Hidden Talent

I have this little talent that shows itself at the start of every month.

While scrolling through my favourite magazines, I scan each page waiting for something to jump out and scream buy me.  This usually happens on the 'Must Have Shoe/Bag Of The Season' page. My eyes light up and go wild, I quickly flit from one picture to the next to find THE ONE.  Then I find it.  That's it, it would go with everything, yet still be a statement.... and the hidden talent is this.... it will ALWAYS be the most expensive on the page. 

Don't try this talent at home kids.  I was born with it.

However, I do like the little Splurge vs Save features. 

 A beautiful pale gold bike jacket

A pale cream biker jacket with stud details.

I will be buying one of these this month, and only one is cheaper than my monthly mortgage.  Can you guess...?

Answer: Top picture beautiful Acne biker jacket £1,100 netaporter.com.  Bottom picture rock and roll biker jack £169 from Zara.  

Tea Towel Design

When I was looking to add some pictures to my kitchen, I went searching for something big, bright and something that would make you stop, look and giggle.  Most importantly, I didn't want to spend a fortune.  Also, I didn't want just one thing, we have a long wall with a few windows on it, which we decided not to put any wall cabinets on, so it needed filling up with something else.

After an exhaustive search that almost led to me hunting down my own art supplies, Living etc led me to To Dry For.com.  A website full of some awesome tea towels, I immediately bought 2 for my best friend for her birthday and I bought 3 for my walls.  After a little bit of starching and some expert ironing, I fitting them into some thick white huge Ikea picture frames and they look fantastic.

So if you're looking for something a little different that could have a big impact on a walls, I honestly suggest you look at www.todryfor.com.  Also, their customer service was fab, obviously I wasn't the first to come up with the 'frame it' idea and the person that I emailed knew exactly what to do, they gave me the towel dimensions before they arrived, so i could make sure that I could find the right frame and were in general very chirpy and happy.  What more can you ask for.... oh yes, they regularly update their tea towel collections too!

A is for ....

As a parent, I'm paranoid about failing my little girl in the smallest ways.  Will it be my fault that she can't read a book cover to cover at 4?  Was it because I didn't put an alphabet poster up?  Is it too early for that solar system interactive model thing? 

I can't stand education posters, actually I can't stand posters.  Surely there must be some cute ways to help our children familiarise themselves with the alphabet without the use of blue tac... 

Lovely readers, have you done anything similar?

Little Bud Maternity

Little Bud Maternity is the brain child of the uber cool Nina Montalto-Duffy.  A fashionista Mummy who my husband describes as one of the most elegant people he knows.  Nina has the perfect Danish style that we all crave and this is already coming across in the goodies that are filling Little Bud, her new boutique in Cuckfield West Sussex and online here http://www.littlebudmaternity.co.uk/. 

Not only are there fashion essentials like spring coloured skinny maternity jeans and dresses, but perfect interior accessories for the nursery,  and the type of clothes that will make your child the envy of his/her friends.  In amongst all this are some surprises like the car seat covers that make you want to scream 'Why weren't these around for my baby!'.

 The doors open to Little Bud tomorrow morning and I'm booking my place in line now.  Here's a little preview into Little Bud...

On the Beach: The Perfect Outfit

I have never fallen in love so hard as I just did with this Norma Kamali swimsuit.  I couldn't even consider going near chlorine with it.  This is for sand and fresh spring water only.  I may (MAY) allow myself to paddle in it...also, how absolutely beautiful is this Missoni Home towel, sold out everywhere, not surprising really. It's perfection.
So this is it. My, reading magazines on a sun lounger while Mr A builds sandcastles and little miss turns into Godzilla and tramples over them, outfit.  Time for a beach cocktail please waiter.

Perfect Dinners. Day Three: Wednesday

Day Three: Wednesday
Butternut Squash Risotto with Pork Chops


It's about -3 outside so we are in need of the perfect comfort food.  Top of my list of food to make you feel good and warm inside is Risotto.  Delicious Butternut Squash adds texture and a deep orange glow. 
I'm not so keen on pork chops so that is being left to Mr A. We used the turkey stock made from our Christmas turkey leftovers, and the pork has been marinated for 30 minutes (while putting daughter to bed) in lemon juice, garlic, chilli and basil.

The perfect thing about this dish is what you can also do to the left over risotto... balls, risotto balls. Roll them up,cover them in egg, flour and breadcrumbs then deep fry and serve with a tomato, onion and chorizo sauce: comfort food part II.  

Perfect Dinners. Day Two: Tuesday

Day Two: Tuesday
Pauper's Pasta served with rocket and parmesan salad

I think this is a case of too busy working to pop to Waitrose to do a food shop.  Although secretly I adore 'Pauper's Pasta', full of courgettes, pancetta, buffalo mozzarella, pine nuts, lemon zest and of course chillies.  The secret ingredient though is my Mum's homemade sun-dried tomatoes from her allotment.

It's so simple, so quick and so absolutely delicious. The chillies blast away the frost outside and fill your lungs with burning heat.

Serve with a side order of rocket and parmesan salad with grilled red onion and a balsamic drizzle. x