new discovery : ana moura and fado music

According to Wikipedia, Fado music can be traced to the 1820s in Portugal but probably has much earlier origins. Often linked to the sea and lives of the poor, these beautiful ballads are characterised by rhythm and emotion. Although sometimes melancholic and full of longing, many are uplifting and you find yourself gently swaying to the beat..
Yesterday, I heard one of Fado's modern day stars, Ana Moura, singing on Radio 4's Woman's Hour. I absolutely loved it.
With fans such as the Rolling Stones and Prince, she's well worth a listen. Click here to hear some of her beautiful music on Deezer.

small investment, BIG impact

I'm a great believer in investing in the right accessories. We are all feeling the pinch at the moment and I have decided this summer that - rather than buying lots of new summer clothes (that, let's face it, aren't likely to get many outings in the UK) - I'm going to invest in some hard-working new accessories. Top of the list is this Long Star Necklace - such a flattering length and bang up to date. At only £24, it is also really affordable.

I have already treated myself to this gorgeous Lee Bracelet - and elegant and deceptively intricate design with a classic, retro feel. I haven't taken mine off since I bought it. Again, very affordable at £35.

Black on black is one of my absolute favourite looks and this Plexiglass Necklace is a real eye-catcher - imagine it over a simple black top. I have a long black jersey t-shirt dress and this is the perfect way to dress it up for relaxed entertaining and holidays. A little more expensive at £45 but it oozes high-end designer appeal and you will wear it again and again.

AND BY THE WAY ... IF YOU ORDER YOUR JEWELLERY FROM US TODAY, YOU CAN BENEFIT FROM A MIND BLOWING 30% SPECIAL OFFER DISCOUNT - JUST ENTER THE CODE JEWEL30 AT THE CHECKOUT.

just because it's sunny AGAIN!

"I do not weep at the world. I am too busy sharpening my oyster knife." Zora Neale Hurston

the sun is out!

knot chair by tatsuo kuroda

"For me it is all about shape, touch and use. I believe that fine products will be loved longer and that way becomes sustainable in the end." Tatsuo Kuroda

The Knot Chair combines a modern Scandinavian look with high-end hand finished craftmanship. The result is a beautifully comfortable, elegant chair reminiscent of Danish furniture classics from the 1950s.

 

• Measurements: H:72 x D:50.5 x W:58.5cm
• Ash wood
• Available in Black, Black/Natural and White
• Price £296

just because ...

On a cold, blustery Monday after Mothers Day, I couldn't resist posting this picture - quite possibly the most beautiful vase of flowers I have ever seen. Created by the Flower Appreciation Society. Heavenly.

perfect and simple ...

I've just found this rather gorgeous looking pineapple cake on the lovely French and Parfait Blog (there are some great recipe ideas here too). My family shall be sampling it soon and I shall report back ...

winter skin ...

Oh dear dear dear, my skin has been suffering with this long, cold winter. Warm office, cold dog walks, hot baths, damp air, Aga-heated kitchen and a refusal to keep the heating on all the time in the rest of the house has played havoc with my skin. I do try to stick to natural products and love facial oils but I have recently tried Olay Regenerist and this seems to have done the trick. I am trying to work on the theory of layering, so here goes with my morning routine ...
1) An excellent but gentle cleanse with my indispensible Clarisonic
2) Now the sun is poking it's nose out occasionally, firstly it's Ultrasun SPF30 (I've also just found out that computers generate UV light, so this is going to become a year-round step)
3) Then Regenerist Serum. Then Regenerist Moisturiser.
4) Then a top layer of Judith Williams Nourishing Rose Oil.
Phew. But it's working.
And then I look at Georgia's glorious, perfect, peachy, 7-year old skin and know that time can never be reversed, but we can try to do the best with what we have.

new discovery: spelt

So looking forward to the weekend - spending the evening with friends and a retro cheese fondue tonight - very excited!
I'm trying to clear out our kitchen cupboards at the moment and found a packet of Sharpham Park organic pearled spelt. So ... leek, broadbean and cheddar risotto for lunch and it was an absolute triumph.
This inspired me to investigate spelt a bit more so I had a look at the Sharpham Park website. Very inspiring. I came across another great recipe to try tomorrow - Banana Spelt Muffins. I have a feeling that my daughter Georgia will love helping me make them - she's a great one for getting floury in the kitchen - and my husband had recently revealed a strong liking for banana bread. So everyone's a winner! Here's the recipe:

BANANA SPELT MUFFINS



INGREDIENTS
5 bananas
110g/4oz butter
225g/8oz brown sugar (Demerara or muscovado are best)
2 eggs
285g/10oz wholemeal spelt flour
5ml/1tsp bicarbonate of soda
10ml/2 tsp vanilla essence
Handful chopped walnuts
1tsp salt
Handful flax / linseeds (optional)
100g bar dark chocolate (pref 75 or 85% cocoa) broken up into fine chunks (optional)

METHOD
1) mash the bananas

2) cream together butter, sugar until fluffy. Beat in eggs.

3) sift flour, bicarbonate of soda and salt and stir in.

4) add vanilla, mashed bananas, walnuts and any optional extras.

5) mix thoroughly.

6) spoon into greased 2lb loaf tin or individual muffin cases.

7) bake at 160C for 1 hour if making a loaf and 40 minutes if making muffins.


TOP TIPS
1) if you're using a fan oven reduce baking times by 10 minutes
2) if you want more sticky muffins then use over ripe bananas and make with large rather than small or medium ones.