MY STYLE - My New Plant

I have a lovely friend to thank for this 'moving in' present. It is settling into my bedroom, and the best part is that it is low maintenance. Very little watering is required, which is a good thing for me as I have been known to kill the occasional houseplant.

In case you wanted to know, it is a Bromeliad. It likes to be watered sparingly and be kept in a warm, bright room away from direct sunlight. These plants come in a variety of vibrant shades and have an architectural presence that makes them a great style statement.

MOST WANTED - Twist Bench

Twist Bench - drinkstuff.com - £2115

The first thing I noticed about this bench was the gorgeous wood. The second thing was the price! It is not cheap, but if money were no object then we wouldn't care would we. The versatile piece is suitable for indoor or outdoor use, and is made from three twisted pieces of timber. Made in England and very eco friendly too. It would not look out of place in an art gallery or public space, but I also think it would be a stylish addition to any home.

WEBSITE OF THE WEEK - allposters.co.uk

www.allposters.co.uk

Bare walls boring you? For a huge choice and reasonable prices try allposters.co.uk You can get framed or unframed prints in a variety of size to add interest to a dull interior. The vintage collection is really worth a good browse. Framed posters are also a great idea for teenager's rooms as they get to have something cool on display, without taking the plaster off your walls.

Here are a few of my favourites...

The Great Wave... by Hokusai - From £8.99


Citrons Verts - £4.99


Almond Branches... by Van Gogh - From £16.99

Monte Carlo - £5.99

MOST WANTED - Indestructable Luggage

Globe Trotter hand made luggage is the ultimate travel accessory. The company recently celebrated their 110th anniversary and have been serving the discerning customer since the Victorian era. They are a well established and respected brand.

This particular suitcase is made from a carbon fiber based material and has been designed by Ross Lovegrove to be both light and strong. Stronger than steel in fact. I want some, but the hefty price tag will no doubt be a barrier for my bank balance.

RECIPE - Pitta Chips with a kick

Photo Credit: ratterrell on flickr.com

Try this for a summer snack at your BBQ this year. People will be impressed that you made the effort and didn't just get the Doritos in.

You will need...

1 pack - Wholemeal pitta breads
1 pack - White pitta breads
Garlic and Chilli infused olive oil
Italian herb infused olive oil
Your favourite dips

1. Cut the pitta breads into strips. There is no need to be too precise.

2. Take the white pitta strips and coat with the chilli oil. I find it easiest to do this in the oven tray itself which saves on the washing up.

3. Take the wholemeal strips and coat in the Italian oil in a separate oven tray

4. Pop both trays in a pre-heated oven at a high heat, 200-220 degrees C.

5. Cook until golden brown and crisp, should take between 10 and 20 minutes depending on how crispy you want them. The best way to know is to try one.

6.Take out and serve in a big bowl either hot or cold with a selection of dips and salsas. I recommend sour cream with the chilli pitta chips and a tomato salsa with the Italian ones.

Enjoy!

*If like me you are a big fan of hot pitta bread, then try toasting it with butter for a quick lunch option. Yummy, especially the garlic and coriander varieties.

Related Posts:
RECIPE - Lemon Drizzle Cake
RECIPE - Credit Crunch Macaroni Cheese

MOST WANTED - Bookshelf Chair

'The Cave' Bookshelf - Sakura Adachi

What could be better than a shelving unit with space to store the books, and to read them. Japanese designer Sakura Adachi obviously thought so too when creating this new piece of furniture. It is designed with relaxation in mind and allows a reader to lose themselves in their book. Expect to pay over 5000 euros for the pleasure though.

And not to leave the pooch out, the book shelf below incorporates a dog bed. A perfect space saving solution, although not quite big enough for my Labrador!

INGREDIENT - Beansprout Bonanza

Photo Credit: su-lin on flickr.com

There are more uses for beansprouts than you might think. I like the mung bean variety and here is why they are a favourite of mine....

• You can use as an alternative to rice. It will make for a huge calorie saving. 100g of beansprouts contain around 27 calories, compared to up to 350 calories in 100g of basmati rice and up to 360 in the same amount of rice noodles. Not good for a big energy fix, but perfect for the evening meal.
  
  
• Add to your Stirfry, curry, salad or stew to get more of your 5 a day. Add them right at the end to keep some crunch. My new favourite flavours are coconut, lime and chilli.
  
  
• Use as a vegetable with your usual meal, just add some soy sauce, garlic and seasoning and stir fry for 2 minutes. It doesn't have to be an oriental meal either. I like sweetcorn and beansprouts with anything.
  
  
• Try making your own spring rolls. You could use just vegetables, or try chicken or duck too.
  
  
• Beansprouts can add something extra to salads too. A cold noodle salad, with sweet chilli sauce is simply divine. Protest against the boring old sandwich.
  
  
• Although some people would argue that canned vegetables are not as nice as fresh, I would buy beansprouts in a tin as they will last so much longer. Fresh beansprouts have a very short shelf life and really do not taste nice if not eaten promptly.

EVENT - Memory Lane Retro Fair

The whole world's going retro!

The demand for vintage fashion has been overwhelming for sometime but it seems that retro fashion is not enough. Not only is it trendy to be seen wearing a look from days gone by but nowadays nothing is more 'de rigeur' than to furnish one's home in a fashionably retro style and you know when a style is "in" when Ikea try to copy it! From shouting "chuck out your chintz!" Ikea have recently been seen to not only embrace chintz once more but also a myriad of other retro designs from "antique" monogrammed cushions to 60s-style moulded swivel armchairs.

But why buy modern Scandinavian copies when you can get the original items with all their attention to detail and design? There is no need to trek to a vast warehouse on the outskirts of town to pick up a cheap imitation when the real thing is available in the heart of Chelsea. Memory Lane retro fair will have fifty dealers selling everything from fifties furniture to fab lighting as well as more vintage fashion and accessories to compliment it all.

Memory Lane retro fair
Chelsea Town Hall, King's Road, Chelsea, London SW3 5EZ. Tel. 020 7254 4054
Nearest tube: Sloane Sq., South Kensington
Sunday 13th July

Open 11am - 5.30pm Admission £4 (students with valid ID £2) Accompanied under 16s free

Visit the website for more details

PRODUCT OF THE WEEK - Solar Powered Plant Pot

Solar Powered Plant Pot - Firebox - from £19.95

We will all be trying make the most of the summertime by spending more time outdoors. Barbecues are a favourite, and drinks after dark often ensue. Subtle garden lighting is a must, so these solar powered plant pots from Firebox.com are an ideal solution.

The pots are available in understated white, or an eye-catching colour changing option. Sunnier days will mean your pot lights up for longer, so don't expect such a glow in the dreary winter months. But for your summer soirees, these will certainly be a talking point. Set your garden aglow!