Milk & Manolos

The Winter months play havoc with my lips.  I guess you could say I have a strange addiction to  lip lubricators because of this.  Also, because being the old married woman I am means  it’s essential I encourage the Husband to pay as much attention as possible to this aperture. Particular when it’s described by him as a Beak.   Oh how I love my Husband !

The last time I cleared my handbag out I found a mixture of 6 lip balms and glosses hidden away in it’s deepest darkest corners, so you could say I’m somewhat an expert on the things.  My favourite being the lip smacking Kiss Mix from Eve Lom.

With a zing that gently tingles away this balm is the the work of a genius.  I feel like I’ve eaten 4 After Eights after each application.  Sans calories of course.  The neutral colour and light gloss are the perfect pick me up to a tired looking face.  Believe me I know, this face is pretty tired, particularly today after a 5 am start.

There’s something about Tatty Devine jewellery which is simply irresistible.  The mouth watering colours of the high gloss perspex akin to the effect of all that glitters to a magpie, particularly for a child of the eighties.  I want it, I want it I want it !

For years I have steered well clear of plastic appendages for fear of strolling too far down the Sue Pollard avenue, and let’s face it, it’s an easy mistake-a-to-make-a.  Tatty Devine’s jewellery is fun and ironic - sometimes the bling’s just got to make way for that. 

So the Munchkin and are off to a concert.  Oh yes, a Mr Ray concert.

Deciding to broaden her horizons, I seized the moment, credit card at the ready and booked away.  Checking out Mr Ray’s website I just know we’re going to have a ball.  I’m entirely unsure as to what to expect but a guy who can get down on a Friday morning in front of Lord knows how many kids has got to be worth seeing.

Personally, I’ll just be glad to listen to kids songs that a) aren’t sung by school children and b) aren’t accompanied by a Bon Tempi.

I SO never got over not going to that Musical Youth concert in 1982.  Can you tell ?

Today is pancake day, and come 6 pm I shall be flipping them like a pro. She said confidentially. More likely than not I shall be burning my fingers and creating a mess, subsequently encouraging the Husband get in on the act while I enjoy a glass of fine wine and nurse my war wounds.

Being the child of lapsed Catholics it’s been a family tradition to buy into the most fun aspects of the religion while having Ma and Pa carefully toss aside the less enjoyable aspects of the religion.

So, here’s my killer pancake mix.  The larder is full of maple syrup, and the freezer our favourite vanilla and toffee ice-cream.  The Husband has his squeezy lemon and Munchkin is ready to throw some raspberry jam around.

100g Plain Flour
250ml Milk
1 Egg (Medium)
Pinch of Salt                                          

Oil for frying(should make about 8)  

1. Sieve the flour into a bowl, creating a well in the middle.  Add your egg.
2. Begin to mix, gradually adding your milk.  If bubbles appear you’re doing it right. Once all the milk is added, for ease of cooking transfer to a jug. Pouring is far easier than ladling it in. 
3. Add a little oil to your pan, and heat until it just starts to smoke.
4. Add about 30 ml (or two table spoons worth) of mixture and spread it evenly across the bottom of the pan. As it starts to brown, get ready to flip.  Plastic pallet spoon at the ready.
5. Brown second side.
 
Serve immediately.   

There’s something about shopping cheap and cheerfully which just floats my boat.  To find a killer dress, a key piece for the season, for under £ 30 is somewhat of a coup.  As my dear old Ma has told me over and over again, the key is in the accessories. 

I’m so excited about this dress from Hennes, I can barely contain myself.  With some simple flat sandals and with the dusting down of my faithful Coffer bag, I shall be ready for whatever the day, or the Munchkin, throws at me. 

I’m so glad January is almost over. Bored with it’s greyness of January, I’ve decided to start planning Spring / Summer 2008.  It’s a safety mechanism - the longer I dwell on the frugality of January, the more likely I am to slip into a post-festive depression.  So fixing my sights firmly on sunny days, I’m collating my online mood card so when the time comes I’m ready, willing and able.

First on my list are Miu Miu’s metallic ballet pumps.  A snippet at just £ 265, but as ever my theory is to aim for the stars and settle with the odd firework or two.  Give it time and they’ll be High Street versions a go-go.  See, it pays to plan … 

It’s inevitable.  There will be a time when we’re caught short.  The Munchkin wants entertaining, and like NOW Mummy.  The hours I’ve spent in restaurants, waiting rooms and on one occasion, a car showroom where Madam has descended into meltdown.  I mean, who can blame her ?  There’s only so long you can sit in a stationary Mini, buffed to within an inch of it’s life, putting dirty hand marks here, there and everywhere and flicking every switch and pushing every button. Happening most frequently at out favourite eateries the Husband and I have coined a term for it … restaurant stagnation.  And be careful, it can happen to adults too. You can imagine my joy, not to mention amusement having stumbled over the Momemergency Kit.   Hardly rocket science, I can’t believe another enterprising individual hasn’t thought of it before now.

Full to the brim of activities for small people ready, willing and able for the moment you need them.   The slight bore is shipping it in from the States and great expense, but a brilliant present, if only to yourself. Failing that, it can inspire you to create your own.

The Husband is trying to get me to go on a camping holiday.  I fear he doesn’t know me very well.This ain’t any old camping holiday, but a week in a Tipi in deepest darkest Cornwall.  I have to admit there is a part of me that’s slightly tempted.  I could take my aromatherapy oils and dream catcher, and be at one with nature while cooking baked beans over a small camping stove. It’s all very Legends of the Fall.

I’ve only camped twice before, neither trips being what I would describe as successful.  The first time I discovered the delights of the outdoors was the summer of 1986.  Sarah Ferguson had just married Prince Andrew and I was on a camping tour of Wales with my father and brother, visiting various closed coal mines along the way.  The dirt and the smell of smoke fumes didn’t mix well with my reversible Mickey Mouse jumper.

The second was in a car park in Wiveliscombe in 1992, in a vein attempt to secure a Duke of Edinburgh Gold medal.  As I patiently waited the 27 minutes it took to heat water for my cup-a-soup I managed to devour the entirety of my Kendal Mint Cake.  Let me tell you, it wasn’t a happy combination.  I emerged from my tent the next morning following what I can only describe as a re-birthing experience, the walls of the tent contracting angrily in the wind in the hope to expel me with gusto.  Needless to say I vowed then and there that I would never camp again.

So am I prepared to give it a go 2008 stylie with Husband, Munchkin and dream catcher in tow ?  I figure enough water has travelled under the bridge for me to extend the hand of friendship again to the great outdoors.  If it happens however, they’ll be one hell of a rider.

I admit I know little about money, apart from the fact I like it.  Interest rates, ISA’s and all that technical jargon flies effortlessly over my head.

Having got myself into the inevitable financial trouble that tempts every early twenties singleton, I began, with the help of some learned friends, to draw up a budget and try everso hard to stick to it.  

When someone suggested signing up to moneysavingexpert.com I was there in a shot and quite frankly haven’t looked back.  From reclaiming bank fees (and there were lots to reclaim) to advice on car insurance, health insurance, credit cards and utlity bills to name but a few, I devour the weekly newsletter with gusto.  This weekly visitor to my inbox has helped save us a fortune … 

Having yet again worn my Ugg Boots throughout the winter (may I say at this juncture, the 4th in a row) many would say I’m horribly unfashionable, needing closure on my fluffy friends and ought to find something a little more AW 07/08. They wouldn’t be wrong, but judging by the many Uggtastical disciples I see simply popping out to get some milk, I know I’m not alone, and that, well, there’s safety in numbers.

I’m now debating weither the Munchkin should be Ugged up also.  They comfy, and would work everso well with the drain pipe jeans she’s currently refusing to wear, but are they suitable for her 27 months ?  I worry about the ankle support aspect. Aren’t they essentially slippers ?  While I debate this small detail I did consider however that it would be down right rude not to forward this special offer I’ve just found to y’all …