Alternatively, you could just order the version above and then make it your aim to visit every destination featured - also a very satisfying exercise!
Wednesday, 2 February 2011
All aboard!
I'm a big fan of affordable, customised art, which nine times out of ten means canvas prints of your own pictures, sometimes with a pop art twist. It's unusual, then, to come across something completely different - like this incredible bus blind print from Betsy Benn. A gorgeous way to record and display the places and things that mean a lot to you, these stylish pictures are completely customisable and, amazingly, only cost £50. You even get final sign off on the design before it goes to print. I'm already starting to scribble down my list, and I'm thinking of buying one for my parents' wedding anniversary. If you're not a traveller, you could go for a different theme, maybe featuring the names of your loved ones, or even your favourite bars and restaurants! The possibilities are endless, but you're guaranteed a stylish and completely unique piece of art.
Alternatively, you could just order the version above and then make it your aim to visit every destination featured - also a very satisfying exercise!
Alternatively, you could just order the version above and then make it your aim to visit every destination featured - also a very satisfying exercise!
Sunday, 23 January 2011
Because you're mine... I promise not to spill red wine on you
Occasionally, you will stumble across an item which you have to have, because it is so "you". This happens to me on a fairly regular basis, but usually with shoes, rather than soft furnishings. However, I recently spotted the most perfect cushion, combining two of my great loves: music and kitsch household objects.
It's a Johnny Cash lyric! It's on a cushion! Much joy. The only tiny catch is perhaps the price - at £65 it's a bit of a luxury item - but the good news it that it's all for a Very Good Cause.
The cushion is sold by Fine Cell Work, a "social enterprise" which teaches needlework to prison inmates. Fine Cell Work is taught by 50 volunteers for more than 400 inmates at 26 prisons. All their classes have waiting lists and there is demand for more classes at other prisons, although this can't currently be met due to funding. According to an officer at HMP Wandsworth who is quoted on the website, “Fine Cell Work gives these men dignity in work and through this, dignity in life. When a man gains self-respect he may start addressing his offending behaviour.”
Even better, you'd be supporting them twice as much if you pick up this Seasick Steve equivalent as well...
Check out lots of other designs at the Fine Cell Work website.
It's a Johnny Cash lyric! It's on a cushion! Much joy. The only tiny catch is perhaps the price - at £65 it's a bit of a luxury item - but the good news it that it's all for a Very Good Cause.
The cushion is sold by Fine Cell Work, a "social enterprise" which teaches needlework to prison inmates. Fine Cell Work is taught by 50 volunteers for more than 400 inmates at 26 prisons. All their classes have waiting lists and there is demand for more classes at other prisons, although this can't currently be met due to funding. According to an officer at HMP Wandsworth who is quoted on the website, “Fine Cell Work gives these men dignity in work and through this, dignity in life. When a man gains self-respect he may start addressing his offending behaviour.”
Even better, you'd be supporting them twice as much if you pick up this Seasick Steve equivalent as well...
Check out lots of other designs at the Fine Cell Work website.
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
How to keep glam while doing the dishes
If ever there was a mug made especially for me, this is it. It's kitsch, it's retro, and it features a motto I could quite happily live my life by. Well played, mug.
I said I wasn't sure where this blog was going. I'm beginning to think it might find its calling in being one big interactive birthday wish list. (It's the 4th March, people, and you can buy the mug here.)
While we're on the subject of kitchen products I'd like bought for me, I have to have this from Etsy:
A big thank you to the wonderful Domestic Sluts for bringing this to my attention. I haven't been this excited about a tea towel since I bought a Mr T Towel.
I said I wasn't sure where this blog was going. I'm beginning to think it might find its calling in being one big interactive birthday wish list. (It's the 4th March, people, and you can buy the mug here.)
While we're on the subject of kitchen products I'd like bought for me, I have to have this from Etsy:
A big thank you to the wonderful Domestic Sluts for bringing this to my attention. I haven't been this excited about a tea towel since I bought a Mr T Towel.
Monday, 10 January 2011
OMFG Glee is back!!!
Ahem. Sorry.
It's true, Glee is back on UK television. I'm particularly thrilled to welcome back Sue Sylvester, Kurt and the delicious Puck (even though the mohawk is woefully absent). There are also some great new characters this season - Coach Beiste is a wonderful addition who develops real depth over the series, and Sam is just wonderful eye candy. I mean, look at him. Really.
Being the massive Gleek that I am, and clearly having far too much free time on my hands, I have been watching this series as it was televised in the US, which means I'm actually about 12 episodes in. (It also means I'm prepared to get a Christmas episode in the UK somewhere around mid-March.) So do you want to good news or the bad news?
Let's go with bad news first. Despite the promising start, the next four episodes are not that hot. While there is some good music, particularly in the Britney/Brittany and Rocky Horror Glee Show episodes, the plot really falls by the wayside and even I was left wondering if Glee had lost its touch. Plus none of these episodes feature Puck. Complete coincidence, I'm sure.
The good news, however, is that by episode six they are back in the game, and episode seven, which features the much-publicised Gwyneth Paltrow cameo, is just brilliant. She is A. May. Zing. Kurt also gets some really strong storylines, which is great because he's such a fantastic character, and Brittany plays a bigger role, resulting in some incredible one-liners which may even rival the "dolphins are gay sharks" moment from Series One. Sue Sylvester is also back with a vengance, although her storylines seem to swing from improbable to just plain weird.
Anyway, overall there are plenty of gleeful moments (see what I did there?) to look forward to in the coming months. And here's one to enjoy again now:
It's true, Glee is back on UK television. I'm particularly thrilled to welcome back Sue Sylvester, Kurt and the delicious Puck (even though the mohawk is woefully absent). There are also some great new characters this season - Coach Beiste is a wonderful addition who develops real depth over the series, and Sam is just wonderful eye candy. I mean, look at him. Really.
Being the massive Gleek that I am, and clearly having far too much free time on my hands, I have been watching this series as it was televised in the US, which means I'm actually about 12 episodes in. (It also means I'm prepared to get a Christmas episode in the UK somewhere around mid-March.) So do you want to good news or the bad news?
Let's go with bad news first. Despite the promising start, the next four episodes are not that hot. While there is some good music, particularly in the Britney/Brittany and Rocky Horror Glee Show episodes, the plot really falls by the wayside and even I was left wondering if Glee had lost its touch. Plus none of these episodes feature Puck. Complete coincidence, I'm sure.
The good news, however, is that by episode six they are back in the game, and episode seven, which features the much-publicised Gwyneth Paltrow cameo, is just brilliant. She is A. May. Zing. Kurt also gets some really strong storylines, which is great because he's such a fantastic character, and Brittany plays a bigger role, resulting in some incredible one-liners which may even rival the "dolphins are gay sharks" moment from Series One. Sue Sylvester is also back with a vengance, although her storylines seem to swing from improbable to just plain weird.
Anyway, overall there are plenty of gleeful moments (see what I did there?) to look forward to in the coming months. And here's one to enjoy again now:
Put some Apple in your kitchen
If, like me, you are obsessed with your iPhone, you may feel that anything in your life could be made better with a few apps. Like your fridge, for example.
These cute little magnets are just the thing. Geeky but gorgeous... God bless Urban Outfitters.
These cute little magnets are just the thing. Geeky but gorgeous... God bless Urban Outfitters.
Saturday, 8 January 2011
Shoes glorious shoes
Ladies, Kurt Geiger is having a sale and you need to get involved NOW! There are perfectly beautiful shoes going for under £30 at Kurt Geiger.com, and if you can stretch your finances a little bit further there is a world of choice. I have been lusting after these bad boys since October, and at last they are mine, pretty much half price at £80:
Obviously the winter styles are in the sale, so if you prefer a bit more colour you will need to keep an eye out for this stunning Spring/Summer collection and possibly start living on noodles to make ends meet.
If you like a shoe bargain but fancy something a bit sparklier, I also recently bought a pair of incredible, black sequined, peeptoe ankle boots in River Island for just £35. They're not on the website, but there may be a few pairs left in stores, and they also come in silver, although there were less of those in the High Wycombe branch.
Let's face it, this weather isn't going to change any time yet so we all need a treat to brighten up our day!
Picture credits: Black 'Echinacea' court from Kurt Geiger and 'Birds of Paradise' display from Fashion Barbie UK.
Obviously the winter styles are in the sale, so if you prefer a bit more colour you will need to keep an eye out for this stunning Spring/Summer collection and possibly start living on noodles to make ends meet.
If you like a shoe bargain but fancy something a bit sparklier, I also recently bought a pair of incredible, black sequined, peeptoe ankle boots in River Island for just £35. They're not on the website, but there may be a few pairs left in stores, and they also come in silver, although there were less of those in the High Wycombe branch.
Let's face it, this weather isn't going to change any time yet so we all need a treat to brighten up our day!
Picture credits: Black 'Echinacea' court from Kurt Geiger and 'Birds of Paradise' display from Fashion Barbie UK.
Recipe: Espresso Martini
I'm aware that it's January and you may not be drinking this month, but we all need something to look forward to in life. After one single day of not drinking (I'm hoping to last at least a fortnight, but don't hold me to that), I am looking forward to an espresso martini. You haven't lived until you've drunk one of these. Although I'd advise that you don't actually *get* drunk on them, as the caffiene levels mean you'll be wide awake and talking nineteen to the dozen for hours after you've stopped making the slightest bit of sense.
To make an espresso martini you will need:
3 parts vodka
1 part Kahlua
1 part espresso
Shake the vodka and Kahlua with ice, and then add the espresso and strain into a martini glass. Easy!
It's coffee, so you can drink it for breakfast!
To make an espresso martini you will need:
3 parts vodka
1 part Kahlua
1 part espresso
Shake the vodka and Kahlua with ice, and then add the espresso and strain into a martini glass. Easy!
It's coffee, so you can drink it for breakfast!
Friday, 7 January 2011
Pink Floyd are overrated
A while back, The Guardian printed an article about the most overrated 'classic' albums.
I would like to nominate 'Dark Side of the Moon' by Pink Floyd. This album is the reason I'm not cool. A few years ago I decided I would listen to the classic albums listed in articles like 'Albums to listen to before you die' and 'Albums you must own if you don't wish to be outcast from polite society and end up old and alone with just your cat for company'. I would then form opinions on them, and if people mentioned them, I could say, "Oh yes, his music is somewhat reminisent of Lou Reed's early work" (David Bowie, by the way... I am a little bit cool).
Anyway, 'Dark Side of the Moon' was the first album I came across in my quest for cool. It was so boring I couldn't bear to listen to any others. It's not offensive or anything, just very, very dull. A couple of the songs ('Money' for example) are ok, but they are nowhere near good enough to rescue it. I made it to the end but never intend to do so again. Needless to say, I couldn't bear to be disappointed another 99 times in the name of cool. 'Dark Side of the Moon' drove me back to Bon Jovi.
Not sure of the source of the picture, but I'd guess that 'Pink Floyd' would be a safe bet.
I would like to nominate 'Dark Side of the Moon' by Pink Floyd. This album is the reason I'm not cool. A few years ago I decided I would listen to the classic albums listed in articles like 'Albums to listen to before you die' and 'Albums you must own if you don't wish to be outcast from polite society and end up old and alone with just your cat for company'. I would then form opinions on them, and if people mentioned them, I could say, "Oh yes, his music is somewhat reminisent of Lou Reed's early work" (David Bowie, by the way... I am a little bit cool).
Anyway, 'Dark Side of the Moon' was the first album I came across in my quest for cool. It was so boring I couldn't bear to listen to any others. It's not offensive or anything, just very, very dull. A couple of the songs ('Money' for example) are ok, but they are nowhere near good enough to rescue it. I made it to the end but never intend to do so again. Needless to say, I couldn't bear to be disappointed another 99 times in the name of cool. 'Dark Side of the Moon' drove me back to Bon Jovi.
Not sure of the source of the picture, but I'd guess that 'Pink Floyd' would be a safe bet.
Men's fashion
Charlie Brooker writes:
"Youngish men have got it all wrong. But the younger ones are worse. They've got haircuts now. Quirky, angular, idiosyncratic haircuts; haircuts like elaborate designer lampshades; haircuts they've downloaded off the internet. Some of them wear eyeliner. Presumably they're aiming somewhere between Russell Brand and Marc Bolan, but somehow end up resembling Muppet Baby incarnations of Danny the dealer from Withnail and I.
"Jesus Christ. That's another popular look: Jesus Christ. I went to a gig the other day and saw at least 18 Christs... At one point, three of them stood in a corner chatting to each other. I thought I'd stumbled across a religious triptych. God knows what they were talking about. Eyeliner tips, probably."
Chortle.
As a guilt-free New Year treat, please enjoy this picture of Jared Leto by Erin Patrice O'Brien.
"Youngish men have got it all wrong. But the younger ones are worse. They've got haircuts now. Quirky, angular, idiosyncratic haircuts; haircuts like elaborate designer lampshades; haircuts they've downloaded off the internet. Some of them wear eyeliner. Presumably they're aiming somewhere between Russell Brand and Marc Bolan, but somehow end up resembling Muppet Baby incarnations of Danny the dealer from Withnail and I.
"Jesus Christ. That's another popular look: Jesus Christ. I went to a gig the other day and saw at least 18 Christs... At one point, three of them stood in a corner chatting to each other. I thought I'd stumbled across a religious triptych. God knows what they were talking about. Eyeliner tips, probably."
Chortle.
As a guilt-free New Year treat, please enjoy this picture of Jared Leto by Erin Patrice O'Brien.
Snacktime
On account of my inability to do anything at all without eating at the same time, a few months ago I decided to buy some healthy snacking food. The plan was that if I had something healthy to eat, I wouldn't get through a family-sized pack of Kettle Chips or three Crunchies. I went to one of those posh food shops and decided on pumpkin seeds, because:
a) they can't possibly have any calories in them, since they taste of wood;
b) they were buy-one-get-one-free;
c) I'd heard they were an aphrodisiac (two birds, one stone, etc)
Anyway, that was some time ago. I dutifully tucked into them for the first week or so, but then the excitement waned somewhat (they taste of wood). To cut a long story short, I now have 1kg of pumpkin seeds to eat in the next month, before they go off. To rub salt into the wound, it turns out that it was "Doctor" Gillian McKeith who said they were an aphrodisiac, and as we all now know, she's a liar and a crazy person.
This experience has taught me several lessons which I feel it is only right to share with you, and they are as follows:
a) They may have no calories, but I need a Crunchie anyway to get rid of the woody after-taste;
b) Buy-one-get-one-free is not a bargain unless you want two. I do not want a kilo of these;
c) Alcohol is the only aphrodisiac worth bothering with.
If you have any great need for pumpkin seeds (like if you're allergic to all other foodstuffs, or you want to build a fire) please let me know.
Sunflower seeds = not as good as Crunchies.
Picture from the improbably named Vermont Fiddle Heads.
a) they can't possibly have any calories in them, since they taste of wood;
b) they were buy-one-get-one-free;
c) I'd heard they were an aphrodisiac (two birds, one stone, etc)
Anyway, that was some time ago. I dutifully tucked into them for the first week or so, but then the excitement waned somewhat (they taste of wood). To cut a long story short, I now have 1kg of pumpkin seeds to eat in the next month, before they go off. To rub salt into the wound, it turns out that it was "Doctor" Gillian McKeith who said they were an aphrodisiac, and as we all now know, she's a liar and a crazy person.
This experience has taught me several lessons which I feel it is only right to share with you, and they are as follows:
a) They may have no calories, but I need a Crunchie anyway to get rid of the woody after-taste;
b) Buy-one-get-one-free is not a bargain unless you want two. I do not want a kilo of these;
c) Alcohol is the only aphrodisiac worth bothering with.
If you have any great need for pumpkin seeds (like if you're allergic to all other foodstuffs, or you want to build a fire) please let me know.
Sunflower seeds = not as good as Crunchies.
Picture from the improbably named Vermont Fiddle Heads.
The tricky first post
I always think it's nice to start with a quote. This one from Alex James makes me smile...
"Love is when you've made two cups of tea and you give the other person the cup that looks the nicer colour."
Bless him.
Picture courtesy of Emma Bridgewater - you can buy it here (the mug, not the picture).
"Love is when you've made two cups of tea and you give the other person the cup that looks the nicer colour."
Bless him.
Picture courtesy of Emma Bridgewater - you can buy it here (the mug, not the picture).
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