Chickpea, Sweet Potato and Spinach Salad...

This is one of my lunch time favourites, so easy and relatively inexpensive!

You will need: 

1/2 can of Chickpeas 

1/2 a large Sweet Potato 

Spinach

(Optional Herbs and Spices: Cumin + Thyme)

For the Dressing: 

1 tsp Balsalmic Vinegar 

3 tsp Olive Oil

A Pinch of Salt

1/2 tsp Whole Grain Mustard 

1/2 tsp Sugar

Serves 1.

Peel the sweet potato, and cube. Put this in a baking tray with some olive oil (the 1cal oil spray is great if you are trying to be healthy...) season with salt, pepper and a bit of thyme. Place in a relatively hot oven for about 20 mins. Meanwhile, make up the dressing and wash the spinach. Heat the chickpeas either in the microwave or in a pan of boiling water - this usually doesn't take more than a couple of minutes. When draining them sprinkle them with a little salt and cumin for a slightly Moroccan feel then place everything in a bowl and drizzle with dressing.

L x

A little hint of spring...

 

A touch of Spring with this lovely blouse from Mango available at ASOS. 

L xxx

 Dior S/S '11

John Galliano is without a doubt one the best and most imaginative when it comes to couture. I always look forward to seeing what new dreamlike creations he will come up with. This collection is no exception. Balanced, structured and beautifully elegant, these dresses would sweep any girl of their feet. 

L xxx

images:style.com

I have so little time to do anything other than work at the moment, so the blog posts are going to have to be brief! Here is a recent page from my sketch book - when I went home I rediscovered my much loved typewriter which unfortunately couldn't make it up to Durham. Also discovered Felicity Brown's work which is just stunning... more to come on her later! 

L xxx

Gatsby, Gastby, Gatsby....

"So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."

There is something about the 1920's that captures my imagination: an era which was so beautifully tragic and eternally elegant. We all slightly wish we could have been there...

Its going to be the theme for my 21st in the summer, and here are some wonderful pictures that I've found while looking for inspiration. L x

Don't you just hate January... apparently yesterday was 'officially' the most depressing day of the year. Fabulous. In a brief respite between my back to back lectures (not so bad as we did get to watch 10 mins of Gone with the Wind.....oh to be Scarlett...) I did find this beautiful inspiration mood board put together by Katie Howson... a wonderfully romantic take on the chilly months. 

L xxx

Found this beautiful cover design for Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald, designed by John Sewell. (1955 Edition). 

Wonderfully understated and antique. 

L x

A little beauty...

Back at uni now, so my days of guilt free procrastination are over and the essays begin again. But in a momentary lapse I did find these stunning images on the wonderful {a glamorous little side project} a shoot for Jenny Packman's S/S '11 Collection, photographed by Ellen von Unwerth.

L x

Last years winner: Marion Deuchars

Agnes Decourchelle

Rose Crees

Alex Williamson

Kalpesh Chavda

 

 

Niroot Puttapipat

Each year the V&A run the Book Cover Illustration Award and here are a selection of my favourites from this years entries. I especially love the Agnes Decourchelle designs - the use of loose watercolour sketches over the top of a very formal contrasts beautifully. Have a look at all the entries and the site here.

L x

Episode 3: The Beauty Of The Remix by Itchyfeet on Mixcloud

Fancy something a little different?? Itchy Feet is a night that has been going round the country (mainly around the University scene) with an infusion of blues, ska, motown, electro-swing and rock and roll. The nights are amazing, the music incredible. Have a listen to their Mixcloud - look out for the incredible mix of Seven Nation Army. Love it! 

L x

Oh Timothy...

Tim Walker, to me, is the epitome of imagination let loose. I adore his work and so here to make this wet and windy Monday evening (well at least in Dorset) seem a little brighter, here is one from his I-D shoot in November 2007.

L x

The wonderful Georges Barbier...

'Farewell at Night'

I'm reading Edith Wharton's 'The House of Mirth' at the moment, and the edition that I have has a wonderful illustration by Georges Barbier (the middle image - "Farewell at Night"). Aren't they just beautiful? Oh so glam! xxx

A little illustration...