Twinkle twinkle little star...

Sorry to disappear for a week and then subject you to two posts in one day, but you'll see why in a moment. I've just become a proud Auntie to baby Martha, and this evening have been trying to find a little gift for her older sister - given that nothing enrages a toddler faster than an array of presents being given to a new sibling who can't even open them. Having seen Nicole Needles' swap gifts for the Vintage Knitter I was reminded of the wonder of Twinkle magazine and have been bidding on Ebay for a vintage 70s annual to give to my elder niece. [I'm hoping my sister in law might appreciate it too, more than noisy plastic toys].

Today Twinkle, tomorrow American Vogue...

I loved Twinkle when I was little, and am still fond, although I was too young and innocent [yes, there was a time] to appreciate the unfortunate combination of 'tinkle' and 'winkle', which now sounds to me like the one of the twee words middle-class mummies use for their little girls' bits. "Poppy darling, leave your twinkle alone, that's not nice...". In addition to her terrible name, poor Twinkle also had a disproportionally large head; but I didn't care, and made my parents fork out 14p on her adventures every week when I was a dwt*. Does anyone else remember Nurse Nancy (she'd be a consultant surgeon these days), My Baby Brother and Shona MacGregor? Those were the days...

So sweet even I'm not cynical

Benny reminds me so much of Boy2 in this

Anyway, I was happily reminded of the fact that I have an old Twinkle of my own - no sniggering at the back - and on looking at the date discovered that it was dated 30 years ago today. Why have I kept this ancient comic? And just who is that fresh faced cherub on the front? Why yes, it's me, back in my cover girl days! Can you guess which one I am?

As Lady Gaga put it so succinctly - 'Fame, fame, baby, the fame, fame' .

Lakota x

*small person, child

Linking up to Thrift Share Monday

Crabby

Cookie cutters are great aren't they? Well, some are. Some are just a bit rubbish. I found this random selection in a charity shop a few weeks ago - yes, I know I already bought a load here, but I can't help myself, they call to me - however to be honest they're a bit of a mixed bag.

Hmm, lets see shall we? Heart - yes, yes very pretty, have several already, should have no excuse not to be presenting my loved ones with intricately decorated tokens of adoration on a daily basis, in practise make an appearance once a year for Valentine's day. This Christmas they are all being rounded up, having gingham ribbon tied round them, and being used as shabby chic decorations on the tree. Cox and Cox or RE: would probably charge a fortune for 'vintage upcycled ornaments' like that. Bell and Snowman, so far so seasonal. I have a feeling that once baked the snowman is going to look more like the Yuletide cello - the proof will be in the festive pudding. Egg has great potential for garish decoration with dolly mixtures at Easter despite its boringly functional shape, so also a keeper. The flat-footed rabbit and chick wearing Alexa Chung's brogues can keep it company.

At the top you'll see what I excitedly decided was a vampire bat - look at him dramatically swooping above the heart - but have sadly come to realise is in fact another member of the really crap dinosaur gang on the right. Aren't they hopeless? Boy1 went through an exhaustive and exhausting dinosaur phase a couple of years ago so I already have a set of prehistoric pals - far better and more terrifying than this shower, whom I only really identified because of the brontosaurus, which seemed more likely than manta-ray. Or mis-shapen orang-utan. Turn the 'bat' right way up and he's supposed to be a stegosaurus, although it could pass as a porcupine. The T-Rex looks more like a parrot, and God only knows what the other one is meant to represent. Boy1 suggested a chasmosaurus, and I bow to his superior knowledge. Anyway, if anyone wants the dino trio let me know - bat boy has had species re-assignment and is staying with mama for Halloween.

£1.95 for the above would have been a little disappointing if it hadn't been for the awesomeness below - the jewel in the crown of my cookie cutter collection so far. Ladies and gentlemen - I give you...the CRAB.

Mmm, crab cookies. Nom [as people inexplicably say these days]

Look at his mighty pincers! Now that's a cookie cutter. Perfect for grumpy old neighbours, Cancerian birthdays and meetings of the local STD clinic. And it has come all the way from the US of A, with Ann Clark's Crab Cookies recipe still tied to it. Of course, if I ever get round to dressing either of the kids up like this, they'll be the perfect accompaniment! I've not read my horoscope, but I predict an afternoon of crustacean based baking coming up very soon!

Over and out, crab fans!

Lakota x

Linking up again to Magpie Monday

Flea Market Finds

Thriftaholics Weekly

Giveaway winner...

Hello and apologies for my absence this week, have been busy with the kids and also trying to sell our house and buy a new one in a completely different area. So far I have been reminded that estate agents lie through their teeth -"You can't hear the road inside" means "The roar of the M25 is deafening from the garden" - and been surprised to discover that some people don't think to remove the 'erotic' nudey pictures of their very much younger Filipina wife before the viewers come round. I thought the one of her in the hallway where she was wearing only a t-shirt was a little risqué, and that was before I spotted the naked photograph of her on all fours which was proudly framed on the dressing table. Strangely I couldn't concentrate on the fitted wardrobes after that.

Anyway, just popping in to announce the winner of the Stall 21 giveaway. Congratulations to...Bex Smith! Can you please email me your details and I will pass them on to Stall 21.

Back to regular posts soon I hope!
Lakota x