The Diary of a Domestic Goblin: 2012

Saturday 1 December 2012

The Chestnut Inn, Vermont

Hotel items/amenities taken by Ross and Chandler:

~ Apples
~ Toothbrush
~ Toothpaste
~ Razor
~ Mouthwash
~ Deodorant
~ Dental floss
~ Band aids
~ Shaving cream
~ After shave
~ Tampons
~ USA Today
~ Salt and pepper shaker
~ Shampoo and conditioner
~ Light bulb
~ Batteries
~ Pinecones

Season 9, Episode 19

Monica Geller & Chandler Bing: Wedding Scenario Eight

~ Best Man: Ross Geller
~ Maid of Honour: Rachel Green
~ Bridesmaid: Phoebe Buffay
~ Minister: Joey Tribbiani
~ Lily Centrepieces
~ Swing Band "The Swing Kings"
~ Rustic Italian Feast
~ Custom-made, empire waisted, duchess satin gown
~ James Bond's tuxedo
~ A string quartet for the procession
~ A jazz trio for cocktails
~ Bay City Rollers for dancing

S7:E2

Thursday 1 November 2012

UK vs US

Different words for the same thing:

Aubergine - Eggplant
Cotton bud - Cotton swab
Chips - Fries
Crisps - Chips
Ground floor - First floor
Football - Soccer
Accelerator pedal - Gas pedal
Pavement - Sidewalk
Lift - Elevator
Beige - Tan
Trousers - Pants
Underground - Subway
Bumbag - Fannypack
Full stop - Period
Handbag - Purse
Exam - Final
Mobile phone - Cell phone
Cling film - Plastic wrap
Biscuit - Cookie
Sweets - Candy
A fringe - Bangs
Hotel porter - Bellhop
Nappy - Diaper
Curtain - Drape
Rubber - Eraser
Torch - Flashlight
Icing - Frosting
Rubbish - Garbage
Love bite - Hickey
Double cream - Heavy cream
Bonnet - Hood
Laundrette - Laundromat
Mohican - Mohawk
Tights - Pantyhose
Term - Semester
Jumper - Sweater
Takeaway - Takeout
Boot - Trunk
Holiday - Vacation
Autumn - Fall
Post code - Zip code
Courgette - Zucchini
Anti clockwise - Counter clockwise
Cagoule - Windbreaker
Caravan - Trailer
Plait - Braid
Rucksack - Knapsack

* This is not an exhaustive list *

Fifth Formers at St Clares

Class register:

Pamela Boardman
Carlotta Brown
Doris Edward
Roberta Ellis
Angela Favorleigh
Gladys Hillman
Pauline Jones
Anne-Marie Longden
Alison O'Sullivan
Isabel O'Sullivan
Patricia O'Sullivan
Alma Pudden
Felicity Ray
Janet Robins
Mirabel Unwin
Hilary Wentworth
Claudine

Angela and Alison's study:

~ Table loaded with cakes and sandwiches as well as lemonade and ginger beer.
~ A bright fire burning in the grate.
~ Polished furniture.
~ Beautiful mirrors and pictures.
~ Two armchairs.
~ Lovely rugs.
~ Silk curtains.
~ Brilliant chrysanthemums in vases.

Pauline and Alma's study:

~ Blue vase.
~ Tea cosy.

Claudine and Carlotta's study:

~ Embroidered table cloths and cushion covers.
~ Items from Spain.
~ Deep red embroidered shawl from Seville.

Fagging:

~ Mending / darning / sewing socks, stockings and jumpers.
~ Cleaning / polishing shoes.
~ Making anchovy toast.

Antoinette defeats Angela

Task: Clean and polish the brown shoes.

What Antoinette actually did: Used Angela's expensive face cream instead of shoe polish.

Task: Make anchovy toast - enough for three people.

What Antoinette actually did: Used brown shoe polish instead of anchovy paste.

Antoinette tells Matron that she has accidentally given Angela, Alison and Anne-Marie a nasty dose of shoe polish. Matron takes all three fifth formers to take some equally nasty tasting medicine.

Doris 'Deirdre' Willcox - English teacher and published poet. Has a preference for:

~ Scarves.
~ Brilliant / startling belts.
~ Striking handkerchiefs.
~ Gold headed hair pins.
~ Drapey dresses.
~ Deep drawling voice.
~ Graceful dramatic gestures.
~ Round-shouldered walk.

* Information in this post were derived from Fifth Formers at St Clares by Enid Blyton *

Dedicated to Ms R. Knight, a house mistress in Dorset.

Never Judge A Book By Its Cover...

...but the opening sentence of certain books reeled me in straight away; hook, line and sinker.

Classic example:

“Into the face of the young man who sat on the terrace of the Hotel Magnifique at Cannes there had crept a look of furtive shame, the shifty, hangdog look which announces that an Englishman is about to talk French" - (The Luck of the Bodkins by P.G. Wodehouse).

Monday 1 October 2012

BB Creams

According to wikipedia and other internet sources, BB creams were orginally formulated in the 1950's by German dermatologist Dr Christine Schrammek. She created an ointment for her patients to protect their skin after laser procedures and surgery, while also providing light coverage to minimise the appearance of scars and redness. In 1967, this ointment was commercialised and sold as a Blemish Balm.

In the 1980's this product was introduced to South Korea and Japan and became very popular in Asia due to their multi-tasking all-in-one properties.

I personally discovered BB creams during a visit to Hong Kong in 2008.

~ My first BB cream
Skinfood Gingko Green BB Cream #2
A multi-function product for skin care and makeup.
Containing gingko leaf and green tea extracts rich in lecithin and vitamin B, it protects sensitive skin and improves skin tone.

~ My second BB cream
Skinfood Mushroom Multi Care BB Cream SPF20 PA+ #2 Natural Skin
This triple-function BB cream provides UV protection and deep moisturization to skin with aloe and mushroom extracts, while arbutin and adenosine make skin clear and resilient.

~ My third BB cream
Dr. med. Christine Schrammek Blemish Balm Classic
Especially developed for irritated, large-pored and impure skin.

Wishlist
~ Embryolisse Artist Secret Complexion Illuminating Veil BB Cream SPF 20
~ Estee Lauder Daywear BB Anti-Oxidant Beauty Benefit Creme - Light
~ Skinfood Red Bean BB Cream SPF20 PA+ No. 2 Natural beige

* Product information derived from the branded website *

Meat is the Message

Authentic, wholesome and delicious recipes from My American Wife! (Sponsored by BEEF-EX)

Meat Made Manifest: ample, robust, yet never tough or hard to digest.

Motto: "Pork is Possible but Beef is Best!"

~ Coca cola rump roast by Suzie Flowers
~ Texas-style Beefy Burritos by Catalina Martinez
~ Sooner Schnitzel by Mrs Klinck
~ Cajun-style Baby Back Ribs by Grace Beaudroux
~ Chitterlings by Mrs Helen Dawes
~ Southern-style Filet Mignon by Becky Thayer
~ Lamb chops by Eleanor Bukowsky
~ Pasta Primavera by Lara and Dyann
~ Beef Fudge by Mrs Payne
~ Prairie oysters by Bunny Dunn

* The information in this post has been sarcastically transferred from My Year of Meat written by Ruth L. Ozeki *

Exquisite Food According to Jane Takagi-Little...

~ Rich urchin roe that melted like butter.
~ Paper-thin fugu with chilli ponzu sauce.
~ A thimbleful of black-market caviar wrapped in a transluscent skin and tied with a chive then covered with trembling pieces of gold leaf.

* Information derived from My Year of Meat written by Ruth L. Ozeki *

Saturday 1 September 2012

Eau de Goblin

Private Label

~ Concept No.1
Memories of an English summer.
Head notes: Gooseberry
Heart notes: Elderflower, Thyme
Base notes: Moroccan Rose, White Musk

~ Concept No. 2
Inspired by Rocket Stevenson.
Head notes: Brandy
Heart notes: Fresh Tobacco Leaves
Base notes: Hay

~ Concept No. 3
Evocation of Southeast Asia.
Head notes: Basil, Pandan Leaves
Heart notes: Kampot Pepper, Basmati Rice
Base notes: Benzoin Resin

~ Concept No. 4
Inspired by Mma Ramotswe.
Head notes: Petrichor
Heart notes: Rooibos Tea
Base notes: Acacia, Storax

~ Concept No. 5
Inspired by Auntie Dott.
Head notes: Tangerines
Heart notes: Espresso Beans, Dark Chocolate
Base notes: Ambergris

Now, I just need Jean-Baptiste Grenouille to create each blend using the perfect ratio/formula; Givenchy or Guerlain to provide marketing & public relations advice; and Luca Turin to smell and to publish a review on my collection.

Subversion Through Scent Part II

Since August 2011 and May 2012, I have been badly influenced by fumehead Katie Puckrik; biophysicist Luca Turin and writer Victoria Frolova respectively.

I have learnt to appreciate more unique and complex scents from both independent and mainstream perfume houses. I have also learnt to ignore social norms and gender specific marketing.

My current favourites include:
~ Bvlgari Eau Parfumee Au The Vert
~ Estee Lauder Pleasures
~ L'instant de Guerlain

In the testing phase:
~ Apres L'ondee by Guerlain
~ Yvresse by Yves Saint Laurent
~ No. 2, No 4 and No. 5 by Crow Water + Parfum
~ Indochine by Parfumerie Generale
~ Timbuktu by L'artisan Parfumer
~ 1740 by Histoire de Parfum
~ Jasmin et Cigarettes by Etat Libre d'Orange
~ S-ex by S-Perfume
~ Eau de Charlotte by Annick Goutal

Waiting to be tested:
~ Violetta by Penhaligons
~ Lavender by Caldey Islands
~ Mitsouko EDP by Guerlain
~ Lime Basil & Mandarin by Jo Malone

Wishlist:
~ No. 5 Eau Premiere by Chanel
~ Private Collection by Estee Lauder
~ Baiser Vole by Cartier
~ Chamade EDT by Guerlain
~ White Gardenia Petals by Illuminum

Intrigued by, yet hard to find in the UK and/or not within my budget:
~ Poo Poo Pidoo by Ego Facto
~ Osmanthe Yunnan by Hermes
~ Organza Indecence by Givenchy
~ Oud Wood by Tom Ford
~ In The Library by CB I Hate Perfumes
~ Roast Beef Accord by CB I Hate Perfumes
~ Champaca by Ormonde Jayne
~ Peau de Peche by Keiko Mecheri

Too challenging:
~ Secretions Magnifique by Etat Libre d'Orange
~ Blood Concept
~ Oud 27 by Le Labo

Ever wondered what Domestic Goblin's first perfume was? Click here to find out.

Capturing Scent

Launched in 2006, Le Parfum Coffret is an artistic collaboration between Thierry Mugler Parfum and International Flavors & Fragrances.

What started off as a personal project for perfumer Christophe Laudamiel and Christoph Hornetz to create an olfactory interpretation of Perfume written by Patrick Suskind; blossomed into a commerical project consisting of 15 fragrances each representing a vivid scene from the book.

The 15-piece collection detailed in its entire glory:

~ Baby
Inspiration: “The wet nurse hesitated. She knew very well how babies smell… ‘It smells like caramel, it smells so sweet, so wonderful” - (Part I, Chapter 2).

Various compositions of 25 different ingredients make up the scent of a sweet-sour milky odour comprising the aroma of heavy whipped cream, meringue, fine custard, brown sugar, caramel and butter. The perfumers worked with a female flavourist and were able to use dessert notes replicating crême fraîche along with headspace analysis of warm milk and the special note of 'Pyrazine', which replicates the warm smells of oven-baked goods and warm butter.

~ Paris 1738
Inspiration: “It was a mixture of human and animal smells, of water and stone and ashes and leather, of soap and fresh-baked bread and eggs boiled in vinegar, of noodles and smoothly polished brass, of sage and ale and tears, of grease and soggy straw and dry straw" - (Part I, Chapter 7).

The use of blackcurrants in fruity blends have a slight urine odour but combined with the absolute of seaweed, reveals an odour of unwashed hair.

~ Atelier Grimal
Inspiration: “He scraped the meat from bestially stinking hides, watered them down, dehaired them, limed, bathed, and fulled them, rubbed them down with pickling dung, chopped wood, stripped bark from birch and yew…” - (Part I, Chapter 6).

We are taken to a tannery with the odours of horses, cows, animalic smoky which were replicated with the essences of mimosas, red fruity notes, a pumpkin potage reflecting the suppleness of finished raw leather.

~ Virgin No. 1
Inspiration: “A girl was sitting at the table cleaning yellow plums… A hundred thousand odours seemed worthless in the presence of this scent. It was pure beauty" - (Part I, Chapter 8 ).

The scent of innocence, born with scent molecules of fresh milk, white rice and yellow plum Schnapps.

~ Boutique Baldini
Inspiration: “And here as well stood the business and residence of the perfumer and glover Giuseppe Baldini… A cloud of the frangipani with which he sprayed himself every morning enveloped him almost visible, removing him to a hazy distance. … However exquisite the quality of individual items—for Baldini bought ware of only highest quality—the blend of odours was almost unbearable…” - (Part I, Chapter 9).

Baldini's perfumery store provides a plethora of scents such as sweet liquor notes mixed with balsamic and beeswax, coffee, anis (liquorice) along with a strong violet water overtone. Vinegar and yellow daffodils have components that are reminiscent of pomades. Angelica seeds reproduce the mustiness of a house near the waters of the Seine.

~ Amor & Psyche
Inspiration: “The perfume was disgustingly good. That miserable Pélissier was unfortunately a virtuoso. An absolute classic—full and harmonious… It was fresh, but not frenetic. It was floral, without being unctuous” - (Part I, Chapter 12).

An extraordinary perfume with the exact luminosity of citrus essences with a profound natural quality that would be pure in that period.

~ Nuit Napolitaine
Inspiration: “’If you’ll let me, Maitre, I will make it better. Give me a minute and I will make a proper perfume out of it!’ … He [Baldini] saw himself as a young man walking through the evening gardens of Naples; he saw himself lying in the arms of a woman with dark curly hair and saw the silhouette of a bouquet of roses on the window-sill as the night wind passed by…” - (Part I, Chapter 15).

Based on 'Amour & Psyche' the reproduction is rounder and luminescent with Gentian and ginger essences replacing the orange blossoms a bergamot overlaying fresh clementines from Italy. Rosemary, garden mint lends a spicy quality and floral aromas fill out the formula.

~ Ermite
Inspiration: “Near his watering spot he discovered a natural tunnel leading back into the mountains by many twists and turns, until after a hundred feet or so it came to an end in a rock slide" - (Part II, Chapter 25).

The goal was to make a mineral fragrance – the kind that creates goosebumps of pleasure. It is the scent of Grenouille's temporary grave set against the scent of moss in a very dark, woody-green rain forest. Laboratory abstract molecules were blended with moss to replicate cold stones while mushroom and patchouli essences lend a subterranean feel.

~ Salon Rouge
Inspiration: “His heart was a purple castle. … It had a thousand private rooms and a thousand underground chambers and a thousand elegant salons, among them one with a purple sofa where Grenouille… would recover from the labours of the day” - (Part II, Chapter 27).

Grenouille dreams of a red salon where the Davana oil is used to replicate an after dinner wine such as Port. His imaginary castle smells of pervasive burning candles that include a molecule Karnanal (hot tar) and Aldron (body warmth) combined with Tuberose absolute.

~ Human Existence
Inspiration: “There was a basic perfumatory theme to the odour of humanity, a rather simple one, by the way: a sweaty-oily, sour-cheesy, quite richly repulsive basic theme that clung to all humans equally…” - (Part II, Chapter 31).

A selection of natural malt absolute containing the sweatiness of cheese was set against notes of civet and cumin. They were then rounded off by 'Skatol', another synthesised fecal note which could replicate the animalic mustiness of essential oils. These notes can also be found in natural chocolate. They make the perfumes feel alive.

~ Absolu Jasmin
Inspiration: “Jasmine season began at the end of July, August was for tuberoses. The perfume of these two flowers was both so exquisite and so fragile that not only did the blossoms have to be picked before sunrise, but they also demanded the most gentle and special handling” - (Part III, Chapter 37).

The notes of a true perfumer are melded of florals, fruits, animalic and green opulence. Perfumers currently work with 25 different jasmine nuances. Vera Strübi of Thierry Mugler Parfums, wanted the noblest of florals, the Jasminum Grandiflora to denote the most fragile yet hardy of oils from Provence.

~ Sea
Inspiration: “…the endless smell of the sea—which really was no smell, but a breath, an exhalation of breath, the end of all smells—dissolving with pleasure in that breath” - (Part I, Chapter 7).

With only nine ingredients, the fragrance must emulate that of an entire ocean. One of the key ingredients being seaweed along with a cocktail of Maritime aromas such as Calone along with notes of anise, melon, citrus and a new molecule inspired by cyclamen, whips the foamy sea-like aroma into a true marine note.

~ Noblesse
Inspiration: “On top of this disgusting base, which smelled more like a cadaver than a human being, Grenouille spread a layer of fresh, oily scents: peppermint, lavender, turpentine, lime, eucalyptus, which he then simultaneously disguised and tamed with the pleasant bouquet of fine floral oils—geranium, rose, orange blossom and jasmine… the perfume seemed to exhale the robust, vivacious scent of life” - (Part II, Chapter 31).

The scents of violet, heliotrope and iris root exuding powdery aromas gives the creation a sense of royalty. Other notes include Atlas cedar, vanilla powder and special aldehydes replicate the wigs and haughtiness of Rose de Mai (from Grasse), which can run €10,000 for one kilo of rose absolute, reflects the luxurious of notes.

~ Orgie
Inspiration: “And then a miracle occurred… The result was that the scheduled execution of one of the most abominable criminals of the age degenerated into the largest orgy the world had seen…” - (Part III, Chapter 49).

Sensuality and voluptuousness with the note of natural chocolate leading the way through animalic musks with Javanol (a new sandalwood). The use of a new molecule, 'Excitol' replicates the odours of sweat or sperm thereby heightening the eroticism, against the scent of woods which represent the scaffold.

~ Aura
Encompassing over 84 ingredients, this refined elixir was designed to harmonise with all of the fragrance families and to promote a warm glow that can be worn alone, or as an enhancer for your favourite fragrance.

Apparently, this exquisite limited edition masterpiece sold for 550 Euros/ US$ 700.

* Most of the information in this post were derived from basenotes and boisdejasmin *

Wednesday 1 August 2012

Tuesday 5 June 2012

~ The Queen's Diamond Jubilee Lunch ~

Venue: Westminster Hall

Host: The Livery

Special Guests: the Queen; the Prince of Wales; the Duchess of Cornwall; the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

Canapes served with:

Nyetimber Classic Cuvée 2007

Sparkling English Wine

Sandringham Apple Juice

The Main Menu

Marinated Uist Island Salmon with Lyme Bay Crab
Fresh Herb Salad with Lemon Soy Dressing
(Sancerre Sauvignon Blanc, Bué Loire Valley, France 2011)

Saddle of Welsh Cambrian Mountain Lamb with Braised Shoulder of Lamb
Grilled Isle of Wight Asparagus, Jersey Royal Potatoes, Jubilee Sauce
(Château Cap de Faugères, Côte-de-Castillon, France 2007)

~

Followed by a Symphony of Dessert

Chocolate Délice
Bread & Butter Pudding
Berry Compote with Sandringham Apple Sauce

This will be accompanied with:
Ceylon Tea
Fairtrade Coffee
Petit Fours

The Ceylon Bush Tea was planted by The Duke of Edinburgh during a State Visit to Sri Lanka in 1954 in the Pedro Tea plantation in Nuwara Eliya.

* All information in this post were derived from the ITV News Website *

Holidays By Steam

If I ever win the lottery, one of the many things I want to do is travel in the Imperial Suite of the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express Tour.

Information from the Spring 2013 - Autumn 2015 catalogue

Benefits of the Imperial Suite include:
~ 120 sq ft cabin
~ King size bed
~ Dedicated lounge area with dressing table
~ Private en-suite facilities with power shower and underfloor heating
~ Individual air-conditioning
~ Wardrobe
~ DVD player with LCD screen
~ Two large picture windows
~ Dedicated butler service
~ A selection of complimentary drinks from the premium bar list
~ Laundry service

Benefits for all passengers include:
~ Evening turn down service
~ Cabin attendant available 24 hours a day
~ A culinary experience representing the very essence of Russia (for example, Borscht (a beetroot soup) and Omul (a fish unique to Lake Baikal)
~ The bar stays open until the last person leaves

There are two tours and two itineraries available: the summer tour or the winter wonderland tour and the eastbound itinerary or the westbound itinerary. One of the highlights of the winter tour (eastbound itinerary) is the opportunity to watch the under-ice fishing.

More information can be found here.

Her Royal Highness: The Duchess of Cambridge, Countess of Strathearn, Baroness Carrickfergus.

Catherine's engagement ring:
~ An oval 18-carat blue sapphire surrounded by 14 diamonds, previously worn by Diana for her engagement in 1981.

Catherine's royal wedding ring:
~ Made from a piece of Welsh gold given to Prince William by the Queen.

Earrings worn on her wedding day:
~ Diamond oak leaf and acorn earrings designed by Robinson Pelham.

The Bobbi Brown wedding makeup palette rumoured to have been used by Catherine on her wedding day:
~ Ivory Eyeshadow (all over)
~ Rockstar Metallic Eyeshadow (lower lid)
~ Slate Eyeshadow (crease)
~ Black Ink (gel liner)
~ No Smudge (mascara)
~ Pale Pink (blush)
~ Pink Quartz (shimmer brick)
~ Sandwash Pink Lipcolor (lips)
~ Crystal Gloss (lips)

The fragrance rumoured to have been worn by Catherine on her wedding day:
~ White Gardenia Petals EDP by Illuminum

"As fragrant as a vase of white flowers, quivering in the breeze by an open window, this is a delicate and refined perfume. The top note of Lily evokes a tropical seaside location, whilst the heart notes of White Gardenia, Muguet and Jasmine breeze bring a trio of white flowers into play. Amber Wood underscores this light and capricious bouquet".

The candles used to scent Westminster Abbey:
~ Jo Malone Lime, Basil & Mandarin
~ Jo Malone Orange Blossom
~ Jo Malone Grapefruit

Brands/products favoured by Catherine (allegedly):
~ Lancome Hypnose Mascara
~ Nivea Pure & Natural Facial Moisturising Day Cream
~ YSL Touche Eclat
~ Vita-A-Kombi 1 & Vita-A-Kombi 3 Spot Zapper by Karin Herzog
~ Bourjois Number 28 Rose Lounge and Essie Number 423 Allure
~ Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturiser
~ L.K. Bennett Taupe Sledge Shoe

Catherine's casual attire:
~ Le Chameau Vierzonard Wellington Boots

Catherine's regular wardrobe items:
~ Smythe Navy One-Button Blazer
~ Corkswoon Wedge (Navy Antique Denim)

Hospital outfit:
~ Blue polka dot dress specially created by Jenny Packham

Prince George's blanket:
~ Super-fine merino wool christening shawl by GH Hurt & Son in Nottingham
~ Jungle Jam 4 pack swaddle by aden + anais

Pram:
~ Silver Cross

Sunday 1 July 2012

Crow Water + Parfum

Los Angeles based company founded in 2011 offering water based parfums, hand made with love, that is paraben free, phthlate free and cruelty free. Each scent has been inspired and influenced by the poems loved by Emily Lape.

The Collection
~ No. 1 Fruta + Leche
Perfect balance between soft and sweet. Jasmine, Creamy Orange, Vanilla and Soft Musk.
"Surely the flowers of a hundred springs
Are simply the souls of beautiful things" - (L. M. Montgomery).

~ No. 2 La Belle + Dame
Floral, fruity, ultra feminine with a sharp green note. Peony, Rose, Jasmine, Hyacinth and Peach Blossoms.
"I met a lady in the meads, full of beauty - a faery's child, her hair was long, her foot was light and her eyes were wild." - (La Belle Dame Sans Merci by J. Keats).

~ No. 3 Enchanted + Lily
A beautiful floral garden with a clean soap-like back note. Neroli, Jasmine, Lily, and Ozone.
"Life's enchanted cup sparkles near the brim" - (Lord Bryon).

~ No. 4 Paper + Lantern
Delicate Green Tea Leaves, Soothing Aloe and Vibrant Citrus.
"When the world is all at odds
And the mind is all at sea
Then cease the useless tedium
And brew a cup of tea.
There is magic in its fragrance,
There is solace in its taste;
And the laden moments vanish
Somehow into space.
The world becomes a lovely thing!
There’s beauty as you’ll see;
All because you briefly stopped
To brew a cup of tea" - (Anonymous).

~ No. 5 Midnight + Swim
Romantic, unique and a hint of mystery. Salty Sea Air, Wildflowers, Ozone and Woods.
"And my soul stretched
its wings out wide,
flew through the silent lands
as though it were flying home" - (J. F. Von Eichendorff).

~ No. 6 Luna + Azul
Sugar and Spice and everything nice. A spicy vanilla blend with a floral back note. Cinnamon, Bergamot, Velvety Vanilla, Tuberose and Oakmoss.
"It was as though the sky
had silently kissed the earth,
so that it now had to dream of sky
in shimmers of flowers" - (J. F. Von Eichendorff).

After reading the descriptions from the official website and watching the youtube reviews by elisasung and pinkiecharm, I ordered samples in No. 2 La Belle + Dame, No. 4 Paper + Lantern and No. 5 Midnight + Swim. I also received a bonus sample in No. 6 Luna + Azul.

VERDICT: I do like No. 4 Paper + Lantern, (the scent reminds me of an aloe vera face cream) but no enough to convince me to purchase a full sized bottle. If they removed the wildflowers from No. 5 Midnight + Swim, it would be a temptingly unique scent (for some reason, the wildflower note induced a hayfever-like reaction).

* Domestic Goblin claims no credit for the crow image used in this post. The visual image used is copyright to the respectful owner *

Gifts from Celeborn and Galadriel

~ Three boats.
~ Three coils of rope made of hithlain.
~ Lembas, waybread.
~ Hood and cloak fastened with a green and silver leaf brooch.

~ Sheath for Aragorn's sword.
~ Elfstone of the House of Elendil.

~ Belt of gold to Boromir.

~ Small silver belts to Merry and Pippin.

~ Galdhrim bow with a quiver of arrows to Legolas.

~ A box filled with earth from Galadriel's orchard to Sam.

~ Three golden hairs from Lady Galadriel to Gimli.

~ The light of Earendils star in a phial to Frodo.

* All the information in this post were derived from The Lord of the Rings, written by J.R.R. Tolkien *

Middle-earth Meals

Supper at Tom Bombadil's House

The table was laden with "yellow cream and honeycomb, and white bread, and butter; milk, cheese and green herbs and ripe berries". Served with "clear cold water".

Supper at The Prancing Pony

The table laden with "hot soup, cold meats, a blackberry tart, new loaves, slabs of butter and half a ripe cheese". Served with beer.

Lunch at Isengard

"Salted pork, broiled bacon rashers, butter, honey and bread". Served with wine and beer.

Tea at the home of Bilbo Baggins

Seed cake; buttered scones; raspberry jam and apple tart; mince pies and cheese; pork pie and salad; boiled eggs; cold chicken and pickles. Served with tea, red wine, ale and coffee.

An evening meal with Faramir

To drink pale yellow wine, cool and fragrant, and eat bread and butter, and salted meats, and dried fruits, and good red cheese, with clean hands and clean knives and plates.

* All the information in this post were derived from 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit', both written by J.R.R. Tolkien *

Friday 1 June 2012

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter

In the UK, the Lip Butters are available in 14 luscious shades:

~ 001 Pink Truffle

~ 005 Sugar Frosting

~ 010 Raspberry Pie

~ 015 Tutti Frutti

~ 025 Peach Parfait

~ 035 Candy Apple

~ 096 Macaroon

~ 050 Berry Smoothie

~ 055 Cupcake

~ 075 Lollipop

~ 080 Strawberry Shortcake

~ 090 Sweet Tart

~ 095 Crème Brulee

~ 045 Cotton Candy

Normally, I would not subscribe to the hype created by youtubers and bloggers over certain products. However, after watching this video by Cantonese speaking youtuber james813, I have persuaded myself to take advantage of the Boots '2 for £10' offer on Revlon cosmetics and purchased my first Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in 096 Macaroon and 050 Berry Smoothie.

Wish list:
~ ~~001 Pink Truffle~~
~ ~~005~~ ~~Sugar Frosting~~
~ ~~045 Cotton Candy~~
~ ~~070~~ ~~Cherry Tart (not available in the UK)~~

EDIT: As you can see, I have since purchased three more lip butters - I blame Boots and their '3 for 2' offer...

I have also purchased the last item on my wishlist via eBay from egret365 (highly recommended international seller).

Verdict
Definite favourites include: Berry Smoothie, Pink Truffle and Cotton Candy.
Macaroon looks better in the evening under electric lights, as opposed to daylight.
Sugar Frosting is too pale, and not a suitable colour for my lips.
Cherry Tart looks better in natural daylight as opposed to electric lights.

There is a possibility that I may repurchase Pink Truffle - it's certainly a contender for the 'my lips but better' category. However, one small criticism I have for the Revlon Lip Butters is that the colour transfers very easily onto glass rims and mug edges which is slightly off-putting.

* Domestic Goblin claims no credit for the image used in this post. The visual image used in this post is copyrighted to its respectful owner *

Smoked Mackerel Pâté

~ Four fillets of smoked mackerel
~ 150ml soured cream
~ 110g cottage cheese
~ Juice of half a lemon
~ Salt, nutmeg, cayenne pepper.
Remove the skin from the mackerel and flake the fish. Then place into a liquidiser and add the cottage cheese, soured cream and lemon juice. Switch on and blend until smooth, stopping the motor and stirring the mixture half way through if you need to. Next spoon the mixture into a bowl, taste and season with salt and a pinch of nutmeg, plus a spot more lemon juice if you think it needs it. Cover with cling film and chill in the fridge before serving.

To serve, sprinkle on a touch of cayenne pepper.

Serves 8-10 people.

* This recipe was derived and adapted from a Delia Smith cookery book *.

My Favourite Reindeer Jumper

Notable songs from the film:
~ All By Myself - performed by Jamie O'Neal (I prefer the version performed by Eric Carmen).
~ Out Of Reach - performed by Gabrielle.

Bridget Jones' New Year Resolutions:
1) Lose 20 pounds.
2) Always put last nights pants in the laundry basket.
3) Find nice sensible boyfriend to go out with and not continue to form romantic attachments to any of the following: alcoholics, workaholics, commitment phobics, peeping toms, megalomaniacs, emotional fuck wits and perverts.

Bridget Jones' Flirting Tactics:
~ Look gorgeous.
~ Totally ignore Daniel and suck-up to famous authors.
~ Circulate - oozing intelligence.
~ Introduce people with thoughtful details.

Public speaking
"Ladies and Gentlemen. Welcome to the launch of Kafka's Motorbike - The Greatest Book of Our Time. And here to introduce it, is Mr Fitzherbert" - (what Bridget should have said).
This is what she actually said at the book launch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcIaT5D4Iwc

How to deal with smug married couples
"Tell me, is it one in four marriages that end in divorce now, or one in three?".

Other quotes:
"We bunnies only wear our tails on very special occasions".

* All information in this post were derived from Bridget Jones' Diary (2001) Directed by Sharon Maguire, UK:Working Title Films *

Tuesday 1 May 2012

The Four Seasons as depicted in the Sino-Barbarian Hall

The poem on the spring scene read:
The vital forces of heaven turn creation around;
The world is happy and everything is renewed.
The peach and the plum blossoms vie in splendour;
Swallows fly to the painted rafters, shaking the incense dust.

The poem on the summer scene read:
In warm and sultry air all thoughts are slow
The palace mallow and pomegranate reflect the sun's brilliance.
The jade flute's music disturbs the noonday dream;
The scent of caltrops is wafted through the curtains.

The poem on the autumn scene read:
One leaf on the parasol tree by the well is yellow;
The pearl curtain is not rolled up on the night of frost.
After the autumn sacrifice the the swallows abandon their nest;
When the rush flowers snap, the wild geese leave for another land.

The poem on the winter scene read:
The clouds fly over the rainy sky, all dark and cold;
The north wind blows the snow into thousands of bills.
Deep in the palace the stove glows warm;
They say the plum has blossomed by the jade balustrade.

The matching poem on the spring scene read:
The sun's warmth melts the ice the world around;
Within the palace garden, flowers are renewed.
Gentle winds and rain enrich the people;
Rivers and seas are calm; gone is all wordly dust.

The matching poem on the summer scene read:
The Dipper now points south; the day goes slow;
Locust and pomegranate trees contend in brilliance.
Golden oriole and purple swallow sing in the willows,
Their melodious voices drifting through red curtains.

The matching poem on the autumn scene read:
Fragrant the green mandarin; the orange turns to yellow.
Blue pine and cypress welcome frost's coming.
Half-open chrysanthemums make a tapestry on the trellis;
Pipes and songs waft through the watery, cloud-covered land.

The matching poem on the winter scene read:
As skies clear after welcome snow the air is cold;
Grotesque-shaped crags and boulders mark jade hills.
As charcoal burns in the stove to warm the yoghurt
Singing with hands in their sleeves they lean on jade balustrades.

* Information derived from Journey to the West written by Wu Cheng'En *

Obtaining the Scriptures and Achieving Nirvana

Nirvana sutra - 748 rolls

Bodhisattva sutra - 1,021 rolls

Akasagarbha sutra - 400 rolls

Surangama sutra - 110 rolls

Collection of sutras on the meaning of grace - 50 rolls

Determination sutra - 140 rolls

Ratnagarbha sutra - 45 rolls

Avatamsaka sutra - 500 rolls

Sutra on worshipping Bhutatathata - 90 rolls

Mahaprajnaparamita sutra - 916 rolls

Mahaprabhasa sutra - 300 rolls

Adbhuta-dharma sutras - 1,110 rolls

Vimalakirti sutra - 170 rolls

The Three Sastras - 270 rolls

Diamond sutra - 100 rolls

Saddharma sastra - 120 rolls

Buddhacaritakavya sutra - 800 rolls

Pancanaga sutra - 32 rolls

Bodhisattva-vinaya sutra - 116 rolls

Mahasamnipata sutras - 130 rolls

Makara sutra - 350 rolls

Saddharma-pundarika sutra - 100 rolls

Yoga sutra - 100 rolls

Precious Eternity sutra - 220 rolls

Sutra on the Western Heaven - 130 rolls

Samghika sutra - 157 rolls

Samyukta-Buddhadesa sutra - 1,950 rolls

Mahayana-sraddhotpadasa sutra - 1,000 rolls

Great Wisdom sutra - 1,080 rolls

Ratna-prabhava sutra - 1,280 rolls

Original Pavilion sutra - 850 rolls

Principal vinaya sutra - 200 rolls

Mahamayuri-vidyarajni sutra - 200 rolls

Vijnaptimatra-tasiddhi sastra - 100 rolls

Abhidharma-kosa sastra - 200 rolls

"Nature revealed and mind made clear, they visited the Buddha;

Actions complete and all achieved, they flew aloft".

Happy Land of the Mountain of Flowers and Fruit, Cave Heaven of the Water Curtain

In spring they picked flowers for food and drink,

In summer they lived off fruit.

In autumn they gathered taro and chesnuts,

They got through the winter on Solomon's-seal.

A light glow suffused the boudless sky;

A few crows were late in finding their roosts.

Lights were lit throughout the city as all fell still;

It was just the hour for the monks to enter the trance.

Palace of immortals: yellow shoots and white snow.
Home of men who can fly: rare and wonderful flowers.

The Tang Priest,

Shivering and shaking,

Weeping and lost for words.

Zhu Bajie,

Muttering and grumbling,

Full of complaints.

Friar Sand,

Talking away,

While secretly feeling uncertain.

Sun the Novice,

Chuckling merrily,

Ready to use his powers.

~

Precious flames and golden light dazzled the eye,
While the rare incense and delicacies were marvellously fine.
The thousand-storeyed golden pavilion was infinitely lovely,
And pure sounded immortals' music on the ear.
Meatless food and magic flowers of the sort that are rare on earth,
Fragrant teas and exotic dishes that give eternal life.
After a long period of enduring a thousand kinds of suffering,
Today comes the glorious happiness of the Way completed.

~

The holy monk long strove to fetch the scriptures;
For fourteen years across the West he strayed.
He journeyed hard and met with much disaster;
By mountain and by rivers long delayed.
Completing eight times nine and one nine more,
His deeds filled worlds in numbers beyond measure.
He went back to his country taking sutras
That people in the East will always treasure.

This post was inspired by the 1996 Journey to the West / 西遊記 TV series produced and broadcasted by TVB HK.

Sunday 1 April 2012

Glossary

Absinthe - The green fairy
Beige - Distressed oatmeal
Dark pink - Crushed strawberry
Female human - Daughter of Eve
Male human - Son of Adam
Mascara - Censorship for eyelashes
Moths - The Devil's butterfly
Music - Wordless sound poems
Pinky-purple - Heliotrope
Red - Crimson glow
Shoes - Cinema for the toes
Video - The device that killed the radio star
Vitriol - Mortal poison, a disease of the soul

* The above definitions have been inspired by, and taken from, many sources *

Prince Pondicherry

"Greetings to you, the lucky finder of this Golden Ticket, from Mr Willy Wonka! I shake you warmly by the hand! Tremendous things are in store for you!".

Confections made in the Wonka Factory include:
Whipple-Scrumptious Fudgemallow Delight
Nutty Crunch Surprise
Everlasting Gobstoppers
Hair Toffee
Three-Course Dinner Chewing Gum
Eatable Marshmallow Pillows
Lickable Wallpaper for Nurseries
Hot Ice-Cream for Cold Days
Fizzy Lifting Drinks

Jealous Competitors:
Fickelgruber
Prodnose
Slugworth

There are five children in this story:
AUGUSTUS GLOOP
A greedy boy

VERUCA SALT
A girl who is spoiled by her parents

VIOLET BEAUREGARDE
A girl who chews gum all day long

MIKE TEAVEE
A boy who does nothing but watch television

CHARLIE BUCKET
The hero

Sample of Oompa-Loompa Songs:
Augustus Gloop! Augustus Gloop!
The great big greedy nincompoop!

Dear friends, we surely all agree,
There's almost nothing worst to see,
Than some repulsive little bum,
Who's always chewing chewing-gum.

Veruca Salt, the little brute,
Has just gone down the rubbish chute.

The most important thing we've learned,
So far as children are concerned,
Is never, NEVER, NEVER let
Them near your television set -
Or better still, just don't install
The idiotic thing at all.

* My preferred edition of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is published by Puffin Books and illustrated by Michael Foreman *

* Domestic Goblin claims no credit for the image used in this post. All visual content in this blog is copyright to their respectful owners *