tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90298673888950792412024-03-29T03:30:05.580+00:00Cos I Like Making Stuff - A craft & lifestyle blogDiary, craft, making, art, customise, DIY, decorate, homemade, London, reviews, experiences, travel, lifestyle, beauty, entertainment, Bollywood, tutorials, how-toMomtazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11578256722034844409noreply@blogger.comBlogger239125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029867388895079241.post-65826415109526537142016-09-01T00:00:00.000+01:002016-09-01T08:34:26.584+01:00End of an Era - My Last Blogpost on Cos I Like Making Stuff<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>VISIT MY NEW BLOG: <a href="http://www.craftandtravel.com/">www.craftandtravel.com</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's strange how a decade can just flash before your eyes and you have no idea how on earth you got here. I started blogging 10 years ago - eight years here, and two years on a previous blog. I blogged because I enjoyed it. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Blogging was my 'me time', my cutting off from everything else: work, chores, socialising, family - it was my break. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Now though, the whole concept of taking a break has changed. A break is literally me getting a decent night's sleep! There's so much I want to do and so much I'm excited about but as time goes on, the more I realise that actually, I can't do everything and that's ok. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">After 1.5 years I recently stopped presenting my weekly radio show, I've also reduced the number of craft nights I run and workshops that I take on, but that doesn't mean I've stopped doing what I love. I'm involved in so many new things, but my biggest passion is something I have been proscrastinating over for the last 15 years and now it's time to finally get on and <b>DO IT</b>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My ambition is to travel the world, learn about different craft techniques and then 'record' my discoveries in some way. I've put it off for so many reasons, but now the time is right.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've opted for a website and in order for me to make the site the best it can be, I need to cut back on a few more things, so I decided that after 10 years it's time to say goodbye to this, my personal lifestyle blog, and dedicate my hours to <a href="http://craftandtravel.com/">CraftandTravel.com</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Please check it out and follow, share any articles you find of interest. I'm keen to link up with people from all over the world, especially Guest Bloggers so if you've been somewhere and spotted some crafts you think the world should know about, please let me know. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You can email me at <a href="mailto:Editor@craftandtravel.com" target="_blank">Editor@craftandtravel.com</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Stopping this blog does not mean stopping sharing my life - no way! I'm doing it more than ever, but less through writing, and more through chatting. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Add me on <b>Snapchat: Momtazbh</b> to find out what I'm up to. I love the video diary format - it's so addictive and so much fun.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You'll also find me on <b>Instagram</b> where I post pictures and Stories at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/the_craftcafe/" target="_blank">The_CraftCafe</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And of course <b>Twitter</b> <a href="http://www.twitter.com/thecraftcafe" target="_blank">@TheCraftCafe</a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>THANK YOU</b> to every single person who has checked out my blog over the years - it's amazing to think these pages haven't just been read by my family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">In another 10 years who know where my experiences will take me, and what media and social media we'll all be consuming? </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">It's the start of a new journey and I'm so happy to be on it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I've chosen September 1st as the date to do this because it's a very signifiant one for me. September symbolises new starts, as well as remembering my dear father who passed away on this auspicious date. It's a date in the year that has always resonated with me, and even more so after that happened, so here's to a fresh start - new website, new optimism and new adventures. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Momtaz</i> </span>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Momtazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11578256722034844409noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029867388895079241.post-91936286251712551642016-04-10T09:02:00.002+01:002016-04-10T09:50:50.981+01:00Visiting The Craft Markets of Chichi, Guatemala (Chichicastenango)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I recently embarked on an adventure through Central America where I called in on Mexico, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala. Although I was excited about all of my destinations, it was the last country on the list that I couldn't wait to visit. I have long been a fan of colourful Guatemalan crafts, so when I heard Central America's biggest craft market takes place there, visiting it was on top of my vacation wish list. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The market takes place on Thursdays and Sundays at Chichicastenango (know as ChiChi or Santa Thomas). The area has a strong Mayan heritage reflected by its population. Trade begins at dawn and as well as crafts, there is produce, livestock and flowers. But it was the crafts I came for, and I wasn't disappointed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here are some photos I took of Chichi market to give you a flavour of what a kaleidoscope of colour it is.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYPooeklFpWUGom2dqs0Rv9s4Fn-hFyTnIeknSyK6pYk1InhWrSQg0eunWPZ9hbCLZ8VEMU1jYxl_kWP65qffu9iJ-2uFRO7gatken-ripFiiHCjW5tQYbTQu5js7r-8eoQt7pPZkV6xI/s1600/Mayan+women+clothes+guatemala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYPooeklFpWUGom2dqs0Rv9s4Fn-hFyTnIeknSyK6pYk1InhWrSQg0eunWPZ9hbCLZ8VEMU1jYxl_kWP65qffu9iJ-2uFRO7gatken-ripFiiHCjW5tQYbTQu5js7r-8eoQt7pPZkV6xI/s640/Mayan+women+clothes+guatemala.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mayan women are so colourful and the market is flooded with stalls that sell traditional clothing, all made from colourful fabrics and embroideries.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0XXRtp4WlMxX9fygYHCilWWcqzkm_1-cSu_ZGPXYW4c-WCC5W4SCvu2au3zjW440zcMyoNn6NIbB_Bcakbf9UtV4p4xiaYyT2E1cbvbwJJnixtVguEtgiijvDtjE9vKMTj9lOOMqhfw/s1600/purses+from+chichi+guatemala+market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr0XXRtp4WlMxX9fygYHCilWWcqzkm_1-cSu_ZGPXYW4c-WCC5W4SCvu2au3zjW440zcMyoNn6NIbB_Bcakbf9UtV4p4xiaYyT2E1cbvbwJJnixtVguEtgiijvDtjE9vKMTj9lOOMqhfw/s640/purses+from+chichi+guatemala+market.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purses - the main gift I brought back for friends as they were small enough to fit in my backpack without adding additional weight. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvKW-Im9vpo540jzPGenqJ3y2Us0TGduJhoME5xi1Mmy3syVjSJqCC978nUQiQlwbHqLruxbvt9iCIqgl0zBo5S8SCEQILDTEMmCvhvNevNkFQ3OlM0flqxZP_TRtJExqml7HGvrfkl8/s1600/hats+in+chicchi+guatemala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvKW-Im9vpo540jzPGenqJ3y2Us0TGduJhoME5xi1Mmy3syVjSJqCC978nUQiQlwbHqLruxbvt9iCIqgl0zBo5S8SCEQILDTEMmCvhvNevNkFQ3OlM0flqxZP_TRtJExqml7HGvrfkl8/s640/hats+in+chicchi+guatemala.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top hats!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbcv2ItJzXDmy24RrcA2EkbEKujcZqkcdpzioIfibzudbfK-3zk0aPxk3X5xuuf22ftPVpdKRLSm4P4l109E_QBuTYsFqA90tQ25sJhyphenhyphenXboSvRQXYFAK-QG5ddoYT9sV8Ea5XmRaLxvk/s1600/belts+mayan+guatemala+handmade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhbcv2ItJzXDmy24RrcA2EkbEKujcZqkcdpzioIfibzudbfK-3zk0aPxk3X5xuuf22ftPVpdKRLSm4P4l109E_QBuTYsFqA90tQ25sJhyphenhyphenXboSvRQXYFAK-QG5ddoYT9sV8Ea5XmRaLxvk/s640/belts+mayan+guatemala+handmade.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Belts are a key accessory for Mayan women </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOO4KMRNmtziYkqHKZGR0CSo8555KSiJLmG-8bAmx2tGh08Vo1BQsLhH7e_4wGuQ5dIjm-jcIlbxfhLugT_lPF0-NIxOqcLTFuTc47QkdS5wl9Fb1m2Z9xIhZIXJGBtRbQjsWACdv-HeM/s1600/market+stall+in+chichi+guatemala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOO4KMRNmtziYkqHKZGR0CSo8555KSiJLmG-8bAmx2tGh08Vo1BQsLhH7e_4wGuQ5dIjm-jcIlbxfhLugT_lPF0-NIxOqcLTFuTc47QkdS5wl9Fb1m2Z9xIhZIXJGBtRbQjsWACdv-HeM/s640/market+stall+in+chichi+guatemala.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A typical stall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EB-ouCzxgwgEBOB3pRkERit_zwgYuGBMc_v15ay1MwAlMHb_4prHsbmS0-qpftAZEJ-zjO0fZPTgJqFt_ot8E3Bm7PNeUi3NGKooZjKNtz_Dug0vzKsT3GNswS6K4urIUEoqbKZflfU/s1600/craft+market+stall+sunday+central+america.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0EB-ouCzxgwgEBOB3pRkERit_zwgYuGBMc_v15ay1MwAlMHb_4prHsbmS0-qpftAZEJ-zjO0fZPTgJqFt_ot8E3Bm7PNeUi3NGKooZjKNtz_Dug0vzKsT3GNswS6K4urIUEoqbKZflfU/s640/craft+market+stall+sunday+central+america.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another typical stall - filled with colour and gorgeous things</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuzDZN-8r-0XqHQ9mQ__ziBV0gsWo-8ENvPZnhPn1yAMnvOQnFnbtJTo0w7V3QtcmwODkILQdCEA-oINSXoXg8DQVHizCgxOhVOFEDq3bKulxYZX62T1D5ToutFjJIDZqT-OdPZ0Cvig/s1600/flower+embroidery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDuzDZN-8r-0XqHQ9mQ__ziBV0gsWo-8ENvPZnhPn1yAMnvOQnFnbtJTo0w7V3QtcmwODkILQdCEA-oINSXoXg8DQVHizCgxOhVOFEDq3bKulxYZX62T1D5ToutFjJIDZqT-OdPZ0Cvig/s640/flower+embroidery.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shawls - my one colour shawl that I brought from home paled in comparison to what women all around me were wearing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMkOXK-_vnypImuWsXdrebsZk_JpaLJETsxDw316NIcfrXxQkwJgNlWEN7S4TvsWC4xFCXPELxpxYFq0bGXouvrWRncnEHW8Z8P7FuWk2XfXVG-ASXggECQ_JNohdM3CeFqeHvsqdycU/s1600/handbags+in+guatemala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMkOXK-_vnypImuWsXdrebsZk_JpaLJETsxDw316NIcfrXxQkwJgNlWEN7S4TvsWC4xFCXPELxpxYFq0bGXouvrWRncnEHW8Z8P7FuWk2XfXVG-ASXggECQ_JNohdM3CeFqeHvsqdycU/s640/handbags+in+guatemala.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Well you can't have a market without handbags!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOlAJvyv5wj2wwm5QW_OdwgKJE9buoLbOH-Pn61HiWAFm22bVQL0NmtOdZerR-MxHXGnIJpvMdpTK90aroABTeCDwZ-4wthN-dZj-yiRkkMFBxOATMebd0yrSw_f3VxOIHdaZZzz-xog/s1600/embroirdered+tops+guatemalan+fashion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOlAJvyv5wj2wwm5QW_OdwgKJE9buoLbOH-Pn61HiWAFm22bVQL0NmtOdZerR-MxHXGnIJpvMdpTK90aroABTeCDwZ-4wthN-dZj-yiRkkMFBxOATMebd0yrSw_f3VxOIHdaZZzz-xog/s640/embroirdered+tops+guatemalan+fashion.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Womenswear - tops are all one size and get fitted after</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbLvj05cc2MTsH7MTBL7HsF9pyAyxDiPTOWUelp2PlGoNXN4wA-dKlUZbHKILodwLkiUpYxvHyb6lpDdGg1Eo2X6IRYQxH4so5aUNb95vfX4MwtwljdIS5em0813zaz-CyEh9H-ji5H0/s1600/embroidered+belts+in+chichi+market+guatemala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbLvj05cc2MTsH7MTBL7HsF9pyAyxDiPTOWUelp2PlGoNXN4wA-dKlUZbHKILodwLkiUpYxvHyb6lpDdGg1Eo2X6IRYQxH4so5aUNb95vfX4MwtwljdIS5em0813zaz-CyEh9H-ji5H0/s640/embroidered+belts+in+chichi+market+guatemala.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More belts - so hard to pick which to buy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyVfPnWQwRxAOxqLl6FgIZi4E8-gA-50L6qojryIH2Qn-1Qw18SgPJvf_MoPyfkLP7Idoe5xwMpar0y7bXVmysWhTDOP3Fez_0f0Zq73dlb5X-m3A1YBeDFlI31gv845JMWOLciB_GeA/s1600/sunday+craft+market+guatemala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRyVfPnWQwRxAOxqLl6FgIZi4E8-gA-50L6qojryIH2Qn-1Qw18SgPJvf_MoPyfkLP7Idoe5xwMpar0y7bXVmysWhTDOP3Fez_0f0Zq73dlb5X-m3A1YBeDFlI31gv845JMWOLciB_GeA/s640/sunday+craft+market+guatemala.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yet more belts but with a different look</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBU0U5WzitW50gZHxJy_PAM6URWOTxI26JRzpZNK1X0V_1Y95UdSr_z-eEyJVoe-M2h5YgIaMy-sqezCaeAlab6NDkyejxuetEWkez9dlLETkvaS5uNHxzu49KyqZ3feeELAFDnY1Xnyg/s1600/beadinf+craft+market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBU0U5WzitW50gZHxJy_PAM6URWOTxI26JRzpZNK1X0V_1Y95UdSr_z-eEyJVoe-M2h5YgIaMy-sqezCaeAlab6NDkyejxuetEWkez9dlLETkvaS5uNHxzu49KyqZ3feeELAFDnY1Xnyg/s640/beadinf+craft+market.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't realise beading was a Guatemalan craft but there were beaded creations everywhere...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMnAlmLGwg5x4d999eUonMH8doaJjDswcyLtP8BA-Q9Szhu2TdGuXO5eA9dhUk8hvAhqdSDcFv9fD0cYzuliuMOEKYIaYwQE91FSkd01vHnmf-oRlKM061WjcnqmDHLkvxgaHZfmbVbaA/s1600/beaded+pen+holders+chichi+market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMnAlmLGwg5x4d999eUonMH8doaJjDswcyLtP8BA-Q9Szhu2TdGuXO5eA9dhUk8hvAhqdSDcFv9fD0cYzuliuMOEKYIaYwQE91FSkd01vHnmf-oRlKM061WjcnqmDHLkvxgaHZfmbVbaA/s640/beaded+pen+holders+chichi+market.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...including these pen covers</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4W5ZmgM3LA_NP3_A4Eu-k59kecrlnrUg6HhepfBB3mmSkmiYllu_ZNbV8__2V7LN8WwHN5uqbhNMtYjRvKoAIqkkX0oNT-ZqyY9GnTYHANm-5F_Bbf-Jg8s6AYOi7foylsZXT6MwtBY/s1600/mayan+laday+selling+clothes+chichi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4W5ZmgM3LA_NP3_A4Eu-k59kecrlnrUg6HhepfBB3mmSkmiYllu_ZNbV8__2V7LN8WwHN5uqbhNMtYjRvKoAIqkkX0oNT-ZqyY9GnTYHANm-5F_Bbf-Jg8s6AYOi7foylsZXT6MwtBY/s640/mayan+laday+selling+clothes+chichi.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional Mayan womenswear - I also noticed that all female sellers had these lace aprons</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4J7RX9adqVxFqA9CD-rNQXEw9QeoPZCwzjLJO8dp2RQI1qKvlYqjPpV99n3GvI-X4VUCf4Ex5-oq9szaL-Vdksnf5h9iazT-XDsr0rVrL8LHNNQOdkt-__PMZG4jokUzlJMWhZMHxls/s1600/traditional+mayan+clothes+market+chichi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4J7RX9adqVxFqA9CD-rNQXEw9QeoPZCwzjLJO8dp2RQI1qKvlYqjPpV99n3GvI-X4VUCf4Ex5-oq9szaL-Vdksnf5h9iazT-XDsr0rVrL8LHNNQOdkt-__PMZG4jokUzlJMWhZMHxls/s640/traditional+mayan+clothes+market+chichi.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYsYH4FLI9UHEK0Q8QLNggxPSlVbjkErWx2ETZg5zMGWl180QYS1askoEETEl1OsC9n5B_eBHcBBvY-oX3-xQ2vNJ86PuiU-BDprhQoH4kjqwZZievDF67pAECB-vXS47QmhGMRZjDkyE/s1600/market+stall+fabric+shawls+chichi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYsYH4FLI9UHEK0Q8QLNggxPSlVbjkErWx2ETZg5zMGWl180QYS1askoEETEl1OsC9n5B_eBHcBBvY-oX3-xQ2vNJ86PuiU-BDprhQoH4kjqwZZievDF67pAECB-vXS47QmhGMRZjDkyE/s640/market+stall+fabric+shawls+chichi.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some stands were on the streets in tables, others inside a covered area and some were simply up alleyways laid out on the floor</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaSKlwuH3MVsdwZLKnKoF2WQP0oZ5yhCc8VsxjOT5_dwVNB81r5Rx2Htwd96oW5hoRohqH7BOokihYdOrbLwTbtnmI29NoE8NYdWDEDJPqPP6nfGKbqV0wrcHi5TCT8rYOmRRSgIqtXNY/s1600/fabric+shop+in+chichi+guatemala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaSKlwuH3MVsdwZLKnKoF2WQP0oZ5yhCc8VsxjOT5_dwVNB81r5Rx2Htwd96oW5hoRohqH7BOokihYdOrbLwTbtnmI29NoE8NYdWDEDJPqPP6nfGKbqV0wrcHi5TCT8rYOmRRSgIqtXNY/s640/fabric+shop+in+chichi+guatemala.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you want to make your own clothes or textiles from scratch, there was plenty of colourful fabric to purchase</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-8upcWKjV66UCxdfrgCXWWoUld_JpvD_frnOKgHTI2WXdbuMSNJF5pkD_J1tttSxf4dZNbcZfg6YWfqJlVosDuG4nhmZyJWdrdFOr9ZamFwA3_pq44QiY0DIHsz6z2O7lHBaayPtU6g/s1600/guatemalan+fabrics+at+sundat+market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1-8upcWKjV66UCxdfrgCXWWoUld_JpvD_frnOKgHTI2WXdbuMSNJF5pkD_J1tttSxf4dZNbcZfg6YWfqJlVosDuG4nhmZyJWdrdFOr9ZamFwA3_pq44QiY0DIHsz6z2O7lHBaayPtU6g/s640/guatemalan+fabrics+at+sundat+market.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stripes were very popular!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuE9dtA_Z6oPQYD0Em_mF-2ye1uWL3CYnfs8t24zdTtan3LRdCL_l9sOlx194DhoGs2RNQFytNOHhhKEORF5eJAaJviHdoX0t_S9fLjy4KBtEUngm2tHiZH7XA1JsDl0BwQ0KUktkZWr8/s1600/threads+for+embroidery+market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuE9dtA_Z6oPQYD0Em_mF-2ye1uWL3CYnfs8t24zdTtan3LRdCL_l9sOlx194DhoGs2RNQFytNOHhhKEORF5eJAaJviHdoX0t_S9fLjy4KBtEUngm2tHiZH7XA1JsDl0BwQ0KUktkZWr8/s640/threads+for+embroidery+market.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As well as countless stores selling beautifully embroidered fashion, homeware and accessories there were also stalls selling embroidery floss - in every colour imaginable</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD0oO7d1GIPD3H2NczK9nDU0Gqg2xlmI5IKvI9Gkxn7PgKBd9fGnzFujr8o8SJAYg7rlDGJrLuPRPDGlaooOrTkiSBQgQIUQL2QO8MLsrdU2fMbsyaEc-_VUOdVUNQQUsuIw_76VW3Uc/s1600/thread+stall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdD0oO7d1GIPD3H2NczK9nDU0Gqg2xlmI5IKvI9Gkxn7PgKBd9fGnzFujr8o8SJAYg7rlDGJrLuPRPDGlaooOrTkiSBQgQIUQL2QO8MLsrdU2fMbsyaEc-_VUOdVUNQQUsuIw_76VW3Uc/s640/thread+stall.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At this stand dyed floss and yarns were sold by the weight</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_bB3yXFgOf-7wigeV7hVxgROeWrsZ9cpwEc40ATgEEw0ojlEp7niZStIX3Z7UhNx1qI-ytRNMVOM1U_bQlQyd8TKOKVhr65Z_ZIOUY0xYQUCh2ktYeuuK4QsMuMb-3XGAxghrAmNgwc/s1600/fruit+snacks+at+chichi+market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA_bB3yXFgOf-7wigeV7hVxgROeWrsZ9cpwEc40ATgEEw0ojlEp7niZStIX3Z7UhNx1qI-ytRNMVOM1U_bQlQyd8TKOKVhr65Z_ZIOUY0xYQUCh2ktYeuuK4QsMuMb-3XGAxghrAmNgwc/s640/fruit+snacks+at+chichi+market.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shopping is thirsty work and there are plenty of places to enjoy a refreshment stop</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhR5ZaMvZLbRDet3Psuoi8aMz52OBfROvS0j4pNWgWjS1p-XDoNdj-DJ0lwgXOIpuj70uhjweYzUmeThxiNu-aXqJaZ7VGtoiCkuIxgjTQQcuezSrBCbfjbk4o_lsYNUzvtvn1tu0npe0/s1600/church+in+chichi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhR5ZaMvZLbRDet3Psuoi8aMz52OBfROvS0j4pNWgWjS1p-XDoNdj-DJ0lwgXOIpuj70uhjweYzUmeThxiNu-aXqJaZ7VGtoiCkuIxgjTQQcuezSrBCbfjbk4o_lsYNUzvtvn1tu0npe0/s640/church+in+chichi.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The market is like a maze but this church surrounded by flower sellers is in the middle and it helps you find your way when you get lost among the hustle and bustle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-JdUCX2eDsjCRsiCDMCW8SZ9ejiuGAGtj7fPbo9kRv4PCSctT_7rgr08Dw9JuR58yO8ctjx0HU0rJNVgrDlE7tKeCRghUwk3RuBVwzebXA5h_frlncfEOqHf5CDhyRF-9FlIQvNOOxMQ/s1600/chichicastenango_market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-JdUCX2eDsjCRsiCDMCW8SZ9ejiuGAGtj7fPbo9kRv4PCSctT_7rgr08Dw9JuR58yO8ctjx0HU0rJNVgrDlE7tKeCRghUwk3RuBVwzebXA5h_frlncfEOqHf5CDhyRF-9FlIQvNOOxMQ/s640/chichicastenango_market.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you do make it to the outskirts of the market the rest of the town is rather beautiful<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiq_gcZju_sUYBRBVZUY98lFkd_jd9CcPoJP1Qn7x13nKv_1x_AFaxjFEyxCs7W70VQSRFL6aV7APH43rVpNHdjJ7DI3kGYVpGNpcv4pfTlMuSllFRVDrR2w0zGxFYHg5gLhAC2LEHtDU/s1600/graveyard+in+guatemala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiq_gcZju_sUYBRBVZUY98lFkd_jd9CcPoJP1Qn7x13nKv_1x_AFaxjFEyxCs7W70VQSRFL6aV7APH43rVpNHdjJ7DI3kGYVpGNpcv4pfTlMuSllFRVDrR2w0zGxFYHg5gLhAC2LEHtDU/s640/graveyard+in+guatemala.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Even the graveyards are spectacularly colourful</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTK0TVeztbD8rxSiXkg0PdFs0yjE1diO0iaTsSV2DY-qC4u_cRkrQk5cfSuQN0v7rejWuJ6HqzwHSIjr2zSXwxuWpQBCLeaPCFlW6i5K03dtrzq5_sdxcLJdsvliXHqp758D_NGbDj6pU/s1600/bus+stop+queue+at+chichi+guatemala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTK0TVeztbD8rxSiXkg0PdFs0yjE1diO0iaTsSV2DY-qC4u_cRkrQk5cfSuQN0v7rejWuJ6HqzwHSIjr2zSXwxuWpQBCLeaPCFlW6i5K03dtrzq5_sdxcLJdsvliXHqp758D_NGbDj6pU/s640/bus+stop+queue+at+chichi+guatemala.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Locals queuing for the buses</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The market was an incredible experience. I went on Sunday and it was such a colourful, vibrant and interesting place. However it's not so rare to find what was on sale. Guatemala is filled with crafts markets wherever you go and one thing I discovered was that at Chichi items were more expensive than other local markets and surprisingly, very few sellers were open to bargaining. Most came up with ridiculous figures they wouldn't budge on, but if you go to the quieter parts there are some amazing offers to be had. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFynrRB4lMAug-z9nc766iVNYabWw4ngTwrY7bh-l9F6YBbLkmPz3n9A9fDHZ_Ie_ohJcls0GOMFVqSsdNYYMR6RiRjSUht2Z-9-9A21PCP89A0TKbD1ldc830XX1ftiP9BY76matjFA/s1600/market+view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFynrRB4lMAug-z9nc766iVNYabWw4ngTwrY7bh-l9F6YBbLkmPz3n9A9fDHZ_Ie_ohJcls0GOMFVqSsdNYYMR6RiRjSUht2Z-9-9A21PCP89A0TKbD1ldc830XX1ftiP9BY76matjFA/s640/market+view.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">At the end of the this post I have listed some advice for surviving Chichi, but I also wanted to mention that not all crafts in Guatemela (i.e. the one's I photographed here) have a rainbow coloured and embroidered feel. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I also visited a fair-trade community weaving project located on the lakes and these handwoven items were completely different to anything I found in the market. <a href="http://www.cojolya.org/" target="_blank">Cojolya</a> has a fascinating gallery that explains the significance of weaving in Mayan life - I loved this Mayan belief:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>'God spun the sky and drew out time like the thread weavers spin to weave cloth.'</i></span></div>
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The centre arranges weaving lessons and tours and can tell you who made every item that is for sale</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As much as I loved Chichi, the best place I went shopping in Guatemala was in the colonial town of Antigua. Such a beautiful place. It's also home to a huge shopping fair-trade department store which feels like an art gallery called <a href="http://nimpotexport.com/index.html" target="_blank">'Nim Po't</a>, filled with handmade items, but again with a community, co-operative feel. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSKF2UIT2fvTFb9hWb6R5cOvHd2dSou3xtMjmShNswz9I7f2WjICAxFQIS3u2T2gzVGlv3ns763UfSvNQSGGA-Ew_wFmgv_5CQjN7pjW8kOIFb-xpJlKefSkpw0glrHT1LHsbICpW8XE/s1600/masks+at+nim+pot+antigua.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikSKF2UIT2fvTFb9hWb6R5cOvHd2dSou3xtMjmShNswz9I7f2WjICAxFQIS3u2T2gzVGlv3ns763UfSvNQSGGA-Ew_wFmgv_5CQjN7pjW8kOIFb-xpJlKefSkpw0glrHT1LHsbICpW8XE/s640/masks+at+nim+pot+antigua.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There is wall upon wall of masks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuHh2Nu6yLzOqNwt5y5zQCk92Bxx711_OEqFr_KFXIAtyNYTpUcghQFDRzJyvJDr4NaAfkqCLJD6YaIBfRstabziUh1xjyg8NfVbLitUay75rUMYMimrRGX7uFzLbZ6nstVQ87nK3Z_k/s1600/rocking+horses+at+nim+pot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuHh2Nu6yLzOqNwt5y5zQCk92Bxx711_OEqFr_KFXIAtyNYTpUcghQFDRzJyvJDr4NaAfkqCLJD6YaIBfRstabziUh1xjyg8NfVbLitUay75rUMYMimrRGX7uFzLbZ6nstVQ87nK3Z_k/s640/rocking+horses+at+nim+pot.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I wanted this rocking horse so much!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhlTnal9RQdlWrvD-_LIJl2TZLDoMdeMV_awMlVwb5vrWnODtXct2co0NClsi6O8FuCkptOcWCLhLiSocvSn_TR1fu81SK2mM6p34sGKkyr8T82AFAnwTvzd5gfADc9k97_nTRm6zBRU/s1600/toucan+chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzhlTnal9RQdlWrvD-_LIJl2TZLDoMdeMV_awMlVwb5vrWnODtXct2co0NClsi6O8FuCkptOcWCLhLiSocvSn_TR1fu81SK2mM6p34sGKkyr8T82AFAnwTvzd5gfADc9k97_nTRm6zBRU/s640/toucan+chair.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gorgeous handprinted chair which I would have bought if I could have carried it home on the plane</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Artisans are able to bring there stock into the shop and have it sold, and it's the biggest collection on Mayan crafts for sale in the world. The shop is epic, save at least an hour to rummage through it all. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Prices are fixed but exceptional value. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A taste of Antigua</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you're ever in Antigua I urge you to visit -you'll get lost in Nim Po't's world of wonders; thankfully there are sofas to sit down and take a breather in when the shopping becomes to overwhelming. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRnvRen3MCG5pNiAiax3riU8bOPxBB1xV6gm_cJLdHELnIxYainLmnvoBMgot7-ehvPdZCxYtOCL-_DpfZ2Q8tM6VFgpZnv6wRKfwF4aeTkF77WZfo9T7lmdtRMshrkIOl2n3824D2F8k/s1600/nim+pot+guatemala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRnvRen3MCG5pNiAiax3riU8bOPxBB1xV6gm_cJLdHELnIxYainLmnvoBMgot7-ehvPdZCxYtOCL-_DpfZ2Q8tM6VFgpZnv6wRKfwF4aeTkF77WZfo9T7lmdtRMshrkIOl2n3824D2F8k/s640/nim+pot+guatemala.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you're planning to visit Chichicastenango (which I recommend!) then here's my advice:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Getting there:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I boarded a direct bus from Antigua which left at 4pm on Saturday (picked me up from my accommodation) and then arrived at Chichi at 7pm. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">However I had to speak to several travel and tourist shops in order to book that bus. The main way tourists get to Chichi is the 7am bus on market days, it leaves at 7am, arrives at Chichi 10am and leaves around 2.30pm. This truly is a tourist bus packed with foreigners weighed down by cameras. As soon as it hits 10.30am the market is swarming with these visitors and their tour guides - most companies want you to take this bus but don't listen. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Keep asking until you do find a bus going the night before so you can set off at dawn when it opens so by the time the other tourists arrive, you've already seen the market, got to understand how it works and know where everything is, so you can shop stress-freely. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Staying there:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The guidebook said it's vital you must book accommodation in advance as it gets busy. I found no private Air B&B accommodation, nothing on the usual online accommodation sites like Expedia, Lastminute etc and general Googling also didn't throw up many options. The I came across a place called Hotel Giron and it was perfect. I phoned up and reserved accommodation - it was basic but located right in the heart of the market which has so many benefits, like when I needed a break, I came back and could put my shopping down. Accommodation was no where near as full as expected and I wonder if it's a scare story making tourists come on that morning tourist bus.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Prices:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Generally prices were premium but still so much cheaper than if the items were bought in a UK store. As I mentioned bargaining isn't favoured on stalls, but there are aways to shop cheaper and it's down to who you shop from. Stalls in quieter parts of the market have such good prices there's no need to bargain - I recommend hunting those out. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Also there are many informal sellers, women who simply walk around selling their wares - they are all up for bargaining so if you see one, don't run away, chat to them and if you see something you like, bargain until you're happy.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Length of time: </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">1/2 a day is sufficient and in that time you'll be able to go around the whole market and have time to go back and find your faves to attempt some bargaining!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Finding it all too much?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Don't be afraid to take a break, walk away from the market to the quieter outskirts, or book a tour guide to help you navigate your way through the markets. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So there's my memories and advice about Chichi, if you have an appreciation for crafts than visiting is essential, and if you simply want to immerse yourself in the Mayan community then hang out and people watch.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here are a few more snaps taken in Guatemala...</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hP3TPD4vWDkhQ6x-hs7OYoXvQ-i9c_eJGyLG4iijLfHwUT0P0kiuH21r9TE7wUJVGVB8LXbNi4NOqec7Da1D-0E-jlf8rq5KmWb8u5CpF5B3A6eNf3tMbfQrkjcfWy1aUTcDe5eAOCo/s1600/antigua+guatemla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6hP3TPD4vWDkhQ6x-hs7OYoXvQ-i9c_eJGyLG4iijLfHwUT0P0kiuH21r9TE7wUJVGVB8LXbNi4NOqec7Da1D-0E-jlf8rq5KmWb8u5CpF5B3A6eNf3tMbfQrkjcfWy1aUTcDe5eAOCo/s640/antigua+guatemla.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning walk around Antigua</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_dN8-TgDC-DfSF0RSyoA0gZDGkSA6AL6nwgiX6QWUlQ1PJ9rTXsa9cQPJdv0RX58DuwYa1mgA-_gnVqsY0hFambOXU91V3oIdLHUltFzQNFBlIoj0Y9LwOBG7vQkrIakW3x7SCmUhmg/s1600/view+over+antigua+guatemala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY_dN8-TgDC-DfSF0RSyoA0gZDGkSA6AL6nwgiX6QWUlQ1PJ9rTXsa9cQPJdv0RX58DuwYa1mgA-_gnVqsY0hFambOXU91V3oIdLHUltFzQNFBlIoj0Y9LwOBG7vQkrIakW3x7SCmUhmg/s640/view+over+antigua+guatemala.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Antigua from above, the town is laid out like a grid system<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwva9SPYIa5aQZ5JRyGMmxT9YT6W3y1duNkvmxOAiYuJkBc-i60ot6N9NnqGYG1lrP0GIk4tHgw2EWDTF5mgFi9phj-o6nBpZTOUFN-M813eusbcQnZ-t0jgVIlrSZzM-ivcC9-m2rY5c/s1600/lakes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwva9SPYIa5aQZ5JRyGMmxT9YT6W3y1duNkvmxOAiYuJkBc-i60ot6N9NnqGYG1lrP0GIk4tHgw2EWDTF5mgFi9phj-o6nBpZTOUFN-M813eusbcQnZ-t0jgVIlrSZzM-ivcC9-m2rY5c/s640/lakes.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After Chichi I travelled by chicken bus through hilly terrain to the lakes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajn3SD0ajvnyDmU3KX2DLdI3evMgXkcVMXEHsEaFLdi3JyRwIlmKrMuJG3aa27J6CG4qPbZVj_kyxM7dL4IfHwhnhI8mVXa8k2s3Hp1fiP8_vEmDrA9rdDbxfzGjFyChB2KCZkL0DbvU/s1600/chicken+bus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiajn3SD0ajvnyDmU3KX2DLdI3evMgXkcVMXEHsEaFLdi3JyRwIlmKrMuJG3aa27J6CG4qPbZVj_kyxM7dL4IfHwhnhI8mVXa8k2s3Hp1fiP8_vEmDrA9rdDbxfzGjFyChB2KCZkL0DbvU/s640/chicken+bus.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken buses are public transport and are old American school buses, they are used all over Central America<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Aaah, the memories!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Momtazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11578256722034844409noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029867388895079241.post-25050104237940624772016-03-06T15:54:00.000+00:002016-03-06T15:55:54.363+00:00How to make Bollywood Chocolate Easter Eggs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9JP7g1Q9hRRGJHxoZPHfzD3fl0bwGcfi-qKm7dK49H8daUlnhgQ3h_4C_Ta_NNnpqzgf3OIV3rGJcn9hVK7lvloZMebfCCFAAK1XxzwCangj0SiHsDE8wmGfVXlhTWw-fDlEcwElHsXo/s1600/Bollywood_chocolate_easter_eggs_how_to_make.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9JP7g1Q9hRRGJHxoZPHfzD3fl0bwGcfi-qKm7dK49H8daUlnhgQ3h_4C_Ta_NNnpqzgf3OIV3rGJcn9hVK7lvloZMebfCCFAAK1XxzwCangj0SiHsDE8wmGfVXlhTWw-fDlEcwElHsXo/s640/Bollywood_chocolate_easter_eggs_how_to_make.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">You've heard of Boiled Eggs...well these are Bollied Eggs: chocolate Easter eggs with a Bollywood theme. Completely edible, I made them by sticking edible picture onto chocolate eggs, then decorated them with edible glitter, edible gemstones, edible flowers, edible glue and even edible paint which I got from my local craft store <a href="http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/" target="_blank">Hobbycraft</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>How to make your own Bollywood Easter eggs</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-mkDhQcdw4iGOl9ZbIcCaNKuhErj58Ap76dZhXL8PATwLdr6iRjYvAD5hoFBRKE0hXLuuPtHsyCZEIswoF6YEkqf81lGNHDNYmt95uAS6cFnDQRy5H6eZnW8rJrSOIDa0B_oMdW3hRo/s1600/how+to+make+bollywood+chocolate+easter+eggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt-mkDhQcdw4iGOl9ZbIcCaNKuhErj58Ap76dZhXL8PATwLdr6iRjYvAD5hoFBRKE0hXLuuPtHsyCZEIswoF6YEkqf81lGNHDNYmt95uAS6cFnDQRy5H6eZnW8rJrSOIDa0B_oMdW3hRo/s640/how+to+make+bollywood+chocolate+easter+eggs.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Materials you'll need to make Bollywood chocolate eggs</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">First up, choose which stars you want to immortalise in chocolate and save the images as jpg files. I emailed my images to a UK based company called <a href="http://www.icingpictures.co.uk/" target="_blank">Icing Pictures</a>. You send them the images you want printed, they print them onto edible icing and post them back to you. It's a really easy service, they even re-size the images for you. I had six images printed onto one sheet of A4 and it cost £9.99 including postage and packaging. I'm guessing this service exists in other countries - even your local bakery might be able to help. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TnRAXRn_EGtezHMRL1JIlVIkRsbS2UBbfRFYRqdBQjJKu3I9iL0yxUDMx5RJiN-NNgccVme2sdF2TLVLsBs4i9YwwA5ss2s5vR6GLQXCObbFyYCIfLYVU3Vuv0nEpfYFxLIUEhJNUqI/s1600/Bollywood_chocolate_easter_eggs_iced_pictures.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TnRAXRn_EGtezHMRL1JIlVIkRsbS2UBbfRFYRqdBQjJKu3I9iL0yxUDMx5RJiN-NNgccVme2sdF2TLVLsBs4i9YwwA5ss2s5vR6GLQXCObbFyYCIfLYVU3Vuv0nEpfYFxLIUEhJNUqI/s640/Bollywood_chocolate_easter_eggs_iced_pictures.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edible images, cut out </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Next up decide on your eggs. The easiest method is to buy ready made eggs, or if you're feeling adventurous you can melt chocolate, pour into a mould and make your own eggs. I tried this method and discovered that a) you need to use a lot of chocolate as when you melt down a bar, you're not left with much and b) I couldn't get the eggs to come out of the moulds easily. If you're already a chocolate maker you may know the knack, but after ending up with broken shells I decided to stick with the easy option and buy the eggs.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6NPPGp3p4J9dE43Be1x4JCPmLsfEphCE04CkE48H6JByTlgbyJBLo16JnvUBz5XiJ_LJxFCnhDRm0S3lCcb2j3ddGhpLnx6rkG0Y9H0hBVC2Vc7sqdwhCy7Bohn2C54GIvk-8hxetWQ/s1600/using+a+chocolate+mould.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6NPPGp3p4J9dE43Be1x4JCPmLsfEphCE04CkE48H6JByTlgbyJBLo16JnvUBz5XiJ_LJxFCnhDRm0S3lCcb2j3ddGhpLnx6rkG0Y9H0hBVC2Vc7sqdwhCy7Bohn2C54GIvk-8hxetWQ/s640/using+a+chocolate+mould.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chocolate egg-making fail</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Apply the image to the egg. Instructions for the brand of edible picture you use may vary, but the type I bought involved cutting it down to size... </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4ByuT-SB7PDERvKVbzyKPmVzlW9x8pbZX0o8dreTkmjxOqciYHqMObWVjkuoyXbpE0GKcUtJ2KybjMgnU9CF5wuqYdtBVSy8gz0Q5rrJb2mgaENCZ7CfN0eXM81Ue8iKpueQqRI717U/s1600/applying+water+to+bag+of+edible+pictures.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4ByuT-SB7PDERvKVbzyKPmVzlW9x8pbZX0o8dreTkmjxOqciYHqMObWVjkuoyXbpE0GKcUtJ2KybjMgnU9CF5wuqYdtBVSy8gz0Q5rrJb2mgaENCZ7CfN0eXM81Ue8iKpueQqRI717U/s640/applying+water+to+bag+of+edible+pictures.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: start;">peeling off the backing and wetting the back with a little water...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHXjlTJj99_MUApaot848VOAVKgljQG2LoU3wOeUORS6LfmuArI6bd7xz5LpizBYubDy5SGKqBPwjB_sgMEaYZn7od_w4VQvvxMIRgDOK4yoD-YGzl9FFzoMCnDI0V_bBWJ2hBx4vDdY/s1600/how+to+apply+edible+icing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxHXjlTJj99_MUApaot848VOAVKgljQG2LoU3wOeUORS6LfmuArI6bd7xz5LpizBYubDy5SGKqBPwjB_sgMEaYZn7od_w4VQvvxMIRgDOK4yoD-YGzl9FFzoMCnDI0V_bBWJ2hBx4vDdY/s640/how+to+apply+edible+icing.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">...then smoothing it onto the chocolate shell. It's a delicate operation so be patient. Too much water and the image will disintegrate and too much smoothing and it will erode off, so practise a few times before you go through with any final designs.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-G_vLFMiLdkINxVbPGMrsJBiI3hnSWgYbAxZaTLl_uI7hXJHabTNs3rTOa6f1MTAu_SPoSHVETfaBnDB-YV7GsyJ-520NJIYvN5aSac032Z2kVgvE-dXQQydZTMlmOp7qhaDwtmAV5QA/s1600/applying+edible+picture+icing+to+chocolate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-G_vLFMiLdkINxVbPGMrsJBiI3hnSWgYbAxZaTLl_uI7hXJHabTNs3rTOa6f1MTAu_SPoSHVETfaBnDB-YV7GsyJ-520NJIYvN5aSac032Z2kVgvE-dXQQydZTMlmOp7qhaDwtmAV5QA/s640/applying+edible+picture+icing+to+chocolate.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Once the image is on, the fun part begins: the decorating. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here are some ideas.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Item Girl egg</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYDKr9LsfXiyhhO-CNj4ktC9lVE5qDhxODQD1oBYVzH3Fb3Ozu5zZulm2BcMYWy1fowOko6uOvSsMdZvkZBcyHcn-WwzM5mZ_8k0wwzqBpDCPR2vGmfs7ZIF9eHE-SVUy4O72zqEpqvY/s1600/helen_bollywood_chocolate_easter_egg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfYDKr9LsfXiyhhO-CNj4ktC9lVE5qDhxODQD1oBYVzH3Fb3Ozu5zZulm2BcMYWy1fowOko6uOvSsMdZvkZBcyHcn-WwzM5mZ_8k0wwzqBpDCPR2vGmfs7ZIF9eHE-SVUy4O72zqEpqvY/s640/helen_bollywood_chocolate_easter_egg.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Bollywood movies wouldn't be the same without a song and a dance. The most innovative and best-loved Item Girl in history is Helen, a cabaret star who starred in numerous movies in the 60s and 70s. She was one of a kind, with great style, so I created an elaborate, colourful, vintage inspired egg embellished with sugar flowers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Bejewelled Devdas egg</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZt6ZItt_9ZAMxKX7CKqpTwGMLJfE_qMHFCQ96WMOOnlY-IpGfyuaCCchZgS_kxAKRgPgekwV0PRzvJeP4dp-feQZTMPmXVuDJCM8AW3CQ_hY88flBCmdzN9vLLJxyKTA4QKswC528gTs/s1600/Aiswarya_rai_bollywood_chocoate_easter_egg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZt6ZItt_9ZAMxKX7CKqpTwGMLJfE_qMHFCQ96WMOOnlY-IpGfyuaCCchZgS_kxAKRgPgekwV0PRzvJeP4dp-feQZTMPmXVuDJCM8AW3CQ_hY88flBCmdzN9vLLJxyKTA4QKswC528gTs/s640/Aiswarya_rai_bollywood_chocoate_easter_egg.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When it was released in 2002 <i>Devdas</i> starring former Miss World Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan was the most expensive film made in Bollywood history, costing over $7million. Lavish in every way, from the extraordinary costumes to the grand, colourful sets, I painted this egg in edible gold/copper paint then stuck on edible jelly jewels held in place with icing pens. I also outlined the image with icing spots.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Simple Salu egg</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbA1O4PKgMBZUGCyLgdpGRdiKraHeOF8urGKBoka9hPXcQJdFGxVcfhABoSk7_a18gT_ARZMJVfFuU7R6XeGTGzWgGuNVKp8c8U9bcb2gKTBqDmoSi4EY5hTf3YBkPTrfHF44rIotW7e0/s1600/salman_khan_bollywood_chocolate_easter-egg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbA1O4PKgMBZUGCyLgdpGRdiKraHeOF8urGKBoka9hPXcQJdFGxVcfhABoSk7_a18gT_ARZMJVfFuU7R6XeGTGzWgGuNVKp8c8U9bcb2gKTBqDmoSi4EY5hTf3YBkPTrfHF44rIotW7e0/s640/salman_khan_bollywood_chocolate_easter-egg.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Affectionately known as Salu, </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Salman Khan is my favourite of all the Khans in the filmi fraternity. He has incredible charisma on the screen and I always look forward to his films for their entertainment value. I kept this one simple with a touch of icing - I was going to apply silver balls but decided they just weren't needed in the end. He alone holds the attention. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Randeepian egg</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-UxMtyRzLKG_5tj8hbVLgks-_gT2EVGGTMIyF6-ZIX3h6k1oxr5XHLmhX4swpnoZDNxy_sgwfDIl8KKCsqOpqvFR8EiMMknQF77KfKhmxQF-cs9wiBjE4kw4JoB5L5lM3lUUZJ0GCEU/s1600/Randeep_hooda_bollywood_chocolate_easter_egg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-UxMtyRzLKG_5tj8hbVLgks-_gT2EVGGTMIyF6-ZIX3h6k1oxr5XHLmhX4swpnoZDNxy_sgwfDIl8KKCsqOpqvFR8EiMMknQF77KfKhmxQF-cs9wiBjE4kw4JoB5L5lM3lUUZJ0GCEU/s640/Randeep_hooda_bollywood_chocolate_easter_egg.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm a Randeepian and proud - a dedicated follower and fan of actor Randeep Hooda, one of the most popular actors of the moment and undoubtedly the hottest, hence the reason I positioned him inside an iced heart and added white chocolate hearts which I decorated with edible glitter and icing - one I can't wait to take a bite into!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0esO93T3xQtWxxPm5dwBdzJbrm2iCZqQ-hFfkonVu6AnnLE7w0y0yvxTuPN5-u-AVmSlciQJ9IG-hzSIshYO3CaaF5JDFHCWM5OpP6vohRJ6bU1BBDeX6iN8j9M4APsv-q_j-jp6eeM/s1600/materials+for+randeep+hooda+chocolate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE0esO93T3xQtWxxPm5dwBdzJbrm2iCZqQ-hFfkonVu6AnnLE7w0y0yvxTuPN5-u-AVmSlciQJ9IG-hzSIshYO3CaaF5JDFHCWM5OpP6vohRJ6bU1BBDeX6iN8j9M4APsv-q_j-jp6eeM/s640/materials+for+randeep+hooda+chocolate.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Blockbuster egg</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHCp5Y5ldrg-DqG6OtOfpxhhmkYA-j0MOi6ODKOmGKazTU90NqlTCbN551Isz0U-hCZOiJK0Wju8sQy8W6nSV6BSe-zJZamhzRk9Io7fnADJyfltAR6yOV6qFShn5Sq05qI7WJ4Sg06I/s1600/DDLJ_bollywood_chocolate_easter_egg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHCp5Y5ldrg-DqG6OtOfpxhhmkYA-j0MOi6ODKOmGKazTU90NqlTCbN551Isz0U-hCZOiJK0Wju8sQy8W6nSV6BSe-zJZamhzRk9Io7fnADJyfltAR6yOV6qFShn5Sq05qI7WJ4Sg06I/s640/DDLJ_bollywood_chocolate_easter_egg.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge</i> is the most famous Bollywood movie in history and one of the best. Released in 2015, 20 years on it's still playing in cinemas - no other film can claim that. The leads are played by mega stars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, and this is a classic film poster shot. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Not a Bollywood fan? You can get any image printed onto edible paper from pop stars to pets. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEChG1lyPhxAiJL1flSvA9bi9Wnb63wZN2yeQ0nGFCW4QuYzI2dwjiLgqYS4RpB9cke-RdJb0gxoztZ06Rg4n7NSkUoZsNoxYi9Lsc37bP4wCIldTIf-UomDGVTMjgri4-LkAflL5_uk/s1600/bollywood_chocolate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEChG1lyPhxAiJL1flSvA9bi9Wnb63wZN2yeQ0nGFCW4QuYzI2dwjiLgqYS4RpB9cke-RdJb0gxoztZ06Rg4n7NSkUoZsNoxYi9Lsc37bP4wCIldTIf-UomDGVTMjgri4-LkAflL5_uk/s640/bollywood_chocolate.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Top tips</b></span><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The icing pens take around 24 hours to dry so make them in plenty of time before you need to give one as a gift.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">While decorating the egg, sit it in an egg cup as that way you can access all sides of it easily.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you are giving them as a gift try placing them in cellophane and tie up with ribbon.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Materials</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My images were printed at <a href="http://www.icingpictures.co.uk/">www.icingpictures.co.uk</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">All other materials used for this project were from my local branch of <a href="http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/" target="_blank">Hobbycraft</a>:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sugar flowers, edible glitter, icing tubes, edible paint, chocolate hearts, edible gemstones.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The chocolate eggs and giant green and yellow iced spots on the DDLJ eggs were from Asda, but you'll find all of the above online or in cake supplies shops. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Happy Bollied Egg Making!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Momtazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11578256722034844409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029867388895079241.post-34572202947335075572016-03-01T08:46:00.002+00:002016-03-01T22:37:15.849+00:00Oscar's 2016: Best and Worst Outfits & That Gold Snakeskin Dress<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I wasn't intending to blog about The Oscars but I consumed so much media about it yesterday, from the moment I turned on the TV and saw Red Carpet interviews over breakfast, to during the day, when every time I glanced at social media I saw 'That Dress'....the Gold Dress by Tom Ford, worn by Margot Robbie, which 'looks like an Oscar' itself. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It doesn't just look like an award statue though, the gold snake print fabric she's wearing is not too dissimilar to the gold snakeskin dress I wore on the Red Carpet for the Asian Media Awards back in October 2015. Hmmmm....has someone been copying my style?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>TRENDS</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pluging necklines were the biggest Oscars trend this year with the majority of women walking the red carpet wearing dresses that drew attention to their cleavage. Personally I think my own gold dress with less skin on show, is far classier. Not that I'm against showing cleavage, it makes you feel amazing when you have a decent dress and a bit of boob showing, but it is sad that so many women feel they had to do this on the one day they'll get photographed most in their life. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's a sorry state of affairs that women need to show their skin while the men are in dapper suits, to get noticed in their careers. The biggest reason it's so important to dress well at The Oscars is that an actor/actress gets noticed, and cast in their next role but why is baring skin so important for this? The Oscar's have been going for 88 years and still this is what women are expected to do. Women who wore outfits that weren't as revealing were told they look dowdy and old fashioned - because modernity is all about looking semi naked right?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Choosing what one is wearing to The Oscars is clearly a big deal. Everyone in attendance will have faced every fashion dilemma going when it comes to choosing their outfit ...but some made much better decisions than others.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I won't di-sect every single outfit (you can do that on Google, there's enough opinions and photos out there to see what people are saying,) I'm just going to comment on what I think was the best outfit and the one that was a real disappointment...</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dress: Armani Prive</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">BEST OUTFIT: Cate Blanchette</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Cate's was more than just the best outfit, it's the overall look. Every single element compliments her, the hair and make-up are equally as important. The the dress has character and personality and the colour is original and suits her complexion. It's the perfect dress for 'Cate.'</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dress by Zuhair Murad</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">MOST DISAPPOINTING OUTFIT: Priyaka Chopra</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I LOVE PC as an actress, she's one of Bollywood's finest. Previously a model, her early acting career was pretty bad, but she's grown so much into a natural, intelligent and creative actress who's give some incredible performances. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Despite this being the 88th Academy Awards there is a huge lack of South Asians represented at them. (Don't even get me started on the fact Bollywood films don't make it into the international category).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Priyanka being at the Oscars wasn't just her elevating her career, whether she liked it or not, she was representing Indians on a global scale. Ok that may sound unfair but she does carry some responsibility as an ambassador, especially as she was on the stage handing out an award. Even though she identifies as being part-American - she studied there, launched her pop career there and recently starred in US serial <i>Quantico - </i>the biggest success in her career has been starring in Indian cinema. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">In that world there are some incredible fashion designers, and she herself has worn some absolutely gorgeous colourful couture work - the kinds of designs Western audiences don't get much exposure to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">This was an opportunity to show the best in Asian fashion to the world and she chose to turn up in a simple, safe white dress with hair pulled back into a pony tail - which to me is the opposite of Cate's look - bland, and with zero personality. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Priyanka has never been the most 'stylish' of actresses but she looks sooooooo much better when she appears at Indian functions in India, her attempts to do Oscar's glamour in a traditional gown are for me, a real disappointment.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dress: Elizabeth Kennedy</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mindy Kaling, the other female South Asian icon at the Oscars looked remarkably better than Priyanka because although she wore a classic black dress, the detail of the blue bow at the back is what gave it some personality and the overall look suited her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm not saying in anyway that because someone is Asian they should wear Asian clothes - but in Priyanka's case she has access to the best in Indian designers, so her choice was a wasted opportunity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As for what I would wear to The Oscars, well I recently bought a red carpet dress (above) which has a gorgeous shimmer to it. It's the only long dress I own and I bought it in the January sales from Joy because it was reduced from £120 to £28 and fit me perfectly so I took it as a sign that I had to own it. It's what I would wear if I had to pick something from my current wardrobe right now.....but if I could get dressed by a designer, hands down it would be Manish Arora, Indian designer and fashion visionary. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I can but only dream about wearing a creation of his One Day....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>For this particular blog post I had to use images found online which aren't credited because there are so many versions of them - so thanks to whoever took them, I hope you can see this is a wee blog and I just needed them for illustrative purposes. Thanks.</i></span></div>
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<br />Momtazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11578256722034844409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029867388895079241.post-42690939863025521192016-02-14T00:39:00.004+00:002016-02-17T18:07:55.523+00:002016...To Blog? Or Not To Blog?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's mid February 2016 and I've not had a chance to blog this year yet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have on the other hand changed my hair (above)...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Been to Morocco...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Been to Portugal...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Visited a gorgeous spa in London, M By Montcalm...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">...as well as celebrated a 90th birthday party, done two weeks of jury service, organised a craft night, presented my week radio show, learnt how to do video editing, started making podcasts, been doing telly stuff, had two #EatUpCrews, and most important of all, been making a living. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I've had this blog for six years and it's main purpose has been to remember and record some of what I get up, so that I don't forget it! </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But lately time has become more precious. Whereby blogging used to be my hobby, now I have lots of other hobbies. Something has to give to allow me to do new things and to make sure I don't fall behind on my ultimate, vision, dreams and goals.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">So I am reducing the content I put on my blog. I'd like to go back to doing some craft tutorials and less writing about my escapades but I'll have to see what happens, for now though </span><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I would like to say a massive thank you to anyone who looks at or reads my blog.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Follow me on </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/TheCraftCae" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Twitter</a> <span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> (TheCraftCafe) and Instagram (The_CraftCafe) for daily updates on what I'm up to. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And drop me an email anytime. <a href="mailto:contact@momtazbh.co.uk">contact@momtazbh.co.uk</a></span></div>
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Momtazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11578256722034844409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029867388895079241.post-31993020162992331152015-12-25T23:11:00.002+00:002015-12-26T12:04:38.434+00:00Introducing The Eat Up Crew: South Indian Food lovers of London<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYKfN4GXdDOU9oL56Lx2GFcJD-w99wGDrzOCiTdQa_LiB9vwf8ZHY3eFO7DpByf6HwHnGhZxWIh9jQLVX6ymKr_sAkrVnK-a1T7TKHaUb9JjF470CoAeSROsmMolobBUlS97DJoccEPrI/s640/eat+up+crew+founders.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ashanti, Zoe & me Momtaz!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So it started with a conversation on Twitter. My dear friend and South Indian Expert <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04mv017">Ashanti Omkar</a> and I tweeted about meeting up with our friend Food Blogger <a href="https://culinaryadventuresofthespicescribe.wordpress.com/">Zoe Perret</a> to eat 'hoppers'. As we publicly shared dates and desires for what we'd like on the menu, other people listened in and interacted with our conversation, about how delicious South Indian food is. Before we knew it, we had recruited a group of Foodies and formed what is now known as The #EatUpCrew. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We've been meeting up once a month since the summer, on Friday nights, each time acquiring new members.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These meet ups make take place in East Ham, East London, home of a number of South Indian eateries including Keralan and Chettinad. The flavours from the South Indian region are different to others parts of the country and even within it there are differences, for example in Kerala you'll find more coconut based dishes, while food in Chennai is hotter. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dish wise there are several that are associated with the region, including hoppers; a breakfast dish eaten in Sri Lanka and some parts of South India. They are bowl shaped crepes that are an alternative to rice, and they are a 'focal food' in the #EatUpCrew.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>AUGUST part 1: Ananthapuram</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For our first ever #EatUpCrew we went to a classic South Indian restaurant where we feasted on all manner of local delicacies...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My happiest moment was when the hoppers - (also known as Appams), arrived. They are hard to come by in the UK, not all South Indian restaurants serve them, but as an addict, I'm committed to travelling to wherever they are!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCA5Rsr63UUxSwBCUelzLpR3SsqXFFxRKU22BXwLiu9gTEXQNl1fqyFoyQdnbNsGhMlXZrxzcjMdzVRylF5zuqL4cRwkBUcWFdvjIzixqL7JDfDiBsgbKE7cmpk_ect7_pOIszCF8vLnk/s1600/egg+hoppers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCA5Rsr63UUxSwBCUelzLpR3SsqXFFxRKU22BXwLiu9gTEXQNl1fqyFoyQdnbNsGhMlXZrxzcjMdzVRylF5zuqL4cRwkBUcWFdvjIzixqL7JDfDiBsgbKE7cmpk_ect7_pOIszCF8vLnk/s640/egg+hoppers.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlxAg3rvyCKHChyN9f9EayvaxA6waRtJeaQ7CgQhtdEECR7PeQTOf_Toq5HrKuK56oUP9caYwBEwTDnYy58nwBujFiADxryei1wRPxrwqRp00zNXyi7_0F8kxp6jSeDqjRxJTZfNS0DQ/s1600/hopper+in+london.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlxAg3rvyCKHChyN9f9EayvaxA6waRtJeaQ7CgQhtdEECR7PeQTOf_Toq5HrKuK56oUP9caYwBEwTDnYy58nwBujFiADxryei1wRPxrwqRp00zNXyi7_0F8kxp6jSeDqjRxJTZfNS0DQ/s640/hopper+in+london.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here are some of the foodie loving folk who joined us for our inaugural #EatUpCrew...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekUZscnl8HTzzg4nEH84csL_1fiWVHS8SKNPuDNE0T5xLScmoNKMDHz8a0za2czkG4MGXJy4HH2CwnY8I-NVvEEBUUzrqh3gW7HPPcS1Os1b9Jo14Kx4s9lxS_a3LQ_VO4HZSTCTVXuE/s1600/london+chai+party.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekUZscnl8HTzzg4nEH84csL_1fiWVHS8SKNPuDNE0T5xLScmoNKMDHz8a0za2czkG4MGXJy4HH2CwnY8I-NVvEEBUUzrqh3gW7HPPcS1Os1b9Jo14Kx4s9lxS_a3LQ_VO4HZSTCTVXuE/s640/london+chai+party.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhiEawnW9wp2JYpDhvIifwLn6eUxChixeS4pcTjQGMq9kc1zC3HOXCiP9FRQKCnCdS4vI4q-LFK_ezFF9SWJrXM9x93Ky74R1zsSspGwaICdx8OnM3UB2X8T9HfkkNLRf1_pfqPBVd6Y/s1600/zoe+spice+scribe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhiEawnW9wp2JYpDhvIifwLn6eUxChixeS4pcTjQGMq9kc1zC3HOXCiP9FRQKCnCdS4vI4q-LFK_ezFF9SWJrXM9x93Ky74R1zsSspGwaICdx8OnM3UB2X8T9HfkkNLRf1_pfqPBVd6Y/s640/zoe+spice+scribe.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">AUGUST (part 2): <a href="http://www.udayalondon.com/">UDAYA</a></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A mere two weeks after our first eat-out, we met up again to celebrate the Keralan festival of Onam. For just £10 per person we each got 28 vegetarian dishes, served authentically on a banana leaf, eaten using hands...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The aspect that intrigued me the most was the ordering of the leaf, everyone's looked identical and each was served up in exactly the same order. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Only served once a year, the Onam feast is usually something observed at home, so to have somewhere in London where you can come to sample of it is an amazing privilege. Anyone who is vegetarian (in fact much of the meal was vegan) should put the date in their diary now for next year and for those who aren't, the whole experience is so unique, it should be tried at least once in your life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>SEPTEMBER: Anjappar (Chettinad cuisine)</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My first experience of Chettinad food, which is the local cuisine in Chennai, the menu here was diverse, affordable and delicious, if a little on the spicy side. We ordered an epic feast which included dishes like idli and sambar and a huge masala fish... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The classic South Indian dosa was on the menu too and it was about as impressive as they get in size. (A dosa is a light crepe style dish with a filling, get the full lowdown on <a href="https://culinaryadventuresofthespicescribe.wordpress.com/2014/03/03/guide_to_indian_dosa_varieties_what_where_how_cook_recipes_restaurants_london_britain/">Zoe's blog</a>.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As I was new to Chettinad food I opted for a thali to get a flavour of what's on offer. It was an epic platter which included a small dessert of rice pudding with tapioca balls, which was so tasty I had another two pots of it afterwards!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The food here (although a little hot for my palette) was excellent value and the venue was spacious enough for a large group. They also accommodated our many requests for take away containers with ease - this Eat Up Crew never wastes, we'll always finish off any leftovers later! This is a restaurant we'll be visiting again, in 2016.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>OCTOBER: Aappa Kadai, </b></span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">315 High St North, East Ham, London, E12 6SL. </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This visit was one big hopper fest. The hoppers are made in view of you and you order them as you need them - and we all needed several!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Alongside the classic Bull's Eye egg hoppers, there were also meat, curried egg and cheese hoppers, which cost between £1 and £1.50. Each was used to mop up curries. The most popular of which was the garlic curry. I would never have thought of ordering a garlic curry but it was amazing. It consisted of soft, whole garlic cloves and was a bit like when you roast them and they become all yummy and moist inside.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The biggest revelation of the evening however, was that I had my first dessert hopper. A plain hopper with a filling of warm, sweet coconut milk, it was Comfort food with a capital C. So, so good. Every bite was a mouthful of heaven. Just writing about it is bringing back all the sensations. It's actually not listed on the menu, but now you know they make them, ask for one!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>NOVEMBER: Hopper's London</b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The most anticipated restaurant opening in London in the South Asian food scene in 2016, <a href="http://www.hopperslondon.com/">Hoppers London </a>has been reviewed and praised by just about every food journalist and publication growing with full mark reviews each time. At triple the price of what we are used to paying in East Ham, but in central London surroundings, with a swankier, rather than rustic setting, although initially we were a bit sceptical, the fuss became clear as soon as we sat down.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The first thing one needs to know about Hoppers London is that they don't take bookings, you have to queue. Upon arrival, our group were told the wait was one hour, which then changed to two hours so we chilled in a nearby pub beforehand. Just as the second round of drinks arrived we were messaged to say if we didn't get there in 10 minutes we would lose our table.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I feel this is a massive flaw in the service at Hoppers London, to chop and change timings is unfair then to be told you have two hours and then 10 minutes....it's not acceptable. If restaurants feel the need to run this way they should really have the option of some bookings and some drop ins. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thankfully despite this poor level of service in terms of trying to eat here, the food was delicious, menu prices not as bad as we had anticipated and the atmosphere was warm and welcoming, though seating is a little cramped.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We began with testing out the 'short eats' part of the menu, which is essentially starters and included Sri Lankan specialities like string hoppers (light noodles) and bone marrow before going onto the main event - the hoppers! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Perfectly formed and served with your choice of curry and optional condiments, the hopper was a joy to eat and everyone polished it off with ease. Most of us had two hoppers to mop up the curry, before we then ordered the full dessert menu which we devoured in an instant, they were all divine. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our meal came to £25pp with drinks and all of us enjoyed the food. I would definitely like to go back I'm just sure sure about the whole booking/queing/trying to get a table situation. I hope they read this and realise the system needs improving. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>DECEMBER: Aappa Kadai (again!) 315 High St North, East Ham, London, E12 6SL. </b></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For our final feast of the year, it had to be hoppers so we we returned to Aappa Kadai, where before we put our hopper orders in, we dined on a medley of starters including crispy okra and battered cauliflower. And of course we ended the meal with yummy dessert, coconut milk infused hoppers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our meal with drinks came to £15pp. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>JOIN THE #EATUPCREW</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We've not set dates for 2016 yet but we've agreed that the #EatUpCrew will continue. It's been a real pleasure to connect with so many new people, all bound by our passion for South Indian food. It's a great way to do something social, without the pressures of spending too much money and with food is common, breaking the ice for conversations is easy. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If the idea of trying South Indian food, sampling different dishes, or simply hanging out with some friendly people, follow the hashtag #EatUpCrew on twitter or get in touch with me.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's to more foodie friends and foodie gatherings in 2016!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Momtazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11578256722034844409noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029867388895079241.post-14012044148325667942015-10-31T16:16:00.002+00:002015-10-31T16:55:29.757+00:00Asian Media Awards 2015 - My 'Finalist' Outfit!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlD9GFipyMQ2vlUiukFnImX_By5DxsBzcpNj-HNUylXEXHF08T-x_1HikEzkrss3eWKQK_zvTjRVVz-PDBe9zLRkVTGvN22HMtIH2TLln5K2SD-6-FQI4m1xQdbE0Ybwxj_pCN0yUPBXk/s1600/Momtaz+Begum-Hossain+Asian+Media+Awards+2015+interview.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlD9GFipyMQ2vlUiukFnImX_By5DxsBzcpNj-HNUylXEXHF08T-x_1HikEzkrss3eWKQK_zvTjRVVz-PDBe9zLRkVTGvN22HMtIH2TLln5K2SD-6-FQI4m1xQdbE0Ybwxj_pCN0yUPBXk/s640/Momtaz+Begum-Hossain+Asian+Media+Awards+2015+interview.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's not like I need an excuse to dress up. But when there's a specific event, there's nothing I love more than curating a special outfit, just for that day. As a Finalist in the 'TV Presenter Of The Year' category at The Asian Media Awards 2015, I was extra excited and enthused about the possibilities. In this interview I did above when I arrived I was asked 'do you dress like that just to stand out?' The answer? NO! This is me. I have expressed myself through fashion ever since I was at primary school - styling skills like this don't just come overnight you know! While my look is clearly not to everyone's tastes, I have only ever dressed for <b>ME</b>. So here's what I created for the Asian Media Awards 2015: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>'Desi Spacegirl'</i> <i>a sci-fi inspired hybrid of cyber punk chic and Bollywood Glamour...</i></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQf9_9vVZgI8fgL_9xTL8SG9fWsbkybJHt0xYl5JI1pRtQNBpv6fpBEBfCfM13V9dU3GYLMu4rT9890oCkWUdD1OABRw8WOVp7hbuCC9irXZvURDaCof94Ln9gbhzcKJsnSJtr4lxfsA/s1600/IMG_3389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqQf9_9vVZgI8fgL_9xTL8SG9fWsbkybJHt0xYl5JI1pRtQNBpv6fpBEBfCfM13V9dU3GYLMu4rT9890oCkWUdD1OABRw8WOVp7hbuCC9irXZvURDaCof94Ln9gbhzcKJsnSJtr4lxfsA/s640/IMG_3389.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>The Outfit in full, shot at Hotel Gotham, in Manchester, where I stayed</i></span></span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">THE DRESS</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Finding the right dress was the starting point. I knew early on I wanted something 'fusion' flavoured. I had no intention of buying an Indian outfit or borrowing one, I wanted to get something handmade. I had a look on Etsy which is filled with indie designers (I prefer to support them over big brands) and came across the shimmering styles by <a href="http://coquetryclothing.com/">Coquetry Clothing</a>. It was one of those instant YES's - the bit that did it for me was the sleeves and I love a flared skirt.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">THE ACCESSORIES</span></b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Trims bought in Green Street, London</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The dress needed heels to make it work so I bought a plain pair from Ebay and customised them. As the dress clearly had a Western feel I wanted my accessories to add the Asian vibe so I decided to create my own. I didn't need to buy a bag, a few months ago my friend Zoe was chucking out an old Indian clutch and it was the perfect size for carrying what I needed for the event - lipgloss and lots of business cards! It was a good excuse to top up my trim supplies so I had a spree in a gorgeous new haberdashery in East London.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Materials I used to customise Bollywood themed shoes and handbag</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And here are The Shoes...(thanks Suman for the photo!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And...The Clutch</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>For finishing touches I had some mendhi done on one of my hands from the Pavan Henna Bar in Selfridges</i></span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-qpvEt9y-M2pQhjL1S2dwBFM30-lUsl05WYvLJNPgo2H_a2lVR1nZ11BHunyyZGkjVy5J2kiBRuLs7pxPLQt42UAuakeuS0BxXFWmr6M6a0rJ7yKTLjfoIPNi_o3BMk4Ict14qyfgD5s/s1600/detail+of+mendhi+hand+on+bollywood+clutch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>...and to add a cosmic edge I had some galaxy themed nails done (these are my real nail, not not fake ones!) Thanks Susanna for the artistry.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I used a folky themed trim to make a belt (I added ties and beads at the end). It fit around my waist with just enough left to make a matching cuff.)</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">THE MAKE-UP</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have long been an admirer of Make-Up Artist <a href="http://www.armandinternationalltd.com/">Armand Beasley</a>, he's not your typical MUA, he's much more creative and understands what femininity and individuality mean. He's also based in Manchester (though if Goldy Hawn is in the UK, he's her personal MUA - thankfully she didn't need him the night of the awards - so I nabbed him for me!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Armand created this incredible '<i>Starship Troopers</i> meets <i>Blade Runner</i> meets Glamazon look'...perfect for my Desi Spacegirl theme - and you saw it here first. Gold eyebrows are going to be a thing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The event itself was fun, positive and filled with smiles. I caught up with friends and influential people. I'm a massive supporter of the Asian Media industry, I've been involved in it since I was 17 and I hope I'll always have a chance to make my mark in it, and the wider media world.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here's some more snaps from the glittering evening...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh60MeBYqOvvYkVYAg_UfI_U3aansTChbOpmn1CUbfQ3O-a_lwWa5g_JbyCw39MFKmWbgtZ7Puer_z9jfTkaHMKDhlq4u4dzsALpUoqEF5QM-XdLPlKU47nT_JkEF4_Obf4Y6MGMxPwvEI/s1600/momtaz+begum+hossain+finalist+asian+media+awards_tv_presenter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh60MeBYqOvvYkVYAg_UfI_U3aansTChbOpmn1CUbfQ3O-a_lwWa5g_JbyCw39MFKmWbgtZ7Puer_z9jfTkaHMKDhlq4u4dzsALpUoqEF5QM-XdLPlKU47nT_JkEF4_Obf4Y6MGMxPwvEI/s640/momtaz+begum+hossain+finalist+asian+media+awards_tv_presenter.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>With Asad Shan, who won TV Presenter Of The Year (no hard feelings...clearly we should Co-Present something!)</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Fabulous actresses Clara Indrani and Goldy Notay whose play Happy Birthday Sunita was nominated for Best Stage Show</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>TV & Radio Presenter extraordinaire Shay Grewal</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>BBC Asian Network's Haroon Rashid with Video Channel Of The Year winner Planet Parle</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTGSnXFQPVoaja607vHj9nvX63D4z1InCZIDoRF_ySR0G244lPhfWf90BXOY0UzoQOofeaQS_YKX46DKhMAetGG7I2rKVeTpqH5-aej8tUJrR-ohu8gd2wER-dLqzME_h0Z1BY5E7E5M/s1600/momtaz+and+nat+bollywood+at+asian+media+awards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGTGSnXFQPVoaja607vHj9nvX63D4z1InCZIDoRF_ySR0G244lPhfWf90BXOY0UzoQOofeaQS_YKX46DKhMAetGG7I2rKVeTpqH5-aej8tUJrR-ohu8gd2wER-dLqzME_h0Z1BY5E7E5M/s640/momtaz+and+nat+bollywood+at+asian+media+awards.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>With Nat Bollywood & Matt Doodling Around</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>The Asian Media Awards 2015 took place at The Hilton Deansgate in Manchester. See the full list of winners <a href="http://www.asianmediaawards.com/asian-media-awards-2015-winners/">here</a>.</i></span></div>
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<br />Momtazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11578256722034844409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029867388895079241.post-47202653195131457032015-10-23T12:17:00.001+01:002015-10-23T12:43:16.187+01:00The Best Vintage Clothes Shop In London (well the cheapest anyway!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2kxuaLTNLcqeabPtbAT5HjpD9s7oZ66zXSEmk-AIx1qnu_vmbvOhyphenhyphen4F0TN0TtVsRdzFD-0EQDOblpzsvfkU6kOGECMspfU9twRZET5UHMlUoHEsicvbnpQhjwV2w9BZFSluKz4i2Ks4/s1600/vintage+dress+from+London+Mile+End.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2kxuaLTNLcqeabPtbAT5HjpD9s7oZ66zXSEmk-AIx1qnu_vmbvOhyphenhyphen4F0TN0TtVsRdzFD-0EQDOblpzsvfkU6kOGECMspfU9twRZET5UHMlUoHEsicvbnpQhjwV2w9BZFSluKz4i2Ks4/s640/vintage+dress+from+London+Mile+End.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The other day my colleague popped in the office and told me he'd just seen a sign for a vintage fashion shop where you can stock up as much as you want for a tenner. We've been located near Mile End for the last five months and I can honestly say that despite the proximity to the park and canal there is NOTHING HERE, so to discover there is a clothes shop for me to hang out in was music to my ears. And he wasn't wrong. I popped in a few days later and found myself lost in a warehouse filled with clothes and when I say filled, I mean FILLED!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbOnN7slObgjWc1A6LPgN1Ll5kWKTuMw2hEUrYlSsTSbEex8YGdFnR4sOxPrJ2PFR6hRx-YS0hZkz7K87Zo_EOtmvPjMBvjoYOFIVpPmncaUq6yuAF6ciwdyhKrR0i9JKmE_Wa4-GhJA/s1600/mile+end+vintage+store+warehouse.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbOnN7slObgjWc1A6LPgN1Ll5kWKTuMw2hEUrYlSsTSbEex8YGdFnR4sOxPrJ2PFR6hRx-YS0hZkz7K87Zo_EOtmvPjMBvjoYOFIVpPmncaUq6yuAF6ciwdyhKrR0i9JKmE_Wa4-GhJA/s640/mile+end+vintage+store+warehouse.png" width="632" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Taken from Mile End Vintage's Instagram account</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.eastendvintageclothing.com/">Mile End Vintagestore</a> does indeed work by a 'stock up on what you want' policy. You take either a small bag (which is still huge) or a large bag, fill it up with whatever you want for either £10 or £20 and that's it, done deal, a whole new wardrobe for less than a weekly travelcard. There are some rails of 'priced items' but they won't break the bank.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I popped in one lunch hour and only managed to make a dent in the stock, I didn't even get a chance to fill a bag. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />But's here's what I did take home:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>3 Dresses</b></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sixties launderette chic</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9J-yUNqWwo4Agj4-wigUwRDjcAl0fbwTQydmbE66X4gptygqk-Fhg0cqFcnHtxvDe9MnvFP9FVdfzphnGFnfuLtViZHqI3rTiHo77D_KZ60ntZohKcUFe98HaAjUDrBi8_cF616Pu9Uk/s640/vintage+dress+from+London+Mile+End.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seventies Hippy Dippy</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYVjpw-w7JubVXlCSn1H1jYCG1cLfR0r93Diwcg8ot2j8BY9lJTvwAjwv_W7Do1aPiDb7mGokDAJHiQ4Hs0k7HF-XRWQWyBxb61gyNJXblf_ZGltN_LIzekTQi6LR3ZQPWwl7-MUe1Aw/s1600/mile+end+vintage+80s+dress.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitYVjpw-w7JubVXlCSn1H1jYCG1cLfR0r93Diwcg8ot2j8BY9lJTvwAjwv_W7Do1aPiDb7mGokDAJHiQ4Hs0k7HF-XRWQWyBxb61gyNJXblf_ZGltN_LIzekTQi6LR3ZQPWwl7-MUe1Aw/s640/mile+end+vintage+80s+dress.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eighties power dress</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>1 knitted tank top</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuDdOT7qVN0gKOtKJGbx1WGIPJPNaImXUo2ums2Y4PyIUHHAjw44S9RQcXwDRcSHkdIknjheFbBz9sHwXXQ4nWvzz5aCjeMr9KL_4ztCqRxFekrHqbfA11D5YWbnTiK4o23G27ulzX_c/s1600/vintage+scarf+bought+from+Mile+End+v.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuDdOT7qVN0gKOtKJGbx1WGIPJPNaImXUo2ums2Y4PyIUHHAjw44S9RQcXwDRcSHkdIknjheFbBz9sHwXXQ4nWvzz5aCjeMr9KL_4ztCqRxFekrHqbfA11D5YWbnTiK4o23G27ulzX_c/s640/vintage+scarf+bought+from+Mile+End+v.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>1 jacket* </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">NOT PHOTOGRAPHED YET! (check back soon!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">*it's pink wool, was a bit big for me, so I am currently having it taken in by six inches so it's nice and fitted!</span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">ALL THIS BOOTY FOR THE GRAND SUM </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">of £6!!!!!! Yes £6 and it's all good quality stuff.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've been to ALOT of vintage clothing emporiums in my time, I used to live in Brighton, home of vintage chic and I spend a lot of time in Brick Lane, the heart of vintage in London. Generally the stores are colourful, creatively decorated with retro music blaring out of speakers and the costs vary from 'that's pretty good' to 'hmmm should I really spend that much?'.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4B1dpLqk1dhtRhzhc15wNOGC7CtrExWD4x-UsOsYNeFFp2472tMEsU26aM6R-SnZk_P-jFBhYVFgJxHuE9x0tZ23rPDe01QEHqDl6QZJ2sAMP184Y9AsMiNctPRQoqIzrykg44PkvjGs/s1600/mile+end+vintage+store+rails.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4B1dpLqk1dhtRhzhc15wNOGC7CtrExWD4x-UsOsYNeFFp2472tMEsU26aM6R-SnZk_P-jFBhYVFgJxHuE9x0tZ23rPDe01QEHqDl6QZJ2sAMP184Y9AsMiNctPRQoqIzrykg44PkvjGs/s640/mile+end+vintage+store+rails.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">Taken from Mile End Vintage's Instagram account</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Take away all the styling and fanfayre and what really matters is the clothes, and <a href="http://www.eastendvintageclothing.com/">Mile End</a> has plenty. 1/3 warehouse, 1/3 market stall and 1/3 shop, it really is a proper bargain hunter's paradise and if you have time on your hands you really can dig deep and discover incredible finds.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's a clean and spacious setting and there are several changing rooms. The team also offer an alteration service so if the dress you find is too long or jacket not figure hugging enough they can sort that out for you. Most exciting of all though is that stock changes regularly AND they hold regular £1 sales at weekends.....including this weekend <b>23rd and 24th October. </b>Which translates as buying clothes for £1.<b> £1.</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdypcM-1CNm4_62XQ9OJU_5_8KUdzCwmiSv0BPsoUv8Y6hlyZ2kf6QBk9OrUgOQ-2bP1vKSD_QgglXGrJdef6fte0TtChbaA6rwCAtomDGwDk7ygDTcaaFutMekJx4zmWx74PguXUgFk/s1600/mile+end+vintage+store+%25C2%25A31+sale.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdypcM-1CNm4_62XQ9OJU_5_8KUdzCwmiSv0BPsoUv8Y6hlyZ2kf6QBk9OrUgOQ-2bP1vKSD_QgglXGrJdef6fte0TtChbaA6rwCAtomDGwDk7ygDTcaaFutMekJx4zmWx74PguXUgFk/s640/mile+end+vintage+store+%25C2%25A31+sale.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken from Mile End Vintage's Instagram account</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are a variety of styles from different genres and decades in stock, for guys and girls. Above are some happy shoppers from their last Pound Sale.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I called this post 'The Best Vintage Clothes Shop' in London and I believe this because going there is a proper shopping experience. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's not about beautifully pressed frocks hanging on lace covered hangers beside a jukebox....this is rifling through a neverending car boot sale where treasure could be anywhere. And when you discover something you like that , there's a great sense of achievement that you don't get from ordinary shopping.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yes there are plenty of vintage shops, markets, fairs and boutiques in London but they are so predictable. At <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mileendvintage">Mile End Vintagestore</a> however you really don't know what you'll find.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> It gets my thumbs up and I recommend making the trip here when you can. Now then, when am I next going back? *consults diary*</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Mile End Vintagestore, 452-454 Robeson Street, London, E3 4JA. Follow their social media to find out about their £1 sales, next one Sat Oct 23rd and Sun Oct 24th 2015. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Usual hours are 11am-6pm and 2pm-7pm Fridays. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><a href="http://www.eastendvintageclothing.com/">www.eastendvintageclothing.com</a></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Momtazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11578256722034844409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029867388895079241.post-64632705079996023632015-09-19T20:19:00.002+01:002015-09-19T20:40:49.833+01:00The Handmade Fair 2015 - Live Craft Mash Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLylhTo02H2eQSCkhQtiiAACWl4mCxAKTMx3G6kjrCRoVlCMgCXgZ2Olb_luIUM1096jyV8hfRgnTFn0gLREL6LXRTsS4H9OXZYCICLI0lUErrASEphl0YkzEOiKECoQqFQ9vYjUUzFg/s1600/highlights+from+the+handmade+fair+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLylhTo02H2eQSCkhQtiiAACWl4mCxAKTMx3G6kjrCRoVlCMgCXgZ2Olb_luIUM1096jyV8hfRgnTFn0gLREL6LXRTsS4H9OXZYCICLI0lUErrASEphl0YkzEOiKECoQqFQ9vYjUUzFg/s640/highlights+from+the+handmade+fair+2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a case of <i>Knitter vs Glitter </i>this weekend as I returned to <a href="http://www.thehandmadefair.com/">Kirstie Allsop's Handmade Fair </a>as one of her <a href="http://www.thehandmadefair.com/kirsties-experts/">Craft Experts </a>to take part in Friday's <a href="http://www.thehandmadefair.com/momtaz-begum-hossain">Live Craft Mash Up</a>, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sponsored by <a href="http://www.molliemakes.com/">Mollie Makes </a>magazine and <a href="http://www.hobbycraft.co.uk/">HobbyCraft</a>, and this time I was up against the fabulous (and feline friendly) <a href="http://www.whodunnknit.com/">Deadly Knitshade</a>. We were both given a plain polysterene wreath to decorate, in front of a live audience in just 45 minutes.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In advance of the Mash Up we were asked what materials we'd like, I opted for the stuff I love best: sparkles, spangles, glitter, confetti, sequins and lots and lots of gemstones, while Deadly Knitshade brought in yarn (obviously!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As she wound her wreath with a pre-knitted fluro magenta panel, I got messy decoupaging the base - both of us crafted while being interviewed by our Mollie Makes host.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I hadn't tested out my design, just did a few sketches and developed a concept, inspired by both of our mops. DK is usually seen with blue hair while I'm currently rocking purple and green. Together we are a human peacock so I took my lead from that and whipped up a themed wreath.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJTXkx4bxRr9CEOVnqVQm_5ns8UMEYv0scxfCOaWQC5tftNS05-gElU2iWVj3sSJrf_BE0SZ-IlBL2Be76TDocG5vnEqQYdM2YpnFPO-am1KFjrQppETbMMH1_sWTBrKmfIMiAvmzxic/s1600/momtaz+and+lauren.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJTXkx4bxRr9CEOVnqVQm_5ns8UMEYv0scxfCOaWQC5tftNS05-gElU2iWVj3sSJrf_BE0SZ-IlBL2Be76TDocG5vnEqQYdM2YpnFPO-am1KFjrQppETbMMH1_sWTBrKmfIMiAvmzxic/s640/momtaz+and+lauren.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Due to time restraints it wasn't the neatest of craft projects but I did manage to cover the base, create some giant peacock eyes lined with sequin trim and filled them in with think confetti glitter, stick on lots of gems (whilst also welding some onto the table), before completing my design with a feature section made from peacock feathers and my piece-de-resistance, a felt peacock which I had stitched the night before in front of the telly.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Meanwhile Ms Knitshade transformed hers into a monster door knocker complete with bulging eyes and slithery bits</span>.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlYnPuP7nNhClrseBjl394Ji-uMYtgnV-wvt1e2W5w0oV1tLt03jznFvPd6x3baVCljI2ZhVfzIaccosMOu095kRtr-FkJCzVIjtOJW6uSCc9UuPG_mhE4yjRS-FtG4WVJWKceSIwM_o/s1600/lauren%2527s+monster+wreath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHlYnPuP7nNhClrseBjl394Ji-uMYtgnV-wvt1e2W5w0oV1tLt03jznFvPd6x3baVCljI2ZhVfzIaccosMOu095kRtr-FkJCzVIjtOJW6uSCc9UuPG_mhE4yjRS-FtG4WVJWKceSIwM_o/s640/lauren%2527s+monster+wreath.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: start;">The Knitter just pipped the Glitter to the post and Deadly Knitshade was crowned the champion of the Mash Up. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5qWnGWIszrNA0CmH7RpVUy8-imq_oWmhJU1XJaWPaoada6Lnmr3KwnskCj-oV9PmoMEeEh94E4ELgMmdUzNkqLQyqz-3GWbj3DyyZO_xopWF-liHObR7CyumHZ6tjBSdIamSGoyeTqE/s1600/deadlyknitshade+and+momtaz+with+handmade+fair+wreaths.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5qWnGWIszrNA0CmH7RpVUy8-imq_oWmhJU1XJaWPaoada6Lnmr3KwnskCj-oV9PmoMEeEh94E4ELgMmdUzNkqLQyqz-3GWbj3DyyZO_xopWF-liHObR7CyumHZ6tjBSdIamSGoyeTqE/s640/deadlyknitshade+and+momtaz+with+handmade+fair+wreaths.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I loved her creation and was pleased with mine too - I'm going to hang it proudly in my pad somewhere. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBSlAOSnTJDBmLAcScfqLgvKwq9u5dNyxqiMp6Gex1CiODdxODnZx8N67GkZV_oPDKSr8kEn4eMQ0RB0vLC41kbbWtXjO7MFgoB8FH8hjgmdEjzUOwHZ2Ps_2DKpPO8CC836mCvhKad0/s1600/peacock+wreath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBSlAOSnTJDBmLAcScfqLgvKwq9u5dNyxqiMp6Gex1CiODdxODnZx8N67GkZV_oPDKSr8kEn4eMQ0RB0vLC41kbbWtXjO7MFgoB8FH8hjgmdEjzUOwHZ2Ps_2DKpPO8CC836mCvhKad0/s640/peacock+wreath.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Think you don't have time to craft? Although we both did a wee bit of prep, we still managed to create crafty showstoppers in under an hour, see, it's possible! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Afterwards we hung out at the Fair, hooked up with some fellow crafters including knitter <a href="http://sincerelylouise.blogspot.co.uk/">Louise Walker</a>, printer <a href="http://www.zeenashah.com/">Zeena Shah</a> and animatronics/designer maker for film and TV, <a href="https://twitter.com/emma_brassfield">Emma Brassfield</a>. I also had a good old natter with some other crafty folk which was superb.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A fine afternoon of living the crafty life. I have a few more craft events appearing in my diary in the lead up to Christmas which is nice, including guesting at my local WI, hopefully running a workshop for a well-known brand and possibly recording a video too. Exciting!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Thanks to Lauren & Emma for taking most of these pics - if you were at The Handmade Fair at Hampton Court, I hope you had fun and extra special thanks to everyone who came to see us : ) </i></span></div>
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Momtazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11578256722034844409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029867388895079241.post-43633285177398505912015-09-01T07:56:00.003+01:002015-09-01T08:02:24.292+01:00Food & Nostalgia: Dishes my father liked<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddILueRKhgk_lQXLX-WLvhqwNdUJbpUNnIhDESQq6fnTVOy5SgKSHOIvOkyJr5uLl25SgsV9d7ShrRUimJVt1xev7eeYJCL-Fs2NxDDpT8MD2BeBC8CO58dwINy7HAleG1taguh4PKzA/s1600/IMG_2074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddILueRKhgk_lQXLX-WLvhqwNdUJbpUNnIhDESQq6fnTVOy5SgKSHOIvOkyJr5uLl25SgsV9d7ShrRUimJVt1xev7eeYJCL-Fs2NxDDpT8MD2BeBC8CO58dwINy7HAleG1taguh4PKzA/s640/IMG_2074.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've always loved the date September 1st. <br />After January 1st it's the best time for new beginnings. Symbolising the end of the summer and starting a new term. It's a positive, rejuvenating date...well it was until six years ago when it became the day my ubba (father) would depart this world. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Every year I write about him on this date because it's a chance for me to reflect on his life and everything he taught me. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This year's theme is food. <br />The foods that fill me with nostalgia and remind me of him. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-0ll0Oim0H-d6IzDMDyE6IO8PgQx_u1YPXYH6_AMFVOv2XRd-MjtmhdDZZAhoQqeYIWuPyBzQzRaMdQ6KboNglVd9cSFO5he-lC8jRH8eIyPvG5i4DuYTk30Yw0K2xL883DAC89Fg4Q/s1600/MaltedMilk_biscuits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-0ll0Oim0H-d6IzDMDyE6IO8PgQx_u1YPXYH6_AMFVOv2XRd-MjtmhdDZZAhoQqeYIWuPyBzQzRaMdQ6KboNglVd9cSFO5he-lC8jRH8eIyPvG5i4DuYTk30Yw0K2xL883DAC89Fg4Q/s640/MaltedMilk_biscuits.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Malted Milk Biscuits</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Every Bangladeshi father has a thing for biscuits. Whenever mine visited Bangladesh he'd carry empty tupperware in his suitcase, which he'd bring back to the UK, filled with traditional biscuits. They were sold loose by weight, so he'd take the packaging from home, as you needed something to put them in. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But when the stash was finished he'd have to resort to British biccies. Scottish shortbread was an early favourite as were Sports biscuits but Malted Milks were the reigning champion. He clearly had good taste because they really are the ultimate dunking biscuit. I don't eat them often but I'm going to buy a pack today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Milk and Rice</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is something I remember clearly during my childhood. After we'd finished our evening meal of curry and rice, cooked by my mother, sometimes she'd make him a special dessert (just for him), which consisted of leftover rice cooked in warm milk. It was like a really basic rice pudding. It never sounded or looked very appetising to me especially as when she made proper rice pudding it was delicious, but this strange dessert was something he liked. Maybe it was his nostalgic food. He was certainly very happy when he ate it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Crunchy Nut Cornflakes</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ubba's breakfast consisted of egg on toast with honey and a bowl of Crunchy Nut Cornflakes, mixed with muesli, then heated in the microwave with milk (the third milky dish that appears on this list!). He had a sweet tooth and anything honey flavoured was welcomed.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Ab4UFZa4dt9YNZpk7NpvjAB7n86Vie-9vMR40IqHuOQXIJKUj9IlvEnF4ypxpxMzfv_nIbCRuhE78ZHH4YbVrHsv88Ne9Y4cGhLVBOJQ7MJO88d99UO9s-sMbfw00tx3u5mKQWTvuBA/s1600/lucozade+old.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Ab4UFZa4dt9YNZpk7NpvjAB7n86Vie-9vMR40IqHuOQXIJKUj9IlvEnF4ypxpxMzfv_nIbCRuhE78ZHH4YbVrHsv88Ne9Y4cGhLVBOJQ7MJO88d99UO9s-sMbfw00tx3u5mKQWTvuBA/s640/lucozade+old.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Lucozade</b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Not strictly food, but other than drinking 1/2 cups of tea throughout the day and the occasional Indian Tonic water (which was a much revered drink in our household), Lucozade was ubba's favourite tipple, he always had a bottle in the house. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have other fond foodie memories too like him buying monkey nuts when we were kids and treats from Greggs bakery like apple turnovers, London cheesecakes (pictured), and swiss buns or ring doughnuts. We didn't have a lot of money but he always made sure we had something yummy to eat after school.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After my mother died he lost his appetite. I missed her cooking so much, but it was worse for ubba. He had been living on her home cooked Bangladeshi food for over 30 years so to suddenly have that taken from him - it's something he never spoke about, or I ever asked him about; it's only now that I think about the emotional and physical effects that would have had on him, and on anyone in a similar situation.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One day he got really upset and angry with me because I bought some supermarket samosas. At the time I thought he was being mean, but maybe it's because he just missed my mother's?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In losing his appetite ubba moved away from Bangladeshi food and started eating Western food, but I'll never forget the time (shortly after my mum passed away) that I made him veggie burgers for dinner. That night he had the worst stomach pains of his life, probably because after years of home cooking his body wasn't used to processed food. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I spent a lot of time with him when I first moved back home after university and we always ate together - it was a bond we shared. Eating together is so much better than eating alone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I didn't anticipate it, but this has been the most difficult piece to write about him. In previous years (<a href="http://www.cosilikemakingstuff.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/daddys-girl.html">2014</a>,<a href="http://www.cosilikemakingstuff.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/a-holiday-with-my-daddy.html"> 2013,</a> <a href="http://www.cosilikemakingstuff.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/10-things-my-dad-taught-me.html">2012,</a> <a href="http://www.cosilikemakingstuff.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/my-dad-tribute.html">2011</a>, <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2010/sep/01/lost-cultural-identity-bangladeshi-ramadan">2010)</a> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">it's felt more joyful recalling his memory, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">but food, I've just discovered is very personal and nostalgic, making this much more of an emotional experience. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm not one for dragging out long cathartic blog posts, I'd rather take some time out now and think about him in my prayers than type away on my laptop, so I'll leave it at this. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Looking forward to dunking a Malted Milk biscuit into my tea for elevensees this morning, feel free to join me! </span>Momtazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11578256722034844409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029867388895079241.post-28183826648753548822015-08-29T13:21:00.001+01:002015-08-29T17:30:05.757+01:00Summer Holiday Narrowboating <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcsWpzutFehkc9rVf36Ex4UyYXumqWhEgv4Hjm5Q0w2EeTSkugzs_0UD4u_VesqfpxrZD18SzCZAGjAGMwRX7gvAD3kpiWL2S32DaEFbgaBJ8ynoQrW4sRDKfulLNVwBlA9f3CXDedUo/s1600/thumb_IMG_3396_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcsWpzutFehkc9rVf36Ex4UyYXumqWhEgv4Hjm5Q0w2EeTSkugzs_0UD4u_VesqfpxrZD18SzCZAGjAGMwRX7gvAD3kpiWL2S32DaEFbgaBJ8ynoQrW4sRDKfulLNVwBlA9f3CXDedUo/s640/thumb_IMG_3396_1024.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When one of my sisters invited the entire family on a narrowboating trip this summer I was the first to say yes. I've always marvelled at canals and canal boats, but a week before, fear set in. We've never been on an extended family holiday and 11 of us were about to live in eachother's pockets in the most squashed conditions imaginable and hey this is Britain, rain was inevitable. All of a sudden I wanted to abandon ship before I'd even boarded - was this going to be the worst holiday ever?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNmc-ykluligoy_2oSF6ku6cCb27jz2hps8wKE_ifPXlHBP0ceEf8qYnACo8bOo5nGOKcb_ivpHKVL5qc9ATwW_7h1AEbepwEOyyoMz7QmnA5jgdNVlTMHij99HDGep4-1yRYI8ZNMSg/s1600/thumb_IMG_3013_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbNmc-ykluligoy_2oSF6ku6cCb27jz2hps8wKE_ifPXlHBP0ceEf8qYnACo8bOo5nGOKcb_ivpHKVL5qc9ATwW_7h1AEbepwEOyyoMz7QmnA5jgdNVlTMHij99HDGep4-1yRYI8ZNMSg/s640/thumb_IMG_3013_1024.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">With scenes this stunning...NEVER!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUG7LH148pQelvuY_Jcxd-0iD6rfuAndfg08iDkN_Xj5Zjbt6KzaoqjhAwp7yP0xCFmTysZOhQN6EhMWGA1_g9dI3og8SMgscRSg-htzm9o8X9qWH8yvmjHy2KgneL7fgd9-uhN91Cz8/s1600/thumb_IMG_3594_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEUG7LH148pQelvuY_Jcxd-0iD6rfuAndfg08iDkN_Xj5Zjbt6KzaoqjhAwp7yP0xCFmTysZOhQN6EhMWGA1_g9dI3og8SMgscRSg-htzm9o8X9qWH8yvmjHy2KgneL7fgd9-uhN91Cz8/s640/thumb_IMG_3594_1024.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The week we picked was one of those magical summer weeks where England really is a green and pleasant land (unlike the conditions under which I am writing this - grey skies and it's tipping it down!) </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4-0Bqb2glfgEKAyTDu5LS5d0oB2YviTMi7abtDiVb7Z2_tFZYGKuMPvf7REGLzlt8utsXmATRMrtyDjeQdwYYX0piUaDke5e31Y1AjxHsiFkQcYQvsUfnHpATmuFynpxYWIcTwRSjG8/s1600/thumb_IMG_3409_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4-0Bqb2glfgEKAyTDu5LS5d0oB2YviTMi7abtDiVb7Z2_tFZYGKuMPvf7REGLzlt8utsXmATRMrtyDjeQdwYYX0piUaDke5e31Y1AjxHsiFkQcYQvsUfnHpATmuFynpxYWIcTwRSjG8/s640/thumb_IMG_3409_1024.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I felt at home straight away. Ok it was a bit rustic (we ran out of water twice, electricity also had a tendency to reduce in the evenings and the bed reserved for me was the kitchen table (which converted rather impressively)...but that stuff was minor when the rest of the experience was so much fun.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sMPqMfHs6GVWnrvHYh9gnjiu4IGlVoHtkb9TbXI9_gWJ6QMTSZkA2mBTTxNn51LGWXRzUqeAkAJC0AdXLgKW86IJTI5OIkuxtmPmempBOWWTgD6dIAPu9O-plSoeQPk7iPPs0XpdVTg/s1600/thumb_IMG_3199_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4sMPqMfHs6GVWnrvHYh9gnjiu4IGlVoHtkb9TbXI9_gWJ6QMTSZkA2mBTTxNn51LGWXRzUqeAkAJC0AdXLgKW86IJTI5OIkuxtmPmempBOWWTgD6dIAPu9O-plSoeQPk7iPPs0XpdVTg/s640/thumb_IMG_3199_1024.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For a start I never knew cows drank canal water.....something you'd only know if you were living the canal life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTqoR0v-H7UgCFJgcOMqKQbdk5Eh7-GX-k7Um2R2onYZPoy8TVJn5shknYI9dGm9VGSTgXXiN0OIpdGTBAWY0uKZMMWfQ6TKmvQ8KbE-oe2GWVI3YTKkhAi9B7pmg57yZZMcatqJL9bo/s1600/thumb_IMG_3531_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTqoR0v-H7UgCFJgcOMqKQbdk5Eh7-GX-k7Um2R2onYZPoy8TVJn5shknYI9dGm9VGSTgXXiN0OIpdGTBAWY0uKZMMWfQ6TKmvQ8KbE-oe2GWVI3YTKkhAi9B7pmg57yZZMcatqJL9bo/s640/thumb_IMG_3531_1024.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Other than having to moor up frequently as locks approached,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvZXf4Qlck7Cp2mrHzudzNjie44DtdXHUIR-oveXuR4ZrQMRKVB1P1GsAXZ1hStrPTttx7BZ1SZ45MuUtvsVo9yBB1FpAonMfkdtCIgjLsQRmXEqACD6moE1YvH7_S7ogB3nQlby9xzE/s1600/thumb_IMG_2805_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfvZXf4Qlck7Cp2mrHzudzNjie44DtdXHUIR-oveXuR4ZrQMRKVB1P1GsAXZ1hStrPTttx7BZ1SZ45MuUtvsVo9yBB1FpAonMfkdtCIgjLsQRmXEqACD6moE1YvH7_S7ogB3nQlby9xzE/s640/thumb_IMG_2805_1024.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and having to open and close locks,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Mca9vpUBcPjpr91e1jgIoauiB5970nXzT8c0U7NjoEna5jNIW7d2DR8LUXNWsnsPd7gH-pu7DUcdBmE26tLJM3k6K8tPcz2g4MvCLHkLwxaYn0Hn6kHrjWkoe_4zalVvxPD7odQ6z2c/s1600/thumb_IMG_3588_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Mca9vpUBcPjpr91e1jgIoauiB5970nXzT8c0U7NjoEna5jNIW7d2DR8LUXNWsnsPd7gH-pu7DUcdBmE26tLJM3k6K8tPcz2g4MvCLHkLwxaYn0Hn6kHrjWkoe_4zalVvxPD7odQ6z2c/s640/thumb_IMG_3588_1024.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">....there was nothing much to do other than relax.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here's what we got up to whilst doing just that ...</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9UycU0lDkdPAB-_AGr4Fxyl5cwvFoHNJ9ng71FVK4hyrnAATg-1rLRRSAe6km9T9y_nxujk8cEPV6nHVyM-1D8t17FOMOSnSZHF6karEs-2XN3RKNgUEgSrcZdE0m4szu2gQ3VhvVDQ/s1600/thumb_IMG_3397_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9UycU0lDkdPAB-_AGr4Fxyl5cwvFoHNJ9ng71FVK4hyrnAATg-1rLRRSAe6km9T9y_nxujk8cEPV6nHVyM-1D8t17FOMOSnSZHF6karEs-2XN3RKNgUEgSrcZdE0m4szu2gQ3VhvVDQ/s640/thumb_IMG_3397_1024.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Country walks</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-D9Eq4H__UDLUhBkFDm2rfhJfvSutAlS3jTESLZfWYphDizUxobQIUMjRUu02xJiI6Y-ifj7u0Y-zQ4ekLdaO7BVGXtMdc7xyA4u8Vg7XYlvmgs9nCKv8da-LGk5lPbTtiZylQNn_-M/s1600/thumb_IMG_3559_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-D9Eq4H__UDLUhBkFDm2rfhJfvSutAlS3jTESLZfWYphDizUxobQIUMjRUu02xJiI6Y-ifj7u0Y-zQ4ekLdaO7BVGXtMdc7xyA4u8Vg7XYlvmgs9nCKv8da-LGk5lPbTtiZylQNn_-M/s640/thumb_IMG_3559_1024.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lots and lots of geocaching</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2EKYF69eLxbbEZmdvYUIa664nQ_myCHkoBLAHDJbIGybPujgxohyYQ65uprNjd_qXSnrO3cu8GugHLEPLhf-pODgi9YGl0hcHDDaL328iNeS7vU6sn2eaKG7GkPQGaxWJvcdMjZlk49w/s1600/thumb_IMG_3557_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2EKYF69eLxbbEZmdvYUIa664nQ_myCHkoBLAHDJbIGybPujgxohyYQ65uprNjd_qXSnrO3cu8GugHLEPLhf-pODgi9YGl0hcHDDaL328iNeS7vU6sn2eaKG7GkPQGaxWJvcdMjZlk49w/s640/thumb_IMG_3557_1024.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(Finding treasures like this)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie04mvFTGEMPifHAhYoHb4Lt7vWHTcP592sxrY2GzXZZGmDbJSfpK089fxnvtKyioqyhKdqU_9IQUusGJkZVY_Mw6fmjpvPNu7-YKDsDwBV1m_6HXGcHGgG9AB0cnqcQEetpczZgHbJuw/s1600/thumb_IMG_3545_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie04mvFTGEMPifHAhYoHb4Lt7vWHTcP592sxrY2GzXZZGmDbJSfpK089fxnvtKyioqyhKdqU_9IQUusGJkZVY_Mw6fmjpvPNu7-YKDsDwBV1m_6HXGcHGgG9AB0cnqcQEetpczZgHbJuw/s640/thumb_IMG_3545_1024.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Picking blackberries directly off the the canal route - (our version of foraging)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkhJ9jYmL44cNy8H3uIPxdPK1FnQqj7FXzCSBlno4fhLAZyFsF1Ltel0W5flQu-hgoJthHAji_MpfZiYj95ciUbGi5J7cu8opf5kKge5MMbaQTUi-OJt4gsf414ea_MUhOA9LH7I0mR0/s1600/thumb_IMG_3570_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkhJ9jYmL44cNy8H3uIPxdPK1FnQqj7FXzCSBlno4fhLAZyFsF1Ltel0W5flQu-hgoJthHAji_MpfZiYj95ciUbGi5J7cu8opf5kKge5MMbaQTUi-OJt4gsf414ea_MUhOA9LH7I0mR0/s640/thumb_IMG_3570_1024.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Which we turned into yummy dessert (ok, one of my sisters did - not me, I just ate it!)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifcRwlijAdQNSSksb0a5lLtRgFckq89UQVzhE1O-Sq6oDPEZyRuYmsG5bLLiPNWZE_AbJlcQlvp-QPDeBBcht2DpPXaOCAPI-M4E2H5WJP-GQ5QxDSIhOyBGukluNS9uohMR1-ae_Rtmg/s1600/thumb_IMG_3605_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifcRwlijAdQNSSksb0a5lLtRgFckq89UQVzhE1O-Sq6oDPEZyRuYmsG5bLLiPNWZE_AbJlcQlvp-QPDeBBcht2DpPXaOCAPI-M4E2H5WJP-GQ5QxDSIhOyBGukluNS9uohMR1-ae_Rtmg/s640/thumb_IMG_3605_1024.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I thought I'd knit more but actually the views were so incredible I was occupied just looking out and taking it all in.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMi2mcz940ukMtEbv_01Lr52Ou9SpGUZ_CL7lRkYfzWOTAb9k9sE4nyxtV9fEtPIKFSvxMQ3kRo8o4tUkGPA5zhA4iNWRPWvlEKzDf4QWpC2FDuyOAOS0PPMu1_2aaSSMyuxNEWfqj_es/s1600/thumb_IMG_2940_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMi2mcz940ukMtEbv_01Lr52Ou9SpGUZ_CL7lRkYfzWOTAb9k9sE4nyxtV9fEtPIKFSvxMQ3kRo8o4tUkGPA5zhA4iNWRPWvlEKzDf4QWpC2FDuyOAOS0PPMu1_2aaSSMyuxNEWfqj_es/s640/thumb_IMG_2940_1024.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We went on duck watch and duck count...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguXfbAW3cnASu7Nla-142AphYlNhEV9UtIEzAEAWI5ej7Tjm5ANweB-koO0ci2HePFX8Ujo4nZTaYe9IexmtW3fReRgyDy9lg1QdEa6-ElrGJBQ7ugMqGyp6jlY1t5MfxUVhriFpHuohw/s1600/thumb_IMG_3105_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguXfbAW3cnASu7Nla-142AphYlNhEV9UtIEzAEAWI5ej7Tjm5ANweB-koO0ci2HePFX8Ujo4nZTaYe9IexmtW3fReRgyDy9lg1QdEa6-ElrGJBQ7ugMqGyp6jlY1t5MfxUVhriFpHuohw/s640/thumb_IMG_3105_1024.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">...make that dog watch too - there are so many dogs aboard canal boats.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGHlUpihAr-dLMBsaWwPgqJ3zQ8ednikFUcH8pi8HSa3Vme2IBU17veCzuD_DLvc8gzv4R6XE0jSpeAZldmYR821ESHxlX8ATjKsKGhPa5EoH9cgEjZ75SfJZQ5VkYU-lPB1ZWcVj5X4/s1600/thumb_IMG_3132_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGHlUpihAr-dLMBsaWwPgqJ3zQ8ednikFUcH8pi8HSa3Vme2IBU17veCzuD_DLvc8gzv4R6XE0jSpeAZldmYR821ESHxlX8ATjKsKGhPa5EoH9cgEjZ75SfJZQ5VkYU-lPB1ZWcVj5X4/s640/thumb_IMG_3132_1024.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">On one of our stop off day trips we met a mini pig. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDVfRLsZEpDm7Qzm6EX5n9Ri_pMfnRYLjrmAimH147Vj4kt9HBdhfEmNJc9uUR9_YKXbq97t6oivcxrRa18htBiH0Y3qCRAS0g1pwc7KLoOhEtSNobqa9XvZ-xpIr00QoRcV4bUP-ZcJg/s1600/thumb_IMG_3533_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDVfRLsZEpDm7Qzm6EX5n9Ri_pMfnRYLjrmAimH147Vj4kt9HBdhfEmNJc9uUR9_YKXbq97t6oivcxrRa18htBiH0Y3qCRAS0g1pwc7KLoOhEtSNobqa9XvZ-xpIr00QoRcV4bUP-ZcJg/s640/thumb_IMG_3533_1024.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Charlie our family monkey felt at home too and we encountering quite a few of his relatives on route - turns out monkeys love canal holidays.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhazQGl6IulhhNr2_rBDo79p4CEPBjZDApFrBDEMiVsL4qYOCIomERuhLHlXDg3g2rizJk752-f9FXE1hNSdIbokd8P5GB4s54-iK0FSQImDAIu34rMt7o-SNoaitYogt91Zh4sQyUdI/s1600/thumb_IMG_3611_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhazQGl6IulhhNr2_rBDo79p4CEPBjZDApFrBDEMiVsL4qYOCIomERuhLHlXDg3g2rizJk752-f9FXE1hNSdIbokd8P5GB4s54-iK0FSQImDAIu34rMt7o-SNoaitYogt91Zh4sQyUdI/s640/thumb_IMG_3611_1024.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We also saw a few knitted <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNDuNh_Rw6Y">Rosie & Jims</a> - the ultimate canal mascot.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKt8EwLEZjikuasGpJ0jSqjliEkhJvNsKDAAYY1hGi27IU0gpOPz3OLwETgOfSJ84RemqoBfH4axM98ez1_hxBdhbcBj9Zd6mrE2RZHo9Fz2JyPN3wzTmNfeYW-_Q4QVw3oNy4fUkD2E/s1600/thumb_IMG_3420_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfKt8EwLEZjikuasGpJ0jSqjliEkhJvNsKDAAYY1hGi27IU0gpOPz3OLwETgOfSJ84RemqoBfH4axM98ez1_hxBdhbcBj9Zd6mrE2RZHo9Fz2JyPN3wzTmNfeYW-_Q4QVw3oNy4fUkD2E/s640/thumb_IMG_3420_1024.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Played board games aplenty.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uMUp98COzTORKjhTEFEqSdCLzp-Xd9ckEkR-gzApx6DnDfKAZiYQwG91woYjISKu7lAp7cjHtv8K9GZMH6vnmByVxALFH8bud-i2yHa14uyZMMbaFif5nUG3t09le41r2urQv7fVNUo/s1600/thumb_IMG_3155_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uMUp98COzTORKjhTEFEqSdCLzp-Xd9ckEkR-gzApx6DnDfKAZiYQwG91woYjISKu7lAp7cjHtv8K9GZMH6vnmByVxALFH8bud-i2yHa14uyZMMbaFif5nUG3t09le41r2urQv7fVNUo/s640/thumb_IMG_3155_1024.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Found a secret garden,</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2XgI-60t4mDPqP9MuPndH0k1T-wx6oGOXBCMFaLaXVI517GTtOZtity8TBTVPeAXylbV9-I4S0MzIWIqZbLw5rfL_CVZrBMcQnI0rCfhPduf3ISORIBLGok4t_pOW9BAWejC5E3y8bjE/s1600/thumb_IMG_3387_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2XgI-60t4mDPqP9MuPndH0k1T-wx6oGOXBCMFaLaXVI517GTtOZtity8TBTVPeAXylbV9-I4S0MzIWIqZbLw5rfL_CVZrBMcQnI0rCfhPduf3ISORIBLGok4t_pOW9BAWejC5E3y8bjE/s640/thumb_IMG_3387_1024.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and managed some outdoor fitness.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I also lay on top of the boat one midnight and watched meteor showers - a seriously cosmic experience and something I'd never be able to do in London.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">By the end of the week no one has killed eachother - (obviously there was the odd bits of annoyance but no major arguments.) It wasn't exactly 'family bonding' but it was nice to spend time together and not just the few hours at birthday parties, which we normally manage. I had a chance to talk to everyone - nieces, nephews, brother-in-laws, sisters....that in itself made the experience one to treasure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As for how I feel about canals and narrowboating now...I love them even more. Not sure if I'll have the opportunity again (apart from holidaying in Kerala's backwaters which is on my bucket list), but it truly was a worthwhile experience and a fun summer holiday. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We picked up the boat (from a company called <a href="http://www.anglowelsh.co.uk/">Anglo Welsh</a>) from Great Harwood and spent a week exploring the East Midlands, a part of the UK I've not been to before. We did the 'Out & Back' route, which meant we travelled a certain distance and then travelled back on ourselves, this was recommended for beginners (no one had driven a narrow boat before). It was a learning experience; the first thing you learn is that you won't get as far as you think you will - canal life is slow but that's something to embrace rather than stress about.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There were several bedrooms on board, two toilets, a shower, fully equipped kitchen, two areas that converted into beds, a TV, DVD and CD player, even towels so it's easy to feel at home. We cooked on board every evening and took picnics out at lunch . </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was a holiday of simple pleasures but then simple things are usually the best.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Fancy trying a narrow boat holiday? I'm happy to answer any questions, leave me a comment or check out the company -we got our boat from <a href="http://www.anglowelsh.co.uk/">here</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy August Bank Holiday everyone!</span></div>
<br />Momtazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11578256722034844409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029867388895079241.post-32126405299088231112015-08-22T11:53:00.002+01:002015-08-22T12:08:26.835+01:00Working On The Greenwich Show<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijGSkV2RFVo_TYNe-z_65JQn8vKUiImx0r2ZwmFZgpvxRCKpQHSLJoQ84dSii6WCL5Vq_8BTRfn7p1VkfJn9qXnltNnlqR7UtCMsutbyFQ6xdgCB3xs7pmPkCEyD4oTDTVC1h1MPKyh1w/s1600/the+greenwich+show+team+filming+in+greenwich.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijGSkV2RFVo_TYNe-z_65JQn8vKUiImx0r2ZwmFZgpvxRCKpQHSLJoQ84dSii6WCL5Vq_8BTRfn7p1VkfJn9qXnltNnlqR7UtCMsutbyFQ6xdgCB3xs7pmPkCEyD4oTDTVC1h1MPKyh1w/s640/the+greenwich+show+team+filming+in+greenwich.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Filming in Greenwich with Cameraman Michael Cole & Presenter Robert Gray</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over the last few months I've been working on an exciting TV project - <i><a href="http://www.thegreenwichshow.co.uk/">The Greenwich Show</a>,</i> a magazine programme about the local area I live in. I've been living in the London borough for over eight years and I am obsessed with the place. It truly is a unique area with so many stories, so it has been an honour to be involved in bringing these tales to the attention of the world (the programme airs <a href="http://www.thegreenwichshow.co.uk/">online</a> and on an actual TV channel.)</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGV1eFL_y_WOiAcvv6LmW06A58wM-u3sKOLR8Lhon9TAnt4PI85QKwTiga_Mv-7PmWFF6DJAF8FFM8uMgb7RwujzCdBVbA5Oma3KMm9KfpUMyv2U7lqkAC5EcJnjQVkD2uHpPHR1JYp6w/s1600/filming+in+the+rain+greenwich+show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGV1eFL_y_WOiAcvv6LmW06A58wM-u3sKOLR8Lhon9TAnt4PI85QKwTiga_Mv-7PmWFF6DJAF8FFM8uMgb7RwujzCdBVbA5Oma3KMm9KfpUMyv2U7lqkAC5EcJnjQVkD2uHpPHR1JYp6w/s640/filming+in+the+rain+greenwich+show.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Director Ian Ramsdale with Presenter Robery Gray filming links on a rainy day</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The show is the brainchild of these two gentleman, <a href="http://www.ianramsdale.co.uk/">Ian</a> the Director and <a href="http://www.robertgray.tv/">Robert</a> the main presenter. The show is significant because back in 1972, 'Greenwich Cablevision' became the UK's first local television service - it was history in the making - the first time there was local TV in the UK, as opposed to the normal terrestrial channels everyone had. In keeping with that theme, it's now the first borough to have a programme to be showcased nationally on - <i><a href="http://www.communitychannel.org/">The Community Channel.</a></i></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCuCuTOgwecINsJmLwiG0Wq0wiyhx27FAfoH8LkQTe-ckR1XOzxYM5smTyP3gYc7K54bzTac0Tp2ZLTbtjDZCccIz3nQWEIpF1aeTETxa4_ScgFfPY0z9DqMTU6RPExkLkdYHEx-xX9Zo/s1600/ian+and+rob+discussing+greenwich+show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCuCuTOgwecINsJmLwiG0Wq0wiyhx27FAfoH8LkQTe-ckR1XOzxYM5smTyP3gYc7K54bzTac0Tp2ZLTbtjDZCccIz3nQWEIpF1aeTETxa4_ScgFfPY0z9DqMTU6RPExkLkdYHEx-xX9Zo/s640/ian+and+rob+discussing+greenwich+show.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ian briefing Robert</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The whole series (and series one which was broadcast almost a year ago) is run by volunteers. Everyone involved including Ian, Robert, the rest of the team and me have given up our own time and resources because we are all passionate about wanting to create, and be part of something so special. In fact this series has been called <a href="http://www.thegreenwichshow.co.uk/">#Series2MadeByYou</a> because everyone who lives in the borough or has a connection to it, was invited to be part of it - from suggesting programme ideas to being in films and having their photographs and memories featured. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTiFfdiKg26juqdiWzid093P_mWyWh8tefwC3ZyaL9MpCHE5FyDj0JRnpA-0QRx9rV-_wPZHQ0_hCYY9iZtFkY8j-ZIQTtn05rNMOFqQYKUVMTmjbOYQ8wQ-ZysUH5Tum5ZiQbSAB7jY/s1600/camcera+selfi+greenwich+show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTiFfdiKg26juqdiWzid093P_mWyWh8tefwC3ZyaL9MpCHE5FyDj0JRnpA-0QRx9rV-_wPZHQ0_hCYY9iZtFkY8j-ZIQTtn05rNMOFqQYKUVMTmjbOYQ8wQ-ZysUH5Tum5ZiQbSAB7jY/s640/camcera+selfi+greenwich+show.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Me, behind camera two!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I approached the team because I enjoyed watching series one and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to expand my television presenting skills, but I did more than just stand in front of the camera; I got behind it too and did research, scripting, running and even some filming. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1QWn3_BgHjwe0Iy_tnkfFnqMCEjR5zjznsn8vNSj8V9Sbe_wPkXWXpJzjrj3qoU8FC4BJIXbZKlwKrdwkl_NKraO410QVr5jw2jQyw96ip4zgsNUTw698Jgr1sMKofA61AiDQI28mLk/s1600/momtaz+and+green+grocer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1QWn3_BgHjwe0Iy_tnkfFnqMCEjR5zjznsn8vNSj8V9Sbe_wPkXWXpJzjrj3qoU8FC4BJIXbZKlwKrdwkl_NKraO410QVr5jw2jQyw96ip4zgsNUTw698Jgr1sMKofA61AiDQI28mLk/s640/momtaz+and+green+grocer.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Filming a Food feature with Mike, The Very Greengrocer</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My favourite aspect though, is being one of the show's Reporters. I present three short films which appear in episodes 2, 3 and 4. One of which is a fascinating look at the people who have food businesses or provide food services in the borough, including Mike, <a href="http://www.theverygreengrocer.co.uk/">The Very Greengrocer</a>.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwxCnV3jKD1k7ScXygosfFbrV_avuGN0cES9DP6lPzJMEMgRxteCL9qoTOm2m86ge4Xwa6ciREchxN_X3PKQvvGE6kxb9nk_Op8ZMivoUc6biT_3_QS6u6r9IPungD35Vvg7srIEZPgzE/s1600/the+very+greengrocer+greenwich+show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwxCnV3jKD1k7ScXygosfFbrV_avuGN0cES9DP6lPzJMEMgRxteCL9qoTOm2m86ge4Xwa6ciREchxN_X3PKQvvGE6kxb9nk_Op8ZMivoUc6biT_3_QS6u6r9IPungD35Vvg7srIEZPgzE/s640/the+very+greengrocer+greenwich+show.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Not just any old van, this is a travelling grocery store!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mike is retired but spends his spare time helping others by providing a mobile food service. His van is packed with local produce that he delivers to people who are less mobile, such as elderly folk or those who simply don't have time to shop - delivering them fresh vegetable boxes.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzXQpp5_62_9moLTOfj5ppD6carc5dEr9fEHa4TuXlMameXJK1x8zEpc2pp2jmbnCX0MSQBi3qbsmn5VOiSTYvm7CzN-Mb-2ZzhDCJX9vs-kJYfsXpWyOGF5s1hXOG3vIWEsGP6If5tk/s1600/michael+filming+the+very+greengrocer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxzXQpp5_62_9moLTOfj5ppD6carc5dEr9fEHa4TuXlMameXJK1x8zEpc2pp2jmbnCX0MSQBi3qbsmn5VOiSTYvm7CzN-Mb-2ZzhDCJX9vs-kJYfsXpWyOGF5s1hXOG3vIWEsGP6If5tk/s640/michael+filming+the+very+greengrocer.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Michael honing in on the veg</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzCRZfikW0uHtl_gjvsco1HiTL6HkNH5id8ySspiZ2ocL8lkLFjQlnMq3EsPK7Z9DzFayNkQeRWHZIpBGdIr2lCnaXc7vQaUWmqv3Hkd-a6RnWjZpIx0QMSBZy8KLewgXtWhCz0L5H0Q/s1600/seaons+setc+at+home+greenwich+show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMzCRZfikW0uHtl_gjvsco1HiTL6HkNH5id8ySspiZ2ocL8lkLFjQlnMq3EsPK7Z9DzFayNkQeRWHZIpBGdIr2lCnaXc7vQaUWmqv3Hkd-a6RnWjZpIx0QMSBZy8KLewgXtWhCz0L5H0Q/s640/seaons+setc+at+home+greenwich+show.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Adam from Season Etcetera showing us how he makes jam</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are four unique stories in the film, including <a href="https://twitter.com/SeasonEtcetera">Adam</a> who makes and sells jams and chutneys alongside his day job, at local farmers markets. He let me and amazing cameraman Michael (who deserves an extra special mention because he worked super hard on the series), come to his house to watch the jam creation in action...</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Z4STs59Wnp3zWNRxkyuFAo6parPp6H99fW4sPfrLWrEFMZnoAglhnS3uMZjZ7Ej3TELKwZ9_zEYiVGdGW0ObbqFTvHUmf5n7qKoGjNu5nVmOKKM1sLn9zQp51YB3Seb8Sbck11FJlEY/s1600/jammaking+strawberry+the+very+greengrocer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Z4STs59Wnp3zWNRxkyuFAo6parPp6H99fW4sPfrLWrEFMZnoAglhnS3uMZjZ7Ej3TELKwZ9_zEYiVGdGW0ObbqFTvHUmf5n7qKoGjNu5nVmOKKM1sLn9zQp51YB3Seb8Sbck11FJlEY/s640/jammaking+strawberry+the+very+greengrocer.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Strawberries on the boil</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguE9j3ZqexLGeNvb3Ykq4MvlOoN-w23lFEDDGIapIll26vEz4MwfQNJM8wwONoTT-7L86jFWcnzIkzMUrGY0l1h03mq3JHFp8MCExRooMvgv7zs0diQgiOhsP6-5ionHu6YSrRpVgFGoI/s1600/jam+being+sieved+seasons+etc+greenwich+show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguE9j3ZqexLGeNvb3Ykq4MvlOoN-w23lFEDDGIapIll26vEz4MwfQNJM8wwONoTT-7L86jFWcnzIkzMUrGY0l1h03mq3JHFp8MCExRooMvgv7zs0diQgiOhsP6-5ionHu6YSrRpVgFGoI/s640/jam+being+sieved+seasons+etc+greenwich+show.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Straining the strawbs</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxIMizg4rL2dfPsIm1ZcfTqDI1MRLkdnNebExicNh0QHVxAdh7Kj5MS_WlJHfb_YKyO0R8jQQaAOPSWSwCwCjIwspPNelgYorh8NIfscU1NGwY75RKAw5y9UTkAb2IuYbvN_tpzFb0e4/s1600/strawberry+and+black+pepper+jam+seasons+etc+greenwich+show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDxIMizg4rL2dfPsIm1ZcfTqDI1MRLkdnNebExicNh0QHVxAdh7Kj5MS_WlJHfb_YKyO0R8jQQaAOPSWSwCwCjIwspPNelgYorh8NIfscU1NGwY75RKAw5y9UTkAb2IuYbvN_tpzFb0e4/s640/strawberry+and+black+pepper+jam+seasons+etc+greenwich+show.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Voila!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQCHMq2gaBxrOc6vjS50Z7wmJR-Y-z18Ov4mbxZWHQquxLMblvwyabEztfO2YxvdYN7K04BBnQFLHkJdtVkB4ylBxdh-06p4PooEIUc68jnZBXOPhuJrXZa-hpwmHo3RHPYAN66EQPm0/s1600/chutney+greenwich+show+food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQCHMq2gaBxrOc6vjS50Z7wmJR-Y-z18Ov4mbxZWHQquxLMblvwyabEztfO2YxvdYN7K04BBnQFLHkJdtVkB4ylBxdh-06p4PooEIUc68jnZBXOPhuJrXZa-hpwmHo3RHPYAN66EQPm0/s640/chutney+greenwich+show+food.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Adam also makes tasty chutney</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACkQzELfHx203rC__fxXsgVvPZEOILadSun83k9VU_hmInInqgHWizrlZsX0YJ2Ye2dKIpGTW2gIE-bTPeyfTwKqBZZ4kbfmLj-GU0IBQjSmbYtFB3nsnKL6pt1t-5ofEkTW1G8nOFJg/s1600/jam+and+bread+seasons+etc+the+greenwich+show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACkQzELfHx203rC__fxXsgVvPZEOILadSun83k9VU_hmInInqgHWizrlZsX0YJ2Ye2dKIpGTW2gIE-bTPeyfTwKqBZZ4kbfmLj-GU0IBQjSmbYtFB3nsnKL6pt1t-5ofEkTW1G8nOFJg/s640/jam+and+bread+seasons+etc+the+greenwich+show.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taste-testing Adam's jam...this wasn't the only slice I ate!</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">See the full report in Episode 2! (Aug 30th)</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2YGmKHG1Wiza5q7KGRTfJCsT2WxF68tWLzOqieZgNfglVVmMrshGbf8C0gjgB-nIkzLvz-ZNxweIpzpN1XLaOFNO_tOU6LlgnYM5KEMmN71CQrMs02xK3QODZb_q1J0n3bbCMHHumr0/s1600/michael+cole+filming+greenwich+show+blue+nile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja2YGmKHG1Wiza5q7KGRTfJCsT2WxF68tWLzOqieZgNfglVVmMrshGbf8C0gjgB-nIkzLvz-ZNxweIpzpN1XLaOFNO_tOU6LlgnYM5KEMmN71CQrMs02xK3QODZb_q1J0n3bbCMHHumr0/s640/michael+cole+filming+greenwich+show+blue+nile.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Michael filming outside the famous Blue Nile Cafe in Woolwich</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For Episode 3 (Sept 6th) we went to find out more about local restaurant <a href="http://www.bluenilecafe.co.uk/">The Blue Nile Cafe</a>, which was <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/nov/21/is-tripadvisor-best-london-restaurant-blue-nile-really-that-good">named the best in London on website Trip Advisor</a>, beating off competition from five star Michelin places headed up by famous chefs.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLCUx0GmjXxnL7fJYko1LGIQVTcijDfNMRkDd-7Lx078huakh-RltbgQVIjLv7WdC2iFmGtqDNnk-Az4O_tAi-Xlh0RW0hQeMJmR5A1GltK5LnvOwglorMqkiUOdDfhfuiXIQIuewNSU/s1600/momtaz+and+shewa+blue+nile+greenwich+show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLCUx0GmjXxnL7fJYko1LGIQVTcijDfNMRkDd-7Lx078huakh-RltbgQVIjLv7WdC2iFmGtqDNnk-Az4O_tAi-Xlh0RW0hQeMJmR5A1GltK5LnvOwglorMqkiUOdDfhfuiXIQIuewNSU/s640/momtaz+and+shewa+blue+nile+greenwich+show.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With owner Shewa</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Blue Nile is an Eritrean and Italian restaurant. The setting is as authentic as the food which is served up with love, something you really don't feel in the majority of places you eat out at. The homely vibe, affordable prices and great dishes has already seen me go back since filming there.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFOIrGdqFrUEM9cBGw3YI2t-k-7sQJiwYV4P3VQGqFZ62OXYj7nr1nueOtagkuRHYocfFY0M-JfuqQvbcPSebYeOpP6uE0fsVlAe2i8vhszmLivrAGOjV10hqyEIiVMfyy8a6xNHzoWw/s1600/the+blue+nile+food+woolwich+greenwich+show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLFOIrGdqFrUEM9cBGw3YI2t-k-7sQJiwYV4P3VQGqFZ62OXYj7nr1nueOtagkuRHYocfFY0M-JfuqQvbcPSebYeOpP6uE0fsVlAe2i8vhszmLivrAGOjV10hqyEIiVMfyy8a6xNHzoWw/s640/the+blue+nile+food+woolwich+greenwich+show.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Delicious feast of Eritrean food</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChnmOKyP4glaSrKdE46wbo55Tk_eDZWZ51TikZaORhNVGMBOWuwkr4-YoHvmrz4BwPCgk2ETkPrggK73PJ0R9GLltTK5usxqXOevkWp-er2YL6qvxTmSL2UOj24aE_bIThJvKjWth3hs/s1600/eritraen+food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChnmOKyP4glaSrKdE46wbo55Tk_eDZWZ51TikZaORhNVGMBOWuwkr4-YoHvmrz4BwPCgk2ETkPrggK73PJ0R9GLltTK5usxqXOevkWp-er2YL6qvxTmSL2UOj24aE_bIThJvKjWth3hs/s640/eritraen+food.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Discovering new flavours</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And for the final Episode 4 (13th Sept) I got to talk craft, as we headed over to Greenwich's weekly knitting night at <a href="http://www.peltonarms.com/">The Pelton Arms</a> pub.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_L-aCJJTw1dYUhTBwvcimGMMj24CpHFUR3NxBnBnieREqBQ4lC4t7GhbaFTQs-WSFy8b0lgKv5D82AcotQL2oVFB4lhMZ55jqRLnJ6e6TciAARWEkaLqhxk0UzPnHz99yfSOpLYj8Os/s1600/pelton+arms+knitting+night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_L-aCJJTw1dYUhTBwvcimGMMj24CpHFUR3NxBnBnieREqBQ4lC4t7GhbaFTQs-WSFy8b0lgKv5D82AcotQL2oVFB4lhMZ55jqRLnJ6e6TciAARWEkaLqhxk0UzPnHz99yfSOpLYj8Os/s640/pelton+arms+knitting+night.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Filming at The Pelton Arms</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Open to everyone and anyone, it's an informal meet up that was set up by local craft queen and knitting expert <a href="http://www.susieatthecircus.typepad.com/">Susie Johns</a> who is an absolute heroine of mine.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJubmU9-uhjbbKD7WYr5WnnVpF7k_Ez4s7Ir0R-dX54vpuGmfXnd-IShymUVpNW7IDEeXu5SUTPcWvxVIwCfFQR1U1-aUwudkwjH8FiiriE4P0MKhytSBuJoAjv6-IZUGH2GnJabTpDyE/s1600/the+pelton+arms+greenwich+show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJubmU9-uhjbbKD7WYr5WnnVpF7k_Ez4s7Ir0R-dX54vpuGmfXnd-IShymUVpNW7IDEeXu5SUTPcWvxVIwCfFQR1U1-aUwudkwjH8FiiriE4P0MKhytSBuJoAjv6-IZUGH2GnJabTpDyE/s640/the+pelton+arms+greenwich+show.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love the decor in the Pelton</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3qq_Z591p5n6MXSX8nflH96VEQHEM59AzW0H08z_gJE-imkwiPvOr3eCTWftPYd-PJSvX3tbi5Gjuaz4cdi9JLvMWLtBaCY6kLVXBGcJ_Ucc8w7fBpoK3MegKvuYEnh8LNHKxrIb7BY/s1600/yarn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3qq_Z591p5n6MXSX8nflH96VEQHEM59AzW0H08z_gJE-imkwiPvOr3eCTWftPYd-PJSvX3tbi5Gjuaz4cdi9JLvMWLtBaCY6kLVXBGcJ_Ucc8w7fBpoK3MegKvuYEnh8LNHKxrIb7BY/s640/yarn.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Knit night essentials</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You can either turn up with your own project and work on that, or borrow some yarn and needles and get help learning.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYoS2nDt-_5YBGiJec6uaKw50G3SttEAZv03yfGmaj8CJkJzcL3hIS-DdP-y1UK_yuR67iFYEUDs5up_FKKsITzLjL8Tzg-dGa7AerR78a_ND3Ey94kAbeg9-WWJK85Z2xU4SalKwctA/s1600/knitted+lizard+greenwich+show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWYoS2nDt-_5YBGiJec6uaKw50G3SttEAZv03yfGmaj8CJkJzcL3hIS-DdP-y1UK_yuR67iFYEUDs5up_FKKsITzLjL8Tzg-dGa7AerR78a_ND3Ey94kAbeg9-WWJK85Z2xU4SalKwctA/s640/knitted+lizard+greenwich+show.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of Susie's knitted masterpieces</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.peltonarms.com/">The Pelton</a> have hosted the night for a few years now and they are ever so friendly, they sometimes even feed the knitters as they did on our filming night - yum!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2I2IcdCavsSjX83h4ewn0lZQ4YYk31o4V0zhqt1q2UT3-G1OeobGqfqwMOYmWl5qObj3fRvA55yUomOwvRojydDFHkAyZttphRz5DTqpVcuKBL8US_S1k8TLut3U6YVmgTAoBlGe9_ps/s1600/pelton+arms+food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2I2IcdCavsSjX83h4ewn0lZQ4YYk31o4V0zhqt1q2UT3-G1OeobGqfqwMOYmWl5qObj3fRvA55yUomOwvRojydDFHkAyZttphRz5DTqpVcuKBL8US_S1k8TLut3U6YVmgTAoBlGe9_ps/s640/pelton+arms+food.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Looking after the knitters with snacks</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktETf7ebowSg2ImI4oTCypNjVHnnOyZc3uQ_rudV3wz7xm2pbSmq15QRrwwNTozYCHvstU8aehRrK6vXLcsPX-570kUV87rjHpvYTz1Tz9MXIsVwcWuQ4wLUCrME-hQVRqrrmMdQFqy0/s1600/the+pelton+arms+knitting+night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhktETf7ebowSg2ImI4oTCypNjVHnnOyZc3uQ_rudV3wz7xm2pbSmq15QRrwwNTozYCHvstU8aehRrK6vXLcsPX-570kUV87rjHpvYTz1Tz9MXIsVwcWuQ4wLUCrME-hQVRqrrmMdQFqy0/s640/the+pelton+arms+knitting+night.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Knitting & nibbling at The Pelton Arms</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Greenwich Show kicks off tomorrow. Made with utter passion and positivity, I hope it gets the viewers it deserves and most importantly if we get lots of viewers, we'll attract more advertisers, which will help us make a third series. Plus there's nothing else like it on the TV at the moment, there's no reality/celebrity nonsense, just good old-fashion television.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9m1AfIpeI9Cr0Q3TLlXvWzAEo2cgv0QeafYXFS5NgA5ZM6Uwxv7cKg-uHEKSsm1atLpp8UtHUAKavZiDSjRh5km-ZQ-tu0HjB90h_FqGX2PL7zuwtRARuCx_vPkdGnGP43kE0ZEVDIw/s1600/episode+1+greenwich+show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9m1AfIpeI9Cr0Q3TLlXvWzAEo2cgv0QeafYXFS5NgA5ZM6Uwxv7cKg-uHEKSsm1atLpp8UtHUAKavZiDSjRh5km-ZQ-tu0HjB90h_FqGX2PL7zuwtRARuCx_vPkdGnGP43kE0ZEVDIw/s640/episode+1+greenwich+show.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coming up in the first episode!</span></td></tr>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Tune into The Greenwich Show #Series2MadeByYou on <a href="http://www.communitychannel.org/">The Community Channel</a> - available at</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Freeview HD 63, Sky 539, Virgin 233, Freesat 651</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Episode 1: Sun 23rd August 2015</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Episode 2: Sun 30 August 2015*</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Episode 3: Sun 6th September 2015*</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Episode 4: Sun 13th September 2015*</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">All episodes are repeated the following Wednesdays at 9pm and Fridays at 4.30pm. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">*these ones have my reports in! : )</span></i></div>
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Momtazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11578256722034844409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029867388895079241.post-39153874765161140792015-08-11T12:09:00.001+01:002015-08-11T14:24:48.857+01:00London Indian Film Festival 2015 My Highlights <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnhET5ZP7RUIiMHKD72M4z6cyfC_H9aF8doqvVm2z824xmeRKG7273dej8Fo9L0YFiMqyUm7mze5WqventheO64rV6FNZD0MiuEv-MiNex79V0Km2rZE715yJphzwmm7lXMKn1T15ljE/s1600/momtaz+at+the+london+indian+film+festival+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnhET5ZP7RUIiMHKD72M4z6cyfC_H9aF8doqvVm2z824xmeRKG7273dej8Fo9L0YFiMqyUm7mze5WqventheO64rV6FNZD0MiuEv-MiNex79V0Km2rZE715yJphzwmm7lXMKn1T15ljE/s640/momtaz+at+the+london+indian+film+festival+2015.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Memorable moments from LIFF</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If I could combine all my favourite pastimes they would come together and create the week that was this year's The Bagri Foundation <a href="http://www.londonindianfilmfestival.co.uk/">London Indian Film Festival </a>(LIFF). An opportunity to lose myself in stories, meet inspiring people and get dressed up: it was as perfect as a week can get.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LIFF LAUNCH</span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRV8MoE1-3bFbdZaTP0dSikyePyLn3rmXCY_9BBhOkOeavvcvY9v3PaiQ2b7JrZl3GuSzByUvbPy2m_VhchUzhb7Tg423fsU5lxub0s6fAcrlTGQrx1eFIePFgLiXjrTPTRsZI5bwxh0/s1600/london+indian+film+festival+2015+red+carpet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRV8MoE1-3bFbdZaTP0dSikyePyLn3rmXCY_9BBhOkOeavvcvY9v3PaiQ2b7JrZl3GuSzByUvbPy2m_VhchUzhb7Tg423fsU5lxub0s6fAcrlTGQrx1eFIePFgLiXjrTPTRsZI5bwxh0/s640/london+indian+film+festival+2015+red+carpet.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red carpet launch night (Pic by Calvin Chinthaka)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">LIFF showcases independent cinema with a South Asian theme by curating a series of events, talks, Q&As and film screenings. This year marked their 6th festival and there were 20 films screened over two cities (London and Birmingham). The festival opened with a Red Carpet event attended by filmmakers and film fans as well as many of the people involved in the selected films such as actors, directors and producers. Spot my lilac mop in the crowd? I covered the event for<a href="http://www.asiana.tv/asiana-tube/asiana-reporting-red-carpet-liff-2015"> Asiana.tv,</a> which you can watch <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chbupg1svNE">here</a> in this rather neat little video. More on who I interviewed later in this post...first I'm going to take you through the films I watched and reviewed, the Q&As I led, then later, touch on the outfits I wore (the most important bit!)</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LIFF Films</span></b></span><br />
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The settings, characters and situations I encountered during the London Indian Film Festival had me feeling engrossed, emotional, shocked, happy, sad..captured in my reviews:</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">31st October </span></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A haunting account of a families fight for survival. </span><a href="http://www.asiana.tv/entertainment/film-review-31st-october" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See review.</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfo9j47WmwYJ9Ah8JgndkoSvvTxDsSNPa8uQxSHcKcC-zoSvTqfwMVeUSwN1K4bW-SfzIop0xoijkYuMliCZN55aLV-4FyFR-HAbpryUcyYIRfloZ8TCelqN4aAL7pFnQvJpcCqhfF8LY/s1600/31_october_1984_film_review.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfo9j47WmwYJ9Ah8JgndkoSvvTxDsSNPa8uQxSHcKcC-zoSvTqfwMVeUSwN1K4bW-SfzIop0xoijkYuMliCZN55aLV-4FyFR-HAbpryUcyYIRfloZ8TCelqN4aAL7pFnQvJpcCqhfF8LY/s640/31_october_1984_film_review.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dhanak </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A sweet and tender reminder of why you should believe in your dreams. </span><a href="http://www.asiana.tv/entertainment/film-review-dhanak" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See review.</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUCUQ5XgClIl0r4x-8QAOnXkhlc7IIDDoYyVLTKBsSX_oaCXY5BAbZ8yOI7ewDkMi7AFZ1kRjOZ_aP8oYNvDDfzIPbDQk0IqepaXhviu0j93y0fghG73dpqUZQEEbFA5x3nuaJmIgm1w/s1600/dhanak_film_review_film_still.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUCUQ5XgClIl0r4x-8QAOnXkhlc7IIDDoYyVLTKBsSX_oaCXY5BAbZ8yOI7ewDkMi7AFZ1kRjOZ_aP8oYNvDDfzIPbDQk0IqepaXhviu0j93y0fghG73dpqUZQEEbFA5x3nuaJmIgm1w/s640/dhanak_film_review_film_still.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Khwada </b><span style="line-height: 24px;">Step inside a world of solitude and sacrifice.</span><span style="color: #999999; line-height: 24px;"> </span><a href="http://www.asiana.tv/entertainment/khwada-film-review">See review.</a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2FZaUTkW7JR5YJmlKIPfVgZ0IeCh7dlMGeSJBGxqer2j9IzTTNkCHb_iLb96Nu8Z2_QAXZkBG2CkkEojjziFMrFjOCrjlTWrlt7vR5n3MhH-pZDjXmXKRwvYPyCcTDziCcnH_ViHqIPg/s1600/khwada_sheep_film_still.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2FZaUTkW7JR5YJmlKIPfVgZ0IeCh7dlMGeSJBGxqer2j9IzTTNkCHb_iLb96Nu8Z2_QAXZkBG2CkkEojjziFMrFjOCrjlTWrlt7vR5n3MhH-pZDjXmXKRwvYPyCcTDziCcnH_ViHqIPg/s640/khwada_sheep_film_still.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>One Crazy Thing </b></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">London love, captured with humour and heart. </span><a href="http://www.asiana.tv/entertainment/one-crazy-thing-film-review" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See review. </a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGxpY5-sb_t3gST2VTCXSNFLRtajl6nu3-_kN8hoKztj0tNF9ihALolFFik0yz_kzb2uh_P3lqxkPgfrXjFUwf4tDuOyHBOq3e44qDhxOupTakMeoboGiEC7bGFkc9tGNo0YcBw8RrRk/s1600/one+crazy+thing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvGxpY5-sb_t3gST2VTCXSNFLRtajl6nu3-_kN8hoKztj0tNF9ihALolFFik0yz_kzb2uh_P3lqxkPgfrXjFUwf4tDuOyHBOq3e44qDhxOupTakMeoboGiEC7bGFkc9tGNo0YcBw8RrRk/s640/one+crazy+thing.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tigers </span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A compelling real-life account of the Nestle baby milk scandal. </span><a href="http://www.asiana.tv/entertainment/film-review-tigers" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">See review. </a></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijeorw7JGr2jR01-C9bWM61phlxz0zWrVdkZGzwLM4dQsNZHkKpMXilN99lR7beJUHCqfnCPeJGoH2TCvgDBv8lRkHGEe5HF7tCO1v8AwN85WLjnoRHbLb2CPcVWk-o_NfpMrNVz9_Ssc/s1600/tigers-film-review-london-indian-film-festival-X-300px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijeorw7JGr2jR01-C9bWM61phlxz0zWrVdkZGzwLM4dQsNZHkKpMXilN99lR7beJUHCqfnCPeJGoH2TCvgDBv8lRkHGEe5HF7tCO1v8AwN85WLjnoRHbLb2CPcVWk-o_NfpMrNVz9_Ssc/s400/tigers-film-review-london-indian-film-festival-X-300px.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Q&As</span></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_i0RP80xRWAWAjuRxsXvLCc869RPFJt_nOcCSgI2AvgIKLHeXQkW9V0QN70QOMAkEHkNVGBfQDL7DrB4JNhhbu0FkXKJwD9Iu6WOiBfo1Xk50fRFkw0-ZvYrPAdXo9i_xFp7ALaxmEY/s1600/nachom+ki+kompasar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO_i0RP80xRWAWAjuRxsXvLCc869RPFJt_nOcCSgI2AvgIKLHeXQkW9V0QN70QOMAkEHkNVGBfQDL7DrB4JNhhbu0FkXKJwD9Iu6WOiBfo1Xk50fRFkw0-ZvYrPAdXo9i_xFp7ALaxmEY/s320/nachom+ki+kompasar.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A still from Nachom-Ia-Kumpasar<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Q&A element of a film festival is what makes them such a special and unique event. It's one thing to watch a film, but something else, to hear first-hand about the filmmaking process. It's an amazing opportunity that few movie watchers get, and until now, I've been in awe of these sessions. It always leaves me inspired to hear from Film Directors, actors and producers - you discover such unexpected tales. So when I was asked to lead four Q&As for LIFF I was thrilled; I wasn't just one of the people sitting in the audience learning stuff, I was able to play a role in shaping the Q&As. Wow!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmp3ABETPiPuhavpKiZgHjGKKSlSpUgpA4y7fJD34cIZglxyh1QA4GvifpXFDoGqFT-ALND78tIE_BvtP9fIkkmFATeD_QLR8uvf9crdT15H7R5n0xRnb5nyQ7GWwmmYdD8nCpig6DRF4/s1600/nachom+ki+kompasar+leaflet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmp3ABETPiPuhavpKiZgHjGKKSlSpUgpA4y7fJD34cIZglxyh1QA4GvifpXFDoGqFT-ALND78tIE_BvtP9fIkkmFATeD_QLR8uvf9crdT15H7R5n0xRnb5nyQ7GWwmmYdD8nCpig6DRF4/s640/nachom+ki+kompasar+leaflet.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Nachom-Ia-Kumpasar</i> won the Audience Award at LIFF and in the festival's history is the most popular film to have been screened with three sold out showings. The final one took place at Wembley Cineworld and was attended by the film's Executive Producer and his wife who flew in from France to attend the screening. The crowd-funded film is a celebration of the Goa jazz scene of the 1960s and it includes 20 hit songs in the Goan language of Konkani.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The movie's Executive Producer and his wife</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The auditorium stayed packed for the Q&A, people stayed behind even though it was a Monday night and they had just sat through an epic 2.45 hour film. This was my view from the stage - it looks intimidating but it wasn't because I knew that everyone in the audience loved the film and with so much passion in the air, nothing could go wrong.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full house for the screening and post film Q&A</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still from One Crazy Thing<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Q&A for <i>One Crazy Thing</i> was attended by lead actor Ray Panthaki and Director Amit Gupta. A British romantic comedy set in London town, my favourite part of this Q&A was that there were several people in the audience who had never heard of the film, they just turned up to watch it as it sounded like something different. This is the great thing about film festivals they bring films to new audiences who otherwise wouldn't watch. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me & actor Ray Panthaki</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Director Amit Gupta</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chilling in the BFI Green Room<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The experience I'll never forget though is leading the Q&A for documentary <i>Meet The Patels </i>with Director Geeta Patel at the BFI, the BFI....the actual BFI aka the British Film Institute. An iconic building in an iconic part of London, representing everything that's iconic about cinema in the UK, it's going down in history as one of the highlights of my life : )<br />A comedy-documentary, there was lots of laughter in the audience throughout the film which led to a fun and lively Q&A.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On stage at The BFI with Director Geeta Patel<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Afterwards there was a chance to pose with the wonderful BFI LIFF team and Geeta, who flew in from the US just for the screening, and was shortly heading off to take the film about her family, to another international festival.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">LIFF LAUNCH:</span></b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With cameraman Shevy Sandhu aka Team Green<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love a spot of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chbupg1svNE">Red Carpet reporting.</a> It's mad, hectic, tiring but really fun as you never know who you'll get to speak to, when they'll turn up and how long you'll get with them. Best of all, the people who do speak to you are usually in really good moods. Having a cameraman and fellow #TeamGreen member (we co-ordinated as every great team should) who's cool, calm and collected like Shevy from Polar Bear Media helped too. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stars being papped on the Red Carpet</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Presenter and LIFF Ambassador Shay Grewal</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A montage of some of the people I interviewed<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The festival opened with the movie <i>Umrika</i> and I had a chance to speak to Director Prashant Nair and actors Suraj Sharma (best know for being the boy in <i>The Life Of Pie</i>) and Adil Hussain. The montage above shows some of the other talented filmi peeps I also interviewed. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chbupg1svNE">Watch our video here. </a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Festival Director and Founder <a href="http://www.asiana.tv/entertainment/interview-cary-rajinder-sawhney">Cary Rajinder Sawhney </a>also guested on my radio show where we had a much more in-depth chat. The highlights of which you can read about <a href="http://www.asiana.tv/entertainment/interview-cary-rajinder-sawhney">here. </a></span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">LIFF SOCIAL:</span></span></b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The LIFF Wembley team<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love this photo. It's a reminder of the really lovely LIFF volunteers who help run the festival. Passionate about film and all so friendly, I had such fun working and chatting with them, especially the Wembley crew who I spent three evenings with.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Fariha at the closing night for the screening of Death Of A Gentleman</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spotted! My hair twin, burlesque star Sukki Singapora</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">LIFF LOOKS:</span></b></div>
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It's not like I need an excuse to dress up, I do it for most occasions (aka leaving my flat!) but having a specific occasion is always must more exciting so just like the LIFF team curated the event, I curated my LIFF attending outfits. Considerations included tights:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2jnReQGpBEBlsV3kqWKnOP06V5jPsD05f9BOKkWLbMx_ML3KBb1KwcF2qB0p5wHeiPD2Njrh04vC5RsFPHl_B6WMUjd81V7WGbtRJgEAUf2WaftrTfs14J-Pxm87gNFkRtnl9UMqnGM/s1600/thumb_IMG_2582_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk2jnReQGpBEBlsV3kqWKnOP06V5jPsD05f9BOKkWLbMx_ML3KBb1KwcF2qB0p5wHeiPD2Njrh04vC5RsFPHl_B6WMUjd81V7WGbtRJgEAUf2WaftrTfs14J-Pxm87gNFkRtnl9UMqnGM/s640/thumb_IMG_2582_1024.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">....nail and bangle combinations</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4sPbu7dJs1h9KZchkoqngz5WtqtkzR3SeG1SHUT36IWS0-UxsLv6mH_z8ldf2umaWIJRXgWzysqlUUdzI0E8Jk2_qrMkDUK9V59_-qzEf34fi4lyHnuydXJ4cvxPobAwyPKVIt5zb9w/s1600/arm+of+bracelets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4sPbu7dJs1h9KZchkoqngz5WtqtkzR3SeG1SHUT36IWS0-UxsLv6mH_z8ldf2umaWIJRXgWzysqlUUdzI0E8Jk2_qrMkDUK9V59_-qzEf34fi4lyHnuydXJ4cvxPobAwyPKVIt5zb9w/s640/arm+of+bracelets.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And numerous dresses! This was my absolute fave below. It was the first time I've ever 'borrowed' a frock, and ahem...I returned it with as massive rip in it..oops!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Find out more about it <a href="http://www.girlmeetsdress.com/blog/celebrities-in-girl-meets-dress/girl-meets-dress-at-the-londons-indian-film-festival/">here...(a blog within a blog!</a>)</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-TCYINz82Btn2MFUbCyXGnojTL2kT15yGzTQC8hXLrbb-IjDfbW081BhvyWiY1KZQT1PPRLYKauBvH2TKR10DijdfsNyRNP7MJ_4okr73eFmJbt-IBDT7qhrndXoWymCqCMTKZ2XO0Y/s1600/momtaz+begum-hossain+red+carpet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-TCYINz82Btn2MFUbCyXGnojTL2kT15yGzTQC8hXLrbb-IjDfbW081BhvyWiY1KZQT1PPRLYKauBvH2TKR10DijdfsNyRNP7MJ_4okr73eFmJbt-IBDT7qhrndXoWymCqCMTKZ2XO0Y/s640/momtaz+begum-hossain+red+carpet.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Totally in love with my dress from Girl Meets Dress</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For the launch night I had my make-up done, always a most luxurious of experience, especially when the make-up artist travelled across London especially for me. Thank you Fatin from <a href="http://www.ninaubhi.com/">Nina Ubhi Beauty & Hair Academy.</a></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautified by Fatin from Nina Ubhi Beauty & Hair Academy</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The rest of the week, I kept up the peacock theme. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In fact I bought a new eyeshadow that I ended up wearing all festival.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFZB4PgKAbQWbe-hahGq48nNdfX7wF0sTKffCly7ZkhGS7_ytVa9CXXu3z3iXHcgGeTbNQ7c0HPxBG18C7Jcw1ucgVnOsqCAyGldJc0_VPUb3jYwvts-2iqDIeK-Kfp8a_8sZ60G51xI/s1600/thumb_IMG_2584_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFZB4PgKAbQWbe-hahGq48nNdfX7wF0sTKffCly7ZkhGS7_ytVa9CXXu3z3iXHcgGeTbNQ7c0HPxBG18C7Jcw1ucgVnOsqCAyGldJc0_VPUb3jYwvts-2iqDIeK-Kfp8a_8sZ60G51xI/s640/thumb_IMG_2584_1024.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another make -up look</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Told you it was a perfect week! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you to everyone I met over LIFF and to all the people who were involved in any capacity. It's a brilliantly curated festival. The only trouble is, now I want to visit India. Sounds like another trip is on the cards soon...</span></span><br />
<br />Momtazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11578256722034844409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029867388895079241.post-19201362652711828222015-07-07T23:30:00.001+01:002015-07-07T23:30:47.980+01:00I Finally Joined Instagram <span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Every week someone asks me why I'm not on Instagram. I've always thought it would be too much - I just couldn't see where and how I could fit it into my already manic schedule . But yesterday (we're now half way through the year) I felt a pang of dissatisfaction with life. I haven't been as creative as I want to be. I stare at computer screens so much these days for writing, that crafts and visual inspiration has taken a back seat but it's time to switch. I go through phases and right now I just want to satisfy my aesthetic senses. I aim only to post craft related images that I have taken, that will become my own creative moodboard. If you're on Instagram, follow me at The_CraftCafe...where you'll be treated to pics like these...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm absolutely loving seeing everyone's creative inspiration too, if you have a colourful Instagram account then let me know in the comments and I'll follow you. Or please do recommend anyone else that I should be following. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here's to some more happy snapping!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">p.s If you aren't on Instagram you can still keep track of my photos online <a href="https://websta.me/n/the_craftcafe">here</a>.</span><br />
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Momtazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11578256722034844409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029867388895079241.post-17169044058947588822015-06-22T19:56:00.004+01:002015-06-22T20:02:52.107+01:00How To Decoupage A London Themed Chair<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOsZMRz6FIBN7vqjzY-QEMeJHI20_JcUW1KYUuNwQC8S4-vCXwt1w7aKlotQfqYQi3lYMgJWAKAStiLzlnkVUT4TLUntoutAe3hOp3XHYrZ75eeOUEGPGi-7UkPd3sI1uAKNPr-qOD-oM/s1600/finished+chair+on+stand+at+pulse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOsZMRz6FIBN7vqjzY-QEMeJHI20_JcUW1KYUuNwQC8S4-vCXwt1w7aKlotQfqYQi3lYMgJWAKAStiLzlnkVUT4TLUntoutAe3hOp3XHYrZ75eeOUEGPGi-7UkPd3sI1uAKNPr-qOD-oM/s640/finished+chair+on+stand+at+pulse.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://vine.co/v/emXZ3wqBOwj">A recent Vine post of mine</a> showing how I decorated a chair has been getting a lot of love (and 150,000 views) so here's a more detailed description of how I did it. Decoupage is essentially one of the easiest craft techniques there is. A wee bit time consuming, but the results are always epic, especially when you go for large-scale projects like furniture.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br />
<b>You will need:</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Hs9oeexJ-11nW_9_x0xGTGld9lCaCRQTaExFGndfq1ce25PqOu2WjvE_w944CmTl_Ms8PrCTZ-8glWZmUZevuxK_Q_hdQrv-TNrIh9leorXc6eC2L345cHsqrivp7T8qs-_IKNHLSnc/s1600/red+chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Hs9oeexJ-11nW_9_x0xGTGld9lCaCRQTaExFGndfq1ce25PqOu2WjvE_w944CmTl_Ms8PrCTZ-8glWZmUZevuxK_Q_hdQrv-TNrIh9leorXc6eC2L345cHsqrivp7T8qs-_IKNHLSnc/s640/red+chair.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A piece or furniture (I used a red chair that I bought in a charity shop for £4)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcjYeqWom8bX6wL1qIHQqhfZx5ZE19T_y7eyACn6um5hwYpoWa4N8ErNuANpk6rfDS9efjxOqboKykV6D63HcMrKPNl6n4dYya216ALfNWnYBrGZupidQtz_OR-D4N4K7KwzZ1Amz8mI/s1600/doodling+aroudn+wrapping+paper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWcjYeqWom8bX6wL1qIHQqhfZx5ZE19T_y7eyACn6um5hwYpoWa4N8ErNuANpk6rfDS9efjxOqboKykV6D63HcMrKPNl6n4dYya216ALfNWnYBrGZupidQtz_OR-D4N4K7KwzZ1Amz8mI/s640/doodling+aroudn+wrapping+paper.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Wrapping paper of your choice with motifs of (this one is City Pop-Outs London, designed by <a href="http://www.doodlingaround.co.uk/">Matt Ponting</a> from <a href="http://www.doodlingaround.co.uk/">Doodling Around</a> (around 4 sheets)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Can of spray mount and newspaper</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Pot of Modge Podge (available from craft shops) or clear varnish</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Brush, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">scissors, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">plastic gloves</span></span><br />
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<b>Get going!</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjypAG3MzYxDONYkHsnDwraDN0LAZV9P9V_5NQaEGhcd5p7dN88k03vLze7KFzqiG7ILYYANlTe4FgjpDuDx9EnoRm3sAlKt07rHlBUAW-r1IYrjgQgPBxtZKWgsjWbqnJqebRnORSlWJs/s1600/decoupage+chair+cuting+out+pieces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjypAG3MzYxDONYkHsnDwraDN0LAZV9P9V_5NQaEGhcd5p7dN88k03vLze7KFzqiG7ILYYANlTe4FgjpDuDx9EnoRm3sAlKt07rHlBUAW-r1IYrjgQgPBxtZKWgsjWbqnJqebRnORSlWJs/s640/decoupage+chair+cuting+out+pieces.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Cut out the motifs, in this case London buildings and landmarks. For the best result don't leave space around them, cut out each piece, up to the edges of each line. This is this time consuming part, I did the cutting out while watching several movies. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL87Jb_osVnWgdun1GD5v7KZ4VbFCsaiWGvsxeHpsO92gpUlc0uBplpMwYFPTmDeDnUaIfjwWOgCR4AWavOm343Gdbr3jBi-k4UDowWE3th0duslC994SHJAZNGjMs6ZKqeodIkeSrzpo/s1600/decoupage+piecec+cut+out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL87Jb_osVnWgdun1GD5v7KZ4VbFCsaiWGvsxeHpsO92gpUlc0uBplpMwYFPTmDeDnUaIfjwWOgCR4AWavOm343Gdbr3jBi-k4UDowWE3th0duslC994SHJAZNGjMs6ZKqeodIkeSrzpo/s640/decoupage+piecec+cut+out.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Once done, marvel at the pretty pieces.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSWKEUPqdyhvH1EdjWxdQGrUlPCBOlludorhu29gjPLBXSCAZ7Iui4xj1HYGjh8Is764kTV7kFX2EKv0QyoofDDaSbRKP7w8qGjJvR9gw2jLvqPA4kgRpUgBOOZtYJrsdsr6MJqzUwRI/s1600/applying+spray+mount.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSWKEUPqdyhvH1EdjWxdQGrUlPCBOlludorhu29gjPLBXSCAZ7Iui4xj1HYGjh8Is764kTV7kFX2EKv0QyoofDDaSbRKP7w8qGjJvR9gw2jLvqPA4kgRpUgBOOZtYJrsdsr6MJqzUwRI/s640/applying+spray+mount.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lay out the newspaper and place the cut out pieces facing downwards. Spray the back with spray mount (glue in a can) then smooth each on to the piece of furniture.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYRKI89KJziSnYIDkR_V8WTNy9zIoLuhChMY4k3ffXKyLhzu9pRA53l6tAYReKK-xhxj8-lAu3QC81sciFgOb9IQcSCGFTUpURR9aizjNV11WvNMDs4wcFtd9uaGAvuxDpe1PWUGlCfo/s1600/decoupage+chair+applying+pieces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtYRKI89KJziSnYIDkR_V8WTNy9zIoLuhChMY4k3ffXKyLhzu9pRA53l6tAYReKK-xhxj8-lAu3QC81sciFgOb9IQcSCGFTUpURR9aizjNV11WvNMDs4wcFtd9uaGAvuxDpe1PWUGlCfo/s640/decoupage+chair+applying+pieces.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The trick to decoupage is not being too perfectionist, don't make too many plans, just stick each piece down at different angles, as haphazardly as you like. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtZsFMpR4V5UdP7uMGOCMzDUewp7RrXfAS82jntYnt_TXjYcWzwJt2Bc1N4YUi2HNOajlkLCsA5YzBGXU6wChXrx6_LnwgXh0tj99nXQcNos2FkS8ONokseNJjWjDRtbOMWd-r0AQEhQ/s1600/chair+in+progress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqtZsFMpR4V5UdP7uMGOCMzDUewp7RrXfAS82jntYnt_TXjYcWzwJt2Bc1N4YUi2HNOajlkLCsA5YzBGXU6wChXrx6_LnwgXh0tj99nXQcNos2FkS8ONokseNJjWjDRtbOMWd-r0AQEhQ/s640/chair+in+progress.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Be prepared for lots of overlapping, your fave motifs may get covered up but fear not, you can always stick another one on top. It's important to ensure every end is glued down. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEadOv6CuO-WiCmf_DIb2kJBWuOiNLYdtnFmRiR3tsQNUOESoWe-knZEzLcn7dVq594FABJRXxlgJu7AG9cURtu6BjYx7ItrQ_wta09ZrEwqInhkW29ESHTBnQ8psO72sfNczaBgcp5bw/s1600/varnishing+chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEadOv6CuO-WiCmf_DIb2kJBWuOiNLYdtnFmRiR3tsQNUOESoWe-knZEzLcn7dVq594FABJRXxlgJu7AG9cURtu6BjYx7ItrQ_wta09ZrEwqInhkW29ESHTBnQ8psO72sfNczaBgcp5bw/s640/varnishing+chair.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Once you're happy with the design (you can go for full coverage but I left some gaps of red, as I liked the colour of the chair) either paint over the whole chair with clear varnish or a couple of layers of Modge Podge, depending on what you can get hold of. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b>
<b>And Viola! </b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtH0JtjJGyXiny0iAoztymFDTY4sNMsnHVaVpxtbb9ibrU2pamSexHf0JSJpT7-h6QDvN-BJF8nYM-ZhBxhXrMC6LNEtTfmNWtHNqGu89Z-GAyonAr-PMwlXgTAjSOIU9e2wQO_uoLxCk/s1600/doodling+around+stand+with+chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtH0JtjJGyXiny0iAoztymFDTY4sNMsnHVaVpxtbb9ibrU2pamSexHf0JSJpT7-h6QDvN-BJF8nYM-ZhBxhXrMC6LNEtTfmNWtHNqGu89Z-GAyonAr-PMwlXgTAjSOIU9e2wQO_uoLxCk/s640/doodling+around+stand+with+chair.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The finished chair was displayed on <a href="http://www.doolingaround.co.uk/">Doodling Around's</a> stand at PULSE a gift trade fair last month. It also got lots of attention, but alas it wasn't for sale. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdqxOjxEm6D4Rv2wni_B-ru1HxJ8LP83enM9eL-jeEHDYWMIiX80ZpouwDPIJ3TVFuYrtjOvLzu8459C7csTECU0gZ6AAJQ9iB68URlre-MntPAugv9JmcI8Crk27XGbvVNuM3ZSIn-A/s1600/close+up+of+decopage+chair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXdqxOjxEm6D4Rv2wni_B-ru1HxJ8LP83enM9eL-jeEHDYWMIiX80ZpouwDPIJ3TVFuYrtjOvLzu8459C7csTECU0gZ6AAJQ9iB68URlre-MntPAugv9JmcI8Crk27XGbvVNuM3ZSIn-A/s640/close+up+of+decopage+chair.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's the ultimate London chair!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iEodAmlX8dn2rRM4kFtmdS7TqZTDKTmRddrvsVWWtDilQqasIhI6SXAvIeBPZfWYaiFMJAatavjSwnufN9yWvuA8DcuKtdbOoJE4eJXljNvLvT8R2c41_0-wSv9ENQp3ToRxbRrOVsE/s1600/matt+ponting+at+pulse+london.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iEodAmlX8dn2rRM4kFtmdS7TqZTDKTmRddrvsVWWtDilQqasIhI6SXAvIeBPZfWYaiFMJAatavjSwnufN9yWvuA8DcuKtdbOoJE4eJXljNvLvT8R2c41_0-wSv9ENQp3ToRxbRrOVsE/s640/matt+ponting+at+pulse+london.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I did however help out on the stand, giving away some free sheets and encouraged people to have a go at DIYing it themselves.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEU5mDizjNxpha00f3V8Met2Yn-2gl0r9Q2ytbFKktj9l3noh4mRolKO80RUtZnlF_btJQ5X-CLNzH2MSCHdUSDoZMgJJX5ODGBiyKsP9vhkPXT0C50spbweXIGK0A5Iz7kcoAJfnkUo/s1600/wrapping+paper+at+pulse.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEU5mDizjNxpha00f3V8Met2Yn-2gl0r9Q2ytbFKktj9l3noh4mRolKO80RUtZnlF_btJQ5X-CLNzH2MSCHdUSDoZMgJJX5ODGBiyKsP9vhkPXT0C50spbweXIGK0A5Iz7kcoAJfnkUo/s640/wrapping+paper+at+pulse.JPG" width="480" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love decoupaged furniture. It's a way to quickly transform things, either with just a few pieces, for some detail, or try going to town with full coverage. You can buy special 'decoupage paper' but from experience any paper goes - wrapping paper, comic books, magazines all work perfectly, just avoid anything too thick.</span><br />
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Happy cutting & sticking!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Momtazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11578256722034844409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029867388895079241.post-7411015260296147332015-06-09T09:00:00.002+01:002015-06-09T09:00:13.055+01:00Visiting Labyrinth Bridge: Daytrip to West Wycombe Park (where they filmed the opening scene of the movie)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRL93KGAtK44UYg8n72Gu5cvsOUgfUGC4OPpfy7Kq1MO3dsEoPnQxqoy9xILwh2A7PNsr9b1r-sK_LGxwR0uPBdhuKq_xHhiKTkdO0Y_lWVWqYenTvT0SSQ_1ZmaKcMHsCXAjbbjHsDlg/s1600/labyrinth+bridge+at+west+wycombe+park+gardens+with+worm+and+book.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRL93KGAtK44UYg8n72Gu5cvsOUgfUGC4OPpfy7Kq1MO3dsEoPnQxqoy9xILwh2A7PNsr9b1r-sK_LGxwR0uPBdhuKq_xHhiKTkdO0Y_lWVWqYenTvT0SSQ_1ZmaKcMHsCXAjbbjHsDlg/s640/labyrinth+bridge+at+west+wycombe+park+gardens+with+worm+and+book.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> been a huge fan of the Jim Henson movie <i><a href="http://labyrinth.wikia.com/wiki/Labyrinth_Wiki">Labyrinth </a></i>(1986) for many years and actively follow 'fan' related stuff on the internet. Last year through social media I heard it was possible to visit the location of where they shot the opening scene of the film and I knew immediately that I had to make a fan pilgrimage there. I finally chose Sunday...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEwahUFPcO-I6blYSGi2GxLXjORV0TMp90EVrxFHtZsM4t-TTdIn1lx6a0zWmnStrpl_1Z1cFT86CY9iQQF3ma2VKpxSPBjfYbf7OHzdJlhecV0cbKplPYnArKXFS5-yI9Y9bGVaetOs/s1600/west+wycome+park+panorama.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEwahUFPcO-I6blYSGi2GxLXjORV0TMp90EVrxFHtZsM4t-TTdIn1lx6a0zWmnStrpl_1Z1cFT86CY9iQQF3ma2VKpxSPBjfYbf7OHzdJlhecV0cbKplPYnArKXFS5-yI9Y9bGVaetOs/s640/west+wycome+park+panorama.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the opening scene, the lead character Sarah, played by Jennifer Connelly is seen reciting a passage from a book called <i>Labyrinth</i>. But then the clock strikes, the heavens pour open and she realises she is late to babysit her brother, so she runs over a bridge in a park, in the rain, and then continues to run home. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwfAOIDsXE-JREQo9O2ckGUiBzhifKRR77LVzCT8Qi822NJZc1r_hP5NmLkRYs8FyhePtNEzpjN65mndHDmNcZgFW5tnwFNC_gFWRtt_oJxoKVJiYT06S7oYLwg02IgoT1ZqSgRwTb7s/s1600/scene+from+labyrinth+shot+at+west+wycombe+park.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwfAOIDsXE-JREQo9O2ckGUiBzhifKRR77LVzCT8Qi822NJZc1r_hP5NmLkRYs8FyhePtNEzpjN65mndHDmNcZgFW5tnwFNC_gFWRtt_oJxoKVJiYT06S7oYLwg02IgoT1ZqSgRwTb7s/s640/scene+from+labyrinth+shot+at+west+wycombe+park.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is the bridge in question: a still taken from the film...(circa 1986/85)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And this is it now, in 2015...located in <a href="http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/west-wycombe-park-village-and-hill/">West Wycombe Park</a>.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9aOiIWEdWywR7GhDy9lQOOUEyY7h7K01Kg8xjEBsxFce2qeH9J279QirE6Ps-9A-K9CISPPUDCDnqXbBQOiAJIqLklqgEd7zbCAWWXEvHulzQEyJI8U5kEUE1pUIZqw6D_vzGFQTK4s/s1600/map+of+nationa+trust+west+wycombe+parkJPG.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9aOiIWEdWywR7GhDy9lQOOUEyY7h7K01Kg8xjEBsxFce2qeH9J279QirE6Ps-9A-K9CISPPUDCDnqXbBQOiAJIqLklqgEd7zbCAWWXEvHulzQEyJI8U5kEUE1pUIZqw6D_vzGFQTK4s/s640/map+of+nationa+trust+west+wycombe+parkJPG.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">West Wycombe Park is located just outside of London. I caught a train from London Marylebone to High Wycombe and then walked 2.9 miles to get to the park. There are buses that go there (but only 3 a day on a Sunday) it's advisable to drive but as the sun was out, a stroll there seemed like a good idea, even if it did end up taking an hour. The park are the grounds of a manor house which is still lived in by a family. Finding The Bridge was not as easy as I had expected - there are in fact many bridges in the park. I walked around it twice inspecting every bridge from different angles until I finally worked out which one it was.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">See what I mean - there were many beautiful bridges at the park...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgidoFF23-iNjYDbd1jykaN5HxCpq-1t9md-cAwvK4NxEnkpJVDOXBBNBXt510GvH4NnXkM5u8652wOR125EGJiYtJvzmyqKwDgTZyZObBzm6cPVhS9d4BWQX4OyexJIO8wM2PC6CGNBHg/s1600/labyrinth+worm+arrives+at+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgidoFF23-iNjYDbd1jykaN5HxCpq-1t9md-cAwvK4NxEnkpJVDOXBBNBXt510GvH4NnXkM5u8652wOR125EGJiYtJvzmyqKwDgTZyZObBzm6cPVhS9d4BWQX4OyexJIO8wM2PC6CGNBHg/s640/labyrinth+worm+arrives+at+bridge.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the end my companion Worm, (a character who appears in the movie) spotted the exact location.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5WNyw_ASOumcugazwVZIbtGS7okRBjbOFTxZBWljMw8Fqa3AhYmVHFIDcEXLe4Qu7ocr0_3s5X0II_HB-qsHqWV-OyM-LhQWl3A2Ix5147-xhb38-1jnPFQaYlqyNSKI6MyVQ8dfzD0/s1600/the+worm+from+labyrinth.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw5WNyw_ASOumcugazwVZIbtGS7okRBjbOFTxZBWljMw8Fqa3AhYmVHFIDcEXLe4Qu7ocr0_3s5X0II_HB-qsHqWV-OyM-LhQWl3A2Ix5147-xhb38-1jnPFQaYlqyNSKI6MyVQ8dfzD0/s640/the+worm+from+labyrinth.JPG" width="616" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The original worm from the movie</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjm9N4Ats8ZS2-6JNTzb4nwDMP-mx7-rSJjRZMQyWecn-AtbiRiyxgTWbGNt37Kh8O4hxtS0Ghyphenhyphen_Okm4FsTQUxDckbwEvLXcyCWAEH0l6PDJh8TiowwTo2NUQbEvq_1JjhqqXuH6R_A4/s1600/close+up+of+bride+used+in+labyrinth+movie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjm9N4Ats8ZS2-6JNTzb4nwDMP-mx7-rSJjRZMQyWecn-AtbiRiyxgTWbGNt37Kh8O4hxtS0Ghyphenhyphen_Okm4FsTQUxDckbwEvLXcyCWAEH0l6PDJh8TiowwTo2NUQbEvq_1JjhqqXuH6R_A4/s640/close+up+of+bride+used+in+labyrinth+movie.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLfACB1ZF_D8Lxrn3wLS9tlCHNc3-bI7vSfsMZJ3C0mNmGDiJ5VYNJWpXv7msooAoDIlpBH7yZ7w2OT2f8XmxYt6K2vDOw8Zfcwqe7AqYgMh3ZESW_XCx1L97tr_9nOM27Y3U4dugcE4s/s1600/book+and+worm+on+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLfACB1ZF_D8Lxrn3wLS9tlCHNc3-bI7vSfsMZJ3C0mNmGDiJ5VYNJWpXv7msooAoDIlpBH7yZ7w2OT2f8XmxYt6K2vDOw8Zfcwqe7AqYgMh3ZESW_XCx1L97tr_9nOM27Y3U4dugcE4s/s640/book+and+worm+on+bridge.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As I knew I was on a mission to find The Labyrinth Bridge I wore my special owl dress which represents the male lead in the film The Goblin Kind, Jareth, played by David Bowie - whose character often disguises himself as an owl.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">David Bowie & Jennifer Connelly in character<br /><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I <a href="https://vine.co/v/eMQbatqmUB2">videoed myself</a> running across the bridge too in true Fan style! </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The rest of the park is Stunning. Visitors can either pay to only visit the gardens or the house and the gardens. I paid £5 for the grounds only. Sitting in this park is the perfect way to spend a free afternoon. You're not allowed to picnic here but just sitting down and taking in the epic views is enough to revive, refresh and de-stress you. The park is a good size, not too overwhelming. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I sat back and watched swans and ducks, this handsome one caught my eye as I had not seen this variety before and there was only one. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkzAaiun7B3cdFFQ3MEA74PUxbJAt0gezCS4oF8sUn7b9rJ-4Y1u5MZ36taxRMIGsYlB6uGV-uOUj7lPJX1lNmBWQd8aannmgxKMqryp764CZyXrTY2OsqdRlsJ8J4w1CZsAkHCmQn7Lg/s1600/lake+view+at+west+wycombe.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkzAaiun7B3cdFFQ3MEA74PUxbJAt0gezCS4oF8sUn7b9rJ-4Y1u5MZ36taxRMIGsYlB6uGV-uOUj7lPJX1lNmBWQd8aannmgxKMqryp764CZyXrTY2OsqdRlsJ8J4w1CZsAkHCmQn7Lg/s640/lake+view+at+west+wycombe.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The park is only open 2pm-6pm and it's possible to spend all four hours there simply taking it all in. I love parks, I go to them at every given opportunity and am blessed to have so many great parks in London, but I have never been to a park like this before. It truly does have a magical feel to it, an air of fantasy and a little taste of what heaven must be like.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here are the opening hours - they are sadly very limited but then it is someone's home so I guess they like to keep it to themselves too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Just across from the park is West Wycombe's <a href="http://www.hellfirecaves.co.uk/">Hell-Fire</a> caves, I didn't get a chance to visit them on this trip but if you follow the signs up a hill you can look down and get great views of the park (you can just about see the house in the distance.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The house doesn't have a tea room but there a couple in the village just outside the park. I chose to have mine at <a href="http://www.westwycombelibrary.co.uk/">West Wycombe Community library </a>- which is the finest public library I've ever seen. Outside are chairs and tables to eat tea alfresco, while inside is a wonderful public library with sofas, surrounded by handmade items for sale.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I bought thus cushion which was made by one of the librarians, she was very sad to see it go but I promised to give it a good home.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbvmGSQ-bj-EapLOaxp2GGS9SJX56bipQUSnPgk4mjWj9Rsg78H0bzt1EcWfQr0PSoqBYQtgOgEr-chJd1ptw2Ij9X2bT00ixG15-qIicVlSZ9VICPVXEaJzChE6L-pcHTIh27TBRcPs/s1600/labyrinth+worm+and+snail+friend.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvbvmGSQ-bj-EapLOaxp2GGS9SJX56bipQUSnPgk4mjWj9Rsg78H0bzt1EcWfQr0PSoqBYQtgOgEr-chJd1ptw2Ij9X2bT00ixG15-qIicVlSZ9VICPVXEaJzChE6L-pcHTIh27TBRcPs/s640/labyrinth+worm+and+snail+friend.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I timed my visit to get the last bus of the day back into town which left at exactly 18.14 on the dot. While we were waiting, Worm made himself a friend; a giant snail. I think we'll need to come back again so they can visit eachother.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Never watched Labyrinth? A few years ago it was really hard to do so. I spent six years on a waiting list to get hold of a VHS copy (no really!!!) but now</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> it's easily obtainable on DVD is regularly shown at cinemas and is also on </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxV1dIRlmOU" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">You Tube</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">. (It's up to you if you choose to watch it for free, but what I would say is if you watch the first couple of minutes you can at least see the shot I'm talking about!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Thanks:</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>The following people inspired me to go on this pilgrimage</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><a href="https://twitter.com/LabyrinthWiki">LabyrinthWiki,</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Kuato_lives">Anthony</a> & <a href="https://thetreviowl.wordpress.com/2011/08/05/the-search-for-the-labyrinth-park-i-found-it/">The Trevi Owl</a>.</i></span>Momtazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11578256722034844409noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029867388895079241.post-29844528686977532462015-05-03T21:08:00.003+01:002015-05-03T21:23:27.057+01:00The Asian Awards 2015 - Red Carpet & Media Room Coverage<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafVMjPoKgNbLOLdP5B97kzzF3egxY7jW__Nz9JWDmahBhZ0H91gAZPGpezehJikDIemGPsSZfWnc1GzpIvEsrbRGSS-ah5G8P8TVEBqXkBsDc-KyFusFX2WVVB9qFZO6z_n86C45ZOp4/s1600/momtaz+with+riaz+jugon+from+jadore+productions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjafVMjPoKgNbLOLdP5B97kzzF3egxY7jW__Nz9JWDmahBhZ0H91gAZPGpezehJikDIemGPsSZfWnc1GzpIvEsrbRGSS-ah5G8P8TVEBqXkBsDc-KyFusFX2WVVB9qFZO6z_n86C45ZOp4/s1600/momtaz+with+riaz+jugon+from+jadore+productions.jpg" height="640" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With cameraman Riaz Jugon waiting on Park Lane for the celebs to arrive</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.cosilikemakingstuff.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/the-asian-awards-2014.html">Last year</a> I was invited to <a href="http://www.theasianawards.com/">The Asian Awards</a> as a guest, this year I worked there, covering the event for <a href="http://www.asiana.tv/asiana-tube/asian-awards-2015">Asiana.tv.</a> Sitting pretty dolled up at a table and being fed a five star three course meal is what most people were up to, but me and my crew spent three and a half hours freezing our socks off outside the venue awaiting the celebs to arrive then worked a further four hours in the media room again, all in the name of getting a story. But I wouldn't have had it any other way. Working at an awards ceremony is more fun than just attending one. Here's what happened...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Perfecting my presenting look</b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzTE-A5lwJ0Xzt79g6ZSmw8FxAxpdMugYRNrVLqOuDoMcDPbQX8je1nN1EOhri9efh0JwdfG7T0zlgVicBrPIelLlwTiqZczYP60twcMQ9YvOaieCXsmCd_B-i1d_K3SMKvQtOWJtp8w/s1600/momtaz+begum+-hossain+boat+photoshoot+asian+awards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzTE-A5lwJ0Xzt79g6ZSmw8FxAxpdMugYRNrVLqOuDoMcDPbQX8je1nN1EOhri9efh0JwdfG7T0zlgVicBrPIelLlwTiqZczYP60twcMQ9YvOaieCXsmCd_B-i1d_K3SMKvQtOWJtp8w/s1600/momtaz+begum+-hossain+boat+photoshoot+asian+awards.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I planned my outfit the night before, an ensemble I created from various accessories I had at home, teamed with a dress designed for me by Birmingham based designer<a href="http://www.satitakhar.com/"> Sati</a> for a previous event I presented at, but hey, I'm not one to not wear the same outfit twice, as long as it's styled differently!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_yB_qxsETk2OArE-HVvLTLYToMC2VFRe4-ks7Mzj7oLe5ftYo2gwL5mEU1yePniX7ll-Y6T4mniN4zvdCYI-UfJqfSlbT2SSty1Cise-6qRJ7Rnok5Yj_8MG4aPpO5j-e0wxkXdwO_4/s1600/getting+make+up+done+by+naveeda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR_yB_qxsETk2OArE-HVvLTLYToMC2VFRe4-ks7Mzj7oLe5ftYo2gwL5mEU1yePniX7ll-Y6T4mniN4zvdCYI-UfJqfSlbT2SSty1Cise-6qRJ7Rnok5Yj_8MG4aPpO5j-e0wxkXdwO_4/s1600/getting+make+up+done+by+naveeda.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My hair and make-up artist for the event was <a href="http://www.naveeda.com/">Naveeda </a>but in order to get it done, I had to visit her on a boat where was was busy doing a photoshoot!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMdn1KJzl-4qAJMZembFXfB7T9BOOQAdrbS42CO2GzvpmIeG_ZypswV_oks7iUKxMAcOW57TeRwSZ5BxeWaiZyO2Jm3LF_O1Ic6X2WackyYv22hVF168gF5vO2HbHstXxVqb6pLl17rk/s1600/make+up+artist+naveeda+with+momtaz+from+asiana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglMdn1KJzl-4qAJMZembFXfB7T9BOOQAdrbS42CO2GzvpmIeG_ZypswV_oks7iUKxMAcOW57TeRwSZ5BxeWaiZyO2Jm3LF_O1Ic6X2WackyYv22hVF168gF5vO2HbHstXxVqb6pLl17rk/s1600/make+up+artist+naveeda+with+momtaz+from+asiana.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the rosy pink doll-like cheeks Naveeda created for me, it's one of my fave beauty looks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrX1L8BVbt36XdppjZrKzzxLQGupWM7KqR6QLqTjATPv6seMKyVEllfkVhvcHYBLhzTMlevLDcSY-B3foCFGB6ZL7KQPv2aeeev48fu43sr0gaJNVKCySjtDHyFaZQdyF7zuJiV2exC0/s1600/momtaz+begum-hossain+getting+ready+for+the+asian+awards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNrX1L8BVbt36XdppjZrKzzxLQGupWM7KqR6QLqTjATPv6seMKyVEllfkVhvcHYBLhzTMlevLDcSY-B3foCFGB6ZL7KQPv2aeeev48fu43sr0gaJNVKCySjtDHyFaZQdyF7zuJiV2exC0/s1600/momtaz+begum-hossain+getting+ready+for+the+asian+awards.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shooting on The Golden Hinde II, the boat that is parked up by London Bridge (I've walked passed it so many times so it was surreal to be aboard!) Pic: Alex Pichon</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Red carpet reporting</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I recently blogged about what it's like working on a red carpet and this was one of the tougher ones. All the celebs arrived, got papped by the photographers then many headed straight inside. As I was stuck behind a barrier there wasn't much I could do, but I still managed to speak to some of the guests including...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; text-align: center;">I was at the end of the line of reporters, so on one side of me I had another journalist and at the other side is where the fans started. The space was packed with young girls - Zayn Malik fans awaiting his arrival; his first media appearance since quitting boyband 1D. Some were actually hyperventilating when he arrived! See more pics of that <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3044044/Zayn-Malik-reveals-extreme-new-buzzcut-shaved-head-hair-cut-takes-mum-Trisha-date-Asian-Awards.html">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Backstage at the media room</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I didn't get to watch the actual award ceremony but once winners were announced they were led back stage to the Media Room where I was waiting for them! The biggest honour for me was speaking to fashion designer John Rocha, I have utmost respect for him (and although I don't usually wear trousers, I have one pair, designed by him, and they are spectacular!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I recently interviewed Danielle Bux, the wife of football pundit Gary Lineker for a magazine article so it was nice to catch up with her again and with her hubbie this time!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The current sporting hero of our times, I also interviewed this cricket star, one of the billionaire Hinduja Brothers (he and his brothers are worth £14billion!) and Maya, the daughter of Dr Amar Bose of Bose technology fame.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I also managed to make Sanjeev Bhaskar giggle which is clearly an achievement!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And nabbed a word with presenters Sunny and Say who as ever, looked remarkable, I love their style as a pair.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Amidst the working, my colleague Fariha and I had our own Bond Girl moment with celebrity BodyGuard Yousaff Khan (who was looking out for Zayn Malik and Shah Rukh Khan on the night) but joined us for a dinner of lentils and rice (which is all us journos were fed!), got stopped by presenter Gok Wan, who told me I looked amazing, had a gossip with the lovely Bollywood ambassador Raj....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">..and got to admire Shah Rukh from a distance (I wasn't allowed to speak to him!) One day eh?!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The video I made of the event is up on <a href="http://www.asiana.tv/asiana-tube/asian-awards-2015">Asiana.TV </a>and my <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p3EnZXriCM">You Tube channel</a> so be sure to watch it! After finishing up post -midnight I had to hot foot it home to get ready to present my radio show in the morning where I also chatted about the event. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As for next year...who knows if I will be working there or guesting there? Hmmmmmmmm!</span></div>
Momtazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11578256722034844409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029867388895079241.post-12360066856170391192015-04-21T19:55:00.001+01:002015-04-21T23:35:23.030+01:00How To Present On A Red Carpet: Film Premiere Of Amar Akbar & Tony <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTRUtmjf1BcQNs8TQLvv0aZ4aAB0m3W2MWKFcLLjXtkN6WRa4MxMw0BbyRfe0Ps-i6xpISr_4Wup6vd5XVihTTTSQdU8Ka-ols1nzE7ZdtSBf4jcLCtfxt-oYMSeo1aN4VVsAzN0WN5A/s1600/momtaz+begum+hossain+presenter.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTRUtmjf1BcQNs8TQLvv0aZ4aAB0m3W2MWKFcLLjXtkN6WRa4MxMw0BbyRfe0Ps-i6xpISr_4Wup6vd5XVihTTTSQdU8Ka-ols1nzE7ZdtSBf4jcLCtfxt-oYMSeo1aN4VVsAzN0WN5A/s1600/momtaz+begum+hossain+presenter.png" height="356" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">One of the first TV Presenting tasks I ever got asked to do was report from a Red Carpet. It's the staple experience for any wannabe telly presenter - standing outside getting cold for hours, shouting at celebs to get their attention and invariably being ignored...everyone has to try it! I'm not exactly a pro, but as I've done my fair share (including two in the last two weeks), I thought I'd share some advice for anyone starting out, using a recent red carpet example where I covered the Premiere of new British indie movie <a href="http://www.amarakbarandtony.com/">Amar Akbar & Tony</a>.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKo6GTjDnkgNgprkRBcURoUo0SeYd3Bf6JE6ySMOyGHdwKphNiGH36qE55mUf_Cy4xbOFWAjfufn7BonuGurK2OM2F9UMGzzydjHeRMalq9h6WkTP8oShyKeGsWbHz60odk9aOTuQ60KU/s1600/poster.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKo6GTjDnkgNgprkRBcURoUo0SeYd3Bf6JE6ySMOyGHdwKphNiGH36qE55mUf_Cy4xbOFWAjfufn7BonuGurK2OM2F9UMGzzydjHeRMalq9h6WkTP8oShyKeGsWbHz60odk9aOTuQ60KU/s1600/poster.png" height="478" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Premiere took place a week before the film released at cinemas (April 17th it's OUT NOW!) at the Cineworld in Haymarket. Thankfully the red carpet bit took place inside, but my camera man Shevy Sandhu and I filmed some links outside to set the scene.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9QFJ-VHgehPjxDnipvEo0HxHIQNoERo1DdkTOw-DjytbTSPOYU3c1ZBrxdm86Z0Se6vYRzKuBS8XgvvxPETdUizs3v2rKIauCn9URO7kvIcVaC9BXB4k2cEtj_Vot2b4eP4zJOMAY3A/s1600/momtaz+and+shevy+sadhu+amar+akbar+tony.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9QFJ-VHgehPjxDnipvEo0HxHIQNoERo1DdkTOw-DjytbTSPOYU3c1ZBrxdm86Z0Se6vYRzKuBS8XgvvxPETdUizs3v2rKIauCn9URO7kvIcVaC9BXB4k2cEtj_Vot2b4eP4zJOMAY3A/s1600/momtaz+and+shevy+sadhu+amar+akbar+tony.png" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">You can watch our finished report </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikMLeK8akRw" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">here</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And below are my </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Top 10 Tips For How To Present From A Red Carpet</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOZK7MLwtzgO8ccJ6OJTPAySaze767ucnoYDGG5txirNkApc_zGFax4feb6x5yw6FC7Bxj94Tygmty43OmZ5psf-EiyZ7NOaKZlHA4Dl_p5Y0TBwQl7d4qwm8QWJ2sHEkKBaqBor-GHc/s1600/amar+akbar+tony+montage+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjOZK7MLwtzgO8ccJ6OJTPAySaze767ucnoYDGG5txirNkApc_zGFax4feb6x5yw6FC7Bxj94Tygmty43OmZ5psf-EiyZ7NOaKZlHA4Dl_p5Y0TBwQl7d4qwm8QWJ2sHEkKBaqBor-GHc/s1600/amar+akbar+tony+montage+2.png" height="342" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">1. GRAB CELEB EVEN IF THEY DON'T WANT TO SPEAK TO YOU</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Y6jKFzkO9TXNYeU7PVgNynPp55GiVwaWbQHLTNDfNRk-rfn9L1QAGJZPr84jyw7nY8gvddXYJgUgqOt9Ze9MlbQPVXhWLwbCFgJmj-UssoeQR6Eqeh2epzfTTH4EwcJqIuXHvFpL8JY/s1600/cindy+beale+aka+michelle+collins+at+amar+akbar+tony+premiere.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Y6jKFzkO9TXNYeU7PVgNynPp55GiVwaWbQHLTNDfNRk-rfn9L1QAGJZPr84jyw7nY8gvddXYJgUgqOt9Ze9MlbQPVXhWLwbCFgJmj-UssoeQR6Eqeh2epzfTTH4EwcJqIuXHvFpL8JY/s1600/cindy+beale+aka+michelle+collins+at+amar+akbar+tony+premiere.png" height="352" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yes that is Cindy Beale from <i>Eastenders</i> and no she did not want to speak to me but you have to be confident and assertive enough to talk them around; and it does work, even if you only get a sound bite, that's better than nothing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>2. ASK CELEB TO DO SOMETHING</b> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xFYIqWpd9Kex9q0HtWN8q2DijlsssYlZHJKH2l23KRF7oFZyLZKxQcB9Dgqji-yftenmVC-mCZ2pBOl3ZmBqwysvgjFF3aix-F87FlbjBc6Sk85t408TL0rw1lkVfkf2btaAT0n-O14/s1600/desi+rascals+as+amar+akbar+tony+premiere.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xFYIqWpd9Kex9q0HtWN8q2DijlsssYlZHJKH2l23KRF7oFZyLZKxQcB9Dgqji-yftenmVC-mCZ2pBOl3ZmBqwysvgjFF3aix-F87FlbjBc6Sk85t408TL0rw1lkVfkf2btaAT0n-O14/s1600/desi+rascals+as+amar+akbar+tony+premiere.png" height="362" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Celebs will be asked similar questions from all the press in attendance so if you can pop in a practical task they'll appreciate it. In the case of the cast of <i>Desi Rascals</i> I asked them to perform their famous Power Dance, which they did!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>3. COMMENT ON CELEB'S CLOTHING</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtchVVe2hwXzhIs_qK5TPkppqjYDkleQB6AMnPyQVXIwpADDVX2znjeeqdLI8GrWqmjrkhYCmhIhglQAyF3MD-PCcjExBctVdMdECQaq5M7AVJUX9ZIOvQAf-eGkfmAVCqWznmsKAv0g/s1600/rebecca+grant+at+amar+akbar+tony+premiere.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtchVVe2hwXzhIs_qK5TPkppqjYDkleQB6AMnPyQVXIwpADDVX2znjeeqdLI8GrWqmjrkhYCmhIhglQAyF3MD-PCcjExBctVdMdECQaq5M7AVJUX9ZIOvQAf-eGkfmAVCqWznmsKAv0g/s1600/rebecca+grant+at+amar+akbar+tony+premiere.png" height="354" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is one of the easiest ways to strike up a conversation (not just on a red carpet but in real life!) and you never know what you may find out. For example after telling <i>Doctors</i> actress Rebecca that I loved her dress, she revealed it's actual vintage and used to belong to her granny. Now you don't find out stuff like that everyday!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>4. NAB TWO CELEBS AT THE SAME TIME</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcoW2DckYmG_V0dfVXTUmXBRjVPiysb-AaODIBZlheert1pFp9zvAVGhIMZUL0F0u-9sqgN9RoDMXKKwvA_8X7m0p6zNA0CH_-BRMCP9DKYmX8f10jgvuEERq8vm9rxYRuBAd2P9OcEtc/s1600/tanveer+and+ashifa+at+amar+akbar+tony+premiere.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcoW2DckYmG_V0dfVXTUmXBRjVPiysb-AaODIBZlheert1pFp9zvAVGhIMZUL0F0u-9sqgN9RoDMXKKwvA_8X7m0p6zNA0CH_-BRMCP9DKYmX8f10jgvuEERq8vm9rxYRuBAd2P9OcEtc/s1600/tanveer+and+ashifa+at+amar+akbar+tony+premiere.png" height="356" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm not a fan of the saying 'kill two birds with one stone' but getting more than one celeb at once means you get two interviews out of the way and it adds some variety to the overall film.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>5. PRETEND YOU KNOW WHO THEY ARE</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCGmTBJv2fFDDdjWWkNCcgq07Rw9TmSzQ7YZzsPehEF_HfO06pKbsMix_UbsS7Onpz5IggXgoNp8I4FpuJYWcJtEBrFaTduREG8IdBUD-G3FjiOAMDRPOIk92zR2qVBGiYjHPXGwRqDI/s1600/ella+jade.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhCGmTBJv2fFDDdjWWkNCcgq07Rw9TmSzQ7YZzsPehEF_HfO06pKbsMix_UbsS7Onpz5IggXgoNp8I4FpuJYWcJtEBrFaTduREG8IdBUD-G3FjiOAMDRPOIk92zR2qVBGiYjHPXGwRqDI/s1600/ella+jade.png" height="356" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Again in this instance be confident and enthusiastic. I thought this was Ella from <i>The X Factor</i> but it was Ella from <i>The Apprentice</i>, I didn't watch either so I didn't ask her about the shows - instead I greeted her very enthusiastically so she felt comfortable to talk,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> and getting someone to talk is the main thing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>6. BE SURE TO INTERVIEW THE LEADING LADY</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeL4y2tFAH7DgeZbct2KiMr-PzMHKXDD34UfSHxywFriwdYbnwjF96wvaOqH2qpiorkD-oyuFpVsTEFgJKQzrNkdEMJAqF9stbmS5DpgE4O8i2G8Ecb-YP2jNuu8UpHjC9NvlJtPzbgU/s1600/karen+david+at+amar+akbar+tony+premiere.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkeL4y2tFAH7DgeZbct2KiMr-PzMHKXDD34UfSHxywFriwdYbnwjF96wvaOqH2qpiorkD-oyuFpVsTEFgJKQzrNkdEMJAqF9stbmS5DpgE4O8i2G8Ecb-YP2jNuu8UpHjC9NvlJtPzbgU/s1600/karen+david+at+amar+akbar+tony+premiere.png" height="358" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's all well and good interviewing the guests but if it's a film you're covering you must nab the leading cast otherwise your report is a bit pointless. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>7. REMEMBER THE DIRECTOR & CREW</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmC_0EA2sdmbbBlIVm0pQsaTpydHBqAO064iVmZ8CT4dUVZvuzNvQhct_rCJO-ck2PlJQZEgme-9gKzpz52WziCdfFr9VEZimc7vD4KF-xzViaKP2hM9R5EnTx4d2e3WrPYSvFj-Yo0k/s1600/atul+malhotra+director+of+amar+akbar+tony.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmC_0EA2sdmbbBlIVm0pQsaTpydHBqAO064iVmZ8CT4dUVZvuzNvQhct_rCJO-ck2PlJQZEgme-9gKzpz52WziCdfFr9VEZimc7vD4KF-xzViaKP2hM9R5EnTx4d2e3WrPYSvFj-Yo0k/s1600/atul+malhotra+director+of+amar+akbar+tony.png" height="360" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Remember, these events shouldn't just be about the faces, show some love to the hardworking peeps behind the scenes...after all, there would be no film without the Director who in this case was also the Writer, Producer & Distributor. These people have stories to share that will make your report far more interesting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>8. HAVE FUN</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-n0LdmIquDT4-6pLFCufz0e9YHRYgA4n1Lw8Wv8R2aX1hpYkk0fhJQw0FtsqdbauhmKFm0atNfQ8Y3-XgPEunkYNNA5Blb1lsZmFqYR2ShOv82uSKr9es5OzNtovbyLxir2lcYOpj9sU/s1600/amar+akbar+tony+montage.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-n0LdmIquDT4-6pLFCufz0e9YHRYgA4n1Lw8Wv8R2aX1hpYkk0fhJQw0FtsqdbauhmKFm0atNfQ8Y3-XgPEunkYNNA5Blb1lsZmFqYR2ShOv82uSKr9es5OzNtovbyLxir2lcYOpj9sU/s1600/amar+akbar+tony+montage.png" height="364" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Working on a red carpet isn't really work. There's no need to stress. Rather then trying to get 'the numbers', concentrate on engaging who you speak to and enjoying the whole experience.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>9. PLAN A BASIC SCRIPT</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWeFq2kJheV1BdMuEenBffNRvhJsQnQbM3gnbXvzZV7__5oo8wbqEHkiIfyCKlujtLUIF5WZbanu6ZMB0N4i8JdDGejFg5-3c9TLLQBAHFQ9maM57xdeSGscAgkTF0JmuwejsyNMXpyc4/s1600/momtaz+and+amar+akbar+tony+poster.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWeFq2kJheV1BdMuEenBffNRvhJsQnQbM3gnbXvzZV7__5oo8wbqEHkiIfyCKlujtLUIF5WZbanu6ZMB0N4i8JdDGejFg5-3c9TLLQBAHFQ9maM57xdeSGscAgkTF0JmuwejsyNMXpyc4/s1600/momtaz+and+amar+akbar+tony+poster.png" height="326" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I know TV Presenters who never do any planning (and it shows!) and others who get everything written for them, they just turn up and read...but my feeling is you should do some prep. Have an idea of what you want the finished piece to be like and decide on what links you think will work - when it finally happens it can be very quick and before you know it it's over and you may be so caught up in the buzz you forget to record the important stuff, so never be afraid to write scripts and bring them with you, you'll get a much more professional end product.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>10. WATCH MY VIDEO TO GET INSPIRED!</b></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ikMLeK8akRw/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ikMLeK8akRw?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After all the advice I've given you need to see me in action right?! Ok well here goes...press the play arrow!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Most of all, every presenter needs to develop their own style so whatever yours is: hone it and go out there and share it with the world! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Catch Amar Akbar & Tony in UK cinemas it's OUT NOW!</i></span></div>
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Momtazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11578256722034844409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029867388895079241.post-63790971860796607622015-04-07T19:46:00.001+01:002015-04-07T20:05:45.569+01:00Help Me Fund My Next Craft Book! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYoPZ9BHAC22JJy_xbKcV7WnuZwakv54c7mJCJHaDF5r1vb8ZK3xNTWOo_sL02UxZPViFw5kImECJgEaP3S86oigxsWQ3e71qAtSpney-iTw8Mz1AMa6B9SBcnzWCiw6oi9wIe0UVDRs/s1600/Ribbon+kickstarter+cover+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQYoPZ9BHAC22JJy_xbKcV7WnuZwakv54c7mJCJHaDF5r1vb8ZK3xNTWOo_sL02UxZPViFw5kImECJgEaP3S86oigxsWQ3e71qAtSpney-iTw8Mz1AMa6B9SBcnzWCiw6oi9wIe0UVDRs/s1600/Ribbon+kickstarter+cover+.jpg" height="492" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I recently started a </span><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ribbon/we-love-ribbon-a-digital-craft-bookfashion-interio" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Crowd Funding Campaign on website Kickstarter</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> to publish my next craft book and now have just until the end of the month to raise £3.5k to help me do this project.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Buy why do I need to ask people to donate money? Well, I'm going to try and explain more...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Back in 2012 my book 1<i>01+ Things To Do With Glitter </i>was published by Vivays. After I handed it in and was awaiting for it to be printed I started on the follow up, a title about ribbon. But sadly the publishing company went into liquidation which promptly stopped production and distribution of the glitter book and stopped my ribbon book (which by that time has been all written and the projects made), from progressing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I dedicated over a year to the book, unpaid, so couldn't bear to see the work remain just as a file on my computer. I then waited a further two years for legal decisions to be made and for the old publishing company to be bought by a new one - this eventually happened but they no longer wanted my book. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I looked into various options as to how I could publish it myself and eventually digital publishing made the most sense. My plan is to create a digital craft book for Ipad and tablet but one that's also available to purchase as downloadable pdf.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The most important part of the book is that is showcases the work of independent UK Maker/Designers, who have designed the projects that feature in the book. This isn't a vanity project to help me publish another book with my name on...I have long been a supporter of creative talent in the UK. I used to edit a Craftzine as I strongly believe in giving people platforms to showcase their work, especially as otherwise they wouldn't get a chance. This is my way to help them.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA0PkQpDNkWGq6bQof_8pEEZx-k22CxRMB3dJUzuUAOcZQMu9v3-QTZy9QjgUZi6Iju-NvJPLFprIlVnAWF4vqlfTjxLW62PHakjwAiveWcwcGcfHfINRS1t7BYlSqN7a9AoYjnxh1bz4/s1600/carole+king+fish+book.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA0PkQpDNkWGq6bQof_8pEEZx-k22CxRMB3dJUzuUAOcZQMu9v3-QTZy9QjgUZi6Iju-NvJPLFprIlVnAWF4vqlfTjxLW62PHakjwAiveWcwcGcfHfINRS1t7BYlSqN7a9AoYjnxh1bz4/s1600/carole+king+fish+book.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Papercrafts section: Notebook by Carole King</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The projects in the book fit into four categories: fashion, interiors, gifts and papercrafts and here are some examples of the types of projects in the book...</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgop-4tmYtygpmtwbEy7lw_3Xbc3CO1ggWEnLWFj13iPAFz9UxrjtDLcOk7tNV6I5ZwNB5hEgJ9y8OAXSOi0HHqF4DF6HtDGbdUJl4_yw2m49rz3CFre-amdBCs-K8lRYdf_bjl-EWl0bo/s1600/photo+(86).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgop-4tmYtygpmtwbEy7lw_3Xbc3CO1ggWEnLWFj13iPAFz9UxrjtDLcOk7tNV6I5ZwNB5hEgJ9y8OAXSOi0HHqF4DF6HtDGbdUJl4_yw2m49rz3CFre-amdBCs-K8lRYdf_bjl-EWl0bo/s1600/photo+(86).JPG" height="640" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Fashion section: Ballet socks by Nadia Kamil</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Xp4Rf5G_iC04esVGHs4Z3dhEYvcPqWU-lgjL-3I9pYQt9q1pcqAbre8AC82kxocYZyKqu8rHK-fFBtKP6mUf7QMGCUfrwxn5Szpypt5r-2uUW1rQ5MVi-TrDDn-IA9sZZqutNmXoPxw/s1600/photo+(47).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Xp4Rf5G_iC04esVGHs4Z3dhEYvcPqWU-lgjL-3I9pYQt9q1pcqAbre8AC82kxocYZyKqu8rHK-fFBtKP6mUf7QMGCUfrwxn5Szpypt5r-2uUW1rQ5MVi-TrDDn-IA9sZZqutNmXoPxw/s1600/photo+(47).JPG" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Woven cushion by Agnis Smallwood</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The £3.5k I am trying to raise will go towards design and photography and turning the book into a digital format to make it available, as well as extras like sending projects back to the designers, photoshoot travel etc. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Crowd funding is a method that allows you to raise money for your own projects but it's an all or nothing approach so if I raise £3.5k it means I can make the book, if I raise less than that then I won't get any of the money that has been pledged..</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Currently I am spreading the word through social media and emailing friends but at the moment still feeling nervous about whether or not I will reach the target (current count is £726). <br /><br />I have joined up with graphic designer Kara-Jessica Mallet to help me on this project and together we are trying to do as much as we can to raise awareness and get the book made.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All the details about our campaign are on our Kickstarter page which you can see <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ribbon/we-love-ribbon-a-digital-craft-bookfashion-interio">here. </a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you're reading my blog and like what I do, I hope you can spare a few pounds to help me on this mission of mine, every penny can make a difference in reaching our target. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thanks so much!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Momtaz</span></span><br />
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Momtazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11578256722034844409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029867388895079241.post-46544419099580614602015-03-24T18:43:00.004+00:002015-03-24T18:47:52.503+00:00Underwater Love: Design Features At Atlantis, The Palm Dubai (and my wee visit to the hotel!) <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Lk4SE1tvxwYJnwj_aRnfj71qEXEzC8CG1iWo5Ae_4D7ODV9TSMjzf9e_UXadHZ1atF5venq66wwO46kpXzThO4_i0OGdK1RH73jcILJyGYunkbzu3GGDnZeLvg5GbIz45yxkI35x8yE/s1600/atlantis+dubai+entrance+momtaz.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Lk4SE1tvxwYJnwj_aRnfj71qEXEzC8CG1iWo5Ae_4D7ODV9TSMjzf9e_UXadHZ1atF5venq66wwO46kpXzThO4_i0OGdK1RH73jcILJyGYunkbzu3GGDnZeLvg5GbIz45yxkI35x8yE/s1600/atlantis+dubai+entrance+momtaz.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me, blending in like a piece of the furniture at The Atlantis Palm Dubai</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I love a good theme and I love water so a water themed hotel is bound to be my kind of place right? <a href="http://www.atlantisthepalm.com/">Atlantis, The Palm Hotel in Dubai</a> is indeed that 'water themed' hotel but I had no idea it would also be such a creative destination. There are crafty touches in the design and décor everywhere you look, starting with this exquisite glass centrepiece in the entrance (made by <a href="http://www.chihuly.com/">Dale Chihuly</a> the same artist who created the jaw-dropping <a href="http://www.vam.ac.uk/users/node/1937">Rotunda Chandelier the V&A Museum</a> in London.) It consists of 3,000 handblown pieces of glass and measures 9.75m in height. The good news is you don't need to stay at the hotel to enjoy the art, so if you're ever in Dubai it's worth popping in just to admire the views...</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNIyWZwB2oNjOSHiaqmHhQ5UylADaLBLwrcYMGlhkk-R5uEqdNw2pttiDYWIyqsY4AC-vg3u8fscYPVC1yp-zH7PZirIQpKym1e9fJBqPGVmpvP1qIgLjH9aUsQc2lhqU7tTpnY_NWJI/s1600/dome+ceiling+atlantis+dubai.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNIyWZwB2oNjOSHiaqmHhQ5UylADaLBLwrcYMGlhkk-R5uEqdNw2pttiDYWIyqsY4AC-vg3u8fscYPVC1yp-zH7PZirIQpKym1e9fJBqPGVmpvP1qIgLjH9aUsQc2lhqU7tTpnY_NWJI/s1600/dome+ceiling+atlantis+dubai.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dome ceiling in the lobby with top view of the sculpture</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ECe0Vjm0uKuGsKodMpfx1WKGQiq6fHznSGCJwUkinICZDPWVU62n7VTNXypDyjHiqofaV4Y1h1g90UYJhK2N0Zt3c3CrcJLB1rwWmgxeDoPdpnLQ9TcpuiGhynCWV1YwCTzaNK1ikqE/s1600/top+of+glass+chandelier+sculpture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ECe0Vjm0uKuGsKodMpfx1WKGQiq6fHznSGCJwUkinICZDPWVU62n7VTNXypDyjHiqofaV4Y1h1g90UYJhK2N0Zt3c3CrcJLB1rwWmgxeDoPdpnLQ9TcpuiGhynCWV1YwCTzaNK1ikqE/s1600/top+of+glass+chandelier+sculpture.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhS1gWWaOk30F3IJfqBVEGFhmcn5m8_-w7vJaPiV-qheTsZ-WZuFPiYzczU5caIhd90WNt7qdQZ9FaCxFrBNsnqjysGF-zbw2UIeD59dPXhoUFpJXrbK8Grg-ADTsOxxBxEo3Yawp6fE/s1600/underwater+painted+ceiling+atlantis+dubai.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZhS1gWWaOk30F3IJfqBVEGFhmcn5m8_-w7vJaPiV-qheTsZ-WZuFPiYzczU5caIhd90WNt7qdQZ9FaCxFrBNsnqjysGF-zbw2UIeD59dPXhoUFpJXrbK8Grg-ADTsOxxBxEo3Yawp6fE/s1600/underwater+painted+ceiling+atlantis+dubai.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Underwater themed painted ceiling in the hotel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXiwC_ekqCM_WPKCYYlbrfPGEmxE3bn40JB_kVG3cLKqo2jAyBi4KzlPLbg9AvDMVeTnNc-w3_dpjfrVRSoQ1Vp41srCc6QfFsBkBhPM7DSWbslsK8ysg9V_XovCm4E1GqB_42_aMnok/s1600/painted+ceiling+at+atlantis+dubai.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmXiwC_ekqCM_WPKCYYlbrfPGEmxE3bn40JB_kVG3cLKqo2jAyBi4KzlPLbg9AvDMVeTnNc-w3_dpjfrVRSoQ1Vp41srCc6QfFsBkBhPM7DSWbslsK8ysg9V_XovCm4E1GqB_42_aMnok/s1600/painted+ceiling+at+atlantis+dubai.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another painted ceiling in the hotel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrIhGRDPJbfswekJYXYtg47nEeeNbXyxay64NObgPPlSVTLYa2OM8lNxNdoIftrXO3RyqV3bwMJz6cuuGJamPrSXe0bjfKg8IG9iETAuUXEUlGCRQtTrJ1FMhYCbkJgLm1A7KXVjgMWk/s1600/jewelled+ceiling+painting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIrIhGRDPJbfswekJYXYtg47nEeeNbXyxay64NObgPPlSVTLYa2OM8lNxNdoIftrXO3RyqV3bwMJz6cuuGJamPrSXe0bjfKg8IG9iETAuUXEUlGCRQtTrJ1FMhYCbkJgLm1A7KXVjgMWk/s1600/jewelled+ceiling+painting.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And another one!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCje6NksbghkxJYvuk6nODwLDdxIe5qmeZMk-_9tt73ZwAunc8WSxnlGnJMcB2zhglqzMl69_otWDhWJsnpXVWYxmZANqYYJuLHoV6XTOSxAC3VZ3zqpKHcbETkRnI5s37lxwNY_ZZy1w/s1600/sea+urchin+lantern+atlantis+dubai.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCje6NksbghkxJYvuk6nODwLDdxIe5qmeZMk-_9tt73ZwAunc8WSxnlGnJMcB2zhglqzMl69_otWDhWJsnpXVWYxmZANqYYJuLHoV6XTOSxAC3VZ3zqpKHcbETkRnI5s37lxwNY_ZZy1w/s1600/sea+urchin+lantern+atlantis+dubai.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea urchin lampshade<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So that's a taste of when you look up....when you look down, the floors are works of art too...</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6q-XmyhsUy57dWLw1Lzjhk9sV8idWWZciTGJK-1o7EZf5Q9HmA0XS7plg1jDARR8-1hYRFqHJFh47meDUlD7RdRbeXPaa587A4aSbI_V0iTKzacdZek-idrRwySXU1GZZxL7Fig3OkE/s1600/mosaic+floor+atlantis+dubai.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6q-XmyhsUy57dWLw1Lzjhk9sV8idWWZciTGJK-1o7EZf5Q9HmA0XS7plg1jDARR8-1hYRFqHJFh47meDUlD7RdRbeXPaa587A4aSbI_V0iTKzacdZek-idrRwySXU1GZZxL7Fig3OkE/s1600/mosaic+floor+atlantis+dubai.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Then there are the giant prawns in the corners ...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTvmnXV91CVHv6YtpTe_O51052nsjfmlEyAqoc-IaB0Tivd2so6N8W1eOgVo1arcxE5xxZC2fH8CFvQBNV5MjJpgoRLBbzMEV_pYstFMuXh9c0mQV-dgAZrvLHwWv6ZGHTfjiCddWf_qo/s1600/prawn+atantis+dubai.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTvmnXV91CVHv6YtpTe_O51052nsjfmlEyAqoc-IaB0Tivd2so6N8W1eOgVo1arcxE5xxZC2fH8CFvQBNV5MjJpgoRLBbzMEV_pYstFMuXh9c0mQV-dgAZrvLHwWv6ZGHTfjiCddWf_qo/s1600/prawn+atantis+dubai.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and random features around the place like shell vases...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcsPu4nrNU9cySkxgf-SPQSIZibkKZHiteAdZHD5YtdjN-ygHCGXueTr2kkt3F3lgkB_Bc01cVsTJdoQLHFzM2d6SkgIniJr-DyBVUAkKJdQt1GBRfptID6ktc3B7oLCuCJdYNrqs1dyA/s1600/shell+vases.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcsPu4nrNU9cySkxgf-SPQSIZibkKZHiteAdZHD5YtdjN-ygHCGXueTr2kkt3F3lgkB_Bc01cVsTJdoQLHFzM2d6SkgIniJr-DyBVUAkKJdQt1GBRfptID6ktc3B7oLCuCJdYNrqs1dyA/s1600/shell+vases.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">That's just </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: red;">some</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> of the water themed décor touches, but what about water itself? Well there is no escaping 'The Element' and the 65,000 sea creatures that live within it at the hotel...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpv6riNMlEHqXh7QMIFtm4H819_7lQWa6DQv0f2niWF1ysNsmSkxJkgboyTUP_vz8UViz3jP0bN20xzbKnRjSf3anucE4MDLEClc6N2HKF0R6i4iWboSsPsyexuM3da0ohKYR-VtPdmbs/s1600/hotel+guests+watching+aquarium+atlamtis.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpv6riNMlEHqXh7QMIFtm4H819_7lQWa6DQv0f2niWF1ysNsmSkxJkgboyTUP_vz8UViz3jP0bN20xzbKnRjSf3anucE4MDLEClc6N2HKF0R6i4iWboSsPsyexuM3da0ohKYR-VtPdmbs/s1600/hotel+guests+watching+aquarium+atlamtis.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">From my room (I was lucky enough to spend three nights at the hotel earlier this month) I could look down onto sting ray from my balcony, while around the hotel there is no escaping the sharks and giant leopard print sting rays swimming passed thanks to <a href="https://www.atlantisthepalm.com/marine-water-park/lost-chambers-aquarium">The Lost Chambers Aquarium</a> that stretches throughout the hotel...</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyCwiabz2z2mBENv9VFc-jWedcaxzRHf5Yf2cjxskBHG2V83iAJlvG8RpWRD1Z-cctpuc_wlsYE66WLbpSCl9lleKw0daAIPnHrs8YcnHQEytfQCi4yKSc803l72BQsTo-IJu3Mg39aE/s1600/leopard+print+sting+ray+dubai.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyCwiabz2z2mBENv9VFc-jWedcaxzRHf5Yf2cjxskBHG2V83iAJlvG8RpWRD1Z-cctpuc_wlsYE66WLbpSCl9lleKw0daAIPnHrs8YcnHQEytfQCi4yKSc803l72BQsTo-IJu3Mg39aE/s1600/leopard+print+sting+ray+dubai.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She's in fashion</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If that's not enough, you can also dine next to fish at <a href="https://www.atlantisthepalm.com/restaurants/ossiano">Ossiano </a>underwater restaurant (I should point out it's a seafood restaurant so it's a bit strange eating fish while they are looking at you!)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTd1MYxTnD2cGAqNqmQQf8JX1E0ApT_xLxHZQwVIEvWsyKnbHk08TkTllGzPDqMFATKjxOFWtL8_q4_9lWTZih1rN8NC1QcuMYZkTgFNMGRIz4KgXqPqm1SCTJwXuSm2YrTMRG2iCXauM/s1600/ossiana_restaurant_atlantis_palm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTd1MYxTnD2cGAqNqmQQf8JX1E0ApT_xLxHZQwVIEvWsyKnbHk08TkTllGzPDqMFATKjxOFWtL8_q4_9lWTZih1rN8NC1QcuMYZkTgFNMGRIz4KgXqPqm1SCTJwXuSm2YrTMRG2iCXauM/s1600/ossiana_restaurant_atlantis_palm.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6-MG8wUpJ8ByXq4ntR4flC9jcpyVS1D2XkFd2eDMzURt0IB8TNo3gu3XACX7Gczkm-RFMSMSHbj4rjGIb5zjQpir8yQjquPyC_g5RlkSKcY85iNeHRnUZHB5GjknIk8LfhuHx3GCmAA/s1600/underwater+restaurant+dubai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6-MG8wUpJ8ByXq4ntR4flC9jcpyVS1D2XkFd2eDMzURt0IB8TNo3gu3XACX7Gczkm-RFMSMSHbj4rjGIb5zjQpir8yQjquPyC_g5RlkSKcY85iNeHRnUZHB5GjknIk8LfhuHx3GCmAA/s1600/underwater+restaurant+dubai.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oi! Is that my cousin you're munching into?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Or if you have £8k spare you can sleep with sealife in one of the hotel's two dreamlike under water suites....</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMn2LgpLv38knFJORkqhCbWt_XQZtJpbQ0sUWR3kI9TixfFC090BthTD7HfkkSFPAuxMK4xHRxUeEFuYlyxIlloraobmbmV4CfVYqBFPFdlCfvxnoyQBk0M9v-5V0oZI4PBxvdBU0hyA/s1600/underwater+suite+at+atlantis+the+palm+dubai.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLMn2LgpLv38knFJORkqhCbWt_XQZtJpbQ0sUWR3kI9TixfFC090BthTD7HfkkSFPAuxMK4xHRxUeEFuYlyxIlloraobmbmV4CfVYqBFPFdlCfvxnoyQBk0M9v-5V0oZI4PBxvdBU0hyA/s1600/underwater+suite+at+atlantis+the+palm+dubai.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't mind if I do...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But if that's too overwhelming you could simply stick with visiting the aquarium and just watch the fish swim by for hours.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PkhdRvy7-Xw70Q2UAMhdU8kjXZ0P-YdTmtCjT-Ae3cyd-1__vQmCJI3l6t999ayCWCuhUqu5PzNavVYWdc2yMFqI7ZgKg-aPa6Lh8JkufQYuwSqnbcQUjuYVdNOVYm-g9Lli8INHmlo/s1600/the+lost+chambers+aquarium+atlantis+the+palm+dubai.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PkhdRvy7-Xw70Q2UAMhdU8kjXZ0P-YdTmtCjT-Ae3cyd-1__vQmCJI3l6t999ayCWCuhUqu5PzNavVYWdc2yMFqI7ZgKg-aPa6Lh8JkufQYuwSqnbcQUjuYVdNOVYm-g9Lli8INHmlo/s1600/the+lost+chambers+aquarium+atlantis+the+palm+dubai.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who needs a telly? </td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I spent one afternoon doing just that and spent my other two afternoons hopping from flume to flume at the hotel's <a href="https://www.atlantisthepalm.com/marine-water-park/aquaventure-waterpark">Aquaventure Waterpark</a> (which included going down one of the longest and scariest flumes in the world!)</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjCUYV29gNcyWT_535ngTGBCzudjtbabW55Lxs2-87geYtEuYrgUYPZOEFKjlfVKiRvcFXXrF-SMbXbe_02NJ-iSMReGBG-QiU7-Xysh7GB8ES2hR48UOKhC3c_JTyq7SzKYqdOm7ouQ/s1600/leap+of+faith+_aquaventure.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKjCUYV29gNcyWT_535ngTGBCzudjtbabW55Lxs2-87geYtEuYrgUYPZOEFKjlfVKiRvcFXXrF-SMbXbe_02NJ-iSMReGBG-QiU7-Xysh7GB8ES2hR48UOKhC3c_JTyq7SzKYqdOm7ouQ/s1600/leap+of+faith+_aquaventure.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahhhhhhhhhhh! Splash!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">As well as a dip in the 'fake sea' that Dubai is known for</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyOSbOpdExUVD3qfuDR_844ZNWG_sTJqp_B5BcoCZy8CWLFugv51bZldBRr29PVfIstsXcNs6oHh4_hepwrJZhV0SSaAKl2wsrAVYNg6h3F-fbl9FroQLRiJd4TwLMdNfNc8MEf1rRPc/s1600/view+from+windo+atalntis+palm+dubai.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyOSbOpdExUVD3qfuDR_844ZNWG_sTJqp_B5BcoCZy8CWLFugv51bZldBRr29PVfIstsXcNs6oHh4_hepwrJZhV0SSaAKl2wsrAVYNg6h3F-fbl9FroQLRiJd4TwLMdNfNc8MEf1rRPc/s1600/view+from+windo+atalntis+palm+dubai.JPG" height="248" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I also had a dip in the pool...</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlN4Soh65iz_Y4ryn9Qly6B3ynQiixcUfZefZJqY-xmZLGvYxlk2-RQ9siRscuCzepvr99tpd56VhlqwNfAnHOR7IOVqkKnCVZzbQvCdW5vjuDsIWFg-EoiJN7vqSyV0VrgTCu5WMp_E/s1600/swimming+pool+at+atlantis+the+palm+dubai.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlN4Soh65iz_Y4ryn9Qly6B3ynQiixcUfZefZJqY-xmZLGvYxlk2-RQ9siRscuCzepvr99tpd56VhlqwNfAnHOR7IOVqkKnCVZzbQvCdW5vjuDsIWFg-EoiJN7vqSyV0VrgTCu5WMp_E/s1600/swimming+pool+at+atlantis+the+palm+dubai.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the life!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">...fed some stingray, and most exciting of all, got to hang out and swim with a dolphin called Tina at the hotel's <a href="https://www.atlantisthepalm.com/marine-water-park/dolphin-bay">Dolphin Bay. </a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsI6LTLcI10-B8pUFMhzljlYs_s20fZAnbWQy0uNTmLzM0twj5lO82_aMTvT2zQSvXjrjFnEqdZ3mcH-1T-IJPea7b4QNA5qtcJVqbreBtS1kxT-y1miLDUf-IX0yG7efjbZ6maViITM/s1600/swimming+with+dolphins+dubai.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsI6LTLcI10-B8pUFMhzljlYs_s20fZAnbWQy0uNTmLzM0twj5lO82_aMTvT2zQSvXjrjFnEqdZ3mcH-1T-IJPea7b4QNA5qtcJVqbreBtS1kxT-y1miLDUf-IX0yG7efjbZ6maViITM/s1600/swimming+with+dolphins+dubai.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holding on!<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Could a hotel got more water themed? I think not! </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I went with little expectations (other than I hoped the flumes would be good and thankfully they were!) so it was a real pleasure to discover that I would love staying in the hotel so much. </span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHENcpNv2FhdnibM4LRVl8NcH70ucKCAaJUw9JCxUL8f0TByoMltT0JJzG5y_aYfuLGdaq1MGQaCBSX8ltrBfCbCoQWqRsLbw6zOSXUr_4oZ6NPTygkGW9ul96BvY5dCfrtrfxknfH0I/s1600/atlantis+the+palm+dubai+review.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHENcpNv2FhdnibM4LRVl8NcH70ucKCAaJUw9JCxUL8f0TByoMltT0JJzG5y_aYfuLGdaq1MGQaCBSX8ltrBfCbCoQWqRsLbw6zOSXUr_4oZ6NPTygkGW9ul96BvY5dCfrtrfxknfH0I/s1600/atlantis+the+palm+dubai+review.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Should you visit </span><a href="http://www.atlantisthepalm.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Atlantis, The Palm Dubai</a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">? If you get a chance to then yes. If you can stay overnight then even better - there's just so much to enjoy and take in, from the surroundings to the little details, and so many people to talk to - staff are everywhere (especially around the waterpark) and they always at the ready to strike up a conversation. <br />This trip is going down as #funtimes : )</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKTwbyhpv9HdqRsKHP2ha1ARNXPZr6sBZDKb-kH7e9jjefc6UzsPVDrmrsEqcAgXpJa5ZnKYXSm1jnw_w3JT8XfhU9s0VpoR01-Gm_LhL5PRGLlBx23QgLkqf46UAdrnf7pC0utyaqXk/s1600/dubai+press+trip+UK+2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpKTwbyhpv9HdqRsKHP2ha1ARNXPZr6sBZDKb-kH7e9jjefc6UzsPVDrmrsEqcAgXpJa5ZnKYXSm1jnw_w3JT8XfhU9s0VpoR01-Gm_LhL5PRGLlBx23QgLkqf46UAdrnf7pC0utyaqXk/s1600/dubai+press+trip+UK+2015.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With my fellow travelling companions</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Oh go on then! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here are some snaps of what I ate while I was there (I took so many photos that it would be a crime not to share them...be prepared you may get hungry!)</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicious Chinese lunch with bubble tea at Yuan</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Teatime at Plato's Tea and Coffee Lounge (over 120 teas to choose from!)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mere snapshot of the 100 desserts on offer at Saffron buffet restaurant</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yummy global breakfast</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sipping a mocktail at Nasimi Beach Bar</td></tr>
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<br />Momtazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11578256722034844409noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029867388895079241.post-54307260152651434162015-03-18T15:54:00.000+00:002015-03-18T15:56:50.877+00:00East Shopping Centre: Europe's 1st Asian Shopping Mall<div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">London, Leicester, Birmingham, Manchester, Bradford, Glasgow...all the major cities in the UK have got their Asian shopping hot spots but last weekend saw the <i>official</i> opening of the first ever Asian Shopping mall, not just in the UK, but the first of its kind in Europe. An Asian shopping mall I hear you cry, what's that? Well, literally it's an in-door shopping area that specialises in shops and facilities that cater to the South Asian audience - primarily this means Asian fashion stores but within the modest mall there's also a food court, souk style market, beauty parlour and wedding decor company. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The centre officially opened to the public (after an initial soft opening), at 12pm on Saturday 14th March with a ribbon cutting ceremony by the local MP Lyn Brown followed by a stampede of eager shoppers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">East Shopping Centre is based in Green Street, east London which is already a major shopping hub for South Asian food and fashion. The centre is an addition to the existing area which at the moment consists of one long street. I've always been a fan of Green Street and wondered how the often characterless nature of a shopping mall could retain the vibrant, cultured flavour of the area,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> but thankfully a couple of hours spent smooching around to sample the shops and services and I can confidently say the centre has its appeal. Here's a peek at what's inside...</span></span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fashion</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Green Street is a hub of asian clothes and fabric shops but the ones who have chosen to be part of the centre are in the more 'upmarket' end of the scale category. Stores are very boutiquey with some seriously shimmering outfits from well-known names such as Raishma (images above), Memsaab, Zarkan of London and Asian Bridal who have all gone to town with delightful shop front decor and mannequins kitted out in finery. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There's also a souk area made up of market style shops though it's very much on the intimate side!</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Food</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the food court there's a coffee shop, mocktail and dessert bar and several eateries where you can pick up hot global cuisine. I had a chance to taste dishes from all the restaurants and for fast food I was very impressed with the choice and flavours and the fact the brands here are different to those found in mainstream shopping centres.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are seats and tables but the space is small, a couple of extended families could easily fill it up. The Food Court will no doubt be successful but perhaps too much so I hope there's room for expansion!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Is it worth a trip to East Shopping Centre? I think it will attract new shoppers to Green Street, the rustic nature of the place doesn't appeal to everyone but an indoor centre is likely to make the area more accessible. For any non-Asians looking to buy Asian fashion I think they will feel more comfortable shopping here than having to try and navigate the high street, though hopefully once they've been inside they'll feel more inclined to explore further afield.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">East Shopping Centre is light and airy, has ample toilet and refreshment facilities, good accessibility (walking distance from Upton Park tube station), has late opening and even has environment credentials including a flow restrictors to save water and solar panels. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'll definately be back, especially for another beautician appointment. It's incredibly hard to find decent beauticians and my usual has recently disappeared. I was on the look out for a new one and Karma London ticks the boxes - a wax followed by a bubble tea to curb the pain...I could get used to that!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Find out more about East Shopping Centre: <a href="http://www.eastshoppingcentre.com/">www.eastshoppingcentre.com</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Momtazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11578256722034844409noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029867388895079241.post-19349603515397571512015-02-22T21:00:00.001+00:002015-02-22T21:51:10.227+00:00How To Host A Crafternoon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Although I'm a crafter, most of my friends aren't! Some have never been to my craft night or have no interest in being creative. They don't understand what I'm talking about when I say I'm running a craft workshop or working at a craft event...so for once, rather than bringing crafts to strangers at the public workshops I run, I decided to introduce 'making' to my friends by holding a Crafternoon around mine. Here's what happened...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Food</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I couldn't entertain without laying on a spread. Cooking for others is a good excuse to try dishes that I can't normally make for myself (i.e. an entire cheesecake) so I took it as an opportunity to make food I wanted to eat! Although I'm vegetarian, I lean mainly to vegan food so I took the high risk decision to cook a vegan starters and main for friends who are all meat eaters. As I prefer my food to have a healthy edge I tend to cook with lots of herbs and spices...but no salt. I don't add salt to anything so I'm used to the taste but I'm fully aware that most people do, so I was slightly nervous about whether my guests would be able to eat what I gave them. Thankfully there was nothing to worry about. Although shocked to discover there was no salt, there were lots of comments about how good the flavour was...phew!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I served individual Aloo Chaats for starters... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">...followed by a Root Veg Kitchuri with roasted fennel and butternut squash with a beetroot and soya bean salad.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dessert was a delicious Spiced Mandarin Cheesecake (a recipe of <a href="http://www.dipna.com/">Dipna Anand</a>). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This contained dairy - the Philadephia cream cheese filling was fused with ground cardamom and star anise which gave the cheesecake a lovely fragrant and warming flavour. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Fun</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">My idea of fun anyway! I opted for an easy and effective makeover project, one I recently ran at <a href="http://www.cosilikemakingstuff.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/craft-and-curry-night.html">The Damn Good Curry Supper Club</a> to decorate candle holders...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; text-align: start;">Guests all took the task seriously, there was some proper concentration going on but it was also a good way to meet each other.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The making took place on arrival before starters arrived and was then finished off after the dessert - in between there was lots of girlie banter. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Friends</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Deciding on a guestlist was hard, I wrote down a huge list of people I hadn't seen in ages - should I focus on besties, should I invite boys and if so, which ones, but in the end I realised what I actually wanted to do was spend time with 'recent' friends I've made and get to know them better, so I only invited girls who I met over the last few months up to around two years. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After lunch I took them on a trip to my local area. Greenwich is one of the most beautiful places in London but it is a trek to get there so I didn't want them to leave without showing them why I love where I live so much. Despite the chilly weather I insisted they all wrap up warm and then we wondered through Greenwich park to see the river views before a quick tour of The Queen's Gallery and a hot chocolate stop to warm up again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It took me two days to do the washing up afterwards (I loathe washing up!) but it was worth it. Sunday Crafternoon was a success, one of my guests even blogged about it herself which you can check out <a href="http://littleladyzahra.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/crafternoon.html">here</a>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I suspect it will be a few months (if not a year!) before I have a chance to do any more entertaining again so I was pleased to have some nice pics to remember the occasion.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Thinking of hosting a crafternoon around yours?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here are my tips:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This was my timing:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">12pm-1pm Arrive & get crafting</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1pm-3pm Lunch, chatter & finish crafting</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">3pm-5pm Sunday stroll and hot chocolate stop off</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Keep the project simple (stay away from special techniques that not everyone will know)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Plan out a menu and do as much prep as you can the night before</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Make it easy by sticking with a manageble number of guests</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Don't be afraid to ask guests to bring a dish if you can't prepare everything yourself</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Don't worry too much about how clean and tidy your home is, the truth is most guests won't notice as they will be too busy enjoying themselves</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Prep as much of the food ahead of time so you're not hiding away in the kitchen, but can be there to help with the making</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Don't stress - just enjoy it, even when things aren't going to plan it's fine, no one will notice! Just keep cool and craft!</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Momtazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11578256722034844409noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029867388895079241.post-52133123023837062972015-02-12T00:30:00.000+00:002015-04-21T23:04:49.962+01:00Working At The Asiana Bridal Show 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWPTxr4qbmvIN3W5rBJXvolilDRUluDq4Ldy5lZgM-dsN6e9yDYnIyKmc2nxLAMJXgKrYw_YzyO6rWOaCHastvZxfEyr7XA05V5JlbKL05iSWurfpBIAjf9UsoqGlYsO00jNv_u-4qTI/s1600/asiana+bridal+show+2015+.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwWPTxr4qbmvIN3W5rBJXvolilDRUluDq4Ldy5lZgM-dsN6e9yDYnIyKmc2nxLAMJXgKrYw_YzyO6rWOaCHastvZxfEyr7XA05V5JlbKL05iSWurfpBIAjf9UsoqGlYsO00jNv_u-4qTI/s1600/asiana+bridal+show+2015+.png" height="640" width="638" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Image: Taken from Avaaya's Instagram account</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm not normally awake and getting ready for work at 5am, but <a href="http://www.asianabridalshow.com/">The Asiana Bridal Show</a> is one of the occasions I'll happily get out of bed for. It was my fifth year working at this annual bridal fashion show in London and my third year presenting the official video for the event. My task involved capturing on camera, all the backstage gossip from the models getting ready in hair and make-up, to a sneak preview of the fashion show, interviewing the designers and organisers and recording the essence of the event.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Never one to shy away from dressing up, I was looking forward to getting glammed up for the occasion. Trouble was I really, really struggled with my outfit. Having worked the three weekends leading up to the show and the day before it, I had little time to prep/try on ideas. The night before I had it down to three outfits but in the morning none of them worked so minutes before my cab was due to arrive I put this ensemble together. Thankfully it worked! So with that sorted it was then over to the <a href="http://www.ninaubhi.com/">Nina Ubhi Hair & Beauty Institute</a> to ensure I looked the part - Nina did my make-up while her head hair stylist Zaheer (pictured) looked after my locks.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnaLtr10dMwB5QhqIGlgdgd2ujBas3GpW8SKCAo9q5sQ8hpNoW2tiZYw-tNlByiUVT2c7bAnEeD07hPudH1xKujxqRoHv-JFvxQGxxNLAszLwewbBjrgRHnkw9fWquYZWhjTmmKy-8fac/s1600/IMG_6059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnaLtr10dMwB5QhqIGlgdgd2ujBas3GpW8SKCAo9q5sQ8hpNoW2tiZYw-tNlByiUVT2c7bAnEeD07hPudH1xKujxqRoHv-JFvxQGxxNLAszLwewbBjrgRHnkw9fWquYZWhjTmmKy-8fac/s1600/IMG_6059.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">This year the catwalk was once again designed by <a href="http://www.mazevents.com/">Maz Events</a> and it turned out to be one of the most original fashion show runways I've ever seen. Bridal events normally involve pretty, floral, dainty catwalks but this one took inspiration from the streets of Mumbai. Depicting a classic street scene it was comprised of authentic props with nods to the infamous slums. In fact when I interviewed Rita from Maz she said one of the main inspirations was the film <i>Slumdog Millionaire </i>and the idea of juxtaposing high couture fashion with the hustle and bustle of every day life. Here are some more close ups of the staging...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The models walked out from both of the doorways, I couldn't resist getting up on stage for a pic!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I couldn't wait to get my hands on the corner shop either! It was filled with real stock!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXgbHZA2jFSMW6oPtR6QrnBkMY9E7_RFrziquPTu47szCZEUXLacPhL4tOldRNIwQ1-rfoyIGd6xMxXX_BmTUqrC3ldxcLXExQ_JgYqzgOsdpZvvkpR7LeynpWvXisXCjUJjhwl5LzUs/s1600/IMG_5875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiXgbHZA2jFSMW6oPtR6QrnBkMY9E7_RFrziquPTu47szCZEUXLacPhL4tOldRNIwQ1-rfoyIGd6xMxXX_BmTUqrC3ldxcLXExQ_JgYqzgOsdpZvvkpR7LeynpWvXisXCjUJjhwl5LzUs/s1600/IMG_5875.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There were three fashion shows during the day featuring 10 designers and boutiques. I'm not posting any pics from the catwalk this year asI was too busy to take any but do a search and you'll find pics on - try <a href="http://www.asianfashionblog.co.uk/2015/02/first-look-at-2015-asiana-bridal-show.html#more">Asian Fashion Blog</a> as a starting point, catwalk trend reports will be posted on <a href="http://www.asiana.tv/">Asiana.TV </a>soon too.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaB-3R-UXI7ttdTYY1BOL79XzC5ZceOmqzUDYWKfiPBnvZKI41XEAgkj5rNHKMP7b0b70hYM_Me9oy6Np99619ljNamIcTLgGUq0iIHDYckLE8Jb7gQiIQVlvodzjcaRqTPbSxrLrkBe0/s1600/10612762_936385836371622_2621097856394044205_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaB-3R-UXI7ttdTYY1BOL79XzC5ZceOmqzUDYWKfiPBnvZKI41XEAgkj5rNHKMP7b0b70hYM_Me9oy6Np99619ljNamIcTLgGUq0iIHDYckLE8Jb7gQiIQVlvodzjcaRqTPbSxrLrkBe0/s1600/10612762_936385836371622_2621097856394044205_n.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For the video we spent a lot of time backstage capturing the atmosphere of what it's like working at a fashion show - everyone taking selfies, last minute spritz of hairspray, styling jewellery and accessories, steaming garments, make-up touch-ups, food (interesting the models like their chicken and chips!) and general fun and messing around - indeed I couldn't help have a giggle with these sword bearing gents modelling <a href="http://www.ahsans.biz/">Ahsan's Bespoke Menswear.</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There was also a chance to get a closer inspection of all the catwalk outfits...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfPsTwjvMf-WilrIUeuq6sJgAP_nveF09tbz6DEl81SXYFf-4CJXMe_-xZG5AmAgcHVvZvKdZ6q7muvRvEt5Dhcz3vGvzI2stDU5B1IjEOenRq77FLAJbhepxA92ywWosPl4_84OjFJE/s1600/IMG_5837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBfPsTwjvMf-WilrIUeuq6sJgAP_nveF09tbz6DEl81SXYFf-4CJXMe_-xZG5AmAgcHVvZvKdZ6q7muvRvEt5Dhcz3vGvzI2stDU5B1IjEOenRq77FLAJbhepxA92ywWosPl4_84OjFJE/s1600/IMG_5837.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Aside from the three fashion shows is the rest of the Asiana Bridal Show which is essentially a giant wedding expo - filled with exhibitors to help out on every aspect of your wedding planning from food and decor to entertainment and cakes (I even spied a Batman cake!) The new Spring issue of <a href="http://www.asianamag.com/">Asiana Wedding Magazine</a> was also launched at the show and here I am with my Editorial team Zahra and Fariha.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Asians are known for having massively excessive weddings and whatever one thinks of that, there really is no other culture that does weddings so beautifully with so much detail. Every single stand at the show is stunning, most blew my mind - but every year the 100 companies that exhibit really go to town. It's worth going to the show if you have an appreciation of creativity and design as much as it is if you're getting married. I particularly liked this one by Zara's Catering:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5n1NtNTHutS8uhq8zXjI-GThyZ0bYNSxsuWWL_cReE2UsvWRY2IMEZf3Q-XcnY6G4RS9FN-iQDsb-zHiM5MzqsMXomJ25uSVojIQbLf1IMTEXIqAW-g99C_Y-rkNMO7Px6dX4Ti_J3M/s1600/zaras+catering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5n1NtNTHutS8uhq8zXjI-GThyZ0bYNSxsuWWL_cReE2UsvWRY2IMEZf3Q-XcnY6G4RS9FN-iQDsb-zHiM5MzqsMXomJ25uSVojIQbLf1IMTEXIqAW-g99C_Y-rkNMO7Px6dX4Ti_J3M/s1600/zaras+catering.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3R3mBg9dMB5QGJgqr69Z1tsZZOTt2I8wdqcxcQx_2D4kbB0DoEehyphenhyphen0cMUCzT1mxjYyGuqHrPF7v3Gf1DvpibPAuaMEj9G2Sg4jouCBGBfAwbWNeRpte4Lc9i5Oxuz6sybDG4s0-Uhmgs/s1600/IMG_5983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3R3mBg9dMB5QGJgqr69Z1tsZZOTt2I8wdqcxcQx_2D4kbB0DoEehyphenhyphen0cMUCzT1mxjYyGuqHrPF7v3Gf1DvpibPAuaMEj9G2Sg4jouCBGBfAwbWNeRpte4Lc9i5Oxuz6sybDG4s0-Uhmgs/s1600/IMG_5983.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I so wanted this tuk tuk! It's actually a mobile photobooth by Mobile Moments</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_oVuNGzTEpbNri5lkPir-rJc8xVLUkNwtuNbsJofoNcYv9JV3hNcGZYoW1iFogAQDTSFxDgCDTuVdfZeoDCVm9cWziHp9VJrvOMaJbhKmbM1dY4MeAPUUJFROWkqQhYfXYJESgFAW0qE/s1600/%C2%A3100,000+dress.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_oVuNGzTEpbNri5lkPir-rJc8xVLUkNwtuNbsJofoNcYv9JV3hNcGZYoW1iFogAQDTSFxDgCDTuVdfZeoDCVm9cWziHp9VJrvOMaJbhKmbM1dY4MeAPUUJFROWkqQhYfXYJESgFAW0qE/s1600/%C2%A3100,000+dress.png" height="636" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image: Asiana</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The biggest talking point of the event was the unveiling of the most expensive Asian wedding outfit ever made in the UK worth £100,000. How can an outfit be worth so much? Well it was encrusted with real diamonds. A collaboration between Birmingham based designer <a href="http://www.satitakhar.com/">Sati</a> and Dhir Diamond Jewellers, it was kept inside a glass box and attracted masses of <a href="http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/uks-most-expensive-asian-wedding-8579198">media attention</a> (BBC, ITV, national and local papers and this segment on the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02jfyf4">BBC Asian Network</a>)...an unknown fact that I am allowed to share on my blog is that I wrote the press release that got everyone interested in the dress...the second time in a row press releases I have written have been successful - I am not planning on becoming a PR any time soon, but I guess if I ever do decide to change direction I have developed some good work experience in the field!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemceJ7mf_ULiaVwO6pztngC1eBDE9-rH7hIicuqisDwdLDzjUNmMMyz4tL_vliwnzsWP343CpcBS5BZINp1duoxMJN2E54XXvvdAupcntmNh6W2hOMzVyUM18xRJb5aU7CuUXNvQKjJw/s1600/IMG_6053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgemceJ7mf_ULiaVwO6pztngC1eBDE9-rH7hIicuqisDwdLDzjUNmMMyz4tL_vliwnzsWP343CpcBS5BZINp1duoxMJN2E54XXvvdAupcntmNh6W2hOMzVyUM18xRJb5aU7CuUXNvQKjJw/s1600/IMG_6053.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The official is coming soon, can't wait to share it - the edit has been left in the hands of Richard on right, he was my cameraman too alongside assistant Deban from <a href="http://www.epicfx.co.uk/">Epic Media</a>. It was a bit of an experimental film but lots of fun to make. Will post the link here when it's up! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here it is! <a href="http://www.asiana.tv/asiana-tube/asiana-bridal-show-london-2015">WATCH NOW</a>. </span></div>
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Momtazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11578256722034844409noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029867388895079241.post-29909154742183353822015-01-23T20:41:00.001+00:002015-01-23T20:44:20.773+00:00How I Made A Velvet Cape/Shrug Type Thing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KnZu3KEtIxqvMpog85q7wsETuF1z3wiO1epCwcveH2uqcebIm_bw3wZKEaBdYMq2Zjp-SancjOecl8k2aolpj6VmfH_VOWYFn5P5tgj0hyfmrjBMFyWwDX7abRf-RjfOhNITkdmQjp8/s1600/handmade_crystal_velvet_shrug.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_KnZu3KEtIxqvMpog85q7wsETuF1z3wiO1epCwcveH2uqcebIm_bw3wZKEaBdYMq2Zjp-SancjOecl8k2aolpj6VmfH_VOWYFn5P5tgj0hyfmrjBMFyWwDX7abRf-RjfOhNITkdmQjp8/s1600/handmade_crystal_velvet_shrug.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Some fabrics are so beautiful it's really difficult deciding what to do with them. Then it's really painful when it comes to cutting them up. This pink devore encrusted with crystals is one such fabric. I've had it a while (originally picked up from <a href="http://khushbootextiles.com/">Khushboo Textiles</a> in Birmingham) but just couldn't make my mind up about what to do with it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcyy6QGxUigw2EnKvBdJpSUXiaPk768JUdA2lgam_f1ny3c5MBYNKAdEE-F3NWGFHJxDU-utdDPQyO5_s5hcffKEO3jrT06epEOfzEGV_3rxi5KSl8Sd4Gm8G7BvelRkPjmZWJvMk3Qs/s1600/front-and-side-of-cape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTcyy6QGxUigw2EnKvBdJpSUXiaPk768JUdA2lgam_f1ny3c5MBYNKAdEE-F3NWGFHJxDU-utdDPQyO5_s5hcffKEO3jrT06epEOfzEGV_3rxi5KSl8Sd4Gm8G7BvelRkPjmZWJvMk3Qs/s1600/front-and-side-of-cape.jpg" height="398" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I toyed with using it as an interiors fabric or in my wardrobe. In the end I decided it had to be worn - but at the same time I thought it would be wasted on a specific garment like a top or skirt so I turned it into an article than be worn with different things while remaining the focal point.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltbNZtiKsSDldEGMCarFUhDLKoSJxjmqN690ZZRrJL5IAV4vn32iXauAfIcBC9PqLnCd5nhvfZccdPyjmSghmq9voYBu_f77S1k3W8fR8uv9gWC-OjYa_PAhtGoIlP4PDWd7MbW1HzPI/s1600/cape_shoulders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiltbNZtiKsSDldEGMCarFUhDLKoSJxjmqN690ZZRrJL5IAV4vn32iXauAfIcBC9PqLnCd5nhvfZccdPyjmSghmq9voYBu_f77S1k3W8fR8uv9gWC-OjYa_PAhtGoIlP4PDWd7MbW1HzPI/s1600/cape_shoulders.jpg" height="398" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So I made it into a shrug/cape type thing, short at the top to show off the jewels...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjrpczg0ywiY5gvlvYJG2jQwEqGH_3MU2CLjWSeItXJqDcjad37G6gdJYTkweb9eJK6L7YmVfX2SXVLg6eJVSDw1kWJe3f2DKUDQa6wwvBp7cbZuh4pUDh0p3cgwhaozLPnECW_VDQ9k/s1600/close-Up_back-of-velvet-shrug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCjrpczg0ywiY5gvlvYJG2jQwEqGH_3MU2CLjWSeItXJqDcjad37G6gdJYTkweb9eJK6L7YmVfX2SXVLg6eJVSDw1kWJe3f2DKUDQa6wwvBp7cbZuh4pUDh0p3cgwhaozLPnECW_VDQ9k/s1600/close-Up_back-of-velvet-shrug.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and long at the back because the fabric drapes so well.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhIkTf21NZUC_hdif1I_RFAnZMUDiIQ5GOkUPD8Vk1ukhy1nsb3wIhyBgjprAi00HIZm8yVwijY1yLtuFY37upvkHGWI8BQR2US20p6CdWqwPJCVkc-ebU1-jl1YPRhEvWXY-6kMrh10/s1600/fabric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibhIkTf21NZUC_hdif1I_RFAnZMUDiIQ5GOkUPD8Vk1ukhy1nsb3wIhyBgjprAi00HIZm8yVwijY1yLtuFY37upvkHGWI8BQR2US20p6CdWqwPJCVkc-ebU1-jl1YPRhEvWXY-6kMrh10/s1600/fabric.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The cape required minimal construction, but as the fabric is transparent and soft it needed a lining.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5zAodHdEliflwWnEeHtaBPa3CnWzD5rth8U390-gB9iKG9blRp8w6-4NjZphWmw97VfLngCKnop6NJFsa-sjjtbO9xnvVQFJeL4Ob7PWsKxWFXrZhhJ-ugA3Y7lEU4kQT3HodIpQ-cI/s1600/IMG_3153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5zAodHdEliflwWnEeHtaBPa3CnWzD5rth8U390-gB9iKG9blRp8w6-4NjZphWmw97VfLngCKnop6NJFsa-sjjtbO9xnvVQFJeL4Ob7PWsKxWFXrZhhJ-ugA3Y7lEU4kQT3HodIpQ-cI/s1600/IMG_3153.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I started by folding fabric around a mannequin and then pinned it where I liked the shape and this translated into the fabric I cut out as a template to make the lining.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6qEUT5wMkrNYQQTz8umisKs4C2vsSghuQ4S5Whok4gtyUgtRvlJLadx6mAfGT8GUwczwiz_oWepRIikZnoXl_FFnr-pfBO_Vb2yKNqQI6MMDQirYREAdYwPT1iKL9QlyM60RxozyqCA/s1600/IMG_3150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6qEUT5wMkrNYQQTz8umisKs4C2vsSghuQ4S5Whok4gtyUgtRvlJLadx6mAfGT8GUwczwiz_oWepRIikZnoXl_FFnr-pfBO_Vb2yKNqQI6MMDQirYREAdYwPT1iKL9QlyM60RxozyqCA/s1600/IMG_3150.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrk0npsflQVkEdQQTrnd6XpnUMiuilz41djBpPxcUlLfFWaqksFNfG-_qCAHSMlKcgcY-L3VpHqWEDC-Ljibozfz4eI8x34RSOwH_yU_Bqnxyw9ANPv4qX8rzy__V7b42XZ2UCPz81VXs/s1600/IMG_3151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrk0npsflQVkEdQQTrnd6XpnUMiuilz41djBpPxcUlLfFWaqksFNfG-_qCAHSMlKcgcY-L3VpHqWEDC-Ljibozfz4eI8x34RSOwH_yU_Bqnxyw9ANPv4qX8rzy__V7b42XZ2UCPz81VXs/s1600/IMG_3151.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I then joined the lining to the fabric and folded over the top to create a pocket, but only stitched the edges </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">together. This created the arm holes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieLdLlkj_E1r7DY-cTG3ht2YYRnUqRmIIJQKcDMPUBarmbN-l5Pqf3jt1AuxfXLX9rnhxYKtE6SlUWxUrm7S_KkdKm92FEBq6MIpOOoF4DHwlh8V3xY5opxvRATBF-MMpnwQDOh95LtsQ/s1600/IMG_3142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieLdLlkj_E1r7DY-cTG3ht2YYRnUqRmIIJQKcDMPUBarmbN-l5Pqf3jt1AuxfXLX9rnhxYKtE6SlUWxUrm7S_KkdKm92FEBq6MIpOOoF4DHwlh8V3xY5opxvRATBF-MMpnwQDOh95LtsQ/s1600/IMG_3142.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's still a bit of a work in progress. The shrug can currently be worn but also I could still emphasise the folds and draping more or even fasten it at the front. It's incredibly regal and reminds of the kind of gown a fairytale king might enjoy wearing! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It also a bit strange and actually I think the crystals are upside down to what they are meant to be but I like the fact it's unique and there is nothing like it in the whole world!</span></div>
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<br />Momtazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11578256722034844409noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9029867388895079241.post-88743987921172237552015-01-05T21:57:00.004+00:002015-01-05T22:16:52.359+00:002015: My year to be Brave<div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdHkQPJtiWMnfW1EZ_UVDLrf_JzryiMoFVUTRdrwZiQUp57qWh2rJGr-H6OtuyyOHHp1OORGVI3HaDMnHGf6-Cws1Pzcx_9xOQe0i0UeGH3HryzQKM_cfL5kHA9BGWYtQth-KR_mU22c/s1600/new+year+jersey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJdHkQPJtiWMnfW1EZ_UVDLrf_JzryiMoFVUTRdrwZiQUp57qWh2rJGr-H6OtuyyOHHp1OORGVI3HaDMnHGf6-Cws1Pzcx_9xOQe0i0UeGH3HryzQKM_cfL5kHA9BGWYtQth-KR_mU22c/s1600/new+year+jersey.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">To welcome in the new year I went to the Channel Island of Jersey with friends. The air was fresh, the views outstanding, and despite freezing temperatures the skies were blue and the sun was out. On my first morning I went for a run along the beach....something I very rarely do, it was December 31st - my last run outdoors was in Kolkata in January!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwK-sNwyIXxHGF2_5k2ahydjkkYxmiAgLfG641bQnYwdutMAgHcd25NEbnoI5s7tnELiTQpoPRmbEbG-WFQabMt-G_Ng5wDQnMKC6PMrVGc4uyvrWbhdHYiz8V83UxRbpasL5hz2Bl__0/s1600/photo+(62).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwK-sNwyIXxHGF2_5k2ahydjkkYxmiAgLfG641bQnYwdutMAgHcd25NEbnoI5s7tnELiTQpoPRmbEbG-WFQabMt-G_Ng5wDQnMKC6PMrVGc4uyvrWbhdHYiz8V83UxRbpasL5hz2Bl__0/s1600/photo+(62).JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Every year I like to do something unique to mark New Years Day - previously it's included a private flight over the Himalayas in Nepal, snorkelling in Bali and hitchhiking in the British countryside...this year I decided to swim in the sea in conditions that most normal humans would never consider!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The first two times I ran in inspired by my friend Obie who joined me on the mission and we both screamed from the pain. The water was so cold it hurt but then my legs went totally numb and I couldn't feel them. I maybe should have given up but I was committed to a full-on swim. The water was shallow so the only way I could swim was if I went deeper in - that's when it clicked this required extreme bravery!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So third time lucky went for it, stayed there a while and swam - it felt amazing! A local couple passing by offered to take our photo then emailed it to us which is the one above.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Afterwards my teeth chattered all the way back to our apartment but a hot shower thawed me out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm going to remember this morning every time I get unsure, nervous or scared about something. Bravery boosts confidence and makes you feel great when you've accomplished your goal so my hashtag for life in 2015 is #BeBrave.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">And here's a few more pics from Jersey just because it was so beautiful...</span><br />
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<br />Momtazhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11578256722034844409noreply@blogger.com0