Grrrr!

That's what I'm generally feeling right now, I feel in a bit of a rut at the moment which means anytime something doesn't quite go right I feel really deflated about it, more so than if I wasn't feeling so stuck. Several things are making me feel like this, but probably the worst thing is not having a job. While this means I have more time on my hands to do other things, having little or no money to spare is making me feel restricted in many ways. I'm trying to use my time as productively as possible but I'm not quite as successful at this as I should be. Of course, writing this down is helping to get it out of my system.
I'm also in a bit of a style rut as well, mostly feeling like wearing the same old comfortable clothes. Realising this, I thought I'd have a look through my wardrobe and try on some of the things that I haven't worn in a while or...ever. You know when you have a few items that you got really cheap 2nd hand, they're really cool, but you're not quite sure how or when to wear them. These are some of those:



My Mum found this in a charity shop and gave it to me, I really like it, it's very 50's lady at home. I think it's some sort of house dress. It's actually really warm and comfy so it fits the description of most other things I've been wearing lately, I should be wearing it every day. My only problem is that I'm not sure how to wear it, it looks a little like a dressing gown, but then again, who cares at least it looks nicer that tracksuit bottoms and a pair of old Ugg boots right? (Gee I look really un-enthused in this picture!)



I got this dress in a charity shop, it's C&A which is now officially vintage! Well it's probably from the 90's, I thought it had a cool collar. I've never worn it! It's very pretty but I have a problem with the fact that it's white, it looks a little bit like a nurse dress. I could dye it, maybe it just needs to be off-white?



This is a pretty cool outfit, another charity shop find-yay! It's a two piece outfit, which is great and I have actually worn each piece separately so it's quite practical, one day I may wear it as intended (including the gold belt) but I'm not sure when or where that will occur. Well I had fun dressing up in stuff that I've not worn outside yet, it's a good way to rediscover your wardrobe and get accustomed to wearing things that you're not used to.

Shoes that are new

Yes, brogues, everyone has a pair, I don't care. They are great. Got these on ebay for a bargain price, originally from asos. They are the perfect shape, the chunky heel gives them a bit of a western feel, or at least I think so. I love a bit of western styleee. Yup.

In other news, I could not decide what to wear when going out to find a job! I knew I wanted to be comfortable but also smart, these shoes helped a lot. I also wanted to add some interest other than just a shirt or a plain top. I went with the scarf. I have a lot of nice scarfs (or is it scarves?), but I have trouble really deciding how to wear them and what to wear them with. I know that sounds a bit dumb, it's probably really easy for other people, but for some reason I find it difficult. So I ended up wearing it with another pattern that it probably didn't match with very well, but oh never mind! I'm trying to be a bit less held back by what I think other people might think of me, so that I just make decisions based on what I think looks good, rather than if I think other people will think that I look good, or even what I think other people think, while thinking that I think 'that' looks good! That makes sense? Yes? Yes!

Crazed eyes...nice scarf though, it has saddles and things on it!!!



Outfit:
Bird print top: asos
Jean: AllSaints
Cardigan: Mum gave me
Shoes: asos via ebay
Scarf!: Charity shop

Look what you can do with it, multi use. I don't really know what I'm talking about. Basically, I got some great new shoes and I found out I can wear my scarf more than one way, which is great progress for the scarf-idea-wearing impaired.

Coconut Cream Hot Chocolate

 

It's been a while...It's been a busy month, but also I kept procrastinating because I felt like I should write my first 2012 post about new years resolutions and all the things I'm aiming for this year and all that stuff, but actually it doesn't really matter, I think if you want to set yourself goals it doesn't matter when you do it. So I may post some goals and resolutions half way through the year instead, or I could use the Chinese new year as a marker. Anyway! Over Christmas I saw this recipe for thick hot chocolate on Jamie Oliver's TV show and I knew I had to try it! Ever since I went to Lithuania and tried the thick hot chocolate I've always wanted to replicate it. They also serve variations of the thick hot chocolate in Italy and other European countries except England! It's really easy to make, this is how you make the mixture using Jamie Oliver's recipe:

• 2 tablespoons Horlicks
• 2 tablespoons cornflour
• 3 tablespoons icing sugar
• 4 tablespoons quality organic cocoa
• 100g quality dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids), finely grated
• a pinch of ground cinnamon (I like to add a little grated nutmeg instead)
• a pinch of sea salt

Since I first made it, I can't stop! It was only the other day, when I ran out of milk that I thought of using canned coconut cream instead. In the past I had added a dollop of coconut cream, leftover from making a curry, to the hot chocolate that I had in the fridge and it really freshened it up. I looove coconut cream, I could eat it all straight from the can. Making the hot chocolate with coconut cream makes it really rich a creamy without being too heavy.


To make it, heat either a mixture of regular milk and coconut cream, or just coconut cream, measure out how much you want to fill your cup with. As it heats gently I use a whisk to stop it sticking to the bottom of the pan and burning. When it gets hot sprinkle in the hot chocolate mix and whisk it in, whisking stops lumps forming. Add about 2-3 heaped tablespoons per cup, depending on how thick you like it. Once the it's all mixed in it won't take long to thicken, then you can take it off the heat. I like it quite thick so I can eat it with a spoon like a little desert, yum!

Some interesting facts about coconut cream if you're interested...not interested? I'm going to tell you anyway. It contains Lauric acid which is also found in breast milk and can help fight viruses and bacteria. Like other nuts, it keep you full for longer because of it's high in good saturated fats, which means it doesn't turn into bad cholesterol (apparently). It's rich in magnesium which can acts as block to nerve cells. Fascinating!