tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11627065970994660862024-02-11T10:16:34.416+00:00First Class RamblingsLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165892635546256828noreply@blogger.comBlogger246125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162706597099466086.post-24100786796162226732012-11-03T15:14:00.004+00:002012-11-03T15:23:50.833+00:00Peanut Butter Surprise CookiesIt's one of my oldest friends birthdays tomorrow so we are indulging in our own version of afternoon tea, all handmade, before heading to the <a href="http://www.shugborough.org.uk/Events/eventpages/Event-BonfireNight.aspx" target="_blank">firework display at Shugborough Hall</a>.<br />
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As my contribution I originally wanted to make Passionfruit Curd cupcakes after discovering some amazing curd at the <a href="http://beverley.gov.uk/downloads/food_festival_brochure.pdf" target="_blank">Beverley Food Festival</a> a few weeks ago. Alas, I felt that Passionfruit wasn't very in the spirt of Bonfire Night. Instead I made these peanut butter cookies.<br />
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The surprise is that hidden inside (or not so hidden on the few that I left in the oven for a minute too long) are little chunks of Mars bar that slowly melt but retain their nougat-y, caramel-y, chocolate-y goodness. The below picture has led to several recipe requests. As I blended a few recipes together (as my fridge is currently egg-less) I thought I'd share my version with you here. </div>
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<b><u>Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies</u></b></div>
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Makes 12 - 24</div>
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Ingredients:</div>
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Some quantities were converted from cups and I improvised so they may seem a little strange.</div>
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<li>74g light brown sugar</li>
<li>54g caster sugar (It should have been 64g and 64g but I wanted to use up my light brown sugar.)</li>
<li>64g peanut butter (plus an extra spoon full right before baking!)</li>
<li>64g butter</li>
<li>1 teaspoon vanilla</li>
<li>160g plain flour</li>
<li>1/2 teaspoon salt</li>
<li>1/2 teaspoon baking powder</li>
<li>1/2 teaspoon baking soda</li>
<li>Splash of milk</li>
<li>2-3 Mars Bars chopped into small pieces</li>
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1. Pre-heat the oven to 180C.</div>
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2. Mix together the peanut butter, sugars, vanilla and butter until well blended.</div>
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3. Add the rest of ingredients, and mix well til totally combined.</div>
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4. At this point, your mixture is like mine, it will be too dry. I added small splashes of milk until the texture was right for cookie dough. Be careful, you don't go too overboard or it will be too sticky. I added an extra spoonful of peanut butter at this point too.</div>
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5. Chill in the fridge for ten minutes whilst you chop (and attempt not to eat) the Mars Bars.</div>
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6. Spread a little cookie dough on your palm and mould it around a chunk of Mars Bar making sure that the edges are sealed, then place on a greased/foil lined baking tray. (Bear in mind that the bigger the chunk of Mars bar the bigger the cookie, I did a mixture of big and small - cutting some bars into 8 and others into 16.)</div>
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7. Repeat with the rest of the mixture, making sure that the cookies are well spaced on the tray.</div>
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8. Bake for 9 - 12 minutes until lightly golden brown. (As you can probably tell my photographs are from Instagram but the first is a good representation of colour.)</div>
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5. Leave to cool (if you can wait that long) and store in an air tight container.</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165892635546256828noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162706597099466086.post-52363582704448003272012-09-23T18:28:00.000+01:002012-09-23T18:29:11.381+01:00Edward Turner: n i g h tMy taste in music has changed quite a lot recently. When my iPod is on shuffle I am continuously surprised at the music that I used to love and find myself selecting songs by the likes of <a href="http://www.lauramarling.com/">Laura Marling</a>, <a href="http://www.myspace.com/sambeeton">Sam Beeton</a> and <a href="http://www.myspace.com/ohdaughter">Daughter</a> instead.<br />
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That's why, after <a href="http://www.pegasusbridge.co.uk/" target="_blank">Pegasus Bridge</a> split a year ago, I was so pleased to hear vocalist and guitar player Edward Turner had recorded some new songs. I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy of n i g h t, his EP, particularly as he was selling hand painted copies. It is the second CD I have brought within 5 years, the first was Pegasus Bridge's <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/while-were-young/id397514079" target="_blank">While We're Young</a>, which says quite a lot really.<br />
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When my copy came earlier this month I was ecstatic, especially as it also came with a lovely little note from Ed, which is an amazing personal touch. He was right, it is best listened to in the dark.<br />
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I watched The Things That Don't Move in the Night over and over again before downloading it from iTunes and the rest of the EP definitely didn't disappoint. I can assure you that if he was your boyfriend you'd forgive him for anything after listening to Oh My Darling. You can't get a hand painted copy any more but you can, and should, download it <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/night-ep/id554163542" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165892635546256828noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162706597099466086.post-25340131133635684642012-08-19T14:10:00.002+01:002012-08-19T14:19:24.565+01:00A Levels Results, Twitter and £9000 Uni Fees<br />
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As Twitter will probably have reminded you all, lots of
teenagers got their A Level results this week. That means it is six years since
I got my results and times have changed with social media, as Sabotage Times
highlight in '<a href="http://www.sabotagetimes.com/life/six-ways-to-celebrate-a-level-results-on-facebook-twitter/">How Facebook & Twitter Ruined Celebrating A-Level Results</a>'.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When I got mine back in 2006 Twitter had just launched and Facebook wasn't yet big in the UK, that would come part way through my first year at university. We were on the cusp of a social media revolution and so, the morning I got my results I was not on my iPhone tweeting (my little Samsung didn't even go on the internet). I was sat on my boyfriend's bed trying to convince him to check on the UCAS website so he didn't need to freak out worrying he hadn't got on to the Dentistry course he was hoping for whilst we were at school. (He didn't listen.)</div>
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I wasn't putting pictures of my results and congratulatory letters on Instagram after panicked status' that I wouldn't get on to my course. As a "<a href="http://www.sabotagetimes.com/life/six-ways-to-celebrate-a-level-results-on-facebook-twitter/">Dignified Straight A student</a>" I was rather quiet about how well I had done. As I wanted to do a creative course (<a href="http://www.uclan.ac.uk/information/courses/comb_hons_fashion_and_brand_promotion.php">Fashion and Brand Promotion</a> with <a href="http://www.uclan.ac.uk/information/courses/journalism_major_joint_minor.php">Journalism</a>) I only needed a C in Art and Textiles so I wasn't concerned. My good results were just the icing on the cake, not necessary at all. </div>
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Only those doing Dentistry or Medicine really needed to worry about their results, unless you had your sights set on Oxford or Cambridge but as a normal school in a sleepy village in Staffordshire we knew we weren't really posh enough for that. Now, with fees of £9000 a year and AAB becoming a prerequisite for hundreds of courses the new nature of A Level results day seems to have changed beyond sharing on social media.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>My boyfriend did get in (though he was lacking one of the required As) but now universities offering Dentistry as a course are having to rethink how many students they take with more and more left jobless when they leave due to cuts in the NHS. I wonder if those that got their results this week were jumping for joy and heading out for a few drinks or nervously packing their suitcases and buying pans from Wilko's.</div>
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This is what my A Level celebrations looked like... (yes my little sister, now 13, felt the need to join in when we were getting ready)</div>
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Which led to this at uni...</div>
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A graduation ceremony...</div>
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And another graduation still when I went back to get my Masters...</div>
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However nervous you are I can assure you that university will be one of the most amazing times you'll ever have. Be sure to choose your friends carefully because if you pick right they'll be your friends for a very long time and make the most of your summers - travel and do lots of work experience. It all worked out for me and now I'm Social Media Manager at a marketing agency. Yes, I tweet for a living.<br />
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It might be a lot of money but having a good degree and a clever, hardworking head on your shoulders really does pay off. Plus, uni is a lot of fun! You'll come out a different (and hopefully even more amazing) person for the experience.</div>
Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165892635546256828noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162706597099466086.post-839182749280128792012-08-08T20:56:00.001+01:002012-08-08T20:57:01.585+01:00Pantone Hotel, BrusselsAnyone that does anything with design will know the importance of Pantone references. When I came home from doing my Masters with a red Pantone mug as a leaving gift from my lovely friend Ashleigh my dad was so confused about why I was so pleased with my present. Now our house is full of knock off "Colour" mugs from B&M Bargains. He still doesn't quite get it.
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When my boyfriend and I got cheap flights to Brussels there was only one place I wanted to stay - <a href="https://www.pantonehotel.com/">Pantone Hotel</a>. When I realised it was within budget I let out a girly scream (very unlike me) and rang him straight away to say that's where we were staying. Thankfully, he didn't question it.<br />
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It says on their website that "guests enjoy state-of-the-art accommodation distinctively chosen at reception to compliment their mood" and so all the way there I was debating which colour we should choose. This was a complete waste of time because whilst the staff were wonderful (and spent hours on the phone trying to track down my lost (stolen) iPhone they chose for us. I like to think that's because we arrived at midnight not because they couldn't be bothered to go through the choosing process. Either way, we were to be in an orange room.<br />
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Extreme colour coordination, red and yellow toilet paper (I'm hopeful that they also have a blue roll so each room can have the corresponding primary colours), a gorgeous big window and super cute brightly coloured toiletries in the room were a nice touch without being too bold you couldn't relax.<br />
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It was all about colour and style and unsurprisingly I loved the reception area full of Pantone goodies and designer furniture. Really, if you're a little bit design mad like me you have to stay at Pantone Hotel and enjoy the fact the back wall of the lift is glass revealing polka dots of colour that change in accordance to the 'colour' of the floor you're passing through. The novelty factor even made up for my boyfriend saying: "Oh look, you can buy Pantone iPhone cases... well, you can't, your iPhone was stolen."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxyIgqCC__vNWVFlSz9czFskCneB_l8A-UDXD1znciEmUfjNQu0rlgsdgjkrzd3Bp3qzamKtvGs8bHwf-t-yoL_nASQrdbJCioMI54uNE5gD7lBQEyPov-g4lsAYRoObeF2L-gAFXayas/s1600/IMG_0134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxyIgqCC__vNWVFlSz9czFskCneB_l8A-UDXD1znciEmUfjNQu0rlgsdgjkrzd3Bp3qzamKtvGs8bHwf-t-yoL_nASQrdbJCioMI54uNE5gD7lBQEyPov-g4lsAYRoObeF2L-gAFXayas/s400/IMG_0134.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165892635546256828noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162706597099466086.post-19624324138869553012012-07-08T10:00:00.000+01:002012-07-08T10:00:01.022+01:00Not Quite Mary Berry...If you've read my blog before then you'll know I'm quite fond of baking. You may not know that getting a new job and the fact our oven is definitely hotter than it should be all the time. I really should have known better than to try a Mary Berry recipe in our oven because it's sure to disappoint me. However, it was recently both Father's Day and as Victoria Sponge is his favourite I had to try the classic that is <a href="http://www.channel4.com/4food/recipes/chefs/mary-berry/victoria-sponge-recipe">Mary Berry's recipe</a>. I was really hoping for something that looked like this...<br />
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Mine was rather too brown, a little dry and not quite as perfectly level and looked like this...</div>
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Height wise I think I nailed (thin layers never look so appealing) it but I really, really do need to invest in a thermometer for the oven! I had tried my new springform glass bottom cake tins but nobody thought to tell me that the cake sticks to the glass. I thought it didn't, which is why I brought them! Thankfully, my dad is a fan of cream in his Victoria Sponge so that helped cover over the cracks I made. </div>
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Have any of you tried this recipe? Did you go for classic Victoria Sponge, lemon or chocolate? I would love to hear your tips if you have or if you have a better recipe for me to try?</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165892635546256828noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162706597099466086.post-79472510208734903472012-07-04T17:30:00.000+01:002012-07-04T17:30:04.211+01:00Fake Magazine: The Dreams Issue<div>
You may remember that back in March Fake Issue 4 was released, featuring my article Good as New all about <a href="http://firstclassramblings.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/upcycling-and-independents.html">upcycling and independents</a>. Well, the lovely Kerry and Sophie got in touch and asked me to write about dreams for their fifth issue.</div>
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I won't lie, I struggled with this. I was going to just write about my own dreams but I find my story so boring I decided to interview as many people as possible. What intrigued me when I did was that all these designers, makers and writers I interviewed lived at home... as do I. How, I thought to myself, is it that all these people that I think are doing amazingly cope with living with their parents? That is one of the things I have always felt makes my own story so boring.</div>
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The article deals with the theory of shifting focus and reevaluating what you really want out of life and which dreams are more important. Would you want to live in London, on peanuts, miles from your family and friends with no cash to get home? Or would you stay nearer to the nest where you can experience more, earn more, save lots and work your way to achieving your dreams. Sometimes going leaving when you're ready isn't such a bad thing...</div>
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The article features the wonderfully talented John Williamson of <a href="http://nofitstate.bigcartel.com/">No Fit State</a> (formerly Cuppa Tea) who also illustrated the article, Niki Lau of <a href="http://www.heroandcape.com/">Hero & Cape</a> and Victoria Jackson who is both editor of <a href="http://www.mwb-online.co.uk/">MWB</a> and blogger extraordinaire over at <a href="http://www.i-heart-fashion.co.uk/">I Heart Fashion</a>.</div>
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The magazine is absolutely gorgeous in it's new A4 size so you should definitely <a href="http://thatfakemagazine.com/issue5">see what else is in this issue</a> and then go and <a href="http://fakemagazine.storenvy.com/products/344753-fake-005-5">order a copy</a>. It actually came out a few weeks ago but I haven't had time to blog about it until now so make sure you order soon!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165892635546256828noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162706597099466086.post-7091310550110124142012-06-30T15:42:00.002+01:002012-06-30T15:42:45.973+01:00Back to BelgiumA few years ago, on a road trip around Europe, we went to Bruges. It was a stunning place, truly lovely, but ruined by the fact we were involved in a car accident. One that wasn't our fault I might add. Being surrounded by people speaking Flemish and refusing to acknowledge us whilst we were waiting for the police to arrive was not a good experience.<br />
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3 years later, having forgiven Belgium for not treating us well when we last arrived, my boyfriend and I booked to go to Brusells. The plane was delayed by hours, my iPhone was stolen within an hour of finally arriving in Belgium and then my boyfriend over indulged in Belgian beer and one day may as well have been a complete write off.<br />
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So, you can see, Belgium doesn't seem to treat me very well. Really, I'm not sure why because I love it. The mixture of Flemish and French, the contrast between the buildings at La Grand-Place and the Atomium!<br />
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I didn't know much about Brussels before we went, so when we heard about Manneken Pis we had to go and find him. Not so shockingly, we were surprised for find quite how little he is...</div>
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...and even more surprised because the first time we saw him he was dressed as a surfer. Manneken Pis is dressed up as different things on a regular basis. In fact, in one museum we discovered the whole collection. He's been dressed as several from the Pope to Santa Claus and a vampire. Seriously, you should Google him.</div>
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Of course, my favourite thing was the food. Belgium is chocked full of amazing food - the beer, the chocolate, the waffles - and the Belgium people are keen to embrace it. As part of what we presume was a protest, one of the main roads off Grand Place was taken over by hundreds of people all having a picnic. What a lovely, peaceful way to protest. Belgium, if I visit again can you promise to make the whole trip as lovely and relaxing as my last day in Brussels?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_YkFUWp9OtFY5ApM6WTUMRingrx1rXgKylVfEyMoeeH6mJHY2_pNpRIj-8wHIk7DxZNYzU-VtXo4ENGt2ZGDY9aZ2kB_C-k7nWRjLgHia6igNa56xyBbGcvlrMuNq_zWdbjATj6jTeGj/s1600/IMG_0146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo_YkFUWp9OtFY5ApM6WTUMRingrx1rXgKylVfEyMoeeH6mJHY2_pNpRIj-8wHIk7DxZNYzU-VtXo4ENGt2ZGDY9aZ2kB_C-k7nWRjLgHia6igNa56xyBbGcvlrMuNq_zWdbjATj6jTeGj/s400/IMG_0146.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /></a></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165892635546256828noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162706597099466086.post-24048426680522061412012-05-27T11:36:00.001+01:002012-05-27T11:36:38.451+01:00Wakey!Wakey! SummerI love summer. It just makes me happy, it's as simple as that. Technically it's still spring but in Britain our summers are so limited that I am clutching at this brief interlude of sun and have convinced myself it's summer. I dread looking at the weather forecast to see it's going to go cold again.<br />
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For now, I am embracing summer with sandals, pretty 50's style dresses, picnics and lots of smiley, happy songs. One band that doesn't fail to get me in that sunny and relaxed mood is Wakey!Wakey! If you watch One Tree Hill you'll be familiar with them but just in case you aren't here are two of my favourites....<br />
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<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://2.gvt0.com/vi/Anli-Iv_i0o/0.jpg" height="300" width="500"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Anli-Iv_i0o&fs=1&source=uds" />
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<embed width="500" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Anli-Iv_i0o&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165892635546256828noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162706597099466086.post-3662073346808360412012-05-20T17:38:00.001+01:002012-05-20T17:41:11.927+01:00A Belated Birthday in BudapestI love experiencing new places. I'll go anywhere and see anything if someone suggests it. In fact, I have been known to randomly select places in Europe from closing my eyes and pointing at a map. (I still plan to go to Sofia due to this.) Travelling around Europe is getting increasingly expensive and so when the other half saw a very cheap trip to Budapest a few days after his birthday we had to go.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Not only is Budapest cheap but it is also beautiful. Not beautiful in that every building is stunning like in Paris. You don't begin to pay less attention as time goes on, the fact that not everything is perfect makes certain things stand out. For instance, there was a row of three buildings with 2 gorgeous spires each, only one had been damaged and replaced with a hideous black box. A lot of buildings do have the most amazing tiled roofs though.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Fisherman's Bastian, View from the Castle Grounds,</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Matthias Church and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Castle of Vajdahunyad</span></div>
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<a name='more'></a>My other half live miles away from me so any time together is always good but we had an amazing time wandering the streets in the sun to see the castle grounds (including the Fisherman's Bastian), Heroes' Square and all the other touristy sites. We spent the one rainy day in Gellert Baths, which most would find amazing but that I wasn't massively impressed with, before wandering to see the stunning Parliament buildings. We also spent a fair amount of time drinking lots of not so lovely wine and beer. You should go, see it all and watch out for Unicum. It is a very common spirit, not all that pleasant and is sure to give you a hangover.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">St Stephen's Basilica</span></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165892635546256828noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162706597099466086.post-35647630641964813372012-03-10T15:18:00.000+00:002012-09-01T16:11:23.578+01:00My Love Affair with Newquay and The IslandFor a lot of people my age, their childhood holidays weren't spent in Spain they were spent on the coast of the UK, whether their parents' preference was Barmouth, Swanage or Skegness. My parents' loved Newquay.<br />
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As I was an only child until I was 10, and a very demanding and stroppy child at that, my very patient cousin Zandra was like a sister to me and would come on every single holiday. Whilst she was a tomboy, I was a girly girl. When at home she would climb in trees and I would sit inside and colour but when on holiday this all changed. Holidays were spent paddling in the sea today in our vests and shorts (the concept of swimwear abandoned in haste) and posing on the rocks for pictures pretending to be the Ariel from the Little Mermaid. (Well I did that, Zandra just grinned with a spade in her hand whilst building sandcastles.) The most memorable moments include Zandra reminding us to be careful when in the sea... "Don't go too far out the cherries will get you!" Currents Zandra, currents.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">My mom and I paddling in the sea at Newquay</span></div>
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If you've been to Newquay recently you probably won't understand why I love it so much. For me its full of childhood memories but Newquay is now seen more as a place for getting drunk and failing in surf lessons when hungover the next day. My childhood holidays made me love being by the seaside, the sound of the waves, the squawk of seagulls waking me up and the feel of the sand between my toes. </div>
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It's this that has always made me want to live by the sea. I know that if I did I probably wouldn't appreciate it any more but there is something so relaxing about the prospect I can't help but dream that's where I'll end up. Whenever I'd go to Newquay I'd dream of living on The Island House on Towan Beach. Fistral beach was always my favourite but Towan had THE house. There was something magical about the rickety bridge; despite the fact that when the house became a restaurant for a short period and people were finally allowed to cross the bridge I was too scared to get all the way across.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://atlasobscura.com/place/the-Newquay-island">The Island on Towan beach</a></span></div>
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It just so turns out that house is now up <a href="http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/property-32753572.html">for sale</a> and I've been able to look around it - virtually of course. It's not as magical as I expected, there isn't all that much room, the design isn't all that good and the price is ridiculous considering The Island is no doubt slowly crumbling... but someday I'll live by the sea. I have to. Apparently it is currently a B&B so maybe in the meantime I should save up and venture back for the first time in over 10 years and stay in this perfect<a href="http://www.uniquehomestays.com/unique/details.asp?id=28"> 'House in the Sea'</a>.</div>
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Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165892635546256828noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162706597099466086.post-22389699167306591232012-03-04T16:28:00.002+00:002012-03-04T17:13:35.771+00:00Upcycling and Independents<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47FEUcvXfORSFPU2aPehg-dMqBOeuGsqIh73KlOPpx7jOGMfxDDsNqI7OSIQ4b-TP4Q_aT5LSFf-IdQIVSfRTjaJND1pVWF-3qxMAKElxj9cdFktHoFAPGH0doxLsSQbZ7WrbILgItmDe/s1600/photo1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47FEUcvXfORSFPU2aPehg-dMqBOeuGsqIh73KlOPpx7jOGMfxDDsNqI7OSIQ4b-TP4Q_aT5LSFf-IdQIVSfRTjaJND1pVWF-3qxMAKElxj9cdFktHoFAPGH0doxLsSQbZ7WrbILgItmDe/s320/photo1.JPG" width="228" /></a>As you know, I contribute to several magazines but you may not know that on March 1st my first article for <a href="http://thatfakemagazine.com/">FAKE magazine</a> was published. As this issue (their fourth) was based on nature the lovely editors, Kerry and Sophie, asked me to write about upcycling. You can buy the issue <a href="http://fakemagazine.storenvy.com/">here</a> - and if you do make sure to let me know what you think!<br />
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As an independent magazine that supports new talent it was the perfect opportunity to highlight some of great independents from across the county and the role upcycling has within their business and on society. The article was accompanied by a specially commissioned illustration by <a href="http://www.lucydriscoll.com/">Lucy Driscoll</a> and features:<br />
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<a href="http://yellowstoneartboutique.co.uk/">Yellowstone Art Boutique</a> - Based at Trentham Gardens' retail village, Yellowstone sells work by fresh, exciting new makers and designers. It offers an outlet for the new artists on the contemporary craft scene, whilst concentrating on quality and an attention to detail.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><a href="http://www.lovemeagain.co.uk/">Love Me Again</a> - A Manchester based fashion brand, which uses entirely recycled textiles. Each design is carefully considered to make the most of the original garment, creating affordable and unique clothing.<br />
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<a href="http://thepeanutgallery.co.uk/">The Peanut Gallery</a> - Based in Congleton, The Peanut Gallery stocks handmade, original, upcycled and reloved pieces. They also run workshops to show others how.<br />
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<a href="http://www.unittwelve.co.uk/">Unit Twelve</a> - A great gallery and workshop venue in Stafford, ran by artist <a href="http://www.jennifercollier.co.uk/">Jennifer Collier</a> who is somewhat of a veteran when it comes to using upcycled materials.<br />
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I was particularly pleased to interview Hannah Stoney, owner of Yellowstone Art Boutique. Not only is the gallery local but the ethos of her store fits perfectly with that of FAKE. If you are ever in the area you should definitely pop in. You can see a selection of what is on sale on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Yellowstone-Art-Boutique/129524293783578">Yellowstone Facebook page</a>. Hannah's birdhouse prints are particularly sweet, don't you think?<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Image from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Yellowstone-Art-Boutique/129524293783578">Yellowstone's Facebook page</a></span></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165892635546256828noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162706597099466086.post-16200910547917472802012-02-23T22:00:00.000+00:002012-02-26T19:12:09.122+00:00Cellardoor Magazine: Snow AngelI have been rather lacklustre with my blogging recently. You have probably all forgotten I exist. In case you haven't, I promise to find time to catch you up on some recent activities soon. In the meantime, you can read more of my writing in <a href="http://www.cellardoormagazine.co.uk/">Cellardoor Magazine</a>. Yes, I admit my lack of blogging is potentially because I have been spreading myself a bit thin and often the thing that gives is the thing with no deadline.<br />
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The mini winter issue launched late last night and I have a <a href="http://issuu.com/cellardoormagazine/docs/miniwinterissue">short story called Snow Angel on p.59</a>. They are a great magazine to contribute to, so much freedom and it is always so beautifully put together. In case you haven't heard of it before you can also find <a href="http://issuu.com/cellardoormagazine/docs/springfling">Get it Loud in the Library, a feature of mine, in the Spring Fling Issue (p.78-81)</a> and a <a href="http://issuu.com/cellardoormagazine/docs/endofsummerissue">short story called Daisy in the End of Summer Issue (p.84)</a>.<br />
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</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165892635546256828noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162706597099466086.post-72811046951421539902012-01-27T17:30:00.000+00:002012-01-30T11:19:54.853+00:00Valentines Gift GuideAs you can imagine I have had an extremely busy what with starting at Video to Viral last Monday. In addition, right before and during my first week I was working on features for both <a href="http://areamagazine.wordpress.com/">Area</a> and <a href="http://thatfakemagazine.com/">FAKE</a> magazine. It's always good to see the fruits of your labour though and now the February issue of Area is out! You can pick it up around Birmingham or view online <a href="http://issuu.com/fusedmagazine/docs/area_february_2012">here</a>. My Valentines Gift Guide is on p.34 - 41.<br />
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</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165892635546256828noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162706597099466086.post-51032591392215958882012-01-15T20:03:00.000+00:002012-01-15T20:38:49.959+00:00Napping, Cluedo and the Wrong NumberAs I know I will be spending most of my time in front of a Mac when I start work tomorrow I have been really trying to stay off my computer until then. (Needless to say this post is a bit of a mess of things - apologies!) I have devoured all but one of the <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blood-Boxed-Sookie-Stackhouse-Novels/dp/0575097116/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326656041&sr=1-2">Sookie Stackhouse novels</a> that I <a href="http://firstclassramblings.blogspot.com/2011/12/almost-grown-up-christmas.html">got for Christmas</a> (the last is nearly finished too), ate a LOT of Quality Streets (all but the fruity ones) and spent this weekend with my boyfriend.<br />
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We seem to have spent most of it napping or "resting our eyes"; I dread to think what I'll be like next week after my first full week back at work in over a year. On Saturday that was very useful as he had made me spend what felt like hours in <a href="http://www.boardwise.co.uk/">Boardwise</a> trying to select a pair of snowboarding trousers and I was exhausted. Of course, he brought the ones I had suggested about 10 minutes in.<br />
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We did go to see <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1568346/">Girl with the Dragon Tattoo</a>... nobody told me it was a who-dunnit, it reminded of a big game of Cluedo. Maybe that's because last Sunday I played a lot of Cluedo with my sisters, tipsy mother (who had only two small glasses of red wine) and one of her dogs. Oscar just couldn't help but poke his nose in...<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Oscar aka Elvis (because of the quiff when his fur is long) or Fat Boy (because he used to be fat)</span></div>
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My boyfriend and I are not the perfect couple, nobody can be perfect, but in the six years that we have been on and off as much as a yoyo has been up and down we have always known how we both felt. We met at a party and spent the whole night talking and laughing. He became my friend first (as he had a girlfriend - and then I had a boyfriend) and so there were no fake phone numbers or avoidance tactics. I still haven't forgotten what it's like to be single, which is why I was amused to receive this text today:</div>
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I have done this before. Not text a false number but given one. In clubs when I was younger (I started going to clubs from the age of 15) I would often give a guy the wrong number to get rid of them. I just found it easier, I wasn't confident enough to really deal with the situation. Now, I would just be honest and getting this text made me feel bad for Talha as much as it made made me smile. He was trying here, this polite text came after a missed call and so I felt it was fair to reply so that he doesn't try again.</div>
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When I used to mix up the last few digits of my number I didn't think about some stranger receiving a text or call intended for me or about how that guy would feel when he realised. Would he have accept she just wasn't into him or try to make excuses? I'm really quite grateful this is such a tame message. If they had spent the night together who knows what kind of dirty texts I could have received today?!</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165892635546256828noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162706597099466086.post-78100800160250255932012-01-06T11:01:00.000+00:002012-01-06T15:38:56.096+00:00Dressing for the OfficeAs I am starting my new job very soon I figured it was about time I invested in some clothes. The office for me is a creative studio so a suit isn't required (nor is it my style) but I did want something that could be adapted to see clients, was fashionable and comfortable enough when sat working at a computer. Oh, and that I could adapt to be wearable in winter. If I see one more pair of 7/8 trousers I may scream, as much as I love them. Oddly enough I don't want my ankles to freeze and this wind is not productive to anything less than full length/thick tights.<br />
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Finding clothing that transcends AW11/12 and SS12 is not easy. The process becomes even harder when you try to find something that won't require you to wear heels. My poor ankles are currently very weak (who knows why) and as such heels aren't really suitable for trotting around in all day. I've not had much luck, except for a few items in Next and Oasis, but there are some great new pieces showing up in the spring collections and I can't wait!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> Marks and Spencer</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Left: Deco Diva Limited Top £35, M&S trousers £25, Shoes £29.50, Earrings £12.50, Watch £25</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Right: Park Avenue Autograph Top £45, Trousers £45, Shoes £29.50</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> Warehouse</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Left: Zip Front Tunic £45, Desert Trek Trousers </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">£45, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Bag </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">£28</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Right: Mesh Jumper £36, Lace Skirt £40 </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Next</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Left: Top £28, Trousers £38</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Right: Top £26, Skirt £35, Platforms £40, Clutch £16</span></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165892635546256828noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162706597099466086.post-11652926879184631852012-01-03T12:36:00.000+00:002012-03-11T20:33:40.910+00:00Happy New YearNow if you aren't already its time for you to sit down because I have something to tell you. It's 2012. Can you believe it? I can't. This year is the Olympics, The Queen's Diamond Jubilee and my 24th birthday. It is also the year that I officially put university behind me and head out into the big wide world. To kick that off I'm starting a placement at <a href="http://www.videotoviral.co.uk/">Video to Viral</a> in Birmingham in a few weeks. It's a busy year, and one I'm excited about, so of course I celebrated in style...<br />
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I went to Hull to see my boyfriend and on New Years Eve Eve we went for some impromptu drinks at the pub, which of cause led into a long night that left us a little worse for wear on New Years Eve. Due to this there was no posh outfit, no expensive entrance fees or queueing 5 deep at the bar, no dancing and no drunkenness. We woke up very late, had a team nap with his flatmate around 7 (by which I mean we all fell asleep in the living room watching television, not that we all snuggled down together) and woke up to see in the New Year with Jools Holland (only at the last minute for the countdown - I'm not a fan) and drank champagne that he had very thoughtfully purchased and had chilling in the fridge.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Hornsea Beach</span></div>
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I had a great time. New Years Eve Eve is the new New Years Eve don't you know. It meant that on New Years Day we were bright, shiny and smiley so we decided to go to the coast. I've never visited a northern beach, I'm all about Cornwall and Wales, so Hornsea's surprisingly brown sea wasn't quite what I'm used to but I loved it nonetheless. Pottering along the sand and listening to the waves is one of the most relaxing things to do. Oh, and we got back in the car just before the heavens opened from those grey clouds. Amazing timing. I hope my luck continues for 2012 and that you all have a great year.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165892635546256828noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162706597099466086.post-9871273098588792152011-12-28T19:06:00.001+00:002011-12-28T22:33:52.887+00:00An Almost Grown-Up ChristmasAs a child Christmas is very me, me, me but I am now 23 and, as my mother keeps telling me, this means I don't get the same amount of surprises as the little ones. Now I'm not bothered about amounts, I'm a quality over quantity kind of girl, but sadly Christmas usually means useless presents so this year I took charge and kindly requested a whole host of gifts from her. I was very clear, all I really wanted was some pyjama's, anything else would be a bonus, but I had listed a variety so that I wouldn't know what was coming. I thought this was a cunning plan and somehow, magically, even those who didn't have access to the gift gave me wonderfully thoughtful presents.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Some of my favourite presents, including a beautiful long chained gold bird necklace, a hand knitted headband </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">and an Apple Magic Mouse to stop me getting RSI with my incessant trackpad use.</span></div>
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I loved spending time with my friends on our traditional Christmas Eve pub crawl, plus my family and my boyfriend. This is his first year out of university (he did Dentistry which is a 5 year course) and he didn't love his short 4 day break (that's very short when you're used to 2/3 weeks) but we crammed in seeing both of our families and the constant moving around felt very adult. Suddenly we weren't just sat in front of the television eating chocolate, we were in the car moving around and he was entertaining my five year old brother playing Halo on the XBox and competing over the noise of my family all talking at once. Seriously impressive if you take into account the fact my boyfriend is an only child who is not used to having lots of children around and my brother argues with everyone he plays with and even shoots those on his team.<br />
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I put a lot more effort into my presents this year, making sure they were thoughtful and putting time into it with my <a href="http://firstclassramblings.blogspot.com/2011/12/diy-christmas.html">DIY Christmas</a> gifts. Unfortunately I was poorly before Christmas so I had to rush all my baking in the last 2 days and forget to take pictures...now all I have is the nearly empty box I gave to my dad with it's sad little bow starting to fray. I decorated each sweet box individually with blue, silver and purple ribbons, plus a handwritten contents tag. Each included small pieces of <a href="http://theartofbeingperfect.blogspot.com/2010/11/perfect-peanut-butter-fudge-recipe.html">peanut butter fudge</a>, <a href="http://theartofbeingperfect.blogspot.com/2011/08/truffle-recipes-white-chocolate-vanilla.html">chocolate hazelnut truffles</a> piped with my own fair hands (yes, ok, so my dad thought they looked like dog poo but they really weren't that bad and tasted divine) and a treat bag with 3 or 4 pieces of differently shaped <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/shortbread_1290">shortbread</a> - stars, circles, "gingerbread" men and women or holly. Everyone seemed to love them, especially the fudge.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The rather lonely shortbread man left in my dads treat box</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Astral's Peanut Butter Fudge and White Chocolate Vanilla Bean Truffles & Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Truffles </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(Nobody likes white chocolate in my family but me hence I just opted for the milk chocolate ones!)</span></div>
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Massive thanks go to <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/howtobeperfect">Astral</a> and her blog <a href="http://theartofbeingperfect.blogspot.com/">The Art of Being Perfect</a>. Despite having a whole host of recipes I wanted to try this Christmas 2 out of the 3 recipes were found on her blog and it would have actually been all three if I hadn't been poorly and could have got the paste food colouring I needed to make the melted snowmen cookies.<br />
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A year ago I couldn't bake anything! I'm still not perfect but I am a LOT better than I used be and it was Astral that inspired me so I highly suggest you give them a go. So long as you don't mind yours looking a little more homemade you'll be fine.</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165892635546256828noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162706597099466086.post-48851018721793257192011-12-13T21:33:00.000+00:002011-12-13T21:46:25.792+00:00The Good Natured: Video Voyeur<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
At the beginning of this month <a href="http://www.thegoodnatured.co.uk/">The Good Natured</a> released their latest video for the song Video Voyeur. I discovered the band about a year ago through <a href="http://www.getitloudinlibraries.com/">Get it Loud in Libraries</a> and <a href="http://firstclassramblings.blogspot.com/2011/04/cellardoor-magazine-get-it-loud-in.html">interviewed singer Sarah McIntosh for Cellardoor Magazine</a>. They class their music as "pop noir" and I'm not even going to pretend I know what that means but I love it and I love this song.</div>
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Yes, it is all incredibly 80's but it definitely suits them. Sarah, Hamish and George have this great quirky, vintage style. I can't wait until their album is released. In the meantime, you can currently <a href="http://www.thegoodnatured.co.uk/2011/12/video-voyeur-free-download/">download Video Voyeur for free</a>.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.thegoodnatured.co.uk/photos/">Images from their website gallery</a></span></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165892635546256828noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162706597099466086.post-73161638655137924442011-12-10T14:37:00.001+00:002011-12-10T15:02:20.588+00:00Mikko Lagerstedt's WinterI'm not much of a winter person. I tend to go into hibernation, don't fancy walking around and cuddle under blankets with lots of books and lots of snacks. In fact, I'm trying really hard not to dash to the kitchen right now and bake some chocolate chip cookies...because I will just eat them all.<br />
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I'm not a fan of the cold, the fact it gets dark before it's even 5pm or the slushy snow and treacherous ice. I can however appreciate how gorgeous the changing seasons can be. In fact, I love crunching in the autumn leaves and will sit for hours watching it snow... happy so long as you don't make me try to walk on it when it's turned all slippery. If you do I will provide you with a very good Bambi on ice impersonation.<br />
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I'm trying my best to get into the spirit. The Christmas tree is up, the presents are brought and wrapped (except for my boyfriends - I'd be grateful for your ideas) and I've invested in some cable knit cardigans and a new coat so that I can venture out into the cold now and again.<br />
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I came across Finnish photographer <a href="http://www.mikkolagerstedt.com/photography.html">Mikko Lagerstedt</a>'s work today and it's reminded me that even though there are so many things I don't like about winter it is an incredibly beautiful season and as I slip around on the ice I promise to try to enjoy it because spring is only around the corner.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.behance.net/gallery/w-i-n-t-e-r/1015657">From Mikko Lagerstedt's album Winter</a></span></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165892635546256828noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162706597099466086.post-87564374522855221762011-12-07T20:04:00.001+00:002012-01-06T15:51:22.139+00:00Graduation DaySo after a full year of major stress, none stop work and a little bit of fun for good measure today was my MA graduation. I am now officially a Master of Arts in Fashion and Lifestyle Promotion, which is essentially creative marketing. What did I wear? A swooshy skirted <a href="http://www.asos.com/ASOS/ASOS-Fit-and-Flare-Midi-Dress-with-V-Neck/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=1841412&SearchQuery=midi%20dress&Rf-200=3&sh=0&pge=0&pgesize=200&sort=-1&clr=Blue">midi dress from ASOS</a>, a gorgeous necklace from <a href="http://www.summerandsilver.co.uk/">Summer and Silver</a> in the Jewellery Quarter, <a href="http://www.newlook.com/shop/womens/tights-and-socks/sheer-star-tights_227244201">star tights from New Look</a> and block heeled shoes from <a href="http://www.kurtgeiger.com/">Kurt Geiger</a>.<br />
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My gorgeous friend Sarah went for quirky rather than formal a stripy shirt and leather shorts. (You probably can't see any of this in the pictures as I was rather flustered and didn't spend enough time on the pictures. Plus, my dads camera decided to make most of them blurry. Always good.)<br />
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<a name='more'></a>As most people graduate in July it was a bit strange. Rather than a room full of people from the School of Art, Design and Performance there was a bit of everything. Law, journalism, social studies, very brace PhD students that had written thesis about sexuality, abuse, psychosis and many other things I couldn't help them with. This meant that rather than <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0206005/">Elizabeth Dawn</a> (<a href="http://www.corrie.net/profiles/characters/duckworth_vera.html">Vera Duckworth</a>) and <a href="http://www.terrymansfield.co.uk/">Terry Mansfield</a>, who were honorary fellows at my first graduation, today we had magazine editor <a href="http://www.augustmedia.com/SallyOsullivanBio.aspx">Sally O'Sullivan</a> and District Judge Gorgon Ashton who has published extensively on law for the elderly and disabled.<br />
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I hate to sound unacademic but Liz Dawn is still my favourite. She leant over and chatted to us before it started (having been on stage early as her emphysema prevented her from doing the procession) and was so appreciative of the honour and very down-to-earth. All in all, she was absolutely lovely and my Granny was over the moon as she has always thought Liz Dawn was wonderful.<br />
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Sadly, today was not quite so magical. I'd done it before, it was incredibly windy, my poor Granny isn't good enough on her legs at the minute to attend and for some reason I woke up at 5am so I was really tired and hadn't been fed. Sarah thankfully snuck me a packet of Go Ahead bars before it started but I was still shaking after the ceremony - I was really and truly exhausted and it was only 1pm! The two hour ceremony seemed to last forever but my quick hand shake made it all worth it. I had officially done it and I am very pleased.<br />
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I'm definitely bearing in mind the main topic of all speeches - that just because you will probably struggle to find a job after graduation you are not alone, it does not mean you aren't clever or talented or employable, it just means silly politicians and bankers have ruined our economy. All you can do is work hard, be persistent and do everything you can to keep on top of your game.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165892635546256828noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162706597099466086.post-34305465413476410142011-12-01T12:50:00.001+00:002011-12-28T22:31:47.227+00:00A DIY ChristmasIt is December 1st, which means that even if you are a bit bah-humbug like me it's probably time to think about Christmas. This year I'm trying to save a bit and really think about what I'm spending my money on...and I'm sure I'm not the only one. My 7-year-old sister asked me for a <a href="http://www.argos.co.uk/static/ArgosPromo3/includeName/designafriend.htm">Designafriend</a> outfit yesterday and got a firm no. I refuse to spend over £10 on clothes for a dolly. Sorry little sis but it is not happening. In fact, even the presents I've agreed to will be sourced at the lowest prices.<br />
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What's more, where possible I will be doing it myself. I always end up buying lots of chocolates and treats for people and this year they will be getting a (probably slightly special looking) hand decorated box of handmade goodies. I'm thinking shortbread, peanut butter fudge, treacle toffee and maybe some handmade crackers. After all, what better time for crackers and cheese than Christmas? There are a whole host of recipe ideas on the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/collections/edible_gifts">BBC</a> and <a href="http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/recipes/christmas/christmas-gifts/">Good Food</a>, which is great as baking is something I can actually do.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">My first attempt at shortbread using <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/shortbread_1290">this recipe</a> and sprinkled with caster sugar when still warm.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The rather rustic look is due to the fact they were cut with a glass due to the absence of a cutter.</span></div>
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<a name='more'></a>Yes, I'm coming over all Kirstie Allsopp and whilst the media tries to portray her as some out of date anti-feminist. I think she's an inspiration for keeping crafts alive and giving them a go and sometimes failing. There are tonnes of craft ideas on <a href="http://www.channel4.com/4homes/christmas-crafts">Channel 4</a> and <a href="http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/Pages/Ideas/Search.aspx?Occasion=2">HobbyCraft's Ideas Library</a> but I think I'll be sticking to baking this year. I may not be a dab hand on a sewing machine or with a flower arrangement but it's not about being amazing at everything, it's about putting your thought and time into what you give and making a box of chocolate mean more than you were running low on time and decided to pick up a box of Thorntons in the supermarket. (As lovely as Thorntons chocolate is!)<br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/#!/kirstiemallsopp">Kirstie</a> herself says she "can't stand the idea of anyone feeling pressured to homemake, it's supposed to be fun and therapeutic!" I don't see this as being cheap/what I should be doing, but I like the idea of making the most of what I can do and still giving those around me gifts they will (hopefully) love. At the minute I have bags of time as I am one of the many recent graduates looking for a job. If you just aren't into DIY/don't have time/just love unique handmade goods by independent designers then this is the perfect time to browse <a href="http://etsy.co.uk/">Etsy</a>, <a href="http://folksy.co.uk/">Folky</a> or <a href="http://notonthehighstreet.com/">Not on the High Street</a> (which is my favourite at the moment) for some unique handmade gifts.<br />
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/87178685/little-decorated-gingerbread-man-cookies?ref=tre-1327599938-7"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">48 Little Gingerbread Men - £6.88 - katieduran, Etsy</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Mr04nMLcGrEhyphenhypheneboSwmgil5oXvDJgnAzRid6gItqTl7jxrRD7tNlufj73CZfSAyTphTR_FeZg2GmPfWTE03gPUAun4_m0QjaPpB0SJ0jgjZ0j9ToBxieVQ0mYUyjIZyJdTWJuvjJAoA-/s1600/zoom_XMS11-112-m.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Mr04nMLcGrEhyphenhypheneboSwmgil5oXvDJgnAzRid6gItqTl7jxrRD7tNlufj73CZfSAyTphTR_FeZg2GmPfWTE03gPUAun4_m0QjaPpB0SJ0jgjZ0j9ToBxieVQ0mYUyjIZyJdTWJuvjJAoA-/s320/zoom_XMS11-112-m.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/addject/product/ceramic_notepad">Ceramic Notepad - £15 - Addject Ltd, Not on the High Street</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/2413785-Organic-Kindle-cosy-Blue-Bike-Her-Cruiser-">Organic Kindle Cosy - £14 - Lemon Pip, Folksy</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftS7y-lFgSA12N0IuYc8WzZHsz9B57gZ5k8kWfGBxAmJXco2U8lRIqAAKplZCSdPHpSSbE6cYAf3C_-Xb7-cfmHV79-rjAwsnz5OVMtbbOO1CKmpkLdGh0C66-0B7mWLLX8eyGmw5bCFA/s1600/small_fox_brooch_1_main.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftS7y-lFgSA12N0IuYc8WzZHsz9B57gZ5k8kWfGBxAmJXco2U8lRIqAAKplZCSdPHpSSbE6cYAf3C_-Xb7-cfmHV79-rjAwsnz5OVMtbbOO1CKmpkLdGh0C66-0B7mWLLX8eyGmw5bCFA/s320/small_fox_brooch_1_main.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.folksy.com/items/2671205-small-fox-brooch">Fox Brooch - £15 - Hollowbourne, Folksy</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8t6hW97w0qaJ8mw_xzgz1nx-TXG8A8I3HS6G2qRxrbxjlsBwJRyUfQFi4GSGzabHlG3JGKoONKo0IhPcOk7sleTyEbkO0EUL10d8k4plLs29oTW3IEsu_6EDIm_QbHSEIixb-rkYUH-bW/s1600/zoom__...I_Met_and_Liked_Notebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8t6hW97w0qaJ8mw_xzgz1nx-TXG8A8I3HS6G2qRxrbxjlsBwJRyUfQFi4GSGzabHlG3JGKoONKo0IhPcOk7sleTyEbkO0EUL10d8k4plLs29oTW3IEsu_6EDIm_QbHSEIixb-rkYUH-bW/s320/zoom__...I_Met_and_Liked_Notebook.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/horsfallwright/product/i-met-and-liked-notebooks">'...I Met and Liked' Notebooks - £11 each - Horsfall & Wright, Not on the Highstreet</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1vI7oQQzr4R4j1TSFGTEf5MxJzraftlPh8eyVkTRxR7BkEznMyQufZHJ8bsQ0og3j-jwmAMnBKrhGwuIbbM-aCY4ah5YSICjOjrZXNjgcFV4KRo84SOAZ0kiT42r_PJm6fN1hNQ13kPY/s1600/il_570xN.280887458.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1vI7oQQzr4R4j1TSFGTEf5MxJzraftlPh8eyVkTRxR7BkEznMyQufZHJ8bsQ0og3j-jwmAMnBKrhGwuIbbM-aCY4ah5YSICjOjrZXNjgcFV4KRo84SOAZ0kiT42r_PJm6fN1hNQ13kPY/s320/il_570xN.280887458.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/84584775/fern-frond-necklace-etched-silver?ref=fp_treasury_1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Fern Frond Silver Necklace - £35.37 - lisahopkins, Etsy</span></a></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165892635546256828noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162706597099466086.post-29201397322837131482011-11-29T12:23:00.001+00:002011-11-29T13:05:47.116+00:00A River Island ChristmasRiver Island is a strange one. It is very rare that I go into one of their stores and see something I actually want to buy. It all seems too samey, too tight, too short and basically just not me. As for menswear, if the boy came to meet me wearing most of the stuff they sell I would probably freak out. Jeans that have a crotch settled right between your knees is just not a good look as far as I'm concerned.<br />
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You may find all this a little backwards if you have taken a look at any of my Fused fashion spreads (such as <a href="http://firstclassramblings.blogspot.com/2011/09/aw-style-in-fused-student-guide-2011.html">this one</a>) because River Island feature highly. Their campaign images show really beautiful clothes, which I have realised exist but mostly only online or in the large stores. I am a bit of a shop-a-phobe, I love talking to people but hate having to fight my way towards a dress. That's why this year I will be scouring <a href="http://www.riverisland.com/Online/">River Island's website</a> for some of these wonderful Christmas pieces. It's probably not a surprise that <a href="http://firstclassramblings.blogspot.com/search?q=feather">I particularly love all of the feathers</a>.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> Baltimore Feathered Collar Dress £60.00 and Shelley Feathered Dress £70.00 with Purple Agate ring £10.00</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Dahlia Lace Top £30</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Diana embellished shorts £40.00, Tamara velvet detail bodysuit £28.00, Onyx pillbox hat £??</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Red Dress £50 with Feathered Shoes £65 and Matangi Ruffle Dress £70</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">All pictures by River Island.</span></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165892635546256828noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162706597099466086.post-12328384227931704722011-11-28T13:33:00.001+00:002012-03-04T16:32:42.693+00:00More Temporary Secretary & Love Hearts and CrossesI love jewellery. The quirkier the better. I hardly ever go to a high street retailer for it because they all seem to be stocked by companies that produce near identical pieces. In fact, in some cases I'm sure it's the same supplier. Most of my jewellery comes from local independent stores such as <a href="http://stafford-towncentre.co.uk/shops-and-businesses/partnership-members/peccadillos/">Peccadillos</a> in Stafford, who fuel my love of precious stones.<br />
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In October I wrote about <a href="http://firstclassramblings.blogspot.com/2011/10/temporary-secretary.html">Temporary Secretary</a>, who were suggested to me by the lovely <a href="http://www.rosaleengallagher.com/">Rose</a> over Twitter. Now I finally own my own little piece of <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/tempsec">TempSec</a> thanks to the boy... he had a parcel sent my house over the weekend that enclosed the <a href="http://www.temporary-secretary.com/ourshop/prod_1613447-Typewriter-Ring.html">TAB typewriter ring</a> I had been lusting over. It came complete with a wonderful little note from Sarah thanking him for his purchase. What a lovely graduation present! (I officially graduate a week on Wednesday.)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXda8IG1pTdvUpcrPo6yEFAuFz8WCl1N0c3tbT4_rWDB332kVKnpO9aVj5qSs5bfO77sg9okBncEf9DHx9lso9gAvkZ4GnXeHHArHHRjrzpGl4RmB2zyOT9Lqm3xjsqTl8vNbdj-9orOOT/s1600/830ddb7e188811e180c9123138016265_7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXda8IG1pTdvUpcrPo6yEFAuFz8WCl1N0c3tbT4_rWDB332kVKnpO9aVj5qSs5bfO77sg9okBncEf9DHx9lso9gAvkZ4GnXeHHArHHRjrzpGl4RmB2zyOT9Lqm3xjsqTl8vNbdj-9orOOT/s320/830ddb7e188811e180c9123138016265_7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My new found love for TempSec has had me looking elsewhere online for gorgeous costume jewellery. I came across <a href="http://shop.loveheartsandcrosses.co.uk/">Love Hearts and Crosses</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/LHC_Jewellery">Twitter</a> as well... but this time I wasn't thinking just of myself but of others too. I can think of one friend in particular that would love one of these pieces in their Christmas stocking. In fact, she has her very own karma circle tattooed onto her inner arm. Maybe she'll get the necklace to match.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://shop.loveheartsandcrosses.co.uk/bracelets/1004-sing-dance-live-love-stacking-bracelets.html">Sing Dance Live Love Stacking Bracelets £25</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://shop.loveheartsandcrosses.co.uk/necklaces/995-arrow-head-necklace.html">Arrow Head Necklace £14</a> and <a href="http://shop.loveheartsandcrosses.co.uk/necklaces/999-triple-triangle-necklace.html">Triple Triangle Necklace £14</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://shop.loveheartsandcrosses.co.uk/bracelets/1024-love-and-peace-bracelet-charm-set.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Love and Peace Bracelet Charm Set £15</span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://shop.loveheartsandcrosses.co.uk/necklaces/1031-hot-air-balloon-bird-charm-necklace.html">Hot Air Balloon Charm Necklace £12</a> and <a href="http://shop.loveheartsandcrosses.co.uk/necklaces/739-karma-circle-charm-necklace.html">Karma Circle Charm Necklace £10</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScQuoDAsuDnnZ5gkqSVhfzvAbXrxKUzDOUmr_E6GrbYD8S8jxiUUuSShB-WXxmod_rxBrIZ2oHcuynjWpV8VwdQdjeAiFnmLYOcw0HOxncgeEmo7usXJyhVAunwLHKes97iBAUx9B56MP/s1600/969-1559-thickbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScQuoDAsuDnnZ5gkqSVhfzvAbXrxKUzDOUmr_E6GrbYD8S8jxiUUuSShB-WXxmod_rxBrIZ2oHcuynjWpV8VwdQdjeAiFnmLYOcw0HOxncgeEmo7usXJyhVAunwLHKes97iBAUx9B56MP/s320/969-1559-thickbox.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://shop.loveheartsandcrosses.co.uk/bracelets/969-crystal-feather-friendship-bracelet.html">Crystal Feather Friendship Bracelet £12</a></span></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165892635546256828noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162706597099466086.post-60320813332467431482011-11-21T20:39:00.001+00:002011-11-29T13:09:13.606+00:00Misty Miller Makes Me SmileI'm currently a bit poorly and feeling a little sorry for myself. My graduation is looming and I am trying to find my first step on the career ladder at a time when there are lots more people than there are jobs. Post-Masters I am a bit at a loss and as winter is creeping up on us I spent most of today curled up under a blanket with my MacBook on my lap trying to find something to perk me up a bit. <a href="http://www.mistymiller.com/">Misty Miller</a>'s music was the thing to put a smile on my face.<br />
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I first fell in love with her when I heard her acoustic version of Remember, which she filmed as part of <a href="http://uk.burberry.com/store/acoustic/">Burberry Acoustic</a>. She isn't new, I haven't tapped into some unknown talent or anything unfortunately, but she is spectacularly talented. Lots of her songs are on her <a href="http://www.myspace.com/mistymillermusic">MySpace</a> in very good quality so you should definitely check her out. Hopefully she'll help you relax and smile a little bit too.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ofLMud8i3Xo" width="500"></iframe></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165892635546256828noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1162706597099466086.post-52089276953770494212011-11-14T20:03:00.001+00:002011-11-29T13:11:08.612+00:00Nifty NotepadsI have a love of all things digital, my iPad fuels my laziness and it now hurts when I have to write with pen and paper for too long. Despite all this I still love paper. Stationery is one of the only things I actually enjoy shopping for.<br />
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Cue these nifty notepads available at <a href="http://www.liberty.co.uk/search?productsPerPage=60&keywords=nifty+notepad&x=0&y=0">Liberty</a>. Not only are they stylish (with a rather retro feel) but they're perfectly designed to pass around the classroom (or the office). There's nothing like a paper aeroplane to tell someone to please stop throwing virtual sheep at you.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbdlD2lbxrrAMPxT6h2j5h5h8ffepjsgmb6tarezd5lUSxw0MLFVZOEGROuGi3UFfWnZWNwt_HGAZmg8ucwqH_k0b6BTNfef69T50_K2sZUemYmVE809KTvCcWYtUzmyrpPPPK7HgcJUn/s1600/aw11knoc021001299-assorted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbdlD2lbxrrAMPxT6h2j5h5h8ffepjsgmb6tarezd5lUSxw0MLFVZOEGROuGi3UFfWnZWNwt_HGAZmg8ucwqH_k0b6BTNfef69T50_K2sZUemYmVE809KTvCcWYtUzmyrpPPPK7HgcJUn/s400/aw11knoc021001299-assorted.jpg" width="332" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.liberty.co.uk/fcp/product/Liberty//Paper-Social-Media-Nifty-Notepad/68948">Social Media Citation - £5.95</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.liberty.co.uk/fcp/product/Liberty/BOOKS-AND-STATIONERY/Paper-Apology-Nifty-Notepad/69199"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Apology - £4.95</span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.liberty.co.uk/fcp/product/Liberty//Fashion-Citation-Nifty-Notepad/69200">Fashion Citation - £4.95</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.liberty.co.uk/fcp/product/Liberty/BOOKS-AND-STATIONERY/Paper-Tweet-Nifty-Notepad/69201"> Paper Tweet - £4.95</a></span></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13165892635546256828noreply@blogger.com4