DIY: Braided Charm bracelet

This DIY bracelet project was inspired by the gorgeous plait and chain friendship bracelets around in the shops at the moment. I especially like these in Urban Outfitters - Intial Bracelet and Effiel Tower Chain Bracelet . I fancied specific colours and had charms handy so decided to make some myself. 

Ingredients:

- embroidery thread (three colours)

- chain

- cord (leather/knotting)

- charms

- clasp, jump rings, flat leather crimps

Start by cutting three pieces of each embroidery thread. Put the three ends into the crimp and close. Plait the threads. I find attaching it to something non-moving using a safety pin makes it less fiddly. 

When you reach half way along the length that you would like the bracelet, add the charm to one thread. Continue plaiting until the end and finish with a crimp. 

Add a jump ring to the crimp at both ends. Cut a length of chain the same length as the plait and attach to the jump rings

Cutting the same length in cord (one or two pieces), attach leather crimps to both ends and attach to the jump rings. Finally add a clasp and chain and its ready to wear!

James Martin's Roasted Sea Bass with Chorizo, red onion and cherry tomatoes

I'm getting obsessed about sea bass lately - tasty, sustainable (UK Farmed Sustainable fish guide)and reasonably priced. This week I tried out a recipe from one of my favorite chefs James Martin, available on the BBC Food website (recipe). I find his recipes easy to follow with readily available in season ingredients. 

Following James recipe, I fried chopped red onion, sliced chorizo, yellow pepper (instead of olives) and chopped garlic for about 5 minutes, then taking it off the heat I added thyme and cherry tomatoes. I chucked this into a glass dish, then placed the sea bass on top (with the skin slashed and stuffed with sprigs of thyme), added some seasoning and drizzled with olive oil before cooking in the oven for about 22 minutes. Just as simple as it sounds - the hardest part is to remember to take it out of the oven on time!

Trip to the Zoo

Living in Bristol I’m spoilt for choice for one of my favorite day trips – visiting the zoo -with Noah’s Ark, Longleat, Cotswold Wildlife Park and of course Bristol Zoo all close by and offering slightly different features from safari driving with monkeys clambering over the car, to hand feeding alpacas, and young lion cubs playing.

This weekend I chose the easily situated Bristol Zoo in Clifton with highlights including watching the South American fur seals squabbling, the Red Panda snoozing and the young lion cubs play fighting. To find out more about the zoo, check out their website here http://www.bristolzoo.org.uk/

My favorite pins week 2 : the summer holiday

It’s been a long cold winter and I’m missing the sunshine, warmth and daylight so what better way to look forward to summer by booking a holiday in Italy and daydreaming at travel photos on pinterest.  

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