How To Eat | Book Review

Book Review: Simply Nigella by Nigella Lawson

Before I get into this, there something you should know: I'm in love with Nigella Lawson. Everything about the way she cooks and writes just speaks to my soul. Her attitude and ethos towards food has shaped my life more than any other author of cookery books. Or other genres if I'm being honest.
However, this like all book reviews I write has to be honest. So here goes:
In my opinion, there are 3 stages to reading a cookbook.

1. Looking at the pictures stage. If they don't make you want to dive in at once... #nobueno
2. Quick read of the chapter titles/introductions and other notes. Those provide insight into the mind of author.
3. Reading the book. 

I've marked certain recipes I think will be awesome (see stage 2) and will let you know how it goes in another post.

DIY - Under stairs Shelving Unit | Book of Elsa

It cost a lot less to make THIS than to buy new storage shelves from Ikea (hundreds less FYI). Not going to lie: it takes time. A lot of time. 2 weekends total. BUT the end product is fantastic and you have the satisfaction of owning something you built with your own hands.

Peace, xo

Book Haul | Book of Elsa

The Bees - Laline Paull

The Unfinished Symphony of You and Me - Lucy Robinson

The Martian - Andy Weir

Let's Talk About Periods - Book Of Elsa

It has come to my attention that I've had periods for fourteen years!

In all that time it is only just now that I've managed to get it under control. 

The first sight of my monthlies no longer induces sheer panic but more of a relief annoyance.

As it can be a bit scary time for teenager girls I thought a guide to periods would be most welcome.

I was way to embarrassed to want to talk about it. So here is some of my knowledge.

1. It will take a year or two for your cycle to become regular. sorry ladies but that's a fact. Mine actually took five years before I could predict when they would happen so always (and I cannot emphasise this point enough) carry a pad/tampon with you at all times. If however, you forget like me plenty of times at lets say a cinema. Go to the bathroom and ask a lady for one. She will understand and most likely help you.
2. Day one of a cycle is the 1st day of your period and your cycle last until the beggining of the next one which is between 28 to 30 days.
3. There are a wide variety of products on the market but I would suggest starting with pads.

Is Love Ever Enough - Book of Elsa

Is Love Ever Enough

As humans we have been spoilt: with food, with shelter, with ease. That has made us entitled to want everything else. AAAAND WHY NOT???

The world owes us right? We need to have our lives perfected an art of Kung Fu. Our men need to love us to death and respect us and be macho manly but secure in their own skin too. Ah. 

They need to be everything all the time otherwise what's the point? We can have it all! Wrong.

Relationships do not work that way, I've come to realise... It's all a game of give and take. Pass the parcel with hearts, minds and feelings; everyone is a player. Like it or not we all have skin in the game. And it's never enough. We keep chasing THE NEXT BEST shoes, house, boyfriend and for what?!

Book of Elsa 

Book Wishlist - 2015

Books on my Wishlist 

Probably will not end up reading all the books on my wishlist this year. I can tell you there are many, however these five are the ones I'm really looking forwarding to reading once I track them down (half the fun if I'm being completely honest)

 Extraordinary books are coming out every day/week thus it's only fair I read as many as possible right? 

Also, please don't feel like you have to buy books! Public libraries do fantastic work with their stock, and it's FREE!!! So, without further ado....

Leftovers - Book of Elsa

Leftovers - Book of Elsa 

leftovers aren't used in my recipes so much as that for me they are a way of life. Living without tubs, bowls and plates of cling covered delights ready to eat at a moments notice doesn't just make good financial sense it also makes perfect sense because even though I love food and adore cooking; some days even I can't face the hob and believe me there is nothing one despises more than cooking because one has to. Cooking out of pure greed is my idea of heaven, baking as a way to bond with family and friends even better but somehow when time and other commitments come into play (which is most days) I buckle. 

Hence leftovers...Below is a photograph of some tomato salad I had after a party that got spruced up with an avocado and eggs but honestly it is a case of whatever happens to be in the fridge goes, there are 365 days a year and we have to eat. Snobbery has no place here. 

XO

Prayer - Book Of Elsa

Felling a fraction of the lost 148 souls departed too soon;

I sat crying as pictures came on the screen of shot up and exploded class rooms. 

Men with automatic weapons went into a school, same as the one I attended (and I suspect you attended) and opened fire.

The pain in parents eyes as they now get to bury their children touches close to my own heart. 

I pray that no one need ever feel such loss again, 

I pray The Lord to invite into Heaven 148 souls tonight; because that is all that I can do for them now. 

Please, Please let us be kinder with each other for enough blood has been spilled.

Book Of Elsa 

Insomnia - Maya Angelou

Insomnia

There are some nights when

sleep plays coy,

aloof and disdainful.

And all the wiles

that I employ to win

its service to my side

are useless as wounded pride,

and much more painful.

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives - LOLA SHONEYIN

The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives by LOLA SHONEYIN

I'm going to keep this brief. I'm entranced. MUST READ NOW!

Elsa

xo

Untitled - Book Of Elsa

Untitled

I am not finished... an incomplete poster child.

Untitled work of art or is it work of war?

Drew a line in the sand, the monster followed my soul 

Ran and ran woke up screaming the monster by my bed

All my twisted thoughts and cannot bring myself to say it

I love this monster, really I do. He's mine.

I've grown with him so go get your own

I try to battle, but fight is futile he's won. Always and Forever.

One of us must die; I fear it'll be him.

Then he'll know peace and I'll be all alone

So here I am on this early morn trying to decide

Am I an act of war or a work of art?

Book of Elsa

Autumn Inspirations

Autumn Inspirations

Literally dying for all things autumn! This time of year is a fave

Here are some of the things on my fall #wishlist

Candles, Candles and more Candles

This coat from ZARA is awesome, it gives me so much Kardashian chic in a good way. Perfect for my body shape and it's ridiculously soft. The colour goes with every  I own... mostly black and white stuff but if ever I introduce colour to my wardrobe (as if) I'll make it work too.

Books!!!

Themed Jumpers.... Gotta love it guys #dontjudgeme

and of course Pumpkins, I mean look how cute these are.....