tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81268780158170209432024-03-16T01:09:41.150+00:00Faith Hope and Charity ShoppingThrifty, sarky, occasionally crafty.Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping]http://www.blogger.com/profile/04247624645636227130noreply@blogger.comBlogger248125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8126878015817020943.post-41387529277002901292018-03-21T09:30:00.000+00:002018-03-21T14:48:05.140+00:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Hello! Here's a silly poem I wrote recently - it's World Poetry Day Today, so I thought I'd share it.<br />
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Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping]http://www.blogger.com/profile/04247624645636227130noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8126878015817020943.post-74693259308073992832016-03-14T20:41:00.001+00:002016-03-14T22:18:42.970+00:003.14 - American Pi DayBoy1 informed me last week that today would be 'American Pi day', and please could we have one for dinner. Being less geekily minded than my eleven year old son, I had a moment of horror thinking that he was referring to the film that brought use the phrase <i>"there was this one time, at band camp..."</i>, and he had to explain to me the significance of 3.14, or as we British would say, the 14th of March.*<br />
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They got 'Boxing Day Pie', which is basically all the Christmas left-overs** - turkey, pigs in blankets, chestnut stuffing, random bits of chorizo from the back of the fridge etc - in a white sauce. This tested my newly vegetarian resolve, but I made do with a <i>Higgidy Pies</i> spinach, feta and pinenut. It was very nice with some mash and veggie gravy. This moral stance is hard though!<br />
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Send me your favourite veggie/vegan recipe links please - keep me on the straight and narrow.<br />
Oh, and I've been forced into joining instagram - I'm @Lakotaloves27, so feel free to find me and stop me having to gaze in fascinated horror at nudie pictures of Kim Kardashian.<br />
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Lakota x<br />
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*When he starts asking for a steak dinner and if his girlfriend can stay over on 14th March, then I guess is the time to be seriously worried. (For those not in the know, today is also apparently <i>'Steak and BJ day',</i> or Valentines for men - one month on. Unhappily for Mr FHCS of course, no meat crosses my lips these days...)<br />
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**I should point out this filling had been made and frozen, and hadn't been festering in the fridge since December.Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping]http://www.blogger.com/profile/04247624645636227130noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8126878015817020943.post-63087006047854085902016-03-02T23:07:00.002+00:002016-03-03T19:27:04.208+00:00Oscars Frocks 2016 - Arachnophobia, Amputees and the Emperor's New Clothes If you've been following this blog for a while you'll be aware that I am the living embodiment of style - somewhere between Kate Moss and Iris Apfel - and am therefore <i>totally</i> qualified to make judgements about other women's clothes. I read fashion blogs and magazines whilst eating quavers and wearing pyjama bottoms from BHS. When awards season rolls round I like nothing more than a good fashion police session on Facebook with my equally <strike>sarcastic</strike> chic enablers and I'm always looking for more squad members, so do let me know your thoughts.<br />
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Here is the very gorgeous Alicia Vikander, winner of Best Supporting Actress for <i>The Danish Girl</i>, and according to several news outlets 'channelling' Belle from <i>Beauty and the Beast</i>. Presumably they're referring to the fact she has long brown hair and is wearing a yellow swooshy dress, not the fact that she is dating Michael Fassbender.<br />
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My first thought, aside from "bitch can act AND suits yellow, is there no justice?" was "where the hell is her other leg?'' I mean seriously, that's not photoshopped. Her right leg has disappeared. She's like the anti-Angelina. Possibly she really is the android she played in <i>Ex-Machina</i> and can remove body parts. As my friend Rachel remarked, anything to lose a few pounds for the cameras. Of course, putting aside the missing limb, another pressing problem is that the hem of her dress looks like my duvet cover when it comes out of the washing machine full of socks. But she has an oscar, she doesn't care.<br />
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<i>The Leg of Doom™ </i><i>2012 Academy Awards</i></div>
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You know who else has an oscar? Brie Larson for <i>Room. </i>I absolutely love the colour of her gown and thought it looked amazing in motion.<br />
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That said, I wasn't keen on her school-girl hair (she and Alicia both look like they were expecting to do the Head Girl's talk to prospective parents at secondary school) and the sheer layer of fabric on the bodice makes me feel that an emergency trip to the optician is necessary. Last time my eyes felt this out of focus tequila was involved. </div>
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Frida Pinto also went for blue at the Vanity Fair Oscars party. She is lovely, but the dress is less so. That evil looking belt buckle is just waiting to stab her in the abs when she sits down. Her boyfriend is a hottie, although he seems to have left his slippers on with his tux.<br />
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Next we have Heidi Klum, who despite neither being an actor nor married to one, always gets to go to the Oscars. She is of course a very successful model, who wears weird clothes for her job and sees nothing wrong in a busman's holiday. I vaguely remember some TV programme where aspiring designers have to make an outfit out of tinfoil/100 copies of The Sun/remaindered Jedward CDs or similar, and this looks like they were given 30 yards of pale mauve tulle and one of those Chinese dressmakers that make 'designer ball gown' copies.<br />
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<i>Left arm = Daenerys from Game of Thrones</i></div>
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<i>Right arm = Margot from The Good Life</i></div>
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Lady Gaga has been toning down her look recently, and frankly I miss those innocent days where she'd rock up to an awards show wearing 6lbs of Serrano ham. Instead she decided to make two outfits out of ready to roll fondant icing left over from doing her Christmas cake. This one is a sort of trouser/dress combo with the worst elements of each - badly fitting round the boobs <i>and</i> creating camel toe. <i>"When you're trying to keep a towel around you but need your hands. Clench the pelvic floor in as a last resort"</i> said Lucy.</div>
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Admittedly it looked a lot better when she was standing differently but I don't get this fatwa against the bra that appears to be to be going on in Hollywood.</div>
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Anyway, later on she put on a top and trousers combo that fitted far better (aside from the hem length for someone two feet taller) and accessorized with a tablecloth bustle which made her look strangely like a centaur. I just wish that if that was the look she was going for she'd gone all out, you know? The Gaga of old would have worn hoof shoes and a 3 foot unicorn horn headpiece and been all the better for it!</div>
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And how about Emma Roberts? Floaty and sheer? Tick. Flattering cut and drape? Tick. Covered in freaking spiders?? Aargh! I saw this dress and as well as being immediately itchy I just thought of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcLs5VC9giQ" target="_blank">this</a> video. If you look closely at her face it's clear she's actually frozen in terror and/or auditioning for a remake of <i>Arachnophobia.</i></div>
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<i>'Follow the spiders' said Hagrid</i></div>
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What does everyone make of this one worn by Liz Hernandez from <i>Access Hollywood</i>? [no, I don't know who she is either] I think she was right to not go Princessy with the hair and not to wear a necklace - although a stack of bangles on the other arm might have been nice - but she does look rather as though she's wearing a silhouette of Olive Oyl. Or possibly that she's been painted by Picasso.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQW5Fw3GhS9KSEC14IN_ZnYBcyWKY29BIycEwfWe6uZGmHj_dxuprXRAKjXJOiiu1VDLJcBZy0alJvhbJzh0DlRpbVD-pClapqHvnlwncKLCthS1vkLE0wW6gdfAck0Eexz0_Db5fLg3q/s1600/31A92FF300000578-3468602-Liz_Hernandez_confused_in_a_strange_structured_mesh_dress-m-60_1456719776467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQW5Fw3GhS9KSEC14IN_ZnYBcyWKY29BIycEwfWe6uZGmHj_dxuprXRAKjXJOiiu1VDLJcBZy0alJvhbJzh0DlRpbVD-pClapqHvnlwncKLCthS1vkLE0wW6gdfAck0Eexz0_Db5fLg3q/s1600/31A92FF300000578-3468602-Liz_Hernandez_confused_in_a_strange_structured_mesh_dress-m-60_1456719776467.jpg" /></a></div>
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<i>A whole new meaning to 'side boob' </i></div>
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We've had to suffer several years now of 'dresses' that are so sheer they're not actually there, presumably so celebs can show off the reults of their diet and exercise regimes and the prowess of their waxer. Why wait for a hacker to steal your nude photos when you can show the world what you look like naked by making a dress out of pantyhose and the odd sequin? (I'm looking at you Beyonce, Kim K and Rihanna, amongst others). Perhaps things weren't quite as nude as they have been, there was no actual nipple or butt cheek on display, but still plenty to make me wonder whether I maybe shouldn't have eaten 5 salted caramel Muller Rice already this week. This year's Vanity Fair party gave us two ladies in sheer red - Gwen Stefani and Diane Kruger - plus the girl from that dreadful <i>Blurred Lines</i> video, Emily 'look at my tatas' Ratajowski.</div>
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Diane Kruger is generally known as a fashion risk taker. She is an ex-model and has the figure for this bordello lampshade lace and tassels affair. She looks like she's holding her breath and is going to do so all night though, which can't be comfortable, right?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgduHfhEDlcDUz1qwkIOJ8BkWcEYyD1JA4qSrVneaG2VL_5gdos0RNEgIfhv-ULFuNRF9-kXw6823sFFFSZGiBpdvKFcmDxIQHlK2CHTiX4Rkco7-5Nskn7lmrjoCsEqntCgk2eCQ1vqc4v/s1600/wenn23569551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgduHfhEDlcDUz1qwkIOJ8BkWcEYyD1JA4qSrVneaG2VL_5gdos0RNEgIfhv-ULFuNRF9-kXw6823sFFFSZGiBpdvKFcmDxIQHlK2CHTiX4Rkco7-5Nskn7lmrjoCsEqntCgk2eCQ1vqc4v/s640/wenn23569551.jpg" width="492" /></a></div>
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<i>Diane wished she'd said no to that kebab. In 1991</i></div>
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Gwen Stefani is another funky dresser and has relatively recently split with cheating husband Gavin Rossdale and started another high profile romance with Blake Shelton. Her dress gives me slight 'Ha! look what you're missing' vibes, but that's understandable. I like the flamey-leafy bottom of the dress (a bit more of this and a bit less leg would look better) but what's less forgivable is red mesh on the shoulders, which gives a 'two weeks in Benidorm with no suncream' look. Hannah and I decided that her dress was being censored by 'the red hand of modesty', which could become a feature in <i>Heat </i>magazine. Plus she's accessorised with a man who clearly thinks dressing up means putting on his best jeans. </div>
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<i>Girl on fire. Bloke nipping out to buy fags</i></div>
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Here's Emily Ratatatas. It's some feat of engineering keeping those Jessica Rabbit boobs up and in that 'dress'. [Does attaching a bit of sheer fabric to a bustier make it a dress? I guess so]</div>
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We all thought Olivia Munn looked gorgeous in orange and of course Cate Blanchett looks like a goddess always, although Sara was less taken with the 'pritt sticked bits' on her sea foam frock and I'm inclined to agree, although I think they work on the top half I wouldn't want them on my bum.</div>
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Looking over the photos I'm left wondering how any of them walk, as I can't see anyone's feet - or rather foot - aside from Alicia Vikander's and those dresses are super long. Anyway, I'm off to bed to order slacks from a Sunday supplement - tell me your hits and misses in the comments.<br />
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Lakota x<br />
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Edited to add this link suggested by Kezzie - a <a href="https://uk.style.yahoo.com/post/140329426649/six-year-old-recreates-oscar-dresses-from-paper" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">little girl who makes her own versions of the Oscar frocks out of paper</a>. Very cute!</div>
Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping]http://www.blogger.com/profile/04247624645636227130noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8126878015817020943.post-30880765844134782912016-02-12T10:20:00.000+00:002016-03-03T08:58:10.131+00:00The Magic and Madness of Ebay part 7 - Love, Love me...Don't<div style="text-align: center;">
Aah, mes chéris, 'ow beautiful you look today, eet makes me wish to buy you all something special, per'haps from ze eBay, zat home of taste and style...</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">♥ </span></div>
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You may remember that back in the mists of time I did a <a href="http://faithhopeandcharityshopping.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/mops-poo-and-grandma-too-magic-and.html" target="_blank">Valentine's Day Special</a>, where we discovered that wildly optimistic sellers were packaging up any old crap - literally, in the case of the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEmySRTwnY7XfNMFw4fYaY_qlhihLOv8510D8WsfX2_DJHHdRateyq_tTuFQ_BYK5Uj2otX10F-gWA9psJXmgbrG4e_R_92ZPc6sR2Yj5KtnmTdAiu5Ajq6hHSrYfQ1in0_tE_2P2R-rU0/s1600/turd.jpg" target="_blank">anthropomorphic turd figurine</a> - and hoping to sell it to panicked lovers merely by sticking the word 'Valentines' in their listing. There was the single crisp, with a supposedly heart shaped hole in it, the <i>My Little Pony</i> ready for the knacker's yard, the 'I love Grandma' ornament...aah, nostalgia.<br />
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Happily, nothing much has changed, although it's possible things may have got simultaneously kinkier and crappier. [This may or may not have to do with the publication of a book that rhymes with er, <i>Nifty Blades of Hay</i> since my last Valentine's post]. So let's kick off with a tribute to everyone's favourite multi-million selling creep with control issues* and his recent masterful domination of the Valentine's market - Christian Grey!<br />
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<u><b>You've really got a taste for this, haven't you Miss Steele?</b></u><br />
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On the 'alarming dustcatcher' front this year, <i> </i>may I present this <i>"Brand new, no deffects [sic]"</i> <i>"noughty couple mini sculpture". </i>Ooh, a mini sculpture. That does sound classy. Definitely better than 'dodgy ornament'. It's almost as though it's art. And it is! Seller Leandro is a <i>"self made artist"</i>, and if you ask him nicely he will <i>"pack it sexy"</i>. As he says:<br />
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<i>"Your partner doesn't want any more chocolate because the summer is on its way! <strike>and because he's got a ball gag stuffed in his mouth</strike></i></div>
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<i>Hand-made sculpture you can both laugh about, that can't be found nowhere else as I invented and created it myself. I guarantee it will make your day special. Wouldn't you like to get it?"</i></div>
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I would indeed, Leandro. I would indeed.</div>
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<i>Is that supposed to be blood? Maybe a lighter touch with the old cat o' nine tails</i></div>
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And who wouldn't love to receive this <a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252278370196?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT" target="_blank">Naughty Valentine's Day Gift set</a>? Light that chupa chup scented candle and get down and dirty with lube and condoms someone's shoved in a gift bag. Maybe if you're lucky he'll buy you a bag of chips after.<br />
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<i>Mmm, strawberry and cream chupa chups. The scent of school trips to France</i></div>
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Following the theme further, I found this <i>"fantastic"</i> <a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252283291702?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT" target="_blank">mug</a>. The seller enthuses that:<br />
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<span class="s3"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"it turns magical when has hot liquid in it to reveal the sexy, cute, romantic message of:</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span class="s2">'</span><span class="s2" style="font-weight: bold;">You are my Mr Grey'"</span></i></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: inherit;">Some people may find the eponymous Mr Grey sexy - I'll stick with Captain Poldark thank you - but I dispute his ever being cute or romantic. I only read the first half of 50 Shades before giving up in disgust at all that 'inner goddess' nonsense, but I got the impression the closest you'd get to hot liquids would be him doing something unspeakable to you in a bath**</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">, and he'd be more likely to make you his slave than make you a cuppa.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Speaking of slaves, Anastasia wannabes would no doubt be <b>thrilled</b> with this not at all tacky <a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291678907936?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT" target="_blank">eye mask</a>, just £3.99 and not only suitable as a Valentine's gift but for <i>"all occasions''.</i></span></div>
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<i>All occasions?</i> ALL OCCASIONS?! What, like Mother's Day? Granny's 80th birthday? Your niece's Bat Mitzvah? 50 shades of oy vey. </div>
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Of course, your Mr Grey should exude an air of potent sexuality at all times, so make sure that you pick him a suitable outfit for your evening in the red room of pain. An <i><a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Erotic-Men-Thong-Underwear-Peacock-Elephant-Crane-Sexy-Valentines-Gift/262159937116?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140122125356%26meid%3Ded64f5c392a341eaa6b7c384fb70d558%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D222003368722" target="_blank">"Erotic Men Thong Underwear"</a></i> in either Peacock, Elephant or Crane should suit.</div>
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Do hurry though, as 194 have sold already. I'll just let that figure perculate a minute and we can all use the brain bleach later.</div>
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Of course, if you're looking for something a little less 'made in Hong Kong' for your fella's dong, there's always the <i>Mollie Makes</i> approved <i><a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Crochet-chicken-sexy-funny-gift-handmade-crochet-mens-willy-warmer-valentines-/222003368722?hash=item33b06e9312:g:odcAAOSwKtlWo0z-" target="_blank">"Crochet Chicken Willy Warmer"</a>, </i>with its jaunty Peruvian folk-art style and rugged masculinity. Peckers everywhere approve.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoV1pPxiLcO-Q6D8if1xbySpdqZI_Em5FxZ6jwIFomsvnpeR8lJXWgeV4h5yKLMzpH7idmKKYkB07Aj_qtRWD-qb6VE0MiyYhPiah7jZG1EEJD2CYBcXdqDNmzhMq7QXtuRbCZW_SZov96/s1600/crochet+cock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoV1pPxiLcO-Q6D8if1xbySpdqZI_Em5FxZ6jwIFomsvnpeR8lJXWgeV4h5yKLMzpH7idmKKYkB07Aj_qtRWD-qb6VE0MiyYhPiah7jZG1EEJD2CYBcXdqDNmzhMq7QXtuRbCZW_SZov96/s400/crochet+cock.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Insert your own cock joke here</i></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">♥ </span></div>
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<b><u>Date your Age, and your... Species?</u></b></div>
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It's a pretty poor state of affairs when the best I can say about a fictional love interest is 'well, he's better than Humbert Humbert', but it's true! I'll give you that Mr Grey - at least your girlfriend is legal. Buying the <i><a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/252280865899?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT" target="_blank">Quick Curl Barbie Beauty Centre</a> </i>as a Valentine's gift suggests either that your beloved spends too much time watching YouTube hair styling videos...or is about 9.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsnd5EAiJqNlTujZbzswUxmUW6Gtv_QeBaSUXDryZO9BTCZIZO2O-D6pYRAfR51Gz00nNT-uxqppfaIb9ztA6n3OknPiX52NUu-ztDW9zlUEkmpNfM8trkxHVfPMNY1YEVTFNL2klbdKss/s1600/beauty+head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsnd5EAiJqNlTujZbzswUxmUW6Gtv_QeBaSUXDryZO9BTCZIZO2O-D6pYRAfR51Gz00nNT-uxqppfaIb9ztA6n3OknPiX52NUu-ztDW9zlUEkmpNfM8trkxHVfPMNY1YEVTFNL2klbdKss/s400/beauty+head.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And pet Valentines - that's a thing now? I don't know which meaning is worse for a listing that begins:</div>
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<i>Fancy treating your pussy this Valentine's Day?</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhams-s94XS2yn0upY_QeWhEoQzWa7s11A6jjF2C4175ObwEhsQ6kJYi9UdGdNxQGPDanw9K-FGA3GBPkN2jKK213CWf5Z7e_EFytNdsTda0ABlYeeEdxLIIGs-NElESGkwx7cH9iJzOtFC/s1600/pussy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhams-s94XS2yn0upY_QeWhEoQzWa7s11A6jjF2C4175ObwEhsQ6kJYi9UdGdNxQGPDanw9K-FGA3GBPkN2jKK213CWf5Z7e_EFytNdsTda0ABlYeeEdxLIIGs-NElESGkwx7cH9iJzOtFC/s400/pussy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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but it's bad enough having to find something for the Mr, without having to enter a romantic gift giving relationship with the only member of the household who can lick her own bum. Should you want a packet of dreamies and a wind-up mouse - or just some unique wedding favours - the<a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161968844715?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT" target="_blank"> Cat Valentines day Gift Set</a> is for you. </div>
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Of course, don't expect to get anything in return - unless you've got a dog. Usually content to prove their adoration by humping your leg or thrusting their nose into your crotch, besotted pooches can now show you some love in the time-honoured medium of fridge magnet poetry.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXIzjMzWr0xIhIl7f-tomboYkgPZP0KE90PjIBEtwl7awJSiAKKZtlcWZeqZn46JHDH8yrIoBk3u70SBj-1w-yX3h0XfGQnEYXxMp2IVOnaq002whgt0vmcuG8g6ZE9y2bkLAMm5_oCi9/s1600/dog+fridge+magnet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXIzjMzWr0xIhIl7f-tomboYkgPZP0KE90PjIBEtwl7awJSiAKKZtlcWZeqZn46JHDH8yrIoBk3u70SBj-1w-yX3h0XfGQnEYXxMp2IVOnaq002whgt0vmcuG8g6ZE9y2bkLAMm5_oCi9/s400/dog+fridge+magnet.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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It's like we never lost Rossetti, isn't it?<br />
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<b><u>Don't Date this Guy</u></b></div>
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Hmm, <a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281924088923?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT" target="_blank">5x I Love You Valentines Teddy joblot</a>. It's sold, and just possible you might not be his one and only.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgyo-G3ChuaDaz-54rgags91VJy6ZuAJe-qxu-62c6Mxlz3pa2tJQ9GbQ92dwdVCSksXpbmx03YWrvqQTnWR60CISDDd5LSZrQxGY0e81vHrxX2ZFkrMADbIupmk0xzYb3xfimvlvERjk/s1600/job+lot+bears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgyo-G3ChuaDaz-54rgags91VJy6ZuAJe-qxu-62c6Mxlz3pa2tJQ9GbQ92dwdVCSksXpbmx03YWrvqQTnWR60CISDDd5LSZrQxGY0e81vHrxX2ZFkrMADbIupmk0xzYb3xfimvlvERjk/s400/job+lot+bears.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Seriously Bae, it's you alone</i></div>
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<b><u>Actually Darling, what I'd like for Valentine's Day This Year is a Divorce</u></b><br />
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If you're presented with any of these, lets assume that love's young dream has soured somewhat. None of these are a good idea, but I promise they were all found with the search 'Valentines Gift'.<br />
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<b>You're a porker, here's a broken cutlery 'diet kit'</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqqnSSfWSuOlakWKL1J5pPNzjGx95mmrWjNjYTKhgkEqz5AqQodKZSCzNesj9aKDTDbgrjyS02bzZ_eKKDmoY1KrRtSQgpRSDAcG870cskhmEJp5QD3yFhZyhsh6IpDnWclpLXexwm9GN/s1600/diet+kit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEqqnSSfWSuOlakWKL1J5pPNzjGx95mmrWjNjYTKhgkEqz5AqQodKZSCzNesj9aKDTDbgrjyS02bzZ_eKKDmoY1KrRtSQgpRSDAcG870cskhmEJp5QD3yFhZyhsh6IpDnWclpLXexwm9GN/s400/diet+kit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Good things don't always come in small packages</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUzzHclT2K4vVmDVa442kJG72oxjVLVvptcBlzvSxpOgCnGGT-6JF84nZUVreLr0WTImQeQN2Smq3UVJUXCOzrLU_SZ2k0DrRG79jVSXiPWPLrimJmZhukVTExnJuhQhTZ2NEx1pTs9eZ/s1600/little+guy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikUzzHclT2K4vVmDVa442kJG72oxjVLVvptcBlzvSxpOgCnGGT-6JF84nZUVreLr0WTImQeQN2Smq3UVJUXCOzrLU_SZ2k0DrRG79jVSXiPWPLrimJmZhukVTExnJuhQhTZ2NEx1pTs9eZ/s400/little+guy.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<b>A facial epilator only ever says - you've got a moustache</b></div>
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(this was one of ebay's own picks - sent in an email to me!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMothEEHYtAPimsiGvm3_NLftQkaOe23iJiMnjgVNKn4CFjgdKShlKyelSVM9ukUlHwdiXslO_kFL-_HWZSpJm3GfchqqZhdtXLn49mrwZwZlXq7LBBmZiY8OMBmqb4olBAaESomTETCL/s1600/hairy+face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMothEEHYtAPimsiGvm3_NLftQkaOe23iJiMnjgVNKn4CFjgdKShlKyelSVM9ukUlHwdiXslO_kFL-_HWZSpJm3GfchqqZhdtXLn49mrwZwZlXq7LBBmZiY8OMBmqb4olBAaESomTETCL/s320/hairy+face.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And possibly my favourite, the epitome of the practical gift, the ever romantic -</div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/White-Parking-Ticket-Holder-Car-Windscreen-Cup-Suction-Accessory-Valentines-Gift-/151948838407?hash=item2360db4607:g:rQ8AAOSwp5JWaJwp" target="_blank">White Parking Ticket Holder Car Windscreen Cup Suction Accessory Valentines Gift</a></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCtBn0LdHZYlNPcKemJJiKHaT-6lSVWzuUlSvamItFqkaYk1JlWvcVFDH1QtSefPivgM1r82wUIVDecjZS3WZPV67DP6ByitXfWr1kEhjnRU_rLhLfiQEd3R_llxqrZWI2hU-V_lpbJI4/s1600/parking+ticket+holder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCtBn0LdHZYlNPcKemJJiKHaT-6lSVWzuUlSvamItFqkaYk1JlWvcVFDH1QtSefPivgM1r82wUIVDecjZS3WZPV67DP6ByitXfWr1kEhjnRU_rLhLfiQEd3R_llxqrZWI2hU-V_lpbJI4/s320/parking+ticket+holder.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><u>Crafty Crap Adapted from the School Christmas Fair</u></b></div>
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On the PTA? Did you go to a Primary School Christmas fair in December? If you've had the pleasure, some of the following may look strangely familiar:</div>
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This <a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cupid-Love-Dust-Novelty-Valentines-Gift-For-All-Ages-/381540395730?nma=true&si=3CplzArYnNZP2MNbyMaqsE%252F9o90%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557" target="_blank">'Cupid Love Dust'</a> contains <i>"1 cup of kisses, 1cup of hugs, 2 cups of love, 1 medium bag of real red hearts..."</i> and ooh, about 5p of Asda smart price porridge oats. Except the last time I saw it, it was being sold to children with the addition of some glitter and was marketed as 'Reindeer Food'. Possibly I should have included this in the 'Date your Species' section, as it looks more like a gift for Mr Ed.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLcHwFBiv8ujl62nyiFfWBl65wxlAtw3X2RYeV4yaDOmx3QiovkE8qviI0Wilh55QJQnqDfOOW4FP77bNpf9tyLOgiPDHTrO2giXeo42blfpCWAFV3LaM2CDgE0qnZNTVcZgZzRBiuPbU/s1600/Bag+of+Oats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKLcHwFBiv8ujl62nyiFfWBl65wxlAtw3X2RYeV4yaDOmx3QiovkE8qviI0Wilh55QJQnqDfOOW4FP77bNpf9tyLOgiPDHTrO2giXeo42blfpCWAFV3LaM2CDgE0qnZNTVcZgZzRBiuPbU/s400/Bag+of+Oats.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>'Romantic' oatmeal. I'm not dating anyone who thinks it would be a good idea to sprinkle me with uncooked porridge</i></div>
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Despite the supposed rarity of 'Cupid Poop' there seem to be a surprising number of listings, definitely adapted from the reindeer droppings idea earlier in the year. If you can't make this yourself then you deserve to be charged £1.99 for some mini marshmallows with an inexorable poem attached.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKJ3MFh-Ly8nRn_UZ8HZquebFsrBBLbitxXfwptK3bIV_EGTE8zVUQBOGhjlUXkbP2kKgaMz_xwCbPVLrkzjxchyW_WgW1d1_gR940fehOblXom6QbmM1_p8FIEfB1ZhBRgyg3yxgCuif/s1600/poem.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZKJ3MFh-Ly8nRn_UZ8HZquebFsrBBLbitxXfwptK3bIV_EGTE8zVUQBOGhjlUXkbP2kKgaMz_xwCbPVLrkzjxchyW_WgW1d1_gR940fehOblXom6QbmM1_p8FIEfB1ZhBRgyg3yxgCuif/s400/poem.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>©John Donne</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">You can also buy a <u>'</u><i><a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MY-LAST-GOLD-ROLO-WITH-A-HEART-ROMANTIC-VALENTINES-NOVELTY-GIFT-FOR-HER-HIM-/182007201035?hash=item2a60797d0b:g:KvgAAOSwa-dWp-mJ" target="_blank">last rolo'</a></i>, wrapped in shiny foil, should your full frontal lobotomy / poor impulse control prevent you from:</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> working out that you could buy at least 8 full packets instead / not eating them all in one go. </span><b style="font-family: inherit;">Only £4.99! </b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-zey7KlRHhRG0pfvgpP5ijrW5j2MmU0dveIyKCYwivValwCY_aglvahgMeim8ktcCIhGx8HzVV8QBSPhwGDTyRq2s5EFzA7c6-gpZjUEwR0YMRZr7om1rTgRkocxF8V0Rjy_zIt9_L3C/s1600/rolo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-zey7KlRHhRG0pfvgpP5ijrW5j2MmU0dveIyKCYwivValwCY_aglvahgMeim8ktcCIhGx8HzVV8QBSPhwGDTyRq2s5EFzA7c6-gpZjUEwR0YMRZr7om1rTgRkocxF8V0Rjy_zIt9_L3C/s400/rolo.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i>Mariah Carey was thrilled with her latest engagement ring </i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I've saved the best til last though, and that's the '<i>Little Bag of Love for my Valentine: Valentines Keepsake'</i>. These are truly special, and in no way put together from bits found at the bottom of your handbag/the random crap drawer in the kitchen.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKo390qAhmsZUmP2jpM6XA-ZkO3suuDvVyyeIbx44GAuyoEmAsd2qY9hHJEul4b_ziaMFLhar6U6_AnloMsnCAZ9bOv-42QWD5LZCZ6qa_WEHLkyhsm3HPCkMrrySb3n2hO0PxoXRxJxlc/s1600/crap+bag+best.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKo390qAhmsZUmP2jpM6XA-ZkO3suuDvVyyeIbx44GAuyoEmAsd2qY9hHJEul4b_ziaMFLhar6U6_AnloMsnCAZ9bOv-42QWD5LZCZ6qa_WEHLkyhsm3HPCkMrrySb3n2hO0PxoXRxJxlc/s400/crap+bag+best.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's an example of a seller's blurb:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>"An absolutely beautiful and thoughtful little gift which will put a smile on anyone's face.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>The gift is a great way of showing someone how much you love and care for them, its intentions are to make someone happy, make them feel loved and feel very special this valentines day.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>This unique gift has such a special meaning it will melt the recipient's heart."</i></span></div>
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Do you know what? It absolutely would - if my primary school aged sons had put it together for me. Then it would be adorable. But paying £3.99 for a random on the internet to send me two sweets, a single match, a lonely jigsaw piece, a paperclip and rubber, birthday cake candle and a sugar sachet swiped from the caff - yeah, not so much. </div>
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Speaking of Boy1 and Boy2 - they thought this was hilarious, and swiftly helped me to come up with our own version. </div>
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<b>Ta-Dah!</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JYUfK9cEbxhCfkM5OJ587pXxm0FK2wi99NB-PY5dUxId1NHVq3kLvvcsueY8RBus2BBQU8reBbFfIieCL8Mn9l0WA2vTUqifoGdjb0bVTv-jRFoK2RwAQYCdmtLySQX1WE4UCXAMjDSY/s1600/20160206_162951-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JYUfK9cEbxhCfkM5OJ587pXxm0FK2wi99NB-PY5dUxId1NHVq3kLvvcsueY8RBus2BBQU8reBbFfIieCL8Mn9l0WA2vTUqifoGdjb0bVTv-jRFoK2RwAQYCdmtLySQX1WE4UCXAMjDSY/s400/20160206_162951-1.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
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In case you're missing the deep romantic significance of these items, here's what we'd put on our 'glossy label'</div>
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Dressmaker's tape from a cracker.............because our love is beyond measure</div>
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Almond left over from Christmas.............because I'm nuts about you</div>
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Dried Chilli...............................................because you're hot stuff</div>
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One pence.................................................because I'm lucky to have you<br />
Brick.........................................................because I'll never 'lego' of you</div>
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Mini wooden clothes peg..........................because I like hanging out with you</div>
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Paper heart.................................................because my heart belongs to you</div>
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Earl Grey....................................................because you're my cup of tea</div>
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Bay leaf......................................................because you're my 'bae'</div>
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Single square of toilet paper.......................because you're Charmin'!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNB-D3AH5Nb8Xn8tPoU2AyqPZvB68uy1Kcd9wZ3S-no4FLCFfDJoLmZWDGOyFQlUzeH4jGqOAbIxlB9xkl6rJnGj4PkLUw7tO8O6bzFHHMBFRn6-aPegHKfvNiJe1uK0GaYHa1xrpaXnT/s1600/20160206_163152-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNB-D3AH5Nb8Xn8tPoU2AyqPZvB68uy1Kcd9wZ3S-no4FLCFfDJoLmZWDGOyFQlUzeH4jGqOAbIxlB9xkl6rJnGj4PkLUw7tO8O6bzFHHMBFRn6-aPegHKfvNiJe1uK0GaYHa1xrpaXnT/s400/20160206_163152-1.jpg" width="317" /></a></div>
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<i>Almost forgot the 'beautiful organza fabric gift bag'</i></div>
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<i>If you'd like to buy it - Paypal me a fiver ;-)</i></div>
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Happy Valentines!</div>
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Lakota x</div>
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PS. Out-takes will be up on my Facebook page later.</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard; font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">*since that last sparkly one she based him on. Jeez. At least Edward just watched her sleep and didn't make her sign any contracts</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: -webkit-standard; font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">**Put it this way, L7 did it first on The Word back in the 90s and it was gross then</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D8126878015817020943%23editor&media=https%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-PBsdliK3Ee0%2FVrywZ90fFuI%2FAAAAAAAAFW8%2F9kBecsI4fYg%2Fs400%2Fdog%252Bfridge%252Bmagnet.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=rwPNKHpC3FGQ&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 153px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 4422px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D8126878015817020943%23editor&media=https%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-PBsdliK3Ee0%2FVrywZ90fFuI%2FAAAAAAAAFW8%2F9kBecsI4fYg%2Fs400%2Fdog%252Bfridge%252Bmagnet.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=rwPNKHpC3FGQ&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 153px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 4422px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D8126878015817020943%23editor&media=https%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-PBsdliK3Ee0%2FVrywZ90fFuI%2FAAAAAAAAFW8%2F9kBecsI4fYg%2Fs400%2Fdog%252Bfridge%252Bmagnet.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=rwPNKHpC3FGQ&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 153px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 4422px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D8126878015817020943%23editor&media=https%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-PBsdliK3Ee0%2FVrywZ90fFuI%2FAAAAAAAAFW8%2F9kBecsI4fYg%2Fs400%2Fdog%252Bfridge%252Bmagnet.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=rwPNKHpC3FGQ&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 153px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 4422px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><br />
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Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping]http://www.blogger.com/profile/04247624645636227130noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8126878015817020943.post-86817646907259251062016-02-02T13:21:00.001+00:002016-03-03T08:59:15.070+00:00Welcome to the Jungle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECbBs4xLMyZz_lsVBKFhtRI7GwjyZ38qgAob29a2g3CPw8zP_sk-M2bD8k-Y367ENgdWUx42jCRewIc4oeHrUzvFoIm77LBoLS5BB9cX-7h9O9nz5wsJqwtH9xsn7opOESpEoqfg52rXD/s1600/20160202_122427.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECbBs4xLMyZz_lsVBKFhtRI7GwjyZ38qgAob29a2g3CPw8zP_sk-M2bD8k-Y367ENgdWUx42jCRewIc4oeHrUzvFoIm77LBoLS5BB9cX-7h9O9nz5wsJqwtH9xsn7opOESpEoqfg52rXD/s320/20160202_122427.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The devil makes work for idle hands, apparently. So, y'know, cross stitch. Saving souls since the Middle Ages. There are a lot of cool designs out there via Subversive Cross Stitch and similar, but given the small people I live with, this kind of design is still out for a few years:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7E0-gpr8uLTcpO5eTxOfkyZWNN-QAODWAROoi3csGCpqd0eV4jVTsyWYC7GKw9dJ-FHWtkNcUQndH9Bev-X3c4QagB4vXJLAHGvdB6K_qICgiNxsYsWDQPiZE5cRZYbZMu9sDjD6AmRnE/s1600/3733363840_9648f2e80e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7E0-gpr8uLTcpO5eTxOfkyZWNN-QAODWAROoi3csGCpqd0eV4jVTsyWYC7GKw9dJ-FHWtkNcUQndH9Bev-X3c4QagB4vXJLAHGvdB6K_qICgiNxsYsWDQPiZE5cRZYbZMu9sDjD6AmRnE/s320/3733363840_9648f2e80e.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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A great housewarming gift for childfree couples though, eh?</div>
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My version is a cross-stitched QR code - those unique 'fingerprint' designs that marketing departments stick on posters etc in the vain hope that consumers will zap them with a smartphone app and 'engage with further content' from the brand. Anyway, you can make your own for free using a <a href="http://www.qr-code-generator.com/?PID=1104&kw=qr%20code%20free&gclid=CLun5OKR2coCFQUewwodiiAJ9w" target="_blank">QR code generator</a>, and link it to whatever URL you fancy. If you print the resulting code out on A4 paper and draw a grid over the top, you have an automatic cross stitch pattern. </div>
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I picked the YouTube link to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1tj2zJ2Wvg" target="_blank">Welcome to the Jungle</a> by Guns n' Roses. </div>
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Not very complicated really, but essential to keep count properly, as any mistake means it won't work and it will be a right arse to work out where you went wrong! </div>
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Being very childishly pleased with myself when it worked, I went on to make one for the kitchen which takes you to this classic line from <i>Withnail and I</i></div>
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<i><br /></i><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/_MwOOY2qPlo/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_MwOOY2qPlo?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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It's by the wine rack of course.</div>
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Lakota x</div>
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Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping]http://www.blogger.com/profile/04247624645636227130noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8126878015817020943.post-32994781203146204722015-12-31T20:44:00.002+00:002016-01-01T09:08:24.822+00:00New Years Resolutions of the Stars - 2016<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hey bitches, I'm back! And so are these guys, more's the pity...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Kylie Jenner</b></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQ2Ty_vJ1aXaRFJg2nDl4XFEQg4jRq2SeE1d0tuLF9QWZdZ07CwIDW9FUI9jRTJyVq5xahgq5yrYFLEBpxMwA16U9bwnv_sXo3UH9RCI0BJCh5WjK7E5qKcQavwR22fNKJdducvJOr-Nn/s1600/kylie-jenner-injections.png.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBQ2Ty_vJ1aXaRFJg2nDl4XFEQg4jRq2SeE1d0tuLF9QWZdZ07CwIDW9FUI9jRTJyVq5xahgq5yrYFLEBpxMwA16U9bwnv_sXo3UH9RCI0BJCh5WjK7E5qKcQavwR22fNKJdducvJOr-Nn/s320/kylie-jenner-injections.png.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, like, I was an Aunt again this year. Saint is cute but I can't show you a picture cos we haven't figured out where will give us the most cash yet. He puked on my Givenchy though, which was gross. Kim and Kanye had like the hardest time picking his name. I liked 'Wild West', Rob liked 'John' which is like, totally lame, just like him, and mom was holding out for 'High rate Inter West'. But Saint West is obviously totally #blessed. Cos a Saint is like totally better than a King, right? Tyga was majorly pissed. Oh right, 2016. Well I think I'm mostly gonna continue my quest for natural beauty and showing impressionable teens on instagram how just a simple lipliner can completely change the shape of your pout. And jawline. And butt. #miracle</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taylor Swift</span></b></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqxSjUM7UcnWGj1ZowI9IAMcln2aeAVkXg-_AH8aXXvy2ASWHTdnRbGViaDyBLeGfsq3Xl6BYlmLL8ETEz5qbtko-smn3ZmN9ZurCqoBkwtbhNrdz1a2329TW7115YN14prIJuRDTxj-P/s1600/john-boehner-trolls-obama-with-a-bunch-of-taylor-swift-gifs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJqxSjUM7UcnWGj1ZowI9IAMcln2aeAVkXg-_AH8aXXvy2ASWHTdnRbGViaDyBLeGfsq3Xl6BYlmLL8ETEz5qbtko-smn3ZmN9ZurCqoBkwtbhNrdz1a2329TW7115YN14prIJuRDTxj-P/s320/john-boehner-trolls-obama-with-a-bunch-of-taylor-swift-gifs.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m a changed woman this
year y’all. Found true love with my bae Calvin, became a feminist (don't criticize the <strike>skinny millionaire white chick</strike> me, because I'm a woman and if you do that's sexist) and didn't write any songs about anyone in particular. Except Katy Perry. I mean, an unnamed female singer who's a total see you next Tuesday. <i>Bad Blood</i> is absolutely definitely not about how mean she is. I have loads of friends anyway. Right guys? BBQ at my place! Then we can all wear our jammies and bake kittens and stroke cookies! LOL, glitch in the programming there! Totally not manic!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">{SquadGoals for 2016 - Eliminate that Adele bitch}</span></div>
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<i><b>Lemmy</b></i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4xR48xyY-e7DgxuL-RPBI144B5Eevga-TP-7Ak6x1ienipXOEGA1lUsG0fOJy2MIYL0zdydBgm1jd-ZDx7872I2f0nefp1eCoFUwLQtbJRDB4RISWO7mSzUK4unjVUriOvLCVoeN3wye/s1600/Lemmy-Resize-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4xR48xyY-e7DgxuL-RPBI144B5Eevga-TP-7Ak6x1ienipXOEGA1lUsG0fOJy2MIYL0zdydBgm1jd-ZDx7872I2f0nefp1eCoFUwLQtbJRDB4RISWO7mSzUK4unjVUriOvLCVoeN3wye/s320/Lemmy-Resize-2.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No plans for 2016 beyond the usual. Turns out I died while I was still a member of Hawkwind but the news took a while to filter through. Probably all the Jack Daniels acted as a preservative. Might take a trip with a few mates - Thor, Cilla, Keef and I were planning on taking the bikes for a run down to Brighton, check out the sharks at the Sea Life Centre - then probably another tour...</span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Idris Elba</span></b></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0LtK08TtjD9tQ7OVrof6cYUqYfqZv8yC0BodO3e9mx9vHxx15TMVGXjW202QAN9wwMxSp0EBbbmnQzWrvOCki5_sRSJboPvf-ZJk5tidep5FV8d9BOazgLb84Q5pgj6kAvV5zKm2ptE4t/s1600/idris-elba-435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0LtK08TtjD9tQ7OVrof6cYUqYfqZv8yC0BodO3e9mx9vHxx15TMVGXjW202QAN9wwMxSp0EBbbmnQzWrvOCki5_sRSJboPvf-ZJk5tidep5FV8d9BOazgLb84Q5pgj6kAvV5zKm2ptE4t/s320/idris-elba-435.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">OBE, man. Check that out. Stands for Omnipotent Babe Enchanter. Whether I'm making your mum fall in love with a Baltimore drug kingpin - "ooh he's a good looking man, that Stringer Bell" - foiling serial killers whilst whilst wearing tweed better than Benedict Cumberbatch, or being mooted as the first black Bond, you know Queen Liz ain't immune to my charms neither. Aiming for the knighthood in 2016. Arise Sir Idris!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Cheryl </i><i><strike>Cole</strike></i></span></b></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cheryl <strike>Fernandez-Versini</strike></span></b></i></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">CHERYL</span></b></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsMepV7iqUD-6ZYDpKa7V5Qw3VaqszPc35sN4FJn154tPkU5VyvlRnJMnCe58ovOVXHfOsEhFCObu6BFC9hOGCsOaRC9DDGS-Pdj068R7VgP9ucvEHLctBIdQOyAQ5SdQ3CBWwGtsgXUj/s1600/Cheryl-Fernandez-Versini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUsMepV7iqUD-6ZYDpKa7V5Qw3VaqszPc35sN4FJn154tPkU5VyvlRnJMnCe58ovOVXHfOsEhFCObu6BFC9hOGCsOaRC9DDGS-Pdj068R7VgP9ucvEHLctBIdQOyAQ5SdQ3CBWwGtsgXUj/s320/Cheryl-Fernandez-Versini.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Howay, pet, it's bin a bit of an up an doon year, what with losin' the X Factor te that hoor Rita Ora, an all those people sayin' me marriage te JohnBernard wisna gan to last on accoont o' the language barrier. He's no gannae teyk all me millions, and ah cannae afford any more tattoo removal like. So 2016 is the year that ah'm finally plannin' te learn English! </span></div>
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<i><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jeremy Clarkson</span></b></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTFC3vQO9hn6xDo4q3brzm3rn6iJinioyw_ZWFy_WeHX1qUkE5jnWh1WQYVa9QaxAQx8UQ0LtjNgZcCUwLys2sCHGsV8KVb6pmMigkzqPsMqBRNEw3v2ZiizGP0I-5v0iXwLUcjwNTuqs/s1600/jeremy-clarkson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrTFC3vQO9hn6xDo4q3brzm3rn6iJinioyw_ZWFy_WeHX1qUkE5jnWh1WQYVa9QaxAQx8UQ0LtjNgZcCUwLys2sCHGsV8KVb6pmMigkzqPsMqBRNEw3v2ZiizGP0I-5v0iXwLUcjwNTuqs/s320/jeremy-clarkson.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some say that I'm a dinosaur who punched my producer during a row about steak, then lost my job at the BBC for being an unrepentant arse. Luckily the CEO of Amazon Prime called me in for a chat and we bonded over our mutual love of tax avoidance and global warming, and the rest, as they say, is history! Of course, I'll be giving up leather jackets and lamb chops for Veganuary 2016...and on that bombshell - HAPPY NEW YEAR!</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remind yourself of my previous new year nonsense <a href="http://aithhopeandcharityshopping.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/new-years-resolutions-of-stars-2013.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://faithhopeandcharityshopping.blogspot.co.uk/2012/01/not-pinterested-part-3bye-resolution.html" target="_blank">here</a></span></i></div>
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lakota x</span></i></div>
<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D8126878015817020943%23editor&media=https%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-0LeJIuskr9Q%2FVoVfVMD_53I%2FAAAAAAAAFTk%2Fu5H-zo_zm1I%2Fs320%2FCheryl-Fernandez-Versini.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=rwPNKHpC3FGQ&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 193px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 1895px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/extension/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogger.com%2Fblogger.g%3FblogID%3D8126878015817020943%23editor&media=https%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-0LeJIuskr9Q%2FVoVfVMD_53I%2FAAAAAAAAFTk%2Fu5H-zo_zm1I%2Fs320%2FCheryl-Fernandez-Versini.jpg&xm=h&xv=sa1.37.01&xuid=rwPNKHpC3FGQ&description=" style="background-color: transparent; background-image: url(data:image/png; border: none; cursor: pointer; display: none; height: 20px; left: 193px; opacity: 0.85; position: absolute; top: 1895px; width: 40px; z-index: 8675309;"></a>Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping]http://www.blogger.com/profile/04247624645636227130noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8126878015817020943.post-18682667297956902332013-10-03T21:41:00.000+01:002013-10-03T21:54:20.492+01:00National Poetry Day 2013<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 21px;">Thought I might as well mark National Poetry Day, as I do write it occasionally. You know when you're a kid and you get the wrong end of the stick about something you've only heard about in passing? And then you never get disabused of the idea? This is about when I realised the Elgin Marbles weren't big round rocks. Yeah, I was an idiot. And about 25.</span></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A Misapprehension</span></u></b></div>
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remembering the British museum<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We’d taken
the whole day off I think, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">escape via
annual leave. A virgin page <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">in a brand
new Moleskine journal, begging<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">to be filled
with our unoriginal musings <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">on culture
and art. <i>‘We have this great city <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">on our doorstep’</span></i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">.
‘A scandal’. <i>‘We really must’</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">‘Let’s be
one of <i>those</i> couples’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’d wanted
to see the Elgin Marbles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Since
childhood years, I’d pictured those<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">huge cool
spheres. A giant’s game of Rolley Hole,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">wasn’t the
wonder in how smooth they are?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The seventh
Earl called keepsies, when Greece <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">thought they
had been playing fair. [Of course,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> rules should be decided in advance.]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">‘Over here’,
you said. You realised, but didn't<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">smirk. My
eyes tracked the gallery,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">bemused. A cathedral
aisle of polished floor;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">supplicants
crowded the walls. Oh. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Marbles</span></i><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How could I
not have known? The blood <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">in my ears
felt thicker. Hot. Words buzzed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Distorted,
in swimming pool air.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The sightless
fury of a centaur, remaining limb</span>s<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">still striking
for the throat. That discorporate<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">mare. Poor
Ginger on the knacker’s cart,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">tongue
lolling. Torsos missing only the gibbet. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Exposed to
time and air and public scrutiny. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">No Arcadian
pursuit after all. Who’d have thought?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We bought
coffee and perched, high on stools.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF80hl1DGanj4eUlUBt1-KB8ttDQhXi-WQ3TmDi9m5CVKo6IOK5nfftCMSQjuwqHZJIg-keLoFNSrFEXDVhMUhyphenhyphenjZhY4PjqptdXgpCZBozX8da8IN5rP3kp0aA5IPf4CtvFIkzp0JxKIYB/s1600/elgin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF80hl1DGanj4eUlUBt1-KB8ttDQhXi-WQ3TmDi9m5CVKo6IOK5nfftCMSQjuwqHZJIg-keLoFNSrFEXDVhMUhyphenhyphenjZhY4PjqptdXgpCZBozX8da8IN5rP3kp0aA5IPf4CtvFIkzp0JxKIYB/s400/elgin.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping]http://www.blogger.com/profile/04247624645636227130noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8126878015817020943.post-42087769709459902272013-09-26T12:42:00.002+01:002013-09-26T18:34:02.048+01:00Guess who's back, back again?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hiya. Yeah it's me. I got into drugs, went to rehab, got clean, put out another album, bitched about the critics and found that Kanye West had stolen my thunder...Oh no, wait, that's Eminem. I'm just using him as a sneaky way of bypassing long explanations and justifications as to where I've been. I'll probably get round to that. But if anything could haul my arse out of hibernation it would be the prospect of a blogger meet-up in London town. And not just any old meetup, but a super transatlantic inter-city multi-national one. It was gritty, but glamorous. And if <i>Film4 </i>made it, it would be called:<br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">"EAST END BARBIE HOOKERS"</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFu46umveaZ19GnOgGVLHVSx3U2hUu9SxpwqscOg6N7nQIRDhcaNaDXzQU3Swia2Hd65qV5MT_0AFAwWVZiiQoShuvpCTPcHOWJJ3ysVGF89J2XNnT6PeIQBe56JNx2zCeFxDkiu0IpuBQ/s1600/20130920_123855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFu46umveaZ19GnOgGVLHVSx3U2hUu9SxpwqscOg6N7nQIRDhcaNaDXzQU3Swia2Hd65qV5MT_0AFAwWVZiiQoShuvpCTPcHOWJJ3ysVGF89J2XNnT6PeIQBe56JNx2zCeFxDkiu0IpuBQ/s400/20130920_123855.jpg" width="297" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">STARRING...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHi0F7OpAJo96zWAhZnfpz4lt0Bvee4OA8uZIb2u7wgnXXI7f7MjuqKMYukNSle20Yruh9HBAqykdWSLQQBDaEFiDvPBQLmUUAlRIbqjBwJjNBT-IpCMdeLrGxaOQO9lwwtgUODsu1_sa/s1600/20130920_123832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHi0F7OpAJo96zWAhZnfpz4lt0Bvee4OA8uZIb2u7wgnXXI7f7MjuqKMYukNSle20Yruh9HBAqykdWSLQQBDaEFiDvPBQLmUUAlRIbqjBwJjNBT-IpCMdeLrGxaOQO9lwwtgUODsu1_sa/s400/20130920_123832.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">VIX!</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://vintagevixon.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/london-kills-me.html" target="_blank">The Vintage Vixen</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KhJga1mI15xqBVwLI-gWNkdXGkl6lI3vr5OhpCCrdqsBxsvWqOJPL6DqFB5Vqm7vKEHP2PrqYp65xo5X5Ar76vIla_8Vdtud4EiolCrNdqeugUs_JGDUmkYAfPsg2QLJBYBvF8IdCwLU/s1600/20130920_123913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5KhJga1mI15xqBVwLI-gWNkdXGkl6lI3vr5OhpCCrdqsBxsvWqOJPL6DqFB5Vqm7vKEHP2PrqYp65xo5X5Ar76vIla_8Vdtud4EiolCrNdqeugUs_JGDUmkYAfPsg2QLJBYBvF8IdCwLU/s400/20130920_123913.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">SUZANNE!</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://ideefixemon.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">The broad from abroad</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiviNRFvmWVMlr66bwmA61gXWAxEpPV5U3EiKwGQFWt_No3HgrLi3d78AfnESrK7DMG4D9H7psIF2jMhB_wfJqOnyCq6vjDBPTNu4qxZ4FlZNfK8lMAt66T6kfK_UTPxxLDMIfIO4v-I3Qp/s1600/20130920_124110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiviNRFvmWVMlr66bwmA61gXWAxEpPV5U3EiKwGQFWt_No3HgrLi3d78AfnESrK7DMG4D9H7psIF2jMhB_wfJqOnyCq6vjDBPTNu4qxZ4FlZNfK8lMAt66T6kfK_UTPxxLDMIfIO4v-I3Qp/s400/20130920_124110.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">LA DAMA!</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple;"><a href="http://www.vpjlm.com/2013/09/prosti-putas-in-londres_8943.html" target="_blank">The Mexi-CAN</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">AND...</span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">That other one!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFGXyheeMrmANlExOYt1pXNeoZfV1QdIhpErh-5K4mUmk9kjK_l2dyprE_HK-idLWBATke8tf43PLGBJMjv4UxEGH7Luf5KCYA-DROqdkMKeGlIi-5IvgVPpsb-8imxXer9h91V4CWZ-H/s1600/youareyou.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFGXyheeMrmANlExOYt1pXNeoZfV1QdIhpErh-5K4mUmk9kjK_l2dyprE_HK-idLWBATke8tf43PLGBJMjv4UxEGH7Luf5KCYA-DROqdkMKeGlIi-5IvgVPpsb-8imxXer9h91V4CWZ-H/s400/youareyou.png" width="225" /></a></div>
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<i>I wore my graffiti print skirt, it's not that I stood there too long</i></div>
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Terrifyingly - to anyone who has a passing familiarity with my sense of direction - I designated myself tour guide and dragged everyone off to Shoreditch. Now, as any fule kno - the East End is no longer synonymous with the denizens of <i>The Queen Vic</i> (or Jack the Ripper, or the Krays) but is the natural haunt of the hipster in London. Locals are used to bearded men in cardigans putting up flyers for vegan crunk nights*, girls with undercuts and 80s batwing jumpers get barely a second glance. However, being out with these three was like being out with some kind of rock supergroup. Or possibly Courtney Love on the razz with Harry Styles. Seriously, we got stopped and asked for photographs. We got sneakily papped while we ate pancakes in Spitalfields market. We got cat-called [once by crackheads, admittedly. But one of the Indian restaurant owners was very taken with Vix, calling her his <i>'tropical banana'</i>. All these guys ever say to me is <i>'come in, come in, lamb bhuna is on special today'</i>]. I think I need to make more of an effort. </div>
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<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjchHvQhnYAnhBqF4q4z3TFhFAcoVlOVAhkDi-fiI0jjhPqyTy_zaXuJuTVI5QI5MpeD0Jy_f9JSQPWP-NokQPs6j2XicMaIyLWGWbcIlndCxOiCbjusG4tnq8WnGLYN14v28nZvnqwwQ2J/s400/posing.jpg" width="300" /></div>
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<i>Erm, yeah, we're err, Little Mix. Honest</i></div>
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Suzanne claimed the bargain of the day at Absolute Vintage - a £1 cheongsam languishing in their bargain bin. [My £4 version is <a href="http://faithhopeandcharityshopping.blogspot.co.uk/2013_05_01_archive.html" target="_blank">here</a>]. No doubt they doubted their chances of finding someone tiny enough to fit in it outside of Hong Kong - seriously, it was weeny - but as you can see it looks incredible on her.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzZ85XkZ91T5tSGlyPFmfBZgV5EojdGGPe-rEsTCy7x9NKODP3-2O1_ASKYT_Bo9kPJj-j_duo0cw3dHi1r7TFInT-BH8OSvr-jR9jfqIZlKJsrKsEVWmiQN4Y2qr2c-MLZrmXS9JWYnU/s1600/Suzanne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzZ85XkZ91T5tSGlyPFmfBZgV5EojdGGPe-rEsTCy7x9NKODP3-2O1_ASKYT_Bo9kPJj-j_duo0cw3dHi1r7TFInT-BH8OSvr-jR9jfqIZlKJsrKsEVWmiQN4Y2qr2c-MLZrmXS9JWYnU/s400/Suzanne.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<i>Suzanne Wong</i></div>
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Another highlight was finding a subterranean vintage market held in the old Victorian public toilets. Dora and Vix bought skirts while I wrestled with my ever growing attraction to 80s goth prom dresses. I blame my addiction to John Hughes films and the fact that I was 13 when the decade ended - I didn't get to wear any of the fun stuff.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGETkZXPEejai4JAXoZGxESWiKcrLV3uKkXiwHhtjNUyuOoa6h54OZtoQaaaISU9Y0fUQAFM1RLnyCL7INHWAfBxszCsemTE2fiXYX8hhwMV5jS7sW8V6YHp7276R1J7d901F0op6gdit/s1600/blog+meet+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGETkZXPEejai4JAXoZGxESWiKcrLV3uKkXiwHhtjNUyuOoa6h54OZtoQaaaISU9Y0fUQAFM1RLnyCL7INHWAfBxszCsemTE2fiXYX8hhwMV5jS7sW8V6YHp7276R1J7d901F0op6gdit/s400/blog+meet+up.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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I<i> didn't buy it, even though the lady offered to knock a tenner off. It was a bit big and also cut so I'd have been flashing my gusset with every step. Leggings would have solved the second problem but I'm not enough of a needlewoman to start attempting to take things in. </i></div>
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Despite proclaiming that she wasn't shopping, Vix got a fabulous skirt for a ten quid (pic on her blog), and I felt strangely relieved that the queen of thrifty vintage managed to find something in the smoke that wasn't too ridiculously priced. These Topshop sequin shorts were quite fun (found at another vintage market on Brick Lane), but I think I'll be able to find them cheaper on eBay:<br />
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<i>Awkward grin. Cameras still freak me out.</i></div>
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<i> I like black. Matches my cat.</i></div>
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I did get a denim waistcoat a la Vix for £4, but the best buy from here was Dora's 'Blade Runner' shades. Excuse me for going all <i>Project Runway</i> for a minute - but <i>FIERCE</i>!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDL6XJsBxGl8HYjQQ5OSH4J6ZX-Ft1_efOIGyRTlCIxj7hhwxlcSsDzn4ieFNNVRfhT5tR37nL42wYv0nUlk9Uh8ZNNu2-r1oAaWYyPlzn6WqH3A6ZehkuNUxzACxB3mL9cS6hk1mxMPF/s1600/20130920_155121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLDL6XJsBxGl8HYjQQ5OSH4J6ZX-Ft1_efOIGyRTlCIxj7hhwxlcSsDzn4ieFNNVRfhT5tR37nL42wYv0nUlk9Uh8ZNNu2-r1oAaWYyPlzn6WqH3A6ZehkuNUxzACxB3mL9cS6hk1mxMPF/s400/20130920_155121.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i>Why yes that is a chartreuse glitter skull on my head, thanks for noticing.</i></div>
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Can you believe someone actually asked her if she'd ever been to Mexico?</div>
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It was great to meet 3 such incredible women who are just as cool as their blogs would suggest - thank you also for the wonderful gifts (I had a mild and as it turned out totally justified panic about this before I left - my main excuse is not having left the house in a week aside from school pick ups. I will reciprocate somehow). If anyone else is planning a London trip and fancies meeting up do give me a shout via my blog email - I am checking it again now!<br />
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Hmm, 40 million blog posts to read. I may be some time.<br />
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Lakota x<br />
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* Yes, it's an oldie. But makes me laugh.<br />
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<br />Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping]http://www.blogger.com/profile/04247624645636227130noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8126878015817020943.post-65747696241442074102013-06-28T19:50:00.001+01:002013-06-28T19:55:12.561+01:00Ten years married<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Happy Anniversary to my gorgeous husband, who walks every mile with me - whether home or away. Thanks for the <i>best</i> time in New York.</div>
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Boots<br />
xxxLakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping]http://www.blogger.com/profile/04247624645636227130noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8126878015817020943.post-76770638323829978912013-06-12T13:08:00.002+01:002013-06-12T14:28:00.813+01:00Freebie and Competition RoundupHello, isn't the weather crap again? Luckily for me I'm off to New York for a few days next week - see how I threw that in, all nonchalant? - so it's time to pick some magazines for the airport. June is peak time for magazine freebie madness - probably something to do with submitting their circulation figures soon - so even if you don't usually succumb to the lure of the glossy, there are a few which are worth picking up at the moment.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Magazine Free Gifts</u></b></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Marie Claire</u></b></span><br />
£3.80 - but you get a very cute free Ciaté nail polish set worth a tenner. It's a mini 'cookies and cream' polish, plus a bottle of nail caviar, in pale gold tones. If you have no idea what the hell I'm on about with my talk of nail caviar, I will show you in another post. [Once I've cleaned the bathroom. It's not exactly a low maintenance look]. Anyway, it's the one with Alicia Keys on the cover, who sang with Jay-Z about New York on 'Empire State of Mind'. Oh, and also in the wrapping was a mini sample of toothpaste, very handy if like me, you happen to be going to New York. Ahem.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>InStyle</u></b></span></div>
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This month it's at a special price of £2.50, rather than the usual £3.90, which makes the free <b>full size</b> 50ml <i>Neal's Yard</i> Power Berry Moisturiser worth £12 even more of a bargain. Fairtrade, Organic <i>and</i> Cruelty Free. What's not to like? [Well, there is an article where Cheryl Cole says absolutely nothing of any interest and wears a dress made out of wicker, but you can ignore that bit]</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjknCDYtsAKFFGaV0Msii742Obu06oacrXj8KMeq2rGGAFlEmZD9eqmssLJ45nn4r68l7Mcxs0YxR9HN1spjCen-A0FVlJbGrI1Fx_SxXCvqXaUrQOcpHVkH-GZHjdotI4OI4xC3qfIfG6/s1600/20130605_091827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjknCDYtsAKFFGaV0Msii742Obu06oacrXj8KMeq2rGGAFlEmZD9eqmssLJ45nn4r68l7Mcxs0YxR9HN1spjCen-A0FVlJbGrI1Fx_SxXCvqXaUrQOcpHVkH-GZHjdotI4OI4xC3qfIfG6/s400/20130605_091827.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Elle</u></b></span><br />
It's a bit odd that they've decided to give away a Rodial Self Tan lotion the month that porcelain skinned actress Amy Adams is on the cover, but mine is not to question the doubtless terrifying editorial team at <i>Elle</i>. I'm not buying this one because I don't do fake tan - flashbacks to a secondary school production of <i>Jesus Christ Superstar</i> in which I appeared as a tango'd leper - however, a £4 spend for a product worth £13.50 seems pretty good, if you're a bronzed glamazon type.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0fwi8HcIHKGwCchPK6fNMRV4oWBr7IkrdeZvlgDTD-eoH6cUU_ZZsSZOgHY-RwSWmjEvN99t7q_YtsNL51v1AN681dSJHQRLZsZls6znLHvnnAG7NcP-WM81ZMGdO3KVr-qAwqCYZagi/s1600/20130605_091946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm0fwi8HcIHKGwCchPK6fNMRV4oWBr7IkrdeZvlgDTD-eoH6cUU_ZZsSZOgHY-RwSWmjEvN99t7q_YtsNL51v1AN681dSJHQRLZsZls6znLHvnnAG7NcP-WM81ZMGdO3KVr-qAwqCYZagi/s400/20130605_091946.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Red</u></b></span><br />
Free this month is Elemis Beauty Balm worth £11.50. Red is usually £4.00 but is currently on offer in Tesco at half price. This is a real 'luxury brand' moisturiser - if you bought the full size 50ml product it would cost you £32, so for an £8 spend you could get 60ml.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2bZjnsoEIhnc5kdSQKM5GEPJduIOk1OnG9RlLF0lbsxUUeYcCtdwpPtAClwgmwJahVWMcj5rozGjf7FiIGKHcUE2FyoLu2_h4hqnMIkgucOCEIvbHdbWthO90WD0SgJ_1jzkYk_-1STI/s1600/20130605_092048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2bZjnsoEIhnc5kdSQKM5GEPJduIOk1OnG9RlLF0lbsxUUeYcCtdwpPtAClwgmwJahVWMcj5rozGjf7FiIGKHcUE2FyoLu2_h4hqnMIkgucOCEIvbHdbWthO90WD0SgJ_1jzkYk_-1STI/s400/20130605_092048.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Cosmopolitan</u></b></span><br />
Not quite such an impressive offering from Cosmo, one of three pairs of sunglasses, some Smints mints and a packet of sweeties. You could probably get equivalent sunnies in Primark for around about the £3.60 spend, but it might prevent you from being nagged by the offspring for a comic while you browse the mags if you bribe them with the sweets.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IM47SxmHyMVQHGIugeKxxwkuwLN-0Kv2POa6zAmivz8WWBF5STsXUpCRw2x15IatxLrAjmMp3Z2ZTSRT5VvA-5sVLgxWjE3jSxB1E-0rQjSFfotCKpf4a2L_9eB6dapRfaiB_cXentSv/s1600/20130605_091759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1IM47SxmHyMVQHGIugeKxxwkuwLN-0Kv2POa6zAmivz8WWBF5STsXUpCRw2x15IatxLrAjmMp3Z2ZTSRT5VvA-5sVLgxWjE3jSxB1E-0rQjSFfotCKpf4a2L_9eB6dapRfaiB_cXentSv/s400/20130605_091759.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Glamour</u></b></span><br />
£2 gets you the magazine and one of five products from Model Co. There's a mascara worth £16, two lipglosses at £16 each, plus a lipliner and an eyeliner retailing at £15 apiece. I've never tried their products but it would be a great way of replenishing your makeup bag on a budget.<br />
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Once you've finished the mags - or if you've bought multiple copies - why not drop them in to your local dentist or doctor's surgery? There's nothing worse than being without a book at the health centre and having to resort to reading a copy of People's Friend from 1992, or a leaflet on malaria. Hairdressers always need a good supply of glossies too, and I've also seen them sold in certain charity shops.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Competition of the week</u></b></span><br />
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I was asked by <a href="http://www.bathstore.com/bathstorecompetition.html" target="_blank">Bathstore.com</a> to help launch their latest competition - they must have heard about my shady past as a comper - and as the prizes look pretty good I was happy to oblige. All you have to do is guess which blockbuster movie (from this year) the prizes they've stuffed into their bathroom cabinet refer to, and email your answer to them, along with the make of cabinet they've used. Bit random, but look what you can win:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjfJmH97OYu5tRH9xGpzwQkSFEmCIs2WKO5UGzMYiNuGQNHBvZNlnM2nSjZDsQOu29LGe84eLH1yTLntSwH_nmNgXHyb7SJeZSsKEAzXS85qPr5i15hJBhwemi23v7MNGNdT2tfjxXazFg/s1600/Bathstore+collage+final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjfJmH97OYu5tRH9xGpzwQkSFEmCIs2WKO5UGzMYiNuGQNHBvZNlnM2nSjZDsQOu29LGe84eLH1yTLntSwH_nmNgXHyb7SJeZSsKEAzXS85qPr5i15hJBhwemi23v7MNGNdT2tfjxXazFg/s400/Bathstore+collage+final.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<li><b>Simon Carter cufflinks from Liberty of London</b></li>
<li><b>Mac red lipstick</b></li>
<li><b>Black and silver beaded headband</b></li>
<li><b>Red feather boa</b></li>
<li><b>Baz Luhrman's 'Epic Romances' DVD boxset</b></li>
<li><b>Silver plated faux pearl and diamanté necklace</b></li>
<li><b>Sunday jazz cruise on the Thames for two</b></li>
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[I think I know the answer - my advice would be to think more about the 'Jazz' aspect of the cruise prize than the fact you're on the Thames. And perhaps pretend the setting is New York rather than London. Anyway, full details on how to enter are <a href="http://www.bathstore.com/bathstorecompetition.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and the competition closes at midnight on 24th June]</div>
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Once again I am woefully behind on reading everyone's blogs - I apologize, again - and am unlikely to manage to catch up as this weekend I'm off on my sister's hen do. We're white water rafting - as you do - and then off to Essex glam mecca <i>Sugar Hut</i> to mingle with big boobed D-listers. Obviously I'll fit right in.</div>
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Seen any good freebies or comps? Let me know in the comments.</div>
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Lakota x</div>
Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping]http://www.blogger.com/profile/04247624645636227130noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8126878015817020943.post-56324106487220524932013-06-04T10:30:00.000+01:002013-06-04T10:43:53.099+01:00Ta-dah! Tuesday - insert 'horny' joke here...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Look what I got when I went to Brighton a couple of weekends ago. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQv2SZIbxT-sODcrds_fr1gRyP53MSopXY_Sfz7m2PQZ0AuWrziSv7osNxNLIpQ4LaE8HSFETbeIfuox6diBRI5gE9_FhfoYqpVaBM9qntD8Q0igYgqka0CcP58osyYCCFVTbvm-hTO9I/s1600/20130603_142152-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQv2SZIbxT-sODcrds_fr1gRyP53MSopXY_Sfz7m2PQZ0AuWrziSv7osNxNLIpQ4LaE8HSFETbeIfuox6diBRI5gE9_FhfoYqpVaBM9qntD8Q0igYgqka0CcP58osyYCCFVTbvm-hTO9I/s640/20130603_142152-001.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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It's currently doing necklace hanging duty in the hall, as I haven't yet put up the <a href="http://faithhopeandcharityshopping.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/ta-dah-tuesday-storage-satisfaction.html" target="_blank">vintage coat hooks</a> which usually hold my jewellery.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWllUEDAryRK7Q7917uaBDS-XzTN6HcgyrZdSpOIbE8_QuS9ojAwb4z0alXo2NOv_X_8T38qhCH8PrHiMyL2WVCwr7_x4m6bi6AN6AxREWSPctDSgm5JPmf4jOLCJxVhT8jW4zvdaM_n_p/s1600/20130603_142250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWllUEDAryRK7Q7917uaBDS-XzTN6HcgyrZdSpOIbE8_QuS9ojAwb4z0alXo2NOv_X_8T38qhCH8PrHiMyL2WVCwr7_x4m6bi6AN6AxREWSPctDSgm5JPmf4jOLCJxVhT8jW4zvdaM_n_p/s640/20130603_142250.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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I don't know if it would go with the rest of my bedroom, but I'm really tempted to spray paint it neon pink. Or maybe just the base? Anyway, I fully recommend embracing the Scottish hunting lodge look when it comes to jewellery storage. Although don't blame me if Herne the Hunter shows up to chase you down next time you're on a forest ramble.<br />
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What have you got to share this week? Link up below.<br />
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Lakota x
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping]http://www.blogger.com/profile/04247624645636227130noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8126878015817020943.post-70004877762821602382013-05-31T09:00:00.000+01:002013-06-03T13:04:35.921+01:00Frock on a Friday - cheongsamHilariously, while I was away I found out I'd been shortlisted for a BiB award. I don't quite know how this happened, as it wasn't in the 'Mildly humorous Drivel' category, but 'Fashion'. Supposedly once you're nominated someone on the panel takes a look at your blog, so I'm not really sure how no-one twigged I'm not a fashion blogger. I mean, I love clothes and all, but hate having my photo taken, so it's not really a match made in heaven. And if you look back through my archive, there's only a handful of posts featuring me [although I have stopped cutting my head off. And my profile picture is now me. That's progress, people!]. Anyway, I didn't bother confirming my blog and getting a badge because it just seemed a bit weird and frankly made me think less of their selection process anyway. It would make about as much sense as Rihanna being voted Miss Modesty. However, I did figure it was time for another awkward outfit post.<br />
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So, on to the dress. I found it in a charity shop for £4. It looks hardly worn. And it's purple! Yay! I had a cheongsam years ago but it met with an accident so I'm really pleased to finally find a replacement. [It only took a couple of decades]. Possibly it needs removal of another rib/5lbs to be completely flattering - shiny satin not being the worlds most photograph friendly material, but I swear that is just wrinkles in the fabric, not flab. Mostly. Possibly it would look better inside, in the gloom. [Gosh,I'm really working this fashion blogger angle].<br />
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<i>Breathe in! Grin! Stick your elbow out in an unnatural fashion</i></div>
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<i>I got the straighteners out - big hair wasn't working</i></div>
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Cheongsams are possibly the world's most impractical clothing - you can't really sit down, or eat, or um, breathe - but hey, respiration is overrated!<br />
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And finally, here's my contribution to the 'chronic Bitchface' archives:<br />
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<i>Yup, nailed it.</i></div>
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Lakota x<br />
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Linking up to <a href="http://missielizzie-meandmyshadow.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/magpie-monday-kids-garden-table-chairs.html" target="_blank">Magpie Monday</a> over at Liz's</div>
Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping]http://www.blogger.com/profile/04247624645636227130noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8126878015817020943.post-77636745309922070152013-05-28T13:00:00.002+01:002013-05-28T13:00:52.476+01:00Ta-dah! Tuesday - Banana and Chocolate Muffins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is another great recipe for <a href="http://faithhopeandcharityshopping.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/ta-dah-tuesday-minute-make-puddings.html" target="_blank">using up over-ripe bananas</a>*, and can go from thought to plate in less than half an hour. The big chunks of dark chocolate all the way through them make them really special - and even if you think you don't like the dark stuff, the sweetness of the bananas offsets it perfectly. My boys would turn their noses up at 70% cocoa solids chocolate, but they'll devour these. Also, if you use Fairtrade bananas and Chocolate, you'll actually <u>become</u> Gwyneth Paltrow, only with a sense of humour. [Obviously she wouldn't eat them, cos of the wheat, dairy, sugar and fun thing. But she might serve them to Bono]<br />
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<b><u>Ingredients</u> (makes 12)</b><br />
10oz/275g Self Raising Flour<br />
1tsp bicarb soda, pinch salt<br />
3oz/75g sugar<br />
3 ripe bananas, mashed<br />
1 egg, beaten<br />
2 fl oz/50 ml milk<br />
3 fl oz/75 ml oil (veg/sunflower)<br />
4oz/100g bar dark chocolate, smashed while in the wrapper using a rolling pin.<br />
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<b><u>Method</u></b><br />
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<li>Preheat oven to 190c</li>
<li>Sift the flour, bicarb, salt and sugar into a bowl and make a well in the centre.</li>
<li>Add the bananas, egg, oil, milk and chocolate and stir briefly to combine. The mixture will be quite lumpy, this is fine.</li>
<li>Spoon into paper cases in a muffin tin, or silicon muffin moulds.</li>
<li>Cook in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, until they look like this:</li>
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Lakota x</div>
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I've missed loads of your posts during my moving/home schooling/no internetz hiatus - so link link link below!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Yes, I purposefully buy bananas so they can go brown and have to be used in cake recipes.</span><br />
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping]http://www.blogger.com/profile/04247624645636227130noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8126878015817020943.post-33270357452315662092013-05-24T09:00:00.000+01:002016-03-03T09:00:09.848+00:00G'day Africa![I just found this knocking around in my draft posts, written shortly after <i>Children in Need</i> day at the boys' old school.]<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Following a day where he'd gone into school wearing spots à la </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pudsey Bear for a £1 charity donation*, Boy2 was uncharacteristically forthcoming about what he'd learned in class. I listened proudly as he told me they'd watched a film explaining why they were raising funds, showing children with no shoes walking miles to school, and how sometimes they would only have one meal a day. </span><i style="font-family: inherit;">"They don't have houses like us Mummy, and maybe only one toy. And they have to drink dirty brown water that can make you not well"</i><span style="font-family: inherit;">. I was really pleased at how carefully he'd listened and taken in what they'd been taught, and told him so, adding that we were very lucky in our country, and shouldn't forget it. </span><br />
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He walked from the room with the satisfied air of one who has imparted great wisdom:<br />
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<i>"And that is all about Australia" </i>he said.<br />
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So close...<br />
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Lakota x<br />
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* <span style="font-size: x-small;">you can tell whoever thinks up this stuff has girls. When was the last time you saw boys' clothing with polka dots on? </span>Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping]http://www.blogger.com/profile/04247624645636227130noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8126878015817020943.post-54043548869237570362013-05-23T13:12:00.000+01:002013-05-23T22:45:11.028+01:00Springwatch!Happy May!<br />
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It's been way too long. Thanks to those who have emailed or called me in my absence, I'm now officially a Home Counties mama instead of a Sarf London mum. There's plenty to do on the house, but the garden keeps drawing my eye to the window and I find myself gazing vacantly out, not achieving very much. I have plenty of my usual random nonsense to get around to writing about, but in the absence of any actual Springlike weather here's my Kate Humble-esque nature report from Hertfordshire. [You'll have to imagine me in a fleece, the odd leaf tumbled artlessly in my pre-Raphaelite locks]<br />
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<b>Wood pigeons are even stupider than I always suspected</b>. Did you see this picture on <i>Yahoo</i>? [It was a slow news day, obviously]. I have something similar on my kitchen window, after a collision sounding and looking like the Grinch had lobbed a Christmas turkey at it with some speed.<br />
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It flew off, then it or one of its equally dozy cousins did the same thing to an upstairs bedroom a couple of days ago. When they're not being kamikaze at our windows they tend to strut around the garden, puffed up with their own importance, giving the ladies piercing looks and shitting all over the lawn. [Only one of those things doesn't make me think of Paul Hollywood off <i>Great British Bake-off</i>]. One met an untimely end at the claws of a sparrowhawk in next door's garden - we'd already seen him narrowly miss a siskin in our own - which was unfortunate for the pigeon, but another exciting day for the twitchers in the house. That's all of us, with the possible exception of boy2. He insists on referring to certain avian visitors as 'Batman birds' and 'the boy wonder'. [He has a pretty good sense of humour for a 5 year old]. Incidentally, the boy wonder has made a nest in the ivy on our fence, so we should have baby robins soon.<br />
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<i>Mentally traumatised but undamaged siskin recovers at Lakota's bird hospital</i></div>
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<i>'Batman' bird</i></div>
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<b>Squirrels are annoying little buggers</b>. The seeds of this thought were planted long ago when one ran up my leg in Singleton Park, Swansea when I was about 8. It shot down a tree and up my sock about as far as my knee before exchanging an alarmed look with me and running off. [I once had a lost homing pigeon land on my head too. Evidently I resemble Nelson's column]. Still, I'm fond of wildlife in general and boys were pleased that 'Squirrelly' appeared to have made the move with us from our old house. I don't mind him helping himself to a few peanuts or sunflower seeds from the birdfeeder, but I do object to him then burying said peanuts in my newly planted rocket - merrily digging up seedlings as he does so. Also running off with not one but two entire fist sized suet balls hung up for the birds is just plain greedy.<br />
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Apparently there are black squirrels locally. Now if that doesn't sound like some kind of witches' familiar I don't know what does. Cute though.<br />
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<b>Far away Tawny Owls manage to sound just enough like a crying child to make me go upstairs and stand outside a bedroom door, listening intently. </b>Hearing nothing, I return to my <i>Sons of Anarchy</i> boxset only for them to do it again. Outwitted by an owl. I must be losing it.<br />
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Lakota x</div>
Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping]http://www.blogger.com/profile/04247624645636227130noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8126878015817020943.post-10940839790490552102013-03-26T09:00:00.000+00:002013-03-26T10:20:50.524+00:00Ta-dah! Tuesday - Angry Birds Cake<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hello! Everything needs to be packed up by tomorrow, so this is another scheduled post. Please do link up as usual though, and I'll read all your posts and comments when I can. Remember that the second I'd finished <a href="http://faithhopeandcharityshopping.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/ta-dah-tuesday-8th-birthday-cake.html" target="_blank">Boy1's birthday cake</a> I had to start thinking about Boy2's? I was really pleased with how it came out in the end, even if it was held together with cocktail sticks and royal icing 'cement'.</div>
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The fudge 'bricks' are hiding a multitude of fondant icing sins. I really must find out how you cover a round cake with roll-out icing without getting tablecloth-like wrinkles. Still, was robust enough to make it intact to the bowling alley party we had on Sunday morning. [Twelve children between 4 and 8 years old, extremely excited, at a time of day when you can still taste toothpaste. Moving all our worldly goods 60 miles round the M25 should be easy by comparison]</div>
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I've been asked recently about the 'rules' for <i>Ta-dah! Tuesday</i>. Just to say again that there really aren't any - anything you've been doing and are pleased with is fine, from outfits to art, makes to bakes, second hand finds to garden growth. I'd appreciate a comment rather than a link and run, and it's nice if you can visit some other participants, but anything goes really. </div>
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Lakota x</div>
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping]http://www.blogger.com/profile/04247624645636227130noreply@blogger.com42tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8126878015817020943.post-61641993621856981562013-03-22T09:45:00.000+00:002013-03-25T12:33:03.730+00:00More stuff to painstakingly pack in a box and then not open for months when we get there...Despite all my protestations about not buying anything else, as I'll only have to pack it and then find a place for it, I did succumb to the charms of this coffee set recently. Well, it was only £3 for the pot, 3 cups and saucers, 3 side plates, sugar bowl and milk jug. It would have been rude not to, don't you think?<br />
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I love the retro pattern and colour, although I haven't been able to find out what it's called. I also realised when I got it home that it reminded me of a print we have by Sally Elford - you can see more of her screen-prints <a href="http://www.sallyelford.co.uk/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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I'm off to see a new school for Boy2 in a minute. Sadly they don't have a place for Boy1 yet, but he's so sweet and eager that it won't be a problem to have him at home for a while. I told him we'd have to do a bit of work together, and he immediately said <i>"I'll make a schedule!"</i>. He came back 5 minutes later with a timetable, saying<i> "I've given myself a fun day on Fridays - art and Spanish!"</i>. Sadly all I can currently teach him in Spanish is rude words and how to order beer and tapas, but I can't fault his enthusiasm...<br />
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Lakota x<br />
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Linking up to <a href="http://missielizzie-meandmyshadow.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/magpie-monday-my-kinda-day.html" target="_blank">Magpie Monday</a>Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping]http://www.blogger.com/profile/04247624645636227130noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8126878015817020943.post-54675631368758176952013-03-19T09:30:00.000+00:002013-03-19T09:30:02.083+00:00Ta-dah! Tuesday - 8th birthday Cake<div style="text-align: center;">
Boy1 has been into cars <i>forever. </i>He spent hours looking out of the window of our flat as a 18month old announcing 'car, car, car, bus, car, four-four (4x4), van, car...'. His first word was 'cah' - with pointing. He became addicted to Formula 1 at the age of three, when Lewis Hamilton won the championship. So I've been wanting to make him an F1 themed cake for a while, but it seemed a shame not to make use of a number shaped 'track'. But he finally turned eight the other week, so I got to make the cake I'd had in my head for a while. </div>
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As you can probably tell, I'm not a professional cake maker or icing modeller - but they generally look fun and taste good, so the kids are happy with that. I just made two sponge cakes, cut a section off each and pushed them together, used roll out grey fondant for the road, coconut buttercream for the grass, and liquorice allsorts for the finishing line and road markings. A couple of cars stolen from his bedroom and two little cocktail stick flags and it was done. And it was pretty stress free for once - I usually get myself and the kitchen in a right state.</div>
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Boy2 turns five next week - just a few days before our big house move - so I'm not sure I'll be similarly zen when it comes to making the requested Angry Birds cake. I'm going to try and schedule a few posts for the next couple of weeks, but we have a ton to do and won't have broadband when we move in, so apologies if I don't get a chance to comment for a while. I will read on my phone though.</div>
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What have you achieved this week? Link up your best outfits, finds, makes and bakes below.</div>
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Lakota x</div>
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping]http://www.blogger.com/profile/04247624645636227130noreply@blogger.com46tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8126878015817020943.post-41478277530182137312013-03-13T20:21:00.000+00:002013-03-13T21:35:18.673+00:00Freebie Round-up (UK)Hiya, I said yesterday that I'd do a quick post on various freebies and offers I've come across recently - there are all sorts of websites out there which will round these up, but some are clearly just out there to harvest your details so I've only included the ones I personally think are worth it. [Apologies if you're not in the UK.].<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Magazine Free Gifts</span></u></b></div>
These have come a long way since my magazine buying heyday when all that was ever given away on the front cover seemed to be some plasticy smelling perma-creased tote bag, but one would hope so, given that the average glossy mag seems to cost the best part of a fiver these days. And I do not count a<i> John Lewis</i> catalogue as a 'free gift' - you know who you are, certain interiors magazines! On the stands at the moment is a particularly good selection of beauty products, so worth buying even if you wouldn't normally fork out for the magazine.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Glamour</span></u></b> - only £2, and you get a full size <i>Percy & Reed</i> shampoo, conditioner, volumising oil (whatever that is) or shine stuff. I got the shampoo, I like to change what I use occasionally.<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Cosmopolitan</span></u></b> - Not full size, but probably luxury sample size. <i>Elemis</i> is pricey, and I needed moisturiser. They have a regular one, a mattifying one or a lip treatment on offer. Cosmo costs £3.50.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Marie Claire</u></b></span> - Full size Neal's Yard handcream worth £10. Well worth getting. Bargain.<br />
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Also offering hand cream is <b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Good Housekeeping</span></u></b>, this time by <i>Balance Me</i> and again worth £10. The magazine costs £3.90</div>
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<u><span style="font-size: large;">Mollie Makes</span></u> has a free 'make it yourself' cover-mount every issue, and costs £4.99. This month the gift is an oilcloth coin purse. If you like the<a href="http://faithhopeandcharityshopping.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/ta-dah-tuesday-and-then-i-played.html" target="_blank"> cross-stitch I showed yesterday</a>, that kit is still available on the current issue of <b><u>Cross Stitcher</u></b>, which costs £3.99.</div>
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I quite like a read of <b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Ideal Home</span></u></b> occasionally - especially now our move is confirmed, hurrah - so although I wouldn't buy the magazine just for the silicon spatula, it's a better read than a lot of the interiors mags so worth picking up if you need an extra dose of house porn. And those spatulas are the best at making sure all your cake mix goes into the tin. £3.50.</div>
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I also spotted this <span style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;"><u>Let's Grow Veg</u> </span>magazine - which costs £7.99 but claims to have your 'complete start-up kit for 2013 worth £72'. I don't know about that, but it does contain 10 packets of seed, so even assuming they're as little as 99p each, you'd still get two packets free, plus the magazine. The seeds are Courgette, Beetroot, Radish, Chilli, Tomato, Salad, Rocket, Leek, Carrot and Kale.<br />
<b>Edit: </b>I've just checked <a href="http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/letsgrowveg/issue-14/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a> and the seeds are worth £17.62. The other offers are 'free item but pay postage' where you can claim strawberry plants, potatoes, bird feeders etc.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9QbnHbamk40JbcWInvr4go0UcnYhY2IHNtTxeZqFOwnuP1bYZ1mUfO5E10BJ6tvWd018lVcuFNc8gUF2mY5atB9I9yjz6SxMC6WkW028_gcFGX7kfdjymvIX-S4JBeF-Vao3f37un3CGg/s1600/20130309_130035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9QbnHbamk40JbcWInvr4go0UcnYhY2IHNtTxeZqFOwnuP1bYZ1mUfO5E10BJ6tvWd018lVcuFNc8gUF2mY5atB9I9yjz6SxMC6WkW028_gcFGX7kfdjymvIX-S4JBeF-Vao3f37un3CGg/s400/20130309_130035.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Free Copy of InStyle Magazine</span></u></b></div>
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Don't want to fork out for a magazine at all? Get a free copy of <i>InStyle</i> by entering your details at <a href="http://webformregistration.com/instyle/?_ms=227" target="_blank">this link</a>. They'll ring you back to get your address, and probably offer you a further 3 issues for £1. You can take this up or not, as you prefer. I think it's usually £3.80 an issue.</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Free H&M Voucher</u></b></span></div>
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If you fancy an high street shopping splurge, why not assuage your guilt by dropping off a carrier bag of second hand clothes at <i>H&M</i>? You can donate garments for adults or kids, and they don't even have to be wearable quality - ripped or stained (washed though) is fine as it will be sorted for rags. In return you get a £5 voucher off a £30 spend for each bag you donate - valid til the end of June. [Yes, these <i>are</i> new jeans, ahem]</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Free Cat and a Cup of Tea</u> </b></span></div>
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OK, not really a free cat. But the furry devils cost a fortune don't they? All that feeding and de-fleaing and outrageous vet bills. <i>Purina Go-Cat</i> are giving away 185,000 samples of their latest <i>Crunchy and Tender</i> cat food if you fill in your details <a href="http://www.go-cat.co.uk/Trial/Default.aspx" target="_blank">here</a>. You're a blogger, you're bound to either have a cat or want a cat. If not, hand over your ipad now. On the same note, <i>Twinings</i> are giving away free samples of their tea - you can choose any two from a choice of eight by going to their Facebook app <a href="http://www.facebook.com/twiningsteauk/app_117849451656022" target="_blank">here</a> and filling in your address. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNeRPxLRm8shyLVBsBUdyXn5m-QJ2yMnigPyxd7sCj59UvrwdGsDJYz6vzLqQUDrfS20LpGIDoaSNO2OmhgC67kL-Jw4oZp2_MhSgmUG8yBACgi4OQaXmx-C3i8QBEIEHmbNJJwDWsCAK/s1600/lol-cat-tea-cup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTNeRPxLRm8shyLVBsBUdyXn5m-QJ2yMnigPyxd7sCj59UvrwdGsDJYz6vzLqQUDrfS20LpGIDoaSNO2OmhgC67kL-Jw4oZp2_MhSgmUG8yBACgi4OQaXmx-C3i8QBEIEHmbNJJwDWsCAK/s400/lol-cat-tea-cup.jpg" width="358" /></a></div>
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Hope some of these are useful to you - have you got any good freebies to add? I haven't listed competitions as you are obviously not guaranteed to win those - even if they have a ton of prizes - but if you want some tips you might want to see my posts from a couple of years ago <a href="http://www.athriftymrs.com/2011/09/competitions-how-to-win-them.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.athriftymrs.com/2011/09/competitions-how-to-win-them-part-2.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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Lakota x</div>
Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping]http://www.blogger.com/profile/04247624645636227130noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8126878015817020943.post-70870514058567875812013-03-12T10:03:00.000+00:002013-03-13T08:14:24.942+00:00Ta-dah! Tuesday - And then I played the harpsichord and ordered new ribbons for my bonnet...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Ok, I didn't really, but I <i>have</i> been cross-stitching, which is basically a really good way to feel like you live in a Jane Austen novel. It's also a good method of developing a squint and an arthritic claw, but don't let that put you off. For some reason I have had the fear of counted cross-stitch charts and haven't done any since the age of about 10, when I would make my Mum and other female relatives bookmarks and dressing table mats using that binca fabric designed for kids. Anyway, aside from the distinct possibility of becoming cross-eyed, I quite enjoyed my latest foray into ladylike pursuits.</div>
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The kit came free* on the imaginatively named <i>Cross Stitcher</i> magazine, and everything was included, although I did change the colour of her dress from lurid turquoise - which clashed with the pink - to purple, using my own thread. It claimed stitching time was 4 hours. Ha! I reckon it must have taken me twice that, which is a sobering reminder that perhaps I'm not quite ready to attempt their larger cushion charts, for which they give times of 40 and 62 hours respectively. I was pleasantly surprised by how nice some of the projects were - there was the inevitable cupcakery nonsense, but also a <i>Mad Men</i> inspired retro phone design, some Scandinavian style birds and sweet designs for little girls.</div>
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<i>Mothers' Day Card</i></div>
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<i>[I'm not sure my Mum is really a pink polka dots kinda gal, any more than I am, but I didn't have any aperture cards, and this one came with it. I guess with a kokeshi doll design you need to embrace the kawaii factor anyway.]</i></div>
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I have some more aida, graph paper and a book of motifs and alphabets, so I quite fancy working out my own design or slogan. Did you see this on <i>HuffPost</i>? I thought 13,000 stitches was what was required to create Joan Rivers, but apparently you can end up with Bruce Willis too.<br />
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<i>A Good D'aida Die Hard</i></div>
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[<i>photo and work by</i><a href="http://www.reddit.com/r/pics/comments/16omi6/my_sisterinlaw_loves_bruce_willis_nearly_4_months/" style="font-style: italic;" target="_blank"> BriocheBun</a>]</div>
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Amazing huh?<br />
What have you been making? Link up any makes, bakes, finds and fripperies below.<br />
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Lakota x
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*Speaking of freebies, I will have a post on those tomorrow.Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping]http://www.blogger.com/profile/04247624645636227130noreply@blogger.com30tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8126878015817020943.post-21095349296415962612013-03-10T12:06:00.001+00:002013-03-10T13:43:54.879+00:00Catherine Zeta Jones, another baby, Disney jewellery and other shit I don't want for Mothers' Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hey. It's Mothering Sunday here in the UK. I wrote this yesterday, cos right now I'm probably busy drinking a cup of coffee in bed and admiring my cards - no doubt glitter, pritt-stick and felt-tip heavy. There might even be some over-buttered toast and a macaroni necklace. It will be lovely.</div>
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I'm pretty certain there will be <i>none</i> of the items I mentioned in the post title. But I do feel I have to share this website, just in case you don't like your mother/MIL. And forewarned is forearmed. It may be an idea to set parental controls on the computer now - I know my mum was happier the year I bought her a Fry's Turkish Delight with my pocket money than the time I purchased a hideous mock ivory figurine of a cartoon housewife clutching a trophy, engraved with the legend 'World's Greatest Mum'. [It was the 80s, I bought it from the corner shop. Possibly only beaten by the occasion I bought my dad a 'Male Chauvinist' pig shaped soap for Fathers' Day. I didn't know what it meant, it just occupied a vague 'male' space in my mind, along with things like cricket boxes and that weird springy chest expander thing that he kept at the back of the wardrobe.] One day your children will have spending power <i>and</i> the internet.</div>
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Anyway, if like me you take perverse pleasure in reading those adverts at the back of Sunday supplement magazines - <i>send no money now, simply enjoy displaying this limited edition Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge plate, with regal gold accents - </i>then you should be in your element when browsing <a href="http://www.bradford.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Bradford Exchange</a>. <i>"Forty years of innovation, artistry and design" </i>- plus they've kindly added a 'Mothers' Day Gifts' section to their site, so it's all there for me in three convenient pages.</div>
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<b>'FLOWER OF WALES' PATRIOTIC LADY FIGURINE</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNsRgr_a6pNEZqNF1PJwstQIzF08pTPcGCchuGbypjKt0uyfu9eW6TdkOtYXyrd9cj8uFGL2kn2wz8xVW2Vm57nTOVJh0eQKil4HwLjL6IECFvJ1SKkmsnKMSc2zkEZCV6J3VK9OfVdSj3/s1600/welsh+lady.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNsRgr_a6pNEZqNF1PJwstQIzF08pTPcGCchuGbypjKt0uyfu9eW6TdkOtYXyrd9cj8uFGL2kn2wz8xVW2Vm57nTOVJh0eQKil4HwLjL6IECFvJ1SKkmsnKMSc2zkEZCV6J3VK9OfVdSj3/s400/welsh+lady.png" width="287" /></a></div>
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Apparently the 'flower of Wales' is Catherine Zeta Jones dressed as Eliza Doolittle, lovingly cast in 'artist's resin'. Personally my choice would be Ruth Jones dressed as Rizzo from Grease - that really would be <i>"a marvellous display from any angle!"</i>, but until a designer of granny-beloved knick-nacks shares my vision, then I'll have to settle for CZJ. After all, <i>"it goes without saying that you are deeply proud of your heritage! Now you can honour your great country and commemorate its courage, beauty, proud identity and history with an exceptional first-of-a-kind treasure".</i></div>
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Oddly enough, they seem to have used CZJ as their model for the <i>English Rose</i>, <i>Wild Irish Rose</i>, and <i>Flower of Scotland</i> figurines too, but only the Welsh version is deemed a suitable Mothers Day gift. I'm off to stick a daffodil in my hair.</div>
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<b>'MOTHER'S WISHES OF LOVE' PERSONALISED MUSIC BOX</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXR9t6tM4Vyp-b14bGFd7ilQXHxqOcn1LTrNfNJBuPelgtLe43b06oyTeiqAaSSNMX92IB-DzmXz51wbr07xOlqziI2Y-wpqy5zKcwZr0go7FG0CHiHfxMbF6kU-jeZNelK6wEj0BHTc9/s1600/music+box.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXR9t6tM4Vyp-b14bGFd7ilQXHxqOcn1LTrNfNJBuPelgtLe43b06oyTeiqAaSSNMX92IB-DzmXz51wbr07xOlqziI2Y-wpqy5zKcwZr0go7FG0CHiHfxMbF6kU-jeZNelK6wEj0BHTc9/s400/music+box.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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It has swarovski crystals and faux jewels! It plays the 'heartfelt melody' of <i>'You are the Wind Beaneath my Wings'! </i>It can be expertly personalised with the names of up to six loved ones! It looks like a funeral urn!</div>
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It also comes with a certificate of authenticity. Just in case you were worried that someone might ask you to prove that it really<i> is</i> a hideous music box? </div>
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<b>ULTIMATE DISNEY CLASSIC CHARM BRACELET</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB019jessDNhyphenhyphenInkGddFkvcOFm8rpry0oYjW7-67EUPgnFoLaUKkvKy7byG14J9LO7O95CKXIIuhC2bo5G5HTNF8lgbo42I9llevKgJ40a7ByNpDwdBlVQNKURTAPloZbJbnDgBW_oXbMa/s1600/disney+charms+%C2%A3149.99.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="377" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB019jessDNhyphenhyphenInkGddFkvcOFm8rpry0oYjW7-67EUPgnFoLaUKkvKy7byG14J9LO7O95CKXIIuhC2bo5G5HTNF8lgbo42I9llevKgJ40a7ByNpDwdBlVQNKURTAPloZbJbnDgBW_oXbMa/s400/disney+charms+%C2%A3149.99.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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I would love this from one of my boys, and wear it proudly. <i>If</i> they'd won it for me on the pier at Brighton. If on the other hand they'd paid five instalments of £29.99 for this 'charming masterpiece' with 'lavish 24 carat gold plating', I'd think I'd failed in my duty as a mother. [£149.99. Are they serious?!]</div>
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<b>OUR FAMILY IS A CIRCLE OF LOVE - PERSONALISED BIRTHSTONE RING</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xqUDJVhNBmlX_Zd_qH6MHRoMTyQAeLymYvUsO2Ivx2eIRHQ1pg5gXs0mx4YQKoX1LaTZJ4RZtqJf9MHomckpkeAx6IdIrUdUFPlo2kqWJ-AV_mQGd1DxhoU3yI8Gi5ZXtQXMPBoKA8dX/s1600/circle+of+love.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xqUDJVhNBmlX_Zd_qH6MHRoMTyQAeLymYvUsO2Ivx2eIRHQ1pg5gXs0mx4YQKoX1LaTZJ4RZtqJf9MHomckpkeAx6IdIrUdUFPlo2kqWJ-AV_mQGd1DxhoU3yI8Gi5ZXtQXMPBoKA8dX/s400/circle+of+love.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Ok, so this kind of overly sentimental design isn't to my taste. I appreciate others might like the idea though. And what mum doesn't think of her children as precious gems? Oh, except the 'free personalised birthstones' are all cubic zirconia and it still costs a hundred quid!</div>
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I'm not sure <i>The Bradford Exchange</i> has an exact grasp of what Mothers' Day actually entails. Why would you give your mother a bracelet engraved with <i>'Always my daughter, now too my friend'</i>? Or a <i>'My Daughter, I love you'</i> music box? Still, either of these would be preferable to ANOTHER BLOODY BABY. Are they insane? If you are a mother, you've had/are having these precious moments. With <b>an actual real child</b>. That one that destroyed your peace of mind/ability to wear crop tops forever.</div>
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<b>OLIVIA'S GENTLE TOUCH BABY DOLL</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1274F5W1VYcByDIaK4q_51Fzjj2-SSP0vOYP2onsVGNCFMf-v83oAAZLFIoF7oENL2T2Aosfbuu7sUZNjrBd1ie5GFF9Aj_sMwU1V6EWrcmLZ46JjQW4GAfAm9HMp0h1ZcNgihZuHrSUM/s1600/olivia+baby.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1274F5W1VYcByDIaK4q_51Fzjj2-SSP0vOYP2onsVGNCFMf-v83oAAZLFIoF7oENL2T2Aosfbuu7sUZNjrBd1ie5GFF9Aj_sMwU1V6EWrcmLZ46JjQW4GAfAm9HMp0h1ZcNgihZuHrSUM/s400/olivia+baby.png" width="366" /></a></div>
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"<i>Few memories are as precious as the first time your baby responds to you by wrapping her tiny hand around your finger. Now this lifelike baby doll allows you to recapture this tender moment whenever you wish!"</i></div>
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£149.99 and they can't even throw in the two AA batteries required? Mind you, if I'd had the choice I'd probably have utilised an off-switch on my boys more than once...</div>
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<br />
I hope you all have a lovely day, whether or not you can be with your own mum. I'll leave you with my favourite royal items from <i>The Bradford Exchange</i> - who among us can forget the glorious day that Christine Bleakley wed Christopher Walken?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EIp7k1WseQoxtEMvF2WeojmPYR-SElPsrBSD_wkVfZ7gQJQIWuzS4nByTIS5lQiiRnH_G4eSiiwcOy9yGs18a-DGwhJKZgpaSsCoVmL6J2DvAcXAAoMB1Oz6ykAN-iH1piFd9ES_2xXK/s1600/christine+bleakley.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7EIp7k1WseQoxtEMvF2WeojmPYR-SElPsrBSD_wkVfZ7gQJQIWuzS4nByTIS5lQiiRnH_G4eSiiwcOy9yGs18a-DGwhJKZgpaSsCoVmL6J2DvAcXAAoMB1Oz6ykAN-iH1piFd9ES_2xXK/s400/christine+bleakley.png" width="386" /></a></div>
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<i>Christine Bleakley. On stilts.</i></div>
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<i>£29.99</i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-149t3QUxF8X7kI9eQVP-yy0rAMFfx1Jw1ZdLlIBniDgdgECY-WQYiqlbfhKC25YcKm_wH0CdTRPEMNEUEnQP30faF2uGW5VSib3khbYW3fzhv6-7BZ-oQQmBGvbNd5TXNaa5ZWYwHUB/s1600/William.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW-149t3QUxF8X7kI9eQVP-yy0rAMFfx1Jw1ZdLlIBniDgdgECY-WQYiqlbfhKC25YcKm_wH0CdTRPEMNEUEnQP30faF2uGW5VSib3khbYW3fzhv6-7BZ-oQQmBGvbNd5TXNaa5ZWYwHUB/s640/William.png" width="464" /></a></div>
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<i>Christopher Walken, Prince of the Realm</i></div>
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<i>£149.99</i></div>
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But be quick, there's just 95 casting days for the bride figurine - and the factory only churns out 10,000 a day!</div>
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Lakota x</div>
Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping]http://www.blogger.com/profile/04247624645636227130noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8126878015817020943.post-64932308124608619732013-03-05T10:00:00.000+00:002013-03-05T11:39:09.460+00:00Ta-dah! Tuesday - Minute Make Puddings - Banana PancakesHiya, here's the third in my mini-series of ultra quick puddings you can make at the last second <strike>when you've been on the internet all day</strike>. The other really good thing about it is that it's another one of those recipes that uses up that squishy banana that's been languishing in the fruit bowl since the beginning of time. Seriously, you can even use that one with fruit flies circling it like vultures. The one that's completely black and scarcely recognisable as as a food stuff. [Yeah, it's amazing I wasn't picked up to write for the <i>Waitrose</i> magazine isn't it?] In the interest of full disclosure, I don't even like bananas in their regular guise - and only eat them<i> in</i> something. For example - milk, yeeuch. Banana, bleugh. Banana milkshake? Lovely. Yes, I know. I'm complex. Anyway:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAagklw6TeYMK4akht6USnAcXLnK1Wqh0yoZTxaTTE95AUaivnFq2VwSK6K0Ogt0o1Fxs-xUDJ61NRQ9Hxuz3xgHiLOBjAc4H1wesqCQqfOVwsFsI-Wdxi9tVPi2nMCIRfFYS_sLd3H3d_/s1600/SDC14546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAagklw6TeYMK4akht6USnAcXLnK1Wqh0yoZTxaTTE95AUaivnFq2VwSK6K0Ogt0o1Fxs-xUDJ61NRQ9Hxuz3xgHiLOBjAc4H1wesqCQqfOVwsFsI-Wdxi9tVPi2nMCIRfFYS_sLd3H3d_/s400/SDC14546.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
<u style="font-weight: bold;">Ingredients</u> (makes around 8 when using a large banana)<br />
1 banana<br />
1 oz sugar<br />
2 oz plain flour<br />
1/2 tsp baking powder<br />
1 egg, beaten<br />
<br />
<b><u>Making the batter</u></b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Mash the banana with a fork</li>
<li>Add the sugar, flour and baking powder and mix together.</li>
<li>Finally add the beaten egg. You'll end up with a gloopy batter.</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2eZkGeQxF6Rt0D8cF2EcS53z3UwYzYsvlx7I92tJYfB70A6EZUTqfYVs2BcCotrAc-FbKLiLDMo2cj-dnczXoqfke5VKo2Xhh9c-tTwZKtx8vLk5tCP5YhAt_fiH621twFjNuyRa3F19/s1600/SDC14534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2eZkGeQxF6Rt0D8cF2EcS53z3UwYzYsvlx7I92tJYfB70A6EZUTqfYVs2BcCotrAc-FbKLiLDMo2cj-dnczXoqfke5VKo2Xhh9c-tTwZKtx8vLk5tCP5YhAt_fiH621twFjNuyRa3F19/s400/SDC14534.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><u>Cooking</u></b></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Heat sufficient vegetable oil for shallow frying in a small pan, you don't need loads though.</li>
<li>Drop in two dessert spoons of batter per pancake and cook for around 30 seconds - you'll see bubbles start to form around the edges.</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiua6vVOGWSpeK8wMIOnfMPtFl_meBBAQ6b_-W1fAxA9IpybdRP9V6uCU8z2L6YKLA949AbFJ6RqKfxk3_M5cM7_iu-B5VFdkDoxN8CZAaVI4c3TNFImTuMK7iqQwjtIfrio1U_cJCIByRW/s1600/SDC14535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiua6vVOGWSpeK8wMIOnfMPtFl_meBBAQ6b_-W1fAxA9IpybdRP9V6uCU8z2L6YKLA949AbFJ6RqKfxk3_M5cM7_iu-B5VFdkDoxN8CZAaVI4c3TNFImTuMK7iqQwjtIfrio1U_cJCIByRW/s400/SDC14535.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<ul>
<li>Test with the edge of a spatula and see if they're ready to flip over. They'll puff up a little and be browned on both sides when done. </li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqzaXtJObhDoHNnzebDliL1Ko77xCiQ2dEZRMixPTEMsQSXc5_KSBHd8WifDpgyFRrlY4se3bO_weV_idJgZULyu1FMOyfTLMs4Mzl_lMiMOhdPHgH_j8DHyOBLIC9eMpCsRUrMaxkKar9/s1600/SDC14543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqzaXtJObhDoHNnzebDliL1Ko77xCiQ2dEZRMixPTEMsQSXc5_KSBHd8WifDpgyFRrlY4se3bO_weV_idJgZULyu1FMOyfTLMs4Mzl_lMiMOhdPHgH_j8DHyOBLIC9eMpCsRUrMaxkKar9/s400/SDC14543.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>The one on the right wasn't quite cooked enough to flip and went splat. It doesn't really matter though, it'll still taste good.</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>Drain briefly on kitchen towel and then sprinkle with sugar. Try to at least return to the table before stuffing them in your mouth.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<br />
In the unlikely event you have any left over, they're also good cold for the kids' lunchboxes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9A0K0zMoBXmW_gOvnZGwks7LZZBn_06pTpdDYY5Y96ZMH35tmvy8Xrxl-E2AQSAdImHrtdnbqU6zNgIv6zcyZdVXOBf9t1A6la_fAly0VDZdx-passPNyU972N_7BTWrkWnkoJX5C-a42/s1600/SDC14540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9A0K0zMoBXmW_gOvnZGwks7LZZBn_06pTpdDYY5Y96ZMH35tmvy8Xrxl-E2AQSAdImHrtdnbqU6zNgIv6zcyZdVXOBf9t1A6la_fAly0VDZdx-passPNyU972N_7BTWrkWnkoJX5C-a42/s400/SDC14540.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Minutes, I'm telling you.</i></div>
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When I have more time and baking inclination, I usually use up squishy bananas in a banana walnut loaf, but I recently saw <a href="http://oddsocksandprettyfrocks.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/banana-gingerbread-loaf.html" target="_blank">Alex's</a> post with the recipe for <a href="http://oddsocksandprettyfrocks.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/banana-gingerbread-loaf.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Banana Gingerbread Loaf</a>, which also sounds delish.<br />
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What have you been up to? Link up as usual below.<br />
<br />
Lakota x<br />
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PS. Those of you who were flummoxed as to the <a href="http://faithhopeandcharityshopping.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/well-you-did-ask-for-more-pictures-of-me.html" target="_blank">whereabouts of the devil in my last post</a> - you need to look at her shawl. The fringe forms his beard and you can see his mouth in one of the creases and an eye made of blue paisley. Admittedly it looks more like Big Ears (from Noddy) than Satan to me, but hey - that's how the story goes and who am I to question it?Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping]http://www.blogger.com/profile/04247624645636227130noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8126878015817020943.post-43331970944543949012013-03-01T17:36:00.001+00:002013-03-02T11:59:32.607+00:00Well you did ask for more pictures of me...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b>Happy St David's Day!</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikwmSt_RTRvzbXwUr9QLfn3yzlb0ESH9jlWoNgkakp2X7Ke65QYr2B4vrVtjqICj9vSGdhpF25geezsn4TePyi1wJ5e7mY-2lAK_RvncK5nV6Sm9cbKhK4YgRyMu031KoWc4SGqxaytGBC/s1600/old+pics+me+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikwmSt_RTRvzbXwUr9QLfn3yzlb0ESH9jlWoNgkakp2X7Ke65QYr2B4vrVtjqICj9vSGdhpF25geezsn4TePyi1wJ5e7mY-2lAK_RvncK5nV6Sm9cbKhK4YgRyMu031KoWc4SGqxaytGBC/s640/old+pics+me+003.jpg" width="502" /></a></div>
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Here I am, aged around 4 (so 1981 or thereabouts), wearing my traditional Welsh costume and avoiding looking at the camera. Some things don't change. Look at the shelf groaning with booze behind me. [That hasn't changed either].</div>
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I was reminded of this picture by seeing photos on Facebook of my friend's little girl and her class, all dressed up back home and looking super cute. It was always fun, but a less practical outfit for primary school is hard to think of - those shawls impede your arms rather. The boys would generally just come in with a leek attached to them somewhere, which someone would invariably attempt to eat raw and then breathe all over you. Happy days...</div>
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Of course, had I not escaped Wales for London, I'd now look like this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJv9PNgxbwDQjjkXk34UZrBy3OtoNUGgXg07TLeKL3OMoQJwlcjCaM8lTfJzsLyT0IUmZoFyPbpz7zjUZ0L80nw1TqCHygeDGUHpmWE_aj0cHB784nU2zuVurRUWnrNk1M_iqireGL3wR/s1600/salem_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoJv9PNgxbwDQjjkXk34UZrBy3OtoNUGgXg07TLeKL3OMoQJwlcjCaM8lTfJzsLyT0IUmZoFyPbpz7zjUZ0L80nw1TqCHygeDGUHpmWE_aj0cHB784nU2zuVurRUWnrNk1M_iqireGL3wR/s400/salem_large.jpg" width="380" /></a></div>
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<i>'Salem' by Sydney Curnow Vosper </i></div>
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It's true. Just look at <a href="http://sianlilemakes.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Sian</a> and <a href="http://doyoucomeyeroften.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Lucy</a> ;-)<br />
<br />
Can you see Satan's face? If you spot it straight away you're supposed to have the Devil in you. A print of this painting was given away with Sunlight soap, and it hung in my neighbour's house when I was a child. I was always fascinated by it, although it's very dour, even without demonic influence.<br />
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Have a lovely weekend!<br />
<br />
Lakota x<br />
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<a href="http://faithhopeandcharityshopping.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/happy-st-davids-day.html" target="_blank">Welsh cakes recipe</a>Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping]http://www.blogger.com/profile/04247624645636227130noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8126878015817020943.post-27370808697946302742013-02-26T18:54:00.002+00:002013-03-05T07:37:27.467+00:00Ta-dah! Tuesday - Minute Make - Homemade Hot Fudge SundaeHere's the second in my occasional series of quick desserts to make your children love you and your dentist despair, and take only minutes to prepare. This would also be a perfect pudding to treat your Mum for Mothers' Day, or better yet, to get the kids to make for you. They can do all the measuring of ingredients, scooping of ice-cream and sprinkling of toppings, leaving the hot bit to Daddy if they're too little to be trusted with the saucepan.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><u>Ingredients - serves 4</u></b><br />
1oz butter</div>
<div>
4 tblsp soft brown sugar</div>
<div>
2 tblsp golden syrup </div>
<div>
4 tblsp evaporated milk [I freeze the remainder in 2 tablespoon portions in an ice-cube tray, rather than waste the rest of the tin]</div>
<div>
<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
<div>
Vanilla ice-cream</div>
<div>
Flaked or chopped almonds<br />
Optional : 2 <i>Cadbury's </i>Fudge bars cut into slices. [The first ones I made had these, but we ate them before I got a good picture. Food photography is hard!]</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>Put the four ingredients for the sauce into a small pan over a low heat and stir for 5 minutes without letting it boil too madly. </li>
<li>Scoop your ice-cream into glass dishes, pour over the fudge sauce and scatter over the fudge slices and chopped nuts.</li>
<li>That's it! I added a mini sparkler too, cos obviously desserts are improved by the addition of gunpowder.*</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQ_dEKG6GPjldywAjUcnaON9rVxCbWZO5Kgx2o2OJxhySj7qNflYU37mvbepp3Tug_71wzpzDW22xpW_a7J7yq7BWiD_izD67qOIlideonSfLrd44Y4ZFnOVjH1k-bbO199Zz1Ui_zBm4/s1600/SDC14523-001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQ_dEKG6GPjldywAjUcnaON9rVxCbWZO5Kgx2o2OJxhySj7qNflYU37mvbepp3Tug_71wzpzDW22xpW_a7J7yq7BWiD_izD67qOIlideonSfLrd44Y4ZFnOVjH1k-bbO199Zz1Ui_zBm4/s640/SDC14523-001.JPG" width="457" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Ta-dah! **</i><br />
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<div>
Don't blame me when you can't do up your jeans any more. If you've been inspired to get creative, check out Waitrose's <a href="http://www.waitrosedirect.com/info/competition-making-for-mum" target="_blank">Making for Mum campaign</a> for great ideas and the possibility of winning some fantastic prizes.<br />
<br />
Link up any of your best makes, bakes, finds and outfits below.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;">Last week's recipe - </span><a href="http://faithhopeandcharityshopping.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/ta-dah-tuesday-minute-make-in-kitchen.html" style="text-align: start;" target="_blank">Mini Spotted Dick</a></div>
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<div>
Lakota x<br />
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<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">* If I need to warn you about not letting the kids light fireworks you probably shouldn't have any.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">** <span style="text-align: center;">Procreation not essential for the enjoyment of this pudding</span></span></div>
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Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping]http://www.blogger.com/profile/04247624645636227130noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8126878015817020943.post-26266930263745012472013-02-25T13:51:00.002+00:002013-02-25T15:57:00.859+00:00Catching up - Travels, Friends, Collections, Art...Hiya, hope those of you to whom half term means anything - whether kids at home or time off work - have had a good one. We had a couple of days in Brighton, or <i>'Hove, actually' </i>as the bit we stayed in is generally known, and I'm finally beginning to thaw out. When will we ever learn that February half term is NOT the time to attempt to do family mini-breaks? Still, the Siberian snow flurries coming off the sea-front did give us an ideal excuse to spend a lot of time in our favourite galleries and to make regular cake stops at cafes, which is always enjoyable, and we got to spend some time with our nieces. We took the kids to the Sea Life Centre, which is fun - although given that it's housed in a subterranean Victorian arcade - also chilly. I refused to take my gloves off for long enough to take more than a few snaps of Brighton on my phone - not particularly surprisingly they all fall into my regular subject categories of street art, cake, and random things which strike me as amusing:<br />
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<i>Tape Butterflies outside ArtRepublic gallery by Cassette Lord</i></div>
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<img height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgefN-37HtIf7X1iFUD8Tah1Hpm6NkrB32JGeZyAZypymFzNS0-eU2OqnhYKEcM6BE3OF6TrRDyfbUrGztKlxvS2wI7kInSI-1nhjceSt7UoHEe9reKgWnQ42YH_EA379xvEBFxr_CMmvgN/s400/20130223_161251.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<i>More Cassette Lord work near Hove Station</i></div>
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Most of the junction boxes have been decorated by him</div>
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{with the council's OK}</div>
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<i>Mmm yeah Tea - by Sinna 1</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3P1sW-JVthRH7dja_SXaUBIEknvvWOq9kEg9TP_AxwU4sng54jz-B00w0tmoqFvZaUFQgJM0cnLCVK9DL8txHnnQl1I3D589H5iRBHwfc6toJgowkwiqrO6x3Hpn8xA5bgd3m69QDiqF/s1600/20130223_142307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3P1sW-JVthRH7dja_SXaUBIEknvvWOq9kEg9TP_AxwU4sng54jz-B00w0tmoqFvZaUFQgJM0cnLCVK9DL8txHnnQl1I3D589H5iRBHwfc6toJgowkwiqrO6x3Hpn8xA5bgd3m69QDiqF/s400/20130223_142307.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Chocolate sculpture in the window of Choccywoccydoodah</i></div>
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<a href="http://pullyoursoxup.blogspot.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Desiree</a> is that you?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJM7nsvIK2O_v1-L9Zat5_zABiFG-JT5kTtueFXVim9Ju6RgCsfEXKcBp69DGgbI5Po2w9Ofu5JY5TbkjlN59tPbSUAgv0GEjx6__PXmHQR-1cwptu4JfdrgeLfL5952KNY3ccaRUYTTUQ/s1600/20130223_132007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJM7nsvIK2O_v1-L9Zat5_zABiFG-JT5kTtueFXVim9Ju6RgCsfEXKcBp69DGgbI5Po2w9Ofu5JY5TbkjlN59tPbSUAgv0GEjx6__PXmHQR-1cwptu4JfdrgeLfL5952KNY3ccaRUYTTUQ/s640/20130223_132007.jpg" width="324" /></a></div>
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<i>Obey Mr Grey - wedding?? - cake in window of shop in North Laine</i></div>
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Imagine having to explain the theme to your Grandma</div>
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u<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MX_Ukkv4vakSIPfH4_O_wuU6s0fg62fvtXRwUrAD9ir7R-d8R53o0rHsL4QXzg2HLRFbXA5kMKLKuYsQ5nUB4aHwbHmpegVU9ODLgBRg0sEIfRWAe7IGOhg2jUcG9iqmGhVZoUdcRGwm/s1600/20130222_115021-001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="323" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MX_Ukkv4vakSIPfH4_O_wuU6s0fg62fvtXRwUrAD9ir7R-d8R53o0rHsL4QXzg2HLRFbXA5kMKLKuYsQ5nUB4aHwbHmpegVU9ODLgBRg0sEIfRWAe7IGOhg2jUcG9iqmGhVZoUdcRGwm/s400/20130222_115021-001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Insane poodle trainers - not by Irregular Choice, but...Adidas!</i></div>
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<a href="http://peeteespalace.blogspot.co.uk/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Krista</a> - what do you think? Tempted?</div>
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Speaking of pink haired princesses, I recently met up with the divine <a href="http://misssimmondssays.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Miss Simmonds</a> for a little jaunt round Camden, which mainly involved gossiping, trying on hats, chatting to knicker makers, buying sunglasses - it was pissing down, obviously, but a trip to Camden without buying shades is no trip at all - and a bit of charity shopping. It was less freezing, and I occasionally remembered to get my camera out.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlsNgkeC1i26hjMUA0hyQqbM56EljKWSJWruSQCBN44M-dYiXxiAQ60-563T4XqeXrQy8jKm65FTkDAi8mFh3F0OVKLUiRuNpXT5mFrmryJ-Xpg8OfMpt2amDeIDowOkL4FTGGIVFp3SN/s1600/SDC14467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtlsNgkeC1i26hjMUA0hyQqbM56EljKWSJWruSQCBN44M-dYiXxiAQ60-563T4XqeXrQy8jKm65FTkDAi8mFh3F0OVKLUiRuNpXT5mFrmryJ-Xpg8OfMpt2amDeIDowOkL4FTGGIVFp3SN/s400/SDC14467.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>None of these is Clare</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiua2AmUbQ98InaRYOmJ2CrTmZvEkdraYwEg0-8gwhyphenhyphenzcBvuOVCFrjgkZu3z3kOvLC-HhAIzOblBiiQLlq4aubqGMI2I9zxMCs-WS3KYlkVGfj0vutISjoWl3d71c-dBdi1EJ9i3GIao00U/s1600/SDC14465.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiua2AmUbQ98InaRYOmJ2CrTmZvEkdraYwEg0-8gwhyphenhyphenzcBvuOVCFrjgkZu3z3kOvLC-HhAIzOblBiiQLlq4aubqGMI2I9zxMCs-WS3KYlkVGfj0vutISjoWl3d71c-dBdi1EJ9i3GIao00U/s400/SDC14465.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i>Here she is, next to her faithful steed</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYh_vHD4npifLQoK0ivLuYpoZ7r7gMxJTbx90qQgGKmVT-_Wo64FJnwKzO7ce38CQ5NdJPlxUf_ahDAciHpRWMupPn052q5unm3FmPDCGWP84zV-A0FLj0_fr2rbjSIxpcpU6CjLeKcmm/s1600/SDC14471.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmYh_vHD4npifLQoK0ivLuYpoZ7r7gMxJTbx90qQgGKmVT-_Wo64FJnwKzO7ce38CQ5NdJPlxUf_ahDAciHpRWMupPn052q5unm3FmPDCGWP84zV-A0FLj0_fr2rbjSIxpcpU6CjLeKcmm/s400/SDC14471.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>Glamorous pants, made by </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5YlNkjZ7tJltmWvCSDIkcAsHfi1fKYJ5b0JZaz248JkiypUu1zAx2ghRww2HHu_SWArYY3IKbPPk8LWIPV32BukEH6nF7dOyiy-znsv5trLa4l3SIXHJioo98JWx5JYjd9zmqB2JVQXI/s1600/SDC14470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5YlNkjZ7tJltmWvCSDIkcAsHfi1fKYJ5b0JZaz248JkiypUu1zAx2ghRww2HHu_SWArYY3IKbPPk8LWIPV32BukEH6nF7dOyiy-znsv5trLa4l3SIXHJioo98JWx5JYjd9zmqB2JVQXI/s400/SDC14470.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i>Coy. Don't you just love her sparkly lurex frock?</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhim2743Xgw8niw9H21klr3BNTvE4JvA1qzFCZcyBA5wCTXfZRnkHkMMIQbRBgVp1Z0hrn5rw49mXWj7_6_62qlphTq72cJz3h3rA_NHPJ053MPo9zn69zQVVq6wFSYcQO3eiBe2aOvgQY7/s1600/SDC14474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhim2743Xgw8niw9H21klr3BNTvE4JvA1qzFCZcyBA5wCTXfZRnkHkMMIQbRBgVp1Z0hrn5rw49mXWj7_6_62qlphTq72cJz3h3rA_NHPJ053MPo9zn69zQVVq6wFSYcQO3eiBe2aOvgQY7/s400/SDC14474.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<i>Pretty in Pink in Traid changing rooms</i></div>
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This would have been a great dress if it weren't for all the holes. I think if you're going to try and charge £17 for a second hand home-made garment the shop should at least attempt to mend the several places where it was coming apart at the seams. Unfortunate because it went really well with her hair.</div>
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In addition to the cheapy sunglasses I bought some skull print jeans to add some interest to my school run wardrobe, a felt hat from Zara via charity shop for a fiver and a turquoise leopard print vest also from a charity shop. Turquoise and leopard as a combination appeals to me almost as much as the scarf I bought in Brighton - purple! With skulls! Made of flowers! Shame it's polyester chiffon and not particularly warm. I continue to suffer for the sake of rock and roll. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwr5MQZ1giVHS_HFp6MjzmJ5DTRJtU-ztZPOYElUY2QT9EC0KbstQVdjX6tLCOlFWkmGYYgv1P7J5IWwuNe7E6IccpXKjyZrLD9T8bIt0blYj9FFOrCXWSBHCV_uLJVsJFPpK1yj2YB8_/s1600/scarf.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwr5MQZ1giVHS_HFp6MjzmJ5DTRJtU-ztZPOYElUY2QT9EC0KbstQVdjX6tLCOlFWkmGYYgv1P7J5IWwuNe7E6IccpXKjyZrLD9T8bIt0blYj9FFOrCXWSBHCV_uLJVsJFPpK1yj2YB8_/s1600/scarf.png" /></a></div>
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<i>See, I DO like florals...</i></div>
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Anyway, I don't have photos of this more recent stuff but I have been adding absent-mindedly to a few collections recently so I will link this post up to <a href="http://missielizzie-meandmyshadow.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/magpie-monday-looking-glass.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Magpie Monday</a> - it's been too long. I've got another annual to add to the shelf - a boys' one this time - it's not dated but I think it's late 40s or early 50s, and I also grabbed this mint condition Folio Society copy of <i>The Wind in the Willows</i> for only £2. I'm reading J K Rowling's recent novel for grown-ups (calling it her first adult novel makes it sound like porn) <i>'The Casual Vacancy'</i> and am quite enjoying it. I didn't fancy paying £20 for it when it came out, despite being a fan of Harry Potter, but £2.50 for the hardback in the Scope shop made it more reasonable. Has anyone read it? What did you think? I must admit to being mildly amused that the central deceased character is called Barry. She must have really cast around for that name!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixIXiwx5cK8Hji5qOwdGiIYtyYA2D-h24_eW_62rF9DPbS2hSOSu_JHXbWhA0MCXoCDnkZLHW7uBP4vm8Eon-Jhb7I7bu8PgD_Mwwej-Sw-vMLm7c6QIa2SIDihvj9PSQJ58WgQVXcseZ/s1600/SDC14513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixIXiwx5cK8Hji5qOwdGiIYtyYA2D-h24_eW_62rF9DPbS2hSOSu_JHXbWhA0MCXoCDnkZLHW7uBP4vm8Eon-Jhb7I7bu8PgD_Mwwej-Sw-vMLm7c6QIa2SIDihvj9PSQJ58WgQVXcseZ/s400/SDC14513.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>The Eagle Annual has a story set in futuristic 1997, where dashing space rangers have to do an intergalactic Christmas pudding run!</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLl1ZzfdU4V0gcXw8atYTAmd88fZKE0imhQPmNXDutRacQmlIs5GxqlfocQkpRlP6jP6g9bwSbQS3H8WArG7irqxbl-lmZaefy5YN3bGko1wtuV7K-INeDzgXDuKVBACG0JU5GepNmpeps/s1600/SDC14515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLl1ZzfdU4V0gcXw8atYTAmd88fZKE0imhQPmNXDutRacQmlIs5GxqlfocQkpRlP6jP6g9bwSbQS3H8WArG7irqxbl-lmZaefy5YN3bGko1wtuV7K-INeDzgXDuKVBACG0JU5GepNmpeps/s400/SDC14515.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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I bought the poseable artist's figure in a local charity shop, and the Czech glass bud vase from a junk shop. I have about 12 now, I just seem to come across them and they're always cheap. The coloured glass bubble bases look really pretty in the sunshine but a lot you see have stains on the plain glass caused by hard water evaporating. I've tried lots of methods of getting rid of this but haven't found a way yet. The red-headed ladies prints are greetings cards made by Anna at <i><a href="http://goldliondiaries.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Gold Lion Diaries</a> - </i>she kindly included them free when I bought a print for Boy2's room from her Etsy shop. Nice aren't they? I keep meaning to look out for some little frames for them.</div>
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I could have bought loads of art when I was in Brighton, spending time in galleries or museums always makes me covetous. I'd quite like<a href="http://www.justinesmith.net/prints/" target="_blank"> Justine Smith's</a><i> 'Time is Money'</i>, if anyone has a spare grand and a half and fancies getting me a present.</div>
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<img alt="Time is Money by Justine Smith" src="http://www.justinesmith.net/files/7513/1782/4206/time_is_money.jpg" /></div>
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<i>It's made of the bank notes of each country's currency and looks far better in reality</i></div>
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I've said it before, but I used to really enjoy art at school, I'd love to get back into it. Much as I enjoyed my English lit course, Clare's talk about art college makes it sound a lot of fun, and seeing all the modern/street inspired art at my favourite gallery Art Republic makes me yearn for a big studio, lots of canvas and some spray paint to play with. Mind you, whenever I go to the Tate Modern I'm convinced I can make my fortune with some shop window dummies, old planks and parcel tape so it's entirely possible I am delusional.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xh305EF8ia97AfMw3fCTN9iHl4LpOk-agDQNyfd_DXd6UYgowuozLhdqGnAvz0znt5vqkEK9CliTBaryjvi5Yu1iSCdrJpeuD6-71NFgxRyIZ-LlLqX1kOipKQWuQ_IHEJVaTdnvoWm_/s1600/SDC14518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xh305EF8ia97AfMw3fCTN9iHl4LpOk-agDQNyfd_DXd6UYgowuozLhdqGnAvz0znt5vqkEK9CliTBaryjvi5Yu1iSCdrJpeuD6-71NFgxRyIZ-LlLqX1kOipKQWuQ_IHEJVaTdnvoWm_/s400/SDC14518.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Finally my cookie cutter collection has expanded again with these few I couldn't resist on eBay. The owl, spider and er, poodle made an unusual Halloween threesome for a few quid, and I have decorating plans for the martini glass. A triangle of coloured icing and one of those little jelly lemon slices and I reckon the biscuits will look brilliant. [I counted up my collection the other day after making the <a href="http://faithhopeandcharityshopping.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/ta-dah-tuesday-polar-bear-biscuits.html" target="_blank">polar bear biscuits</a> and it now numbers around 80 if you include scone cutters.]</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjHKQQ23FK2aVUBWugiMDIYWn6FV9FrsD08Za4u5_GihD176zyDEFO6l-LjmFISJJhHpqlR2TNNz07noBAbyzghxvWWJ86KXdsNebQqUfiI-zrKy2pISbHFQ8DhHkDPDJsXqHo8_KLTEw/s1600/20130214_091404+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjHKQQ23FK2aVUBWugiMDIYWn6FV9FrsD08Za4u5_GihD176zyDEFO6l-LjmFISJJhHpqlR2TNNz07noBAbyzghxvWWJ86KXdsNebQqUfiI-zrKy2pISbHFQ8DhHkDPDJsXqHo8_KLTEw/s400/20130214_091404+%25281%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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On the subject of cookies, here's some of the ones I made for my boys for Valentine's day - the bra and thong only made it into a grown-up lunch box though, don't worry!</div>
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Well I seem to have rambled on for ages, so that should probably do for now. I'll be back tomorrow for <i>Ta-dah! Tuesday</i>, so get ready to link up any finds/makes/bakes/outfits etc that you want to show off!</div>
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Lakota x<br />
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PS. There are loads of comments I've had recently that I wanted to reply to but I'm still being deluged with spam which Blogger's filter isn't picking up so it's getting hard to pick out the genuine replies. Is anyone else suffering? I really don't want to turn word verification on.Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping]http://www.blogger.com/profile/04247624645636227130noreply@blogger.com33