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Friday I’m in Love…

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

 

With being a girl!

So this week Ive been feeling in  a bit of a beauty slump. You know that  feeling you get when you just look in the mirror first thing in the morning at your face and say, ” Jeez, really!?! ” .

Yep, that about covers it, but if I must eleberate further…

The patsy face, the dark circles and the 8 week old hair colour is not saying fresh faced and fancy to me right now. Its hard in deep dark Febuary I think, I always seem to loose my girlie mojo about now. Its not Christmas any more so its out with the glitz, but its not time for the bronzer yet either, if you know what I mean.

I think it must be much harder if your a man though, I mean at least I can rummage around in my make-up bag for a little concealer and eye-liner, men just have to deal with the *Jeez, Really?!?*  face…. all day! ( well, at least where I live anyway, the Shire still frowns upon guyliner ) .

So in case I’m not alone in the February  wilderness and you need a bit of beauty sunshine too, I’ve rounded up 5 of the best from this weeks reading for you, lets get our beauty on! *smiles*

I am so trying this … from xoJane , I have a Hair Crush on Zooey Deschanel   A Great Tutorial on how to get Zooey’s curls

Am loving this…  ring for a bit of pre-spring bling ( think that might have rhymed a bit ) . Courtesy of the super fabulous cupcakes and cashmere blog

I cant wait to give this a go … Missoni Nails ! 

For my slightly neglected brows … After reading The Glamourai,  I’m  getting me some, Stila’s stay all day brow pen.

I also got some lovely lip/cheek tint in Petunia too!

 

And I’m going to make these and pile em up!  …. The fabulous Leather Ring Cuff Bracelet from I Spy DIY . com , so cute. They also remind me so much of my arm candy loving pal http://www.theonlinestylist.co.uk/

Yay!

That should do the trick until spring time, now bring on the rain! Wink*

(Ps.. for everybody waiting for the chocolate caramel banana bread recipe,  its on its way next time I promise!  )

 

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The girl Crush Diaries – Lana Del Rey

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

 The definition of the girl crush is thus…. 

 Taken  from the Urban Dictionary.com  -Feelings of admiration and adoration which a girl has for another girl, without wanting to shag said girl. a nonsexual attraction, usually based on veneration (meaning, profound respect or reverence)  at some level.

The world seems slightly obsessed with Miss Lana Del Rey at the mo. But a lot of what’s been written has been negative. Her daddy’s rich, she’s beautiful ( some of her attributes may, or may not have been god given) and she first released ( a not quite as successful)  record under her real name Lizzie Grant.
Is this enough to hate the woman? I think not, I don’t think my talents would have been any more or less valid if my dad had been rich , nor should hers. Yes she’s beautiful, She reminds me a little of Priscilla Presley when she married Elvis.
Does that mean she can’t be talented? Or just that she’s been darn lucky with what nature gave her? And so, she brought out music before under a different name? I don’t care frankly . Honestly if the girl had done nothing and suddenly landed this music career in her lap people would have complained that she was manufactured. She cuts her teeth on another, less successful album and she’s labelled contrived? I can name loads of stars who have changed their names and styles to become successful, Madonna, Sting, David Bowie , Lady Gaga? She’s here to entertain at the end of the day, right?  ..*cough* sorry I’m getting off my soap box now honest, I just don’t like bullies *wink.
Anyway there is so much to Love…
Her voice, the music, the style, the lips, the dangerous, slightly dead eyes… Everything about her is right on, perfection.
Girl Crushing…Swoon !
  
{ Photo’s thanks to 1, 2, 3 }

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Friday I’m in Love – My Babies Birthday

Friday, January 27th, 2012

Friday I’m in love-birthdays

 

So this week was Milly’s third birthday. I have to admit I started thinking about it as soon as the last Christmas bauble was shoved in the attic.

I was excited, 3 is the first year they can properly be part of their birthday rather than just being there, if you get what I mean? And I wanted it to be great!

First I did what any modern day mother does, I pinterested it. I scrolled through lots of fantastic, colourful , imaginative, amazing pictures. I visited blogs , filled with farm themed parties in real barns. Pretty, film set type barns with swept gleaming floors and artfully placed antique pitchforks.  Not a cow pat in sight, although they did have ( presumably house trained) baby cows and hay bales for seating.

I saw rainbow themed parties and red riding hood parties and pirate girl parties with lovingly (perfectly made) card board box ships that looked like part of the set from pirates of the caribbean.

To be honest I started to get an inferiority complex, my bum cheeks clenched in birthday party anticipation. But heck, if they can do it, so can I!

So I ordered tiny milk bottles, and red candy striped straws, firework candles and indoor sparklers. I was busy scrolling though party printables on etsy  , deciding between themes, should I go rainbow utopia? Or sparkle princess? ….

But then something happened, I think it’s called life, and it kind of got in the way….

I realised with 24 hours to go, that this was not going to be the party of mine ( or Milly’s) dreams, we weren’t going to have fire eaters or loin tamers, the gig was as they say, up.

I felt my heart sink, a lump in my throat. And then I remembered parties from my childhood.

Playing cowboys and Indians with makeshift ramshackle teepees made out of old sheets and garden sticks. Bobbing for apples. Homemade popcorn necklaces and mugs of Heinz tomato soup and hotdogs. I remember the year my mum pulled out *all the stops* and hired our local magician for my tenth party. I spent the entire party in my bedroom crying because my best friend wouldn’t sit next to me at the party table, I hear the magician was very good, there was rabbits and everything.

I guess what I’m trying to say is, the penny dropped. Milly would enjoy the party with or without all the big shot paraphernalia. She would mostly enjoy it because it was just going to be us, me , papa, Ellie and jack. A family, spending time together, wishing her a Happy Birthday.

And she did have a blast, we had hot dogs, and rice crispy cakes, and fairy cakes with butterflies on top, and some fireworks we had left from bonfire night. She was ecstatic and woke up the next morning shouting Happy Birthday!!! To herself, wishing it was going to happen all over again.

So happy 3rd Milly sweetheart, don’t grow up to fast, and don’t worry next year mummy will have the barn and the trained baby lambs picked out and booked way in advance , *wink!

{ All Photo’s courtesy of Pinterest and Me }

 

				


				
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Comfort food

				Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

				

					




So  apparently they say it might snow this week.


I’m not sure who they are really,  Miss Cushion ( not a made up name, but how cute? ) Milly’s nursery teacher told me,  and that’s all I know.  Looking outside at the rain pouring down, I’m a little (read very) doubtful . But the hope is there.

I love snow, I can’t understand people who hate it. I know it’s cold, and a pain to get around in, but it’s never lost its magic to me. It’s ability to cover even the ugliest landscape in pillowy whiteness is just perfect, one of natures finer moments in my opinion.

When I think of snow I always think of comfort too, or to be more precise comfort fooooood!

You have to admit its a must this time of year, if it was’nt for the lure of hot buttered toast and tea I’d never get up in the dark in the  morning. Well, that and Milly screaming GET UP MUMMY! in my ear …




Other things that get me through the season are baked potatoes with melted butter and cheese,  fish finger sandwiches on white bread and real butter, crumpets ( more butter) , anything with cinnamon , and anything in a bowl.

Nigella had it right, she once said, that any food served in a bowl was instantly elevated to comfort food status.  I think it’s because bowl eating usually takes place on the sofa, all cosy – like and hugging the outsides of the bowl for extra warmth… Blissfulness!




{ All Pictures thanks to We Heart it & Tumbr }


My first memory of  feeling  food comfort was porridge (oatmeal to all lovely US readers) my mum used to make us every morning when it was cold outside .  It was a bit of a family tradition I guess, and she’d write our names in golden syrup on the top. Well in fairness she wrote my baby brothers name ( Ben) she only wrote my initials ( H.J) which was a cause of great resentment to me at the time. I understand  as an adult though that no favorisum was  meant. It’s just you can only do so much with syrup paint and a bowl of porridge as a  canvas. Unless your name has three letters of course , like Ben …


Anyway, this is my version of our winter morning breakfasts, I think ours was the 80′s classic ready brek when I was a younger ( do you remember the glowing kid on the adverts?) .

This is more of a wholesome take on things, but just as simple. Give it a try, hopefully while it’s snowing outside and you have a bit of ray Charles on in the back ground. Not essential to its enjoyment I must add, it’s just how I imagine the perfect back drop to be, but I do have a tendency to over romanticise … I know, really Helen!?!




Pear Crumble Porridge, with Cinnamon and Maple Syrup -


Makes 2 bowls


Comfort ingredients -


1 large pear ( or two small)

1 mug of oats

2 and a half mugs of milk, or water, or water and milk

Half a teaspoon of cinnamon

Half a teaspoon of vanilla extract ( the good stuff)

A pinch of salt ( I’m loving the pink Himalayian rock salt my mum brought me for Christmas , its yum, and its PINK! … but any is fine )

2 teaspoons of soft brown sugar

Maple syrup (the good stuff) for pouring… Or writing short names like *Ben


Firstly put the oats in a pan and the milk, and set on to simmer/almost boil.

While that’s happening chop ( fairly big slices) and skin the pear, adding all but a few pieces to the pan .

Cook at a slow simmer for around 5-8 mins, until all the milk/water is soaked up. If the porridge looks dry during this process just add more liquid.

Once done, serve in two pretty bowls with a few slices of uncooked pear and lots of maple syrup … Yum!


Cooks notes- using the basic recipe here, other things I think I will  try bunging in the mix is blueberries, chopped nuts and raisins or even chocolate chips and a dash of cream.  Luxury and warmth all warped up in a bowl :) 


I have been pinterest & foodie blog hunting to find you a few more absolute must try bowl eats too. Ones that won’t pile on the pounds too much either . So lets wrap up warm, pray for snow and go comfort eatin !


GORGEOUSLY CUTE Pasta –   http://www.canyoustayfordinner.com/2010/11/04/petite-lasagnas/ ( fantastically  inspiring blog as well as yummy recipes )


SIMPLE Soup – Tortilla Chicken Soup http://www.martawrites.com/2010/03/enthusiastic-chicken-tortilla-soup_23.html ( made this with left over turkey on boxing day, its DIVINE! )


WARMING Stew –  Peanut Stew  http://theveganstoner.blogspot.com/search?q=peanut+ ( love the blog name! and the cute food illustrations too )


SWEET BAKED - Honeyed Pears wrapped in pastry http://www.sprinklebakes.com/2010/11/honeyed-pears-in-puff-pastry.html ( SO many beautiful bakes here )


Happy rainy / wishful thinking snowy January folks,


Lotsa love H xxx

				


				
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Friday I’m in Love…

				Friday, January 13th, 2012

				

					


This week has been a tough one, my illness has taken a bit of a bad turn and I haven’t be able to walk so well.


This makes me sad, I know I will have to get used to it ( at least for now) , and people have much, much worse but it still makes me sad… okay, and grumpy…grumpy and sad.


And impossible *cough.. difficult to live with, I can be a little ray of sunshine and also a very big pain in the arse. I know it, my mum says its because I’m a Gemini, bless her .  I will go with that. I have a bitchy bad twin I guess..a bit like Niki/Jessica in Heroes ( only less literal of course, and less violent ;) )  .




Anyway, so as well as feeling proper pants,  I havent been able to walk, even the short distance to Milly’s kindergarten. But seeing as its only her second week  ( and she’s LOVING IT) I didnt want her to miss anything, so Big J has had to do the Milly school run  run everyday. This is on top of having to work from nine until 12 (pm)  everyday ( he has a big deadline coming up) .


He’s also brought me lunch everyday, and sent me funny texts. He has basically been a bit of a Jem, and it was so cute watching him push Mil’sta up the street in the buggy (something he never usually gets to do) . It made me smile, its true what they say, men take on a whole new level of hottness when they are with their babies,  and he is one hot Papa!  Im lucky,  I know that now for sure. It’s a shame its taken this weird illness to notice how lucky, but hay I guess that’s what they call a silver lining, I’ve been seeing a lot of them just lately.




So I have decided to run a new section on here, the Friday I’m in Love post ( love that song, love The Cure! There you go, there’s love all over already. Hehe  ; ).  I hope to write one every Friday , it will be dedicated to stuff that makes me (and hopefully you guys ) happy. Might be something arty, something foody, something fashion-y  or something personal. But hopefully it will be a reminder of those silver linings. Lets get our Shiny / Happy on,  and writing about them will help me (us) apriciate them, yes? yes ..I think so .


So Big J gets the first Friday Im in Love . No pictures of him though, he’s shy ;)  .


See you next time lovelies, and remember its Friday, so be in  ..with something ; )



				


				
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The Girl Crush Diaries – Hipster Chick

				Monday, January 9th, 2012

				

					
Just lately I seem to have been reading lots about Hipsters.

But what exactly IS a hipster? Am I one? Are you?

Well on surfing  up a bit on the subject ( you will thank me for this in a bit, just keep reading okay? … thanks )  it seems they’re are really two types of a spectrum of Hipsterness …

Firstly the rather serious, big bespectacled , slogan t shirt wearing ones.  Slightly nonchalant types who don’t  *do*  the establishment,  read Norman Mailer poetry and watch obscure foreign films.  Kind of the modern day answer to the hippie, punks or grunge kids, they also love all things Apple and hate google, unless its chrome.  Oh and the very first REAL rule of being a true Hipster is never admitting to being one, unless your being ironic of course … its a bit like fight club ;)  …


Aaaand secondly,  the other type of Hipster.  Far more interesting (to me anyway) this one is more mainstream, and maybe a little less angry , the  girl Hipster.  These are artistic types who love vintage clothes and make up, and  look kind of like they got dressed in the dark .. but in a good way.  You may see them  riding  around,  slightly wobbly like,  on vintage candy coloured bikes,  and they may also be a teeny bit scared of a hair brush.   Still Not Convinced?

Okay,  here are my favorite Hipster Girls -


Alexa Chung, Georgia May Jagger, Agyness Deyn and the Queen of  all Hipster Girl-dom,  Zooey Deschanel -
















So there you have it, a right royal, girl crush- a – thon, don’t say I never treat you ;)   I think im in love, and what’s more I truly think this is finally a look I can actually pull off.   I’m totally artsy ( big J says weird) I often get dressed in the dark ( it still IS at six thirty am when Milsta wakes up) I am short sighted enough to need big glassses, I love vintage dresses and own at least 20 cardigans. I also hate going to the hairdressers and I don’t drive… It just couldnt be more Perfect!


Catch some of my other girl crush dairies here, from the beginning -


http://www.icklebabe.com/blog/index.php/2011/01/diet-rebel-dangerous-curves-ahead/


http://www.icklebabe.com/blog/index.php/2010/12/my-girl-crush-part-two/


http://www.icklebabe.com/blog/index.php/2010/09/my-foodie-girl-crush/


http://www.icklebabe.com/blog/index.php/2011/10/the-girl-crush-is-back/


http://www.icklebabe.com/blog/index.php/2011/03/the-greatest-girl-crush-of-all-time/


http://www.icklebabe.com/blog/index.php/2011/10/the-girl-crush-diaries/

				


				
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You Gotta Be Kind To Yourself

				Saturday, December 31st, 2011

				

					


You  gotta be kind to yourself …


So it’s that time of year again when we all start making resolutions. In the past mine have mostly been of the practical type, for example :


1) Eat less food and become a size 8.


2) drink less wine, I am not a wine lush you understand. This is for sartorial purposes ( please see above ).

3) To have no more than ten pieces of clothing in my ironing basket… This is rather than the hundred and ten currently residing there in .


4) To Remove my make up every night with a proper *grown up*  beauty cleanser … Not a baby wet wipe .


5) To occasionally have painted finger nails and soft hands , rather than them be covered in painting inks and *witchy* from too much washing up.


6) Always wear rubber gloves ( even though they make my hands smell funny…) See above for reasons .


7) To watch more mind enhancing tv… like the news and not so many films staring Zooey Deschanel or re-runs of America’s next top model . I may even cut back on my Ina watching…although technically cooking shows are kind of mind enhancing.


 8) To clean the oven …  sometimes


9) To smile … more, to prevent wrinkles.


10) To stop buying dresses ( or maybe just cut-down).  I have so many, some are the same dress, in more than one colour. Some even just more than one of the same dress. In case of accidents with bleach or tumble drier . oh and boots , no more of them either ….


As u can see all pretty standard, surface, achievable goals… Which I never fully achieve. I think in part because I don’t care enough about them. So this year I’m going the spiritual route. Call me crazy but I think I have a few real life changing resolutions up my sleeve … Ones that have nothing to do with my capacity to eat chocolate or down a glass of pino grigio .

So here goes …

 Be kind to myself…

I  like lots of folks I think, have guilt about pretty much everything.  Not being a good enough parent, partner , daughter , friend , artist, business type person … human being ?!?!  You get the picture.  I think we all have this anxiety in varying degrees. I have a feeling I may have it  baaaad.


And I’m pretty sure the path to all things happy probably doesn’t start with one of those nasty thoughts ..

So no more,  I’m going to try and see myself in a more positive light, be kind to myself .  Every time I have a negative thought about myself  I’m going to try and replace it with at least one positive one .


Here are several posts from Angela at Oh She Glows I’ve found to help re-adjust things in my head a bit ( some great food over there too,  just sayin )


http://ohsheglows.com/2011/10/18/seeing-the-positive-in-a-negative-situation/


http://ohsheglows.com/2011/11/02/how-to-reframe-a-negative-thought-with-a-thought-record/


2) Live for the moment –  I’m going to enjoy blowing raspberries on Millys belly, rather than worrying about my bank statement . … Again

I’m going to dance around the kitchen to stupid music with Ellie rather than worrying about the state of my laundry basket … Again

I’m going to  play minecraft with jack and I’m going to try  be interested , rather than letting my mind wander to what the hell we’re  going to have for tea… Again…

I’m going to go out with big J on regular date nights ( very American sounding I know but I think our cousins  have this one right )  and I’m not going to worry about wether Milly ( who’s 3 at the end of this month) will be scared for life if I leave her for a couple of hours to go see Sherlock Holmes 2 … I may even go for a entire night away! ( deep breaths for that one… She will be okay, she will be okay … I know I need help ;) 


3) To be happy … Happy as can be, happy as a sand boy ( not sure what one of those is but you know .. Happy ) with just what I have . Because if  I’ve learned  anything from last year its that there’s a lot of  truth in that old song… “Enjoy yourself, it’s later than you think “.  Even if we have a whole lifetime left …. its still bloody late ;) 


So that’s it,  all that’s left to say is goodbye 2011 you stank a tiny bit for a lot of people to be honest. But hay , you taught me a lot and I’m very thankful for that. Thankyou all for being such fab bloggy/ twitter /Instagram  friends too, you have all chivvied me along with your kindness and boundless encouragement this year.  Next years gonna be a blast folks…  I’m leaving you with some of my favourite captures of this year and something cute from Zooey Deschanel ,

So, Happy New Year!!!!!


Keep calm and eat cake folks,

Oh, and don’t forget, if you can’t say anything nice about yourself, don’t say anything at all ! …


That’s it I’m going now… Honest  ….  See you on the flip side *wink*


 Icklebabe xxx





				


				
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Gingerbread Coffee

				Saturday, December 24th, 2011

				

					


This is just a short post as its Christmas  EVE!!  Yay…..


But I couldn’t not post this, its great and so so festive ( still be great come January to banish the blues me thinks! ) .


It also goes perfectly with my Cinnamon Chocolate brownie post from the other day.


For the syrup


    

  • 2 tablespoons black treacle
    • 

  • 2 tablespoons  brown sugar
    • 

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
    • 

  • 1 teaspoon ground ginger
    • 

  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 

  • 1 tablespoon of good maple syrup
    • 

  • 1 teaspoon of vanilla
    • 



For the Coffee


    

  • 1 teaspoon of coffee
    • 

  • milk
    • 

  • cream (optional)
    • 

  • spray cream
    • 

  • sprinkles or chocolate (grated)
    • 



Mix together all the ingredients so it forms a really thick, darkly  glistening  syrup.  Place in the fridge for at least ten mins.


To make the actual coffee, place a teaspoon of instant ( but good)  coffee in a cup, and  add a little water to the bottom. Then  add three teaspoons of the gingerbread coffee syrup and then fill the mug up with water, stir well .  Then add a little milk, a dash of cream (if you like) . Top with the gorgeously kitsch spray cream and then top with waterever you fancy – Sprinkles, grated chocolate or a dusting of cinnamon.


Enjoy!


** Cooks notes, this makes a great last minute or new years gift too, just put the syrup in a pretty glass jar. For a small mason jar like I used you need to double the quantities in the recipe above . Store in the fridge for up to a week.


I’d also just like to wish you all a very merry Christmas! And a super Happy and Healthy new year!


Lots of fun and new things in the pipeline for next year on the blog and for my artwork,  very exciting!  See you on the flip side of this year then!


Weeeeee ….LOVE  New Beginnings, Don’t you ? x


XXXX



				


				
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Cinnamon Brownies

				Thursday, December 22nd, 2011

				

					
The other day me and Milly went on a walk.  Only to the post box around the corner from our  house, but still a walk.  And it was and a great one.


It was the first time I’d been able to walk any distance in a bit of a while and it was such a beautiful day.


It was one of those clear winter days when the sky is crystal and goes on forever, and you can see your breath burning fire  in the air.


I was actually a bit in awe to be honest, the phrase “don’t get out much ” I guess really applies here but still,  I like to think it wasn’t just my freedom from cabin fever that got me all excited. Some days are truly just a gift aren’t they ? The rare ones that just come, unplanned and will always be remembered.


And when we came home we made chocolate cinnamon  brownies and hot mugs of tea ( for Milly) and gingerbread coffee ( for me) it was lovely . Pure lovely x 100 !






Baby its cold outside! :) )




I am leaving the recipe for the brownies here ( come on back for the Gingerbread Coffee tomorrow. )


I promised several friends on twitter I would, sorry its late ( procastination is my midde name always, at Christmas it becomes my first! ) .  Also its such a killer Christmastime combination, I want to remermber it for next year. Blogs are great for that, Im always thinking “what was that recipe I made with the chicken last September?!?… ” or something, and I know if  I’ve bloged it, it will be here, waiting.  Better than half jumbled in my head,  thats for sure!


The brownies are inspired by Shena @ the little red house  ( a super gem of a blog)  and she was inspired by a recipe by smitten kitchen ( again fabulous) .


I have to say it was pretty much perfect to begin with, but I have just added a little coffee ( Ina says it brings out the chocolate flavour ) and I weighed out the ingredients English stylie to help us none american cup users out a bit .  And so like Chinese whispers it continues. All of us adding our own little pinch of  this or dash of that. I have to tell you now they are simply the best and most easiest brownies I’ve even made.


So if you do bake them and add a little somethin somthin of your own please come back and tell us here ( someone mentioned to me over on instagram that she makes peppermint / chocolate  ones, YUM! ).


Be great to know the Chinese whispers brownies continue past this post!






    

  • Cinnamon Chocolate Brownies :
    • 

  • 8 oz  butter
    • 

  • 70z cups sugar
    • 

  • 40z cocoa powder ( I used Green and Blacks)
    • 

  • 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
    • 

  • 1 teaspoon  vanilla
    • 

  • 2 large eggs, cold
    • 

  • 30z  self raising  flour
    • 

  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 

  • 40 ml of strong black coffee
    • 





( I made up a batch with a little over a 1/4 teaspoon coffee with just boiled water )


Pre heat the oven at around 190 c and grease a 10 x 10 inch square baking tin.


Put butter, sugar, salt and coco in a bowl and heat in microwave for 30 seconds at a time, stiring in between.  It will look grainy at this point but don’t worry.


Add the slighly cooled coffee and then slowly add the beaten eggs and vanilla.


Then slowly add the flour and cinnamon stirring really well, until the mixture looks glossy and smooth.


Tumble the mixture into the baking tin and put in the middle shelf of the oven for around 25 -30 mins.


Cool and try not to demolish before its gone cold….this IS the hardest part !


xxx



				


				
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How to stuff your stocking…

				Monday, December 12th, 2011

				

					


I absolutely love Christmas stockings and all my childhood memories of Christmas start with them.  I don’t recall all my  presents growing up, except the year I got  Adam and the Ants on tape,  a animal print bat-wing jumper,  roller skates and leg-warmers  ( it was a very good year! ) but I ALWAYS remember the stocking. In fairness my memories are probably many stockings and years rolled into one glorious utopia of stockingness but still,  its one of the most precious things I think, up there in importance with the tree decorating and the turkey.


The other great thing about stockings,  and one of the reasons my mum was so fond of them ( as am I ) is the precious few moments of warm cozy doozing it gives you as a a parent. If opening a stocking is magic as a child, then surely the best christmas feeling in the world is being a grown up listening to your kids wonder as they do the same…from the cozy cumfyness of your still warm from sleep bed of course!


I really do believe they are the very essesnce of all things good and pure about christmas, all the magic and wonder of the season but without the heavy heart of the cost to purse or waistline . There isnt any need to put exspensive gifts in there,  just some well chosen bits of silliness and love!


Stockings are what christmas is really about I think, and so in their honor here is my little guide to how to stuff one and with what…


Go forth and stuff people,  lets make some memories!


How to stuff the perfect stocking : 


Firstly, I think stockings should be stocking shaped not massive square sacks (too hard to fill to the brim) . It needs to be small enough to fit neatly at the foot of your little ones bed, but big enough to hold more than a few precious gifts.


The first thing to stuff your stocking should be a clemintine or tangerine, after that tumble in some nuts (shells on) making sure you stuff right to the toe.  And  then some of your sweets.


After that add some little gifts ( a few ideas below) , then more sweets of course! and your done…. Stocking magic!


Now for what to put inside… all the things I’ve included here I found in either the supermarket, local sweet shop or stationers, with just a few on-line purchases.  So nice and easy,  and last minute good  !









Little Girls / Boys Stocking Fillers ! :


Sweets -


    

  1. Unusual sweets –  This time of year there are lots of  big name chocolate selection boxes, but I think they are lumbering ( dare I say lazy ) options, also not that cheep.   Try your little local paper shop or sweets shop for lovely original sweets that your kids may not be so familiar with to add a bit more Santa’s sleigh magic , I found lots of chewy refresher and wow bars as well as traditional candy canes and tiny chocolate Santa’s  in my local sweet shop.  I even found a life size chocolate swiss army knife for Big J, Fab!
    2. 

  2. Biscuits –  At my local coffee shop (Costa, other big brands have similar I’m sure ;) ) I found goreous large ginerbread Christmas tree’s all wraped ready to go,  and silver little tins of strong mints, great for older kids
    3. 

  3. Drinkies –  Bottle of milkshake or fruit smothies ( quite a few brands do christmas inspired ones ) tied in a bow with a colourful crazy straws to match
    4. 

  4. Chocolate coins of course, this year I found chocolate notes too ( at Aldi
    5. 

  5. Mini cereal boxes, their favourite kinds of course , no fighting with the rest of the family  for once ;) 
    6. 



Toys-


    

  1. Party bag toys – Supermarket toy party bag selections are great if you have more than one child, they usually come in bags of 5, and include items such as mini bubbles,  party blowers, bouncy balls,  cars,  bags of marbles,  tiny crayon boxes,  pretty plastic jewellery  and lots more!
    2. 

  2. Matchbox cars for boys AND girls.  For an added bit of magic pop out of the packaging and put in a little box with a bow, just think what the elves might do ;) 
    3. 

  3. Unusual pencils and pens, and pretty writing/drawing pads are all really easy to find in the supermarket (and cheap) or try the local stationers, I could happily spend hours sorting through pretty pencils and pens so much fun!  ( is that just me?? … )
    4. 

  4. Mini Calculators
    5. 

  5. Mini rulers
    6. 

  6. Cute /unusual rubbers
    7. 

  7. Mini High-lighter packs
    8. 

  8. A comic book
    9. 

  9. Paper Dolls
    10. 

  10. Pots of play-doh
    11. 

  11. Christmas ornament with their name on or something that fits their personality
    12. 

  12. Finger paints
    13. 

  13. Mini  pez and dispenser
    14. 

  14. Magic paint books, you know those little books where you brush over water and colours appear?  They still make them, I got a peppa pig one for the Milsta , shh.. dont tell her though ;) 
    15. 

  15. Something cuddly
    16. 

  16. Something snugly, gloves, hats and scarves.
    17. 

  17. Cheap classic Christmas  DVD’s are always available at the supermarket for around £4 , I found the Nightmare Before Christmas ( MY FAVE!)   Curious George, and The Wizard of OZ . All great for a bit of quiet time for you later. Hehe!
    18. 



Teen Girls Stocking Fillers ! -


Sweets As above, because your never to old for something sweet!


Toys or Extra’s -


    

  1. Mini Nail polishes
    2. 

  2. Mini lip Gloss
    3. 

  3. Gift token for their Favourite coffee shop, great for a good girlie catch -up gossip come January
    4. 

  4. Nice Knickers (older teens) or gift vouchers from places like La Senza , because a girl can never have enough pretty under-things, that’s what my grandma always told me anyway
    5. 

  5. I Tunes vouchers
    6. 

  6. Pretty photo frames
    7. 

  7. Candles
    8. 

  8. Hair grips and products
    9. 

  9. A few Family Recipes, hand written on pretty card, especially if their on their way out into the big world soon , sniff!
    10. 

  10. Stickers
    11. 

  11. Smelly marker pens
    12. 

  12. Copy of a good Glossy, maybe their first Vogue?
    13. 

  13. Bubble gum, for childish fun
    14. 

  14. Something cuddly, because your never to old for a cuddle
    15. 

  15. Something snugly, crazy gloves or hats. Jack wills have some gorg ones for a bit of a last minute luxury splurge  !  Or try Etsy for some homespun  knitted magic ;) 
    16. 

  16. Budget priced film classics, I found romantic drama  The Note Book, with swoonsome Ryan Gosling, classic funny Christmas fun from  Elf , Greece is the WORD! … and the brilliant Eat Pray Love with Julia Roberts (for older teens) all at £3 -£4 ‘s at Tesco ‘s (or Tesco’s on-line, just search stocking fillers under DVD’s selection )
    17. 



And thats it! I hope its given you some inspiration, please, please  tell me what you’ll be adding to the list for stocking fillers this year. I’d LOVE some extra ideas, because you can never get enough Christmas stocking FUN!  Xxx



				


				
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