Granny's Recipe Book

Having been recently working on a cookery show I got the chance to dig out Granny Thom's recipe book. Started by my late granny in 1949 recipes range from the strange sounding 'Garland of Mushrooms', the exotic sounding 'New Zealand Sponge', to the rather grand '2nd Officers Green Tomato Chutney.

It's a lovely thing to have in my kitchen, and would be so lovely to add to it but I'd be afraid to ruin a lovely book with my fashionable recipes that might sound horrific when in pass it on to my children!

Martha not helping with the sewing

Couldn't even get one thread without the threat of a lost finger!

Katie Melua Wedding - Claire Pettibone Dress

The lovely Katie Melua married her Superbike fiance James Toseland at Kew Gardens this weekend in a beautiful Claire Pettibone gown. I've scoured the website but can't spot her dress, so whether its very new or made specially for her I'm not sure - but it's a beautiful dress that's perfect for a romantic Kew Gardens wedding. Am a bit jealous.

Flower crowns are definitely back in fashion with bride after bride in recent months wearing flowers in their hair to create a 'Midsummer Night's Dream' feel (especially when worn with a flowing Claire Pettibone style gown!).

photo via The Sun

My French Kitten

My Epic Little Pony

Spotted this yesterday at an antiques warehouse. The inner 7 year old in me stared for ages wondering how amazing it would look in my garden, and then 28 year old me tells me it's the most garish thing ever. Oh and it lights up too. Epic.

Easy Sushi Making

Proud of myself this lunchtime, had nothing inspiring in the fridge and had a guilt laden weekend so I decided to make some sushi. Some rice, mirin, nori and a few slices of avocado later and I'm in free lunch heaven - and faster than I can get it at the nearest sushi bar.

A happy Monday it is!

A Stephanie Allin French Wedding

Ok so I'm getting married next year, and yes I'm getting married in the South of France which means I'll just have to have a Stephanie Allin wedding dress!

I'm trying them on next month after cooing over them in every bridal magazine they appear, even the names make me smile with Bardot (below) and Frankie my current favourites. Love, love, love them!

Dukan Diet Starts Today

 

 

So it's been a busy year so far and the furthest thing from my mind has been wearing a bikini, so imagine the fear when I realise I'm to be bikini clad in less than two weeks, so my only answer is - bring on the Dukan! 

I've had a good read of the main book and the book of recipes so feel pretty good about diving head first into the Dukan diet experience. Unlike the Atkins you can't eat fatty meats, salt or oil but with it being a French diet the recipes are right up my street. Smoked salmon, chicken terrine and moules marinieres are suggested for the first 5-day 'attack' faze, oh such a hardship! But as a bread addict I'm worried I'll run out of steam in a day or two, never mind with the promise of 2lbs a day lost I think I can forgo the bread for a few days...

In other news, my Dad is recovering well having had his cancer tumour removed on Thursday the nurses were amazed he was able to go home after only three days - us Sharkey's are made of strong stuff clearly. After the stresses of last week with my Dad I'm quite pleased to be doing the accounts today, never again will I complain that my life isn't exciting enough, I've had enough excitement to last me a lifetime over the past month.

Martha in Ray-Bans

French Wedding Flowers

 

After a jaunt to France to do some interior design work this weekend I got the chance to check up on my wedding flowers growing in the garden. Peonies, roses and gypsophila all looking lovely, so lovely in fact I had to fill my case with them much to the amusement of the airport security man...

I'm really madly into Pinterest at the moment, between interior design ideas and wedding stuff I think I click 'Pin It' more than anything else on my laptop. I'm finding it the easiest way to gather everything I like visually, I've folders of downloaded images on my laptop which can now be deleted thanks to the wonders on Pinterest. Now that I've discovered how to Pin from my iPad there is no end to the obsession... Check out my page here.

Martha

 

Martha being her usual useful self in my office sitting on everything I need. Sigh...