Thank you all for your patience,

Angharad xxx

I’ve currently got a bit of an obsession with hula hoops. This is down to our trip to see La Soirée in January, where we saw Marawa The Amazing perform (not the same act as this video, but you’ll get the gist). I was smitten. That was the point at which I decided, yes, I shall quit my career as a writer to become a travelling hula hoopist (don’t worry about Paul, he can be the circus lawyer).

Well, not quite. You see, my hula hoop (pink and white, bought on eBay) is still in the post – and I actually have no idea whether I will even be able to keep it aloft for more than two seconds. I suspect that I probably won’t be able to, as I have little coordination and suck at dance, as my belly-dancing friend Oloma will be able to confirm. In fact, if all goes hugely wrong I will probably have to regift the hula hoop to Oloma for Christmas.

I’m a little cheered by the fact that Marawa, in an interview with the Enfield Independent, claims that she never learned to hula hoop as a child, and ‘thought I couldn’t because I’d never been shown how to – so never bothered.’ Hoorah! There could yet be a circus star trapped inside this hideously unfit writer, just waiting to get out.

I’m hoping that I will be able to keep the hoop in the air, not just because I fancy myself as the next big artiste but because I’m about to embark on a mission to get fit. I’ve never been a lover of exercise, so I’m aiming to alternate different types and incorporate fun sessions to keep me motivated (there will also be a star chart. Gotta love a good star chart). Hula hooping, it seems to me, would be a great way to keep fit during the week when going for a run just seems too daunting.

I’ll be keeping you updated on my hula hoop shenanigans (unless I fail, in which case can we just forget this whole wanting to be Marawa thing and pretend it never happened? Thanks). In the meantime, if you, too, fancy trying your hand (or waist) at hula, there are plenty of hoops to be found on eBay, in all sorts of patterns and colours. It’s recommended that you go for a weighted one, and it’s a good idea to research size guidelines before you begin to make sure the hoop you choose is right for you.

I’ll leave you with a picture of some beautiful hoops which, sadly, have to be shipped from Australia (this is why I hardly ever let myself browse Etsy. Too heartbreaking). Aren’t they gorgeous? They’d look beautiful just decorating a room, and I think they’d be a lovely touch at a vintage country wedding to keep guests entertained.

Vintage hula hoops, approx £26.73 each, from Etsy seller rainbowsandtea

Just a quick post, as I’ve come down with some sort of bug (Paul says it can’t be flu as he’s got it too and he’s had the jab – but I  feel like being dramatic, so we won’t rule it out). I normally wouldn’t blog at all in this state, and would instead collapse forlornly onto my bed and glue myself to Pinterest – however, I wanted to let you know about an event that’s taking place this Saturday.

The Beauty, Health & Wellbeing Show 2012 is due to take place in Croydon, and will see a variety of different natural, organic, fairtrade and vegan products on sale. There’s plenty of information about the event over on Wahanda – but I just thought I’d give it a quick mention on here because a) I grew up in Streatham, so Croydon is a very familiar place, and b) I’m really very excited about the products involved.

Earlier this week, the team at work were lucky enough to be sent some samples to try by Athene Skincare, the online store responsible for organising the Beauty, Health & Wellbeing Show. We’ve not had a chance to try them all out, but yesterday I did manage to put the Zum Bag to the test – and loved it. The Zum Bag (sounds odd, I know, but bear with me) is a gift set of mini products from Indigo Wild, all containing natural essential oils. Not only is the packaging fun ( ‘Frankincense & Myrrh – two out of three wise men agree’, reads the label) – but the products all smell wonderful, putting me in mind of my trip to India and of the solid perfume that I bought in Morocco. The goat’s milk soap lathered up beautifully, and the bath salts were just what I needed to relax my muscles after a long day.

There are plenty of other health and beauty treasures to be found on the Athene Skincare website, including roll-on fragrances from natural brand Pacifica and beautiful soaps from Wild Olive. All in all, definitely a site I’ll be keeping an eye on.

1) Using Garnier BB Cream as primer. I’ve seen plenty of beauty bloggers complaining that the coverage of this BB cream isn’t very good, and that, in short, it shouldn’t really even qualify as  a BB cream. I think I’m inclined to agree, coverage wise; however, I’ve discovered that it makes an excellent primer, evening out the skin’s texture and keeping the face moisturised throughout the day.

2) Father Ted. Paul and I tend to go through phases of watching one programme over and over again (well, different episodes, obviously) and our current favourite is Father Ted. To the point that we’re now going around shouting ‘DRINK!’ and calling each other Dougal. I think this has to stop.

3) Galaxy chocolate. So much better than Cadbury’s. End of.

4) Pub Quiz at The Hob, Forest Hill. We went to this fun pub quiz for the first time last Thursday, as our friends Victoria and Alex live near The Hob. Aside from three rounds of questions, the quiz also incorporates a round of ‘Heads or Tails’ (which involves everyone standing up and then sitting down again if the outcome of a coin toss doesn’t match their guess) and a rather catchy theme tune. All together now: ‘Pub qui-i-i-i-iz, pub qui-i-i-i-iz…’

5) Spring pastels. I wasn’t quite sure what I’d make of the pastel trend when it first began to emerge – I’ve never been much of a girl for candy colours. However, I’ve discovered I’m actually quite enamoured with the soft, feminine palette that this spring promises – the perfect foil for winter’s darker colours.

There you are, minding your own business, just having a quick browse of Net-A-Porter to see what’s going on in the world of pastels when BAM! – an incredibly expensive but oh so beautiful tulle skirt comes along and hits you in the face.

There are some problems here. A) It’s incredibly expensive. B) As I’ve often lamented on this blog, despite my love of all things maxi, I myself am not maxi. C) It’s dry clean only (although to be honest, A and B are more pressing problems).

So what’s a girl to do? Indulge in a spot of virtual shopping by pinning it to her fashion board on Pinterest, of course! Who needs actual clothes when you can tell the world what good taste you have with one simple click of the ‘Pin It’ button? I vote we all save money by wearing bin liners and concentrate on filling up our cyber wardrobes instead. Who’s with me?

I’m a great believer in mismatched decor, from covering the shelves in my dining room with an assortment of knick-knacks to using containers I had in the house for the flowers at my wedding. So when Patricia Hall got in touch to share some shabby chic inspired floral styling ideas with the readers of Edible Glitter, I was excited to learn what she had to say…

But first, a little bit about Patricia:

‘I work part-time for a florist and flower delivery specialist, but love to surround myself with flowers at any given point of time. Even in my free time, I love to involve myself with everything flora and fauna.

‘To me, there is nothing more beautiful and global as the language of flowers – it is the easiest to understand all around the world in the same way. That is one reason why I truly admire flowers for what they represent in some ways – unity of all mankind!’

Thanks Patricia – over to you!

Shabby Chic style is an increasingly popular design choice in almost any venue. It can be seen from the country to the city and every place in between. It is the perfect home decor choice for the lover of all things vintage and romantic. Though it looks complicated to the untrained eye, there is a certain formula to Shabby Chic which can help even the novice achieve a look straight out of a boutique. Shabby Chic is characterized by accessories that are either antiques, or have been made to look like antique. Added to distressed, vintage furniture and decor, are always a lovely, unique choice of floral designs. The best place to begin the home makeover is to start with floral arrangements.

Choosing Your Flowers

Shabby Chic’s style of flowers includes muted, pastel colors and soft petals. They appear to have been chosen from a beautiful country garden. If you do not have the luxury of walking outside into a garden, you can always order flowers by post. Flower delivery is a better option than going to a local florist, because you have the ability to shop without being limited by what is in stock. Whatever the case, the way you obtain the flowers is much less important than the kind of flowers you choose.

Choose flowers with a soft, old-fashioned look. Roses are a great choice for Shabby Chic, but not just any roses will do. Instead of choosing hybrid roses, choose garden tea roses or antique roses. A lovely characteristic of the home-grown variety is that you can usually pick a stem with some roses wide open and others just budding. It brings life to the arrangement. Choose muted, pastel colors instead of bold, bright colors. Good colors to use are soft pink, peach, lavender, and cream. A combination of those colors adds depth to the bouquet. Leave the foliage on the stems for a more natural look.

Another great choice of flowers for Shabby Chic are hydrangeas. They have the perfect type of effortless distressed and faded look . Hydrangea flowers look like many tiny little flowers clumped closely together. They can be cone-shaped or ball-shaped, and both will work for Shabby Chic. Hydrangeas come in a variety of hues like periwinkle, lavender, soft pink, white, and even spring green. They have naturally-occurring color variations on the same stem, which makes them even more perfect for Shabby Chic style.

Choosing Your Accessories

An equally important characteristic of Shabby Chic is the antique style of accessories. Look for items that have the appearance of being old or well-used. The colors are important for accessories as well. Whites, pinks, blues, and grays are all suitable choices for furniture and decor. When shopping for items, keep in mind that the perfect accent need not be the most expensive. There are many great finds to be had at garage sales, flea markets and consignment shops. Watch out for over-pricing in these venues, however, as the vendors will sometimes capitalize on the popularity of Shabby Chic style. Add an element of sentiment to your design choices by adding family antiques. Grandma Susie may have a goldmine when it comes to Shabby Chic decor. She can probably even tell you the story behind the item, making it a great conversation piece for your next dinner party.

When arranging Shabby Chic decor, keep the theme in mind. Shabby Chic is neither too much nor too little. Add some vintage lace doilies to dress up an old end table. Bunch flowers together in a smaller bud vase for a romantic look. Vintage picture books in an accenting color theme make a great coffee table centerpiece. The beauty of Shabby Chic style is that practice makes perfect. With some time and a little effort, your Shabby Chic decor will add romance and character to your home.

Yesterday was our friend Emily’s birthday (happy birthday Emily!), and we celebrated with a trip to the Camden Roundhouse to see cabaret and circus performance La Soirée. We weren’t quite sure what to expect, but had read some rave reviews which suggested that we were in for an exciting evening.

The Roundhouse was the perfect venue for the performance, and really recreated the feel of a traditional Big Top. There was popcorn on sale, giving the whole place that familiar smell associated with childhood trips to the circus, and the atmosphere pre-show was one of excitement and anticipation. We were a little concerned to begin with that the poles supporting the high roof might prevent us from seeing the small round stage properly, but we needn’t have worried – once the show began we found that we could see everything perfectly.

From the very first act, the performers managed to capture the audience’s attention perfectly – and they never let it drop. There were a variety of different skills on show, from juggling and unicycling to singing and trapeze – all executed with a high degree of campness and a big dose of humour. We were treated to a Freddie Mercury obsessed singer and juggler, who later on had us all standing up and singing; a shy male rollercoaster who then proceeded to whip out a dress and some high platforms and jump about on a pogo stick;  a couple performing incredible feats whilst dangling from a spinning cage high up in the air and many more breathtaking acts besides.

One of the best things about the show was the level of audience participation – those sitting in the front area of seats were regularly called upon to take part. One unsupsecting girl found herself being spun around at lightening speed by a pairt of circus skaters, whilst another was lifted up into the air on the shoulders of a man riding a unicycle. Perhaps best, however, was a man pulled out of the audience to assist in a scene with  a vivacious actress – I won’t spoil it for anyone who’s thinking of going to see the show but it was a very clever idea.

Overall, I would put the show down as one of the best things I’ve ever spent £30 on. I honestly think that the evening was up there with September’s visit to the Moulin Rouge (although the acts were rather different) – if anything, I might have enjoyed it more. I’m not embarrassed to admit that I was actually crying with happiness by the end of La Soirée – it was just such a feel-good performance.

At dinner, we all formulated plans to run away and join the circus. Emily is going to be a trapeze artist, and I’m going to follow in the footsteps of the incredible hula hoopist (is that a real term?) that we saw perform. Watch this space…

The show is only running for a couple more days before it moves to Sydney – but apparently there are a few seats left, so if you love the circus, cabaret or just a great night out, I’d urge you to try and book now. One word of warning, though – bits of the show are rather risquée (Paul says I prudishly shouted ‘oh no!’ at one point) – so don’t take your gran.

On Monday, I was lucky enough to head off to the St Pancras Spa for an afternoon of blissful relaxation. The spa is located in the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel – an absolutely incredible place (Paul and I considered spending the first night of our honeymoon there, but would have needed to take out a second mortgage). It was the first time I’d actually stepped foot inside the hotel, and the decor was as incredible as I’d hoped – extremely high ceilings and wonderful Victorian tiling, not to mention the odd majestic staircase here and there.

The spa was much more modern in comparison, with hints of Africa and Asia in its decor. I won’t say much more here as I’ve written up a full review over on Wahanda – but suffice to say that the pool room is one of the most impressive I’ve seen (thanks to its incredible tiling) and the facial I experienced was a real treat for my tired winter skin.

If you want to learn more about this special spa, have a read of my Tried & Tested post on Wahanda. Alternatively, head to St Pancras and look for the giant, sprawling Gothic building next to the station – you can hardly miss it.

At the weekend, Paul and I headed off to Rochester to escape London and spend a relaxed weekend with friends Hayley and Will. We managed to pack a fair bit in, from discovering historic Rochester to buying lots of pappadums, sampling Hayley’s delicious cooking and rocking Rock Band like no one has even rocked it before.

Here’s a brief overview of some of the things that make for a great afternoon out in Rochester, should you be tempted to meander that way (don’t go knocking on Hayley’s door uninvited though – she’s my friend, not yours…)

A Soviet Submarine

Whilst walking from Strood station, we noticed a rather unlikely looking vessel moored on the River Medway. Decorated with a Soviet hammer and sickle, it certainly had us doing a double take – but no matter how many times we blinked and cleaned our glasses it was definitely there. A subsequent session on Google revealed that this was the Black Widow submarine, which operated until 1994 and could hold 22 torpedoes when fully armed. A far cry from its heyday, the Black Widow now has a hole in her and is listing to one side. She’s still a pretty impressive sight though – especially if you weren’t at all expecting to see a vintage Russian war vessel in the middle of Kent.

Rochester Castle

I hadn’t been to Rochester Castle since Year 7, on a school trip during which I recall us having to dress up as monks. This time there was no monk action – we just had a quick wander around the outside of the keep, which is still impressively intact. Hayley informs me that you can go up to the top should you wish too, although it’s a pretty steep climb. Instead, we contented ourselves with admiring the imposing houses nearby, and inspecting the big cannon which points out across the river.

Rochester Cathedral

We nipped into the cathedral for a quick look – there was a service going on in one part of it which we didn’t want to disturb (although we were glad to have caught the choir). A huge building, the cathedral is beautifully decorated, and contains a variety of interesting plaques for those who like to soak up a bit of local history. A leaflet is available to guide you around some of the more notable sights, if you have a bit more time to spend – and there are even helpful volunteers on the door willing to answer any questions.

Shopping in Rochester

Whilst the retail-challenged boys slipped off to the pub (where we later found them doing a crossword together, how sweet) Hayley and I hit the shops. There are a good few interesting homeware shops and even more charity shops – one, Demelza, turned out to be a real treasure trove, with some lovely vintage clothing at almost giveaway prices. We also visited an Aladdin’s cave of an antiques shop and a well-stocked wine store, where Hayley managed to pick up an unusual oak-aged chardonnay.

On our walk in to Rochester, we visited the Reena Food Store. This was hugely exciting for me, as there is nowhere near us where we can purchase authentic Indian ingredients – so we filled up several bags with store cupboard staples and snacks. From rasmalai to pani puris (both of which apparently contain gluten – I’m gutted) the shop stocked all the Indian treats which I find it pretty hard to track down outside of Tooting/Drummond Street.

Hayley’s House (AKA CookEatHappy HQ)

After our adventures in the main town it was back to Hayley’s house for food, wine and Rock Band. Hayley is the brains behind the cookery classes at CookEatHappy – so it was no surprise that she’d planned a detailed menu to spoil us with. We began with pappadums, served with her homemade pineapple and cumin chutney, tomato and red onion relish and tindoori raita (all incredibly moreish. Still thinking about them now, in fact). Then, whilst the boys and I headed upstairs to test out our Rock Band skillz (a tip from me to you – the drumming gets easier when you ditch the sticks) our gracious hostess set to work on the main course.

For the main, we ate kori gashi (a hot chicken curry with a thick coconut sauce), lemon and cardamom brown rice and cabbage with mustard seeds. This was followed by Hayley’s homemade berry sorbet and some squares of dark chocolate, perfect for rounding off the meal.

But the gastronomic excitement didn’t end there. Hayley made us a brilliant the breakfast the next day, including a whole loaf of gluten free poppy seed bread for me (no one had ever made me gluten free bread before). This was served with bacon and maple syrup, sparking an addiction which now sees me desperately wanting the week to go faster so that it can be Sunday, henceforth known as maple syrup day, once more.

We had a truly lovely weekend (even if it did flash by extremely quickly) and would thoroughly recommend Rochester to anyone looking for somewhere to visit. I may be a bit biased, but I would also thoroughly recommend checking out the CookEatHappy website – Hayley has some great curry making classes coming up for you to get stuck into. And hell, who knows? She might even throw in some Rock Band tips, too.

Copyright Jan Szafranski 2011

Although it looks as though it belongs on the wall of a gallery, this incredible picture is in fact currently hanging in our living room. The artist, Jan Szafranski, is Paul’s very talented uncle – and he gave us this artwork in celebration of our wedding, last September.

Entitled ‘That Day In Paris’, the picture has all sorts of personal touches to it, reflecting the role that Paris, music and the saxaphone play in our lives. Jan’s even managed to cleverly incorporate our faces into it – look closely and you can see us on the cover of the newspaper in the background.

Jan expressed his thoughts on creating the paitning and the inspiration behind it on Facebook the other day, and I hope he doesn’t mind me quoting him here:

‘It’s different than the last few pieces I’ve worked on (in terms of content) but is still a digital painting (hopefully this medium will gain more recognition now that Hockney is presenting a major exhibition at the RA with his digital paintings). The style I hoped would emulate a classic style of ’60s photography, and I was inspired by a photographer friend’s collection of almost black-and-white Parisian street photos. I loved the tonal qualities of these photos and wanted to reproduce them for the couple (as he had proposed in France). Originally I was going to paint the groom playing the sax, but changed my mind and made it a busker, hoping that it created a suitably romantic feel. I also added a stack of morning papers carrying the headline and photo of them into the background to personalise it (now that it was no longer a portrait. I am happy with the decision (and hope that they are too)’.

We’re extremly happy with the decision, and proud to own something so incredibly unique. I think it goes without saying that we really will treasure this picture forever.