Friday 28 May 2010
New tropican butterflies arrived at Kew gardens Conservatory!!
Korres natural products
This product line is natural and organic, so there is no use of mineral oil or other synthetic ingredients to harm the skin.There many products within this line, and they use ingredients like olive, beeswax, avocado oil, almond oil, vitamin E, and vitamin C. They also offer a day cream, a night cream, a firming eye cream, and a cleansing emulsion. This cleansing emulsion is for people who don’t want to cleanse their face with water, and it is mineral oil free and fragrance free.
A face mash that I would highly recommend is the Korres Thyme and Honey mask. he product provides deep hydration and is gentle on the face. Honey supposedly leaves a "mask" on the face, which seals moisture into the skin, leaves it nourished, and provides elasticity. Spirulina and quince, two other ingredients in the mask, revitalize the face and brighten the user's appearance. Overall, the mask meets most of these claims and is an effective product, worth the cost. Among the mask's benefits, it is truly hydrating for dry skin. After one application, users feel a significant increase in facial moisture. The formula has a delicious, not-overly-sweet scent of real honey. Its silky, smooth consistency glides easily onto the face and is not uncomfortable as it dries, like some other masks. The product is gentle on even sensitive skin. While some masks dry "on top" of the skin, the Thyme Honey Mask truly seeps into pores and provides the deep hydration Korres promises.
Sejaa Pure Skin Care
Sejaa Pure Skin Care
Sejaa Pure Skin Care was developed by world famous model, actress and environmental activist Gisele Bündchen.
Using all-natural ingredients, calming fragrances, thoughtful packaging and recycled paper, Sejaa Pure Skincare was born. Driven by the desire to develop a line of pure and natural skincare, Gisele also wanted to create products with as little impact on the environment as possible.
The result was a revolutionary skincare line that protects and supports your skin's natural radiance, while also protecting the health and beauty of our environment.
Friday 21 May 2010
Jamie Oliver's chocolate cake with cherries and booze
This is a great cake to make for that special person in your life – it’s not too difficult and totally delicious! Serve it with a little glass of whatever booze you decide to add to the chocolate sauce – I love brandy, but rum, Amaretto or Baileys would also work well.
Cooking time 1 hour
Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/gas 4 and grease a small ovenproof dish (9 or 10 inches) with butter.
Mix the cocoa powder with a few tablespoons of boiling water and stir until the mixture is lovely and smooth.
In another bowl or a food mixer, beat the butter and sugar together until fluffy and light then add the cocoa mixture, egg, flour and baking powder. Mix it all together really well, pour into your ovenproof dish and sprinkle the cherries and hazelnuts on top before putting in the oven for about 25 minutes.
While your cake is baking, make your chocolate sauce. Place the butter in a small pan with the cream and bring to the boil. Turn off the heat and add your chocolate pieces to the pan. Give it all a good stir and then leave it for 5 minutes so that the hot cream can melt the chocolate. Add a splash of your desired alcohol and stir until thoroughly combined.
To check if your cake is ready, give it a bit of a jiggle and if it doesn’t wobble too much then it’s done, if not, give it a few more minutes in the oven.
Once it’s ready, pour your warm chocolate sauce all over the cake and either share it right from the dish or serve it up on two small plates with a generous dollop of vanilla ice cream or double cream. Delicious!
Heart of the Grenadine
The dream of a private, exclusive world surrounded by the splendid sea of the southern Antilles, a refuge from a world surrounded by uncontaminated nature, endowed with an enormously varied landscape of green hills, romantically secluded bays and long beaches of pearly white sand.
The island is partially surrounded by the coral reef on the Atlantic side, which adds protection to many of the beaches. Endless expanses of fine sand, its gleaming white in dramatic contrast to the strong colors of the luxuriant vegetation and tropical sea await those who seek a solitary encounter with nature.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines lie at 60° 56’ West longitude and 13° 15’ North latitude, approximately 1,600 miles south-east of Miami. St. Vincent is the largest of the more than 30 islands that comprise the nation, covering roughly 150 square miles. The Grenadines extend 45 miles to the south-west, like a kite’s tail.
The spell of Canouan Island is immediate. An elixir for the senses, the air filled with a mythical infusion. Visual delights of hypnotic emerald waves foaming atop surrounding coral as they make their way to sugar-sand beaches. An invisible perfume nourishes the body, mind and spirit whilst hummingbirds pollinate bougainvillea and orchid blossoms. The interplay of color glitters like rare jewels. In the heart of the Grenadines archipelago and maintaining a sense of lush privacy, Canouan Island is blessed to be located off the main hurricane paths in the southeast Caribbean. Boasting a new airport runway perfect for private jets, a natural harbor for personal yachts, and commercially accessibile through more developed nearby islands, Canouan is uniquely positioned for the discerning.
Luminosity embraces this tranquil island of natural Caribbean beauty. Part of the Windward Islands in the southern Antilles, Canouan heralds the mystique of treasured underwater sea life stocked with boundless varieties, a peaceful domain of serendipity waiting to be explored. Sweeping bays play host to spectacular beaches that embrace each contour of this bird of paradise-shaped island. Islanders fish the abundant waters in traditional wooden boats, harvesting prize catch-of-the-day of tuna, parrotfish, and grouper. Underwater aficionados from every outpost of the world confirm these emerald waters contain the finest coral conditions in the Caribbean.
Thursday 20 May 2010
Friday 14 May 2010
What to see..
This book embraces nomadic culture, and brings to life an amazing story about a young desert girl who raises up to be a highly esteemed fashion model.
The book has been translated into Dutch, German, French, Italian, Greek, Swedish, Slovene and Croatian and was followed by Desert Dawn and Desert Children.The book has been adapted into a movie, produced by Peter Herrmann and Benjamin Herrmann. Liya Kabede played the role of Waris Dirie. The movie was released in the fall of 2009.
Thursday 13 May 2010
Jamie Oliver's Italian's asparagus fettuccine..
1 Add 4 tsp olive oil to a heavy-based pan over a low heat and sweat onion and celery until soft. Add courgette, leek and asparagus stalks and sweat for a further 2–3 minutes. Add most of the basil leaves and when they wilt, add the stock, then simmer until veg are tender. Remove from the heat and, using a hand blender or food processor, blend till creamy. In another frying pan over a low heat, add a little oil and cook garlic till soft, then add the asparagus sauce and simmer for 2 minutes. 2 Boil a pan of salted water. Cook fettuccine, and 3 minutes before it’s done, add the asparagus tips. When fettuccine is al dente, drain, reserving a little cooking water, and add to the asparagus sauce. Loosen the pasta and sauce with cooking water, as needed. Stir in remaining basil, and serve with parmesan and pea shoots.
Opening of Ronen Chen shop in London..23 New Quebec Street, Portman Village, London, W1H 7SD, 02077231973
left:
Quote of the day!
Wednesday 12 May 2010
Are you uncomfortable with your style? Ask fashion stylist Sue Donnelly!
My first impression will change according to the client, their expectations and the occasion.
For individual clients
Many of my clients are women, and sometimes men, who have lost sight of who they truly are. They are ready to embark on a journey of regaining self confidence and esteem and this is the first step. If that’s the case, I usually dress in jeans and a sweater (see image). When I first started my business, this was an unusual approach, but now many consultants embrace a softer look, including jeans if appropriate. It's not scruffy, but stylish and approachable as I always wear my outfits with a 'twist', which many of my clients love to emulate - because it's easy. I urge my clients to dress in comfort because I want them to enjoy their time with me, not worry about what they are wearing or be intimidated by the way I look.
My studio is also very comfortable with long sofas and lots of textured cushions in soft shades of green and cream, which overlooks a very peaceful garden. I want to create a peaceful haven where they can relax.
