26 April 2012

Snapshot from home

Hello again :)

I took a trip back to the Lake District to see my family and I spent as much time as I possibly could in the countryside! You don't realise how gross the air is in London until you manage to get out and take a deep breath of fresh air into your lungs. It feels fantastic! So naturally, I made the most of it ;) I just wish I had appreciated it more while I lived there growing up. Oh well, better late than never...

Here are a few pics I shot via the magic of Instagram.

Meet our family dog :) Little Chicken is her name and she is amazing!
I can't wait to take her camping in a few weeks.

This sheep started clawing the rail as we arrived.
Little Chicken wasn't too impressed with that!

A not-so-friendly bear greeted us at the start of our walk. Stern but cool.

15 April 2012

Love window shopping?


Then you simply have to check this site out! Polyvore is a site made to help you explore your inner stylist. You can use it to create outfits, interior design looks and basically anything your heart desires :)

Here's a little number I made earlier...

Spring in Paris


Alexander McQueen zip jacket
£1,195 - net-a-porter.com

SHY SHY black hosiery
$15 - yesstyle.com

Lulu Guinness black handbag
$465 - luluguinness.com

Ivanka Trump black jewelry
$5,900 - endless.com

Fallon south sea pearl jewelry
£123 - farfetch.com

Mexx flower jewelry
€13 - zalando.de

Melissa Odabash floppy hat
£16 - debenhams.com

Carole hair clip accessory
$7 - jcpenney.com

Retro shades
£4 - fashionunion.com

Recipe Box: Dal Palak


Meet Dal Palak. It's a lovely Indian curry made from lentils and spinach and it comes with a nice spicy kick! You can make it soupy or more like a stew, depending on how you feel at the time :)

I adapted an American recipe to UK standards and yummmm! I had a technical hitch while making this; the lights blew out as I started cooking and so I made the curry in candlelight. Who said romance was dead?! The recipe makes a generous amount (I had to split it into two pans!) and would serve around 8 people.

Ingredients

Olive oil.
1 large onion, diced.
2 medium-sized potatoes, cubed.
1 inch fresh ginger, finely chopped.
6 cloves garlic, finely chopped.
2 teaspoons coriander.
1 tablespoon garam masala.
2 teaspoons chilli powder.
2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes.
295g spinach, washed and sliced into ribbons (even Popeye would be satisfied!).
190g lentils.
700ml water.
Salt.

To the kitchen!

  • Heat up a spoonful of oil in a large soup pan over a medium heat, adding in the onions and a pinch of salt when the oil is ready. 
  • When the onions are looking translucent, throw in the potatoes and another pinch of salt, and cook until the edges are starting to appear a bit see-through (technical term ;).
  • Clear a space in the middle of the pan and add in the ginger, garlic, spices and a little more salt.
  • Cook for around 30 seconds and then stir it all up. 
  • Add the tomatoes complete with juices, the spinach and the lentils and stir to combine all whilst adding in the water.
  • Bring to the boil then allow to simmer for around 45 minutes, making sure that the lentils and potatoes are cooked through. 
  • Et voila! Bon appetit :)

14 April 2012

A few pretty things...

I've been window shopping on Etsy and spotted a few lovely items...


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I would love to own this print by Rob Ryan! It's the cutest :)


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I think I may have to buy this adorable passport cover by Owl Say



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I think my heart just melted :)

How long is it until pay day?! 

Recipe Box: Vegetarian Chilli


Check out what I made! It was delicious served up with tacos and rice :) And it kept us well fed for two days straight. 

Yummy!

The easy Jamie Oliver recipe can be found here

Televisual Treats: Being Human (British Version)


I've always loved anything supernatural, I like the way it captures my imagination. But even I was uncertain about a show which involved a ghost, a werewolf and a vampire inhabiting the same house! What a ridiculous concept! Well, more fool me because I'm now hooked and counting down the days until my Series 3 DVD arrives :) 

Being Human follows the adventures of the housemates doing what they can to forge 'normal' human lives for themselves despite their respective 'afflictions'. Annie, the resident friendly ghost, is attempting to come to terms with her own death whilst living with George, the reluctant werewolf. Oh, and there's also Mitchell. He's a 'vegetarian' vampire trying to keep the rest of his kind secret from the humans, while he himself is doing everything he can to avoid succumbing to a frenzied blood lust. It all makes for a deliciously dark and often gory drama which doesn't take itself too seriously. I cannot recommend it enough! 

Has anyone seen the American version yet? I can't wait to check it out!

Hannah xo


13 April 2012

Decor Delights: Storage Jars


Jars make things look better. Besides I was sick of all the drawer space being taken :) My jar collection may continue to grow in the future...

Beauty Bulletin: Some Like It Hot


There appears to be a revolution starting in my bathroom; a Soap & Glory revolution! Their products are everywhere I look. This may or may not have something to do with my lovely brother buying me an absolute beast of a gift set for Christmas... However, I bought this scrub off my own back for my own back. This is a thermal scrub and though the sensation is a little strange at first, the gentle warming feels absolutely delicious in my morning shower. It's like waking up naturally with the sunrise rather than having an alarm blasting you awake. The heat brings those tired, sleepy muscles to life. Similar to a warm bath except without the time and effort :) Did I mention that the scrub leaves your skin feeling silky smooth? No? Well it does. Lush.

Geeky Gamer: Shutter Island - The Adventure Game



My name is Hannah and I'm a gameaholic. Well, I'd like to be except I'm a little short on time. Here's a little gem I've been playing recently. 



If you enjoyed the film, then you'll love this point and clicker! It's a gentle introduction for the newbie puzzle adventurer though don't think you can stumble through without a fright or two ;) The details within each scene are beautiful and the music and effects are perfect! 


The game is mostly hidden object based with a few straightforward puzzles thrown in for good measure. My only complaint is the duration, I had it completed in a few hours. 


Have you played any good games lately?

09 April 2012

Running for Beginners: Week 1


Today I decided to get out of bed on this rain-soaked day and start a 5K running program for complete beginners. I do NO exercise currently, and I'd like to be healthier so why not!

For my first day, I had to do 4 minutes of brisk walking followed by 1 minute of running and repeat this 4 times for a 20-minute workout (not forgetting to stretch beforehand and afterwards!). I wasn't sure how I'd handle it as I usually feel out of breath just walking up the stairs, but I managed it easily and I even feel good about it! I used Map My Run to total up my route and I ran/walked 1.5 miles. I'm going to try skipping the rest of the first week and go straight to the second week of goals as I didn't feel challenged enough today.

Day off tomorrow and then back to it on Wednesday! You should come join me ;)

Hannah xo

05 April 2012

Televisual Treats: Harry's Law


Kathy Bates in a show created by David E. Kelley... This I HAD to see. And WOW. I sat down and watched the first season and loved it very much. Bates plays the gun-toting, no-nonsense lawyer who sets up shop on the wrong side of town after being fired by her firm. This inevitably leads to an interesting set of clients and cases as well as regular run-ins with the local ferocious gang leaders... The contrast of law and disorder is unorthodox and really gets you thinking about ethics and how right and wrong isn't always as clear as black and white. There is also a very special character amongst the mix;  Tommy Jefferson. This man has spotlights in his office and a rolling video of himself meeting world leaders and other VIPs. Seriously. The character makes me laugh so hard!

I was shocked to see the changes made to the show when I started watching Season 2. All of a sudden, the shoebox-sized firm had massive offices and a full swarm of staff. Gone was the street shop and in it's place was a corporation. Many key characters had evaporated into thin air. What on Earth...? These changes made the show almost unrecognisable. Despite my misgivings, I continued watching. And I'm glad I did! The emotionally-wrenching storylines continued (the tears were a-flowing!) and gave me many a pause for thought. It may be a different show now but I'm hooked nonetheless and I look forward to the rest of the season.