tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-74917305739371890122024-02-18T20:12:48.132-08:00little tUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger524125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491730573937189012.post-59391682962019091312015-02-05T12:11:00.001-08:002015-02-05T12:11:11.188-08:00I like my men like I like my…<p>Books                      Novel. Unpredictable. With a spine.</p> <p>Carpets                   Stylish. Rugged. Lets me walk all over them.</p> <p>Babies                      Adorable. Potty-trained. With a nice crib.</p> <p>Taxis                        Clean. Safe. Willing to go to Brooklyn.</p> <p>Flights                     Smooth. Minimal baggage. With an emergency exit.</p> <p>Floors                      Polished. Grounded. Underneath me.</p> <p>Facebook Wall     Candid. Likable. Without babies.</p> <p>My favourites from <a href="http://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/i-like-my-men-like-i-like-my">this list</a> via <a href="http://www.mcsweeneys.net/">McSweeneys</a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491730573937189012.post-24300538677642174692015-02-04T11:10:00.001-08:002015-02-04T11:10:22.199-08:00How to Live<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-h9-CBgFmjOE/VNJumYgncEI/AAAAAAAAOuM/VG1G8fgifE0/s1600-h/Hemingway%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Hemingway" style="display: inline" alt="Hemingway" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-p0eSq7KlFjE/VNJunASiu9I/AAAAAAAAOuU/gE47dhKbQr8/Hemingway_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="417" height="516" /></a></p> <p>Hemingway, on how to live.</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491730573937189012.post-32611320212398701942015-02-03T09:56:00.001-08:002015-02-03T09:56:25.953-08:00Birthday Sushi<p align="justify"><a href="http://little--t.blogspot.ae/2014/04/dear-sophia.html">Sophia</a> turns ONE next month and her Mama bear is looking for party ideas.  Here’s one that would be awesome:</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-s1_oAQh1YBk/VNELuvY5l_I/AAAAAAAAOtU/BF85FpZ4XWI/s1600-h/conveyor%252520sushi%252520diy%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="conveyor sushi diy" style="display: inline" alt="conveyor sushi diy" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WchdofpbOFg/VNELvaJ77WI/AAAAAAAAOtc/BoQLKKk_x9E/conveyor%252520sushi%252520diy_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="424" height="237" /></a></p> <p>At-home sushi conveyor belt via <a title="http://kidcrave.com/toys/at-home-conveyor-sushi/" href="http://kidcrave.com/toys/at-home-conveyor-sushi/">Kidcrave</a></p> <p>Aaaaand I just know you’re rolling your eyes at the idea of serving sushi to children instead of the chocolate and cake and sugar they await.  I will answer your collective eye-roll with this:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-McdiCBF1ieM/VNELwBQs7WI/AAAAAAAAOtk/xa4GEWFrGhc/s1600-h/sushi%252520birthday1%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="sushi birthday1" style="display: inline" alt="sushi birthday1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-BsgDNRDkyeY/VNELwuThh8I/AAAAAAAAOts/A2bGQkrmJqk/sushi%252520birthday1_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="423" height="282" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jHKmR1Xj_Dc/VNELxdg_ITI/AAAAAAAAOt0/0TDNVfbfz50/s1600-h/sushi%252520birthday2%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="sushi birthday2" style="display: inline" alt="sushi birthday2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DAhDdL18DeI/VNELyDiPC1I/AAAAAAAAOt8/xQgf4dFUkyo/sushi%252520birthday2_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="424" height="283" /></a></p> <p>Sweets that look like sushi via <a href="http://www.dinneralovestory.com/tag/japan-theme-birthday-party/">Dinner: A Love Story</a>.  Yes. amazing.</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491730573937189012.post-5830312213049767242015-02-02T09:57:00.001-08:002015-02-02T09:57:24.256-08:00Send Glitter to your Enemies!<p align="justify">This is the wackiest (and most hilarious) idea I’ve seen in a really long time.  If you hate someone (I mean, really, <em>hate</em> them), you can enlist the help of the evil geniuses at <a href="http://shipyourenemiesglitter.com/">Ship Your Enemies Glitter</a> to f**k up their day.  All for the bargain price of $9.99!</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uCOkVQffzl0/VM-6fXHAfvI/AAAAAAAAOs4/7g7jNSuM1YM/s1600-h/send%252520glitter%252520to%252520your%252520enemies%25255B4%25255D.png"><img title="send glitter to your enemies" style="display: inline" alt="send glitter to your enemies" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-hxJZ-wgICqg/VM-6gulvPpI/AAAAAAAAOtA/rARERZjPjng/send%252520glitter%252520to%252520your%252520enemies_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="439" height="404" /></a></p> <p align="justify">This is for real.  Obviously, I would never actually do this and if anyone gets a glitter package, it definitely wasn’t from me.  I did, however, thoroughly enjoy reading the <a href="http://shipyourenemiesglitter.com/">FAQs</a> and <a href="http://shipyourenemiesglitter.com/">Reviews</a> section of their site.</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491730573937189012.post-70200281086808031642015-02-01T09:17:00.001-08:002015-02-01T09:17:38.436-08:00Minimalist Challenge<p align="justify">I’m strongly considering undertaking this <a href="http://into-mind.com/2015/01/01/30-day-minimalism-challenge/">30-day minimalism challenge</a>.  Some of the days seem pretty easy, while others are daunting.  I’m looking at you, number 13!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-E9VSpt3-BIU/VM5frJI6KFI/AAAAAAAAOsg/39Mg-PGcKG8/s1600-h/minimalismchallenge4%25255B8%25255D.png"><img title="minimalismchallenge4" style="display: inline" alt="minimalismchallenge4" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-POWW4slMIyg/VM5fsK_5u0I/AAAAAAAAOso/BwaAIIBacaE/minimalismchallenge4_thumb%25255B6%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="435" height="618" /></a></p> <p align="justify">Who’s with me on this?  </p> <p><font size="1">via </font><a href="http://into-mind.com/2015/01/01/30-day-minimalism-challenge/"><font size="1">Into Mind</font></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491730573937189012.post-78353551112291720552015-01-22T00:00:00.000-08:002015-01-22T00:00:10.020-08:00Which Tea?<p align="justify">I LOVE tea, but I only drink the worst kind – strong black breakfast tea; higher in caffeine than the rest, lower in antioxidants, extra-processed, tooth-staining… and that’s before I add the demon sugar in.  So <em>my</em> tea didn’t make the cut for this list of how to treat different conditions with tea. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jo2_wUaGARA/VLql5fUX9uI/AAAAAAAAOr8/bLR53MjLggw/s1600-h/Tea%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Tea" style="display: inline" alt="Tea" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Gm69lgCuPks/VLql6RJweRI/AAAAAAAAOsE/pnvHO6B3u7k/Tea_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="422" height="953" /></a></p> <p>Good to know, anyway.  I’m still not convinced than drinking ginger tea would make me feel <em>less</em> nauseous though.  Ugh.</p> <p><font size="1">Image via </font><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/39758409185979876/"><font size="1">Pinterest</font></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491730573937189012.post-60328250146663006462015-01-21T06:40:00.000-08:002015-01-26T06:40:40.081-08:00How I Contour<p align="justify">There are a gazillion face contouring guides and videos on the web.  Most of the ones I’ve seen have been overly detailed, and off-putting.  I don’t want to complicate things further.  For me, contouring is not an every day thing, but I love the effect for nights-out.  What I do is very simple – it’s this:</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-LLXVvjGKIAM/VLqhowdZuZI/AAAAAAAAOro/FqcHGDB3s7Y/s1600-h/Contouring%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="Contouring" style="display: inline" alt="Contouring" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PIHFBjXzMD4/VLqhp80nU4I/AAAAAAAAOrw/5IAgAXhwELI/Contouring_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="590" /></a></p> <p align="justify">…and blend (of course).  That’s it!</p> <p align="justify">My holy grail contouring product is <a href="http://www.brownthomas.com/cosmetics/shade+illuminate/invt/147x4012xt0pl">Tom Ford Shade & Illuminate</a> palette, but it <em>is</em> pricy.  You can get the same general effect using your favourite bronzer and a liquid concealer in a shade lighter than your skin colour/ foundation.   </p> <p><font size="1">Photo via </font><a href="http://danish-streets.tumblr.com/post/63805939989"><font size="1">Danish Streets</font></a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491730573937189012.post-55228081483584933372015-01-20T00:00:00.000-08:002015-01-20T00:00:18.541-08:00Celebrity Do-gooders<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-1RZiXn19stc/VLqZLYmuaYI/AAAAAAAAOqw/-TYEZt_wCvw/s1600-h/emma%252520stone1%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="emma stone1" style="display: inline" alt="emma stone1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7Qbpzs5nE1Q/VLqZMevcUwI/AAAAAAAAOq4/m9yfa29xq_w/emma%252520stone1_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="677" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VErsfoBRYzs/VLqZNB9XHJI/AAAAAAAAOrA/57qqBuqgpuA/s1600-h/emma%252520stone2%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="emma stone2" style="display: inline" alt="emma stone2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dxQ8PQpUfdo/VLqZNz3-UdI/AAAAAAAAOrI/FpXRmkAOHy0/emma%252520stone2_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="676" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RzFt_Hwmezo/VLqZOh6q5dI/AAAAAAAAOrM/YVaSvpAQHrI/s1600-h/emma%252520stone3%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="emma stone3" style="display: inline" alt="emma stone3" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uHVD9fojF-s/VLqZPWDi2PI/AAAAAAAAOrY/naKrt222Bng/emma%252520stone3_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="676" /></a></p> <p>As if I needed another reason to love Emma Stone…</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491730573937189012.post-17166934190162777732015-01-19T00:00:00.000-08:002015-01-19T00:00:00.379-08:00Quick Quiz<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0BAskbvkUrk/VLVPGBo9UiI/AAAAAAAAOqY/kjlr5rFncvw/s1600-h/Chris-Rock-child-eaten-by-a-camel4.png"><img title="Chris Rock child eaten by a camel" style="display: inline" alt="Chris Rock child eaten by a camel" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NifOUUhg9QA/VLVPHLpygII/AAAAAAAAOqg/03XIkxmcR-c/Chris-Rock-child-eaten-by-a-camel_th.png?imgmax=800" width="431" height="402" /></a></p> <p>It’s the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Monday_%28date%29">most depressing day of the year</a>, apparently, but this might make you smile.  Happy (Blue) Monday peeps.</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491730573937189012.post-71595799028251539012015-01-18T00:00:00.000-08:002015-01-18T00:00:00.799-08:00Emoji Ink<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--ezB5cmKNkw/VLVOb76qoxI/AAAAAAAAOqI/LRg_n7I8yes/s1600-h/little%252520t%25255B5%25255D.png"><img title="little t" style="display: inline" alt="little t" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-iELHI0oPrlU/VLVOcmCQgKI/AAAAAAAAOqQ/0i64h0i_-88/little%252520t_thumb%25255B3%25255D.png?imgmax=800" width="432" height="217" /></a></p> <p>Now you can <a href="http://emoji.ink/">draw with Emoji</a>!  I got inexplicably excited about this…</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491730573937189012.post-79622861335981754042015-01-15T00:00:00.000-08:002015-01-15T00:00:01.054-08:00Table Tents<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0pxNGeOG288/VLVLA0uRQ8I/AAAAAAAAOp0/PNn7TTt5pkE/s1600-h/Table%252520tents%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Table tents" style="display: inline" alt="Table tents" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-IMkcpMRD4Kc/VLVLB4y5TgI/AAAAAAAAOp8/9gQ7keU8PDQ/Table%252520tents_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="432" height="392" /></a></p> <p>This is the stuff of my childhood dreams.  Available <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/StripedCoast?source=aw&utm_source=affiliate_window&utm_medium=affiliates&utm_campaign=UK_BUYER&utm_content=220595">here</a> on Etsy.</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491730573937189012.post-73286452462906473582015-01-14T00:00:00.000-08:002015-01-14T00:00:02.514-08:00The Best Hot Chocolate You’ll Ever Taste<p align="justify">Maybe.  In fact, that is very obnoxious of me to suggest – and probably not even true.  If you’ve ever been (or will be) to <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g186600-d859442-Reviews-O_Conaill_s_Chocolate_Shop-Cork_County_Cork.html">O’Conaill’s Chocolate Shop</a> on French Church Street in Cork, Ireland, then it is most certainly not true.  Their signature hot chocolate is better than mine.  I guess that goes without saying.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FRCJacN33nw/VLVIdNCYp7I/AAAAAAAAOpg/xKUA9QCD6Vg/s1600-h/hot%252520chocolate%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="hot chocolate" style="display: inline" alt="hot chocolate" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vaEsi0Ozx6c/VLVIeJPWkEI/AAAAAAAAOpo/CoNsDMsaxCc/hot%252520chocolate_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="427" /></a></p> <p align="justify">Allow me to start again.  This is a very decent hot chocolate recipe, that I came up with myself and that you will definitely not hate.  There!  The recipe was actually intended as a recreation of the O’Conaill’s one I was craving in the run up to Christmas, while I was still in Abu Dhabi and thousands of miles away from that kind of perfection.  </p> <p align="justify">Here’s the recipe.  It’s for those of you who, like me, think of hot chocolate as more dessert than drink… though I’m sure you could lower the chocolate: milk ratio and that would work too.</p> <p align="justify"><strong>Hot Chocolate (makes 2 standard sized mugs)</strong></p> <p align="justify"><strong>What you’ll need:</strong></p> <p align="justify">Semi-skimmed milk (Use the mugs to measure – 2 almost-full mugs)</p> <p align="justify">35-40g good quality dark chocolate (70%+)</p> <p align="justify">35-40g good quality white chocolate</p> <p align="justify">35 –40g Lindt Excellence Extra Creamy Milk Chocolate (<a href="http://www.lindtusa.com/shop/extra-creamy-excellence-bar">this exact one</a>)</p> <p align="justify">A good pinch of Maldon salt</p> <p align="justify"><strong>Here’s how:</strong></p> <ul> <li> <div align="justify">Cut the chocolate into smallish chunks</div> </li> <li> <div align="justify">Warm the milk in a small saucepan over a medium heat. As the milk starts to heats up, add the chocolate and start whisking until all the chocolate is melted.  Don’t allow the milk to boil – you want lots of steam but no bubbles.  </div> </li> <li> <div align="justify">Add the salt and whisk one last time before pouring into the mugs to serve</div> </li> <li> <div align="justify">Jamie Oliver has <a href="http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/chocolate-recipes/the-best-hot-chocolate/">this trick</a> for hot chocolate that I sometimes do, but sometimes don’t bother with.  Right before serving, you pour the mixture into a large flask, ensuring there is lots of space at the top.  Screw on the lid and shake it (like you would with a cocktail shaker) for a couple of minutes.  This makes the milk nice and frothy.  Include that step too, if you’re really trying to impress.  </div> </li> </ul> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491730573937189012.post-29195876444360522142015-01-13T00:00:00.000-08:002015-01-13T00:00:00.939-08:00Balloon Ice<p>Here’s a fun party trick. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RVxEzXiGY30/VLPfc92XaDI/AAAAAAAAOpI/ufCcxsgcrm0/s1600-h/Balloon%252520ice%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="Balloon ice" style="display: inline" alt="Balloon ice" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QHiTkRCKEao/VLPfd7h_WKI/AAAAAAAAOpQ/0MJ426dHNeM/Balloon%252520ice_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="415" height="621" /></a></p> <p align="justify">Water balloons, filled and frozen, will create perfectly formed ice-balls that won’t dilute your favourite Scotch.  No fancy schmancy cocktail equipment necessary.</p> <p align="justify">via <a href="http://www.saveur.com/article/techniques/balloon-ice">Saveur</a></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491730573937189012.post-25027998056404992822015-01-12T00:00:00.000-08:002015-01-12T00:00:04.645-08:00The Amazing Un-stealable Bicycle<p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9G6AkGAZjU0/VLK2z0nnokI/AAAAAAAAOow/YIBzGqYLWWU/s1600-h/Unstealable%252520bicycle%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Unstealable bicycle" style="display: inline" alt="Unstealable bicycle" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GkTQVmJ93XU/VLK20vSdXsI/AAAAAAAAOo4/p0LWyG_5f3Q/Unstealable%252520bicycle_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="424" height="221" /></a></p> <p align="justify">Clever, clever students at the Universidad Adolfo Ibanez (Chile) have designed this: the world’s first un-stealable bike.  It converts into its own lock, meaning that if the lock is broken, the bike is rendered useless to the thief!  Clever, clever, clever.  Beautiful design too.</p> <p align="justify">Read more about The Yerka Project <a href="http://yerkaproject.com/">here</a>.</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491730573937189012.post-46355152198730730172015-01-11T00:00:00.000-08:002015-01-11T00:00:00.986-08:00The Best IKEA Hack<p align="justify">This past Christmas was extra special for our family as it was the first one with little <a href="http://little--t.blogspot.ae/2014/04/dear-sophia.html">Sophia</a>.  I was excited to make it home to see her again after five long months – she had doubled her age in that time!  It all happens too fast.  One of the nice things about having a baby around at Christmastime is that children’s gifts are always the most fun.  Sophia got Lego from Santa Claus, lots of musical instruments (drums are her favourite) and even a baby-sized Mini Cooper from her Uncle Richie. </p> <p align="justify">If I had seen <a href="http://babiekinsmag.com/craftykins-mini-ikea-play-kitchen-makeover">this IKEA hack</a> before Christmas, I’d like to think I could have made it happen and delivered the best present of all.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-z7I7QnzOPWM/VLFi2z-OtQI/AAAAAAAAOnE/NMVemGM5y2g/s1600-h/IKEA%252520hack1%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="IKEA hack1" style="display: inline" alt="IKEA hack1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DL78bcsZ_jY/VLFi3tfWwYI/AAAAAAAAOnM/yXxjOOHFnO0/IKEA%252520hack1_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="416" height="566" /></a></p> <p align="justify"> How awesome?  Have a look at the before.  </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zD8h1JIF7p4/VLFi4edEDcI/AAAAAAAAOnU/wVmoevrEtt8/s1600-h/IKEA%252520hack2%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IKEA hack2" style="display: inline" alt="IKEA hack2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4T32CpqqOAc/VLFi5Kg7gmI/AAAAAAAAOnc/1wmfe-jxI6o/IKEA%252520hack2_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="417" height="417" /></a></p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WPd21disvVE/VLFi6KAS92I/AAAAAAAAOnk/eNVsLyg3IFM/s1600-h/IKEA%252520hack3%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IKEA hack3" style="display: inline" alt="IKEA hack3" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RqKB5TQbZLI/VLFi698xtbI/AAAAAAAAOns/I12A7lvqbBI/IKEA%252520hack3_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="419" height="321" /></a></p> <p align="justify">I love the little details, like the subway tiles and chic lighting.  </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KPeENIMaIDk/VLFi7mrgLrI/AAAAAAAAOn0/VrKcSO5WKw8/s1600-h/IKEA%252520hack4%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IKEA hack4" style="display: inline" alt="IKEA hack4" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dyzrw3q6agg/VLFi8cObBBI/AAAAAAAAOn8/shf1hc12oOE/IKEA%252520hack4_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="422" height="281" /></a></p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rsWGUsR8kDM/VLFi8-gp6bI/AAAAAAAAOoE/ki0WchUUYmQ/s1600-h/IKEA%252520Hack5%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IKEA Hack5" style="display: inline" alt="IKEA Hack5" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BWNZCjFhfcs/VLFi9oeYrRI/AAAAAAAAOoM/LMv-CY-loZ0/IKEA%252520Hack5_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="423" height="282" /></a></p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-byRsxS5Auu0/VLFi-Tz8NFI/AAAAAAAAOoU/eQ7rCNn4Vps/s1600-h/IKEA%252520hack6%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="IKEA hack6" style="display: inline" alt="IKEA hack6" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-H3rA692mwMM/VLFi_OerbrI/AAAAAAAAOoc/h-6O4L_YigM/IKEA%252520hack6_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="423" height="636" /></a></p> <p align="justify">Fiona, we <em>have</em> to attempt this sometime in the next year.</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491730573937189012.post-49240475796492054872015-01-08T00:00:00.000-08:002015-01-08T00:00:14.028-08:006 Beautiful Nail Colours<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TXq_CJif07M/VK1ujzbT17I/AAAAAAAAOmc/HYDtZEykvTA/s1600-h/little%252520t%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="little t" style="display: inline" alt="little t" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KRxG34C53JI/VK1uku2TG-I/AAAAAAAAOmk/Ovc1-BzCtO4/little%252520t_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="409" height="461" /></a></p> <p>Top (L to R): Essie in ‘Cocktail Bling’; Bobbi Brown in ‘Pink Cloud’; Nars in ‘Chinatown’</p> <p>Bottom (L to R): Nars in ‘Thakoon’; Essie in ‘Bobbing for Baubles’; Chanel Le Vernis in ‘Skyline’</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491730573937189012.post-91763969344526519032015-01-07T00:00:00.000-08:002015-01-07T00:00:19.091-08:00January Treats<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oo82lxWbp_8/VKwYVzWilGI/AAAAAAAAOmE/N439tWtdiKI/s1600-h/salted%252520chocolate%252520clementines%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="salted chocolate clementines" style="display: inline" alt="salted chocolate clementines" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PwZzh9OM6S0/VKwYWu2sQmI/AAAAAAAAOmM/sm1ZPxEB434/salted%252520chocolate%252520clementines_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="426" height="323" /></a></p> <p align="justify">Life got a little tastier since I started dipping clementine wedges in melted dark chocolate, sprinkling them with sea salt and putting them in the fridge for a few hours.  The simplest treat – that is pretty much guilt-free (especially when you compare it to my December diet).  These babies are delicious.</p> <p align="justify">Originally spotted on <a href="http://diana212m.blogspot.ae/">Express-o</a> – thank you Diana!</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491730573937189012.post-46683471614987046542015-01-06T00:00:00.000-08:002015-01-06T00:00:11.106-08:00Sales Shopping<p align="justify">I almost never find <em>anything </em>in the sales when I’m on the lookout, but this year, when I was trying <em>not</em> to shop the sales, I stumbled upon this gem in Warehouse at 70% off.  </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dZIq0Z52U0M/VKq1WNKhcHI/AAAAAAAAOls/b4jjqv-IrX0/s1600-h/warehouse%252520jumpsuit%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="warehouse jumpsuit" style="display: inline" alt="warehouse jumpsuit" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BiX3Jo5BN-w/VKq1XFeL-lI/AAAAAAAAOl0/MCXJtnE7JgI/warehouse%252520jumpsuit_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="417" height="532" /></a></p> <p align="justify">I think these photos don’t even do it justice – the length and shape make it a classy look but the lacy bodice top almost has a lingerie feel.  So. very. sexy.</p> <p align="justify">It’s the most beautiful item in my wardrobe and still on sale, <a href="http://www.warehouse.co.uk/SALE/dept/fcp-category/list?cm_re=Homepage-_-category-_-allsale-one#filters=CATEGORY!jumpsuits&page=0">here</a>.  A steal.</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491730573937189012.post-81587045317032996752015-01-04T23:00:00.000-08:002015-01-04T23:00:03.964-08:00If Our Bodies Could Talk<p align="justify">When Joanna (from <a href="http://joannagoddard.blogspot.ae/">A Cup of Jo</a>) revealed <a href="http://www.jameshamblin.com/">Dr. James Hamblin</a> as her latest <a href="http://joannagoddard.blogspot.ae/2014/12/whos-your-celebrity-crush.html">celebrity crush</a>, I was a little confused.  I usually agree with her on just about any topic imaginable, but this confession had me like <em>whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?  </em>At first glance, he looks like a skinny socially-awkward adolescent.  After watching a couple of his videos, it not only confirmed my first impressions but also showed how he has managed to make a lucrative career out of that persona.  Kudos to him, but surely this doesn’t grant him eligibility as an object of our affection?  I happen to know that Joanna shares my fondness of facial hair and this fellow looks like he has never had reason to shave in his life.  There’s also the fact that he isn’t exactly a celebrity;  I mean, Joanna herself is arguably more well-known. Shouldn’t your celebrity crush be more famous that you?  Isn’t that the point? I didn’t get it.  </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-baqgmfq24mQ/VKmN8YIGLZI/AAAAAAAAOkA/M55-uzaUTBI/s1600-h/If%252520our%252520bodies%252520could%252520talk%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="If our bodies could talk" style="display: inline" alt="If our bodies could talk" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-91S9B98Larw/VKmN9LFzzVI/AAAAAAAAOkI/SSjxp0zC8zs/If%252520our%252520bodies%252520could%252520talk_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="433" height="271" /></a></p> <p align="justify">Admittedly though, his video series <em><a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/video/series/if-our-bodies-could-talk/">If Our Bodies Could Talk</a></em> is very, ve-ry entertaining.  I will warn you now that I binged watched the entire series, although if it should happen to you it won’t affect your life in the same way as say, <em>Breaking Bad</em>, given each video is only about 5 minutes duration.  Watch them… or my favourites at least:</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YSNWqQdmFQM/VKmN94crL4I/AAAAAAAAOkQ/DHTHFc20Qp8/s1600-h/tabless%252520thursday%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="tabless thursday" style="display: inline" alt="tabless thursday" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KlFf1D3jlRA/VKmN-sFPeQI/AAAAAAAAOkY/nvmGrai9HDE/tabless%252520thursday_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="434" height="242" /></a></p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/373027/singletasking-is-the-new-multitasking/">Tabless Thursday</a> is a concept I have successfully introduced into my life.  Single tasking is the new multitasking.  I’m all about it.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-n6-PRmuHOdA/VKmN_bctXtI/AAAAAAAAOkg/2OQSty4gnPw/s1600-h/things%252520not%252520to%252520say%252520to%252520a%252520pregnant%252520woman%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="things not to say to a pregnant woman" style="display: inline" alt="things not to say to a pregnant woman" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7FMMtSsj3Lk/VKmOACd4LqI/AAAAAAAAOko/hUVXtZ1AFEU/things%252520not%252520to%252520say%252520to%252520a%252520pregnant%252520woman_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="434" height="226" /></a></p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/382093/things-not-to-say-to-a-pregnant-woman/">Things not to say to a pregnant woman</a>.  This made me laugh out loud.  I didn’t say LOL because that doesn’t explain how I was actually laughing at my computer screen.  I was, for reals.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-INraoPo59Do/VKmOAmBvrAI/AAAAAAAAOkw/gvAO_ZyBpoU/s1600-h/napping%252520at%252520work%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="napping at work" style="display: inline" alt="napping at work" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tVpUNO02OoQ/VKmOBueaW2I/AAAAAAAAOk4/zg81IOcnQo4/napping%252520at%252520work_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="245" /></a></p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/382937/sleep-at-work/">The case for napping at work</a>.  Do you love him yet?</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gQwdHPKo288/VKmOCYcoe8I/AAAAAAAAOlA/N3-RjXvdi8Q/s1600-h/sad%252520desk%252520lunch%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="sad desk lunch" style="display: inline" alt="sad desk lunch" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-B2OU6rAypus/VKmODPPyB1I/AAAAAAAAOlI/bci43__5peg/sad%252520desk%252520lunch_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="247" /></a></p> <p align="justify">A take on the <a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/360855/sad-desk-lunch/">sad desk lunch</a>.  </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-67f-Aj9h2e0/VKmODyqXeNI/AAAAAAAAOlQ/1z7TVOorvC4/s1600-h/skipping%252520breakfast%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="skipping breakfast" style="display: inline" alt="skipping breakfast" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-t2JfW6MsfCg/VKmOEjcxMCI/AAAAAAAAOlY/ltsGdGMp6RU/skipping%252520breakfast_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="245" /></a></p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://www.theatlantic.com/video/index/360154/is-breakfast-the-most-important-meal-of-the-day/">Is breakfast the most important meal of the day?</a>  Maybe, as outrageous as it sounds, breakfast is…just another meal.   It <em>is</em> weird how preachy people get about not skipping breakfast!</p> <p align="justify">After the sixth or so video, you might begin to find Dr. James strangely endearing, although I can’t put my finger on why exactly.  Us ladies are complicated creatures.  I’m not saying I’m on that bandwagon completely, but I get it.  I get it now.</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491730573937189012.post-36672033033382107392015-01-03T22:00:00.000-08:002015-01-03T22:00:03.187-08:00Advice<p align="justify">I’m hesitant about posting on the topic of life advice, particularly at this time of year when every blogger is publishing their resolutions for the shiny new year.  You don’t need my two cents.  You can assume (correctly) that I have similar list of predictable intentions.  Anyway, this isn’t <em>that</em> kind of advice.  </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://www.vulture.com/2014/12/10-best-dear-sugar-columns-cheryl-strayed-wild.html">This article</a>, with excerpts from a “Dear Sugar”  column by Cheryl Strayed (author of <em><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wild:_From_Lost_to_Found_on_the_Pacific_Crest_Trail">Wild</a></em>) , was one of those thoughtful pieces that I read, read again and then decided that it might be just the kind of soul-soothing guidance that your January self needs.</p> <p align="justify">Here are my favourite bits:</p> <p align="justify"> </p> <p align="justify"><strong>On how to treat your parents…</strong></p> <p align="justify"><em>One Christmas at the very beginning of your twenties when your mother gives you a warm coat that she saved for months to buy, don’t look at her sceptically after she tells you she thought the coat was perfect for you. Don’t hold it up and say it’s longer than you like your coats to be and too puffy and possibly even too warm. Your mother will be dead by spring. That coat will be the last gift she gave you. You will regret the small thing you didn’t say for the rest of your life.  Say thank you.</em></p> <p align="justify"><strong>On love</strong></p> <p align="justify"><em>I recalled a time fifteen years ago, when I was sitting in a café with Mr. Sugar. We’d only been lovers for a month, but we were already in deep, thick in the thrall of the you-tell-me-everything-and-I’ll-tell-you-everything-because-I-love-you-so-madly stage, and on this particular afternoon I was telling him the harrowing tale of how I’d gotten pregnant by a heroin addict the year before and how I’d felt so angry and sad and self-destructive over having an abortion that I’d intentionally sliced a shallow line in my arm with a knife, even though I’d never done that before. When I got to the part about cutting myself, Mr. Sugar stopped me. He said, ‘Don’t get me wrong. I want to hear everything about your life. But I want you to know that you don’t need to tell me this to get me to love you. You don’t have to be broken for me.</em></p> <p align="justify"><strong>On being a (female) writer…</strong></p> <p align="justify"><em>How many women wrote beautiful novels and stories and poems and essays and plays and scripts and songs in spite of all the crap they endured. How many of them didn’t collapse in a heap of 'I could have been better than this' and instead went right ahead and became better than anyone would have predicted or allowed them to be. The unifying theme is resilience and faith. The unifying theme is being a warrior and a motherfucker. It is not fragility. It’s strength. It’s nerve. And 'if your Nerve, deny you –,' as Emily Dickinson wrote, 'go above your Nerve.' Writing is hard for every last one of us — straight white men included. Coal mining is harder. Do you think miners stand around all day talking about how hard it is to mine for coal? They do not. They simply dig.</em></p> <p align="justify"><strong>On becoming stronger with change…</strong></p> <p align="justify"><em>Real change happens on the level of the gesture. It’s one person doing one thing differently than he or she did before. It’s the man who opts not to invite his abusive mother to his wedding; the woman who decides to spend her Saturday mornings in a drawing class instead of scrubbing the toilets at home; the writer who won’t allow himself to be devoured by his envy; the parent who takes a deep breath instead of throwing a plate. It’s you and me standing naked before our lovers, even if it makes us feel kind of squirmy in a bad way when we do. The work is there. It’s our task. Doing it will give us strength and clarity. It will bring us closer to who we hope to be.</em></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491730573937189012.post-8976336220205375772015-01-01T04:33:00.001-08:002015-01-01T04:33:35.354-08:00Hello 2015!<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7jFlGvqz31Y/VKU-ke8XDVI/AAAAAAAAOjo/pKlBLdXz45k/s1600-h/Happy%252520New%252520Year%2525202015%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="Happy New Year 2015" style="display: inline" alt="Happy New Year 2015" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-qvVrb7WvYh8/VKU-naGv-fI/AAAAAAAAOjw/whGIJ5JULl4/Happy%252520New%252520Year%2525202015_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="407" height="611" /></a></p> <p align="justify">Just to say… Happy New Year and that 2015 will mark a return to regular posting on little t.  I hope that’s exciting news for more than just me.  Love to your mothers.</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491730573937189012.post-50261025578303473932014-06-13T13:41:00.001-07:002014-06-13T13:41:09.325-07:00Dolce Vita<p align="justify">Do you remember in The Brady Bunch when one of the family members would need an obscure sum of money for a particular cause ($2, 140 to give a stray puppy a life-saving vaccination… or $8, 232 to stop the town’s library from being bulldozed… for example).  It would always seem as if their luck had just run out, when Marcia (<em><a href="http://little--t.blogspot.ie/2010/11/marcia-marcia-marcia.html">Marcia Marcia</a></em>) would spot a poster for an equally obscure competition and a top prize of the exact amount they were trying to get their hands on. </p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-GHvFyMOKeIQ/U5thxzY5XsI/AAAAAAAAN2s/gNibR1S7sOw/s1600-h/dolcevita3%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="dolcevita3" style="display: inline" alt="dolcevita3" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QBT77j5tDJU/U5thzSlwP2I/AAAAAAAAN20/GasDin52TZk/dolcevita3_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="434" height="289" /></a></p> <p align="justify">If real life were like that, I’d be staring saucer-eyed at a prize jackpot of €203.16 right now and the only thing standing between me and <a href="http://www.revolveclothing.com/dolce-vita-valentina-dress-in-white-natural/dp/DOLC-WD449/?d=">this dress</a> would be the minor obstacle of winning some brother- sister dance competition.</p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iZWeqbrW6iY/U5th0wxmQII/AAAAAAAAN28/9saxyCGUnVY/s1600-h/dolcevita2%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="dolcevita2" style="display: inline" alt="dolcevita2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mVpT2RAlEik/U5th1zD9TMI/AAAAAAAAN3E/oWoS-qqVCbo/dolcevita2_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="293" /></a></p> <p align="justify"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-T0sPF_oZhOM/U5th3zLmpSI/AAAAAAAAN3M/JTSov0VsTh4/s1600-h/dolcevita1%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="dolcevita1" style="display: inline" alt="dolcevita1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bMMIbvAVn2Q/U5th4rfX7YI/AAAAAAAAN3U/BRv2FeBgxr0/dolcevita1_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="440" height="294" /></a></p> <p align="justify">Daydreaming takes up a big portion of my real-life.  €203.16 is too much to pay for a sundress. <em> </em>Is it?<em> </em>(I <em>love</em> it)</p> <p align="justify">If I were a rich girl (a whole other daydream), I’d be taking the whole dang <a href="http://www.revolveclothing.com/dolce-vita/br/448c90/?&pageNum=1">collection</a>. </p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491730573937189012.post-3640991093452127172014-05-12T13:20:00.000-07:002014-05-12T13:22:57.233-07:00How to Frost a Cake<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-D2x8ho9MhB8/U3EtK7vnkfI/AAAAAAAANzo/Fp7ubWAVKJ4/s1600-h/10-P1030929%25255B11%25255D.jpg"><img title="10-P1030929" style="display: inline" alt="10-P1030929" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-udfOfI66--o/U3EtL9OOc7I/AAAAAAAANzw/ywh-E1FDXcM/10-P1030929_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="437" height="328" /></a></p> <p align="justify">I made this <a href="http://little--t.blogspot.ie/2013/05/thing-88-make-birthday-cake-for-someone.html">Peanut Butter Birthday Cake</a> (adapted from Joy the Baker’s recipe – <a href="http://little--t.blogspot.ie/2013/05/thing-88-make-birthday-cake-for-someone.html">here</a>) for my bestie Marie’s birthday last month. (Marie is one half of the awesome duo responsible for <a href="http://little--t.blogspot.ie/2013/03/birthday-balloon-surprise.html">this surprise</a> last year).  </p> <p align="justify">Everyone agrees that the peanut butter frosting is the best part of this cake.  Here’s a guide to frosting your birthday cake (the easy way) in 7 easy steps.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-zpqJXvKwUH8/U3EtNvNV5CI/AAAAAAAANz4/_Qx05dqFLrU/s1600-h/02-P1030901%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="02-P1030901" style="display: inline" alt="02-P1030901" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6sRZ0imI_oI/U3EtP_rHhjI/AAAAAAAAN0A/DeKSsgsmHDk/02-P1030901_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="436" height="216" /></a></p> <p>A few tips before we begin:</p> <p align="justify"><em>Tip 1: Make more frosting than you need.  Frosting will inevitably end up stuck on the spoon, and the sides of the bowl, and on your clothes and in your hair and mouth.  That excess icing adds up. I doubled the recipe.  That may seem extreme, but I’ve never heard anyone complain about too much frosting before.  “Oh dang, just what are we going to do with the leftover frosting?”  We’re going to lick it slowly off a cold spoon while staring dreamily into space, that’s what.</em></p> <p align="justify"><em>Tip 2: Once it’s made, chill your frosting for an hour or two, then take it out of the fridge precisely 15 minutes before you start the frosting process.  This is the only part of my step-by-step guide that must be followed exactly.  It ensures the frosting is still chilled, but malleable. (I just typed the word malleable on my blog – whaaaat?)</em></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fshPklYcQPM/U3EtR3n3tFI/AAAAAAAAN0I/XtJpTz2dpCU/s1600-h/01-P1030900%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="01-P1030900" style="display: inline" alt="01-P1030900" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AedrePZund8/U3EtS_e5YZI/AAAAAAAAN0Q/OWE6GxBo1HY/01-P1030900_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="437" height="295" /></a></p> <p align="justify">Step 1:  Place the cake on the cake stand you intend to serve it on.  There’s no moving the cake post-frosting.  </p> <p align="justify">Step 2:  Spoon <em>a lot</em> of the mixture on to the top of the cake.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-M-UAdtIuUIo/U3EtUivvxdI/AAAAAAAAN0Y/TGIiEwha9BQ/s1600-h/03-P1030905%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img title="03-P1030905" style="display: inline" alt="03-P1030905" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oF__sQfRHlA/U3EtVUYzZ3I/AAAAAAAAN0g/pAD0gQSSvQU/03-P1030905_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="438" height="328" /></a></p> <p align="justify">Step 3:  Start smoothing the frosting out over the cake with a metal spoon, pushing dollops over the edges.  Add more frosting as necessary.  The spoon should never touch the cake, only the frosting.  We don’t want crumby icing.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PNM5k9ij6Eg/U3EtXvJR6QI/AAAAAAAAN0o/v7n-xNfD4yE/s1600-h/04-P1030907%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img title="04-P1030907" style="display: inline" alt="04-P1030907" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1eTZbctoGag/U3EtYsHsQKI/AAAAAAAAN0w/tesYNHSC8RU/04-P1030907_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="438" height="328" /></a></p> <p align="justify">Step 4:  Keep smoothing and dolloping until you can’t see any more cake.  Your cake will look like a messy blob at this stage, but don’t panic.  If you can only see frosting, you’ve done it right.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-orpdlquC1e8/U3EtaYh5uKI/AAAAAAAAN04/sB02EpG_GZg/s1600-h/05-P1030910%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="05-P1030910" style="display: inline" alt="05-P1030910" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-RWfdhTKc_FU/U3EtbiJYAzI/AAAAAAAAN1A/CC0e30XmaPI/05-P1030910_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="440" height="328" /></a></p> <p align="justify">Step 5:  Take a clean metal spoon and make a swirly pattern on the top of the cake.  Work from the outsides in, again not touching the cake.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-TnpI-GzPEKY/U3EtczyvOFI/AAAAAAAAN1I/4U-uuDvnNlc/s1600-h/06-P1030909%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="06-P1030909" style="display: inline" alt="06-P1030909" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3mDf4oC-haY/U3EteMyeA2I/AAAAAAAAN1Q/pqZV47_W5NU/06-P1030909_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="441" height="261" /></a></p> <p align="justify">Step 6:  Now, take a flat (butter) knife and trace around the rim, roughly flattening the sides.  This will ‘trim’ a lot of excess frosting from the sides, which goes back in the bowl (for later).</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-i1bQ-p-2SK0/U3EtfzFmosI/AAAAAAAAN1Y/_ejiObRDaHs/s1600-h/07-P1030911%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="07-P1030911" style="display: inline" alt="07-P1030911" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ozOO_FbagvU/U3Etgp1vkUI/AAAAAAAAN1g/FoMrVyoUJKg/07-P1030911_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="440" height="330" /></a></p> <p align="justify">Step 7:  Take a dry, clean napkin and wipe the messy frosting from the edges of the serving plate.  Immediately follow with a clean, damp napkin to remove the sticky frosting residue.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Dlcg0a8TQb4/U3EtiiXEEKI/AAAAAAAAN1o/CrcevaSqiFo/s1600-h/08-P1030913%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="08-P1030913" style="display: inline" alt="08-P1030913" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-6DwNrMhE4FQ/U3EtkPYvHbI/AAAAAAAAN1w/RJjtKDKLoXQ/08-P1030913_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="440" height="330" /></a></p> <p align="justify">And that’s it!  I kept the decoration pretty simple this time, but you can be as creative as you like!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VX33EeBm7n8/U3Etmg7UA5I/AAAAAAAAN14/kTswrq7pU2s/s1600-h/11-P1030930%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img title="11-P1030930" style="display: inline" alt="11-P1030930" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GwA1l95wYck/U3EtnpTGsgI/AAAAAAAAN2A/Qunb-FyYvog/11-P1030930_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="329" /></a></p> <p>Happy Birthday Marie – I loved our mini celebration! xo</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491730573937189012.post-76112222357182553052014-05-09T01:00:00.000-07:002014-05-09T01:00:09.818-07:00The Creative Process<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-C9rNSbBRGLU/U2v_CCB4TpI/AAAAAAAANzQ/ptrCDg__JZA/s1600-h/the%252520creative%252520process%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="the creative process" style="display: inline" alt="the creative process" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CvYkNJ4mq_U/U2v_DV0AB3I/AAAAAAAANzY/nqZSX6EtfmA/the%252520creative%252520process_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="436" height="285" /></a></p> <p>Made me smile.  Happy Friday! xo</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7491730573937189012.post-91101059623834817162014-05-08T01:00:00.000-07:002014-05-08T01:00:07.592-07:00Bibliomotocarro<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bKVwthBRg4I/U2qykLTBLRI/AAAAAAAANy4/LnA0YoYPNBY/s1600-h/Bibliomotocarro%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="Bibliomotocarro" style="display: inline" alt="Bibliomotocarro" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nSx6utL6cjk/U2qyldiWTJI/AAAAAAAANzA/YCCSzlnryrU/Bibliomotocarro_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="445" height="297" /></a></p> <p align="justify">Antonio La Cava (pictured) was a schoolteacher in Italy for 42 years.  After retiring, he wanted to continue to spread the love of reading to children. He created the <a href="http://www.ilbibliomotocarro.com/">Bibliomotocarro</a> by restoring and modifying a used Ape motorbike.  It is a portable library housing 700 carefully-chosen books.  Antonio has been traveling throughout Italy in his cheery bookmobile ever since.  Don’t you just <em>love</em> this?</p> <p align="justify">Side note:  The name of La Cava’s contraption, Il Bibliomotocaro, really tickled me.  I’m currently trying to learn the Italian language and always joke that you can add ‘o’ to the end of English words to translate them into Italian (perfect-o; fantastic-o…) – this moto carro sort of follows my rule.  Sort of.</p> <p align="justify"><font size="1">via <a href="http://www.messynessychic.com/2014/05/05/13-things-i-found-vol-lxxii/">Messy Nessy Chic</a></font></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8