Knitting Projects

Back on the knitting again! Just completed fingerless gloves in Rowan Tapestry (made in flat pieces so easypeasy). Blue stitching was replaced with pink to tone in as I was feeling fussy. Now started chunky scarf in Rowan Big Wool for better half. Scarf is recycled from my first ever project, a shapeless, lumpy and functionless knitted 'rug'.

Cooking Book Heaven

The first of a series of lists, (I am slightly obsessed by lists). Best and most favourite cookery books. I buy a lot of cookery books and then only use a few, I'm afraid.

FRENCH

Chocolate and Zucchini by Clotilde Dusoulier and How to Cook by Ginette Mathiot. French cooking is much simpler and healthier than most people think. It's all about good ingredients.

GENERAL

How to Eat by Nigella Lawson and The Action Cookbook by Len Deighton. Both of these are fun and inspiring and have food you really want to eat in them.

BAKING

How to be a Domestic Goddess by Nigella Lawson and Exceptional Cakes by Dan Lepard. Nigella's baking tastes great but often looks weird, Dan's is tricky but surpassingly delicious.

Hooray for Bollywood!

I've always wanted to watch more Bollywood films, even after being mystified by some interminable historical epic as a child. All I remember from it was a song called 'You're beautiful when you're angry' sung by a man clinging to a fast moving chariot being whipped by the girl on the moving vehicle...bizarre. I've recently seen and enjoyed some of the more European/ised films such as Bride and Prejudice (really fun), Monsoon Wedding (grittier) and the brilliant Slumdog Millionare. But now I am totally blown away by real full on Bollywood in the glorious form of Om Shanti Om, a three hour extravaganza or murder, reincarnation, revenge and jaw dropping musical numbers set in the world of..er...Bollywood. What shall I watch now? How much hot pink can you really wear and where do you learn that dancing?

Home Sweet Home

Ok, so I trained as an Interior Designer, but you don't always want to Live with the more wacky interiors ideas. Following years of experimentation/living in complete pits I bring you my guide to liveable interiors. (I also ought to warn you I am very much of the 70s Habitat generation rather than the 80s pink bathroom suite, festoon blind generation). First bit is boring...go for neutrals like beige/brown/cream in carpets, walls and big items like sofas (btw I HATE leather sofas they are so cold and sticky, buy a comfy sofa for God's sake). Bright or dark coloured walls will make the rooms seem poky and dim, low key colours like soft aquas, yellows, beiges, pinks are nice. Avoid light blue and green as they will give you a cold, institutional vibe. Go groovy with fun lighting and cushions, pictures and lots of plants for a relaxed 70s type feel. My favourite interors inspiartion books are the Terence Conran House Books, http://designmuseum.org/design/terence-conran one 70s, one 80s which analyse different styles and looks from International Glamour to Moroccan Bohemian so you can get a feel for what you like. Most magazines are either naff or tacky but old copies of Wallpaper are fun and outrageous if you can find them. http://www.wallpaper.com/ The only good places to buy interiors stuff seem to be John Lewis, Habitat and Ikea. If you are brave, charity shops sometimes have unusual furniture and are great for bizarre knick-knacks.

Fashion thoughts 2010

By the way, what ARE we calling this decade, is it the Noughties? Fashion trends I would like to continue are: purple, chunky knitwear, knitted dresses and bright nailvarnish (I just bought Opi's Purple with a Purpose) .http://www.opi.com/ Opi also offers 'match your nails and your emails' co-ordinated lap-tops!

Trends I would like to die a long and horrible death include hair straighteners, spike heeled shoes and shoe-boots, micro-minis and fake tan. I have a strange craving for silver eyeshadow also. My random predictions/hopes for '10, assuming the 80s revival continues, are for lots of red and pink, metallic make-up, big hair and patent. I'm wondering with a new decade if we should be going with a 60s Courreges futuristic space girl type look... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andr%C3%A9_Courr%C3%A8ges