerI/AAAAAAAAADI/z-hmtrxhedo/s1600/DSCF7779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S8sBCVnoerI/AAAAAAAAADI/z-hmtrxhedo/s640/DSCF7779.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And naturally, the boyfriend's jacket was stolen by the end of the night. Happy out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dress - self-made</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Cardigan - Penneys</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Earrings - Topshop</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Bracelets - Penneys</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Shoes - Faith</div>

Birds of a feather..

Each year our college has a massive ball (apparently the largest private party in Europe) around April/May. It's basically just a good excuse to get beyond drunk in black tie; although I did manage to go see Dizzee Rascal, and get completely crushed in the process.Somehow, through all the crowds and…

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Yes, I am eating your bonsai.

<a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwoPmCw0iYBhLd_MKtfTk3Tmd86CPyhUNGfJRhP7D5J4cUk17dmh7nRIrgb0yqiCL8Kz6Qym20KkKCQJK8mQ8UQvBs0FH1jvBXBjSJ2ilQ1NyfAhUnlxHGENvfOWvcyJE-5vPAQ-74z8/s1600/bonsaiscoffing.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460654998330987986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwoPmCw0iYBhLd_MKtfTk3Tmd86CPyhUNGfJRhP7D5J4cUk17dmh7nRIrgb0yqiCL8Kz6Qym20KkKCQJK8mQ8UQvBs0FH1jvBXBjSJ2ilQ1NyfAhUnlxHGENvfOWvcyJE-5vPAQ-74z8/s400/bonsaiscoffing.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Do you want to make something of it?</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">(Sorry for the poor photo, it was taken sneakily through a window and heavily cropped so the perpetrator didn't have time to run away.)</span></span><br /></div>

Yes, I am eating your bonsai.

Do you want to make something of it?(Sorry for the poor photo, it was taken sneakily through a window and heavily cropped so the perpetrator didn't have time to run away.)…

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Lucky duck

<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When I was a kid, if you got something good like a present or a new toy, my neighbour Jonathan used to say you were a "lucky duck". I always liked that expression :-) Well today I was a lucky duck. I won a contest on Hilary's blog, </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://letherbakecake.blogspot.com/">Let Her Bake Cake</a><span style="font-family: verdana;">, which is gorgeous and which always makes me feel hungry after reading her latest post. Go and visit her and try out some of her recipes - the latest one for </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://letherbakecake.blogspot.com/2010/04/for-kids-healthier-rice-krispie-squares.html">rice crispie squares</a><span style="font-family: verdana;"> looks fab.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Anyway my package from Hilary arrived this morning and I was pleased as punch with my little haul! She sent me the most gorgeous book about bread, </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/New-Family-Bread-Book/dp/1845332385">The New Family Bread Book</a><span style="font-family: verdana;"> by Ursula Ferrigno, as well as two bags of Allinson flour and a tub of yeast. She also included a gorgeous tea towel which hopefully you can see in the photo, but it's too nice to use for drying dishes so I think I'll turn it into something lovely. Maybe an apron, but if you have any better ideas please let me know!</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVb2ioN_ADg9dM3txclf25XbHIcjx3ABuqjpUgx8rr-cs3VxHFIK_tM97DsDFTICSpSgPTerrXjk0V6HUKdtloTzDDN_pfX7Ajt1rPb9wWYnCmIFuKBW2g3eRnnae6DO3l-n58G9q63I/s1600/haul.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460013839604876258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVb2ioN_ADg9dM3txclf25XbHIcjx3ABuqjpUgx8rr-cs3VxHFIK_tM97DsDFTICSpSgPTerrXjk0V6HUKdtloTzDDN_pfX7Ajt1rPb9wWYnCmIFuKBW2g3eRnnae6DO3l-n58G9q63I/s400/haul.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" /></a><span style="font-family: verdana;">Naturally I wanted to get stuck in and make something from the book immediately if not sooner, and I was tempted to try a fougasse, but then I was distracted by a recipe for Irish brown soda bread and had to make that instead for a little taste of home. Here it is in progress (look at my kitchen tiles, aren't they hideous?!):</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljf4aOmdjoveFeW0d39deO53VcWj5d6MWTnM2P9fW4lJwXstTkVzCdG71BSkK58Gt422WRZy8Lb5YuN_trZvm0DtCggKf4KyLBTS9JB4mTtLltnvn4S-_QfOo2jtBSQsdGr-JM5rYBFQ/s1600/silicone.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460013841472993458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhljf4aOmdjoveFeW0d39deO53VcWj5d6MWTnM2P9fW4lJwXstTkVzCdG71BSkK58Gt422WRZy8Lb5YuN_trZvm0DtCggKf4KyLBTS9JB4mTtLltnvn4S-_QfOo2jtBSQsdGr-JM5rYBFQ/s400/silicone.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The recipe wanted you to shape it into a round on a baking tray, in the traditional manner, but I thought I'd be clever and stick it in a silicone loaf tin so it'd be sliceable. <br /><br /></span><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhg6OlCgyX5J_GagYogb2odQERMBFhbiv8DvhkCIv60EalvSsvv6MeZPNO30Ue_3iVl0Njr2_13SX2XLiMmM68KTuL0_9RaK1g29T1umpYP-9Jsb1JWJkO4JO0ZYMWBJxmv5a9gxZaHVk/s1600/wheaten.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460013855365128882" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhg6OlCgyX5J_GagYogb2odQERMBFhbiv8DvhkCIv60EalvSsvv6MeZPNO30Ue_3iVl0Njr2_13SX2XLiMmM68KTuL0_9RaK1g29T1umpYP-9Jsb1JWJkO4JO0ZYMWBJxmv5a9gxZaHVk/s400/wheaten.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" /></a><span style="font-family: verdana;">Unfortunately the silicone is so flimsy that the dough forced the sides of the tin to splay out and the loaf kind of rose outwards instead of just upwards, but at least I know for the next time to do it in a proper metal tin. And I'm going to scoff some of it right now with some lentil soup I made the other day, and a lump of Bowland cheese!</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIdh6VAWphH_Ob3NVuPjIU5bTiFKtdbeawtAyO4BsAXim7tzFzCd0bBkszlA3SkXhc5aSYyUY03suFeBB_kHIXlwKyya91x1BauCuEZiwG3ykqYXDcp8ueWz3xIY-xiniLdQeR8LjWUk/s1600/splayedloaf.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460013848665834834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUIdh6VAWphH_Ob3NVuPjIU5bTiFKtdbeawtAyO4BsAXim7tzFzCd0bBkszlA3SkXhc5aSYyUY03suFeBB_kHIXlwKyya91x1BauCuEZiwG3ykqYXDcp8ueWz3xIY-xiniLdQeR8LjWUk/s400/splayedloaf.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 365px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Oh and I did put the yeast to work straight away too, here's a sneak peak of a milk loaf rising away happily.</span><br /><br /><a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQLxXbaQaxH-vO76X_bdsUZdZFebQpE4PWyNQ8u2AR-PvabX0Wqogpjoaxds45fjt9zPAQLjA5bZ4XkVEAWL31jv9Lzq8bY06W9Rv2lA4DjI67Ff_F72VqUZfJELAZg6BcJOWd5ELWvME/s1600/rising.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460013859386475218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQLxXbaQaxH-vO76X_bdsUZdZFebQpE4PWyNQ8u2AR-PvabX0Wqogpjoaxds45fjt9zPAQLjA5bZ4XkVEAWL31jv9Lzq8bY06W9Rv2lA4DjI67Ff_F72VqUZfJELAZg6BcJOWd5ELWvME/s400/rising.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Thanks again Hilary, I'm so happy with my new book and can't wait to work my way through all those pizza recipes next!</span><br /></div>

Lucky duck

When I was a kid, if you got something good like a present or a new toy, my neighbour Jonathan used to say you were a "lucky duck". I always liked that expression :-) Well today I was a lucky duck. I won a contest on Hilary's blog, Let Her Bake Cake, which is gorgeous and which always makes me fe…

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Late to the granny square party (and other crochet bits)

<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_xcu0Vb30iiS7afmE-wvN7VHrZgWU5JBB3808F2oL5GuJoaoK3lPhQBLoa3zW2TTkytrPjh-NsYvT3Q4-CmY9108GN7RN085MpIiPLIXsmctbrlX-C0rCkVL_0aWXxnm78B_plR-7Mo/s1600/emmalamb.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459192202761797954" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_xcu0Vb30iiS7afmE-wvN7VHrZgWU5JBB3808F2oL5GuJoaoK3lPhQBLoa3zW2TTkytrPjh-NsYvT3Q4-CmY9108GN7RN085MpIiPLIXsmctbrlX-C0rCkVL_0aWXxnm78B_plR-7Mo/s400/emmalamb.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Image above from Emma Lamb's blog, <a href="http://emmallamb.blogspot.com/2010/03/refreshed.html">here</a>.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify; font-family: verdana;"><br />In the last few years, crochet seems to have really taken off again, and in particular granny squares. I've seen some gorgeous things on various blogs, Etsy and in the Cath Kidston catalogue, but the person whose work I have really fallen in love with is <a href="http://emmallamb.blogspot.com/">Emma Lamb</a>. There is nothing in her <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/emmalamb">Etsy shop</a> that I wouldn't like to own, and it's traditional and contemporary at the same time which really appeals to me.<br /><br />Anyway, back in September when we first moved to this house, I bought some cushion pads with the intention of knitting some covers for them. Of course that never happened and they've been languishing in the spare bedroom ever since. So the other day when I came across some sparkly wine and gold yarn that I'd bought in Lidl, I thought I'd add some cream yarn and turn it into some granny square cushions for a previously cushion-less chair in our living room.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9KsbtN-tF9WZ_E-_SSTay-TjBauTmrltQatjFct-gJwIf67-8ehHFuP7aartYGQGX1NaEwcTTWosxWwmXQbdUOO1kH2mrGyhW2gL2MOkb4fOiTZOoJ8gZ1NTjir7x0yyveamtgwaQ04/s1600/grannysquares.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459189374237001746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9KsbtN-tF9WZ_E-_SSTay-TjBauTmrltQatjFct-gJwIf67-8ehHFuP7aartYGQGX1NaEwcTTWosxWwmXQbdUOO1kH2mrGyhW2gL2MOkb4fOiTZOoJ8gZ1NTjir7x0yyveamtgwaQ04/s400/grannysquares.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" /></a><br />One is just a giant granny square, and the other is four squares joined with double crochet. They're lined and backed with beige linen because I couldn't be bothered to crochet the backs - yes I know I'm lazy. And I hadn't used my sewing machine for so long that it took me a while to remember how to sew in a zip, which is shameful. You can't see in the photo (and my camera battery died right after I snapped this so I couldn't take another shot) but the wine and gold yarns are actually sparkly.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0b363_VnZsc7Tg9AvIGPMgecd4yaeGmixwzPLuuDpx50k7P84MjRKaYRVfJzhCREdbn_C7NP3b4k5zLyHLFKZoVVqS1SO0c6YponDFFXVy5MLmrSvgqyjc3E2h_MjrRLE3cPMPEDafUQ/s1600/chevron.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459247462223216466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0b363_VnZsc7Tg9AvIGPMgecd4yaeGmixwzPLuuDpx50k7P84MjRKaYRVfJzhCREdbn_C7NP3b4k5zLyHLFKZoVVqS1SO0c6YponDFFXVy5MLmrSvgqyjc3E2h_MjrRLE3cPMPEDafUQ/s400/chevron.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" /></a><br />Next I have to replace the cushion on my computer chair, which I've had to throw away because Elvis threw up the world's biggest hairball all over my Chinese satin cushion. I discovered this when, having just woken up and being not quite awake, I stumbled into my computer room and sat on the chair and got a big streak of wet hairball right across my backside. I was not pleased, I can tell you. I've started a purple and cream chevron pattern cushion, inspired by one in <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Simple-Crochet-Erika-Knight/dp/184400015X">Erika Knight's Simple Crochet</a>. If you're in London and fancy learning to do something similar, my fabulous crochet teacher Bee is running a <a href="http://makedomenders.blogspot.com/2010/04/project-crochet-chevron-cushion.html">chevron cushion workshop</a> as part of her new venture Make Do Mend. Sigh... I do miss the vast array of classes in London.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPTLiFUnvjQcMgMR-J4Pfsyx9P_ce-6xxMQqzvfAUYYUxKyGVHqXFRcKVhkOdnJSZN-xuQxv1okn4HlvcUH97fVei_-5zsMwAD3BIiqUiNvloALDCOJajQ8F0cTpHNzCrCqmZR5rIkRco/s1600/Bee+cushion.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459194289526788402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPTLiFUnvjQcMgMR-J4Pfsyx9P_ce-6xxMQqzvfAUYYUxKyGVHqXFRcKVhkOdnJSZN-xuQxv1okn4HlvcUH97fVei_-5zsMwAD3BIiqUiNvloALDCOJajQ8F0cTpHNzCrCqmZR5rIkRco/s400/Bee+cushion.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 285px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;">Image above from makedomend <a href="http://makedomenders.blogspot.com/2010/04/project-crochet-chevron-cushion.html">here</a>.<br /></span></div><br />Finally here are some flowers from <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Flowers-Knit-Crochet-Lesley-Stanfield/dp/1844484033/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1271080257&sr=1-1">100 Flowers to Knit and Crochet</a>, which my mum in law bought me for Christmas. The pattern for the pansy didn't seem to work out, as the back petals came out with big gaps between the stitches, so I just sort of made them up as I went along rather than sticking to the pattern. The one with the pom pom wasn't supposed to have a pom pom (I think it was a dahlia) but I was in a pom pom kind of mood.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXoZcyUW-YFzwzoatgp4HYmazYh43TgIjPEGaRFRM06yTgN7WgwuCMCeI9my8Kj8hznpb8fa3mwMa0gFoT0OnwXmBSsvVMdeuPdstESEv6e4O_tv7lmA6nvfqPUaTLFJ1Dlovt-qBqpjc/s1600/pansyetc.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459247457371647330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXoZcyUW-YFzwzoatgp4HYmazYh43TgIjPEGaRFRM06yTgN7WgwuCMCeI9my8Kj8hznpb8fa3mwMa0gFoT0OnwXmBSsvVMdeuPdstESEv6e4O_tv7lmA6nvfqPUaTLFJ1Dlovt-qBqpjc/s400/pansyetc.jpg" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" /></a><br /></div>

Late to the granny square party (and other crochet bits)

Image above from Emma Lamb's blog, here.In the last few years, crochet seems to have really taken off again, and in particular granny squares. I've seen some gorgeous things on various blogs, Etsy and in the Cath Kidston catalogue, but the person whose work I have really fallen in love with is Emma…

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I spent Easter in the 1940s.

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S7tMfV28TII/AAAAAAAAACQ/mlUm76vQ9cM/s1600/DSCF7673.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S7tMfV28TII/AAAAAAAAACQ/mlUm76vQ9cM/s640/DSCF7673.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Don't really have an awful lot to say..Easter was nice, good food and good family, and most importantly, good playsuit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S7tPWjq3Y3I/AAAAAAAAACY/-qF6A0dYXKA/s1600/DSCF7677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S7tPWjq3Y3I/AAAAAAAAACY/-qF6A0dYXKA/s640/DSCF7677.JPG" width="480" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Nice drapey detail, comfortable lightweight material, and little gold buttons. I did not expect something this good from Penney's. Their new stock is incredibly impressive and up-to-date, and they finally brought in a size 6 for the bodycon stuff.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S7tQT6aRU0I/AAAAAAAAACg/uDm4nKscI7g/s1600/DSCF7679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S7tQT6aRU0I/AAAAAAAAACg/uDm4nKscI7g/s640/DSCF7679.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This headband used to compliment my blonde hair a lot, but then it became silver..</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Playsuit - Penneys</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Shoes - Buffalo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Headband - Topshop</div>

I spent Easter in the 1940s.

Don't really have an awful lot to say..Easter was nice, good food and good family, and most importantly, good playsuit.Nice drapey detail, comfortable lightweight material, and little gold buttons. I did not expect something this good from Penney's. Their new stock is incredibly impressive and up-to…

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Yesterday

Some days are just meant to be slouchy days, with comfy clothes and shoes and lots of tea and chocolate. Today was one of those days; this cardigan couldn't be slouchier. It has lovely ruched detail on the sleeves, and a waterfall front..yay for four sizes too big.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S7j2rEh9u-I/AAAAAAAAABw/drYo2bgbSmY/s1600/DSCF7662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S7j2rEh9u-I/AAAAAAAAABw/drYo2bgbSmY/s640/DSCF7662.JPG" width="378" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My other half, being tall, has a fantastic capability to make me look too small in photos.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S7j3AqeuD2I/AAAAAAAAAB4/8UIPVQNd_oc/s1600/DSCF7663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S7j3AqeuD2I/AAAAAAAAAB4/8UIPVQNd_oc/s640/DSCF7663.JPG" width="376" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Slouchy days of course call for comfy shoes - despite their ability to chafe the skin off ones feet if one is barefoot, these Buffalo beauties cause no pain.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S7j4FdRAazI/AAAAAAAAACA/rmCLEu-pKSM/s1600/DSCF7665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S7j4FdRAazI/AAAAAAAAACA/rmCLEu-pKSM/s640/DSCF7665.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And possibly may favourite find of late, these half rim wayfarers for €1.50 will not be leaving my face all summer long.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S7j4yLdLI_I/AAAAAAAAACI/xygqyNCKtG8/s1600/DSCF7668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_sLfq4rRG8dQ/S7j4yLdLI_I/AAAAAAAAACI/xygqyNCKtG8/s640/DSCF7668.JPG" width="480" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Waterfall cardigan - L'Art by River Island</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Striped top - H&M</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jeans - Topshop (Jamie style from the petite section - amazing for little people!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">T-bar heels - Buffalo</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Shades - Penneys </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>

Yesterday

Some days are just meant to be slouchy days, with comfy clothes and shoes and lots of tea and chocolate. Today was one of those days; this cardigan couldn't be slouchier. It has lovely ruched detail on the sleeves, and a waterfall front..yay for four sizes too big.My other half, being tall, has a fa…

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