Mirrors from Nicola Rowlands

I've been following Nicola Rowlands' blog for a few months now because she makes really cool stuff (what better reason to follow a blog?). I saw that she had these super cute pocket mirrors for sale and grabbed some! They're adorable and motivational! Hehe. 

Cute huh? I've started buying things from Etsy because it's a great way to buy unique local(ish) handmade things from tiny businesses. I.e you get cool stuff and you get to feel good about it too.

xxx

Hankies

Inspired by my last post about The Printed Square, I've made some hankies of my own. They were super easy to make and a nice use of a small piece of some beautiful fabric (from the sewing cafe as ever).

1) Gather supplies: fabric, ruler, rotary cutter, scissors, contrasting thread.
2) Cut squares the size that you want your hankie to be. I cut a fat quarter into 4.
3) Sew around the edge of the square with a pretty stitch. I chose a scallop.

4) Trim as close to the stitching as you dare!
5) Repeat and admire your lovely new hankies.

They make me smile every time I get one out of my pocket and they're better for the environment too! huzzah!

xxx

Eco toothbrush!

So, as part of my drive to live more ethically, I'm trying to find better alternatives to things that I use every day. When the time came to get a new toothbrush, I did a bit of research and found this! The environmental toothbrush. It's made from bamboo and packaged in cardboard. Better than all that plastic huh? It's definitely not as awesome as my normal toothbrush but it does the job! Also, people who hate the feeling of wooden spoons will hate this! I like it though and it's the best alternative I've found so far.

Carbon omissions

I saw this video the other day and thought that it was a really nice, clear explanation of the main challenge of creating a sustainable society. We Just don't need more stuff.

Market food

As you know, I try to shop ethically. Markets are a great place to do just that. They often supply local and organic food and you're supporting local business. Win win. Also, it's super fun to wander round and look at all the different things! We have a great cheese stall in town and I always get carried away choosing delicious, delicious cheeses. You also don't have to think too hard about what's in season on a market. It's the thing that they're selling 3 for £1. Easy.

Greening the deserts

This guy is a dude. I'm not sure if it would actually make as a big a difference as he says but it would be awesome if it did! It's a really interesting video anyway and gives hope that the planet isn't entirely doomed...

spring has sprung (finally!)

It's finally spring! After all the snow we've had this year, I was wondering if it was ever going to happen! It also gives me the perfect opportunity to talk about seasonal food....

Eating with the seasons is awesome for so many reasons. Firstly, and most importantly, it's sustainable. Food that's in season is local and doesn't have to be shipped in from half way across the world, and it hasn't been grown in hot houses- the process uses as little energy as possible. Secondly, it's what you want to eat! No one comes in after a day in the freezing cold and thinks, ooh you know what I fancy? Salad. No. Just no. Thirdly, it's so exciting to have a changing diet. There is always something new coming into season next month  and it's always worth waiting for (I'm thinking strawberries in summer, squashes in autumn etc.)

So here is a list of the best spring foods!

Cucmber, new potatoes, spinach, spring greens, spring onions (the name kinda gives it away huh?), watercress, ASPARAGUS! purple sprouting broccoli and cauliflower.

Drawing is fun (still!)

I am a massive fan of doing anything that is supposed to be for kids: building forts, plastic sword fights, piggy back rides...it's just so much more fun that being a grown up. I'm also a big fan of doing anything non screen based and free (it's a super eco friendly hobby!)! Drawing is one of those things that kids do all the time, but unless you're an artist you probably don't do it as an adult, which is a bit poo because it's super fun! If you are pants at drawing then make 'modern art' and giggle at it and if you're awesome it gives you a chance to feel a little bit smug. I just like how you can spend hours entertained by only a pen and a piece of paper!

p.s. This is supposed to be the Sacre-Ceour in Paris (can you tell? :s)

My Favourite Cook Books

One of my favourite things to do is cook (pretty obvious from the food blog huh?) so I thought I'd share some of my fave cook books with you. Being a vegetarian doesn't mean that I only buy veggie cook books. In fact, I hardly have any! They always seem to have the same stuff in them; vegetable lasagne, stuffed mushrooms, goats cheese tarts etc. Yummy foods of course but I know how to cook them already. I much prefer getting a cookbook by a great chef and adapting their meaty recipes (I'm going to write a post about how I do this soon!)

My absolute favouritest chef ever is Jamie Oliver. Not only does he cook fast, tasty food but he is on a mission to save the world! (Well at least to teach people how to eat better). All of his books are great but "Jamie's 15 minute meals" is the business. Easily the best cook book ever. Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstal's "Veg Everyday" comes a close second. So many noms. He's great too because his food is much more seasonal than Jamie's - much better for the environment! Sophie Dahl does this too. Her meals are nice and light. the Cook Vegetarian magazines are also great for seasonal cooking and they keep me updated with what's available/trendy at the mo. Delia's vegetarian collection is basically a veggie bible and cheesetastic to boot. For those of you who love to bake, you need look no further than the Humming Bird Bakery.

A cuddly toy!

Here's a quick tutorial on how to make this cute little monster from an old towel.

Supplies:

- An old towel

- Stuffing

- Dried beans/lentils/peas

- Felt

1) Cut out all of the pieces you need (make them any shape you want!)

- body front back and bottom

- arm front and back x2

- ear front and back x2

- tail front and back x2

- eyes x2

- pupils x2

- smile

2) Applique the pupils onto the eyes then the eyes onto the body front. Applique the mouth on too.

3) Sew together the front and back of the ears and turn inside out.

4) Sew together the front and back of arms and turn inside out.

5) Sew together the front and back of the tail and turn inside out.

6) Stuff the ears, arms and tail.

7) Lie the back of the body right side up on the table. Place the arms and ears where you want them but point them inwards so that all of the raw edges line up. Place the front of the body right side down and sew around (hand stitching may be easier) leaving the bottom open. Now sew half of the bottom piece on.

8) Turn inside out and half fill with stuffing. Fill the rest with your beans! close up and you're done!

Cute huh?