May 2012

The Great Gatsby

by Amber on May 26, 2012

This looks good, in a big, flashy Bazza way. While waiting for Christmas to come (why tease us now?) I must remember to watch the 1974 version (starring  Robert Redford and Mia Farrow).

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Biscotti

by Amber on May 26, 2012

biscotti

This weekend’s baking adventure: chocolate and almond biscotti. It’s one of my favourite nibbles, but always seems too expensive to justify buying in cafes… so I decided to give it a go. To my surprise, it was really easy to make, even the part where I had to blanch a cup of almonds and pluck the skins off by hand.

The secret to biscotti’s crispness is double baking. Round one, you bake it in log form for 25 minutes, then take it out, rest it and slice it. The sliced biscotti are then put back in the oven for another 20 minutes to get nice and crunchy. The results were delicious – and even better the next day. I’m definitely going to make some more and experiment – pistachio and white chocolate sound good to me!

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The Bell Jar

by Amber on May 17, 2012

The Bell Jar

“Everything she said was like a secret voice speaking straight out of my own bones.”

A little tidbit I just learned: Sylvia Plath first published the The Bell Jar under the nom de plume Victoria Lucas.

Sylvia Plath

I’ve just finished reading it for the first time in, oh, ten years or so. The voice of Esther Greenwood is honest and raw, capturing what it’s like to feel control slipping away. I can’t believe it was published in 1963, because so much of it feels relevant to my experiences as a young(ish) woman today.

My favourite line from the book:

Then I folded the linen napkin and laid it between my lips and brought my lips down on it precisely. When I put the napkin back on the table a fuzzy pink lip-shape bloomed right in the middle of it like a tiny heart.

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Flower power

by Amber on May 16, 2012

Stylist Chelsea Cover

This striking Stylist cover is made entirely of pretty foliage. The stats are just as impressive; it took 200 yellow carnations to make the centre of the flower, and 2100 roses! Published just in time for the Chelsea Flower Show, an event I very much wish I had tickets for.

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Little things

by Amber on May 15, 2012

frenchtoast

Saturday morning breakfasts, made all the sweeter by the luxury of a newspaper delivery. No more fretting about whether to make a dash to the dairy in my jim jams.

eggprinting

Egg printing, explained! The simple illustration really appeals to me.

birdcage

Birdcage Walk mosaic, outside a local primary school.

walrus

Got this sweet walrus from Oxfam Dalston for .29p – bargain! I also scored a pair of jeans (black, the perfect fit) for £ 2.99. It was a happy op shop adventure indeed.

estate

Nothing makes me happier than long, clear evenings. Here’s to many more…

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P is for Pug

by Amber on May 13, 2012

There’s been quite a few adorable themed alphabets released lately! The other day Tessa sent me a link to this handsome pug-fest, illustrated by Bah Humpug. As a long time pug lover, it certainly makes me smile. Check out Humpug’s blog for more drawings ”of a grumpy girl and her pug… And sometimes her pug’s bunny”!

Pug Alphabet
Pug Alphabet
Pug Alphabet
Pug Alphabet
Pug Alphabet A-Z

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Get a haircut

by Amber on May 10, 2012

Mini life update: I dyed my hair red.It’s been a while. And now I feel like a 16-year-old with exotic plumage walking down the street “They’re alllllll looking at how crazy my hair is,” when actually nobody gives a toss. Still need a hair cut.

Moi

London is still waiting for the promised sunshine and clear skies of late spring. It reminds me of this old saying: “April showers bring May flowers. May showers bring RAGE.”

I want to post more lifey things on this blog. so I shall. PS. CFS is now four years old. Whoop.

 

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Caught my eye

by Amber on May 8, 2012

Polaroid Camera

Parrot

Cupcake

Chairs

Shoes

It’s funny how you can start collecting images without realising. I looked at my desktop and was surprised to see it filled with  mint and pink. A refreshing combination.

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Bleed for it

by Amber on May 6, 2012

Hemingway - And Bleed

(Good advice, nice jumper.)

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Sure Shot – Beastie Boys

by Amber on May 5, 2012

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