On My Mind: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

I’d like to share with you a few things that I’ve come across lately that have either caused some sort of reaction (albeit good, bad or ugly) that don’t necessarily warrant their own post but accumulated together well, I dare say may provide one great post and minutes of enjoyment.

To start off with the Ugly (best to end on a good note):

Dumb-bell Cutlery: oh you read correctly! I read about this first, in this week’s Grazia and then again (yup twice in 1 week!) through the Daily Mail. Would anyone honestly buy these? Can we not find the time anymore to exercise? You know play outside or join a club/gym that we need to burn calories while inhaling them?

Orange Cauliflower: Okay so this has been around for a while but I’ve never actually SEEN one until recently. And they are ugly and unnatural. Why must we genetically modify nature to benefit our own needs? Oh right we’re lazy (see point #1). Ha!

The Bad:

Warm Cotton By Clean: a Perfume that ‘captures the feeling of a fluffy, warm towel just pulled from the dryer’ not quite what I was after in fragrance, but um, thanks anyway.

Okay, so that’s all the bad (not a very extensive list, I know) but now onto the good:

Jimmy Choo – H&M Collection: Jimmy Choo will be designing not only handbags and shoes for H&M but women’s clothing too. The range will hit stores November 14. Get your elbows out girls!

The Pill – coauthored by Jane Bennett and Alexandra Pope, this book describe the truths behind the pill and it’s side effects. I think it’s good because it brings awareness and guidance for anyone using or thinking of using the pill.

The Selby – a great website by artist Todd Selby showcasing ‘photographs, paintings and videos of interesting people and their creative space’ which I think is ubber cool!

Yummy Fluffy Pancakes

A couple weeks ago I was craving pancakes. Badly. I wanted them smothered with butter and layered w/ fresh fruit (definitely strawberries, bananas and luckily blueberries too) and maple syrup. Oh dear, even just writing this I’m overcome with an urge of wanting a fresh batch…need to compose myself. I’ve tried many recipes in the past but this one (taken from Allrecipes.com) is one of the best. That being said I thought I’d share my good find with all you lucky readers. Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 1 egg
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted

Directions:

1. In a bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. Pour in the milk, egg and melted butter and mix until smooth.
2. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each pancake. Brown on both sides and serve hot.

Serves 8 (or 3 really hungry ppl as the case was for me!) N.B. I use butter to fry the pancakes and ladle to pour/scoop the batter.

Angry Annie: Customer Service Conversation Obligated?

It might just be because I’m not feeling my best but why are we made to feel like we need to be social during a customer service transaction such as a haircut or beauty treatment (bikini waxing – awkward!)? It’s one thing if you’ve built up a personal relationship w/ a particular individual who you see regularly (ie. personal trainer) but it’s quite different if you’re not bothered who performs the service. Last night I chopped off (some of) my lovely locks and couldn’t find it in me to make small talk. I usually do, don’t get me wrong but last night I just didn’t have the strength to do so….and for good reason, my throat is killing me. But why is it that I felt guilt for not WANTING to talk. Even though I was paying for a service, I felt like I should try to strike up a conversation. The longer I didn’t talk the more awkward I felt. My neighbor (50+ woman) didn’t find it difficult chatting to her (gay) stylist when, let’s be honest here, would they be chatting to one another under different circumstances? It was like watching long lost best mates being reunited. I could only assume my stylist would have likely swapped clients if given the chance. Am I wrong in feeling this way? I feel like I’ve missed the memo that says we must talk to anyone performing a service. What do you think? Am I just being an angry Annie or what?