You're having a laugh...

If you're anything like me, then you'll have been a happy bunny over the past few days - enjoying the gorgeous late (very) summer weather, in London.  I was beginning to think that the s(ummer) word no longer had a place in our vocabulary.

Well,  September was also back-to-school time.  Even if that no longer features significantly in your life, think again... It can prove great fun and a brilliant source of autumnal/winter inspiration, to take a step back and consider (that old cliché) evening classes.  There's so much to choose from... 

An option I can heartily recommend, is to go for a stand-up comedy course.  I signed-up for classes, a few years back, at Richmond's Parkshot with excellent tutor, Tony Kirwood.  We were a very diverse bunch of students, ranging in age from 17-70(!); every class was a great laugh (combined with some high anxiety levels...).  It was a brilliant way to inject some sunshine into the grey winter months. 

Although I never had any intention of going on the circuit (oh no - not for me - I'm far too much of a 'corpser') I wanted to try my hand at topical comedy writing and I loved it...  The class put on a very well-received end-of-term show and one of the group - Jude Mahon - made it to the finals of that year's Funny Women competition.

Berried Treasure...

Normally, I’m quite a purist and prefer to blend my own smoothies tailoring them to my taste, mood and ingredients. But, there are times when practicality takes precedence… The other day, out-and-about, late afternoon and all I’d eaten was a piece of fruit. So, thirsty and a little hungry, at the same time, I searched for a snack.

At the supermarket, an intriguing variant caught my eye.  Innocent’s breakfast thickie wasn’t a guaranteed winner but I gave it a try and was happy I did! Lusciously berried, not-too-sweet; the raspberries and blueberries married perfectly with probiotic yogurt and oats.

I’ve been familiar with Innocent since their inception; I love their fun, no-nonsense, practical, healthy approach, quirky sense-of-humour (and tasty products). I admire their quite unique and innovative business model, how they haven't been spoilt by success or strayed from their orignal ethos and how they give back to deserving projects.  A delicious inspiration!

Moorish meanderings

Anyone wandering through the Market Place in Kingston upon Thames yesterday, could have been forgiven for rubbing their eyes and thinking they had been magically transported to the streets of North Africa. Enticing spicy aromas assailed the nostrils, rhythmic beats accompanied the scents, groovy handmade leather goods beckoned, as did prettily embellished bowls and impressive, brightly coloured, earthenware tagines.

Pleasurable, whether you wanted to relieve your hunger pangs with a portion of meat or vegetable tagine (the food looked and smelt tantalising) or simply felt inspired to pick-up a packet of authentic ras el hanout spice mix, to create your own Moroccan-influenced delights - at home...  

Beautiful, sunny weather enhanced the Moorish experience.  It was a fittingly memorable ending to the Kingston Food Festival's annual three-week run.  I'll miss it!  If you're in the area, this time next year, prepare to have your appetite whetted...

Market Driven - part two...

My market-themed weekend continued on Sunday with another one-off event, also held in celebration of the Kingston Food Festival. This time it was Fairtrade-focused: a joy - on many levels - highlighting some local foodie stars including Riverside Vegetaria (who produced the most delicious aubergine dip, as an introductory taste experience of their restaurant delights…); Montezuma's also did a roaring trade with white and dark chocolate samples to tantalise the sweet-toothed visitor. Neighbourhood allotment growers were on hand to inform, inspire and offer tastes of their freshly-picked produce.

I spent a very happy time exploring (and sniffing-out) the wonderful fresh herb stall, with myriad varieties (rare and mainstream) for cooking and medicinal purposes. The chocolate mint and lemon balm were especially fragrant… I left with some wonderful oregano, and a pretty chilli plant, to enhance my autumn dishes and add to my herb garden repertoire.

Market Driven - part one...

On Saturday, as part of the Kingston Food Festival (which runs until 20th September) I had the happy experience of discovering a wonderful, one-off, Farmers' Market in the pretty Ancient Market Square. It seemed to be a great success; a real pleasure to see, and taste, seasonal produce, from artisan producers and growers located within 100 miles of the M25.

I was thrilled to find my favourite russet apples on sale (first of the season and totally scrumptious, with a very crisp texture and slightly 'nutty’ taste). I also relished some wonderful fresh Buffalo cheese - amongst the best I have ever bought or savoured - expensive but well worth it.

Other appealing stalls included the chilli stand with pretty plants and a range of fresh varieties; fabulous goats cheese from petite crottin to larger examples - plain, herbed, ash-coated and peppered.

Note to organisers: please, make it a regular event here!

Men in make-up

There's plenty to ponder when it comes to equalities between the sexes.  An almost endless debate...and now there's something new(-ish).

I guess there are two ways of looking at whether it's an advantage (or not) to be a make-up wearing woman. Yes, it's fun and creative to change your look, enhance your features and to experiment but it can also feel like a chore...and for some become expensive and time-consuming. I enjoy make-up but prefer an understated yet chic look.  Then again, I'm a girl...

How do I feel about a man in make-up? I have a roundabout way of answering: for starters, I think it's a touch unfair that (many) men improve as they age - with ruggedness and grey hair no handicap to their appeal.  Although it's not entirely alien to the male of the species to wake showing the effects of an onerous schedule, hard night or lack of sleep.   So, should they be 'allowed' to disguise the signs with an artful hint of concealer?  Yves Saint Laurent certainly think so and have adapted their top-selling Touche Eclat (light-diffusing concealer in a gold pen format) into a fragrance-free version, to add man-appeal.

I must admit it has occasionally brought a smile to my face when I've spotted a guy laboriously (or surreptitiously) applying lip balm at traffic lights, in a café, or on a bus.   I can't say I'd encourage my favourite hunk to share my cosmetics, experiment with full-on application or push his vanity too far but a little light concealer shouldn't over-step the mark - unless it leads to extremes or becomes an addiction... What do you think?

Wine, friends and fun...

If you fancy a new twist on meeting friends at the pub why not arrange a wine tasting?  It's great fun - very social - a way to discover new wines and make new friends...

I had a couple of reasons to arrange a wine tasting last week... First, my love for all (most) things Italian inspired me to set-up a group on Qype called La Dolce Vita.  Then one of the delightful members started a discussion on favourite wines; so, as 'administrator', I took the initiative and organised a wine-tasting.  It was fun to do...I approached a few reputable companies and we ended-up collectively opting for Wined Up Here, run by the lovely Charlotte.  

Last week, friends (old and new) met-up in SW London and enjoyed comparing the relative merits of eight Italian wines, culminating in a grappa.  Charlotte and I got together (soberly!) beforehand to decide on the line-up.  We aimed for (some) regional variation, contrast and balance between taste and cost.  

On the night, I confess that the stars of the show (for me and for many others) proved to be the most expensive examples.  The Masi Amarone, at £22.50, was stunningly good - super-rich and unctuously velvety - unusual in its reliance on both fresh and semi-dried grapes, a special occasion wine to be relished and savoured.  The climaxing brown-hued Grappa di Amarone, by Allegrini - at £25 for 50cl - took me by surprise, initially, with its slight medicinal edge but after a few sips I was converted; when budget (and occasion) permits, I'll return to treat myself, or a friend...

Shoe story

Yes, I admit - in typical girly fashion - I'm a bit of a shoe addict. When I'm not wearing them or collecting them, I'm admiring them.  I started young and being of diminutive stature, heels always had an allure.

I still recall many of my early favourites, even though they've long been buried in the shoe cemetry.  Turquoise snakeskin courts; hot pink-and-black two-tone; burgundy platforms were all amongst my earliest heroes.  Sadly, I have a (small-ish) bunion on my right foot in testament to their memory but my worst and most recent damage has been caused by high wooden wedges...

Did you see Balmain designer, Pierre Hardy's peep-toe fabric wedges, created for Gap this year?  Cute and a great bargain in the sales. I succumbed and yesterday saw my downfall... In typical fashion (for me) on one of my regular long(-ish) walks I almost toppled on an uneven paving slab, twisting my right foot.  

Typically stubborn, I continued on my way and walked  and walked for almost four hours (I know!)... By the time I was close to home yesterday evening, I could barely move.  When I removed the culprit wedge, it was painful to put my right foot down, at all.  I iced the painful area, applied soothing gels and then remembered my stash of 30c arnica.  Throughout the night I took several doses and wow! today my foot works and no more swelling!  Although I experienced a strong tingling and itchy reaction to the pilules  - kept me awake for most of the night...

Lesson learnt?  Until the next time, perhaps, although I have thrown the shoes out.  I considered  donating them to charity but decided it wouldn't be the kindest move to subject someone else to the same potential downfall...