Let's reset

So it's winter now, and chilly. Where I am, we even have snow.

At this time of year it's important to look after our health and our wellbeing. Watching what you eat and upping vitamins are great strategies, as well as keeping warm and getting a good night's sleep. To accomplish the first two, smoothies are a great idea.

But it's also the time of year where keeping warm is important and even more so for the elderly. I was delighted to find these Innocent smoothies on the supermarket shelves this morning in aid of Age Action Ireland.

Read all about this unique initiative here

Cute hats, community spirit and a good cause! What more could you want?

Regardless, it's a great time to check on your elderly neighbours, even if you don't know them, to see that their house is heated and they have basic food and fuel provisions for these cold days.

Summer nosh!

The days are brighter, longer and a little warmer at long last. And I'm craving light yet tasty food. Tasty being the operative word.

I've always been a complex-flavour junkie. I like a rich roast coffee (Marks & Spencer Italian please) as much as the next person, and there's nothing quite like a new potato eaten in the hand straight from the pot, peeling the delicate skin off and tasting the purity of the potato flesh, but when you combine quality flavours you are really entering a whole other world of gastronomy. This has not always found me favour (as a child I was labelled a fussy eater who was always bored with her dinner) but it's what I love. But as complex winter flavours fall from favour at this time of year and one starts to crave something a little lighter it's all about transitional food which straddles the line between comforting and refreshing.

Enter: the toasted wrap, inspired by The Food Pornographer (also credited for the delectable picture above)

There is NOTHING like a toasted wrap with the right filling; almost burrito-esque, but with a tropical flavour or two added to give it some punch and lightness. My favourite is this zesty concoction but the beauty of wraps, like sandwiches, is that you tweak and experiment until you find what most becomes you palate.

Ingredients:
Wrap bread
Spray oil
Cheese
Salsa to taste
Rocket leaves
Tomato - sliced
Kiwi
Coleslaw

Directions:
Heat a light coating of spray oil on a non-stick pan over a medium heat. In the meantime arrange ingredients on a wrap bread (always starting with cheese) and roll up, folding in all ends. Lightly toast wrap on the pan (start with the side which has the cheese nearest it and then flip over once golden brown). Slice diagonally and serve with a cup of that Italian Roast Coffee. Oh yes it's bliss indeedy.

Vive le rugby!

I must admit I'm a girl who likes her rugby. It's all very exciting when new fixtures are announced and I can set about planning days out around games or even better, trips abroad!

Without further ado here's how the Six Nations draw is looking for 2011 courtesy of the IRFU. Yes, Ireland is bolded. Smile. Oh and the Scots have their tickets on sale already - how speedy!! I foresee good times ahead.

2011 RBS 6 NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP FIXTURES: - All kick-off times are local Friday, February 4 Wales v England, Millennium Stadium, 7.45pm Saturday, February 5 Italy v IRELAND, Stadio Flaminio, 3.30pm (2.30pm Irish time) France v Scotland, Stade de France, 6pm Saturday, February 12 England v Italy, Twickenham, 2.30pm Scotland v Wales, Murrayfield, 5pm Sunday, February 13 IRELAND v France, Aviva Stadium, 3pm Saturday, February 26 Italy v Wales, Stadio Flaminio, 3.30pm England v France, Twickenham, 5pm Sunday, February 27 Scotland v IRELAND, Murrayfield, 3pm Saturday, March 12 Italy v France, Stadio Flaminio, 3.30pm Wales v IRELAND, Millennium Stadium, 5pm Sunday, March 13 England v Scotland, Twickenham, 3pm Saturday, March 19 Scotland v Italy, Murrayfield, 2.30pm IRELAND v England, Aviva Stadium, 5pm France v Wales, Stade de France, 8.45pm

More info from the official RBS Six Nations website

2010: The Year of the Downsize

So, I've been having a major wardrobe clearout - out with the old etc. etc. but I think it might be time for in with the new!

Now, the Recession has given us all pause for thought, and one such thought I've been having is that everything I possess should have real value i.e. should be either useful or beautiful. Above all, I need to love it; "good enough" is no longer good enough.

So, with that in mind, on the List of Covet (as it shall be known) are the following:

1. Nude Shoes

Now, I know, the world and its mother are in search of such beauties these days, but I'd like to hark back to 2009 when Blake Lively at the CFTA Fashion Awards and wearing Christian Louboutin Very Prive, demonstrated that nude was literally the new black because it does with everything. And with a summer of weddings, fetes and days racing ahead, nude shoes are my top priority.




2. The Perfect Pair of Jeans

Hmm, the ever elusive perfect pair of jeans. Skinny has been done, but the motif remains. Right now, I'm interested in skinny capris. So cute, right? Kristin Cavalleri, not my usual fashion icon, has it nailed. Dressed up with heels or dressed down with wedges, they're easy summer living and perfect for transitioning into summer in the city. They also work with flats and flip flops. Love this look.






And the rest? To be continued...

Ra ra a a aa aa

Do as you're told; am downloading Lady Gaga's Bad Romance mixes for NYE.


I want your leather studded kiss in the sand

Speaking of Festivals...FIB!

Just over two weeks and counting to Benicassim!! Killers, Oasis, Lily Allen, Bell X1, Kings of LEON! Cannot wait!! Sunshine and beach shouldn't be too bad either. Hola!

*All images Flickr via Creative Commons

Blur at Glasto

Just like old times. Are we in 1995? Hot and muggy June evening and staying up way too late for a Sunday watching BBC2...bliss. Nice to see Graham back. Damon hasn't aged a day. Beetlebum makes me smile. Fantastic!

Not that different from this superb performance of yore. Viva Blur!!!!!

Stuff I'm liking today

LU biscuits from France, especially

- Mikado Chocolat

- Le Petit Ecolier

Sublime with a cup of tea. And as we all know, a cup of tea solves everything.