tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76454373248993250942024-03-13T10:53:54.859+00:00Bluefinch Boutique<a href="http://www.bluefinchboutique.com">www.bluefinchboutique.com</a>Jenny @ Sunday Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227270053177918453noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645437324899325094.post-34723397384199179702013-04-30T13:39:00.000+01:002013-04-30T13:39:07.188+01:00New Vintage Jewellery in Bluefinch BoutiqueLots of delicious new jewels recently arrived at <a href="http://bluefinchboutique.com/" target="_blank">Bluefinch Boutique</a> and some have already been incorporated into pretty designs. Here are a few of the brand new pieces of handmade vintage jewellery currently gracing our shelves:<br />
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<img alt="Tilly Mint Vintage Jade Green Bracelet" border="0" height="400" src="http://bluefinchboutique.com/images/uploads/Tilly_Mint_Vintage_Gold_bracelet_(500x500).jpg" title="Tilly Mint Vintage Jade Green Bracelet" width="400" /></div>
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<a href="http://bluefinchboutique.com/images/uploads/Lotus_Flower_Vintage_Ring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://bluefinchboutique.com/images/uploads/Lotus_Flower_Vintage_Ring.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://bluefinchboutique.com/images/uploads/IMG_8986_(500x500).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://bluefinchboutique.com/images/uploads/IMG_8986_(500x500).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://bluefinchboutique.com/images/uploads/Blue_Lagoon_Vintage_Ring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://bluefinchboutique.com/images/uploads/Blue_Lagoon_Vintage_Ring.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Lots of existing stock is on its way out to make room for all the new <a href="http://bluefinchboutique.com/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=52" target="_blank">handmade vintage jewellery</a> and accessories arriving shortly so if you see something you like in our <a href="http://bluefinchboutique.com/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=54" target="_blank">sale</a>, chances are it won't be coming back when it's gone! </div>
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Jenny @ Sunday Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227270053177918453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645437324899325094.post-88777807954490044352013-02-06T08:30:00.000+00:002013-02-06T08:30:03.713+00:00Valentine's Giveaway!<div style="text-align: justify;">
In celebration of Bluefinch Boutique's new range of '<a href="http://www.bluefinchboutique.com/" target="_blank">Love Letters</a>' jewellery, we are offering a spectacular Valentine's themed giveaway!</div>
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One lucky winner will win...</div>
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1. A 'Love Letters' necklace, stamped with any initial(s) of their choice. The winner will get to choose from a gold or silver-plated necklace and can pick either a double heart with two stamped letters...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04buaZNNVPnC4qL32EeMSiQFV4FBH8Wk3GMiE1dcuXMDe2f-tAQ9tjpFWPqKizZpXfQT3ICDJLAJsL0vOY0HpbE3VrFrPHmxrhUj7PlzNfQCXIZCuj2Ma9msZp0t6yw0F0myvv2EpVH3k/s1600/love+letters+double+heart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04buaZNNVPnC4qL32EeMSiQFV4FBH8Wk3GMiE1dcuXMDe2f-tAQ9tjpFWPqKizZpXfQT3ICDJLAJsL0vOY0HpbE3VrFrPHmxrhUj7PlzNfQCXIZCuj2Ma9msZp0t6yw0F0myvv2EpVH3k/s320/love+letters+double+heart.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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...or a single heart with one stamped letter if you prefer</div>
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2. A set of four heart measuring spoons to put a little love into your baking</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLXVRhZVGfRIOcO_iGNIPFLZksnUiMkqb-WxsK3klRKXunsG0RI1ft86RPwVSPjmIrfIxtSI23XHpb6A-ByVqNrp2-1BJo0oxQjoGnf18JO-iXHvHAlVf3MXENwYz6QY8K9_MfGufTbRY/s1600/lovespoons+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLXVRhZVGfRIOcO_iGNIPFLZksnUiMkqb-WxsK3klRKXunsG0RI1ft86RPwVSPjmIrfIxtSI23XHpb6A-ByVqNrp2-1BJo0oxQjoGnf18JO-iXHvHAlVf3MXENwYz6QY8K9_MfGufTbRY/s320/lovespoons+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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3. A heart ice cube tray to add some pretty to your cocktails</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2ry9snWnS1V1BhVH0DWWCdrN0Fl62sCW2BTyli_BPOsvo4VMqCtxTvI7l7DBez5l7LrZWX8S8SD4jXtRukEPlkeL3_emUcJldB75mcTI2mlZmS6W52ON5v0lGXmSi01ikk6wJXP-x_wl/s1600/kitchen-heartcubes+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2ry9snWnS1V1BhVH0DWWCdrN0Fl62sCW2BTyli_BPOsvo4VMqCtxTvI7l7DBez5l7LrZWX8S8SD4jXtRukEPlkeL3_emUcJldB75mcTI2mlZmS6W52ON5v0lGXmSi01ikk6wJXP-x_wl/s320/kitchen-heartcubes+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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4. A 'Lovebirds' hanging tea light holder</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6f-p46Zhn6kZNtFgvDd7AknXomx_U9WrZxwfbXGc2ZDmJQ318JkeXjHS8pL5ddjLUH5y0gnSOR9ZX0NdpDq7qracmoHXSgwZ3T8UDkXqNuS0xPf0Fk6Z0PwHql-GwqMdbUAQ1ado2TETe/s1600/wall-creambirds1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6f-p46Zhn6kZNtFgvDd7AknXomx_U9WrZxwfbXGc2ZDmJQ318JkeXjHS8pL5ddjLUH5y0gnSOR9ZX0NdpDq7qracmoHXSgwZ3T8UDkXqNuS0xPf0Fk6Z0PwHql-GwqMdbUAQ1ado2TETe/s320/wall-creambirds1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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5. An adorable heart ring made from an authentic 1960s vintage ceramic heart</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNg-nZHBgG36BEHtTZAF6lcLHJM4Q-XR1Ymy0_DVPz_v-YYE2mbl-N6NQ_EBKrnd2Jj0AEzsh2OwGbyAb6nv9SpH_5VpU9NTaezBo4ZAL9dkK2VPJD-cy7DtzGltwcWMccbItOp8rOQ0n/s1600/IMG_8369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNg-nZHBgG36BEHtTZAF6lcLHJM4Q-XR1Ymy0_DVPz_v-YYE2mbl-N6NQ_EBKrnd2Jj0AEzsh2OwGbyAb6nv9SpH_5VpU9NTaezBo4ZAL9dkK2VPJD-cy7DtzGltwcWMccbItOp8rOQ0n/s320/IMG_8369.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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To win this fantastic giveaway, all you have to do is:</div>
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a) Follow <a href="https://twitter.com/_Bluefinch_" target="_blank">@_bluefinch_</a> on Twitter</div>
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b) Re-tweet any of the competition tweets that will be tweeted regularly by <a href="https://twitter.com/_Bluefinch_" target="_blank">@_bluefinch_</a> starting from Wednesday 6th February. You can enter up to five times by re-tweeting on five separate days.<br />
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Giveaway Rules</div>
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<li>You can enter up to five times by re-tweeting competition tweets on the five separate days the giveaway is running. Likewise, if you re-tweet on four days, you will earn four entries, on three days for three entries etc.</li>
<li>Due to postage, the prizes can only be posted to a UK address.</li>
<li>The closing date is Monday 11th February at 12:00 midday. A winner will be drawn at random and will be notified on Twitter. </li>
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Good luck!<br />
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Jenny</div>
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<br />Jenny @ Sunday Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227270053177918453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645437324899325094.post-9021165779312992162013-01-24T16:47:00.000+00:002013-01-24T16:50:23.159+00:00Sneak peek of a new design...I just wanted to share a little preview of the new necklaces arriving at <a href="http://www.bluefinchboutique.com/" target="_blank">Bluefinch Boutique</a> next week...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHdlry9v9D9bJyWEq-_SkVbOuZmmyuh1Z1v42Ma3lsMKyRQW3-DdleCkawr1UeamIobSfrhO8yb5JD5X7joYpHrGDvupDnKZALXxh7PVuDmgNVTQJWwbXQ3LY84jHQXCBLTMxj5KpMz_3/s640/blogger-image-1118851731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHdlry9v9D9bJyWEq-_SkVbOuZmmyuh1Z1v42Ma3lsMKyRQW3-DdleCkawr1UeamIobSfrhO8yb5JD5X7joYpHrGDvupDnKZALXxh7PVuDmgNVTQJWwbXQ3LY84jHQXCBLTMxj5KpMz_3/s320/blogger-image-1118851731.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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They are going to be available in gold or silver and can be personalised with any two letters. I also have some single hearts coming but I think these little double hearts are my favourite so far. </div>
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There will be a giveaway to celebrate the new designs so make sure you're following <a href="https://twitter.com/_Bluefinch_" target="_blank">@_bluefinch_</a> on Twitter to be kept up to date! </div>
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Jenny</div>
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Jenny @ Sunday Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227270053177918453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645437324899325094.post-38375039110790729202013-01-02T17:53:00.000+00:002013-01-02T19:03:41.184+00:00Bluefinch Boutique in 2013<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hello and Happy New Year! I hope you have sufficiently recovered from the excesses of the festive period and are feeling positive and excited about the year ahead...I know I am! </div>
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2012 was a huge year for Bluefinch Boutique. It was the year I first got my handmade jewellery into some wonderful stockists around the north west and was the year when I could actually see the business providing me with a living. I've only been trading since late 2011 and the shop is a bit of a hotch-potch of products and styles at the moment. My plans for 2012 include streamlining the items and styles I sell, and adding lots more up-cycled and vintage jewellery. My biggest sellers of 2012 were all vintage or vintage-inspired so I will definitely be adding more along these lines in 2013.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6cHgQj5eU1-v13ups55yc9tpP8NkpaXcaAzqES4VU6xo86EgNMmOjccLfCGxs7Iqb3yijgJbL6NO1AwG65510oOni7kElA4tIxdBPwcKetk83h3cz_K7qS4r5CZhjwkJWQVT9V4UzFx0V/s1600/bluefinch+background+-+thank+you.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6cHgQj5eU1-v13ups55yc9tpP8NkpaXcaAzqES4VU6xo86EgNMmOjccLfCGxs7Iqb3yijgJbL6NO1AwG65510oOni7kElA4tIxdBPwcKetk83h3cz_K7qS4r5CZhjwkJWQVT9V4UzFx0V/s320/bluefinch+background+-+thank+you.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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I just wanted to start the new year by thanking everyone who has supported me and Bluefinch on our little journey so far, whether by buying from me or one of my stockists, by bigging me up me on Twitter or Facebook, by reading this blog or in any of the other countless ways I've received support!</div>
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I've also recently started a new blog, <a href="http://anothersundaygirl.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Sunday Girl</a>. I wanted to separate the business and the personal a little so while this blog will continue to focus on store news, giveaways and new products, <a href="http://anothersundaygirl.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Sunday Girl</a> will be full of...well, me. Please pop over and say hello!</div>
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Jenny</div>
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Jenny @ Sunday Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227270053177918453noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645437324899325094.post-38193415314992970742012-11-26T10:30:00.000+00:002012-11-26T10:30:22.799+00:00Triple Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix In A Jar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienM3IM7IYTJBs8PoPi4V6j20pU7Nqto-u1f6I9VTCAKpF0vHd41vjw0B208PDeewA_KkZW_foJbY0uHAhMtyG6V-Cw4c16_Q5MfmN1s5H67dtSArvQz3kBXAkMjhe13_BnJuXhtetlkTJ/s1600/cookie+mix+in+a+jar+recipe+santa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienM3IM7IYTJBs8PoPi4V6j20pU7Nqto-u1f6I9VTCAKpF0vHd41vjw0B208PDeewA_KkZW_foJbY0uHAhMtyG6V-Cw4c16_Q5MfmN1s5H67dtSArvQz3kBXAkMjhe13_BnJuXhtetlkTJ/s320/cookie+mix+in+a+jar+recipe+santa.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm a big fan of giving and receiving Christmas gifts that can be used up, whether that's eaten, drunk, poured into a bath or spent. Unless I know someone wants something very specific, I always try to give them something I know they will be able to use up and won't have to keep lying around the house for years to come. Last year, I gave several friends and relatives homemade jars of cookie mix as part of their present. They went down really, really well so I'm doing a few more this year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After trawling the Internet for hours last year trying to find the perfect cookie-in-a-jar recipe, I ended up combining a couple and adjusting the quantities to perfectly fit the 750ml jars I had. The recipe below will fill this size jar perfectly and you can easily increase the quantities of each ingredient by, say, 25% to fit litre jars.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course, you have to do a trial run of the cookies, just to make sure they're good enough to give out as gifts...that's my excuse, anyway. I don't like 'hard' cookies, so when I sampled the recipe, I baked the cookies for 10 minutes which gave a lovely, soft chewy texture. If you like them more crunchy, bake for a few minutes longer until they're just right for you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Triple-Chocolate-Chip-Cookie-Mix-In-A-Jar Recipe</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fills one 750 ml jar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">60g white chocolate chips</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">60g dark chocolate chips</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">60g milk chocolate chips</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">15g Rice Krispies </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">150g plain flour</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Half tsp of bicarbonate of soda</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Quarter tsp of baking powder</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">80g dark brown soft sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">75g caster sugar</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">30g porridge oats</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Layer the ingredients into your jar in any order you like, but see the tip below on the brown sugar.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Attach a label to your jar with the following instructions:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Triple <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17.600000381469727px;">Chocolate Chip Cookies</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17.600000381469727px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Makes 24 small or 12 enormous cookies</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17.600000381469727px;">1. Preheat oven to 180 C / Gas 4.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17.600000381469727px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17.600000381469727px;">2. In a large bowl, cream 75g of butter or margarine</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17.600000381469727px;"> until light and fluffy. Mix in 1 egg and 1 additional egg yolk. Add the contents of the jar and stir until well blended.</span></div>
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3. Dollop spoonfuls of the mixture onto a baking tray.</div>
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4. Bake for 10 minutes for a soft, chewy cookie, or a couple of minutes longer for a crunchier cookie. Remove from baking trays to cool on wire racks.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tips on filling your jar</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Obviously, you want the jars to look pretty but I found it a lot harder than it looks to get perfectly neat layers! I just spooned the different ingredients into the jar and levelled them out as best I could. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One thing I do recommend, is to mix the brown and white sugars together before adding them to the jar. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAH0uJP5GAi7Tq73X-gD4E5TYxSBJcSmtrc5bFDfMX7iFX0tBjCONRdlS1LXU3AJqmx7LrSm1-53cA3fMhyphenhyphenq-KzPUimPL4N9WJ8tu-36UJY3MeTtmfB2cdxSBEg5vPloyDgQyKP26ZvFwQ/s1600/brown+%2526+white+sugar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAH0uJP5GAi7Tq73X-gD4E5TYxSBJcSmtrc5bFDfMX7iFX0tBjCONRdlS1LXU3AJqmx7LrSm1-53cA3fMhyphenhyphenq-KzPUimPL4N9WJ8tu-36UJY3MeTtmfB2cdxSBEg5vPloyDgQyKP26ZvFwQ/s320/brown+%2526+white+sugar.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dark brown sugar has a tendency to harden and I read lots of comments on other cookie jar recipes from people who found they had to hack away at the brown sugar layer to get it out the jar! Mixing the two certainly worked for me, and a jar I kept back for a couple of months was fine when I came to use it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Decorate your jar any way you like - I keep things simple with a length of ribbon and a customised gift tag. Those retro style card luggage tags you can buy in stationery shops for pennies are perfect as they're big enough to write the baking instructions on! </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">P.S How cute are my Santa and polar bear? We had an almost identical Santa when I was a toddler in the 80s and I loved him. I was delighted when I saw this 2012 version in M & S and had to have him and his polar bear friend. Tacky, you say? Absolutely :-)</span></div>
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Jenny @ Sunday Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227270053177918453noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645437324899325094.post-31473096287637591452012-11-15T08:00:00.000+00:002012-11-15T08:00:06.794+00:00Cruelty-free hair!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hello! It's been way too long since my last post but I wanted to share my latest cruelty-free finds with you. I wrote a bit about my quest to only ever buy cruelty-free products back in <a href="http://bluefinchboutique.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/its-easier-than-you-think-to-go-cruelty.html" target="_blank">May</a> and thought it was time for an update. And as we can't talk about cruelty-free without a gratuitous cute bunny shot, here you go:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpf56eWUFWci5xGp79AgCy7ziKWMUx3VKsvKMNCgsmXrw91gD5m1dljxq3KfFYATt5KSlxHxYisOPL4sIUUyZbTArrkuYYf6DHw_O7SRfknUxCRY0-CG00c0ZGf7SVlMMDcieHLjVy0Y/s1600/cute+bunny+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpf56eWUFWci5xGp79AgCy7ziKWMUx3VKsvKMNCgsmXrw91gD5m1dljxq3KfFYATt5KSlxHxYisOPL4sIUUyZbTArrkuYYf6DHw_O7SRfknUxCRY0-CG00c0ZGf7SVlMMDcieHLjVy0Y/s320/cute+bunny+012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Cruelty-free make-up and, increasingly, toiletries are fairly easy to find but I've always struggled with quality hair-care products. Supermarket own-brand shampoos and conditioners (see <a href="http://www.co-operative.coop/">Co-op</a> and <a href="http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/sol/index.jsp">Sainsbury's</a> own labels for super-cheap cruelty-free products) tend to be cheap and relatively low on quality. While these are fine for 'normal' hair, my long, heat-damaged, dehydrated hair doesn't do well with these basic products. Step in, <a href="http://uk.lizearle.com/">Liz Earle</a>. </div>
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For some reason, I'd never purchased any Liz Earle products until a few months, ago. I have to be honest and admit that this is partly because I vaguely remembered Liz as a reporter on GMTV in the 90s and I found her intensely irritating at the time. Well, I decided it was time to forgive and forget and I finally lost my Liz Earle virginity by heading into John Lewis and purchasing this shampoo...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://uk.lizearle.com/media/catalog/product/cache/2/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/b/o/botanical-shine-shampoo-200ml-tube-med.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://uk.lizearle.com/media/catalog/product/cache/2/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/b/o/botanical-shine-shampoo-200ml-tube-med.jpg" width="165" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liz Earle Botanical Shine Shampoo £8.50</td></tr>
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this conditioner...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liz Earle Botanical Shine Conditioner £8.50</td></tr>
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and this shine treatment...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Liz Earle Botanical Shine Treatment £14</td></tr>
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My verdict?<br />
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The shampoo = awesome. Liz has a customer for life there. You only need to use a teeny, tiny dollop and it lathers up beautifully, leaving your hair feeling squeaky-clean and happy.</div>
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The conditioner = awesome. Again, you don't need to use all that much compared to other brands and although it doesn't feel that 'conditioning' while you're applying it, your hair will feel lovely and soft once you've rinsed it off. </div>
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The Shine treatment = meh. Maybe it just wasn't a good match for my hair but this was the only product I didn't love. It's OK, and I'd consider buying it again to use on a beach holiday, maybe, or if my hair was looking particularly dull. I didn't actually find this did much more for my hair than the conditioner did so it wasn't worth the £14 to me.</div>
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At the cheaper end of the market, Superdrug have recently expanded their hair-care range and now offer shampoo and conditioners which are their version of Pantene Pro-V. Pantene is made by the most definitely NOT animal-friendly Proctor and Gamble so I was pleased to try a similar product from a kinder company.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Superdrug Pro-Vitamin Conditioner £2.29</td></tr>
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I was pleasantly surprised by this shampoo and conditioner. It left my hair nice and soft and the scent is lovely. Proper old-school clean hair smell! I bought the Thermal Protect shampoo and conditioner but they also offer 'Normal', 'Extra- Shine' and 'Volume'. I will definitely be buying this again and thoroughly recommend it if you're on a budget as the bottles are BIG and it lasts for ages. I also recommend it if you want to instantly be transported back to your childhood, sitting on the sofa on a Sunday evening, smelling of shampoo and bubble bath, full from a roast dinner and waiting for You've Been Framed to come on. Or Songs of Praise if you were more highbrow than I was.</div>
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Last, but not least, my final cruelty-free hair care find is <a href="http://www.tarasmith.com/">Tara Smith</a>. I'd never heard of Tara but on a recent trip to the ginormous new Marks and Spencer near Cheshire Oaks on the outskirts of Chester (if you're in the north-west and haven't been yet, go. Even if you don't like M & S, just go. It's amazing. Even my retail-therapy-hating boyfriend loves it) I spied a display of her pretty bottles. I was so excited when I picked up one of said bottles and it turned out her products were BUAV approved and 100% cruelty-free *squeal*.</div>
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I thought I'd just try the serum to start with, reasoning that if I liked it, I would simply HAVE to come back to the world's greatest M&S to buy up the rest of the range. I've only used the serum twice so far and I like it very much. A little goes a very long way and it leaves my hair looking smooth and healthy. It feels very rich and luxurious and not at all sticky like some serums tend to. The bottle is pretty funky too:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tara Smith Base Coat Serum £14</td></tr>
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The full range includes shampoos, conditioners, styling products and some nifty little <a href="http://www.marksandspencer.com/Tara-Smith-Shine-Tool-Kit/dp/B004ZAW0UE?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_11&nodeId=2050615031&sr=1-11&qid=1352928983&pf_rd_r=1FN6Z74QPVVP9RH58G0G&pf_rd_m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=2050615031&pf_rd_p=321381387&pf_rd_s=related-items-3">kits</a>, each designed for a specific hair type. I will be dropping some heavy hints and hoping to find a selection of Tara Smith goodies in my Christmas stocking this year.</div>
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Have you tried any of these products, or do you know of any other cruelty-free hair-care ranges? If so, I'd love to hear from you, as would my parched locks :-)</div>
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Jenny</div>
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Jenny @ Sunday Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227270053177918453noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645437324899325094.post-32253778912931675202012-09-24T14:31:00.001+01:002012-09-24T19:09:49.944+01:00What I did on my holidays<div style="text-align: justify;">
The title is a bit misleading as I didn't actually do anything at all except eat, drink, sleep and swim. After a hectic few months of running <a href="http://www.bluefinchboutique.com/" target="_blank">Bluefinch Boutique</a> as well as contracting in a demanding full-time job, I was more than ready for a fortnight of rest and relaxation and that is exactly what I got, bar several messy 5am cocktail sessions. (But I blame them on a lovely north Wales couple we were introduced to by a mutual Turkish friend. They practically MADE us stay up drinking all night.)</div>
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My boyfriend and I holidayed in Kalkan, which is on the Turquoise Coast of Turkey. This was our 5th time there and while I never thought I'd be the sort of person to keep going back to the same place, it's so perfect and we have so many lovely friends there that it's hard not to! I thought I'd share some of my favourite holidays snaps so you can see for yourself how beautiful this part of the Turkish coast is...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bench with a view</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kalkan boats</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_aFHDFuDGm4MS9_NospGA90BwCrP27IK3X-pT_8z3h-9DWRL5ZZD8XrvLhoNRe8Sy2DcXymJ_kXwDOylOn57JNIDXHmkabJtmSCoITtniUyUUosxtZC4FJJMSOQjoMUA_2pTdhQvlYNDr/s1600/kalkan+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_aFHDFuDGm4MS9_NospGA90BwCrP27IK3X-pT_8z3h-9DWRL5ZZD8XrvLhoNRe8Sy2DcXymJ_kXwDOylOn57JNIDXHmkabJtmSCoITtniUyUUosxtZC4FJJMSOQjoMUA_2pTdhQvlYNDr/s320/kalkan+10.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't you love those pics you take yourselves with an outstretched arm?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmnoXqSpQQHYpqPfbeZlFU2p43YJkCVKQFdOifcZpEpUusyIhk-XROdRTxf9174X3pP-5SaDmzP-YPo-wd7q71EGQTpZY5MkU-1jHOQwxw5CqX-do2a3QFbr8nXzniDiJmixmK_A3v07cD/s1600/kalkan+bowl+cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmnoXqSpQQHYpqPfbeZlFU2p43YJkCVKQFdOifcZpEpUusyIhk-XROdRTxf9174X3pP-5SaDmzP-YPo-wd7q71EGQTpZY5MkU-1jHOQwxw5CqX-do2a3QFbr8nXzniDiJmixmK_A3v07cD/s320/kalkan+bowl+cat.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cat in a bowl</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKFTytNz63quEqjxFl8Rqs_bs7RCmObDnz2cmgzctcVZ4qFYS8VDFvLW6S-VEEs99-qQ8HAYreP_kyEruYuyJAkJtHWLEzl18Ik8mrhoKKaoxxHKR_ATFJE7yNuxDILj_X24rJOvSlDwn/s1600/kalkan+dirt+track.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKFTytNz63quEqjxFl8Rqs_bs7RCmObDnz2cmgzctcVZ4qFYS8VDFvLW6S-VEEs99-qQ8HAYreP_kyEruYuyJAkJtHWLEzl18Ik8mrhoKKaoxxHKR_ATFJE7yNuxDILj_X24rJOvSlDwn/s320/kalkan+dirt+track.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, in a hurry to get to the beach club</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UKk-C9RU2FoCwXr4rMl_b20ISm8BF8xsxYg2IIRB8MeTLJ2hALvoLiqNX4HlyDfENIwYBPGLbv65REOut8aSoqVCcWxMVRKJ_SUgpiLxmEuPSQcJlV3Xx3h7bKXj8iSSfmyssHOekZyR/s1600/kalkan+flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UKk-C9RU2FoCwXr4rMl_b20ISm8BF8xsxYg2IIRB8MeTLJ2hALvoLiqNX4HlyDfENIwYBPGLbv65REOut8aSoqVCcWxMVRKJ_SUgpiLxmEuPSQcJlV3Xx3h7bKXj8iSSfmyssHOekZyR/s320/kalkan+flower.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kalkan flower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWQlHd0OZQv9F45GabkdEo0FD7DP175BBx-D3rjjr0B3itNKGDl5cBOaYPtWG9lXrG7yUCe9jXRxPve2nUgI4qc-K4UARJBPORI0ncSZGtQNUmTVVV_MFCnDGZgng1pLecXQGcUr-qZXq/s1600/kalkan+lanterns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFWQlHd0OZQv9F45GabkdEo0FD7DP175BBx-D3rjjr0B3itNKGDl5cBOaYPtWG9lXrG7yUCe9jXRxPve2nUgI4qc-K4UARJBPORI0ncSZGtQNUmTVVV_MFCnDGZgng1pLecXQGcUr-qZXq/s320/kalkan+lanterns.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turkish lanterns outside a Kalkan shop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTIhK8CjOeg82Pnfzgcpg-mIHJvT_sBwq0RFgwkVMUYC5SNYqjV9uVBBo6cmYQB7IZvw3Udy3MjCq2emLUKN4siByRQTRcqRCmzTtJP4sACW620__QLN4iuXUlPUiFGHgAsjFSOJTo0J3/s1600/kalkan+me.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyTIhK8CjOeg82Pnfzgcpg-mIHJvT_sBwq0RFgwkVMUYC5SNYqjV9uVBBo6cmYQB7IZvw3Udy3MjCq2emLUKN4siByRQTRcqRCmzTtJP4sACW620__QLN4iuXUlPUiFGHgAsjFSOJTo0J3/s320/kalkan+me.JPG" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fondness for cocktails requires big glasses the next morning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNb8TENvn9ZGy-2crZt7KJ_4FfocRvIBOgDzsBdzesSuhiVM0rggejZAFe5_WdI8g7Dk7pWwK_QyxKqYtRlehDwM9hS3vNnyBoQDRZcdAau89mThT2FLBJbMfQxG_OjtF4cKo3N4G22Dq/s1600/kalkan+mahal+beach+club+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNb8TENvn9ZGy-2crZt7KJ_4FfocRvIBOgDzsBdzesSuhiVM0rggejZAFe5_WdI8g7Dk7pWwK_QyxKqYtRlehDwM9hS3vNnyBoQDRZcdAau89mThT2FLBJbMfQxG_OjtF4cKo3N4G22Dq/s320/kalkan+mahal+beach+club+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mahal Beach Club, voted most romantic place in Europe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_md53WBwFfFzY9zoh-74_H3oGUfp4BrsRrt9j7rQQCt7VVkbaR1nJyDMshksBi2c5gfzxGBcdWK2tTC2da-kA3RQfLRuhiTJ3dNfthPLn1wPtgnay9tVnRA1L9hrGBbyYijsAcbbKn0y/s1600/kalkan+mahal+beach+club+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_md53WBwFfFzY9zoh-74_H3oGUfp4BrsRrt9j7rQQCt7VVkbaR1nJyDMshksBi2c5gfzxGBcdWK2tTC2da-kA3RQfLRuhiTJ3dNfthPLn1wPtgnay9tVnRA1L9hrGBbyYijsAcbbKn0y/s320/kalkan+mahal+beach+club+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More of that Mahal romance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAr_B-NVlHhSyL0_vnrnspv30dMY4SSLHk0E_TLeubam8mmKCTFU6_2cClF5e9dYnjwuV9oRKyQ-QofXEGTovmFvDVwXDLOwIjMuAOfe0dgyBD3xcRbjvz2szVEDiwBCK-G9RpLqWhNlR0/s1600/kalkan+mahal+beach+club.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAr_B-NVlHhSyL0_vnrnspv30dMY4SSLHk0E_TLeubam8mmKCTFU6_2cClF5e9dYnjwuV9oRKyQ-QofXEGTovmFvDVwXDLOwIjMuAOfe0dgyBD3xcRbjvz2szVEDiwBCK-G9RpLqWhNlR0/s320/kalkan+mahal+beach+club.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from my Mahal sun lounger</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnAUP3lcE_X8Voupu5yL7MbwoVP2JZ8Tx_7BmnaSnMJbtgtd7dQCeBc5YnsXK40bV5Jn2R4OJIXi4K9GBY_ILoHmXj60hRS9HyWUq0bPiEb1wN-IdJa_A-EwKSn-lLX4faWm6Y1CixrII/s1600/kalkan+pomegranates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRnAUP3lcE_X8Voupu5yL7MbwoVP2JZ8Tx_7BmnaSnMJbtgtd7dQCeBc5YnsXK40bV5Jn2R4OJIXi4K9GBY_ILoHmXj60hRS9HyWUq0bPiEb1wN-IdJa_A-EwKSn-lLX4faWm6Y1CixrII/s320/kalkan+pomegranates.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pomegranates growing by our swimming pool</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOyk9qmYVblArdgpK78kai-vTau1hNQF-ao9vstTesm6Fcqckk4VsxRcmsT-jacqR3qao9ZPOg5KJe7H6haZLS44Nb8J3G176DLit6Xviq4srkowJnsFncgm5y1AnUUBDdnU8_QyabLWAC/s1600/kalkan+street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOyk9qmYVblArdgpK78kai-vTau1hNQF-ao9vstTesm6Fcqckk4VsxRcmsT-jacqR3qao9ZPOg5KJe7H6haZLS44Nb8J3G176DLit6Xviq4srkowJnsFncgm5y1AnUUBDdnU8_QyabLWAC/s320/kalkan+street.jpg" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glyn with the lovely Haldun</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLBKukymNQXTSX7cp-KMWy2rkALGzXJAUeb7EDJGSLcio8D3GCPPa3xwPwJx855rktpAs7AiF-f2dDz_ldMhdT0wowE1mmFqV_OuVrgHqFw6EzCBacWQuMnyF2jjHppit3WvyhIFqjt52/s1600/kalkan+sunrise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLBKukymNQXTSX7cp-KMWy2rkALGzXJAUeb7EDJGSLcio8D3GCPPa3xwPwJx855rktpAs7AiF-f2dDz_ldMhdT0wowE1mmFqV_OuVrgHqFw6EzCBacWQuMnyF2jjHppit3WvyhIFqjt52/s320/kalkan+sunrise.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kalkan sunrise</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGypDUG1urh6pl17jmhU-U2eKieocL2jlSLoANJf-yyknTprNsSxsK8mqihDwfopp-L7bRZfD7IyRREocRYbLRq8ZzDSgWjv1y73os20soWrkXfN0j08yz_W7UlqheJFRFkAmFSqvQbBDd/s1600/kalkan+sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGypDUG1urh6pl17jmhU-U2eKieocL2jlSLoANJf-yyknTprNsSxsK8mqihDwfopp-L7bRZfD7IyRREocRYbLRq8ZzDSgWjv1y73os20soWrkXfN0j08yz_W7UlqheJFRFkAmFSqvQbBDd/s320/kalkan+sunset.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....and a Kalkan sunset</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwe_joZNEOd-cXlq4ZK-3lkrVr9bO2iA0RAowIpaqieA9dahR4Vh_qAnXB0WobKa5KcmdOHKnPq0c8abjw2Acogytz_bMpqQvrzMlaRPnP3A3A0k46oFNZ3BEdJ58KWva4HusEraHEw1kN/s1600/kalkan+turkish+breakfast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwe_joZNEOd-cXlq4ZK-3lkrVr9bO2iA0RAowIpaqieA9dahR4Vh_qAnXB0WobKa5KcmdOHKnPq0c8abjw2Acogytz_bMpqQvrzMlaRPnP3A3A0k46oFNZ3BEdJ58KWva4HusEraHEw1kN/s320/kalkan+turkish+breakfast.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical (and very healthy) Turkish breakfast</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzGi6PoRpZ04eQTv1ZwDEtPG9zV-DGHQz5UcZ4KwMidZ5ck95AQa6hhLvP4iZA43cTY5LB5LhY9R85A2iFTeHOjaWXE_ehp6h9pkyVxgAv5807o7LAWsHk3CHVq39PP50H08irlhy_W68/s1600/kalkan+van+cat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzGi6PoRpZ04eQTv1ZwDEtPG9zV-DGHQz5UcZ4KwMidZ5ck95AQa6hhLvP4iZA43cTY5LB5LhY9R85A2iFTeHOjaWXE_ehp6h9pkyVxgAv5807o7LAWsHk3CHVq39PP50H08irlhy_W68/s320/kalkan+van+cat.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this cat so much I didn't want to crop him into a square</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2FawleoLjRSWb9Tkcf2MQ3ynX8IIfkfvRuVYymlnSIxzF-PF_njzUzkA_bAeTSwAl62tmHOPTbDNaX9bAb9eBVDlFd1SA8qXhwHCF0KfPL7uSN0bLiT5hlEIbHfB6OTNmLWRuekyVA6KG/s1600/kalkan+yali+dog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2FawleoLjRSWb9Tkcf2MQ3ynX8IIfkfvRuVYymlnSIxzF-PF_njzUzkA_bAeTSwAl62tmHOPTbDNaX9bAb9eBVDlFd1SA8qXhwHCF0KfPL7uSN0bLiT5hlEIbHfB6OTNmLWRuekyVA6KG/s320/kalkan+yali+dog.jpg" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adorable dog at a beach club</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi1OxjKSEN9oawSGI6WQipzP2_W-6emzLhtRX88K84vX7o-PFdEmsrfQyRjhfEBs9WIF5zXf1tHczBYYJWgDJ1odD53PCS2JtgsRqNAVuvf3CKQADisMpTxPXuH8trUDcvif2s6L8PfrLZ/s1600/ottoman+sesating.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi1OxjKSEN9oawSGI6WQipzP2_W-6emzLhtRX88K84vX7o-PFdEmsrfQyRjhfEBs9WIF5zXf1tHczBYYJWgDJ1odD53PCS2JtgsRqNAVuvf3CKQADisMpTxPXuH8trUDcvif2s6L8PfrLZ/s320/ottoman+sesating.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ottoman seating</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4uhWlsJ2ar3FuG4zxfIn6jTv1FzlRRXi-n2cm_NbORTpezCfILRUI700UjXZqJl92hvVdqp92igErfN3kuN9bVya24J4bp4dnb-wueYPai2nVImXiDLs2POXt1q_i8KePbDbyRSI8l-O/s1600/patara+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq4uhWlsJ2ar3FuG4zxfIn6jTv1FzlRRXi-n2cm_NbORTpezCfILRUI700UjXZqJl92hvVdqp92igErfN3kuN9bVya24J4bp4dnb-wueYPai2nVImXiDLs2POXt1q_i8KePbDbyRSI8l-O/s320/patara+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patara beach, longest beach in Europe & nature reserve</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlt7OXMAQ6kQsQNMA___DHUbJZ9UEfPzubKuMihjEmr2eyrL0fhVjltFYZ7gRxRPMbxWUjKiwGY3B1ecN_NifTsl8VQqffWJRLKbJM6UUcC8rb02VJvrx_Yo1xM8cBnWBi43s4CbbBz2eE/s1600/patara+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlt7OXMAQ6kQsQNMA___DHUbJZ9UEfPzubKuMihjEmr2eyrL0fhVjltFYZ7gRxRPMbxWUjKiwGY3B1ecN_NifTsl8VQqffWJRLKbJM6UUcC8rb02VJvrx_Yo1xM8cBnWBi43s4CbbBz2eE/s320/patara+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Footprints in the sand...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDp2d9jRMZxkxhXpaTCPuQrGsFuq_QhvE1KfLjaMVUFEpgvWWOTWkrp1NZ7NAyc9RsaptnWS_EwlTXTfhTuygkEWzoRSFEFB2d1S5Y79w9jqc3BL3KLejOcp3j8Lm_SF7XL30vOiGMlBf/s1600/patara+ruins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDp2d9jRMZxkxhXpaTCPuQrGsFuq_QhvE1KfLjaMVUFEpgvWWOTWkrp1NZ7NAyc9RsaptnWS_EwlTXTfhTuygkEWzoRSFEFB2d1S5Y79w9jqc3BL3KLejOcp3j8Lm_SF7XL30vOiGMlBf/s320/patara+ruins.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruins at Patara</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXyftmhoQJA1CZI79wHInZ5StvMQSz5mmHGnIyDNRcQ82f7qnrlixfXVTT5Y1DSgyzuQ0-EfDWgQSSJPf_e561HPfFneeiW0lZyNhd2cCXn87PIw5-bXBha5mJ5koSTynn6SA5AnfdoFlq/s1600/patara+beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXyftmhoQJA1CZI79wHInZ5StvMQSz5mmHGnIyDNRcQ82f7qnrlixfXVTT5Y1DSgyzuQ0-EfDWgQSSJPf_e561HPfFneeiW0lZyNhd2cCXn87PIw5-bXBha5mJ5koSTynn6SA5AnfdoFlq/s320/patara+beach.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bliss</td></tr>
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Now, is it too early to book for next year....?</div>
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Jenny @ Sunday Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227270053177918453noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645437324899325094.post-78538916572391326982012-09-05T09:00:00.000+01:002012-09-05T09:00:08.564+01:00Strawberry Cupcakes<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have a terrible habit of enthusiastically offering to do all sorts of things well ahead of time and then finding myself flapping around at the last minute because I've got too much to do. I promised to make cupcakes for a family party the other day but then had a hectic week in work, lots of orders for <a href="http://www.bluefinchboutique.com/" target="_blank">Bluefinch Boutique</a> and a hundred and one other things cropping up so had a last minute dash to the supermarket the morning of the party looking for inspiration. I wanted something quick, easy, light and summery so when I spotted some lovely, Scottish strawberries, my dilemma was solved.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These strawberry cupcakes are super quick and easy to make. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They're lovely and light and although the frosting is sweet, it's not too heavy as you whip it to a fluffy consistency. You could substitute pureed fresh strawberries for the jam in the frosting but I like to use seedless jam so it's nice and smooth. I just use a basic cake mix with a touch of vanilla which goes perfectly with the strawberry frosting. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjq2elZw1wJgPQDqKMIbqg4WacyPsDle69mEDFaKjU7bfHRQr2o51iWdsVnwF8bdBTxaNejJRAcSV1x8ehDOx6D1R4QdKeZC_WoNMdgB0c67U1KhQEg2-obE-bf9QjQW0O02G5cPwelTY/s1600/IMG_6695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVjq2elZw1wJgPQDqKMIbqg4WacyPsDle69mEDFaKjU7bfHRQr2o51iWdsVnwF8bdBTxaNejJRAcSV1x8ehDOx6D1R4QdKeZC_WoNMdgB0c67U1KhQEg2-obE-bf9QjQW0O02G5cPwelTY/s320/IMG_6695.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recipe (makes 12)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">250g butter</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">250g caster sugar</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">250g self-raising flour</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">Pinch of salt</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">2 medium free range </span><span style="background-color: white;">eggs</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">2 tbsp milk</span><br /><span style="background-color: white;">1 tsp vanilla extract</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Frosting</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">200g butter</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">500g icing sugar</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">90g seedless strawberry jam </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fresh strawberries </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">1. Pre-heat the oven to 190°C/Gas Mark 5.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></div>
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2. Beat the butter in a large mixing bowl until smooth. Add the sugar, flour, salt, eggs and milk and whisk until the mixture is smooth. </div>
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3. Place the cake cases into a muffin tin and divide the mixture evenly into the cases.</div>
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4. Bake for approx 20 minutes or until cakes are a light golden brown colour. Remove cakes from the tin and transfer to a wire cooling rack.</div>
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For the frosting:</div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Whisk the butter and jam together until smooth and well combined. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Add the icing sugar gradually, whisking to combine each time before adding the next lot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Pipe or spread onto cakes, top with a fresh strawberry and enjoy!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They are best kept in the fridge until a few minutes before serving.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6R8bUVzBCWWlZVwULAHTa0H-XXnA3yrJ8aOdykQwRue8My3s4CVcqX_jQSxSy4LLqhOtdmnin7AFqW8XVZ3ZjbmgFwPcvLmHjtc5FSubdzsBjCOxPHUtp2k6nOG8lgyOJi72G7LHTelG2/s1600/IMG_6700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6R8bUVzBCWWlZVwULAHTa0H-XXnA3yrJ8aOdykQwRue8My3s4CVcqX_jQSxSy4LLqhOtdmnin7AFqW8XVZ3ZjbmgFwPcvLmHjtc5FSubdzsBjCOxPHUtp2k6nOG8lgyOJi72G7LHTelG2/s320/IMG_6700.JPG" width="319" /></span></a></div>
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Jenny @ Sunday Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227270053177918453noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645437324899325094.post-10139329223332163472012-09-02T09:06:00.000+01:002012-09-03T21:10:33.859+01:00Malteser Refrigerator Cake<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNUWUhC1gooSwevn0xROgTLwBFSW920qFSe0hR-ebIaYGIF-oAsj5qczibTOT024qsHLZrDNPEkOTSiYiNotMEe8madFwTm39CJTDZxXcY3LEn2mnjaqa25EyZDiW_jHcbs7hY0jc0QWi/s1600/Malteser+traybake+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWNUWUhC1gooSwevn0xROgTLwBFSW920qFSe0hR-ebIaYGIF-oAsj5qczibTOT024qsHLZrDNPEkOTSiYiNotMEe8madFwTm39CJTDZxXcY3LEn2mnjaqa25EyZDiW_jHcbs7hY0jc0QWi/s320/Malteser+traybake+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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When I was little, a neighbour used to make an amazingly rich creation for parties that we kids all charmingly called 'Chocolate Poo Cake'. I now know it to be more commonly known as Refrigerator Cake, or Traybake, being a mixture of melted chocolate, crushed biscuits, butter, and anything else suitable you have to hand, such as glace cherries or raisins.</div>
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I was planning on making two types of cupcake for a family party at my auntie's house this weekend, one fruit based and one chocolate based. Whilst trawling the Internet for ideas for a Malteser cupcake, I came across several recipes for refrigerated traybakes and as I'm not one to turn down the easy option, I decided to go down this route instead. </div>
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After assembling the most unhealthy group of ingredients I've ever used in one recipe, I was a bit worried it would be too rich but the dryness of the Malteser centres takes the edge off so it's definitely worth leaving them whole rather than crushing as I've seen in some recipes. You definitely need to serve it in small squares though!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-e6emPrWXkaeEzgkw1yYtoJ3bmpQUknY5rAWf6M5fRuhrlMQI50Mb44qSjxT0lD-jA6_colzjQH0NBphdWaAhCJS4oBBlAv7AV_hSZElAWWoZdE2j2puwuKcEPxHEb16BEx-hnS8o_2kI/s1600/malteser+traybake+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-e6emPrWXkaeEzgkw1yYtoJ3bmpQUknY5rAWf6M5fRuhrlMQI50Mb44qSjxT0lD-jA6_colzjQH0NBphdWaAhCJS4oBBlAv7AV_hSZElAWWoZdE2j2puwuKcEPxHEb16BEx-hnS8o_2kI/s320/malteser+traybake+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Recipe (makes approx 20 small squares)<br />
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200g milk chocolate<br />
2 tablespoons golden syrup<br />
100g butter<br />
250g crushed digestive biscuits<br />
135g Maltesers (one large bag)<br />
100g white chocolate<br />
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1. Break the chocolate into small chunks and slowly melt over a low heat with the butter and syrup, stirring regularly (you can microwave but I prefer the bowl over a pan of hot water method)</div>
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2. Mix in the crushed digestives and the Maltesers until evenly combined</div>
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3. Pour into a large baking tray lined with clingfilm and press down to ensure an even thickness. Leave in the fridge for a couple of hours or until fully cooled and set</div>
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4. Melt the white chocolate and drizzle or spread over the top. Return to fridge until set, then cut into small squares with a sharp knife.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcf8Mqu8D-J-0pVHxK4BqVShfiIOuEAfBVdMayGNhZyKWJ3-VlB5tDNqmBJMwtRFe9jV7Jvvpv4QyLR-7Z7HmfST8uBIUKELIeEs-LShmyTkBvrA1gDM8iSqD_8377DAMdgnXhyphenhyphenKlFDJl/s1600/melted+choc.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjcf8Mqu8D-J-0pVHxK4BqVShfiIOuEAfBVdMayGNhZyKWJ3-VlB5tDNqmBJMwtRFe9jV7Jvvpv4QyLR-7Z7HmfST8uBIUKELIeEs-LShmyTkBvrA1gDM8iSqD_8377DAMdgnXhyphenhyphenKlFDJl/s320/melted+choc.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hell, yeah</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8HB0Q6Ovc5t12g02iwscOeNGFjnR2A1K4yydkVYauv-Rw0jxVXoxGqP-Zbg8Db6AhL_89ufFX1syCFkR2uhFjY2klF9geR6Xz9rA55QsUaMk5ISSMG9s5T8gA8ryMP5GXUwoeRnOglHY/s1600/malteser+traybake+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8HB0Q6Ovc5t12g02iwscOeNGFjnR2A1K4yydkVYauv-Rw0jxVXoxGqP-Zbg8Db6AhL_89ufFX1syCFkR2uhFjY2klF9geR6Xz9rA55QsUaMk5ISSMG9s5T8gA8ryMP5GXUwoeRnOglHY/s320/malteser+traybake+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpED_O4hu8Dy7j5fHgoo1niNg_9noSPX2g6p1Xx0OqnPDfjZa1cuxT3i_t8alvEQeZIWDb_g76C6e_B4J7Tl2wKGzt5gx4tkQNz1eN2F59y_kr7Yji1IxLAwKbs6hx6qlztOULsAih_Mg/s1600/malteser+traybake+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCpED_O4hu8Dy7j5fHgoo1niNg_9noSPX2g6p1Xx0OqnPDfjZa1cuxT3i_t8alvEQeZIWDb_g76C6e_B4J7Tl2wKGzt5gx4tkQNz1eN2F59y_kr7Yji1IxLAwKbs6hx6qlztOULsAih_Mg/s320/malteser+traybake+7.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Jenny @ Sunday Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227270053177918453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645437324899325094.post-37754489951400482432012-08-26T23:59:00.000+01:002012-08-27T00:03:54.235+01:00“A Sunday well-spent brings a week of content”<div style="text-align: justify;">
OK, so that's an old proverb and not my own words but I definitely agree. I hate mooching around the house all day on a Sunday wondering what to do and feeling that familiar Sunday night feeling creeping up on you sometime around 4pm. Now that I'm (temporarily) back in a 9-5 job with an obscenely long commute as well as running <a href="http://www.bluefinchboutique.com/" target="_blank">Bluefinch Boutique</a>, my Sundays are really precious and I try and enjoy every minute of them!</div>
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Friday night was spent having dinner, playing cards and drinking gin with friends, Saturday was early morning clothes shopping in Liverpool, a supermarket dash, DIY and housework so Sunday needed to be unwind day.</div>
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We started off our day at <a href="http://www.brimstagehall.com/" target="_blank">Brimstage Hall</a>, an 800 year old hall which houses a range of lovely independent shops. <a href="http://www.brimstagehall.com/page/shop/recollections/" target="_blank">Recollections</a> is a stunning shop selling a huge range of vintage crockery, furniture and gifts. Most of the vintage china is sold in matching sets but there are a bunch of lonely cups and saucers you can buy separately and mix and match for £1.50 each. I've seen a few people turning pretty teacups into mini plant pots so I bought this one with the intention of doing the same:</div>
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I had (and, sadly, killed) a cute little heart-shaped cactus from Ikea so I'm thinking one of them might look good in the cup? And I'll try not to kill it this time - so much for cacti being the option for people who can't look after plants.</div>
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I'm still gathering together pictures for the gallery wall I mentioned in my last <a href="http://bluefinchboutique.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/song-lyric-embroidery.html" target="_blank">post </a>and so far have prints from Paris, Amsterdam and Turkey which are all special places to me and my boyfriend. I had been looking for a local print for a while and came across a great selection in <a href="http://www.brimstagehall.com/page/shop/thestablesgallery/" target="_blank">The Stables Gallery </a>. I made Glyn make the final decision on which print to buy as apart from his guitars, games consoles and laptop, I feel like I picked out pretty much everything in our house! He picked this one of New Brighton lighthouse in the middle of a storm:</div>
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We can see this lighthouse from the end of our road so couldn't get a much more local picture! It's really hard to see from the photo but it's got great depth and colour. I also bought this card which reminds me of the Rosie the Riveter posters:</div>
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After browsing the lovely shops, we sat in the sun in the courtyard with a cup of tea and lots of very friendly hens. </div>
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I didn't realise they were ex-battery hens until I saw a sign on the way out about them. It's so lovely to see them clucking around, happy, healthy and safe. I know a couple of people who've adopted ex-battery hens and think it's a wonderful thing to do. As soon as I get bigger garden, I'm joining them!</div>
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Next, it was leisurely Sunday pub lunch with my whole family followed by a walk on the beach at sunset...</div>
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Jenny @ Sunday Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227270053177918453noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645437324899325094.post-63840483624883982662012-08-22T21:57:00.000+01:002012-08-22T21:57:15.077+01:00Song lyric embroidery<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm currently gathering together a load of prints and pictures to complete a gallery wall in my living room and wanted to add a few bits of embroidery in there. I've been intending to do a song lyric embroidery for a while but couldn't decide what song/line to use.</div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">The one I've gone with for the living room wall isn't the most profound lyric and I can't say it's one which particularly speaks to me, but The Doors are one of my favourite bands ever and Light My Fire has been one of my favourite songs since I was about 12 so I thought I'd just go with it!</span>
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This embroidery only took an hour or so to do which made it the perfect project for last week's <a href="http://miss-beatrix.blogspot.co.uk/p/creatives-unite-are-you-in.html">Creatives Unite</a> (Creatives Unite is the brainchild of Anna at <a href="http://miss-beatrix.blogspot.co.uk/">Miss Beatrix</a>. If you need a creative outlet to stay happy and help you function properly, check it out!).</div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">I've got a couple more embroideries to finish and I need to find a couple more prints before I have enough for my gallery wall but in the meantime, I'm getting lots and lots of inspiration from <a href="http://pinterest.com/_bluefinch_/">Pinterest</a>.</span></div>
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My first blog post in aaaaaaaaages and it's probably better suited to tumblr but thought I'd ease myself back in gently :-)</div>
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Jenny @ Sunday Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227270053177918453noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645437324899325094.post-1476555828211682262012-07-05T16:28:00.000+01:002012-07-05T16:28:45.706+01:00I made a cushion!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white;">A couple of months ago, I was having a Twitter chat with the lovely Anna and Carolyn (aka </span><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/Miss_Beatrix" style="background-color: white;">@Miss_Beatrix</a><span style="background-color: white;"> and </span><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/AyannaAccessory" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">@AyannaAccessory</a><span style="background-color: white;">) about sewing. Basically, we all agreed we'd like to do more of it but lacked the time, motivation and confidence. We decided to pick a different (easy) sewing project each month which we would all have a go at and compare results at the end. It seemed like a good way to learn new techniques and having the one-month deadline gave you motivation to finish, but also plenty of time to procrastinate.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">This is the second month we've been doing this and we decided to each make a cushion. Now, bearing in mind that I'm a total sewing novice with a machine which has been in hibernation for several months (years), I'm very happy with how this turned out:</span></div>
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The back has a simple envelope style opening which was really easy to do and made me wonder why I'd convinced myself I'd make a mess of it.</div>
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I used this pattern/idea from the lovely <a href="http://www.cluckclucksew.com/2009/10/tutorial-scrap-buster-fall-pillow.html" target="_blank">Cluck Cluck Sew</a> blog. There are tons of other things I want to make from there now, including loads of amazing <a href="http://www.cluckclucksew.com/2011/03/tutorial-sprocket-pillows.html" target="_blank">Sprocket Pillows</a> which I'm going to attempt when my sewing confidence is a bit higher!</div>
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I'd not tried applique with a sewing machine before, only by hand, so I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I got the hang of sewing round those little leaves. </div>
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The first few I did were ridiculously wonky and I thought I'd have to abandon the machine and do the rest by hand, but I persevered and improved lots by the end.</div>
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The best thing about this is that it cost practically nothing to make. All the fabrics were already in my stash, except the trunk which I cut up an old vest top for. </div>
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I hope you like it and if you're a novice sewer and would like to join our little monthly challenges, get in touch on Twitter!</div>
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<br />Jenny @ Sunday Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227270053177918453noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645437324899325094.post-67133654477455795412012-06-21T12:56:00.000+01:002012-06-21T12:56:47.104+01:00You're a star<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I admit I'm fickle - it's one of my main personality traits - but I think I have yet another favourite piece of jewellery in the <a href="http://www.bluefinchboutique.com/" target="_blank">Bluefinch Boutique</a> treasure troves now. I tend to gravitate towards simple, versatile jewellery (although it's always nice to have the odd statement piece to jazz up a simple outfit) and this star necklace fits the bill perfectly! I'm currently wearing mine on its own <span style="background-color: white;">but it also looks cute layered with a couple more delicate chain necklaces of slightly varying lengths.</span><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">At only <a href="http://bluefinchboutique.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=269" target="_blank">£7.95</a>, grab one while they're in stock!</span></div>
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<br />Jenny @ Sunday Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227270053177918453noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645437324899325094.post-42531140856295958902012-06-19T09:11:00.000+01:002012-09-03T21:11:02.347+01:00Greek Feta & Spinach Pie<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Following on from my </span><a href="http://bluefinchboutique.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/easy-baked-raspberry-cheesecake.html" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Raspberry Cheesecake</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> the other week, made with delicious, in-season raspberries, I thought I'd have a go at baking something else using seasonal produce. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;">I often add frozen spinach to curries and things but as spinach is only in season for a few more weeks in the UK, I decided to find a recipe calling for it in its fresh form. I found this recipe for a </span><a href="http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/4540/crispy-greekstyle-pie-?pager.offset=20" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;" target="_blank">Feta and Spinach Greek Pie</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; text-align: justify;"> and gave it a go. This dish is similar to traditional Spanakopita which, as a veggie, has been a staple dish for me on many Greek island holidays over the years!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">It's really easy and the results far exceed the amount of effort put in. I don't know about you, but that is the perfect kind of baking as far as I'm concerned! I followed the original recipe fairly closely but adapted it a bit according to the quantities of the ingredients I had in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Recipe (serves 4)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">200g bag fresh spinach leaves</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Half a 270g jar of sundried tomatoes in oil*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">100g feta cheese, crumbled</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">2 medium free-range eggs</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Approx. 135g filo pastry sheets</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">*I used 80g sundried tomatoes (drained weight) but you can add more if you prefer</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Loose-bottom
cake or flan tin, anything from 20-24cm diameter will work fine<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Pre-heat oven to 160C/Gas Mark 4.
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="border: 0cm none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">1. Put the spinach into a large pan
with a couple of tablespoons of water, then cook over a low heat until just
wilted. Drain well in a sieve, squeezing excess water out with kitchen towel. Drain
the sundried tomatoes, retaining the oil, and roughly chop. Mix the
tomatoes, spinach, eggs and feta together in a bowl. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="border: 0cm none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">2. Carefully
unroll the filo pastry. Take a sheet of pastry and brush with one teaspoonful
of the sundried tomato oil. Drape
oil-side down in the cake tin so that some of the pastry hangs over the sides
of the tin. Brush another teaspoonful of oil on another piece of pastry and
place in the tin, just a little further round. Keep placing the pastry pieces
in the tin until you have roughly three layers. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="border: 0cm none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">3. Pour the filling into the centre, then spread out to ensure an
even filling. Pull the sides of pastry over
the filling, scrunch up and make sure the filling is covered. Brush with a
little more of the tomato oil if needed.</span><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="border: 0cm none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">4. Cook for approx 30 mins until the pastry is crisp and
golden brown. </span><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitok92LF6wW77j4g8Xb_G3FNHIk2xIaAN5F6CvgyuPfsNx2tlHDGw329MIuJpK87EPCjTPCQjdFvfnSMafosxMhBeZSPD4fuFojnrO1yrl9rLOYTdQyl-x6YpLFmE1qKDR8wWYGXCQ6M9q/s1600/greek+feta+and+spinach+pie+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitok92LF6wW77j4g8Xb_G3FNHIk2xIaAN5F6CvgyuPfsNx2tlHDGw329MIuJpK87EPCjTPCQjdFvfnSMafosxMhBeZSPD4fuFojnrO1yrl9rLOYTdQyl-x6YpLFmE1qKDR8wWYGXCQ6M9q/s320/greek+feta+and+spinach+pie+2.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBk4VLn5SWKf7p64zkNA8BSerE2UXIiiqxfhi5rgDmg6Bxc3obtbUoZvokDngqQNVGPRrgWrtQJqsTHaurTZ6xOiRvb2pl1JRXY2HrNky_7D18kaWracJyl9yenG49WG_JXOjhkKrVSyn/s1600/greek+feta+and+spinach+pie+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWBk4VLn5SWKf7p64zkNA8BSerE2UXIiiqxfhi5rgDmg6Bxc3obtbUoZvokDngqQNVGPRrgWrtQJqsTHaurTZ6xOiRvb2pl1JRXY2HrNky_7D18kaWracJyl9yenG49WG_JXOjhkKrVSyn/s320/greek+feta+and+spinach+pie+3.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It turned out much better than I expected, so I think I will stick to the same quantities next time. I was worried you wouldn't be able to taste the cheese as it didn't look much going into the mixture but considering there's only 25g of feta per serving, it tastes really rich. All in all, the perfect quick summer meal when served warm with a baby leaf salad!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It would be really easy to adapt to your personal taste and to include whatever you happened to have in. It's pretty low on calories and fat too, not that you'd know from eating it as it's very tasty and substantial. I've still got half a pack of pastry in and half the sundried tomatoes so I think I'll be making it again before the end of the week!</span></div>
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Jenny @ Sunday Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227270053177918453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645437324899325094.post-81147365499830985692012-06-14T10:54:00.001+01:002012-09-03T21:11:16.407+01:00Easy Baked Raspberry Cheesecake<div style="text-align: justify;">
Despite being a huge cheesecake fan, I'd never made a baked one before, only the kind that you leave in the fridge to set and requires no cooking. For a Jubilee barbecue last week, I thought I'd have a go at using some of the lovely, in-season raspberries I was seeing everywhere. I planned on using ricotta but had to abandon this idea when I couldn't find a vegetarian version in the supermarkets, booooooo!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfpk1on8zXsZm1v8XuA-JX7F59Yv0IvtkUdu1Vsy8h1Lro_7jpzKS2hUs5EMfA5k09c4Zysfj1UBK1RYXNZrtvejQpMnn0A6KG-Pt4hv3rkv8mSR3hyphenhyphenRf1nIlQyDOo7wpPM4YnNvpyHDR6/s1600/raspberries+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfpk1on8zXsZm1v8XuA-JX7F59Yv0IvtkUdu1Vsy8h1Lro_7jpzKS2hUs5EMfA5k09c4Zysfj1UBK1RYXNZrtvejQpMnn0A6KG-Pt4hv3rkv8mSR3hyphenhyphenRf1nIlQyDOo7wpPM4YnNvpyHDR6/s320/raspberries+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I used this cream cheese based <a href="http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/3842/baked-raspberry-cheesecake" target="_blank">recipe</a> from the BBC instead but changed it a bit as I wanted a thicker base, more coulis and more fruit! Here's my version of the recipe:<br />
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Baked Raspberry Cheesecake<br />
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12 digestive biscuits<br />
75g butter<br />
600g cream cheese<br />
2tbsp plain flour<br />
175g caster sugar<br />
2 eggs, plus 1 egg yolk<br />
150ml soured cream<br />
500g raspberries<br />
2tbsp icing sugar<br />
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20cm springform tin<br />
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1. Heat the oven to 180C/Gas Mark 4. </div>
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2. Crush the biscuits anyway you please - I use a deep mixing bowl and the end of a rolling pin - until you have fine crumbs.</div>
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3. Melt the butter in a saucepan over a low heat then stir in the biscuit crumbs</div>
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4. Press the base mixture into the tin. Bake for 5 minutes then leave to cool.</div>
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5. Beat the cream cheese, flour, caster sugar, eggs, egg yolk and cream until light and fluffy. Stir in 200g of raspberries and pour onto the base. Bake for 40 minutes until set but still slightly wobbly in centre. Leave to cool.</div>
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6. Place 100g of raspberries into a pan with the icing sugar and gently heat until they begin to break down and the juices flow. Mash them with a fork and push the mixture through a sieve into a bowl or jug, discarding the seeds.</div>
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7. When the cheesecake is cool, decorate with the remaining 200g of raspberries, then pour over the raspberry coulis.</div>
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It turned out bloody delicious, albeit a little cracked which I believe can be caused by a few different things, such as abrupt changes in temperature. It was no problem as I just used strategic fruit placement to cover the cracks....</div>
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The only thing I would change next time is to use even more fruit! I'd like to add a few more to the mixture and have a few more on top. The tartness of the fresh raspberries cuts through the creaminess of the cheesecake perfectly.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnxz36Q2-v4ZKkpKYHa2ojcZGPvMtxnQ-TD7uCBKyAoTYorAZlacWMxM0dcveitu2-ylqx77Hu2frp127Lewo5-jIVjONFHZ-yJN7Gb9puxGFfb7AiVcitImwx7urzClihfqB0D1pmiJWI/s1600/raspberries.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnxz36Q2-v4ZKkpKYHa2ojcZGPvMtxnQ-TD7uCBKyAoTYorAZlacWMxM0dcveitu2-ylqx77Hu2frp127Lewo5-jIVjONFHZ-yJN7Gb9puxGFfb7AiVcitImwx7urzClihfqB0D1pmiJWI/s320/raspberries.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Raspberries are in season in the UK from now until September so make the most of them while they're at their best (and cheapest!).</div>
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Jenny</div>
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x</div>
Jenny @ Sunday Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227270053177918453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645437324899325094.post-10179270686646478492012-05-23T15:49:00.000+01:002012-05-23T19:18:28.789+01:00It's easier than you think to go cruelty-free...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8hPoEqdRyat8S_cl49CajTEvjl6M3tDfqwiU-uhkL6AJsRQ-vCxmWJp5mdfZXdNF9xpYzu1D-9DeNfAog0AKux9yzxAbzcru4Lm-fRBlVnLYgnBkTMw-WDYzlQjnRYEYFLrPWgxTfZap/s1600/cute+bunny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8hPoEqdRyat8S_cl49CajTEvjl6M3tDfqwiU-uhkL6AJsRQ-vCxmWJp5mdfZXdNF9xpYzu1D-9DeNfAog0AKux9yzxAbzcru4Lm-fRBlVnLYgnBkTMw-WDYzlQjnRYEYFLrPWgxTfZap/s320/cute+bunny.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I know lots of people genuinely aren't aware how many companies still do test on animals but let's be blunt: it's most of them. If you use any of the mainstream cosmetics brands, you are almost certainly using make-up which has been tested on animals.<br />
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When I was at school in the 90s, there seemed to be lots more talk in the media about cruelty-free cosmetics than there is now. I always tried to buy cruelty-free, as did most people I knew. I suppose animal rights have gone out of fashion a bit since then so the topic of cruelty-free is much less on the agenda than it was then. I still buy cruelty-free though and make sure not just cosmetics, but all my toiletries and household cleaning products are 100% cruelty-free, preferably <a href="http://www.buav.org/" target="_blank">BUAV</a> approved. It's easy enough to find out about the horrific procedures used in cosmetic testing on animals and I'm not going to go into any of that here. If you aren't familiar with the topic, I suggest you do a quick Google search on animal testing which may change the way you shop for beauty products in future. <a href="http://www.buav.org/" target="_blank">BUAV</a> has great resources on all aspects of cruelty-free shopping, as well as a list of approved companies which you can find <a href="http://www.gocrueltyfree.org/shopper" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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It's easy enough to buy <a href="http://www.buav.org/" target="_blank">BUAV</a> approved products now and I can't think of anything that I regularly struggle to find a cruelty-free version of. It also doesn't have to cost more to buy 'kind' products as there are budget brands available. Also, don't be misled by any products which say 'We are against animal testing'. This doesn't mean the product wasn't tested on animals. If in doubt, check out a company's corporate website. If they are 100% cruelty-free, they will say so. In my experience, if you can't get a definitive answer from the Internet, they're not cruelty-free.<br />
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To prove there is a cruelty-free alternative to just about everything, here are some of my favourite companies:<br />
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Cosmetics and toiletries<br />
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<a href="http://www.urbandecay.co.uk/" target="_blank">Urban Decay</a><br />
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100% cruelty-free and available in selected branches of Boots, Debenhams and House of Fraser. I'm a big Urban Decay fan. I especially love their Surreal Skin mineral make-up and have been using it for the past couple of years. They're also great for bronzer, blusher and eye make-up.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://demandware.edgesuite.net/aafc_prd/on/demandware.static/Sites-UrbanDecayUK-Site/-/default/v1337760166913/images/naked2_bestseller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://demandware.edgesuite.net/aafc_prd/on/demandware.static/Sites-UrbanDecayUK-Site/-/default/v1337760166913/images/naked2_bestseller.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.urbandecay.co.uk/" target="_blank">Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<a href="http://www.barrym.com/" target="_blank">Barry M</a><br />
<br />
I just LOVE Barry M! They're affordable and cruelty-free and are readily available in most branches of Superdrug and Boots. Their nail polishes are excellent and come in every colour imaginable. I'm also a big fan of their Wink eyeliner pen which is easy to use and long lasting.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.barrym.com/uploads/product_images/159.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.barrym.com/uploads/product_images/159.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.barrym.com/products/product.asp?id=159" target="_blank">Barry M Wink</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://www.marksandspencer.com/" target="_blank">Marks and Spencer</a><br />
All own brand products are BUAV approved. M & S have a few different make-up and beauty ranges. I like the Autograph range of make-up best, but they also have a really reasonably priced basics range, too. Also good for sun-care and skin-care, especially their delicious smelling body butters!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDHSC3AQthCQ2lLmGXNGgq5hCjrHGuxc6KE0DcvVCDZy2nZruhl6gLpDZmWmYKuFpg-YRToAJHVRiUzgHdEX-iIIwXcHTXmVxPrQ70Kz8YsHw0C91AEXJn_7ANox_T3D-XNOlEZ8QG1Rg/s1600/cocoa+butter+M&S.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaDHSC3AQthCQ2lLmGXNGgq5hCjrHGuxc6KE0DcvVCDZy2nZruhl6gLpDZmWmYKuFpg-YRToAJHVRiUzgHdEX-iIIwXcHTXmVxPrQ70Kz8YsHw0C91AEXJn_7ANox_T3D-XNOlEZ8QG1Rg/s1600/cocoa+butter+M&S.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.marksandspencer.com/Coconut-Body-Butter-Fairtrade-200ml/dp/B002A2OZ1G?ie=UTF8&ref=sr_1_1&nodeId=192704031&sr=1-1&qid=1337782251&pf_rd_r=0443CFCPN4F47RM3WG4K&pf_rd_m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=192704031&pf_rd_p=215570647&pf_rd_s=related-items-3" target="_blank">M & S Coconut Body Butter</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://www.superdrug.com/" target="_blank">Superdrug</a><br />
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All their own-brand toiletries, cosmetics and household goods are guaranteed 100% cruelty-free and are BUAV approved. I buy most of my hair-care and skin-care here. They're also great for own-brand hair dyes, sun-care and household products.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.superdrug.com/content/ebiz/superdrug/invt/205462/205462_l.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.superdrug.com/content/ebiz/superdrug/invt/205462/205462_l.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.superdrug.com/superdrug/superdrug-radiance-10-light-golden-brown-637/invt/205462/&bklist=" target="_blank">Superdrug Hair Colour</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<a href="http://www.montagnejeunesse.com/" target="_blank">Montagne Jeunesse</a><br />
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100% cruelty-free and made using vegetarian ingredients, I'm sure everyone is familiar with their brilliant little facemask sachets. I've been using these for years and they really do work!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.montagnejeunesse.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/a/l/aloe-vera-face-spa_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.montagnejeunesse.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/a/l/aloe-vera-face-spa_1.jpg" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.montagnejeunesse.com/face-masks/fabric-1/aloe-vera-face-spa" target="_blank">Montagne Jeunesse Face Mask</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
Supermarkets<br />
<br />
Did you know two major UK supermarkets are now 100% cruelty-free and BUAV approved? Both <a href="http://www.co-operative.coop/" target="_blank">Co-op</a> and <a href="http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/" target="_blank">Sainsburys</a> carry the 'leaping bunny' symbol on all own-brand products.<br />
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I hope you will think about buying from some of the companies on here, if you don't already. This is by no means and exhaustive list of all the places I buy from, just the ones I've come to depend on most over the past few years. The <a href="http://www.gocrueltyfree.org/" target="_blank">Go Cruelty Free</a> website has an extensive list of all BUAV approved companies and is a good place to start if you're not sure what is classed as 100% cruelty-free. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Jenny</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
x</div>
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<br />Jenny @ Sunday Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227270053177918453noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645437324899325094.post-77182726494269952572012-05-15T10:19:00.000+01:002012-05-15T10:19:36.761+01:00Lace Jewellery<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've been thinking about making lace jewellery for a while now and finally had some time to try it out last week. I started with some really basic designs and wore them out and about a few times to see how they looked on and to check they would hold up OK with normal wear. As well as receiving LOTS of compliments and being asked many times where they were from, I'm pleased to say all pieces proved to be plenty strong enough for regular wear. The earrings also survived being caught up in the most horrible, freezing cold, horizontal rain ever on the seafront last night. I was drenched and without hood or umbrella but, as you can see below, the earrings are still immaculate.</div>
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I hope to have a few pieces added to <a href="http://bluefinchboutique.com/" target="_blank">Bluefinch Boutique</a> in the next week or so and also have plans for more detailed and complex necklaces which I'm excited about starting! Here are some of the pieces I've been wearing this week:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Ln-q-rs8BxrbDQa5oYLrNwOlThQGCYo7ft5QiXC3_vj776lajrApnJwK0mo96x6XvJKWkwTmSJzJRO8jbEAH36GwSX6o5hNfPKMhPAxp8k4nYJIqS_i5pTpot_P8SVfqRUHBi_YWJE_o/s1600/lace+earrings+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Ln-q-rs8BxrbDQa5oYLrNwOlThQGCYo7ft5QiXC3_vj776lajrApnJwK0mo96x6XvJKWkwTmSJzJRO8jbEAH36GwSX6o5hNfPKMhPAxp8k4nYJIqS_i5pTpot_P8SVfqRUHBi_YWJE_o/s320/lace+earrings+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtLeNYJlqT3ITP5fbH73hmjyDCOQ5CabFY_FAtIZcOeCqEn60Qds_V51QUiyMS6055-NuilxBLdlFdngcHy5_D7c3yNnISOpFH2FCypDCBbw1lFHXESvFqjlseGP6x1ulvPokWi7XAMdu/s1600/lace+earrings+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLtLeNYJlqT3ITP5fbH73hmjyDCOQ5CabFY_FAtIZcOeCqEn60Qds_V51QUiyMS6055-NuilxBLdlFdngcHy5_D7c3yNnISOpFH2FCypDCBbw1lFHXESvFqjlseGP6x1ulvPokWi7XAMdu/s320/lace+earrings+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMLn40dd94Mh9z0hPw7UXIfFfCBNayiR8vFOxFa1wsVPvIZQ04ThIHNlt-DKGHMufxUcbl4W59JCoAnIs0TBqwQzEUKK_S9FMjS51Lq7eve8ur8xEL9uPNSU01hxiwnxj27d3fEdVwkfF/s1600/lace+necklace+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMLn40dd94Mh9z0hPw7UXIfFfCBNayiR8vFOxFa1wsVPvIZQ04ThIHNlt-DKGHMufxUcbl4W59JCoAnIs0TBqwQzEUKK_S9FMjS51Lq7eve8ur8xEL9uPNSU01hxiwnxj27d3fEdVwkfF/s320/lace+necklace+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrqBFsAKIpSMHu-TuPB9WSrROeCzyuTZ1sv-Ukrj9mkRBWRwjfxq0o3Ws5Hhew1eErpdRctgxqMS27c-Il35-kTIvlsNjBc2o_3ZltEkgXEeSKz8OqNbc2iNUobQVnNpcERm7_vmvlvo-/s1600/lace+necklace+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYrqBFsAKIpSMHu-TuPB9WSrROeCzyuTZ1sv-Ukrj9mkRBWRwjfxq0o3Ws5Hhew1eErpdRctgxqMS27c-Il35-kTIvlsNjBc2o_3ZltEkgXEeSKz8OqNbc2iNUobQVnNpcERm7_vmvlvo-/s320/lace+necklace+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cTo1T2G_i4WPt1j8EXSpUptcwIxMFcy_KpYGsY7s5pBV8mhd4rMedFL1rWtzaJvcJ92CyB3boJ4GUUA1zfbWFV8XeDod0GzlTNF05awBc2zTg0UlZHQ_FIVNBrHknRN-2tIbi_A6TE7b/s1600/lace+necklace+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cTo1T2G_i4WPt1j8EXSpUptcwIxMFcy_KpYGsY7s5pBV8mhd4rMedFL1rWtzaJvcJ92CyB3boJ4GUUA1zfbWFV8XeDod0GzlTNF05awBc2zTg0UlZHQ_FIVNBrHknRN-2tIbi_A6TE7b/s320/lace+necklace+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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What do you think? I might try some in gold too, but I really like the contrast between the white lace and the raw brass. I treat all the lace before using it which helps stiffen it a bit and to help protect from dirt and fraying so the jewellery feels pretty sturdy considering how delicate it looks.</div>
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I'm a fan of big chandelier style earrings, especially with summer outfits, and the beauty of lace is that it's so light you hardly know you're wearing anything. I hate having heavy earrings pulling on my ears so I think I will try and come up with some extravagant lace designs for this summer!</div>
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Jenny</div>
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x</div>Jenny @ Sunday Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227270053177918453noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645437324899325094.post-44039809926690928082012-05-04T14:20:00.001+01:002012-05-04T14:35:00.606+01:00Vintage finds: Sewing box<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, apparently sewing boxes are like buses: You wait all year for one and then two come along at once...or something. I've been looking for an old wooden sewing box for ages, preferably one that could also double up as an end table/cat lookout post/footstool/mug rest but was having no luck. Then, a couple of weeks ago, I came across one on ebay. It was a little small, but it was only £8, local and great quality solid wood so I bought it. It's a fixer-upper and is soon to be sanded down, painted and spruced up.</div>
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It wasn't perfect, but I'd found my sewing box so I stopped looking. As is so often the case, once you stop looking, you find what it was you wanted. I was visiting my parents a couple of days ago when I passed a new 2nd hand furniture shop in their village. Lo and behold, there, sitting outside on the pavement was this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5s-U6uP8qgUXF9mtJZ0hOxS8FACyzXa-zxVkenzWL-qIJoEqpkFftU3aB4wN60JMpIQBkWEb19pmfqFnkY_VChSve3Y4JJvDBMERmAkbqb6l-nydcf9gES-OyovFJCUB5go7RgCDDkgxd/s1600/vintage+sewing+box.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="vintage wooden sewing box table" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5s-U6uP8qgUXF9mtJZ0hOxS8FACyzXa-zxVkenzWL-qIJoEqpkFftU3aB4wN60JMpIQBkWEb19pmfqFnkY_VChSve3Y4JJvDBMERmAkbqb6l-nydcf9gES-OyovFJCUB5go7RgCDDkgxd/s320/vintage+sewing+box.JPG" title="Vintage Wooden Sewing Box" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">I have heard lots of tales from more dedicated shoppers than I about the time they bought some old piece of tat and it turned out to be full of vintage treasures and oh, what a reward for trawling 2nd hand shops, you never know what you will find, blah blah blah. That never happens to me and I suspected certain people were exaggerating the regularity of this happening. Well, some of them might be but when I finally got round to lifting the lid of my sewing box (after impulsively telling the shop owner I'd take it), I discovered....loads of vintage treasures and oh, what a reward for trawling 2nd hand shops, you never know what you will find, blah blah blah.</span></div>
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This is my very favourite item of all those in the box:</div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">I love it. For a start, I own Bluefinch Boutique and this is a Blue-tit which is close enough for me, but also because it's just so darn pretty. As if that wasn't enough, it's is chock-full of lovely vintage buttons, like this beauty:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXRKZoTcmVnYZSHI4USIB5sxmSAY6K1O3wfXDXO83ckse96CQKn3bPhopF54p_Rf-m-cXvUoPazBPaqR1bZXUAY-uFguYft-3ckw4aDw65Tm61udhw-NZD-qfkst7q-SGxyZp-fbitAuz/s1600/button+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXRKZoTcmVnYZSHI4USIB5sxmSAY6K1O3wfXDXO83ckse96CQKn3bPhopF54p_Rf-m-cXvUoPazBPaqR1bZXUAY-uFguYft-3ckw4aDw65Tm61udhw-NZD-qfkst7q-SGxyZp-fbitAuz/s320/button+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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From scraps of paper and old envelopes in the box, I have gathered that the lady who owned my sewing box was called Eileen, and that she lived with her husband in Bootle, Liverpool for at least part of her life. I haven't even begun to sort through the piles of accessories and supplies in her sewing box but it's obviously a collection that spans many, many years, perhaps a lifetime. There are items going back to the at least the 1950s but there are also much newer items. It always makes me a bit sad when I see this kind of thing to think that the owner had no-one left who shared her obvious love of sewing or who wanted to keep this little part of her life for themselves but don't worry, Eileen, it's found a good home.</div>
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Jenny</div>
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<br /></div>Jenny @ Sunday Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227270053177918453noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645437324899325094.post-65214719515752614302012-05-03T12:44:00.000+01:002012-05-03T12:44:17.366+01:00New arrivals at the boutique<div style="text-align: justify;">
April was an incredibly busy month for me and <a href="http://www.bluefinchboutique.com/" target="_blank">Bluefinch Boutique</a> so I didn't get as much time to make new jewellery as I would have liked. Not that I'm complaining of course - if you're self-employed, there's nothing better than being busy - but I love the creative side of the business so was happy when I got a little window of time this week to start making up some new designs. It may only be the 3rd of May, but <a href="http://www.bluefinchboutique.com/" target="_blank">Bluefinch Boutique</a> has already seen three new arrivals this month. </div>
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I've somewhat neglected the world of bracelets since I set up shop, but I've now added not just one, but two pretty new pieces to decorate your wrists:</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bluefinchboutique.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=263" target="_blank">'Stealing my heart' gold bracelet </a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bluefinchboutique.com/images/uploads/rosalie_bracelet_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://bluefinchboutique.com/images/uploads/rosalie_bracelet_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bluefinchboutique.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=265" target="_blank">'Rosalie' vintage jewel brass bracelet</a></td></tr>
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The 'Stealing my heart' bracelet is in the same design as a previously added <a href="http://bluefinchboutique.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=251" target="_blank">necklace</a>, and the 'Rosalie' bracelet has matching <a href="http://bluefinchboutique.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=248" target="_blank">earrings</a>.</div>
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The third new item so far for May is this pretty necklace:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bluefinchboutique.com/images/uploads/heart_to_heart_necklace_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://bluefinchboutique.com/images/uploads/heart_to_heart_necklace_3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bluefinchboutique.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=264" target="_blank">'Heart to Heart' silver necklace</a></td></tr>
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I love layering two or three delicate charm necklaces so this double-chain necklace achieves that look perfectly!</div>
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I hope you're having a good May so far and that, like me, you're finding some time to do the things you like!</div>
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</div>Jenny @ Sunday Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227270053177918453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645437324899325094.post-85802455799830623832012-04-24T13:01:00.000+01:002012-04-24T13:10:14.115+01:00Culture Label<span style="font-family: inherit;">Chances are, if you're a regular Internet user and based in the UK, you've already come across Culture Label's fabulous website (<a href="http://www.culturelabel.com/" target="_blank">www.culturelabel.com</a>). If you've ever been stuck for a gift for someone and Googled 'unusual gifts' or 'gift ideas', it's usually up there near the top of the search results. <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">Founded in 2007, the aim was</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;"> to create an online store that offered affordable style, and where money spent on shop<span style="font-family: inherit;">ping made a positive difference to the arts. </span></span> Their <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">founding partners included iconic and internationally renowned British institutions such as Tate, V&A, Saatchi Gallery, and the Whitechapel Gallery.</span> Five years on, <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">Culture Label is now home to over 200 brands and designers, including, as of March 2012, my very own <a href="http://www.culturelabel.com/shop/bluefinch-boutique" target="_blank">Bluefinch Boutique</a>. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's early days for my own little corner of <a href="http://www.culturelabel.com/shop/bluefinch-boutique">Culture Label</a>, and I have lots of exciting plans for an exclusive range of jewellery which will only be sold through there, but in the meantime, I wanted to share some of my favourite pieces from other Culture Label sellers.</span></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.culturelabel.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/s/a/saatchi--shop-11th-nov-0003-5-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.culturelabel.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/s/a/saatchi--shop-11th-nov-0003-5-1.jpg" width="291" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #5c5c5c;"><a href="http://www.culturelabel.com/green-and-gold-cup-necklace.html">Green and Gold Cup Necklace</a> by Louise Buchan £32.50</span></span></h1>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.culturelabel.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/c/a/catscratch-with-cat1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="251" src="http://www.culturelabel.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/c/a/catscratch-with-cat1.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #5c5c5c;"><a href="http://www.culturelabel.com/cat-scratching-dj-decks.html">Cat Scratching Decks</a> by Maiden £16.50</span></span></h1>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.culturelabel.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/b/l/blue_birds_purse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://www.culturelabel.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/b/l/blue_birds_purse.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.culturelabel.com/blue-birds-purse.html" target="_blank">Blue Birds Purse</a> by Custom Made £13.50</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.culturelabel.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1//9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/r/o/robryanhisnhersmugrev.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.culturelabel.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1//9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/r/o/robryanhisnhersmugrev.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.culturelabel.com/his-her-set-of-mugs.html" target="_blank">His 'n' Her Set of Mugs</a> by Rob Ryan £17.95</span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><a class="url" href="http://www.culturelabel.com/retro-clutch-bag.html" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;">Retro Green Printed Clutch Bag</a> by Anna's Design £19</span></h1>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.culturelabel.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/f/o/fox_tea_towel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://www.culturelabel.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/f/o/fox_tea_towel.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.culturelabel.com/sew-your-own-fox.html" target="_blank">Sew-Your-Own-Fox Tea Towel</a> by Maiden £10</span></h1>
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">See anything you like? I particularly love the Sew-Your-Own-Fox Tea Towel - it would make a really cute gift for a fox lover or a crafting virgin!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #818386; font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"> x</span></span></div>Jenny @ Sunday Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227270053177918453noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645437324899325094.post-29327690800619740822012-04-17T14:00:00.000+01:002012-04-17T15:45:32.404+01:00We've got balls...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday, I wrote about <a href="http://www.bluefinchboutique.com/" target="_blank">Bluefinch Boutique</a>'s new range of vintage jewellery and showed you some of my favourites from the range. It was a bit premature as today, I added what is definitely my favourite piece of vintage jewellery in the entire shop! Meet the 'Belle of the ball' vintage locket necklace:</div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">I just adore these lovely vintage ball lockets. They were made in the 1960s and scrub up well with a bit of elbow grease and polish while still retaining their vintage charm. The outside is lovely, shiny brass but pop the locket open, and you will find a contrasting copper compartment:</span></div>
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I love that although this necklace has a very definite 1960s vibe to it, it is simple and classic enough to be really wearable. The necklace is embellished with a gold-plated leaf near the clasp which adds an extra little pretty touch. I'm definitely keeping one of these for myself and anticipate I will wear it a lot! </div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">I think I am going to stick two teeny little photographs in mine, but you could also store a little folded up note in there, maybe a quote which inspires or moves you?</span><br />
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<br />Jenny @ Sunday Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227270053177918453noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645437324899325094.post-85855640485873155702012-04-16T18:09:00.000+01:002012-04-16T18:10:04.503+01:00Bluefinch Boutique Vintage Jewellery<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've always been a fan of vintage clothes and accessories, even before anyone knew it as 'vintage'. When I was little, I loved dressing up my Mum's old clothes and jewellery from the 60s and 70s and as I got older, I often appropriated items for my own wardrobe. Although much of the jewellery I sell in <a href="http://www.bluefinchboutique.com/" target="_blank">Bluefinch Boutique</a> is vintage style, I've recently started including more and more pieces made from authentic vintage components. I love that the tiny imperfections and marks on lots of these jewels and charms mean that every piece of jewellery made from them is truly unique. Lots of pieces I use are from the 1950s when many manufacturing techniques weren't as precise as they are now so the differences between items from the same batch can be relatively wide. It also makes me happy to think <span style="font-family: inherit;">that these jewels now have a new lease of life, often after sitting around neglected in warehouses or fa</span>ctories for 50 years or more. </div>
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The <a href="http://bluefinchboutique.com/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=52" target="_blank">vintage jewellery</a> range is growing weekly and I am building up quite a stash of beautiful, hard-to-find treasures all just waiting to be incorporated into new designs. These are some of my favourite pieces so far:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bluefinchboutique.com/images/uploads/rosalie_earrings_bf_(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://bluefinchboutique.com/images/uploads/rosalie_earrings_bf_(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #a5a5a5; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://bluefinchboutique.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=248" target="_blank">'Rosalie' Vintage Jewel Earrings</a></span></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bluefinchboutique.com/images/uploads/ivory_tower_vintage_button_ring_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://bluefinchboutique.com/images/uploads/ivory_tower_vintage_button_ring_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #a5a5a5; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://bluefinchboutique.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=258" target="_blank">'Ivory Tower' Vintage Button Gold Ring</a></span></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bluefinchboutique.com/images/uploads/april_showers_vintage_earrings_bf.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://bluefinchboutique.com/images/uploads/april_showers_vintage_earrings_bf.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://bluefinchboutique.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=261" target="_blank">'April Showers' Vintage Gold Earrings</a></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bluefinchboutique.com/images/uploads/peach_rose_necklace_bf_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="http://bluefinchboutique.com/images/uploads/peach_rose_necklace_bf_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="http://bluefinchboutique.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=259" target="_blank">'Peach Blossom' Vintage Gold Necklace</a></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bluefinchboutique.com/images/uploads/rose_garden_ring_1_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://bluefinchboutique.com/images/uploads/rose_garden_ring_1_1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><a href="http://bluefinchboutique.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=252" target="_blank">'Rose Garden' Vintage Cabochon Ring</a></span></span></td></tr>
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All these pieces are made in very limited quantities so when they're gone, they're gone! I plan to start including more 'one-off' items soon and expanding on my range of upcycled products so watch this space!<br />
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Jenny</div>
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</div>Jenny @ Sunday Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227270053177918453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645437324899325094.post-12489911222996286932012-04-10T09:12:00.000+01:002012-04-10T09:12:18.333+01:00Bluefinch Boutique Twitter Giveaway!Our first ever Twitter giveaway starts today. The winner will receive a £20 voucher to spend on anything they like at <a href="http://www.bluefinchboutique.com/" target="_blank">Bluefinch Boutique</a>! Entering could not be easier. All you have to do is:<br />
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1. Follow <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/_Bluefinch_" target="_blank">@_bluefinch_</a> on Twitter<br />
2. Re-tweet the giveaway entry tweet which you'll be able to find in our recent tweets (Follow @_bluefinch_ and RT to be in with a chance of winning £20 to spend at bluefinchboutique.com)<br />
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And that's it!<br />
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The winner will be chosen at random at 6pm GMT Wednesday 11th April. You can enter up to three times by re-tweeting the giveaway entry tweet on three separate occasions.<br />
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Good luck!<br />
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<br />Jenny @ Sunday Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227270053177918453noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645437324899325094.post-79510558117260238882012-04-03T14:12:00.000+01:002012-04-03T14:14:02.284+01:00What I made when I was ill<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've been feeling a bit flu-ish this week, not real, full-on flu, but bad enough to have to take it easy for a few days and drink lots of hot lemon and honey. </div>
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Lying on the sofa, surrounded by tissues and boxsets of Sex and the City, I had a flick through an, as yet, unused present, <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Busy-Girls-Guide-Sewing/dp/0715338684/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333456981&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Busy Girl's Guide To Sewing</a> by Carrie Maclennan. It's a good little book, more useful to a sewing novice like myself, I imagine, than someone who knows what they're doing already. It's filled with supposedly quick little projects and I was suddenly filled with an urge to make the Keep-It-Neat Pattern Sleeve to store my embroidery in when I'm not working on it. I'm new to embroidery (you can see my first completed project <a href="http://bluefinchboutique.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/my-first-completed-hand-embroidery.html" target="_blank">here</a>) but have already found that two big fluffy black cats and white cotton fabric do not mix. In an attempt to store my embroidery safely away from cat hair and busy paws, this is what I made:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgryurtRZNaiwvMViCu_r1kVNzF0T-TNph0jRDa2Ex0xxZRks5mD6Vd-aUEYsxHzmVCiAfPre_-j4JD8geAdWYPUXL47NJZH9hQCg1W93akXIGSbl5x9ILQ4Th-nRSALvBNoMhQuxUL0tC/s1600/pattern+holder.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgryurtRZNaiwvMViCu_r1kVNzF0T-TNph0jRDa2Ex0xxZRks5mD6Vd-aUEYsxHzmVCiAfPre_-j4JD8geAdWYPUXL47NJZH9hQCg1W93akXIGSbl5x9ILQ4Th-nRSALvBNoMhQuxUL0tC/s320/pattern+holder.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWoIJUQHw1mSGJsh6CiyqH1ONU6i1c1Tz6dr4xMAEtsTW_QccvZoH89_W7FF_JoL0hoYgNK54DE29WZts_2rvX8RfcYrwpXdSlBaDltwgEh7CFxnDJ2QWncBJAxZG0GuWhuDjTgdGoMbJd/s1600/pattern+holder+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWoIJUQHw1mSGJsh6CiyqH1ONU6i1c1Tz6dr4xMAEtsTW_QccvZoH89_W7FF_JoL0hoYgNK54DE29WZts_2rvX8RfcYrwpXdSlBaDltwgEh7CFxnDJ2QWncBJAxZG0GuWhuDjTgdGoMbJd/s320/pattern+holder+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPc6G_w1jucXi5Mei0BljH0H8SAbujVLKweqytgkFjmNFDTtUlh-mJLKLHK8Ou57LoubwJ0aq6QxDbSdg5QWJvS3dFtNdAfXlAoddR9Ufmh65ThKNyp96qTho9hO_gDOp00a1yvEwAb6cE/s1600/pattern+holder+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPc6G_w1jucXi5Mei0BljH0H8SAbujVLKweqytgkFjmNFDTtUlh-mJLKLHK8Ou57LoubwJ0aq6QxDbSdg5QWJvS3dFtNdAfXlAoddR9Ufmh65ThKNyp96qTho9hO_gDOp00a1yvEwAb6cE/s320/pattern+holder+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I'm pleased with how it turned out, although even as a novice, I'm sure I could have easily winged it and made it myself without the book. My sewing machine has only just come out of a three year long hibernation though, so I thought I'd play it safe for my first project! According to the book, this should have taken me around 30 minutes to make...if that's so, then they were the longest 30 minutes of my life. I think this is actually the first time I've made anything from scratch with my machine though, so I'm quite happy :-)</div>
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Finally, I just wanted to show you my cute little Cath Kidston needle holder which was a gift from a friend:</div>
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Isn't he cute!?<br />
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<br />Jenny @ Sunday Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227270053177918453noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7645437324899325094.post-623011526788880022012-03-30T17:01:00.002+01:002012-03-30T17:04:43.505+01:00Crochet Rose RingsAfter a lengthy absence from crocheting, I'm getting back into it in a big way. At the moment, I'm loving making dainty little crocheted pieces with teeny weeny steel hooks. I'm currently addicted to hooking these pretty roses and making them into rings: <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwVQnczvCEBlZuNuV9obaVDi7hTyAf90w7DIT9VQ-gUn84M92rnQQZq9oQkE61dpuyEwZCAEN7W-7f_kiYwiWlPWRzK2f_nPdlteABcbC-5IhewjfZO7NAcfAHoWRH6Nxcs2c68faYo4B/s1600/rose_ring_pink_cl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwVQnczvCEBlZuNuV9obaVDi7hTyAf90w7DIT9VQ-gUn84M92rnQQZq9oQkE61dpuyEwZCAEN7W-7f_kiYwiWlPWRzK2f_nPdlteABcbC-5IhewjfZO7NAcfAHoWRH6Nxcs2c68faYo4B/s320/rose_ring_pink_cl.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crochet rose ring available to buy at <a href="http://bluefinchboutique.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=257" target="_blank">Bluefinch Boutique</a></td></tr>
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I've never been a fan of crochet jewellery as most of what I've seen has been big and kind of clunky in appearance but these roses are so tightly stitched that they make delicate looking embellishments and are right up my street. I hope you like them!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVsahW4JgZ4wokhC24aqIUybUxWluvayCVMdqiXebxCsRSMtTSIoPbBOpv_WFBMn-cIE-p1nPpZd8ydFvfJPq3lVOEECAT0UkOqx84wcVh7vezFY5l0Sl4IOlQ8a-w1N4pvpxrB9Ehb1x/s1600/rose+ring+5+cl.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVsahW4JgZ4wokhC24aqIUybUxWluvayCVMdqiXebxCsRSMtTSIoPbBOpv_WFBMn-cIE-p1nPpZd8ydFvfJPq3lVOEECAT0UkOqx84wcVh7vezFY5l0Sl4IOlQ8a-w1N4pvpxrB9Ehb1x/s320/rose+ring+5+cl.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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x</div>Jenny @ Sunday Girlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227270053177918453noreply@blogger.com2