Karen Phillips

Is this familiar?

2011-05-01T13:14:00.000-07:00

I saw this and thought it might raise a smile today.

Have You 'Experienced' Sweet Mandarin Yet? The Hottest Place in Town

2010-08-12T15:41:00.000-07:00

If you have, you'll totally get this loved up blog post for Sweet Mandarin in Manchester's trendy Northern Quarter.

If you haven't yet, what have you been doing with your life?!

Seriously, read my rave review below then book a table FAST!
Do it now online here. (I booked a table this way - it's so easy and fast.)
Book now before they sell up, make a mint and move to Hawaii.
Then it will be too late for you, my friend.

Last night I experienced simply the best Chinese restaurant. My mouth is still reliving the taste memories - in a good way!

Let me tell you all about it...

I say 'experienced' because when you go, it's not just any old place, serving any old chinese food served by any old staff.

This is the bees knees of eating in Manchester.

Lisa Tse - the Owner

I already knew about Sweet Mandarin from a distance because I follow Lisa Tse's (the owner) excellent tweets on Twitter ( @sweetmandarin ). I was sold already.

Lisa is one of those very friendly genuine people who you meet online and who turns out to be even better in person. For any aspiring entrepreneurs out there, she's well worth getting to know. Just look around her website to see what she's been achieving whilst the rest of us were having an extra hour's lie in;

Gordan Ramsay's F Word Best Local Chinese Restaurant 2009/2010,
she runs a successful restaurant
and cookery school,
is a whizz on the social media front
she hosts regular tweetups, networking and Linkedin meets at her restaurant
and she isn't just the figurehead either. She's in there where it counts.

She's smart, open, passionate about her business, hard working and seriously going places. Good for her! Let's hear it for the sassy successful females!

She's now officially one of my top inspiring business women entrepreneurs that I actively keep a keen eye on. I also want her as my new best friend. I'm sure she's inundated with more suitable applications for the post of BFF, but I'll apply whenever a new vacancy arises! You never know.

Sweet Mandarin - The Restaurant

The restaurant itself is cosy, informal and has achieved that rare atmosphere of being a cool local eaterie where you just want to hang out ( a bit like Friends and the coffee shop thing) that only the locals know about. I have always so wanted to find a place like that!

But don't worry, if you are older then 30, it's not sooo painfully cool that you feel like everyone's mum/gran. The place was full of a great mix of people just enjoying eating in there.

Even the background music was chilled out - I LOVE that attention to detail.

We were greeted by Lisa (who totally knows her stuff on the old hospitality front - not many do) and all the staff were really fast and friendly.

Oh and patient - we took ages deciding what to eat then nearly 3 hours eating the meal because - well, you know what it's like when you get together with a girlfriend!

I couldn't resist trying such a yummy cocktail - shanghai alley - it was like melted sweets in a cocktail glass. Mmmm. Perfect drink for a girl with a sweet tooth.

The Chinese Food

Then we melted into a delicious mix of dishes.
We had the set menu for two as follows:

First Course

Chicken and Sweetcorn Soup - steaming hot and lovely
Prawn Crackers - with a tasty dipping sauce

Second Course – Appetiser Combo

Seaweed, Vegetable Spring Rolls, Skewer Satay Chicken Sticks, Salt and Pepper Spare Ribs and Prawn Fingers - all yummy and great to be able to try different bits and pieces

Third Course – Mains

Beef Sweet Peppers and Blackbean Sauce - melts in the mouth and makes you want to swim in it!
The Original General Tse’s Sweet and Sour Chicken - the best ever! So very good.
Crunchy Mix
Egg Fried Rice

We were so very full - in the best possible way!

None of the oh-so-common chinese bloat. Just fresh, filling chinese food and lots of it!

The Bill

AND it must be said, what amazing value. It didn't break the bank which is always a pleasant surprise especially for a night out in Manchester City Centre. £17.50 each for the above set menu. Wow. Unbelieveable.

So boys and girls, if you are looking for the hottest place in Manchester to have a superb night out - don't bother going anywhere else until you have 'experienced' Sweet Mandarin.
You won't regret it. Just read all the amazing reviews if you still doubt me.

Highly recommended by me ... oh and Gordon Ramsay apparently really rates them highly as well !

(All images copyright Sweet Mandarin)

Recommended TED talk of the week!

2010-08-09T10:21:00.000-07:00

Wow! TED-addict that I am, I have just enjoyed watching possibly the best TED talk yet - and I thought I'd share it with you here.

Grab yourself a drink and enjoy!

5 Life Lessons You Can Learn From Laurel & Hardy

2010-07-12T04:33:00.000-07:00

For today - I'm going to share with you something perhaps that you didn't know about me.

I LOVE Laurel and Hardy. Love them.

I absolutely don't care that they are not the latest 'in' vampire teenage sensation.

They make me laugh and I mean cry with laughter.

I always feel amazing after laughing my way through one of their films. Laughter therapy like no other. Next time you are needing a lift, try them.

Yes they are silly. That's part of the appeal.

Yes they are 'old fashioned' and in black and white. Again, all part of the appeal.

So before I share with you one of my favourite all time clips from the 'Way Out West' Film, here are my 5 top life lessons that you can learn from Laurel and Hardy:

1/ The power of a brilliant team (at home or at work) and how the right mix of people can create pure magic.

2/ Don't underestimate the quiet one in the team / room. Stan Laurel, whilst acting the chump on-screen, was actually the comic genius behind the pair off-screen.

3/ Just as one of you is feeling superior and smug, along comes a reminder that we can all be just as bad as each other. No-one is perfect.

4/ That putting yourself out there and risking looking a fool can actually make you more endearing to the people around you.

5/ The art of good timing - sometimes we are more effective by not saying anything at all. Sometimes the most powerful part of our message is in the silence following our words.

Grab a coffee and enjoy !

Let's Get Organised !

2010-07-09T02:26:00.000-07:00

Today was one of those days when I got to grips with organising my studio.

It needed a good old 'spring' clean and tidy up - so today was the day.

I'm not usually one of 'those' messy artists who have to live in chaos and splosh paint around to get the creative juices flowing. No, not me.

I get enough chaos when my family arrive home, thankyou !

Yes, I like my work area to be quiet, clean, ordered and calm. Radio 4 playing in the background. A light breeze wafting in . The smell of freshly brewed tea. Dogs sleeping peacefully. Lovely.

What do you need to work at your optimum level? How do you achieve 'flow'?

For me, there's nothing quite like a well organised work area!

A place for everything and everything in it's place.

Feel much better now!

Living a Creative Life...

2010-06-05T08:24:00.000-07:00

This week I thought I'd share with you a superb talk about living a creative life and how to achieve success when treading a path less well trodden.

Elizabeth Gilbert wrote the best-selling 'Eat, Pray , Love' which is the basis of the new film with Julia Roberts due to be released this summer. Keep a look out for it as it looks great.

Grab a cup of tea and settle down. Enjoy!

Introducing... Elizabeth Gilbert on nurturing creativity.

How To Discover Your Very Own Secret Hideaway...

2010-05-05T05:21:00.000-07:00

Oh how my husband knows how to put a smile on my face

- he whisked me away for a romantic break to Ludlow "food centre of the universe" in Shropshire.

Days filled with ... eating, shopping for the very best food and then more eating.

Award winning farm shops, restaurants, a fab boutique 5 * B&B, lots of reading, laughing and more eating! Perfect.

We stayed at the most wonderful secret oasis of calm nestled deep in the beautiful Shropshire countryside.

Now I don't really know whether I should disclose the name of the place where we stayed, as I quite like the idea of keeping it all to myself.

A lovely secret. All mine. If I tell you all, there might be a stampede then where would we be?!

This is a very special place.

If I tell you girls that the most devine smell of aromatherapy goodies welcomes you as you open the door to the delighful barn room, you can rest assured that this is no ordinary place.

'Wow' will escape your mouth as you instantly begin to forget the stresses at home - you won't be able to help yourself. It's like being in a glorious bubble. A peaceful, restful bubble.

The huge bed, numerous pillows and volumous duvet are the softest I have ever had the fortune to sleep in.

Now I truely know what it is like to sleep in the clouds - soft, white, fluffy, fresh, clean, smelling of lavender, Ylang, Ylang and geranium. Lovely, lovely, lovely.

The decor is so relaxing, tasteful and 'country' . Like living in a Country Living Magazine spread.

The large ensuite wetroom was so impressive that it was immediately claimed by Richard who within the hour, had set up a relaxing bubble bath complete with aromatherapy candles (all provided) - for himself!

We were both appreciative of the attention to detail in the room.

Underfloor heating, lovely smellies, soft fluffy towels, spa-like robes, freshly baked cake (oh yes) , a fridge stocked with complimentary water, wine and milk. Chocolates. Biscuits. Even a teddy (not for eating though, that one) and a cosy hot water bottle (nor that one).

We slept like two happy babies - with smiles on our faces.

The next morning, things got even better.

The superb, aga-cooked breakfast made me want to ditch my husband and install Karen, the lovely owner, into my home with immediate effect. It was that good.

We were so keen to try as much as possible from the extensive breakfast menu.

Richard 'experienced' a gorgeous fruit and honey smoothie then onto the pile of fresh blueberry pancakes with local bacon, maple syrup and strawberries. Mmmmmm...

I didn't have time to look enviously at his plate as I was too busy melting into a big bowl of porridge made with cream, brown sugar and ... whisky! Oh yes, it really works.

Do you think the school mummies would smell the whisky on my breath if I ate this every morning?!

I then moved on to a full English breakfast like no other. Yummy scrummy. Pop - we nearly did.

We commenced a day of behaving like tourists with full tummies and even bigger smiles on our faces.

No wonder this place has

five stars,
has won numerous awards,
is featued in hotel expert, Alastair Sawday's guide,
listed in the Daily Mail as 'the best boutique B&B in the UK'
featured in Good Housekeeping magazine
raved about in Woman & Home magazine

Karen, the friendly owner, is raising the bar for chic hotels, B&Bs and rural retreats in the UK. A visit to this one is a must - the best of the best.

With only 4 rooms, they get booked up very quickly and will soon be operating a waiting list!

To book now, visit the Hopton House website

I've Just Read...

2010-04-14T03:16:00.000-07:00

Northern Lights by Philip Pullman.

Now this isn't a novel that I would normally choose to read myself.

But in 2010, I have decided to keep an open mind with regards to books and read any that have come highly recommended.

This novel was one such recommendation. And it's superb!

Very much a page-turner. The ideas featured in it stay with you long after you've finished the book.

Aimed at older children and adults alike, it is fantasy at its best. I believe it has been made into a film, although I can't comment on the film as I've not seen it yet.

I'd score the novel 9 / 10. Highly recommended!

Northern Lights - extract

After darkness had fallen, and when the stores and equipment had all been safely unloaded and stood in waiting on the quay, Farder Coram and Lyra walked along the waterfront and looked for Einarsson's Bar. They found it easily enough: a crude concrete shed with a red neon sign flashing irregularly over the door and the sound of loud voices through the condensation-frosted windows.

A pitted alley beside it led to a sheet-metal gate into a rear yard, where a lean-to shed stood crazily over a floor of frozen mud. Dim light through the rear window of the bar showed a vast pale form crouching upright and gnawing at a haunch of meat which it held in both hands. Lyra had an impression of blood-stained muzzle and face, small malevolent black eyes, and an immensity of dirty matted yellowish fur. As it gnawed, hideous growling, crunching, sucking noises came from it.

Farder Coram stood by the gate and called:

"Iorek Bymison!"

The bear stopped eating. As far as they could tell, he was looking at them directly, but it was impossible to read any expression on his face.

"Iorek Byrnison," said Farder Coram again. "May I speak to you?"

Lyra's heart was thumping hard, because something in the bear's presence made her feel close to coldness, danger, brutal power, but a power controlled by intelligence; and not a human intelligence, nothing like a human, because of course bears had no daemons. This strange hulking presence gnawing its meat was like nothing she had ever imagined, and she felt a profound admiration and pity for the lonely creature.

He dropped the reindeer leg in the dirt and slumped on all fours to the gate. Then he reared up massively, ten feet or more high, as if to show how mighty he was, to remind them how useless the gate would be as a barrier, and he spoke to them from that height.

'Well? Who are you?'

Take a look at Philip Pullman's website to read all about him and his fine talents here

Simply Divine Chocolate!

2010-03-28T08:09:00.000-07:00

I just had to share with you how yummy this new chocolate bar is from Divine Chocolate.

I'm getting goose bumps just thinking about it.

Smooth white chocolate made from the creamiest cocoa butter with crunchy pieces of real strawberry crisp.

I had a bar, well, when I say a bar I actually mean a very small piece after James and Richard saw it and snaffled most of it for themselves!

Oh life with two males in the house is always such fun.

Not even a girl's choccie is safe in our home. I'm convinced they can 'sense' chocolate is in the house even before they are through the front door.

I'd take to hiding chocolate bars in strategic places around the house, but I'm sure I'd just forget they were there until we moved house.

You must try this new delight from Divine if you haven't already.

The strawberries taste so yummy with the white chocolate. Mmmmmm. It certainly put a smile on my face for the whole day.

You can also buy lovely Easter eggs from Divine Chocolate as well.

Take a quick peek at their website here.

There are recipes, a great blog, competitions, more piccies of chocolate and cakes made from the chocolate......mmm.............. Are you still here?!

(images copyright Divine Chocolate)

Cheeky Chilli Chutney

2010-03-23T05:54:00.000-07:00

If you LOVE hot, spicy food or you know someone who does - then this blog post is for you!

Every year we grow our own chilli plants from seed. So we've been busy potting, nurturing and encouraging our seeds and seedlings to grow tall and strong this year!

They are rather high maintenance little things, in that they sulk and then rather dramatically refuse to give you what you want if you forget to give them their daily lovin'. Like many women I know. Quite right.

But if you have the patience, wow do they grow and reward you with masses of beautiful tasty chillies. So much better than any shop bought variety. Really.

Once we are ready to harvest our first crop of bright red chillies (which Richard does with a, it has to be said, rather smug smile) we start making the first batch of wonderful cheeky chilli chutney.

We've been making this delicious treat for years and it always goes down so well with family and friends.

Here's the recipe below just in case you feel the need for more heat in your life.

cheeky chilli-pepper chutney

ingredients

• 8-10 fresh red chillies
• 8 ripe red peppers
• olive oil
• 2 medium red onions, peeled and chopped
a sprig of fresh rosemary, leaves picked and chopped
• 2 fresh bay leaves
• a 5cm piece of cinnamon stick
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 100g brown sugar
150ml balsamic vinegar

snacks and sides | serves makes about 500g
This is a great chutney. The sweetness created in the cooking of the peppers calms the heat of the chillies down, giving the chutney a lovely warmth. It’s fantastic with crumbly cheese, smeared on toast with melted cheese or with Welsh rarebit (see page 322). Also lovely stirred into gravy with sausages, or with cold leftover meats. Crack on and have a go.

PS You might want to wear a pair of Marigolds when peeling and chopping the chillies or you’ll know about it if you rub your eyes afterwards!

If you want your chutney to last for a while, make sure you have some small sterilized jars ready to go (see page 324). Place your chillies and peppers over a hot barbecue, in a griddle pan or on a tray under a hot grill, turning them now and then until blackened and blistered all over. Carefully lift the hot peppers and chillies into a bowl (the smaller chillies won’t take as long as the peppers so remove them first) and cover tightly with clingfilm. As they cool down, they’ll cook gently in their own steam. By the time they’re cool enough to handle, you’ll be able to peel the skin off easily.

When you’ve got rid of most of the skin, trimmed off the stalks and scooped out the seeds, you’ll be left with a pile of nice tasty peppers and chillies. Finely chop by hand or put in a food processor and whiz up. Then put to one side.

Heat a saucepan and pour in a splash of olive oil. Add the onions, rosemary, bay leaves and cinnamon and season with a little salt and pepper. Cook very slowly for about 20 minutes or so, until the onions become rich, golden and sticky.

Add the chopped peppers and chillies, the sugar and the vinegar to the onions and keep cooking. When the liquid reduces and you’re left with a lovely thick sticky chutney, season well to taste. Remove the cinnamon stick and the bay leaves. Either spoon into the sterilized jars and put them in a cool dark place, or keep in the fridge and use right away. In sterilized jars, the chutney should keep for a couple of months.

(images and text copyright Jamie Oliver)

If I've inspired you so much, that you want to start your own organic veg patch as soon as possible, then wander on over to Suttons seeds and make things easy for yourself.

For more fab recipes from Sir Jamie Oliver, take a look here

I've Just Read....

2010-02-28T01:44:00.000-08:00

One Hundred Years of Solitude
by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

I thought this novel was simply enchanting!

A classic that haunts you once you've finished reading it.

It has everything in it - love, war, politics, corruption, family, relationships, loss, aging, business, wealth, society and even a circus.

I'd highly recommend it if you are looking for a super read for your next book group meeting.

Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, General Aureliano Buendia was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice.
One Hundred Years of Solitude
Opening words of novel

An acknowledged masterpiece, this is the story of seven generations of the Buendia;a family and of Macondo, the town they have built.

Though little more than a settlement surrounded by mountains, Macondo has its wars and disasters, even its wonders and miracles.

A microcosm of Columbian life, its secrets lie hidden, encoded in a book and only Aureliano Buendia can fathom its mysteries and reveal its shrouded destiny.

Blending political reality with magic realism, fantasy with comic invention, One Hundred Years of Solitude is one of the most daringly original works of the twentieth century.

What are you reading at the moment?

Rick Stein Cookery School in Cornwall

2010-02-24T08:43:00.000-08:00

The Phillips family are getting all excited about an up-and-coming lovely little jaunt to Cornwall in March.

We can't wait.

The weeks are being counted down. The tourist info is being reviewed. The excitement is building. The weather is hotting up.

As a 'Thankyou' to my wonderful husband, Richard for being our rock during the difficult past few months I gave him the gift of spending a few days at Rick Stein's Seafood Cookery School in Padstow, Cornwall.

Oh how his little face lit up when he realised what was in store for him. It certainly put a 'Cheshire cat' smile on his face at the thought of cooking, drinking wine and chatting with fellow foodies and Rick himself. Bliss.

If you fancy trying your hand at seafood cooking a la Rick Stein, then take a look at his website here. Welcome to Padstein! (This is not Richard below!)

Here are some reviews of the courses at Rick 's school. The setting looks wonderful.

The Independent {Extra} named Padstow Seafood School in their feature 'The ten best cookery courses'.

Padstow Seafood School has been placed in the number 1 slot in 'The ten best cookery courses' from The Independent feature on Wednesday 14th May 2008:

'Stein's Padstow school teaches a relaxed approach to preparing seafood. The chef's aim was to create a course that "revolves around lunch". Here, cooks enjoy the fruits of their labours beside the seaside.'

The Daily Telegraph

‘Padstow Seafood School – Gordon Ramsay says it’s the only cookery course he can wholeheartedly recommend to anyone.’

Chef Peter Gordon writing in The Caterer

I learned plenty, I had fun, I ate heaps. The teachers were great and the view brilliant.’

(Images and Reviews copyright Rick Stein)

The Best of The Best - Top Gun

2010-02-22T09:12:00.001-08:00

Last night I watched an 80's classic - Top Gun!

Oh the music. Oh the men. Tom Cruise looking good. Val Kilmer looking good . (Although I did notice the men looked younger this time round - must be feeling my age!)

What more do you need for a great night in?!

Perhaps... Dirty Dancing, An Officer and a Gentleman, Yanks, Dances With Wolves ?!!

Beautiful Dream Homes

2010-02-20T03:23:00.000-08:00

What does your dream home look like? Perhaps you are already living in it?
Oh, which one to choose...

Gardens are so important to me. Need to have a lovely view to inspire me every day.

Yes, think it must be this one below. I'll call the removal men, Richard.

With this one as a bolt hole in France.

I'll leave you with this quote that made me smile:

"You can't afford the house of your dreams.
That is why it is the house of your dreams.
If you had everything you ever wanted,
you wouldn't have a reason to get up in the morning.
Be satisfied with dissatisfaction. " Paul Arden

Cakes, Cakes and More Cakes!

2010-02-19T02:58:00.000-08:00

Recently my neighbour, Hilary took me out for a lovely lunch and a girlie catch up.

We went to the most amazing place in ... Bury. Who knew it was there? Not me.

Though perhaps that's a good thing in retrospect considering how many calories are densely packed into the square footage.

Ahh... Slattery's. Top notch Patissier and Chocolatier! Heaven in a cake shop.

To be fair, Slattery's are so much more than simply a cake shop - they do chocolate courses, lectures, stunning wedding cakes and a fab restaurant.

Slattery's are based in a beautiful building and you do feel rather special sitting in their lovely dining room sipping tea.

If you fancy treating someone or even yourself, then find out how to get to Slattery's here . Highly recommended!

Hope you have a great w'end!

Karen
x

(all images copyright Slattery's)

A Lovely Cuppa Green Tea

2010-02-18T05:35:00.000-08:00

We are currently going through a rather strange obsession at home - we can't get enough of Clipper teas!

It all started with husband, Richard innocently getting a packet from the local shop. Fine, no big deal. It's only a box of tea bags.

I especially love the designs on the boxes so it's ok with me.

Before you know it, he's obsessed. I'm mean really obsessed! We now have boxes of the stuff everywhere.

Every cupboard I open in our lovely kitchen, boxes of tea fall out on me!

Our kitchen now looks like the image below. It must be a collector's thing - he now has to collect all of them!

Canny marketing on Clipper's part if you ask me.

We have white tea, green tea, organic peppermint infusion, organic green chai tea (my favourite), green tea with lemon, sleep easy infusion, nettle tea, dandelion tea........ the list goes on and on.

And he reliably informs me that he's not finished yet as Clipper's website is sooo easy to order from! Take a look and see if he's right http://www.clipper-teas.com/

Do all husbands do this? Answers in the comments boxes below, thankyou!

Karen
x

(all images above copyright Clipper Teas)

Love holidays with a difference?

2010-02-17T05:35:00.000-08:00

Then you'll love the unique holiday experience of Featherdown Farms. This looks so fab. Perfect for the kids! What fun!

Cosy wood-burning stoves. Super fresh air. All the mod cons. Back to nature and simple days reminding us of our childhoods. Glamping ! Glam camping without the backache!

Beautiful views that make you smile!

Every Feather Down farm tent is incredibly spacious and comfortable, with a traditional interior reflecting the honest rural life of years gone by. And you’ll only ever find the Feather Down tent on working farms, where the farmer and their family are passionate guardians of the countryside.

Go on - book in some holiday fun for summer. More details here http://www.featherdown.co.uk/

Cross stitching diva !

2010-02-11T03:44:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone,

hope you are well and thriving.
In the true spirit of a New Year ( as well as forced rest!) I am embracing some lovely new crafty ideas. Really tapping into that part of my personality that loves to make things and then look on with pride at my achievement (however small!). It gives you a great sense of satisfaction.

The first activity on my list to rediscover this year is my love of cross stitching!
It is sooo relaxing. Loving it!

I have started out small with a cute medieval flowers bookmark. I'm really enjoying it.
It has some lovely bright, cheery colours as you can see from the image below. If this turns out ok I'll progress onto a bigger project for my home! Lavender bags here I come!

Did you know that sewing is one of the latest trends to sweep the UK? Along with knitting, bread-making and allotment veg growing, and the W.I. . All things I'm looking forward to rediscovering this year.

Why not treat yourself to some 'me' time and learn a new skill at the same time? There are sewing groups all over the UK if you want to meet new people as well. Follow this link to find a group near to you http://www.bhkc.co.uk/data/groups_new.htm

Enjoy !

Karen
x

Home-Made Christmas with Soul

2009-12-18T03:17:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,

back on the blog after a fairly big blip in life! Sooo good to be back! How are you?

We're getting all Christmassey. We've focused on lots of lovely home-made Christmas decorations this year. Things with more soul. Little touches that respresent our family. Memories and family traditions old and new. In fact, it looks very much like Jamie Oliver's kitchen! Life has a way of humbly reminding us that it's really all about the people we love and the fun experiences we share. Everything else is just frills.

Our new extension at home is at last feeling homely and cosy. Tick. All the presents have been purchased/made and wrapped. Tick. The cards are being sent off this week. Tick. The real Christmas tree is in situ, decorated, sparkling and smelling divine! Tick. The home baking starts this week. Tick. The Christmas films have been chosen. Tick. Abby and Anna (our two goldies) have special Christmas tinsel on their collars. Tick. I LOVE Christmas!

I think the images below are lovely and really make me feel Christmassey.

I love this Christmas door garland.

I wish you all well for Christmas. May you and your family have a restful and fun time. Let's hope there's plenty more snow for the holiday.

Here's to an exciting and successful 2010 !

Best wishes,

Karen
x

I'm Loving... Jan Constantine's Textiles

2009-08-16T06:43:00.001-07:00

I do a lot of trend spotting and research as part of my design work.

Great designs are everywhere - on textiles, mugs, greeting cards, rugs, aprons, ceramics, paintings.

I find it hugely exciting to follow other designers. Inspiration all around!

I absolutely love Jan Constantine's textile work.

A fellow Cheshire girl, her applique designs are so 'on trend'.
She's also recently branched out into putting her designs onto mugs.

(copyright Jan Constantine 2009)

They range from lovely country-inspired colours to pop art and Union Jack designs.
Take a look at her website here

RHS Tatton Flower Show now on!

2009-07-22T06:18:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year again when it's the RHS flower show at Tatton park in Cheshire (approx 5 minutes away from us). Aren't we lucky ?!

I always love going and seeing the variety of designs, colours and try and pick up a lovely new plant for my garden.

This year they've introduced a new section to showcase innovation and new designers, which I'm looking forward to seeing.

A great day out for the family.

Dreamy Treehouses

2009-07-21T01:42:00.000-07:00

I had a lovely dream last night. I dreamt that I lived in a luxurious treehouse! It had all the mod cons and luxuries of a spa resort with gorgeous fabrics and colour schemes inspired by shabby chic.

Lovely and peaceful. No cars around. Internet access ( not the most eco-friendly element, but essential for life and work).

What do you dream about ?

Treehouse or ...

... hobbit hole? Choices, choices !

This is would make such a delightful studio.

Which would you choose?

All photos © High Life Treehouses Ltd. http://www.highlifetreehouses.co.uk/portfolio.php

Home-Made Scones Are Simply The Best !

2009-07-17T09:29:00.000-07:00

(Copyright BBC good foods 2009)

Today, we've been baking lovely, scrummy scones. Delicious with Bonne Maman Strawberry Conserve and clotted cream! What a treat and so easy to do.

James loved helping out with his little polka dot apron on. So cute.

Here's the fab recipe:

Ingredients

225g self-raising flour , preferably organic
¼ tsp salt
50g slightly salted butter , chilled, cut in small pieces
25g golden caster sugar
125ml buttermilk
4 tbsp full-fat milk
a little extra flour for dusting
strawberry jam and clotted cream, to serve

Preheat the oven to 220C/gas 7/fan 200C and lightly butter a baking sheet (unless you're using a non-stick sheet). Tip the flour into a mixing bowl with the salt. Shoot in the butter, then rub together with your fingers to make a reasonably fine crumbed mixture, lifting to aerate the mixture as you go. Try not to overrub, as the mixture will be lighter if it's a little bit flaky. Now stir in the sugar.
Measure the buttermilk, then mix in the milk to slacken it. Make a bit of a well in the middle of the flour mixture with a round-bladed knife, then pour in most of this buttermilk mixture, holding a little bit back in case it's not needed. Using the knife, gently work the mixture together until it forms a soft, almost sticky, dough. Work in any loose dry bits of mixture with the rest of the buttermilk. Don't overwork at this point or you will toughen the dough.
Lift the ball of soft dough out of the bowl and put it on to a very lightly floured surface. Knead the mixture just 3-4 times to get rid of the cracks.
Pat the dough gently with your hands to a thickness of no less than 2cm and no more than 2.5cm. Dip a 5.5cm round fluted cutter into a bowl of flour - this helps to stop the dough sticking to it, then cut out the scones by pushing down quickly and firmly on the cutter with the palm of your hand - don't twist it.You will hear the dough give a big sigh as the cutter goes in. Gather the trimmings lightly then pat and cut out a couple more scones.
Place on the baking sheet and sift over a light dusting of flour or glaze if you wish. Bake for 10-12 minutes until risen and golden. Cool on a wire rack, uncovered if you prefer crisp tops, or covered loosely with a cloth for soft ones.
Serve with strawberry jam and a generous mound of clotted cream (Cornish people put cream first, then jam, Devonians the other way round). Eat them as fresh as you can.

Enjoy !

Skype - A Whole New Learning Curve

2009-07-07T13:40:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

in the true spirit of embracing all things new, I’m currently implementing Skype on my pc. For those of you who haven’t heard of it yet, it allows you to talk for free to other Skype users via your pc and see real-time video footage of the other person. Lots of fun!

Fiddling with my pc usually ends with boredom and frustration but I thought the benefits of using Skype were worth it!

So the new webcam and headset are set up. No problems so far. The free Skype software has been downloaded. Easy enough.

I can see myself on the webcam. Now all I need is someone else with Skype to talk with !

Luckily my family who are dotted around the country are keen to give it a try so we’ll all be able to see each other as we chat. A fab and fun way for grandparents and uncles to see how quickly the children in a family are growing up!

(copyright Skype 2009)

Click here for more info on Skype and the free software to get started.

Will keep you posted on how successful our latest project is.

As always, please do leave a comment below to share your experience of Skype and any top tips.

Best wishes

Karen

We've reached a milestone on TWITTER !

2009-06-26T02:20:00.000-07:00

Good Morning, everyone!

Well, the sun is shining. I'm feeling happy and the big news for today is that we've reached the heady heights of 300+ followers on the social networking site, TWITTER ! Excellent! Next goal is 500 followers. Let's keep it going.

Thankyou to all of you who have signed up to follow our tweets. Will endeavour to keep them interesting, useful and welcoming.

If you are new to TWITTER, don't be afraid. It's FREE, easy to learn about and fun! Why not give it a go today?

Simply click on the link here to join our TWITTER community now.

Have a lovely w'end.

K
x

Summer Delights - Perfect Gooseberry Fool

2009-06-25T05:46:00.000-07:00

Tangy gooseberries and fragrant elderflower cordial are combined into homemade custard and cream in this simple traditional English dessert.

Ingredients
450g/1lb gooseberries
150ml/5fl oz elderflower cordial
For the custard:
2 egg yolks
1 tsp arrowroot
150ml/5fl oz milk
30g/1oz sugar
150ml/5fl oz double cream
fresh elderflowers, to decorate

Method
1.Top and tail the gooseberries. Put them into a pan with the elderflower cordial. Bring up to the boil and then simmer gently until soft and pulpy. Leave to go cold, and then place in a serving dish.
2. Make the custard heat the milk up in a pan to the point of boiling. Beat the egg yolks, arrowroot and sugar together in a jug and pour the hot milk into the jug.. Mix well and then return to the pan. Heat gently until the custard thickens, but do not boil. Strain into a clean bowl and cool.
3. Whip the cream to the same consistency of the gooseberries.
4.Gently stir the cream into the gooseberries and then fold in the custard. Try to give it a marbled effect in the serving bowl. Place a few elderflowers on top to decorate.

A Successful Dinner Party !

2009-06-21T14:25:00.000-07:00

Hi,

hope you’ve had a lovely weekend.

We’ve had a very busy one – dog walking, shopping, playing, school summer fete, dinner party with friends.

Thought I’d share with you the scrummy dishes Richard and I made for friends on Saturday evening. Delicious !

For starter we served: Roasted garlic and almond soup (with lovely crutons)

For the recipe, pls go to Jamie Oliver’s website here

http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/bread-recipes/roasted-sweet-garlic-bread-and-almond-so

For the main course, we served home-made pesto, pasta, salmon and roasted sweet peppers.

For the pudding, we served Eaton Mess:

It was divine ! And such fun to catch up with friends.

Bye for now.

Nano-break holiday

2009-06-18T04:04:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

hope you are well and you’ve been enjoying the sunshine.

At the beginning of this week, we decided to’ just pack up and go’ on a short break for a few days. Prompted by the gorgeous sunshine, we headed off to mid-wales and shropshire for some fun. A great British holiday !

Apparantly, this type of mini-break is now being called a ‘nano-break’ as people downshift holiday plans in the current economic climate.

We stayed in the ‘ little’ country house hotel, above. It was perfectly situated for touring around the area and had a Red Kite feeding station next door which is featured on Spring Watch.

This part of wales is simply beautiful.

We couldn’t resist going for a paddle ! Doesn’t the sunshine and sea air just make you feel happy?!

Then we headed over to Shropshire and through Ludlow, stopping for ice-cream of course!

We all feel thoroughly refreshed now !

Where are you going on holiday this year?

Best wishes

What birds are in your garden right now?

2009-06-10T04:16:00.000-07:00

Just a quick reminder that you can now join in with the RSPB’S Make Your Nature Count which is running from 8th – 14th June 2009.

It’s FREE, easy and fun to do ! Especially with children!

Simply count the numbers of different birds and types of wildlife that visit your garden in 1 hour. Then record the highest numbers with the RSPB.

I’m going to do my count now.

Best wishes

Shed - Chic !

2009-06-07T09:08:00.000-07:00

I’m loving this…

Shed Chic is a new book by Sally Coulthard.

It has lots of inspirational ideas of how to make the most of your garden space and how to turn a plain, dull old shed into something you’d want to spend time in.

Take a look at some of the gorgeous photographs below.

I want them all !

My shed is currently full to the brim with all the stuff we can no longer fit in the house ! It’s a far cry from these delightful retreats. Must put this on my ‘to do’ list. When it stops raining !

"Nostalgic floral-printed fabrics and a duck-egg blue shed complement the colourful cottage-garden planting in the rural garden."

This looks so relaxing.

"An interesting mix of natural materials, soft textures and pale colours, teamed with simple cream crockery, lends an air of faded elegance to this waterside supper.""

"The Sea Shanty's main room is the hub of family holidays."

"This summer house, perched on the edge of a lily pond, is a wonderful spot from which to watch wildlife."

"Task lighting needs to be flexible and adaptable – an Anglepoise lamp is ideal."

"Modern, practical and a pleasant place to work."

Shed Chic by Sally Coulthard is published by Jacqui Small and priced £25.

Images copyright Country Living/Jacqui Small Publishing.

What does your shed look like? Why not post your comments and links to photos? It’s good to share !

Best wishes

Karen

Daily Inspiration

2009-06-07T07:18:00.000-07:00

I read this quote and thought it was so true. See what you think?

" People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

Maya Angelou

Best wishes

Karen
x

Enjoy Glorious Gardens With The NGS

2009-06-05T06:22:00.000-07:00

It’s that time of year again when hundreds of gardens across Britain open their gates and let us have a jolly old time wandering around.

I personally love to see what other people have done in their gardens. I’ll be visiting a few gardens local to me in Plumley. Can’t wait !

Everyone has a different style and way of planting that can make you smile, inspire you to give it a go at home or simply allow you to relax for a few moments.

So go and spend a delightful afternoon in someone’s glorious garden via the National Garden Scheme, pick up some tips and contribute to a local charity all at the same time!

Take a look at the NGS website here to find out which gardens are open in your area.

You can purchase the NGS little yellow book which lists all the gardens open, times, directions and details of what joys await you.

This year Emma Bridgewater pottery have produced a lovely collection of mugs inspired by the planting. Take a look at their website here.

Enjoy !

Best wishes

Karen

Oh How I Love Gardening...

2009-06-04T11:02:00.000-07:00

The weather is fabulous so we’re making the most of it by sitting out in our garden as much as possible.

Wow – doesn’t it feel just wonderful to be out in the fresh air, soaking up the sunshine, appreciating the colours and scents of an English garden?

We have a beautiful cottage garden here in Cheshire. Partly inherited and partly years of trial and error planting ourselves.

Here are some of our gorgeous flowers out at the moment. The smell from my old English Roses from David Austin is simply divine ! I LOVE roses !

These pink roses are my favourite. I chose them because of their size, colour, scent and incredible number of blooms. Perfect.

I love the contrast between the yellow roses here planted with the intensly blue Californian Liliac.

The star of a shaded and otherwise dull area of the garden is this lovely big fern.

This is my geranium area. In addition to loving roses, I also love geraniums – pink, red, white and any variety in between. They remind me of my grandad in his allotment where he used to grow a variety of geraniums, sweat peas and the whole range of veggies.

Hope you have a lovely w’end in the sun !

Best wishes

Karen

Quote of the week

2009-05-22T05:01:00.001-07:00

I’m loving this quote !

Whenever I come across such quotes, I love to save them for those days when I need a little extra help to get going !

©Ez Pudewa

Stylist - Lucyina Moodie

2009-05-19T01:45:00.000-07:00

I came across the work of stylist, Lucyina Moodie today. Wow !

Take a look at her website .

Simply beautiful photography that I find very inspiring.

Don’t you just want to be there ? !

Have an inspired day.

Karen

Classic Car Festival

2009-05-04T10:06:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

we’ve had quite a hectic Bank Holiday weekend. Catching up and cramming in lots of things that we are normally too busy for.

Catching up on D-I-Y jobs around the house, Richard and James have been planting out in the veg plot and we’ve just returned from a grand day out at Gawsworth Hall near Macclesfield in Cheshire.

There was a Classic car festival in the grounds of the beautiful hall and as we’ve known Gawsworth well for years, we thought we’d go as a family day out.

We managed to dodge the rain and my father (who renovates classic cars as a hobby/project) found some fab inspiration. James, needless to say, LOVED it all !

I always really enjoy visiting Gawsworth Hall. The Richards family who live there are lovely and always actively involved in the events. I love the cosy interior of the hall.

You can see what’s on at Gawsworth Hall over the Summer here at their website http://www.gawsworthhall.com/index.html

Back to work tomorrow !

Can’t wait - more card designs to work on .

Best wishes

Karen

Easter Holidays

2009-04-10T04:59:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

hope you’re enjoying the Easter holidays.

We’ve just returned from a lovely break visiting family in the Chilterns (Bucks). We were really lucky to have fab, sunny weather all week.

It was lovely to spend time as a family, without the usual hectic pace involved in running businesses, the school run, playdays with friends, housework etc !

We stayed at a wonderful B&B and were completely spoilt with a full English cooked breakfast each morning. What a treat to be waited on, enjoy a slow start to the day with no washing up involved !

One day we met up with Uncle Alastair and went to London. Had a super lunch at the most incredible restaurant in the V & A then had a wonder around the exhibitions.

Then we visited the Natural History Museum to show James the dinosaurs, but unfortunately the 3 hour queues defeated us. Should have realised the Easter holidays would mean EVERYONE with a child in the family would be heading down there ! Next time.

Then we visited Laduree in Kensington where we bought some of their fabulous macaroons and had delicious ice cream in the food hall.

By far the biggest success of the whole holiday for James was riding on the top deck, right at the front of a red double decker London bus ! He loved pretending he was driving it and we were all the passengers. Who says you have to spend a fortune on keeping children happy? !

Now it’s time to catch up with everything at home, unpack, stop James eating too many choccie Easter eggs and do some much-needed gardening.

Have a lovely Easter holiday.

Karen

Social Networking

2009-04-03T03:56:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone,

hope you are all well and gearing up for the Easter holidays.

I’m busy discovering the exciting world of social networking - Facebook, Twitter, blogs and Meebo et al.

It’s been on my ‘to do’ list for a while now, but these new things can be a bit scary sometimes !

So I’m in the process of setting myself up on Twitter - and then keeping the postings current, which is a full time job in itself ! There’s now a new little box in the side column on this blog where you can read what I’m currently doing.

I think it’s really important to keep myself aware of these new ways to interact with people (friends, family, customers). I do love learning curves as well !

I must say that for a time there I was missing the point of Twitter et al. I mistakenly thought that it was just for students with not much going on apart from going to the pub!

Meet the latest convert to Twitter ! Karen Phillips.

It’s really great. I now follow other people like Stephen Fry and see what they are doing during the day. It’s quite fascinating - like being a fly on the wall on someone’s day / life !

I only started doing Twitter yesterday and already have people from all over the world following what I’m doing during the day.

I dare you to take a look !

Bye for now.

Karen

Country-Living Spring Fair 2009

2009-03-15T05:45:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

We're back from a big adventure - to London!
We had a jolly nice day out yesterday visiting the Country- Living Magazine's Spring Fair at the Business Design Centre in Islington.

James LOVED the train journey down, the cab rides and the tall buildings!
Richard loved the samples from the food hall at the fair and then the British Museum which we visited after the fair.
I loved seeing the designers and small businesses in the flesh. For example, Caroline Zoob, Jan Constantine, Susie Watson Designs, Sophie Allport, Hyland and Whittle.

The British Museum is well worth a visit as well. It's simply stunning and FREE !

So all in all, it was a fab family day out !
Today is now just a relaxing, catch up day - housework, prep for the week ahead, some family time.

Hope you are having a lovely w'end too !

Best wishes

Karen
x

Welcome. Who Are You?

2009-02-24T02:30:00.000-08:00

I'd love to know a little more about you.

Why not go to the poll on the RHS column and tick the box that represents you best? Are you a retailer, member of the public, blogger?

If you let me know, I'll start to write more stuff that may be of interest to you.

Please do also leave me your comments at the end of the posts - it's so much more interesting when it's a two-way interaction!

Have a great day!

Best wishes

Karen
x

What Are Your Favourite Films of All Time ?

2009-02-23T03:38:00.000-08:00

I've been putting some serious thought into this!

I wanted to choose films that made a positive impression on me at the time in my life when I first watched them (either for plot, acting, photography or eye candy!). There are in fact sooo many films that I could list here, as I'm a bit of a film fanatic. But let's face it, life's too short for that long a list!

These are my favourite feel good movies (in no particular order):

1. Yanks with Richard Gere

2. Sabrina with Audrey Hepburn

3. Dirty Dancing with Patrick Swayze

4. The Notebook with Ryan Gosling

5. Breakfast at Tiffany's with Audrey Hepburn

6. An Officer & A Gentleman with Richard Gere

7. Dances with Wolves with Kevin Costner

8. The Thomas Crown Affair with Pierce Brosnan

9. Legands of the Fall with Brad Pitt

10. The Matrix with Keanu Reeves

Ok, so perhaps after looking again at the list, it is rather heavily weighted towards the eye candy element ! It would be one heck of a fab night in though !

Swimming in the shallows can feel so good sometimes !

Have a wonderful day.

Karen
x

Hope and Greenwood

2009-02-22T11:35:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone,

hope you had a lovely w'end.

Continuing on a theme from my previous posts - I've just thought of another thing that makes me happy;

I just love the sweeties at Hope and Greenwood - all the old childhood favourites. A visit to their London shop or website really takes you back!

I used to LOVE drumstick lollies! Take a look at their excellent website at

http://www.hopeandgreenwood.co.uk

I looks like it would be a fun place to work!

I've also added their blog to my blogroll (rhs column) as it's the funniest thing I've read in a long while. Although if you are the sensitive, easily offended sort, perhaps don't go there !

Best wishes

Karen

Things that make us happy

2009-02-08T14:47:00.000-08:00

Did you take time out today for some simple pleasures?

Why not promise yourself a lovely treat this week?

It doesn’t have to be expensive, complicated or time-consuming - just something to make you smile during the day.

For me, my dogs always make me smile. Whether it’s their wagging tails telling me they are happy to see me (even though I only went upstairs for a little while !) or how they love to play with each other, they always make me laugh with their sillyness.

Hope you have a happy week.

Best wishes

Karen

Cake, Glorious Cake !

2009-02-06T01:55:00.000-08:00

Hi,

Today and tomorrow are busy, busy, busy !

Today is all about getting everything ready for a birthday party we are holding for James.

The birthday party invitations have been sent.

The birthday party guests have all accepted - all 25 of them plus their parents.

The birthday party outfits have been selected.

The birthday balloons will be blown up today.

The birthday presents and cards have been written.

The birthday food and drink is being prepared.

The birthday entertainment is all ready.

and finally, the birthday cake is being collected today. It’s an Animal Ark cake from Marks and Spencer (yes, I know, I could make it myself - but who has the time to get results like this??!)

I think he’s going to love it - I’m already really excited for him ! He’s very lucky.

Wish me luck, as we prepare for our first party of the year !

Hope you have a great w’end too.

Best wishes

Karen

Wonderful Homemade Winter Warmer Soup

2009-02-03T06:19:00.000-08:00

Hello,

I must just tell you about the most wonderful soup Richard made last night. We were keen to try some new recipes using veggies from the new veg box (that we don’t usually eat) - this week it was the turn of Jerusalem Artichokes.

Quite ugly looking little things and not something I can remember eating before. Richard is a bit of a whizz in the kitchen as he LOVES to cook. So he found this recipe below from Delia Smith. Highly recommended with warm crusty bread and butter! Perfect for eating when it’s snowy outside and terrific value for money. Scrummy !

Carrot and Artichoke Soup

Serves 6-8 people

1.5 lb Jerusalem Artichokes (700g)

1lb carrots (450g)

3 oz butter (75g)

1 medium onion, chopped

3 celery stalks, chopped

2.5 pints light stock (1.5 litres)

salt and freshly milled pepper

Here’s the link to Delia’s website where you can find the recipe and instructions etc click here ! Enjoy !

Best wishes

Karen

My Favourite TV Programmes...

2009-02-02T02:17:00.000-08:00

are as follows:

1. a new series is just starting again on Channel 4 - Grand Designs - with the scrummy Kevin McCloud ! It’s his voice that I particularly enjoy listening to ! (Wednesdays, 9pm, Channel 4)

The housing projects are also very inspiring as they are usually something a little different. It’s refreshing to watch. I love to curl up with the dogs, with a real fire going and a lovely chunky mug of Charbonnel & Walker hot chocolate! What a treat !

2. Country house rescue - with Ruth Watson (yes, I know her shrieking voice can grate on the nerves a bit!). Also on Channel 4. This is just another one of those programs that I find inspirational to watch when it’s on (think it may have finished now though ) - it has everything - gorgeous country houses, gardens with a ‘how to turn a business around’ element.

Always a good watch!

With it snowing outside today, it’s the perfect time to cuddle up warm inside on the sofa with a blanket and watch some TV!

Hope the snow’s lovely and thick where you are - it’s just so beautiful and quite unexpected !

Take care.

Karen

Spring Fair 2009

2009-02-01T11:47:00.000-08:00

Today we all went to visit this year’s Spring Fair at the NEC in Birmingham. It’s one of the major trade fairs in Europe (only retailers/trade buyers invited - no public) and kicks off the buying for the year ahead.

We always go to have a good look around to see what’s new, what’s considered hot and spot emerging trends.

It’s massive though ! There are companies there selling giftware, greeting cards, social stationery, kids toys, candles, the list goes on and on ….

Well worth a visit though. We weren’t exhibiting ourselves this year as the new Ulster Weavers ‘Karen Phillips’ Natural World Collection of tea towels and tote bags are being launched on their big stand. All very exciting !

Here are my favourite stands / companies exhibiting:

Gisela Graham - www.giselagraham.co.uk

Susie Watson - www.susiewatsondesigns.co.uk

Go and take a look at their websites - their stands were gorgeous ! All very inspiring. I could spend a fortune with them both.

Hope you have a great week.

Best wishes

Karen

We're loving ...

2009-01-31T06:13:00.000-08:00

Riverford Organics Veg Box !

We thought we’d try a new local organic vegetable box delivery service this week to see what it’s like, see if it’s good value for money and move to supporting our local farmers / suppliers on a more regular basis. That is until our own organic veg plot is fully able to sustain us - we’re probably a little way off this goal yet !

We’ve been looking for a while now how our family could benefit from local seasonal organic produce - apart from me frantically trying to fit sporadic visits to local farm shops in with everything else! Then a flyer came through our door for Riverford Organic Vegetable boxes - delivered to your home for FREE ! Perfect.

The veg boxes work out to be cheaper than a comparable organic veg box from the leading supermarkets such as Waitrose, Ocado etc - and you receive fresher seasonal organic produce from local farms. Delicious !

The quality and freshness of the produce is excellent. You can choose what to have in your box (including meat, fruit and other mystery things !) and our box contained a mystery veg - Jerusalem Artichokes . How exciting !

We’re very happy with it so far, so will probably place a regular order.

http://www.riverfordstockley.co.uk/

Take a look at their great website - you may even be tempted to place an order!

Best wishes

Karen

Happy Birthday, James !! Happy Birthday, Uncle Mark !!

2009-01-30T01:56:00.000-08:00

This week is a busy week for birthdays!

First it is our lovely son, James’s birthday. Happy Birthday beautiful boy. We all love and adore you. Below is one of my favourite photographs of James when he was a wee baby. How he’s grown!

It’s been a fantastic journey getting to this point! He’s my favourite person and it’s very humbling to be taught a lot from a pre-schooler.

It’s also the birthday of Uncle Mark this week. He lives in Oxford - so sorry we can’t be there to celebrate with you - Happy Birthday !

Mark is a really lovely, interesting person and an incredibly talented writer. Take a look at his best-selling novel, The Mascot by Mark Kurzem. Highly recommended !

What it’s about:

“Part thriller, part psychological drama, part puzzle with a strange twist, “The Mascot” is one of the most astonishing stories to emerge from the Second World War. It tells the remarkable true story of how Alex Kurzem unravelled the shocking secrets of his wartime past. With the support of Mark, his son, Alex began to recall how he evaded the German-led execution squad that decimated his village, but witnessed the murder of his Jewish mother and siblings. He scavenged amongst the trees and protected himself from wolves, before falling into the hands of a Latvian police battalion. The soldiers adopted him as their mascot and Alex accompanied the unit everywhere as it changed its identity and duties to those of an SS unit on the rampage. He even appeared in propaganda films and newspaper articles, riding into Riga in a military parade…yet he was Jewish. At the age of five, was Alex Kurzem a collaborator or just a lost little boy? Caught up in a world of war-crime hunters, former war criminals and security agents with unclear agendas, he has since been threatened by many who believe he has betrayed them.

About the Author
Mark Kurzem grew up in Melbourne, Australia. He read Anthropology at the University of Oxford, where he was a Commonwealth Scholar, and also studied at Melbourne, Jochi and Tokyo universities where he was a Monbusho Research Scholar. He has worked in the fields of political research, international relations, teaching and film-making in Japan, Australia and the U.K. In 2002 he co-produced and wrote a documentary about his father’s life, also titled The Mascot, which was the subject of international attention. He lives in Oxford.”

It’s also the birthdays of 3 other boys in James’s school class - so the next couple of weeks are a blur of birthday parties - magicians, football coaches, pirate playbarns, games - you name it and we’re doing it!

Motherhood is a wonderful and unique experience - it’s also exhausting, challenging and it gives my life balance (otherwise I may be tempted to focus on work too much!).

Thank-you, James for making me laugh with your ducky sound effect (when both the dogs were barking for their breakfast, the postman was ringing the doorbell with a parcel, the telephone started ringing, the toast was burning and mummy was grumpy not having had her coffee yet!).

Best wishes

Karen

I've just read...

2009-01-29T03:22:00.001-08:00

.. Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates. It’s the book behind the new film staring Kate Winslet and Leonardo De Caprio. I read it in one sitting as I couldn’t put it down ( I was still reading it at 3am in the morning over the w’end!).

I’d describe it as haunting, thought-provoking, powerful, in parts a bit depressing, but overall, I really enjoyed reading it. I’m looking forward to seeing the film at the cinema - although perhaps not on Valentine’s Day !

Here’s what it’s about:

“In the hopeful 1950s, Frank and April Wheeler appear to be a model couple: bright, beautiful, talented, with two young children and a starter home in the suburbs. Perhaps they married too young and started a family too early. Maybe Frank’s job is dull. And April never saw herself as a housewife. Yet they have always lived on the assumption that greatness is only just around the corner. But now that certainty is about to crumble.

With heartbreaking compassion and remorseless clarity, Richard Yates shows how Frank and April mortgage their spiritual birthright, betraying not only each other, but their best selves.”

Well worth a read - more of a serious, soul-searching read than a light-hearted chic-lit read though !

I’m always on the look-out for the next great book to read, so if you can recommend any, drop me a line!

Best wishes

Karen

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year !

2008-12-23T14:47:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone,

Hope you are well and truely in the Christmas spirit !

I absolutely love Christmas. It is especially magical when you see the sheer joy and excitment on the faces of children!

We've even enjoyed carol singing by a group of jolly neighbours this evening. Really lovely. We'd planned ahead and wrapped some gorgeous panettone cake in parchment paper and tied bows on them as a special treat and 'thank-you' !

We've had lots of fun decorating the Christmas tree this year. We went to Delamere Forest to choose a tree. We always have a real tree as the smell is just divine ! Then we spent all afternoon decorating it with some new decorations made by James at school. Our decorations are getting more about our family and hand-made, rather than the 'pre-children' tree which is all glitz and glamour !

What else have we done? We managed to squeeze in a Christmas treat of a visit to Bridgewater Hall in Manchester to watch a candle-lit carol concert. It was superb and really put us all in the mood.

Anyway, Christmas for us is all about our family. So work will be on hold for a few days whilst we play silly games, watch too many films on tv and have as much fun as possible !

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! Here's to a successful 2009!

Best wishes

Karen

Visit to Dunham Massey Country Park

2008-11-15T15:02:00.001-08:00

Hello,

back to the blog after a week or so being poorly - again ! No, I’m not making this up, nor am I a hypercondriac ! Don’t ask.

Anyway, we went for a lovely romp around our local National Trust park this weekend. Great to get out in the fresh air and have some exercise. I’d thoroughly recommend the National Trust’s Dunham Massey park - also has a terrific tea-room for warming up in with a treat afterwards.

Wow the colours are simply beautiful at this time of year - very inspirational. I took a lot of photos - hence why I’m never actually in the photos myself!

Richard and James have been busy in the kitchen making flapjacks - scrummy !

Work-wise - I’ve been working on my latest design; a beautiful stag. Must be the time of year giving me inspiration. I’ve also been doing my tax return with my accountants - it’s a great feeling when it’s all done. I can now relax and feel all smug when those horrible tax adverts are on the tv.

Hope you are keeping well as the weather starts to get colder.

Best wishes

Karen

Family Time - Walking the Dogs

2008-10-26T06:14:00.000-07:00

Hello,

hope you are all enjoying the autumnal sunshine.

Family Time

We’ve just been out on a lovely, refreshing walk with our dogs, Abby and Anna. The photo above shows my handsome husband, Richard with Abby one of our Golden Retrievers. The leaves on the trees (and the ground) are simply beautiful at this time of year - such rich colours. It’s a real pleasure walking in the Cheshire countryside with my family.

Below is a photo of my son ,James doing what he loves doing best ! Wellies on, smile on his face and splashing through all the big puddles. Bliss !

Work-wise

Work-wise, this week I’ve been out and about visiting the retailers who stock my cards and prints. It’s always great to get out and meet people. I find that it balances out spending a significant amount of time by myself in my studio drawing. Keeps the old social skills honed !

I’ve also been very busy working on my next set of designs. Nearly there now. Only one final design to do then they can go to print and be published hopefully before Christmas. I’m really pleased with this set of designs.

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I’ve also been working on my newsletter format. I’m keen to offer our new and loyal customers some special offers, exclusive news and some freebies that aren’t offered anywhere else - really make it worth your while signing up. So sign up now - it’s free !

Hope you have a lovely week ahead.

Best wishes

Karen

What a beautiful day !

2008-09-21T03:24:00.000-07:00

Hi there

I hope you are enjoying glorious sunshine wherever you are. What a surprise as well.
We'd put all our garden furniture into storage for the winter, started turning the heating on and wearing our woolly jumpers!

This weekend, we've been blackberry picking in the fields near to where we live. It's always really exciting to hunt amongst the hedgerows for 'nature's bounty'. Our two dogs (Abby & Anna - our 7 year old golden retrievers) love milling about and exploring the woods while we sit in the sunshine near the Peover Eye River. The top photo above shows my lovely husband, Richard, my gorgeous son, James and one of our beloved goldies, Anna. Abby (our other dog) is out of shot in a stinky, swampy pond ! The second photo shows you the glorious Cheshire countryside where we live.

Work-wise - this week, I've been busy working on our new website (with the help of our fantastic website guys). Take a look and see what you think www.karenphillipswildlife.com . Please feel free to send us your feedback via the contact form.

We love it. Hope you do too. The colours are much softer and easier on the eye.

I've also been out and about meeting people and taking more reference photographs for my next set of drawings. I won't tell you what they are just yet - it's TOP SECRET !

I really enjoy this part of the creative process as it involves trying to understand the special bond humans share with animals. I much prefer to get out there when it's nicer weather as I always get better reference shots when they are taken outside with the natural light. Yes my secret is out - I'm a bit of a fair weather photographer !

Hope you are having a lovely weekend.

Best wishes

Karen
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