Look what I found!

Yes, yes, I know I haven't posted much all summer. This mainly down to he fact not much has been going on. I have spent most of the summer saving my one for my holiday to Budapest and Prague. I will stick some pictures up when i get them developed (my camera broke so I had to buy an old school disposable!). In the mean time I would like to introduce you to a shop called Pylones 

This shop sells lots of pretty little things from kitchen goods to stationary and lots of retro type products. It was incredibly hard for me not to spend a small fortune there! I purchased some fridge magnets and pens and a few bits of stationary, all very cute.

Here's a selection of some of the cute things on offer there.

This is a super cute fold over hair brush and mirror. As with most thing love it has a cats face on it. I thought it was adorable but didn't buy it as i was terrified id loose something so cute! It and all of the other little brush type things in the form of anything from a geisha to an owl,  came at the price of  round 12 euro.

                            I also took a shine to this very funky cigarette case. In fairness  somtimes you need to have something bright and happy to look at while you are taking a guilty puff! These cases come in all shapes and forms, mainly with pretty designs and flowery patterns, but not old lady style! they cost about 13 euro and hold at least 20 cigarettes.






I really liked this pen holder for about 12 euro, it would look deadly on my desk and while not very useful, it still fits in with my randomness!


I did get myself this little lady pen. its basically the same as every other per, but shes very cute and elegant. She will sit very proudly with all my others!

If your like me and every thing is always everywhere, or you always like to keep cards and tickets and bits and bobs, this peg rocks, its deadly and it holds lots. It costs 15 euro and comes in a few different colours, but is pretty cool on your desk.






And when a cup of tea would be heaven, here is the perfect cup which i got for 15 euro :)






Definitely if your in Prague, get yourself into

Pylones
28. října 376/11
110 00 Prague 1

Tel : + 420 224 211 100

Open 7 days a week 
Summer : 
Monday-Saturday 10 a.m - 9 p.m 
Sunday 10 a.m - 7 p.m 
Winter : 
Monday-Saturday 10.a.m - 8 p.m 
Sunday 10 a.m -7 p.m

Yum....

I found this rescipie today and decided it might be nice as a quicky for lunch. It turned out unbeleivably yummy and healthy too!

Chargrilled Asparagus with Marinated Courgette and Halloumi

350g cherry tomatoes, halved

140ml olive oil

24 asparagus spears

2 courgettes

lemon juice

salt and pepper

200g haloumi cheese,

basil leaves

25g rocket (I used baby spinach)

2x200g bags of mixed salad leaves

vinaigrette

1tsp Dijon mustard

2 tblsp of sherry vinegar (or balsamic)

100ml olive oil

salt and pepper.

Heat oven to 170c.  Mix the tomatoes with 3 tablespoons of the oil and season with salt and pepper.  Spread out on a lined baking tray, skin side down and roast for 50 minutes until semi-dried.  Remove from the oven and cool.  Trim the woody base from the asparagus and blanch in boiling water for 4 minutes then drain and refresh under cold water.  Toss with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, salt and pepper. Slice the courgette very thinly lengthwise and mix with 1 tablespoon of the oil, salt and pepper.

Blitz all the ingredients for the vinigrette in a blender until smooth.

Place a griddle (or just a frying pan) pan on high heat and leave to get really hot.  Grill the courgette and asparagus, turning to get char marks on all sides then remove to a plate.  Now chargrill the haloumi slices for about 2 minutes on each side.  Arrange the rocket, vegetables and cheese in layers on a serving platter then drizzle with vinigerette.

so so yum!

where was yesterday...

Beads and Bling
Dublin Woolen Mills
I've decided to make some jewelry as I have loads of old stuff hanging about that I want to recycle. I took a trip into  Dublin and picked up a few bits in these very good shops.

I'm going to go with something like these..

Peter Pan Collars.

I've become slightly obsessed with Peter Pan Collars. You know the ones that are really fashionable at the moment on dresses and tops. Theres loads in Pennys and New Look, but i'm looking for one that are detachable and can be worn with my lovely orange dress (a shift dress I got in Pennys ages ago, but I have renamed it as my lucky dress as good things always happen when I ware it!). I need to find somewhere that sells them.

God, I love these!

Most of the dresses that the collar works well on suit most figures and can be bought cheaply in Pennys. I dont consider myself to be very "on trend", but these dresses are so cute.

Detachable ones can be bought on ASOS or Topshop, but I think I'm going to try make my own from felt.
 I'll let you know how I get on!

It's been a long time....

...since I posted anything up here!
Seriously, I need to get back working on things and selling stuff.
I've finished a year studying graphic design and have applied for a second year of the course. It'll be still stressful, but I enjoy what im doing.
Here is some of my work

Album and Book Cover project.

Kitty's Mince Pie's

Well, since I'm at home here with a broken leg (tripped over a drain last week and broke my foot) I decided it might be a good idea to make some yummy mince pies for the lads in my house when I get back on Wednesday.


Kitty's Mince Pies Recipe.

I made 24 lovely pies and still had a little pastry over, so this recipe is handy enough if you are doing a big amount.

Pastry:
1lb of  plain flour.
 8oz cool unsalted butter, diced.
 4oz icing sugar,
3 egg yokes,
3 tblsp cold water
1 tspn lemon/ orange juice
1/2 the rind of a lemon or orange.

Filling:
1 jar of shop bought mince pie filling.
1 apple stewed
3 tblesps Jameson whiskey
1 tblesp soft brown sugar
2 tsp ground cinemon. 


Method:

1.Sift the flour into a mixing bowl. Add the butter and rub in until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Sift in the sugar.

2.Lightly beat the egg yolk with 1 tbsp cold water, juice and rind in a seperate bowl . Add to the flour mixture bit by bit. Gather together to make a soft dough. 

3. Roll into a ball, cover in cling and leave in the fridge for at least an hour.

4. Mix all the filling ingredients together in a bowl (add a little lemon or orange rind to this if you like) and allow it to stand for a few minutes.

5. Line 24 greased bun tins with round cookie cut peices of the pastry, fill with one teaspoon of the filling, cut a star shape and place on top. 

6. Place in the oven for 30 minutes at 200°C (400°F) , until the pies are golden brown on top. Remove and shake a little fine sugar over them while they are still warm.

 

 

enjoy!

John Lewis Christmas Ads

I always know its Christmas time when I see the John Lewis Advert on TV.
 I don't know what it is about them, they just always seem to get the feeling perfectly. Last year I actually shed a tear to the one with Ellie Goolding sing "You Song". I don't know why, I don't even really like that song (mainly down to the fact I associate it with Moulin Rouge). The ad was just really sweet though.
See for yourselves:

 I also found a bit on the making of last years video.

So you can imagine how I felt when I saw  the new ad for Christmas 2011, with a Smiths song playing in the background. Grant it, Morrissey letting a large company like John Lewis use a cover of a song of his is a bit hypocritical, but in fairness, its quite tastefully done. There is something quite 1980's about the ad, the clothes, housing, the mum in the kitchen. Its actually kind of similar to the context of Morrissy and Marr. I love the way its not in your face Christmasy, like Coka Cola or Marks and Spencers. It seems to be more about giving a gift then the product itself. I like that.

 Lovely. I feel lovely and Christmasy now!

It would help if we actually had John Lewis in Ireland though!