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Chocolat by Joanne Harris (Book Review)

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Already a best seller, this French fairytale of a story will have your tastebuds itching to have some 'Chocolat', while you read along with Vianne and the tests and trials she encounters as she starts her new life in a very traditional and religious village. Travelling is Vianne's oxygen and Lansquenet-Sous-Tannes is her and her daughter, Anouk's, next stop. Having a passion for food, she opens a chocolateire and uses her unique creativity to conjure up recipes that are too mouth watering to read without enjoying a mug of hot chocolate. Most people would find this exciting, however the author (Joanne Harris) has introduced religion as one of the main theme's in this story and it shows the values the Catholic community, particularly the priest Reynaud, has against a sweet treat knocking on their doorstep, especially as it is lent. Although they are against change, curiosity takes over and the people of this village want to see what Vianne, as an atheist, has in ...

Pancake Madeleines coated in Nutella and Chopped Roasted Hazelnuts

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Pancakes have always been one of my favourite things to eat. It was always a sweet treat to look forward to at the weekend when I was a child, I remember waking up to the sweet smell and I knew that my mum was busy downstairs baking us all up a treat. Recently my mum bought a madeleine tin to make traditional madeleines, which I had never had before and omg they were amazing! Then one day the random thought of pancakes shaped like madeleines popped into my head, who knows how or why😂? Anyways I thought I would try making a slightly thicker batter than my usual pancake consistency and luckily they worked and were a huge hit with the family. So if you are in the mood for a sweet treat or wanting something slightly different on Shrove Tuesday (aka pancake day, aka best day of the year)! Then why not try this edible goodness. Ingredients:  125g Self Raising Flour 1 Large Egg 130ml Semi Skimmed Milk 5tsp Sugar Coconut Oil Spray or Butter to Grease Tin Nutella Pack of Chopp...

Downton Abbey (Film Review)

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Picture from IMDB Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ A timeless tale from the beloved TV drama series that had most of the world sitting down in front of their TV screens on a Sunday evening and maybe enjoying a scone or two. Downton Abbey, now a major motion film, will have people enjoying a nostalgic moment with the wit and beauty of the characters and the old English ways of society. The opening scene will be familiar to those fans who have been watching since series 1, as we see multiple shots of a steam train, along with other English iconography heading towards an established shot of Downton Abbey. Additionally, let's not forget the classic theme tune by John Lunn playing through the opening credits. As fitting with a period drama, there is romance as a new maid captures someones eye and a love triangle forms between three servants. Furthermore, will Thomas Barrow (Robert James-Collier) finally find true love or will the tests and trials of society intervene? Crime and my...

Anthropologie Look on a Budget

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Anthropologie is one of those shops where you just want to buy EVERYTHING!!! Especially the decor. However, it is a very expensive shop and being a student it's not one that I tend to shop in. It's more of a place to walk in and imagine what things would look like in your house or as my mum likes to say "it's like walking into an art gallery". Therefore, I've come up with a way to have the 'Anthropologie Look on a budget'. I found this gold jewellery holder with an imbedded mirror at a lovely shop called Cowley House in Cirencester. It is a gift shop, so there are many different brands and the piece I got is by a brand called 'Sass & Belle'. The hanging piece coast me £8.99 reduced from £12.99, so you can already see that you are saving a big amount of money. Additionally, I found a jewellery hanging for £88 on Anthropologie. Unfortunately Cowley House is closing down, so if you are in the Cirencester area I recommend to go in quic...

Ultracomida Spanish Delicatessen

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Ultracomida is an authentic Spanish Delicatessen in the heart of Wales, which is very random and I love it because it adds a fun twist to the Welsh towns. So if you are wanting fluffy patatas bravas, crunchy fresh fish, a traditional Spanish tortilla, a super thick creamy Spanish hot chocolate and much more then don't hesitate for a moment if you spot an Ultracomida!   It's a small chain, as there are only three of them. One is in Narberth and the other two are in Aberystwyth and Cardiff. The one in Cardiff is actually called Curado Bar, which is slightly different to the other two as the layout isn't a delicatessen or restaurant, it's a modern, industrial bar but serves the same authentic Spanish food and drink. I've been to the Narberth Ultracomida a few times now and the Aberystwyth one once. As you enter the building you come into the delicatessen and shop area where you'll find a selection of meats, such as salami, chorizo, ham etc. They also have...

The Dress by Kate Kerrigan (Book Review)

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This non-linear narrative, set in the 1930s, 1950s and 2014, will take you on a fashionable mystery of love and loss that ties two different stories together with one thing in everyone's mind, 'The Dress'! With one storyline set in 1950s New York, you will meet a married couple, Frank and Joy Fitzpatrick living the ' American Dream', with all the glitz and glam intertwining their lives. However this high lifestyle isn't what everyone thinks it should be, as love is tested, alcholism is portraying its toxic effects on their relationship, and a haunting past that still holds a dark shadow on one of their lives. Author, Kate Kerrigan really shows the depth of these life situations and those that are to come as you read through the story. It shows that she has undertaken thorough research to make her story relatable to people of all ages. A third significant character in this era is a young woman called Honor who befriends Joy over their passion in fashion....

Leonardo Da Vinci: A Life in Drawing Exhibition

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Celebrating 500 years since his death, Leonardo Da Vinci's genius work is worth seeing! I went to this exhibtion last Thursday at the Queen's Gallery in Buckingham Palace. I didn't even know that the Queen had her own gallery, so cool! This means you will be kinda taking away a Royal experience and seeing one of the world's finest artists work. If you do go you will be witnessing his biggest collection in over 65 years and there's over 200 pieces of his drawings from the Royal Collection.     You will be getting an insight into Leonardo's interests and the general way in which his mind worked. There are three big rooms that explore his portraiture work and close up details of his sketches that reflects upon the movement of his subject. Leonardo is known for being a genius and was known as one of the greatest scientists of the Renaissance era. As you walk through the exhibition, you will come across some of his drawings that contain notes on the side...