This week has been all about vintage bargains and lots of fruit.
Riding my bike, Crafty Creatives, Salad Bar at Morrisons, Rekorerlig, Donut Peaches at the Car Boot, Copella, Jigsaw, Enid Blyton, I Love Tea, Fifty Pence
Showing posts with label fun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fun. Show all posts
Crafty Creatives
Last week saw the launch of the eagerly awaited subscription box of the year. Crafty Creatives had a dream and saw a gap in the market and made it a reality. There are so many monthly subscription boxes out there, Jolie Box, Glossy Box, Eco Emi etc but as much as I love beauty I read reviews every month and they have never really interested me, the contents often doesn't even cover the cost of your subscription. Back in March I kept seeing this name pop up on Twitter, so I curiously followed a link to see what all the fuss was about. I was instantly excited, and the thought of having to wait until June seemed like a lifetime. I contacted Claire and Isobel to show my interest in their wonderful idea and to let them know I was extremely jealous I hadn't thought of it first.
Saying that I doubt there is anyone else more qualified to take on this mammoth task. Claire & Isboels credentials are impressive. Crafty sisters who have worked tirelessly to bring us a fun and effective way to get crafting. I feel people are always slightly scared of failure when it comes to creating anything from scratch, whether it be cooking, crafting or simply helping the children with a school project, some people have the flair and others don't. I am an avid knitter as most of you may know and the amount of people who have said to me 'oh I wish I could knit, but it just looks too complicated' like anything in life it takes practice and with time you will progress and get better.
Whether you are a keen crafter or a novice this box is for everyone, don't be afraid, you are given a task to do each month with detailed instruction and all the bit and bobs you need to make it. Then you will also receive other crafty items to create your own. Sound good so far?
Beautifully Packaged.
I was greeted with a smile and an array of goodies.
Art Card by featured artist Liz Kapiloto
Your CC Kit
Three Wooden Floral Printed Buttons
Fifteen Lucite Flower Beads
One Floral Shoe Gift Tag
Two Floral Pegs
Five Wooden Floral Shaped Buttons
One Sheet of Floral Tissue Paper
One Glass Pendant
Embroidery Thread
One Meter of Floral Cotton Ribbon
One Fat Quarter of William Morris Printed Fabric
Two Smiley Floral Beads
One Full Size Bottle of Fabri-Tac : Worth £5.50
As soon as I saw the William Morris fabric I got so excited, with the theme of the first box being 'Floral' I doubt you could find anything more interesting. You could get lost in the extensive range of delectable fabrics on offer over on their website. Hmm now what can I make with this?
Your Kit this month gives you a step by step how to guide to make a Fabric Flower. I love accessories especially anything floral. I can't wait to get stuck in, It looks like a lot of fun to make, Claire and Isobel demonstrate here...
Although I couldn't fault the box in the slightest I did have a few favourites. The William Morris fabric, the Floral glass pendant and the floral tissue paper (I will be trying some decoupage, very soon) Now you have seen it all and of course you love it, let's talk cash. Everything you see here will only set you back £10 a month plus £2.95 p&p worth it? YES! Get your creative juices flowing we are becoming a throw away society and this upsets me and if like me you keep every scrap bit of wrapping paper or hold on to empty toilet roll tubes then this is definitely for you.
Subscribe @ www.craftycreatives.com
: but hurry because the second box is flying, don't miss out!
Congratulations Claire & Isobel and thank you!!
Laurie Rose xo
#6
I've been having a rather hectic week, what with work and blogging deadlines but I captured all my favourite moment as usual on Instagram. This week will see my first ever blog post go live on the Oxfam Fashion website, I can't contain my excitement to see my little face up there but I'm also racked with nerves.
This week I drank lots of tea and soya chocolate milk, I had some wonderful new glasses and received a little something from Dainty Roses. I indulged in some rather scrummy cake before curling up alone in bed with the delightful Humphrey and Ingrid to remind me true love really does exist somewhere, Casablanca, "Here's Lookin' at you Kid" Oh and I posed for some fashion fun.
@bluerinse
Patriotic Blogging, Soya Goodness, Casablanca, New Eyes, Dainty Roses, Top Knot, My Knitting, Winter Wears, Maxwell, OOTD!
Hope y'all had a great week, I sure did!
Laurie Rose xo
bloglovin'//twitter//facebook
#4
Instagram #4
This last week has been a roller-coaster I can tell you. Last weekend I spent the weekend at the beach with the wonderful Adam, it was lovely we walked along the beach (even though it was cold) set up camp in the dunes, drank wine and listened to eighties music it was perfect! Then as soon as Adam left for the long journey back to Ipswich I started to feel a little under the weather, two days later I was straight to the DR's with raging tonsillitis. The weather this week has been wonderful and being laid up in bed has been unbearable. After one whole hour sat out in the sun with my house mates I now not only have tonsillitis but now I am also treating severe sunburn. owch!!
This next week can only get better, Adam is coming to visit & it's my BIRTHDAY. Extremely excited for my jubilee themed garden party and the being whisked off again camping along the north coast of Wales.
beautiful morning sky, sunny red toes, the beach <3, Sidney, cure for a sore throat, makeshift camp fire, vintage tin in the grass, the distillers, sunburnt face, feet in the pool.
@bluerinse
Laurie Rose xx
Week Three
Instagram : Week Three.
Week three of my instagram lovelies, this week has been super busy with work but somehow I managed to go for a meal with my mum, thrift & do an OOTD, more than I would do in a whole week off. I love sharing these with you guys, this is my week in instagram!
@bluerinse
OOTD, Vegetarian Thai Curry with Mango and Chilli Salsa @ The Cross Foxes with my Mum, Lusting over The Tallest Man on Earth, Dolly & Ginger Nuts @ Work, New Blue Shoes, Collection 2000 Lipstick, Bag & Scarf : Thrifted, Casserole Dish : Thrifted.
Laurie Rose xx
Week Two
Instagram : Week Two.
This is a small collection of my bank holiday antics.
I had such a lovely weekend catching up with my girls, listening to some great live music and basically having a bit of a crazy bank holiday weekend, it was a well earned great night.
I freshened up my hair, bought a new dress & a new lipstick!
Finally Happy, The Girls, Laughs, Little Electric Chairs, Asha, Freshly Dyed Hair.
@bluerinse
Get adding on Instagram & Bloglovin'
Week One
Instagram : Week One.
So I decided to share a few of my favourite snaps each week, hope you like :)
Follow me on @bluerinse
Heal The Last Stand Gig, New Bedroom, Finally have a home for half my clothes, Blogging & Missing Holland, Favourite Reads, Not been feeling well this week, Breakfast, Favourite!
I am so glad to be back blogging, I have missed it so much, I needed time to mop and have a whine but now I'm back, YEY!
Laurie Rose xx
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Let's Get Creative
I am very excited to introduce you folks to a new monthly subscription box due to be released in June. It's the UK's very first Craft Box, as a keen crafter I am delighted and intrigued by this wonderful new venture. Each month you will receive a box filled with crafty goodies, plus a separate craft kit with instructions and supplies. The most exciting part of this is each box will be themed, but until it arrives it will be a total surprise :)
I feel Crafty Creatives will inspire people to get motivated with their crafting, I speak to so many people who say they would love to try something new but never do, this is the perfect opportunity. Delivered straight to your door with all the items you need to create something wonderful, no trawling round the variety for craft shops, this is perfect for the working gals out there. The monthly price is standard at £10 + p&p which is in line with all the wonderful beauty boxes out there.
As I am mainly for the Organic & Fairtrade products when it come to my skincare I haven't subscribed to those said beauty boxes.
I was a tad green with envy that I hadn't snapped this idea up first, I was fascinated to find out more about the people behind Crafty Creatives. They are sister's Isobel & Claire from Scotland. The 30 somethings have a long background into craft & design and say from an early age they have been keen to create. Their extensive list of previous employment & hobbies range from, web design, fashion design, corseting, photography, film making, shoe making & so much more. So who better to be leading this great new Craft Box than Isobel & Claire.
I cannot wait to receive my first box (I can class it as a little birthday prezzie to me seen as my birthday is in June) I will do a full review on here for you lovely folks to see.
Congratulations both on provide us with something fun and satisfy to do.
To ensure we all get the best experience from Crafty Creatives Isobel & Claire have asked for anyone who is interested to complete this survey to help them along the way.
I would like to wish Isobel & Claire the best of luck with planning the very first box and if you are interested in joining pop over to their web page to sign up for the VIP treatment as the first box will be limited edition it's first come first served - Crafty Creatives.
Laurie Rose xx
Pancake Day!
Shrove Tuesday.
A story of the world best tosser.
Hello everyone, Happy Shrove Tuesday. Whether you are religious or not who can ignore this tasty treat. Why do we just do this once a year eh?
I don't like anything too fancy, traditional pancakes are always the best I think.
This tradition is as old as the day is long, it was making use of eggs and fat before people would commence into Lenten fast, a religious tradition which takes us into Easter. I myself am not religious and neither are my family but hey why should we miss out on this scrummy occasion.
I love my Pancake thin and crispy with a sprinkling of sugar and a dash of lemon, alternately you can swap that for maple syrup, perfect!
So this is the easy fool proof recipe I use every year, I am not one for measuring this one out as I know it like the back of my hand but for any batter novices out there this is just for you.
Ingredients.
110g/4oz plain flour, sifted
- pinch of salt
- 2 eggs
- 200ml/7fl oz milk mixed with 75ml/3fl oz water
- 50g/2oz butterTo Serve.SugarLemon JuiceLemon WedgesorMaple Syrup
- Sift the flour and salt into a large mixing bowl with a sieve held high above the bowl so the flour gets an airing. Now make a well in the centre of the flour and break the eggs into it. Then begin whisking the eggs - any sort of whisk or even a fork will do - incorporating any bits of flour from around the edge of the bowl as you do so.
- Next gradually add small quantities of the milk and water mixture, still whisking (don't worry about any lumps as they will eventually disappear as you whisk). When all the liquid has been added, use a rubber spatula to scrape any elusive bits of flour from around the edge into the centre, then whisk once more until the batter is smooth, with the consistency of thin cream. Now melt the 50g/2oz of butter in a pan. Spoon 2 tbsp of it into the batter and whisk it in, then pour the rest into a bowl and use it to lubricate the pan, using a wodge of kitchen paper to smear it round before you make each pancake.
- Now get the pan really hot, then turn the heat down to medium and, to start with, do a test pancake to see if you're using the correct amount of batter. I find 2 tbsp is about right for an 18cm/7in pan. It's also helpful if you spoon the batter into a ladle so it can be poured into the hot pan in one go. As soon as the batter hits the hot pan, tip it around from side to side to get the base evenly coated with batter. It should take only half a minute or so to cook; you can lift the edge with a palette knife to see if it's tinged gold as it should be. Flip the pancake over with a pan slice or palette knife - the other side will need a few seconds only - then simply slide it out of the pan onto a plate.
- Stack the pancakes as you make them between sheets of greaseproof paper on a plate fitted over simmering water, to keep them warm while you make the rest.
- To serve, sprinkle each pancake with freshly squeezed lemon juice and caster sugar, fold in half, then in half again to form triangles, or else simply roll them up. Serve sprinkled with a little more sugar and lemon juice and extra sections of lemon.
Even our lovely Kate had a good go at tossing this year :)
Have a go, just make sure you don't get it stuck to the ceiling!
Have fun & enjoy folks!
Laurie Rose x
p.s I realise it is no longer Pancake Day, this was meant to have been posted this morning, but I set it for the wrong time, oooppps, better late than never, eh?
35mm.
35mm.
A story of my life in film.
In early December on a weekly jolly to Oswestry I popped into my favourite Vintage shop possibly in the whole world Second Home.
Owned by Sarah and her husband this quaint perfectly presented haven is home to all the gems left behind. I could spend hours distracting Sarah from her work, she is so open and friendly, over the years I have purchased some lovely items from her, my latest purchase was a handful of buttons and a beautiful head scarf, but anyway back in December I purchased a 1972 Ricoh 500 ME 35mm camera, we weren't sure of it's condition, but at £12 for a beautiful camera, original leather case and Sarah then threw in a detachable flash, I just had to have it!
I have been snapping away and as always I let my films pile up, so this afternoon I finally took them in to be processed. I wasn't holding out much hope for my beautiful new accessory but low and behold I managed to actually get some great shots. Now I must profess I am neither a camera boffin or a technical geek so some are a little sketchy but I think that adds to the wonder of using 35mm.
I now have a new bedtime read which is the Ricoh 500 ME Manual so hopefully my next collection of prints will have a slight improvement on these.
Day out in Llangollen.
Romantic Winter Walk in Holt.
View From Holt Bridge.
A Crafters Haven - The Bead Shop in Afleck's Palace - Manchester.
Quick & Easy Chocolate Cup-Cake
Quick & Easy Chocolate Cup-Cake.
A story of a need for chocolatey goodness.
On this freezing cold Sunday evening, I decided I was in need of a tasty chocolatey treat. This Quick & Easy Treat takes all of 5 whole minutes to make. Henry & I decided we would have a quiet relaxing night watching movies, I have awful tummy pains today and I definitely knew I needed CHOCOLATE! I remembered this amazing recipe I found a few years ago and I thought I would surprise him with it, since he has waited on me hand and foot today, he made me lunch and copious amounts of tea to warm me up and ease my headaches and tummy pains.
And here it is...
It is so simple, so why not try it?
Ingredients.
4 tbsp Plain Flour
4 tbsp Sugar
2 tbsp Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1 Egg (beaten)
Pinch of Salt & Pinch of Baking Powder
3 tbsp Milk
3 tbsp Oil
2-3 Drops of Vanilla Extract (optional)
Place all ingredients into your favourite mug (well I used my second favourite as I accompanied mine with a cuppa, in one of my favourite Christmas presents)
Full power for 2 1/2 Minutes, and that's it!
Hope you enjoy,
Let me see how yours turn out I would love to see :)
Laurie Rose x
Don't forget to send any mail to laurierosebelle@hotmail.co.uk
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I'm back & London was better than I could have hoped.
A story of a wild adventure to a capital city.
View from Westminster Bridge.
As neither of us are working at the minute, we decided that we would take a trip to London to visit some great friends we met whilst working in Holland over the summer. To save money we opted for the National Express, the daunting thought of spending six hours on a coach was the least of our worries it was having to set the alarm for 5am that troubled us the most. Leaving the house when it was still pitch black outside actually made it far more exciting. We arrived at the bus station, early.
The journey went surprisingly fast, I had my knitting and lots of Karl Pilkington Podcasts to listen to, it was heaven, besides the horrendous motion sickness I always get on coaches.
Camden High Street.
The Hawley Arms - Camden.
After finally finding our friends apartment, just North of Camden. We settled in freshened up and headed straight out, first stop was Camden Town. The area really lives up to it's reputation, the bustling quirky atmosphere fills the air. The independent shops lined the street, I was intrigued to say the least. Wall art and 3D sculptures lay above the shops, bringing everything to life. After a short walk we arrived at Camden Lock Market's, this is a place to be seen to be believed. The Stables are incredible. The food stalls entice you in, the smells mouth watering how can you possibly pass up. I'm usually one for giving bargain hunting tips, but this place truly gives you value for money. You can sure haggle for anything in this place. The variety of nationalities under one cove of quirky mayhem allow you to become lost in translation. You soon forget the REAL world in The Stables.
The Stable Market - Camden.
After a fairly early night and catching up with Mel & Simone our second day in London had a lot of living up to. Henry and I have both visited London before but never really been true tourists, we were determined to cram as much in as possible.
Taking the Piccadilly line directly from where we were staying, we managed the tube pretty well. We purchased a seven day pass for around £30 each, at first I was reluctant but transport is essential in the city, the most efficient and coherent transport system I have ever used. It is fool proof.
We were agreed that the first stop had to be the Natural History Museum. At first glance the overwhelming size of the building is breathtaking.
Henry Outside the Natural History Museum.
Firstly I have to thank all the museums in London for having free admission, I, and I know many others think that the wonderful sights on display here and in many other museums should be free for everyone to enjoy. The vast collections from Dinosaurs to Birds and the Human Body to Space really lived up to everything I had heard over the years. The gigantic replica of a Diplodocus welcomed us into the grand hall. Like over excited children we hurried straight for the Dinosaurs. The impressive display left me speechless. The Real life animated T-Rex was the most impressive, we spent a good fifteen minutes observing the life like characteristics on display.
Possibly my favourite part of the day had to be the Mammals wing of the museum. As a huge animal lover I was completely blown away to see such a variety under one roof.
As I'm sure I have mentioned in previous posts my pet name is Minnie Moose.
I named him Melvin, Melvin the Moose.
Child's Play at The Natural History Museum.
Big Ben - Tuesday 24th of January 2012 5pm.
After spending the afternoon at the Natural History Museum, we really wanted to go somewhere that really looked like London. We jumped on the tube from South Kensington to Westminster, we climbed up the steps only to have this welcome us, this really is what we had pictured London to look like. The sheer size of Big Ben really hits you when you're this close. We were also lucky enough to hear him chime.
I do not drink Monster by the way, one of Henry's dirty habits.
We took a romantic walk along the South Bank. We wondered for hours, it was beautiful.
Along the way we came across The National Theatre, it had just started to rain so we took cover there this is where we found Bow and Bellows. In the foyer a classical duo from Germany played an eclectic mix of Romany Gypsy.
Tower Bridge.
Nelson's Column.
Sunny, Happy Couple.
Trafalgar Square.
The Tate Modern.
Monet - Inspiring.
The amazing display of classic to the complete insane, you are sure to see it all here. From Picasso to a pile of ceramic seeds. I was inspired, collections from such legendary Artists as John Heartfield, Meredith Frampton, Pablo Picasso and of course Claude Monet. But out of all the brilliance came one exhibition which I must say was my favourite. Boris Mikhailov during the 1960's photographed normal people in day to day situation in his home town in theUkraine. It is definitely one to go and check out.
View from the fourth floor of The Tate.
Millennium Bridge.
St. Paul's Cathedral.
Berty & Gerty
I will always refer back to Camden as being my favourite place to visit in London. Definitely aimed at the younger hip market, tucked away one corner of the Camden Lock Market is Berty & Gerty, the diverse selection of all things vintage left a keen thrifter like me weak at the knees to say the least. All in all they spread their collection over three shops, the helpful staff guided us along to each one. The mixture of 50's & 60's pretty dresses to eighties denim and baggy knits are reasonably priced, the staff are equally as cool as the clothes they are selling. Keep up to date with their Facebook page, they let you know every time they are having a new delivery in and of what, for example yesterday was all things denim. Starting out as a stall on Brick Lane Sunday market this is now a thriving part of the heart of Camden.
I will always refer back to Camden as being my favourite place to visit in London. Definitely aimed at the younger hip market, tucked away one corner of the Camden Lock Market is Berty & Gerty, the diverse selection of all things vintage left a keen thrifter like me weak at the knees to say the least. All in all they spread their collection over three shops, the helpful staff guided us along to each one. The mixture of 50's & 60's pretty dresses to eighties denim and baggy knits are reasonably priced, the staff are equally as cool as the clothes they are selling. Keep up to date with their Facebook page, they let you know every time they are having a new delivery in and of what, for example yesterday was all things denim. Starting out as a stall on Brick Lane Sunday market this is now a thriving part of the heart of Camden.
Buckingham Palace.
I couldn't believe how big the palace was, lots of rooms for one lady. We didn't manage to see the changing of guards, but we did see them walk up and down a few times. The thing that shocked me the most were the guns, everyone seemed to have guns. At the Palace the police had guns and the guards. At Downing Street they had machine guns and hand guns. It really scared me.
The British Museum.
WOW!
The incredible collection at the British Museum is one not to be missed. We took a late evening tour, the grand rooms housed the most incredible artefacts I think I have ever seen (well coming close second to the Sistine Chapel at number one) The Egyptian display is overwhelming to say the least, taking into account the age of these piece got me thinking, could we now create something as sustainable which could stand the test of time? The dark winters evening gave us an atmospheric experience, slightly eerie, one down side some parts were closed off, you really need a whole afternoon to appreciate the sheer mass of history in this grand building.
The incredible collection at the British Museum is one not to be missed. We took a late evening tour, the grand rooms housed the most incredible artefacts I think I have ever seen (well coming close second to the Sistine Chapel at number one) The Egyptian display is overwhelming to say the least, taking into account the age of these piece got me thinking, could we now create something as sustainable which could stand the test of time? The dark winters evening gave us an atmospheric experience, slightly eerie, one down side some parts were closed off, you really need a whole afternoon to appreciate the sheer mass of history in this grand building.
Portobello Market - Not for the faint hearted.
Early start on Saturday and we headed on the tube to Notting Hill. This was one part of our adventure that I was most excited about. After a crammed sweaty tube ride, I was now agitated and just wanted to get there. I hadn't eaten yet and if anyone knows me at all, no food or a cuppa first thing make Laurie a naggy pants. The pushing and shoving was becoming slightly tedious by this point, my mind was taken off the crowds for a second when I noticed we had just passed by the great George Orwell's house, my day was sure to brighten up. We had a spot of lunch and moseyed along Portobello Road. The variety of stalls blew me away, this is a thrifters paradise. Everything is on offer here, from jewllery to fine antiques, but my favourite by far were the independent clothing stalls, not to be confused with the covered vintage market, this I found was over priced and the clothing pretentious. A few hundred yards away and you come across the down to earth sellers, rails of knit wear for a fiver, dresses marked down for quick sale, vintage shouldn't have to be pricey to be cool. I stuck to what I know best, reasonably price clothing with the sweet smell of vintage.
Early start on Saturday and we headed on the tube to Notting Hill. This was one part of our adventure that I was most excited about. After a crammed sweaty tube ride, I was now agitated and just wanted to get there. I hadn't eaten yet and if anyone knows me at all, no food or a cuppa first thing make Laurie a naggy pants. The pushing and shoving was becoming slightly tedious by this point, my mind was taken off the crowds for a second when I noticed we had just passed by the great George Orwell's house, my day was sure to brighten up. We had a spot of lunch and moseyed along Portobello Road. The variety of stalls blew me away, this is a thrifters paradise. Everything is on offer here, from jewllery to fine antiques, but my favourite by far were the independent clothing stalls, not to be confused with the covered vintage market, this I found was over priced and the clothing pretentious. A few hundred yards away and you come across the down to earth sellers, rails of knit wear for a fiver, dresses marked down for quick sale, vintage shouldn't have to be pricey to be cool. I stuck to what I know best, reasonably price clothing with the sweet smell of vintage.
More reviews of Berty & Gerty and Bow and Bellows to follow,
Something Henry put together.
Laurie Rose x