The Crow and The Beanfield

A delicacy among rabbits:
Cowslips


Rabbit names:
Fiver, Buckthorn, Hazel, Toadflax, Bigwig, The Threarah, Blackberry, Dandelion, Pipkin, Hawkbit, Speedwell, Acorn, Silver, Holly


Rabbit Glossary:
Hrair - any number above four

U Hrair - 'the thousand' collectively all the enemies of rabbits

Owsla - a group of strong or clever rabbits, second year or older

niFrith - noon

Frithrah -  sun lord

fu Inle - after moonrise

Hlao - any small concavity in the grass where moisture may collect

El-ahrairah - never say die




* Information in this post were derived from Watership Down written by Richard Adams *

Presents from the Father Christmas of Narnia

Peter: a silver shield with a red lion across it, and a gold hilted sword with a sheath and sword belt.

Susan: a bow and a quiver full of arrows, and a little ivory horn.

Lucy: a little diamond bottle filled with cordial made of the juice of one of the fire flowers that grow in the mountains of the sun, and a dagger.




* Information derived from 'The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe' by C. S. Lewis *

Non-Optional Social Conventions

Christmas present obligations as defined by Dr Sheldon Cooper

The foundation of gift giving is reciprocity:
The essence of the custom is to purchase a gift of comensurate value and prepresenting the same perceieved level of friendship as that represented in the gift you have been given.


Whilst on vacation: 
We must let our hair down in the local watering hole. It seems appropriate to order a Pina Colada with extra pineapple slices; extra whipped cream; extra cherries; extra umbrellas and no rum.

The Gender Bender

To paraphrase Tania Sanchez, since fragrances have no genitalia, I have on occasion preferred scents that are marketed towards men.

On the fifth of November (bonfire night), I find that the smoky rubbery vanilla smell of Bvlgari Black is very appropriate.

I reserve Sartorial by Penhaligon's for when temporarily residing in the countryside adorned with a tweed jacket and farmer's wellies.

If you want to command respect from passersby, wear Chergui from Serge Luten.

Doro and Marcus

Amusing quotes from Various Pets Alive & Dead by Marina Lewycka

"The family is a patriarchal construct to facilitate the subordination of women and enslave them within the domestic sphere".

"Jealousy and possessiveness were relegated to the dustbin of history, along with private property and the nuclear family".

"Admitting you were jealous meant you were mired in atavistic bourgeois ideology".

Visual Globs & Beerlight

Amusing lines from 'Toxicology' and 'Atom' written by Steve Aylett:

~ Do insects bruise?

~ Lizard: when mashed, this animal resembles snot.

~ A hundred per cent of marriages end in divorce, disappearance or death.

~ Cordiality is a species of deception.

~ Dead: [being] commendably economical with [ones] breathing.

~ Scientists have found that the gene for low IQ is biologically paired with that of a fondness for pasta.

The First Risen

Partially Deceased Syndrome sufferers in their untreated state

Partially Deceased Syndrome sufferers on medication -Neurotriptyline

Non-PC references: rotters

Human Volunteer Force

Undead Liberation Army

"God wiped away all the tears from their eyes, for when they were redeemed from the earth they are like angels that are in heaven"

Blue Oblivion - reverts PDS sufferers back to their violent un-medicated state

I'm Melting...

My Holy Grail makeup suitable for more hot, humid climates:

~ Blot Out Offensive by Nurturing Force (shine and oil control cream).

~ Arbonne FC5 Mattifying Powder (takes away unwanted shine and reduces the appearance of redness).

~ Lily Lolo Mineral Foundation SPF 15 (warm honey).
~ Origins Multigrain Makeup SPF 14 (medium) - discontinued.
~ Laura Mercier Mineral Powder SPF 15 (natural beige).

~ Nars Multi Protect Primer SPF 30 (helps to keep your face calm and collected)

Splashes, splashes, splashes!

UPDATE: Further on from my post entitled: Lashes, lashes, lashes! I have tested out several mascaras from my list and here are my thoughts:

 ~ Maybelline Illegal Lengths Waterproof Mascara 
It is a dry formula that passed the hot bath/waterproof test, however, the fibres are making the lashes fan out in random directions and gave uneven extensions. 
Verdict: okay.
 
~ d.j.v. Beautenizer Fiberwig Mascara
Excessively glossy and long lashes; excessively large amounts of flaking.
Although the formula repels oil, it washes off too easily with water.
Would probably suit those with ultra short lashes. 
Verdict: expensive fail. 

~ Lily Lolo Lash Alert Natural Mascara
Non-toxic formula. Looks better when layered over a waterproof mascara.
Verdict: fairly good.

~ Urban Decay Skyscraper Multi Benefit Mascara
The design of the brush means that there is no excess to wipe off.
Would benefit those with ultra short lashes; doesn't do anything more for those who already have decent length lashes.
Verdict: okay.

~ Eyeko Black Magic Mascara
It is imperative that the excess is wiped off the wand before use. Passed the hot bath test and sleep test. Gave some curl, no drama.
Verdict: okay.

~ MAC Zoom Fast Black Lash Mascara
This was a complimentary sample.
Incredibly wet formula. Blackened my lashes but did nothing else for them.
Verdict: fail.

~ Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara
This was part of a free gift.The wet formula gave my lashes a glossy coating but did nothing else for them. Verdict: fail.

~ Clinique Feathering Mascara
This was a birthday present. Lashes were fluttery. Passed the hot bath test. However, did not hold my curl and flaked. Verdict: okay.

~ Maybelline The Rocket Waterproof Mascara
Wore this mascara when travelling from one country to another and it held my curl for 36 hours!

Verdict: has potential for HG status.

The quest continues...

Domestic Goblin's Challenge to the Perfumers of Grasse

Create a perfume worthy of London, Paris & New York using:

Ambergris
Civet 
Patchouli 
Sandalwood
Bergamot 
Vetiver 
Opopanax
Benzoin 
Hop Blossom 
Castor

Colonial Flea Market

Page 72 of the Pottery Barn catalogue:

Antique Apothecary Table from White Plains of yore - where they kept all their stuff to make potions - you can almost smell the opium.

Wicker Dining Chair

Sahara Desk

Parker Console Table

Ornamental bird cage, large. (Early colonial bird merchants used it to take their birds to market).

Room Separating Apparatus from colonial times.

Desk Fan

Lampshade

* Information taken from FRIENDS season 6, episode 11 *

Be Your Own Windkeeper

~ A Tale of Two Cities 

~ Flowers for Algernon
~ The Shining
~ Little Women

~ Race: How Blacks And Whites Think And Feel About The American Obsession

~ Lord Of The Rings
~ Flowers of Evil

~ Dead Poets Society 

~ Personal Best
~ Citizen Kane
~ Die Hard
~ Die Hard 2
~ Bye Bye Birdie
~ The Unbearable Lightness of Being
~ Airport 1975
~ Dangerous Liaisons
~ Weekend at Bernie's 




* Books and films referenced/mentioned or appear in the TV series 'FRIENDS' *

Grenouille's Purple Salon

Entering Grenouille's Purple Salon and perching on the sofa, Domestic Goblin's olfactory sampling session begins...

~ Perle de Mousse by Ann Gerard: delicate and beautiful

~ Sartorial by Penhaligon's: Bertie Wooster in a bottle
 
~ Aromatics Elixir by Clinique: Gothic eighties throwback
~ Molecule 01 by Escentric Molecules: overhyped floral nothingness
~ Carnal Flower by Frederic Malle: overhyped flower stems
~ Black Violet by Tom Ford: overpriced hair conditioner

~ Ivoire (2012) by Balmain: addictive soapy floral

~ 1905 by Detaille: flowery forest
~ Yachting by Detaille: leafy cedar
~ Miles by Detaille: the woody bottom surprises

~ Love, Chloe by Chloe: purple powdery rice

~ Kenzo Amour by Kenzo: inedible rice pudding
~ CK One by Calvin Klein: faceless nineties scent


~ Lily of the Valley by Woods of Windsor: synthetic nothingness


~ Lolita Lempicka by Lolita Lempicka: Gothic Snow White 


~ Skin Petals  by Illuminum: plastic doll's bottom
~ Cashmere Musk by Illuminum: musky melted plastic
~ Revisiting: White Gardenia Petals by Illuminum: jasmine-scented insect repellent

~ Jour d'Hermes by Hermes: weightless salad dressing

~ Le Rose by Lyn Harris: non existent rose

~ Calyx by Clinique: fruity hair conditioner

~ Sun Perfume by Lush: diluted orange juice

~ Furse Perfume by Lush: evergreen forest

~ Jardin d'Interdit by Givenchy: a fleeting scent of melon balls

~ Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker: polite magnolia

~ Salt Air by Demeter: cough inducing saline-wind-swept-hair


~ Vanilla & Anise by Jo Malone: useful for dog-knappers

~ Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana: generic shampoo that won't rinse out


~ Turquatic by MAC: mermaid bathing in the Mediterranean

~ Dahlia Divin by Givenchy: golden and divine


~ Chamade by Guerlain

~ Organza Indecence by Givenchy





Comments in italic denotes comments from my smelly partner in crime, code name Spider.

Colour Key:

Red: can't smell what all the fuss is about
Amber: agreeable/nothing special
Green: love/must buy
Blue: to be tested

For the Joy of Taste

Host/chef: 

Pierre & Sylvie Gagnaire

Venue: 

Faculty of Agronomic Sciences, University of Gembloux

Special guest: 

Jean-Claude Ellena

Tartare of langoustine and razorshell clams with pomegranate.

Cod fillet nestling in a nettle veloute sauce.

Fresh morels flavoured with liquourice.

Courgette flowers served with white asparagus tips.

Pea and baby broad bean soup.

Red-olive filled ravioli flavoured with castoreum.

Accompanied by a raspberry wine.

My Current HG Products - Part 3

~ La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo [+]
Acts like an anti-blemish moisturiser. 

~ Apivita Propoline Tea Tree & Honey Shampoo
Helps to clarify the hair and scalp and to reduce irritation without drying out my skin.

~ Dior Addict Lip Glow
A designer lip balm that adjusts in colour according to the wearer's unique chemistry. A mood ring for your lips.

~ Maybelline Colour Tattoo Eyeshadow  - On & On Bronze
 Long wearing cream gel eyeshadow for only £4.99!

~ The Body Shop Vitamin C Skin Reviver
Much cheaper alternative to the Origins White Tea Skin Guardian.

Perfumer Secrets

Smells achieved using a minimum of juxtaposed materials:

Amber: vanillin, labdanum (absolute)

Chocolate: isobutly phenylacetate, vanillin, patchouli (plain chocolate), concrete of iris (cocoa powder), trace of civet (ganache)

Fig: stemone, gamma-octalactone, ethyl maltol (ripe figs)

Pineapple: allyl hexanote, ethyl maltol

Strawberry: fructone, ethyl maltol, methyl anthranilate (wild)


 
Ratio: 5% solution in 90% ethyl alcohol

Hair Advert

Timotei Pure
(A childhood favourite)

REN Oat and Bay

Apivita Propoline Honey and Tea Tree 

Klorane Oatmilk

Lush Shampoo Bar

L'oreal Elvive Multi Vitamins
(although not as pure and natural as other shampoos, it gives a noticeable salon effect for long hair)

Sociopathic Specifications

Chicken with Broccoli
(Dr Sheldon Cooper) Diced not shredded; served with brown rice not white; Korean good hot mustard and low sodium soy sauce.

Hamburger
(Dr Sheldon Cooper) Medium well; dill slices not sweet; individual relish packets; onion rings; extra breading.

Oolong Tea
(Dr Beverly Hofstadter) Separate not bagged; steeped for three minutes served with 2% milk and one teaspoon of raw sugar.

Cocoa
(Dr Sheldon Cooper)  Half and half instead of whole milk; heated to precisely 183 degrees; seven little marshmallows; no more, no less.


Seating area placed in a state of eternal dibs 
- Cathedra mea, regulae meae.

Sheldon's explanation:
In the winter that seat is close enough to the radiator so that it's warm but not so close that it causes perspiration. In the summer it's directly in the path of a cross breeze created by opening the windows there and there, it faces the television at an angle that is neither direct thus discouraging conversation nor so far wide as to create a parallax due to the distortion.

Penny's explanation:
In the winter that seat is close enough to the radiator so that he's warm yet not so close that he sweats. In the summer it's directly in the path of a cross breeze created by opening the windows there and there. It faces the television at an angle that isn't direct so you can still talk to everybody yet not so wide that the picture looks distorted. 

Frozen Yoghurt
(Dr Sheldon Cooper) Half chocolate, half vanilla, side by side, not swirled. Half a teaspoon of sprinkles, rainbow not chocolate. Two cherries, one on top, one on the bottom, stems removed.


Parking Space 294
It's a corner spot, cutting the risk of door dings in half. It's a mere 28 steps from the building entrance. The nearby tree provides shade on hot days and is also home to a delightful squirrel.


 

Rhubarb, Pea & Marsala vs Lemon, Chilli & Mint

Regularly used kitchen implements:
Magiwhisk
Kitchenaid Mixer
Mezzaluna

Interesting Items in Nigella's Pantry:
Camp Coffee
Crystallised Violets

In Nigella's Library:
Classic Home Desserts

Vatch's South East Asian Cookbook
Hot Sour Salty Sweet

License to Grill
The BBQ Bible 

Entertaining all'Italiana

The book of Jewish Food
The Whole World Loves Chicken Soup

Are You Hungry Tonight?
Can You Take The Heat?
Liberace Cooks

Favourite words and phrases:
Laborious
Emulsion
Sludge
Fug
Aromatic
Astringent
Acerbic
Teeny


"My skill lies in eating" - Nigella's excuse for not knowing where salmon are from. 

"I don't go for picture book presentation" - Nigella's excuse for plating up food in a slapdash way.

"I'm going to disrobe, de-rubber" - when taking off her rubber gloves.

"I love a bit of tong action".

"I've got asbestos hands" - explaining how she can touch very hot food with her hands.

Finds "mindless repetitive activity immensely comforting".

"The holy trinity of aromatics: dried coriander; dried cumin and dried turmeric".

"There is a holy trinity of garlic, wine and parsley in the life of a moule".

Nigella makes fresh pasta and meatballs when she wants to "shimmer in Italian mama mode".

"Cooking that's a real collaboration between you and the food" - kneading pasta dough.

When making fresh pasta she is in "a more tea towel mood" (as opposed to cling film).

"There is always something very satisfying about a recipe that uses a whole carton of eggs" - when making a chocolate cloud cake.

"When I was about 12, it was my idea of gastronomic heaven" - commenting on cream style sweet corn.

"It's somehow better to not be scared of egg whites" - when making custard.

"These are feast days not fast days" - referring to Christmas.

Nigellas tips:
Use ordinary olive oil for cooking, not extra virgin.
Use raw prawns
Full fat or nothing



* Information taken from the TV series Nigella Bites and Forever Summer *

We Built A Pyramid!

Season 1

Episode 8
Rajesh drinks grasshopper.
Sheldon orders a virgin Cuba Libre.

Episode 10
First episode where Sheldon does his obsessive three knocks.

Episode 11
Soft Kitty makes its debut performance.

Episode 13
They refer to Mayim Biayik, who played Blossom, as a potential team member because she has a PhD.

Episode 14
Sheldon's theory regarding turkey and roast beef with lettuce and swiss on wholgrain sandwiches: in a proper sandwich, the cheese is adjacent to the bread to create a moisture barrier against the lettuce.

Season 2

Episode 4
Sheldon prefers to use paper towels to dry his hands in public toilets as opposed to hot air blowers because hot air blowers are incubators and spewers of bacteria and pestilence.

Episode 6
Non-standard cutlery: Sheldon lives in fear of the three tined fork. Three tines is not a fork. Three tines is a trident. Forks are for eating. Tridents are for ruling the seven seas.

Episode 8
The rules of rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock are:

Scissors cut paper
Paper covers rock
Rock crushes lizard
Lizard poisons Spock
Spock smashes scissors
Scissors decapitate lizard
Lizard eats paper
Paper disproves Spock
Spock vaporizes rock
Rock crushes scissors



Episode 11

Sheldon claims to Penny that he and Leonard don't celebrate the ancient pagan festival of Saturnalia. Sheldon explains to Penny that in the pre-Christian era, as the winter solstice approached and the plants died, pagans brought evergreen boughs into their homes as an act of sympathetic magic, intended to guard the life essences of the plants until spring. This custom was later appropriated by Northern Europeans and eventually it becomes the so-called Christmas tree.

Sheldon receives the best Christmas present ever from Penny: a signed napkin used by Leonard Nimoy.

Episode 13

Episode 15 
Dr Beverly Hofstadter: Your unwillingness to accept empirical evidence suggests an attempt at flattery.

Episode 21
Sheldon's solitary indulgence is Kadhai Paneer. He can only eat this on his own because "not only is it Indian food, which Koothrappali loathes. It contains a generous helping of peanuts, which would reduce Wolowitz to a wheezing, 97-pound blister. And finally, its main ingredient is paneer, a farmer's cheese that would cause Leonard to render any room uninhabitable within minutes."

The Tall Man from Cornwall by E. M. Snickering:

"There was a tall man from Cornwall
Whose length exceeded his bed.
My body fits on it
But barely upon it
There's no room for my big Cornish head!"
 
Episode 22
"Leaving a message is one half of a social contract, which is completed by the checking of the message."

Season 3

Episode 22
Apartment flag: Gold Lion Rampant on a Field of Azure.

Episode 23
"I don't object to the concept of a deity but baffled by the notion of one that takes attendance."


Season 4

Episode 3
The counterfactuals game: posturing alternate worlds with one key aspect. It's fun for ages 8 to 80.

Question: In a world where rhinoceroses are domesticated pets, who wins the second world war?
Answer: Uganda.
Defense: Kenya rises to power on the export of rhinoceroses; a central power block is formed colonizing North Africa and Europe; when war breaks out no-one can afford the luxury of a rhino; Kenya withers - Uganda triumphs.

Question: In a world where a piano is a weapon, not a musical instrument, on what does Scott Joplin play the Maple Leaf rag?
Answer: Tuned bayonets.
Defense: Isn't it obvious?

Question: In a world where mankind is ruled by a giant intelligent beaver, what food is no longer consumed?
Answer: Cheese Danish.
Defense: In a world ruled by a giant beaver, Mankind builds many dams to please the beaver overlord; the low lying city of Copenhagen is flooded; thousands die; devastated, the Danes never invent their namesake pastry.

Episode 10
What is the best number? The best number is 73. 73 is the 21st prime number, it's mirror 37 is the 12th and it's mirror 21 is the product of multiplying 7 and 3. 

Episode 11
Milk Duds: with their self-deprecating name and remarkably mild flavour, are the most apologetic of the boxed candies.

Episode 20
"Evolutionary Biologist Robin Dunbar has identified gossip as an aid to social bonding in large groups. By not participating in gossip, society breaks down into small feral bands of tattooed motorcycle riders fighting to the death over the last few cans of tuna fish."



Season 5

Episode 14
The premiere episode of 'Sheldon Cooper presents Fun with Flags'.
Vexillology is the study of flags.

ch is completed by the checking of the message.

Rajesh interacts with his new phone called Siri.

Episode 22
Question: A lichen is an organism made up of two separate species: fungi and algae. If you could merge with another species what species would you pick and why?
The correct answer: The best organism for human beings to merge with is the lichen itself. That way you would be human, fungus and algae. Triple threat.


Episode 23
Amy devises an experiment that will increase Sheldon's feelings for her in an accelerated time frame based on the theory that human beings form emotional attachments as they grow up (in Sheldon's case; his mother, superheroes etc). Amy attempts an experiment that will get Sheldon to transfer those feelings to her.

Romantic dinner music: Super Mario Bros Theme (in an attempt to build on the work of Ebbinghaus by triggering an involuntary memory of Sheldon playing that game - the happiest 600 hours of his childhood).

Drink: Strawberry Quik (Sheldon's favourite pink fluid narrowly beating out Pepto-Bismol.

Dinner: Spaghetti with little pieces of hotdog cut up in it (just like Sheldon's mother used to make).

Result of experiment: Sheldon wants to do this more often.



Season 6

Episode 24
Rajesh talks to Penny without having to resort to drinking alcohol.

Season 7

Episode 6
Oreos: "The only cookie with something in the middle that solves life's problems"

Episode 15
Sheldon and Amy have their first kiss.

Wine: "grape juice that burns".

Episode 16
Why Sheldon doesn't like the idea of getting a dining table: "Chaos theory suggests that even in a deterministic system, if the equations describing its behavior are nonlinear, a tiny change in the initial conditions can lead to a cataclysmic and unpredictable result". 

which is completed by the checking of the message

which is completed by the checking of the message

which is completed by the checking of the message

which is completed by the checking of the message

Dr Sheldon Cooper's Calendar

Eating Habits:

Mondays - Thai food: Mee Krob and Chicken Satay with extra peanut sauce from Siam Palace.

Tuesdays - Dinner at the Cheesecake Factory: Barbeque bacon cheeseburger.

Wednesdays - Creamy tomato soup

Thursdays - Pizza: sausage, mushrooms, light olives from Giacomos

Fridays -  Chinese food: Cashew Chicken from Szechuan Palace

Saturdays -  a bowl of cereal with 1/4 of a cup of 2% milk for breakfast


Hot Chocolate:

January 
February 
March 
April 
September 
October 
November 
December
 

Recreational Activities:

Wednesdays - Halo Night and Comic Book Night

Thursdays - Second Thursday of each month or the third Thursday in a month that has five weeks: Date Night with Amy

Fridays - Vintage Games Night

Saturdays - Doctor Who on BBC America and Laundry Night

Sundays - Paint Ball

Tout de la fruit

dernier cri

de rigueur

vis à vis

en secondes noces

noblesse obligé

au pied de la lettre

mot juste

distrait


* French used regularly in P.G. Wodehouse books *

Marcus Aurelius

'To find a man's true character, play golf with him' - (P.G. Wodehouse).

Here are our tips for the Perfect Golf Swing:
1) Line up your feet and shoulders and point them at the target.
2) Bend your knees to allow the club head to lay flat on the ground. 
3) Keep your left arm straight throughout the golf swing to maintain a perfect circle from back- swing to follow-through.
4) Make sure the hips and knees are following the swing to maintain the weight shift.
5) Keep your head down and your eye on the ball to make optimal contact with the centre of the club face.
6)  A good follow-through can increase both distance and accuracy.

Key golfing words:  

Fore
Bogey
Scratch

Tee
Handicap

Links

Mashie
Scratch

Attire: 
Plus fours
Sleeveless jumper 
Shirt Wool socks 
Wide flat cap

Posh Nicknames

Stiffy: Stephanie Byng

Stilton: Darcy Cheesewright

Stinker: Harold Pinker

Barmy: Cyril Fotheringay-Phipps

Gussie: Augustus Fink-Nottle

Tuppy: Hildebrand Glossop

Bingo: Richard Little

Chuffy: Marmaduke Chuffnel

Sippy: George Sipperly

Catsmeat: Claude Potter-Pirbright

Biffy: Charles Biffen

Woody: Edward Harold Plank

Ginger: Harold Winship




* Names taken from various P.G. Wodehouse books *

Bourgeois Decadence

Vulgar choices made by the bourgeoisie:

Carbonated water
Prosecco
Frexinet
Krug
XO
 
Fillet steak
Abalone
Sharks-fin soup

Louis Vuitton luggage
Mink fur coats
Manolo Blahnik shoes

Maroon coloured BMW
Pale green coloured Mercedes Benz
Stretch limousines 

Foie Gras 
Caviar

Cuban cigars
Rolex watches 

Leather sofas and armchairs

Oak-wood floorboards 
Marble bathroom tiles
Glass dining tables
Chandeliers
Spiral staircases 





* This list is not exhaustive *

Dinner with Communists

Venue: 

The Kremlin

Host: 

Comrade Stalin

 

Salmon Roe and Herring

Salted Cucumbers and Meat Salad

Grilled Vegetables

Borsht

Pelmeni

Blini

Lamb Cutlets

Pierogi with Ice Cream

Served with Wine and Vodka

Millionaire Row

Residences:

Cambridge, Cambridgeshire:
Chaucer Road, Bateman Street
Grantchester, Fulbourn

Edinburgh:
Scotland Street, Dundas Street, Moray Place

London:
Egerton Crescent (Kensington & Chelsea),Berkeley Street (Mayfair)

Surrey:
Long Ditton, Surbiton, Kingston

Hong Kong:
Jardine's Lookout, Taikoo Shing

New York City:
The Prasada (50 Central Park West, Manhatten)

Irene Pollock

Insufferable Mothers:

Insist on buying gender neutral birthday gifts for their son.

Insist on holding gender neutral birthday parties for their son.

Insist that their son wears crushed strawberry coloured dungarees.

Insist on rounding out their child by tutoring them at home after school whilst listening to Dante's Inferno in Italian.

Force their child to take Italian language; yoga and saxophone lessons during any spare time he/she has.

Believe that Scouts are too militaristic.

Ban their child from wearing a kilt due to being too nationalistic and arcane.

Believe that swearing in literature represents social realism.




*Ideas taken from the Scotland Street series written by Alexander McCall Smith *

Embryo Concepts

"It's chi-chi and an unrealistic approach to self-impressions".


"If the rights of the individual are not respected by the group, the group cannot exist".


"The books on this shelf pertain to empiricism, and on this shelf, materialism, and on this,
psychopiscoparalysm".


"But this would be a violation of all my principles. It would be hypocrisy for me to lend myself to this".


"This deals with epiphenomenalism, which has to do with consciousness as a mere accessory of physiological processes whose presence or absence... makes no difference... Whatever are you doing?".


"The most sensible approach to true understanding and peace of mind".


"Empathy is to project your imagination so that you actually feel what the other person is feeling. You put yourself in the other person's place".


"I feel a hostile vibration".




Quotes were taken from the film Funny Face starring Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire

Lashes, lashes, lashes!

I mentioned in a previous post that my holy grail mascara is Maybelline Full n Soft Waterproof in soft black. However, as this product is not actually available for purchase in the UK, I have had to purchase these from US sellers via eBay.

Therefore, in my quest to find another holy grail mascara that is easily available in the UK, I have trawled the internet and sampled a few not so good varieties.

The reason I love Maybelline's Full n Soft is the dry waterproof formula. This allows me to achieve full yet natural looking lashes even if I pump too many layers on. I can also make this mascara work with any type of wand. It gives me volume; holds my curl and makes my lashes look fluttery.

The affordable price tag is also a bonus.

Currently on my waiting list for testing:

~ Maybelline Illegal Lengths Waterproof Mascara
~ d.j.v. Beautenizer Fiberwig Mascara

~ Lily Lolo Lash Alert Natural Mascara
~ Urban Decay Skyscraper Multi Benefit Mascara
~ Eyeko Black Magic Mascara

~Clinique Feathering Mascara

~ Maybelline The Rocket Mascara
~ YSL Babydoll Mascara in Brown

~ Origins Ginzing Brightening Mascara
~ 100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Mascara in Black Tea/Chocolate 

~ Bourjois Volume Glamour Ultra Care mascara

Les Fleurs du Mal

Selected quotes from the works of Charles Baudelaire

~ The misfit child grows drunk on sunny air.

~ Twittering troupe of sickly queens.

~ The sterile woman's frigid majesty.

~ A sun with heatless beams.

~ Dim the brilliance of those soulless eyes.

~ Lady of unstudied grace.

~ To choose a shifting fake.

~ Canvas of our souls.

~ Elastic mane of raven hues.