nigella or Sophie

I have found happiness in watching hours of snippets of nigella and Sophie, sharing shards of their lives and an intrusive full view of their kitchens. I look at every utensil they use. I notice the brands of their ingredients and google them while pausing my DVD. I have always loved Nigella and most of my cooking and baking is inspired by her confident, english rose style of cooking. Nigella does not opologise for using too much cream, or anything else for that matter. It's refreshing to find woman who do not feel the need to conform to what the masses request. I just read an article of the beautiful Ashwariya Rai. I never was much of a fan, preferring Kajol and a Rani Mukherjee, but I must admit I admire her grace and confidence in not being forced by media, to lose the weight gain after having a baby. And I am alarmed, although in hindsight, I should not be. Such is the thing of fame, one day you are the hero because you tick the boxes that a fickle population prescribes. And then there is my new favorite, Sophie Dahl, who is so calmingly beautiful in her Laissez faire way of cooking and living. It's not just about what she is making, it's in the bowl that she uses and the words she uses to describe making the dishes. It's almost invisible ingredients that has a wonderful effect on the freshly baked product. I have recently purchased her new recipe book, and ache to make her flour less chocolate cake. I am sure on you tube everything looks effortless, but I will attempt to do it Sophie Dahl style. I will wear beautiful clothes, and have beautifully made up eyes using my new Lisa cole body shop range. I will purchase vintage pots, and slightly eccentric bowls. And just for a few minutes I can pretend to be a domestic goddess.

A weekend to remember

There we were five very contrasting personalities in one promising car. Sam had picked me up first from work and I was waiting, ever so long and patiently for the day to arrive. A weekend away, with my best friend, her other best friend, a quiet little girl who organized a superb spa weekend away and my soon to be Bosom buddy. Firstly, there was endless banter, alliances were formed and a pretend war had started. We laughed all the way from pickup points, around scary bends, whilst eating burgers and pitas. We listened to music and intelligently discussed the size of Jessica's Simpsons bum, whether Justin Bieber was hot or not, and not forgetting a very anlalytical approach to deciphering boy sms language and usage of emoticons. On arrival we quickly settled in our quarters which was a cosy room with a double bed and sleeper couch. My best friend Tou is an organizer, and starts unpacking the food. It was enough to feed an army, an army like 300. And then chocolates are being opened and further boy analysing takes place. Sakeena (whom I had dubbed the "quiet one "but really was not) had organized for us to go on a horse ride. Horses who look so elegant and calm like in" Legends of the Fall", where Brad Pitt so effortless rides with his shoulder length hair blowing in the wind. It's all lies I tell you. Firstly you need to put on a hat,and it just makes you look like you have a disproportionate size head. Tou looked funnier with a colorful one clearly aimed at kids. Then when you eventually get on the horse, you need to try and stay on it. I swore I felt for a few moments I was at deaths door. Clearly over dramatic, but I swear. Incidentally that song by "All for One"played while having supper but I am now getting ahead of myself. These cute little boys guided us on the most scenic and calming of trails. Subsequently, getting off of the horse seemed more troublesome and I fell straight off onto my plentiful behind. Extra padding has its advantages. Supper itself was anticlimactic, but the conversation was girl packed with fun. Our other friends arrived later that eve. The day followed with spa treatments and relaxation. The eves ere filled with midnight feasts and pajama parties. My favorite part of most trips are the smaller insignificant parts like driving to a destination. It is filed with hope and anticipation. It's is so true, life is a journey, so enjoy the ride!