Friday, July 22, 2011

Fun Pix Fridays #16

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Don’t hate me, but my weekend started a day earlier than yours.  I decided to take a little time off work, get my papers sorted for my impending departure and spend some time with my family.  My sister Fiona and I have a fun weekend planned in Cork with all our favourite things:  shopping, pampering and eating out.  We are staying at the appropriately named Garnish House- famous for their afternoon tea on arrival and choice of over 30 breakfast options!

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Some exciting news…

I have some news that I can’t keep in a second longer.

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In about a month’s time, I will be saying farewell to Galway and Ireland and moving to Abu Dhabi.  It’s feels weird to write it because I still don’t believe it’s really happening.  I get a little bit choked up when I think about having to say goodbye to all my friends and my dear family.  That said, I have been itching to travel for a while now, and a new job opportunity presented itself at just the right time.  I have committed to staying at least a year, and I literally feel thrills of excitement thinking about what that year might bring.

Monday, July 18, 2011

More things to be happy about (12)

The smell of newly mimeographed test papers;  where writers and artists gather;  falling asleep on the couch;  being motioned to come and sit by someone;  Nat King Cole;  getting something fixed;  seeing your breath exhaled as a frosty puff;  Fridays;  balance beams;  sending someone an article from the paper, that you know will be of special interest;  Ripley’s believe it or not;  getting a free can of coke from a vending machine that still has someone else’s money in it;  super morning showers;  the part of the envelope that tells you where to put the stamp (as if you couldn’t figure it out);  knife-sharpened pencils;  biting into a croissant;  air conditioning;  organising your wardrobe;  compulsive crossword puzzle doers; paint rollers.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Ingenious (3)

Even more things I wish I had invented/ designed:

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Universal wrapping paper

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Film USB

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Fork crackers

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Photo album coffee table

fantasticideas teacup expresso

Skinny dip tea cup

fantasticideas typescreen

Ipad typing cradle

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Hanger tea.

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Alarm Dock.

For more ingenious posts, see here and here!

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Malted Milk Chocolate Ice-Cream

Remember this post, when I told you about what my sister gave to me for my birthday?  Yes, she gave me one of the best presents you can give a sister: Ice-cream. 

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Please don’t be fooled.  This is not just any ice-cream.  This is MALTED MILK CHOCOLATE ICE-CREAM.  It’s basically at the top of the world ice-cream hierarchy (that’s why I gave it capital letters).  A human equivalent of this ice-cream might be Barrack Obama. Rich and smooth, but understated.  Creamy-chocolately.  Yummy.

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Anyway, we’re getting side tracked.  Back to the ice-cream.  Please make this.  Give it to someone you love.  Package it up nicely and make no secret that it is all. for. them.

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They will love you for it.  They will tell all their friends how amazing you are (on their blog).  The world will feel like a better place.

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What you’ll need:

2 egg yolks, 50g sugar, 150g milk chocolate, 250ml milk, 2 tablespoons Horlicks, 150ml cream.

Here’s How:

  • Beat together egg yolk and sugar until pale and cream
  • Heat the milk (do not boil) and whisk in the Horlicks.  Add a little of the warm milk to the egg mixture, then return it all to the saucepan.
  • Cook on a very gentle heat until slightly thickened- like a light, thin custard
  • Add the chopped chocolate and stir until melted
  • Leave to cool completely with cling film directly on the surface of the custard. Once cooled, add the cream.
  • Transfer mixture to your ice-cream maker, or alternatively put it into the freezer, stirring with a fork every 30 minutes, until frozen.

P.s  The possibility of curdling the custard scares me too- but let’s stay calm and we’ll get through this together (Yes we can!)

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Best of… June 11

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It’s here!  Summer is finally here.  It seems that people are celebrating by wearing stripes and riding bikes.  I’m cool with that.

(My Daily Style and Hanelli)

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Lots of colour = Summer (I am Khatu)

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If most of your wardrobe is black (like mine), use ice-creamy nail polish shades (like Emily’s).

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(My Daily Style)

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(Fashion Toast)

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(Stockholm Streetstyle)

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(The Sartorialist)

Monday, July 4, 2011

More things to be happy about (11)

Art galleries;  the rituals people resort to, to get rid of hiccups;  people who hold the elevator door so it doesn’t close in your face;  shirts reserved for painting in;  going out for ice-cream;  cash refunds;  laughter being the best medicine;  pilots in uniform;  yawning;  clearing off your desk;  Mighty Mouse;  the useless pockets on pyjama tops;  old newspaper clippings;  delicatessens;  library books;  going to the same restaurant often enough to be given the same table;  toasting marshmallows;  odd couples;  bikini season;  consuming smarties by colour groups.