Monday 30 September 2013

Interesting Jewellery on Etsy...

If like me you receive the daily emails from Etsy you won't have failed to see these fantastic rings...I can't help but think that they look like barbed wire and I love 'em!!!



Why not hope over to Red Sofa... and have a look at their collections.

Sunday 29 September 2013

Mama Buttons Birthday Feast...

It was Mama Button's birthday yesterday and by way of celebration I made Jamie O's beef and pork meatloaf with spaghetti sauce. If I do say so myself it was delicious! And was an instant hit with the troops...
 
I would highly recommend it...if you did want to give it a go here's the shopping list followed by what to do...serves 5-6
 
Bon Appetite!
 
3 carrots
olive oil
100 g stale bread
500g  minced pork or equal mix of beef and pork
2 heaped teaspoons dried oregano
30 g feta cheese
1 large egg
3 fresh red chillies
1 onion
2 cloves of garlic
1 x 700 ml jar of passata
30 g Cheddar cheese
480 g dried spaghetti 
 
Preheat the oven to 200ºC/400ºF/gas 6. Peel the carrots, quarter lengthways, then place in a roasting tray (roughly 25cm x 30cm), drizzle with oil and cook for 10 minutes.
 
 
 Meanwhile, blitz the bread into breadcrumbs in a food processor, then use your hands to mix in a bowl with the pork, half the oregano, the crumbled feta (it's a small amount, but it makes all the difference!), the egg and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Shape into a loaf (roughly 20cm long), then, when the time's up on the carrots, make a space in the middle of the tray and add the meatloaf. Cook for a further 25 minutes, or until the meatloaf is golden and cooked through.

 

 Meanwhile, halve the chillies lengthways and deseed, then put them into a medium pan on a low heat with a lug of oil for 2 minutes. Scoop out and reserve the chillies.
 
 
Peel and finely chop the onion and garlic. then put them into the pan that you cooked the chillies in with the remaining oregano and fry for about 10 minutes, or until softened, stirring regularly. Pour in the passata, add a splash of water to the empty jar, swirl it around and pour into the pan, season to perfection, then simmer until the time's up on the meatloaf.


Remove the tray from the oven and carefully pour the sauce around the meatloaf. Pull the carrots to the top of the sauce and arrange around the meatloaf with the chillies, then grate the Cheddar on top of it .
 
 
Pop the meatloaf back into the oven for a further 5 to 10 minutes, or until golden and delicious, and the sauce is bubbling.
 
Meanwhile, cook the spaghetti in a large pan of boiling salted water according to packet instructions, then drain.
 
Slice up the meatloaf, mashing the chillies into the sauce for added heat, if you like. Serve on a bed of spaghetti with a salad.
 
 

Old Welwyn Craft Fair...1st September 2013

At the beginning of the month I nipped over to The Old Welwyn Craft Fair for a little mooch at the lovely bits to offer there...I met some lovely people who where gracious enough to let me take some photos so I could share them with you lovely lot.
 
Firstly there was the lovely Jane Scorer of Silver from Stapleford who had gorgeous jewellery made from vintage silver cutlery. Including cuff bangles made from sugar tongs. I particularly liked her sterling silver bubble blower, how cute would that be to give as a christening present???
 





 
 Next up was Pippa King and her lovely ceramics. I made a beeline for her stall to re-stock my ceramic button collection Check out Pippa's work at Pippa King Ceramics
 

 
And my third find was Signed by Sam who had gorgeous glasswork. I loved her enthusiasm for getting out taking photo's of nature and translating them into her glasswork...what a clever lady!
 



 

Handmade & Vintage - The CentreMK, 7-8 September 2013

Okay, okay I know this is a bit slow in coming but things at Button HQ have been a little bit manic of late...anyway I'm back, I'm not sure how long for so let me roll up my sleeves and get down to the job at hand.
 
Earlier this month my mum AKA Mama Button worked the Handmade & Vintage Fair at The Centre MK. Mama Button makes the most lovely hand crafted greetings cards, which sell like hot cakes...I've added some pictures of her work along with photo's of a few other of the stalls which caught my eye. I will add links so you can go off and stalk their wares independently, tee hee hee!!!
 
Details of the fair and up and coming fairs visit the website MKhandmade and Vintage 
 
Lots of lovely bright and beautiful bags and accessories by the very talented Laura of Ava & Arthur. Find Laura on Facebook here Ava And Arthur

Katie Ambler of KatieKid makes the most perfect mobile phone and tablet covers...the only problem is choosing just which one to take home :/ Find Katie at KatieKid

Nikki of Little Eccentric was at the fair selling and demonstrating her stunning hand felted items. You can see more examples of Nikki's work at Little Eccentric

As promised here are Mama Buttons wares, didn't I tell you they were lovely??? She's not yet got a website BUT she is setting up a Facebook page but you can see her stuff on my FB page until then The Button Princess Jewellery and Accessories 
 
Lisa of Polkadot of Winslow was in attendance with her gorgeous hand decorated items. I even picked up a couple of bits to put by for Christmas...nudge, nudge, wink, wink!!! Find Lisa at Polkadot of Winslow

 I love, love, love Suzi of Heartsnkisses, she always has the most perfect gift for EVERY occasion and she didn't disappoint this time, but you'll have to wait to see as it's another Christmas gift for someone special...catch Suzanne on her FB page at Hearts n Kisses

Murray of The Barking Tree was there with his amazing hand crafted pieces of furniture. I love his mirrors...I just need the hall to put one up in :/ Catch Murrays work at The Barking Tree

And lastly was the most gorgeous stall, selling beautiful French style antiques. I just loved their stunning white, silver and clear display....so simple and classic. I couldn't walk away without buying some of the French jam jars on their stall. These will be perfect on my stall with twinkly lights in. Details to follow...

Tuesday 10 September 2013

Mildreds...

I went to a vegetarian restaurant last night which was absolutely amazing!


It was so good, I thought that I had to share it with you...it’s called Mildred’s and is nestled very safely right in the heart of Soho. In fact it’s on Lexington Street, number 45, to be exact! Lexington Street, which is slap bang wallop in the centre from Oxford Street, Berwick Street, Carnaby Street and Shaftsbury Avenue.

As a born and bred Londoner who loves to go off the beaten track and find obscure and unusual little gems, I was shocked that I had missed this one...On my trip to the bathroom they had a photo montage of the restaurants frontage so it’s not a new arrival, in fact I would put money on it having been there since the 80’s if not longer...in today’s current climate, I think that is testament to the quality of the restaurant to still be open today.

Whilst waiting for my friend I saw many people entering but very few people leaving...I was concerned that we wouldn’t actually get a table. For a long, narrow almost galley like restaurant they were able to seat us. The restaurant was constantly busy, an empty table never staying empty for long...the service was relaxed and the staff attentive but they did not intrude and they certainly didn’t rush us to leave, especially with it being so busy. It was a Monday night so lordy knows what a Friday or Saturday evening is like there!

Gordon Ramsay would be a happy boy as the menu didn’t read like an encyclopaedia but there was still enough on it for me to be torn in as many different directions as the location of the restaurant itself!!!

With such mouth-watering choices as chickpea and cauliflower tagine, sri Iankan sweet potato and cashew nut curry and Sunblushed tomato, mozzarella and basil risotto cake on offer they then go on to spoil you further with a daily specials board...stop already, it’s not fair! I’ve had a hard day at work; please don’t make my poor brain and taste buds work SO hard, lol!!!

My friend and I both coveted the same two dishes, so unsure whether to go for exactly the same dishes we ordered both, one each with a view to trying the others food. My friend plumped for the burrito, which was filled with spicy black turtle beans, corn, red pepper and green tomatillo rice, topped with spicy sauce and cheddar cheese served with iceberg lettuce, sour cream, guacamole and pico de gallo sauce. I went for one of the daily specials, Linguine with sun dried tomato, roasted red pepper & artichoke pesto.

Well what can I say??? The pesto sauce was like an explosion of flavours in my mouth and it’s got to be one of the nicest things I have eaten in a long, long time...In fact I have scratched around and found a blog with a similar recipe which I am going to make at some point. In case you are interested the recipe can be found here.

Farm Girl Fare...

My friend’s burrito was also delicious, very fresh flavours with the pico de gallo sauce having just enough kick to warm the mouth and then leave a lovely smoky after taste.

My appetite has shrunk recently so I wasn’t able to finish all of my pasta, so I got it to go and am finishing it tonight after swimming...I want to prolong the experience, lol! It was a shame though as we didn’t get to experience the dessert menu ;) The daily special was churros and organic chocolate sauce but it appeared that the poached pears, which I can’t seem to find on the regular menu, were a popular choice.

I notice on Mildred’s blog that they do a beetroot, fennel and dill burger, as one of their daily burgers...which is SO up my street...please don’t say I am going to have to stalk 45 Lexington Street for it to appear on the menu!!!

Thank you Mildred, I’ll be back!!!

Mildred can be found at 45 Lexington Street, London W1F 9AN. Telephone 020 7494 1634 Email info@mildreds.co.uk   Website  Mildreds...

Monday 2 September 2013

Inspirational Elements - Kate

My sense of jewellery style, as you will come to realise is quite eclectic...I might one day like something that is big, bright, vibrant and in your face the next I might favour the simple St Christopher pendant from my nanas jewellery box SO I am always looking at people whether they be sitting opposite me on the tube or celebrities for ideas and inspiration...

Like last week’s Inspirational Elements, I am kicking off this blog with famous people whose style I admire. This week my victim, lol! Is HRH The Duchess of Cambridge.


At only 31 Kate’s style has already been defined as something that is more obtainable than the royals we have previously been used to. I mean when was the last time you could get one of Diana’s frocks off the rail on the high street from the very same store that Kate got hers from??? Exactly...mores’ the pity mind you...


Kate’s jewellery has been very reserved as well. Having looked at lots of photos as research for this post I have noticed that her engagement ring is pretty much the key item in her jewellery box and most definitely a focal point. The bracelets and necklaces she wears are much understated in comparison. The reason for this, respect for her mother in law or is she just not big on jewellery, who really knows???


Lady Diana Spencer’s sapphire engagement ring looked a little out of place on her 19 year old hand. At the time, and as a young girl, I didn’t think anything of it, but some 29 years later and then finding its way onto Kate’s hand at 28 years, it somehow looked like it was very much at home and meant to be.


She often wears earrings which match the engagement ring; these are mostly worn on daytime engagements. Kate can often be seen wearing statement earrings for state occasions and premieres.


I particularly liked the Cartier 18k Trinity Necklace she teamed with the electric blue Stella McCartney dress when she opened an exhibition of Olympic art at The National Portrait Gallery last year. For Kate this was a real “in your eye” statement necklace, however, she still managed to keep it simple and in-keeping with the event and national mood at the time.


Kate has also been known in the past to wear pieces more accessible to our purses for example pieces designed by Lola Rose.


In the attached pictures I have collected my favourite pieces that Kate has worn in the last couple of years and as I say you can see that they are all very simple, non fussy and could be worn by anyone of us.







Kiki McDonough diamond hoop with open circle blue topaz dangle earrings. (pics 2 and 3)

Sapphire and 9ct diamond dangle earrings. (pic 4)

Diamond pendant earrings on loan from Queen Elizabeth (pic 5)

Gold bracelet with engraved C disc charm - Given by Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall to Catherine. (pic 6)

Tiffany & Co Bezel set diamond station bracelet (3 stone diamonds by the yard in sterling silver). (pic 7)

Asprey 167 button diamond pave pendant in 18k white gold (pic 8)

Lola Rose Carved Heart Pendant (pic 10)

Pre-engagement extra long pearl necklace (pic 12)