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My Christmas

2010-01-04T05:18:00.000-08:00

I spent most of November and December, planning for Christmas day. As we had eight people over on the day, there was a lot to do and I want to make the house, but especially the table, look as festive as possible. I started with a silver and white theme and everything developed from there. We wanted to create a warm welcome and tried to create a simple, but festive look to the hallway.

This is how the table turned out.

I made the cinnamon stick place settings, which ended up working really well with the gold tones in the crackers, which my Grandmother brought.

With all the candles lit.

I wanted to bake something that would look great on the table, so I made these snowflake cookies.

My cousin had brought some mince pies that she had made. Once a few of my cookies had been eaten, we filled it up again with her mince pies. Which looked great all together.

After all the planning I was really happy with the result and had a great day.

And...

2009-10-16T07:40:00.000-07:00

Chesterton Windmill

At the weekend

2009-10-15T11:47:00.000-07:00

Compton Verney

Spiderweb

2009-08-12T08:13:00.001-07:00

The Palace

2009-07-28T06:27:00.000-07:00

Last week I had a trip to Blenheim Palace. After having a look around the house and gardens, I had a champagne tea, which was amazing!

There were three tiers of sandwiches and cakes!

Between three people, it wasn't all for me! But it was so nice and we were looking out onto the gardens and water fountains. Definitely recommended!

Big Bang

2009-07-18T10:04:00.000-07:00

Last night there was a Jools Holland concert not far from my house. If it hadn't been such a rainy and cold night, I would have sat out in the garden and listened. But at 10.20, there was a big firework display to end the concert, so I quickly grabbed my camera and leaned out of my bedroom window to try capturing a few shots. This was my favourite out of a whole bunch I took.

I just wish I had a better lens now! So I could have gotten some closer shots.

Good Brownies?

2009-07-10T06:01:00.000-07:00

I made some brownies today, but they are not what they seem! I tried a recipe from the latest 'Cook yourself thin' recipe book. They arn't exactly calorie free, but a tiny little square is only around 100 calories! They taste pretty good for a lower calorie chocolaty snack.

Sushi

2009-06-29T06:15:00.000-07:00

I decided to try making my own sushi today, I thought I'd start by making a vegtable sushi roll, as this seemed easiest for a beginner. This was my first attempt, which was all falling apart and too sticky.

So I then tried again, using less rice and vegtables. Which seemed to work much better.

But I cooked far too much rice and am now so full from eating way too much of the stuff!! But I've definitely learnt alot from my first few attempts! Cook less rice and use less rice and filling, so the the roll is kept small and tight. I'm going to try again tomorrow though as it tasted really nice despite the poor execution!

Wild Strawberries

2009-06-24T07:46:00.000-07:00

The weather is so nice at the moment, I feel it's lending a helping hand to my wild strawberries, as they are now starting to really develop.

The only way I can think to describe them, is that they are like a condensed regular strawberry. It's like a burst of all that flavour in a tiny bite.
See how tiny they are!

Full to the brim!

2009-06-20T12:48:00.000-07:00

I had an amazing lunch at a gastropub in Barford today. I had taken my camera with me, but when it came to it I was far too wussy to get it out and take any pictures! Everything was so well presented as well! I should have asked them if it was ok to take photos, but like I said, wussy! The link to the pubs website. http://www.granvillebarford.co.uk/index.php

Just to make you jealous, what I had - Pear, walnut & stilton salad with maple syrup dressing. Fillet of seabass on a bed of white truffle & basil pasta with a sweet pepper sauce. And a vanilla cheesecake with blackberry jelly.

It was all so good and I was stuffed, I would definitley recommend the pub, the food and service were excellent.

Perfect Space

2009-06-18T11:28:00.000-07:00

While looking for images for inspiration, I found this picture. I love the colours and symmetry but also the art deco style. I'd definitely like my home to look like this one day.

Yesterday

2009-06-14T10:43:00.000-07:00

It was such a nice day yesterday, I went to Warwick. I looked around the market, antique and gift shops.
The entrance to a church and a georgian doorway, snapped while walking around.

Had lunch at The Tilted Wig pub, an open ciabatta sandwich with brie, roasted veg and red onion. Yum!

View at lunch, from the pub out onto the market.

I bought this necklace from an antiques shop. I couldn't resist it as I thought it was so unusual. The pendant is a claw gripping onto a brown coloured, round stone.

I also bought some cupcakes from the market, but they were gone before I had chance to take a photograph!

Todays yield

2009-06-13T08:20:00.000-07:00

Maybe I need to find a new subject....

2009-06-11T11:13:00.000-07:00

.....to photograph, but I am obsessed with my stawberries!

My cat decided to sneek in on the strawberry action!

New Shoes!

2009-06-10T13:08:00.000-07:00

I've been after these Miu Miu's for awhile now and finally my luck came in. I got these for a bargainous price on ebay!

(I've taken a polaroid of them, then a photo of the polaroid. I kinda like the effect!)

2009-06-08T08:05:00.000-07:00

It's been a horrible rainy few days, so what better way to fill an afternoon than by watching film. Yesterday I watched 'What happens in Vegas', lent to me by my sister, thanks B. Good film, but you know when you are watching and hear a really good song and all you can then think is 'I must remember to find out who it's by?!'

I'm Not Over @ Yahoo! Video

Carolina Liar - I'm Not Over

I can't stop listening to this song today now! I'm annoyed the album isn't on itunes but their album is definately on my wishlist!

Yesterday my first strawberry, who's progress was being tracked in a previous post, was consumed and it was delish!

Real or faux pas?

2009-06-06T06:31:00.000-07:00

I drooled all over Tom Binns 'Faux real' jewellery collection. Often using his pieces in my polyvore creations as well. Especially the cuffs and especially the black cuff. So I'm not sure wether I am happy or sad that it is on www.theOutnet.com , heavily reduced. Because although it is reduced, it's still out of my price range.
Here is the beauty.....

(picture from theOutnet.com)

Reduced from £529 to £317. A bargain, if you have that sort of money to spend however.

But saying all that, the site is really worth checking out if you want to find a designer bargain! For instance there is this amazing Bill Blass cocktail dress, reduced from £1,658.93 to £663.57. And again, if I had it, I so would!

Back to Tom Binns and some more of his jewellery that I love....

Tom Binns by rooie featuring Tom Binns jewelry

Polaroid

2009-06-05T10:20:00.000-07:00

I was really disappointed when I found out they were going to stop making polaroid film. It's really fun to use, you get instant pictures and I really like the fuzzy quality to the picture. So when I heard they were making a new polaroid instant camera, I was quite excited. (old polaroid film is hard to find and pricey on ebay) Here is the new polaroid instant camera.

(pic from firebox)

However, yes it has the instant picture factor, but this produces high quality photos. Not what I feel makes a polaroid instant photo so special! What I like is that foggy quality, it adds something to certain photographs. Also on the new camera there is the ability to edit the photos before printing. This also takes away the whole, not knowing what you are going to get factor of the old instant camera.

So I think I'll be continuing to use my old one, for as long as I can find overpriced film on ebay!

Polyvore Addict

2009-06-04T12:18:00.000-07:00

I've been a Polyvore member for a year now and I really enjoy using it to create outfits and compete in styling challenges on tfs. I think it allows me to pretend I could be a stylist! I definately enjoy creating outfits for celebrities or starting with one item and building an outfit around it. These are some of my favourites that I have created.

Mer de la Vie by rooie featuring Kenneth Jay Lane jewelry

Reflections In The Water by rooie featuring Balenciaga

An Instinct by rooie featuring Missoni accessories

Hole In The Head by rooie featuring Balenciaga

The distant traveller by rooie featuring Marc Jacobs

I really enjoyed styling the Sex and the City characters.

Carrie-tfs celeb stylist game by rooie featuring Christian Dior

Miranda-tfs celeb stylist game by rooie featuring Marc Jacobs

Samantha-tfs celeb stylist game by rooie featuring Christian Louboutin shoes

Charlotte-tfs celeb stylist game by rooie featuring Erickson Beamon jewelry

Strawberry Fields

2009-06-04T11:45:00.000-07:00

Last year I bought some strawberry plants and they turned out to be a really good investment as we had quite a few strawberrys out of them and they were the most delicious I have ever eaten. This year they have come back even stronger. I also have a few wild strawberry plants, which are amazing. They are so tiny, but bursting with unbelieveable flavour.
At the beginning of the week, just a small cluster of many.

And today, one is starting to turn that lovely red.

It sounds a bit crazy but I get so excited to see their progress everyday. From the first buds, to flowers to the green fruit eventually turning red.

The wild strawberries journey so far.
At the beginning of the week.

Today.

These are taking longer to get going, but are definately worth the wait!

First post, first shot

2009-06-03T08:44:00.000-07:00

Hi, welcome to the blog. For me to post my photos, thoughts and ideas!
I have just recieved a digital slr camera for my birthday and this my first test shot.