Category Archives: reviews

In the Kitchen – Chili Beef Cottage Pie with Parsnip Topping

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I am no great chef if truth be told but lately I am being dragged into the kitchen to help out. So here is my latest attempt. It was very yummy even if I do say so myself. Recipe below.

Get cooking!

Get cooking!

  • 2tsp Olive oil
  • 1 large onion chopped
  • 2tsp cumin seeds
  • 500g leaned minced beef
  • 2 crushed garlic cloves
  • 1 can of kidney beans
  • 1 can chopped plum tomatoes
  • 1kg parsnips
  • 200ml water.
  • Additional seasonings: rock salt, pepper, paprika, chilli powder and tomato puree.
wack it under the grill!

wack it under the grill!

 

  1. Heat olive oil in a pan and soften the onions with 1 tsp of cumin seeds until clear.
  2. Brown the mince off and drain away the excess fat.
  3. Add the onions, garlic, kidney beans, tomatoes to the mince. Add 200ml of water to the mix. Add the additional seasonings to taste. I used a pinch of rock salt, two pinches of paprika and chili powder. Pepper added to flavour and 2 tsp of tomato puree.
  4. Simmer for 20 mins.
  5. Meanwhile peel, chop and boil in salted water the parsnips.
  6. Drain and mash the parsnips with black pepper and salt to flavour.
  7. Pour mince beef mixture into an oven proof dish and top with the mashed parsnip. Sprinkle the remain cumin seeds on top.
  8. Grill in the oven for 5 mins until golden brown.
  9. SERVE! Nom nom!
Eat me!

Eat me!

 

Vintage Magazine – Review

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Often I see the word vintage attributed to things that have merely a vague connection to it. So my apprehension over being handed ‘Vintage Magazine’ is somewhat understandable.
Vintage Magazine has been out a while now and whilst I have often picked it up to glance through I will openly admit I havent really read it, so yesterday I did. Cover to cover.

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Ooohhh plus size lovely!

As I worked my way through, I was overall impressed with what was on offer. It lacked the overly flash layouts of other magazines on the shelves but then it is portraying a ‘vintage’ vibe so this was understandable.
I loved the pieces on plus size fashion which is very topical right now but perhaps (as a plus size woman) a little too marginalising. As though they don’t cover plus size generally. I maybe wrong to assume such a thing but as I only picked up one issue this is the impression I got; which is so often tge case when making plus size a feature. To ensure continued readership perhaps a note on how they always look at plus size would be beneficial? Perhaps not. I merely pondering.
Whilst the 60s article was fabulous and I can not fault their attention to detailing in the shoot, I was disappointed to not see a hair or makeup tutorial tied in with it however.

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I loved the 50s fashion article. Full of juicy facts n photos. Bravo!
What did puzzle me was how the ‘Mr Selfridge’ article was marked as fashion yet barely discussed it? Also perhaps the perfect opportunity to again show how to recreate the look?
The images in this magazine are wonderful. Well done those people.
I hate to be negative over something so clearly born out of love but there are missed opportunities in this magazine to make it steller. I will buy again, if nothing else for the beautiful images n discounts offered. More focused articles and you have yourself an avid reader.

Mr Selfridge – Review

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Oh how I longed that in the dark months before the new series of Downtown Abbey, Mr Selfridge would appease me. I am sorry to say I will be returning my time with the receipt for a full refund.

The tension building of will he/won’t he open is pointless. We all know the great store is open. Some of the actors are clearly fabulous such as Lady Mae but the window dresser idiot is a poor scripted character at best.

The styling of the entire show is very good but it all looks a little cramped on screen and the vast size of the rooms are not displayed well. It’s like watching a play staged in a Wendy house.

I wanted so much to like this program but alas no. Sorry ITV. Keep Downton on. Selfridges needs a refurb.

Corsets UK – Review

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ORIGINALL POSTED ON KHANDIE KHISSES BLOG: Corsets UK – Review

Working with my costume designer it is very rare that I find myself buying ‘off the peg’ corsets. Not that I am a snob but I find them real hit and miss, be it poor boning or bad construction, particularly from online stores.

When Corsets-UK contacted me about being sent one of their corsets I had to obliged. This is a company I have heard a lot about and all of it positive. I needed to see if their reputation was substantiated. It didnt take long to choose which one I wanted to road test…ok it did. There is such a selection on their site, from corsets to eyelashes.

After some consideration I chose an underbust called ‘Bridal Cream’ at £72.  The website specs state:

What is very cool about the site is that there is an amazing offer of 3 for 2 on the corsets. Thats insane!? Team up with your mates to get yourself some fab corsets for great money.

First thing I noticed when the corset arrived is that it is not as ‘creamy’ as the picture shows and is instead a lot more paler almost white. Also the images show a ribbon fastening but it is not, it is the cord as stated in the description. Other than that it is as described.

Like with any new corset, bedding in takes time. This is when the corset fits to your shape better and this comes with wear. Due to the sturdy boning (and it really is), bedding in this corset has taken a lot of time. Please dont think this is a bad thing. Corsets need to be worn more than once particularly if you are going to perform in it like I intend to.

I love that the corset fastens with cord that is already pre-threaded. I dont find ribbon fastening to be very good at times and although aesthetically it can be more appealing, getting a good tug on it is hard.

Here is an image of me after wearing it for three hours. You can see how nicely it sits on my hips. The slightly longer line sits well and helps reduce any stomach bulge from the waist cinching.

I am wearing a 28 inch to be on the safe side but it was so comfortable I could have easily tight laced in a 26 inch.

I do like how there is suspender loops as well as a good quality lining which isnt something you always get in ‘off the peg’ corsets.

All in all I love this corset. Whilst I still love the fit of a custom fit corset as it guarantees a perfect fit, I can see this being the next best thing. Whilst it isnt a perfect fit it is DAMN close.  Its expensive enough to expect great quality but not too expensive that you wont want to customise it. For me, I think this is a great base corset in which to costumise for an act. The only downside is that I was expecting a creamier colour as per the site.

Definitely a good corset. I have now been wearing it for 5 hrs and still no awkwardness/uncomfortable feelings. Its rigid and holds me in place. Well done. Perhaps finally an off the peg corset that feels as fabulous as you hoped.