What's in my lunchbox this week?

I blame the weather. Usually I have a pretty good idea what will be in my lunch by about Friday of the previous week and I do preparation on Sunday. Not this week. I just couldn't find the inspiration. Hence I feel back on this old vegan standby - peanut butter.

Clockwise from top:

Strawberries - Yes more strawberries. I'm still picking and trying to find ways to use up those I can't eat. Strawberry wine is looking quite promising in this area but it'll have to wait at least six months before I can taste test!

Radishes - From the allotment

Cucumber - Why is it so hard to buy a cucumber that isn't encased in plastic?

Crackers with peanut butter - The cucumber went really well with this.

Just realised this is my first lunch for some weeks with no Asparagus!

The green shoes hunt continues

After coming very close to buying a pair of neon green pumps from the market yesterday (they looked amazing) I’ve had another look for a replacement for my shiny green shoes.

My heart leapt when I saw these on Bigwardrobe, alas they are just a bit too big (I’m a 5).

Then I found a possible pair on eBay but they turned out to have rather high heels. well larger then I can mange on a regular basis anyway.

Then I discovered this guide to making shoes glittery. Refashioning shoes is something that I’m slowly discovering.

Off now to check glitter and adhesive prices.

Things I Love Thursday

Picking strawberries – I just love pulling back the leaves and discovering all these red berries just waiting to be picked and eaten. It’s like finding hidden treasure. I totally understand why so many people have drawn of photographed strawberries. It’s about trying to capture the moment.

Knee length skirts and bare legs – I suppose this is down to the weather as well but I’m so enjoying wearing summer skirts and dresses without freezing. I used to prefer long skirts but think my movement towards shorter skirts is a result of all the ‘what I wore type’ blogs that I’ve been reading.

Books – I’m a big reader so I always like to have my next couple of reads lined up. I had dry patch a few weeks back where I just couldn’t find reading inspiration. I’m happy to say that I have my next ten or so titles lined up and I keep spotting new ones all the time.

Other stuff – al fresco dining, easy dinners, yoga, summer plans, cupcake baking plans, wedge shoes, Fairy Godmother soap from Lush, shandy, suglasses.

Shrug it off - a pretty little how to

I arrived late during the shrug trend of 2005. In fact I didn’t purchase one until the sales of 2006 and then it was couple of years before I wore it. However I find it vital bit of wardrobe in that it goes with things that proper cardigans don’t. I really see it as a set of sleeves. It keeps you warm and covers up bare shoulders in the office. A great bit of summer kit. I was about to start looking for a shrug pattern a while back when refashioning inspiration struck!

I have a jumper that was just a little bit too small. But I really like the colour. So I fiddled around a bit chopping and sewing and created this:

This refashioning concept also works well with t-shirts that have gotten a bit baggy or thin (i.e. see through). On Saturday I converted two tops into long sleeved shrugs and have loving documented the process for your crafting pleasure.

Take top and be certain that you are ready to cut it up. I have green t-shirt which is so loose bending over in it has become dangerous and a creamy jumper which don’t fit very well.

First decide how long you want the back to be. Measure an existing garment if possible. Don’t forget to leave a bit extra for a hem if you want one. Some fabric rolls up in a very pleasing manner and removes the need for a hem.


Measure this length on you garment and chop the bottom off.

Then cut up the front of the garment. You can hem the raw edges now if you like (or not).

That’s it unless…

You have very long arms (like me) and want to use up the leftover bit of fabric that you chopped off you can extend the sleeves.

Take your chunk of fabric and either rip the stitches or cut up the seam. You want to keep close the actual seam. Now you want to make tubes of fabric. Put your shrug on so that you can see where the sleeves come down to. Wrap the fabric round your arm and pin so that you can get an idea of width. Then cut. The amount of fabric and the size of your arm will affect how long your tubes will be. Remember you do need to be able to get the thing on and off so unless you have a lot of stretch in the fabric absolutely skin tight probably won’t work.

Make the tubes by turning the fabric wrong side out and sewing done the open side. I’ve done this on a machine but you could hand sew.

Join the tubes together. I find this easiest to do by putting them over my hand and spreading my fingers to stretch smaller bit of fabric. On my first shrug I hand sewed these because I wanted the joins to be invisible. I did this round on the machine. Then in the same way attach tubes to existing sleeves.


That’s it unless you’ve been lazy like me and left the hemming to the end. I used a zigzag stitch in this which results in this pleasingly wavy edge.

Go and discover all the things your new long sleeved shrug goes with.

What's in my lunchbox this week?

This is the half home grown lunch box. Thrilled that I grew fifty percent of this box.

From top right:

Tofu - marinated in watered down dregs of BBQ sauce and then baked.

Radishes - Grown on my allotment. I've never been able to get radishes to grow before and isn't the colour divine!

Strawberries - These taste amazing. My plants are producing so many at present that we starte to make Strawberry wine on Sunday. Might try some jam next.

Pasta with peas and asparagus

A perfect lunchbox for eting in the park under a blue sky.

Free pressure

A while back I signed up for a free session of Acupressure. I’ve had various back and neck massage before (and have my next one scheduled for Friday) but acupressure always sounded a bit too medical.

However not being one to look a gift horse in the month I booked the session. Then I was emailed a health check questionnaire to fill in. No problem with that until I was asked what I intended to get out of the session. I was straight over to Google to find out what the benefits of this treatment actually were.

Various sites suggest that it both relaxes and energises. Massage usually leaves me feeling a bit dopey so I headed off to last Friday’s session to see what it was like.

First of all you are fully dressed and kneel on a stool which supports your face and arms. The process of the treatment itself goes between really relaxing and almost painful. I’m not entirely certain what part of her body (the elbow maybe?) the very sweet therapist was pushing into my back but it did indeed feel (her words) a bit tender.

Work on the arms and hands by contrast almost had me dozing off. I came to thinking that I’d dropped a plectrum!

There was a definite result by the end of the session. A sensation of water running down my arms which mean that something had been unblocked.

And the after effects?

Well I wasn’t quite as sleepy as after massage but probably should have gone to bed early on Friday night instead of trying to stay awake and being grumpy.

Saturday my back ached, presumably because the muscles that had been clenched in place had relaxed and some other muscle was now having to work. I also felt tense. Watching a couple of horror movies was a strain.

Sunday I felt great. Very relaxed. No aches. Quietly energetic. I didn’t go to bed particularly early and I slept fitfully but woke up this morning feeling refreshed and ready to face the week.

Relaxation seems hazardous but that probably because I’m not used to it.

Things I Love Thursday

Fresh seasonal produce - I just love all the glorious fruit and vegetables that are in season right now. My allotment is producing huge red strawberries and purple radishes. The Market is is full of colours and it's so good to know that a lot of it is grown locally. My fridge is full of delicious stuff and meals are a dream of tastey good for you stuff.

Wedges - my sister suggested them years ago as an alternative to heels and I didn't listen. Then last week I bought a pair of beige wedges in a charity shop & wondered why I hadn't before. Comfort and height!

Other stuff - haircuts, teal green, shrugs, the blues, Christmas shopping started early, ladies who lunch, patchwork, meetings held outdoors, drop in drinks, sharing gluts.

What's in my lunchbox this week?

The strawberries are here! so I've been a bit inspired by cream/cricket/picnic teas in this week's lunch.

Clockwise from top right:

Vegan sausages (Vegetarian Choice in the freezer cabinet at Holland and Barrett) and gently cooked Aspargus

Radishes, cucumber, red pepper and a stray bit of asparagus

home made scone (rather heavy - I need a light touch) and some vegan whipping cream I found hanging around at the abck of the pantry. Tastes a bit like the custard in doughnuts.

Strawberries from my allotment.

Quite frankly the strawberries are so delicious I am happy to eat them untouched by anything else but they do decay rather swiftly so compote may be putting in an appearance.

The average temperature

I smugly planned my summer wardrobe based on hearing that temperatures would be ‘higher than average’ this year. Oh good I though assuming that a knee length skirt, t and flip flop type sandals would cover me for the gloriously sunny days that were clearly ahead.

Then I had a look at the Met Office website. It occurred to me, you see, that my idea of average temperature and theirs may differ a little. And I was right. Alas the average summer temperature in the UK is 14.1C. Check it out for yourself on the Met Office summer forecast page

So time to re-jig my thinking a bit. I don’t fancy cold legs all summer long. Definitely don’t want to be in tights even if they are flesh/black/brightly coloured. I’m not certain about the leggings under a dress look. Partly because I’m not certain about the sort of shoes that go and partly because I’m just not sure about the look generally.

So jeans are back in worn under summer dresses. Shrug type cardigans are my new favourite thing for topping the dresses. I’ll have a handy big bag with me and if it get warm the jeans can come off.

Shoe wise I have decided that I no longer want wear shoes that carve my feet up and make them sore. So I’m putting shoes that hurt in the charity shop bag or shoe bin. I’ve bought a pair of wedge from Oxfam. These are not only comfortable but keep the hems of my jeans high enough off the ground that they don’t drag in puddles.

I like the idea of summer as much as anyone but one must be realistic about these things. Which makes me think – why are all the glossy magazines selling the fantasy of summer when they could be explaining how to wear skimpy summer wear when it’s 14C?

Fab Stuff Friday

So I missed TILT this week. Oh well, here's a Friday version instead.

Big bags of clothes and fabric – My very excellent and stylish grandmother has sent me another big bag of stuff including the most amazing 1960s kaftan in a green flora pattern and a (not 1960s) white button from top. Both are huge but with my trusty belt to define my waist they look great. Alas I now want some green wedges to go with the kaftan.

My new yoga teacher – My previous yoga teacher has retired but that’s alright because the new one is great. You just know when five minutes into a class you feel relaxed and in very safe hands that it’s going to be OK.

Tasty one liners! – I’m rather taken with Chef_Pete and his one line recipes. Follow him on Twitter or visit his blog. His recipes might not be vegan but they inspire.

Other stuff - Purple hose held up with elastic bands, remembering how to walk in high heels, anticipation of strawberries, family visits, taking shoe related action, green nail polish, belly dancing, a freezer full of delicious food.

My favourite shoes

These are my favourite shoes in the world. My sister bought them for me in 2006. She saw their glittery greenness on a shelf and knew that they were for me. They go with pretty much everything and liven up dull outfits. They always get attention. They are really comfortable. However all good things come to an end....

I could get away with them being a bit battered. But they now have a hole in them. I'm on a quest for (vegan) replacements, but I'm not hopeful. Can you manifest shoes just by concentration and belief?

What's in my lunchbox this week?

My strawberries are so close to being ready to harvest (jumps up and down with excitement and squeals with glee). I'm giving definite thought to some kind of (vegan) cream tea theme to my lunch box next week. In the meantime:

Clockwise from top right:

Radishes

Cucumber (and is it me or are there more cucumber being sold this year that aren't encased in plastic?)

Lightly steamed cauliflower - I got two from the market because they were cheap at the end of the day and let me tell you these are totally delicious. I'm thinking about these with a tiny smear of margarine the way I would normally think about mashed potatoes with loads of oil.

Nut loaf - I looked in the pantry and discovered I had several bags of nuts that needed finishing up. A quick consultation of Rose Elliot's Vegan Feast, a few minutes with a blender and a saucepan and this was in the oven. Topped with leftover mango chutney from a weekend curry.

Time for a shoe shuffle

These are my shoes. They are not even all of my shoes. These are my summer shoes. It has become quite clear that they need taking in hand. I've no idea why I have two pairs of trainers given that I only use them for walks. I have several pairs of very high heels that I am out of practice walking in. I've got flip flops that are worn and so thin that you may as well walk bare foot.

Hence I am going to sort my shoes out. I will find out where I can recycle shoes that are beyond wearing - I do not mean out of style but worn out. My favourite shoes do take a pounding and I am often reluctant to part with them. No more over the next few weeks I intend to get my shoe collection in order.

Things I Love Thursday

Sunny weekends - Last weekend was amazing and it felt like a total break from work. Lots of garden sitting, good times with friends and easy food. Hot weather means fewer clothes to worry about, washing loads that dry in no time and lunch in the park.

Sunglasses - I don't leave the house without mine even in winter. They are my favourite summer accessory. Even a very serious outfit can be made more fun with sunglasses. Instant glamour!

My summer clothes - I am always astounded by my summer wardrobe but I just cannot believe the stuff I have. Great items in good colours. I feel like a vintage queen.

Other stuff - Peanut butter and watercress sandwiches, figs, campbeds, browsing and not buying, requesting a vegan meal, stuff from Lush, wearing long skirts under dresses.

What's in my lunchbox this week?

It was lunch in the park yesterday and I thought the change of background more than made up for the slightly dodgy photo.

Clockwise from top right:

Little tub of soy sauce and wasabi and three dried Figs. These are Crazy Jacks brand and are huge. However they are delicious and are making me impatient for the strawberries on my allotment to be ready to eat.

Ted's Asian Asparagus - prepared according to the instructions in Vegan Lunch Box minus the dressing. I just pour any leftover soy sauce over it.

Sushi containing red pepper or brown lentils. I'm getting much better at making sushi. The trick with the rice is to use almost equal amount of rice and water and to the turn the water right down when it comes to the boil. Do not be tempted to add more water! Also don't overfill the rolls.

Salad of Gem lettuce, radishes, cucumber and red onions.

Outside the comfort zone

It’s only when we do something that challenges us and makes us uncomfortable that we realise how much of the time we wear a mask.

Last night I went to a belly dancing class for the first time in five years. I went along with a neighbour who I suspected (correctly!) to be an excellent dancer. It was a really good class with a lively teacher, but very intense. You suddenly find that you are trying to move your body in ways that you haven’t for years. You don’t just need to observe the instructor, replicate moves and be graceful. You are also meeting group of people for the first time .You are exposing yourself to humiliation. There is no brain capacity left to try and look poised. So instead you giggle like an idiot.

But as the class progressed I relaxed and rather than resisting tried to engage with the experience. I’ve no doubt I’ll humiliate myself again next week but I’m going back. And I’ve also no doubt that no one is the class was really looking at me because they were all too busy thinking about them. In a few weeks I won’t even be thinking about whether I look stupid to the other people in the group because I’ll be too busy thinking about dancing.

Doing things that scare you are good. It’s very easy to try to construct a persona and try to ensure that you do nothing that will expose any flaws. This is nonsense – life is unpredictable. You can’t stop change. You don’t have to like it but you will have to live with it one way or another. If you can live with it and laugh then you’re on your way. Queen of the Universe that you are at the centre of.

I remember reading somewhere that generally it’s better to do something than not. It doesn’t matter if you do it and end up feeling stupid and ‘failing’. Our brains tend towards the optimistic so you will find a way of finding something positive about the experience. If you don’t do something then all you can do is regret the lost opportunity because it might have turned out ok after all.

Join the evening class. Request a vegan meal. Cook something you’ve never tried before. At the very worse you’ll have a funny story to tell about the time you tried Salsa, or argued with a chef or burnt salad.

The ten outfit solution

Much as I love rediscovering all my summer clothes I find myself unable to make my mind up what to wear. I stand by the wardrobe filled with indecision. Should I wear this? Should I pair it with that? Should I save it for later in the week when the weather might be chillier? This is not good on weekdays when I (a) on a tight schedule with no time to day dream/experiment and (b) I’m not that great first thing in the morning so it’s easy to pick an outfit that just doesn’t work.

My solution is a list of ten outfits. I used to have a job with a very long commute and a fairly formal dress code. I had a set of five outfits that I rotated because it meant that I didn’t have to think in the morning. I just checked what day it was and pulled on the designated clothing. I’ve upped this to five outfits for a number of reasons.

Firstly my work is much more variable these days and I want enough different options to be able to accommodate various levels of meeting, contact with the public and days doing desk work. Secondly I don’t want to be worrying if I get behind on the washing. Ten outfits allows me two weeks of rotations including a few warming outfits should the Great British Summer turn out to be less warm than one might hope for. Finally I want some variety. I have some excellent clothes and I want to enjoy wearing them. I love the concept of a summer uniform but I’ve spent years doing that with linen skirts and fitted white t shirts.

Weekends I’m assuming that I’ll either have time to experiment with new combinations or I’ll fall on a default outfit of shorts and vest top.

Let’s see how the organisation of summer wardrobe works out and if it leads to a more organised and merrier me! Maybe I can get organised enought to photograph said outfits over the course of a few weeks.