Poll Results - Women should be...

...Given presents at every opportunity! YAY!
Speaking of presents; it's my dad's bday tomorrow and I cannot think of what to get him :-( Is very annoying when people buy themselves what they want and/or do not consume chocolate at a suitable replaceable rate!
Which brings me to today's quiz - what is the ideal birthday gift!

Cool Hunting NOT Cold Hunting! Doh!

Hewwo, 
I have a cold *aaaa-choo!* It's horrible. No-one understands me when I talk due to the congestion. Gross, gross, gross. What makes it worse, was going to the chemist and not knowing what meds to get. It concerns me that Corenza C is not readily available on the shelves here. Is there some content that makes it not permissible in a 1st world country? I miss it...

But, before you consult a witch doctor to procure a potion that'll cure my cold long distance, I should tell you that I am on the mend due to sheer force of will. And hot toddies! Here's the recipe I find works:
- 1 tot of good scotch Whiskey (sorry for my Half that I can't find the Famous Grouse) but I'm worth it!
- 2 slices of syrupy stem ginger
- 1 teaspoon of honey
- another 2 tots of the whiskey for good measure
Mix in cup, add a teeny bit of hot water and go to bed with a good book. 
NOW - the last part is essential. A good book. Not a bad book... Bring out the tissues chaps while I recount the sad tale as I was TERRIBLY disappointed by my latest literary purchase. It had all the right ingredients: an aged detective/inspector, a couple of murders, a translated work by a Nordic author tipped to be similar to the great Lars something-something that wrote "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" trilogy. But it wasn't at all similar. I feel betrayed. By this book:

*Sniff* I can't even bear to look at the cover... But if I save at least one person from reading it - I can sleep better at night. 
On a happier note; I have invented a recipe! Woo Hoo! My latest experiment was to go with some chicken soup - YUM!


Mandy's Cheesey Muffin-ish Thingies
Ingredients
2 cups self raising flour
1/2 cup sunflower oil
1/2 ish cup of water
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/2 cup grated cheese and a handful of chopped rocket
Method:
Pre-heat the oven to 180degrees. Beat the eggs with an electric mixer if you don't have the strength to whisk by hand due to your cold. Sift in the flour to the bowl with the eggs in it, add the salt and oil and mix together. Add the water gradually, until the texture gets all nice and creamy. 
Add the cheese and rocket*
Divide evenly into a greased muffin tray and bake for 25 minutes. 
Remove from oven to cool. 
*These could work with a couple of combos. I am dying to try olive, feta and rosemary ones now!


Hope you have a great Tuesday!
xoxo

Poll Results!

Newsflash: In a recent poll conducted to find out what dance move should be banned; the overwhelming majority* was that "All the single ladies as danced by non-dancers who liked pie" should be henceforth scrapped from dance floors. 

The "Jon Lajoie dance as danced in his song Show me your Genitals" and the Macarena - therefore still acceptable. 

Interesting. Very, very interesting. 

*the total voter numbers = 2

Want vs Need

As soon as I saw this GORGEOUS mini-kimono style jacket on Nicky Hilton; I wanted to fly to LA and rip it off her back. 

But flights aren't cheap. What's cheaper, and therefore totally worth buying, is this similar one from Zara for just over GBP60 (okay, like GBP69.99)

Ahhh... Am super excited!
xoxo

Rollerblading = Cool!?!!

While taking a stroll from Victoria Station yesterday; I heard some loud dance music. WOWZERS! I'd suddenly felt as if I'd been transported back to Woodstock main road but then I noticed that the music was not coming from a death-defyingly-overloaded taxi; swollen full of passengers as I had initially thought but rather from a seated-bike-thingy topped with a HUGE speaker surrounded by rollerbladers... Hmmm, WTF?

Turns out it happens every Friday night and Sunday afternoon; run by this company who marshall and provide music http://www.lfns.co.uk/about-the-lfns/what-is-the-lfns/. While rollerblading may not be ideal for those of us with multiple coordination problems - it looks like fun for some!

Or not. Hmmmm... Just 'cos something is cool, doesn't mean you have to do it. Okaaaaaayyyy.... I'll only do it if someone does it with me. Any takers?

Comic Relief

Comic Relief is quite big here at the moment. I remember the Red Nose Day initiatives in South Africa years ago - where lots of "kombis" had those giant red noses attached to the front of the car; and the uncomfortable plastic noses you could get. It's really amazing to see how many high profile people are getting involved in fun ways to raise money for charity. 
Youtube has tons of videos at the moment that are really funny. My favourite is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0Yr9QzOb-Q&feature=relmfu
Misery Bear is my new favourite character... SO FUNNY!

The coolest things in the world...

...has to be a set of these -

Worn while listening to this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbZqE1RdC4Y&feature=related.

Regards, 
Future Chairman of "Be nicer - it makes you look prettier" Campaign <-- it's gonna be tough...

Don't be a hater...

...'cos I'm drinking Verve outta a wine glass. That's just how I roll. 


Peace out,
Mandalicious <-- try come up with a tune for that one Andrew!

The good, the bad and the f'ugly...

While paging through magazines etc, my attention has been drawn to and I have become interested in some of the latest fashion ranges being released by celebrities (read: green-eyed-monster jealous, more greenererer than-a-St-Paddy's-day-beer I am so freaking jealous that they have fashion ranges!!!) like Katie Price, Katie Holmes and a non-Katie, Mrs Victoria Beckham. 
While I won't even go into the details of the Katies' ranges (I'm launching my "be nicer - it makes you look prettier" campaign soon, so am starting to be more aware of what I say about people so I can be really patronising for my campaign launch... more to follow) - but herewith some pics of their ranges anyway (the striped *cough* dress retails for over $2500):

But... what yonder light at the end of the tunnel - YES! It's VB! She's bl**dy amazing!!! I am so in love with her clothes that I may quit hobnobs so that I can become gamine enough to suit them. True dat! Look at these:

Wowzers! Super in love with the wrapped belt detail (ignore the swimcap-like headgear boys and girls, I am not endorsing this feature)... But alas, I am unemployed and cannot afford said belt let alone the clothing *sigh* 
It'll have to be another packet of Hobnobs then... 


Garumphablllyyyer <--- goodbye, muttered with a mouthful of Hobnobs

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Fun ways to celebrate St Paddy's day:
1. Get a manicure

2. Drink a Guiness

3. Dress up in costume ;-)

4. Kiss a redhead!

I am often teased that I am going to have a ginger baby due to my mom being a redhead... Not the worst thing that could happen to a child. It could be Australian ;-)

If you want to get some insight into what your future child may look like based on a very scientific procedure - click here http://www.byebe.com/en/


Laters, 
Ma-na-na-na (as sung to Beethoven's 5th - I'm warming to it!)

Launch of The "Humpday" Quiz

Dah-lings, 
While some may argue that every day should be a "Hump-day" - I use it in reference to a Wednesday. 
Henceforth, Wednesdays will see the advent of a quiz. I recommend voting. Voting, in my opinion, is one of the most amusing traditions of the democratic process.
Bwa ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha <-- evil laugh!
Winning answer will be announced every Tuesday. If I remember. Tricky. 


Bisous <-- ooh la la, French kisses!
P.S. I am not losing track of time due to inactivity. This entry is written in hindsight, to draw attention to quiz posted on Wednesday. I'd hate for the result to be posted and people to complain that their votes were not taken into account. Bwa ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha <-- I wouldn't actually hate it. 

3 things in UK...

...that you should refuse entry into ZAR (yes chaps - here are some new additions to the uncool category! Woo hoo!):
1. Peaches Geldof's new show "OMG! - with Peaches Geldof"
If you don't believe me try YOUTUBE or read this article ----> http://www.metro.co.uk/tv/reviews/857664-omg-with-peaches-geldof-is-possibly-the-worst-thing-on-tv
The funniest part (okay; if you're desperate to find a semi-redeeming quality based on the American toilet humour standard a.k.a The-American-Pie-Ha Ha-Factor) is that there is a pleather couch that she insists on squirming around on - and every time she does; it sounds like she is a victim of the worst burrito induced wind session! EVER! Total fart-monster! Eeeeeuuuuwwww!!!!

2. Starbucks
It's over-priced and over-rated. "Nuff" said. And they don't do Gingerbread latte's all year 'round like Costa!
3. Hobnobs
Contrary to former entries - these are not cool. They make you fat fat fat! I have gained a million kilograms and vote that "The Heathrow injection" is swiftly renamed "The Hobnobs Curse"!!!


Kisses, 
Manana <--- trying out some new nicknames... What's the verdict?

Book Review #1 and #2...

Hey chaps - 
During my time off, I have spent a lot of time reading. A lot. 
One un-put-downable book was "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett and the great news for all the non-readers is that the movie is due for release soon http://teaser-trailer.com/the-help-movie/
It's basically about the lives of the maids and nannies in the South in the 60's. Very interesting to read and hard at times too. I am sure there are many parallels to some experiences of people in ZAR.  
The other book has been a "multiple  literary prize-winner" by an Italian author called Donato Carrisi. The book entitled "The Whisperer" is very dark and eerie and shouldn't be read at night by sensitive princesses. It's about a serial killer and it made me dream scary dreams. But it was worth it.
Laters, 
Mandy

'Frikaans Cool?

Something from home - check out www.watkykjy.co.za
The thing that stood out the most for me was the flashing ads for immigration to Australia - ha ha ha ha ha ha! Funny? Or is that just me?

My top 3 for Clothing Items for winter 2010/11

Hello hello -


I hope you all had a mah-velous weekend filled with sunshine etc. I had a great weekend - probably with less sunshine though. 
HOWEVER, my spirits were lifted on Sunday when I went for lunch at the Little Dudley House http://www.littledudleyhouse.co.uk/flash/
I adored the pink upholstered couches in the bar, and the menu was quite extensive. While Half tucked into the most delicious roast beef and yorkshire pudding, I had a burger and some sunshine-in-a-glass French Viognier. Interesting combination I know, but it cheered my up immensely on a very grey day as it reminded my of the delicious Viognier at Fairview as well as my favourite Cape Town tapas bar - French Toast where they have the Eagle's Nest one on offer.


BUT - back to the title of today's post. I am quite sad that I seem to have missed out on an entire season! All the high street shops have started getting in their summer ranges and didn't even get to swell my wardrobe contents with what Winter 2010/11 had to offer :-( <--- super sad face...


Oh well - here's the top 3 things I would have purchased if I wasn't allowed to buy anything else this season:
1. An Aviator Jacket (the shearling fur part is essential)

2. A Leopard Print Scarf

3. Military Boots

Ha ha ha ha ha - that was kind of fun. Three things. Ha ha ha ha ha ha - AS IF YOU CAN LIVE HAPPILY WITH ONLY three NEW THINGS A SEASON!!!! Don't let those eco-pests convince you that your craving for fashion is materialistic and killing the world. It's not true *cough*. Okay; maybe our need for new stuff all the time is greedy and sh*t but perhaps there is a compromise? There are probably 10 things that one cannot live without this season and can mix with existing wardrobe items to update things. I'm still narrowing down the list from the 1285 things I WANT - so it may take a while to let you know what they are. 


Enjoy your winter shopping!
xxx
P.S. Boys, don't think you're off the hook here. This only 2 items added a year is not gonna cut it! Things that you may want to look for to mix it up this winter: Worn-in leather jackets, skinny man-scarves, hats... 

Cool = Biscotti!

Hello hello,
I am getting fanatical about biscotti! They are nearly fat free, as they don't contain butter. But we all know that once you break them all the calories leak out anyway...
After a successful batch of gluten free white choc and walnut biscotti - I am making some milk choc and cashew ones as I type this (well, they're at the baking stage)... YUM!
There are so many gluten free products in UK compared to Cape Town, but none as cool as my biscotti. Business idea? Perhaps - but my "Ma(rtha)ndy Stewart" moments are too few and far between. Here's the recipe if you wanna give them a try:


Ingredients:
3/4 cup (110 grams) nuts of choice (walnut, cashew, almond)
2/3 cup (135 grams) granulated white sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
3/4 teaspoon baking powder (if using plain flour - I just use self raising)
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 & 3/4 (245 grams) flour (gluten free an option if you can find it!)
110 grams chocolate (white, dark or milk chocolate)


Directions:

• Preheat oven to 180 degrees C
• Line a baking sheet with wax paper
• Beat the eggs and sugar with a mixer-thingie on a high speed until thick, pale and fluffy (3 mins or so...when you raise the mixer the batter will fall into the bowl in slow ribbons)
• Beat in the vanilla extract
• Sieve the flour and mix with the other dry ingredients in a separate bowl
• Add to the egg mixture and beat until combined
• Fold in the chocolate chunks (aaahhh - sounds SO good) and nuts!

Transfer the dough to form two logs approx 8-10 centimetres wide and maybe 30cm long??? I didn't really measure it <--- fail!

You may need to dampen your hands while you pat it down as it can get quite sticky. 

Bake for 20-25 mins in pre-heated oven and the remove to a wire rack to cool for 10 mins. 

Then, take a serrated knife and cut into slices about 1cm - 1.5cm thick. 

Bake on one side and then the other side for 10-15 mins.

Remove from oven, allow to cool and then store in an airtight container. 

Best way to eat them? Here are some ideas:

1. With espresso
2. Dipped in a liqueur like Amaretto or Frangelico
3. Dipped in freshly whipped cream

Let me know how they turn out! TIP: Boys - making these for your lady may even beat the panty-dropping Picanha steak from Barristers as a seduction technique...

Kisses

xoxo <-- and hugs too, see how affectionate chocolate makes me!

All things British...

Hello dah-lings,  
I have recovered from the trauma of grinning green pigs enough to further update my blog with 2 things. 
1. A useless statistic
2. Something cool
As it is Friday - I will save you the trouble of guessing which is which by numbering them as per the above guide. 
Therefore;
1. I have had over 70 x the cups of tea I have had in my entire life since I moved to the UK!
2. I really love Union Jacks - in fact; I feel that they exceptionally cool! 
My love for them has been reflected in clothing and accessories (Brigette's 21st birthday saw Mandy in a Union Jack top made of little aluminium pieces, and I have a sequin union jack clutch bag and a weekender bag) but now my passion also extends to home furnishings! I desperately want a cushion like this one below right... 

Hmmm... I feel a bit of craftiness coming on! I will update you all soonest of my efforts in this regard. 


Happy Friday!
x
P.S. Also loving the crown detail... worthy of a princess eh?
P.P.S Either Number 1 or Brigette has a picture somewhere of that Union Jack top. I will only post it if they email it to me after reading this post... 

Very "un-cool"

A cool hunter needs to have a distinct idea of what is "un-cool" in order to determine cool. I have decided to include examples of "un-cool" when I come across them. 


Herewith my first example:
When you don't manage to kill all the piggies in a round of "Angry Birds", the remaining pig (or piggies if you really suck at the game) has an evil little grin on its face that is so disturbing it haunts even my dreams...

Cool hunted while job hunting...

This is pretty cool...

House of Fraser career page loads your name on the page once you've added your details! "House of Mandy" has a pretty cool ring to it!

They also did a photo shoot of their staff especially for their careers site. So this chap below may be one of my future colleagues. Crossing fingers!

Number 4 on the cool list...

Check out comedian Jon LaJoie's videos on youtube... Wrong - but funny :-)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBdaIopKPgI


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xC03hmS1Brk&feature=fvwrel


Your mission - my little dah-lings (should you choose to accept it) - will be to do the dance moves from the first video this weekend at your favourite pub/club/restaurant etc...


Double points to those who send me the video. 


Mwah!
x

The chilled factor...

Hello dah-lings,

Well. It's certainly a lot colder in the UK than it is in Cape Town during February. 

On arriving at Heathrow two weeks ago I promptly wanted to get back on a plane home to South Africa, but then I remembered that I would get to wear my new, improvised "snood" (circular scarf) if I managed to make it out into the cold. The things we do for fashion. This was my favourite winter fashion accessory for Winter 2010/11, and I am glad that I am getting a chance to wear one despite missing Cape Town's winter...

I realise the title of my blog is somewhat ambiguous. What is cool? If it's temperature - well done, Mandy, you've found it! Hunt over. It's freakin' cold here. 

"Cool" for the purposes of this blog will be what I deem it to be at the time. I will rule this blog in a very authoritarian manner - and will not entertain too much discussion or input on my misuse or abuse of the word "cool" (or my abuse of the English language as spelling and grammar may not be optimal on this blog)

Things that I may deem "cool" for example - on my recent trip to Islay (pronounced eye-la funnily enough) - I was walking past some deer that were less than 5 meters away, and I thought that was pretty cool :-)

Islay is amazing and I can't wait to go back. My Half and I visited all the distilleries, tasted a lot of whisky, ate many roast dinners and tasted a lot of whisky. 

Whisky, I discovered, is a lot like wine in that you can talk about the nose, flavours etc etc. They have come up with this useful chart to describe whiskies - they even have special tasting glasses similar to wine tasting glasses in shape. 

I approached the whisky tastings as I would wine tasting. I nod appreciatively while the incredibly knowledgable host talks one through the flavours and nose, and then proceed to try and drink as much as possible!!!

I really enjoyed Bruichladdich (pronounced Brook-laddie). They are a progressive distillery and well worth keeping an eye on. It's hard to choose a favourite though, as each distillery was amazing! The distilleries on Islay that  we visited were Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Ardbeg, Bunnahabhain (which we temporarily dubbed "Bonnaboobin" until we found out is was pronounced "Bunna-ha-vin"... potatoe, pot'atoe as they say... heh heh), Bowmore, Bruichladdich, Caol Ila and the newly opened Kilchoman.


A lot of the distilleries have special edition whiskies only available for purchase on the island. Half spent a considerable amount of his savings on acquiring some of them, now dubbed his "babies"... It's quite sweet seeing the affection in his eyes as he cuddles them. 

There's a lot more to do on Islay apart from drinking whisky such as visiting a woollen mill that makes tartan and tweed in the traditional manner, craft centres and touring historical sites. Half would argue that the only other thing to do is play golf... 


Check out http://www.islayinfo.com/islay_whisky_distilleries.html for more info on the island. For whisky enthusiasts - it would be your dream holiday. 


My top three cool things of the last two weeks:
1. The band Mumford and Sons - Album "Sigh no more"... 
2. Hobnobs (like chocolate digestive biscuits only better)
3. Islay whiskys. All of them. 

I am currently job-hunting as well as cool hunting - and I sincerely hope that I will be far too busy working soon to update this blog regularly ;-)

But in the mean time, I hope to provide some entertaining and slightly verbose work avoidance for you all. 

Yours, 

Mandy