Mathilde ♥ Manech

Tote of the week: The Cat’s Pyjamas Tote, Alphabet Bags.

Lisa — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:00:52 +0000

It was either this tote or the bees knees tote but the cute cat swayed it for me (and I’m a dog person!). You can purchase this The Cat’s Pyjamas tote from Alphabet bags for £12.

Happy weekend y’all!

♥

P.S I’m adding this tote to my earlier wish list too!

Wish lists, they make me happy.

Lisa — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 11:18:28 +0000

Why is it so comforting writing a birthday wish list, I wonder? I know that the things I include are unlikely to be bought (and rightly so!) as I have very organised parents who buy months and months in advance (hurrah to a new slow cooker coming our way!). I guess it’s just nice to curate coveted pieces that have caught my eye of late. Also, to be fair, apart from GHD hair straighteners I don’t actually need anything. Ah, what the hell. I like wish lists and I like birthdays, so here goes:

1. These Henderson Sky Brogues from Clarks belong on my feet. Dreamy comes to mind. Dreamy!

2. I’m coveting this fine-knit striped scarf from H&M, only £7.99. Add’s a touch of ooh-lala to any outfit!

3. No, I don’t want Woody Allen for my birthday but I am pining to watch some of his movies. A few years ago I took all my VHS to a humble charity shop, which included some of my favourite Woody Allen films. A DVD box set including Annie Hall, Manhattan and Love and Death would be just lovely.

4. I’ve had my eye on this super bright red satchel from French & English Confectioner’s for an age! I think that means I like it. I like it a lot.

5. Eep. My Mum reminded me the other day of a necklace she used to wear with a tiny hedgehog as its pendant. As soon as she mentioned it, lots of memories came flooding back and I’ve been searching for one ever since (she’s since lost it). This one is pretty similar, with an antique finish. I am in love.

6. I cry a lot. A silly amount. Most of the time over something of nothing, like men crying on TV or when I see sad animals in zoos. So, to try be a tad more environmentally friendly, I believe the time has come to purchase a handkerchief. This ‘Dry Your eyes’ hanky, designed by Olivia Mew is just delightful.

7. A subscription to Oh Comely magazine. A wonderful lifestyle magazine that simply makes me smile.

8. A little bit of luxury! This has to be my favourite bath oil – L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil leaving you with super soft skin!

Hurrah for birthdays, 2 weeks to go!

♥

P.S Tote of the week post to follow this aft!

It must be love…

Lisa — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 08:00:19 +0000

Happy Valentine’s Day! In the name of all things LOVE-ly here’s a few things that have made my heart go pop lately!

Badly Drawn Boy’s first album, The Hour of Bewilderbeast. Reminds me of happy University days.

These gorgeous Sparrow nail transfers from Kate Broughton’s Etsy shop. Only £2.95 – pop!

This necklace (Balloon 1956) has me dreaming of blue skies and sunny days. I like balloons, indeed I do. All yours from Après Ski.

The super blog, A Daily Something, includes a little bit of everything (my favourite type of blog!). Written by Rebecca, it includes recipes, vintage loveliness, fashion, DIY projects and lots more. Look at those cupcakes!

This boy. Pop! Pop! Pop! I can’t tell you how much my little nephew has filled my heart with joy since he was born, only 8 months ago. I’m sure you can imagine though. Pop!

Having family/friends living closely in Hebden Bridge and cooking us tasty roast dinners. Not forgetting my other favourite boy (far right) for being my Valentine…

♥

Tote of the week, All New People and a broken TV.

Lisa — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:29:48 +0000

Be still my beating heart! This Zig Zag tote from Karen Barbé found via Kickcan and Conkers is just delightful. The motif is hand-stamped on original screen printed cotton ($32) and is perfect for Spring, don’t you think?

Since my last post I’ve been to Manchester and saw the wonderful All New People. It was such a nice change to go to the theatre and with Manchester on our doorstep I’m looking forward to more visits in the future (when we have the spends). Talking about money, don’t you find when you have none everything breaks?! First my GHDs (I actually stood on them) and then our only TV died on Saturday. We’re currently listening to lots of music and I’m crafting again. So I guess it’s a blessing in disguise. Apart from the frizzy hair.
Other than that, we’ve been cleaning, walking, I’ve been working at the glorious Heart Gallery, selling bits and bobs on Ebay and I’ve been crafting (and getting my head around starting a new online shop). I’m looking forward to this year, lots to think and do!

Some personal crafting for my Valentine...

A dark comedy with Zach Braff in it. Joy!

A walk into town to buy some Daffodils (4 bunches for £1.50!) and telly issues.

Suddenly most of my makeup needed replacing so we had a mini clear out and we sold a few things on Ebay. Result? New makeup, hurrah!

Happy Monday!

♥

Drive, Nigel Slater and a suspicious snowball.

Lisa — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 07:00:02 +0000

Happy Wednesday! I’ve had a good few days spent walking, eating, thrifting, planning, watching good films, reading, and making new recipes. Winter suits me, I think. Although, I was a little excited when I saw some Daffodil bulbs popping up near our street; I like Spring too. I’m so fickle.

First up, we went walking near our home town with friends/family and chomped our way through the snow that had begun to melt. I had a close encounter with a snowball with sheep poo in it (nice) and we finished off the walk with a trip to the pub, like you do. The simple things, the simple things…*yabbers to herself*

Then I got cooking! Doing the weekly food shop online is one of my favourite things to do. I love planning what we are going to eat during the week. Last week I researched a few of Nigel Slater’s recipes on the internet (isn’t it great we have free inspiration at our fingertips?!) and we’ve enjoyed his Tea-time mackerel and Quick Vegetable Korma. Nigel Slater, I salute you!

To entertain our well fed tummy’s (after a Banoffee pie!) and warm our fingers and toes, we played some Scrabble and watched three great films that I’d recommend; Drive (second time I’ve seen it and I love it even more), The Descendents and The Artist.

Do you have any film recommendations or Nigel Slater recipes good for hibernation season?
♥

Review: Pink Champagne Truffles, Hotel Chocolat.

Lisa — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 22:00:45 +0000

With one week to go until Valentine’s Day, I’m feeling romantic. We don’t usually make a big thing of the day but this year, I’m thinking we’re both going to make some effort since we’ll have the day off.

For me, on Valentine’s Day, you can not go wrong with a compilation CD made especially for you (Yes, I am 16 yr old trapped in a 31 yr olds body!) a good movie and a box of chocolates to share with your boy or gal. So I was delighted to sample a box of Pink Champagne Truffles from Hotel Chocolat to review, to put me in the mood.

I love champagne truffles but have never tried the pink version before. Not only is the packaging delightful, feminine and romantic, the chocolates are dreamy. With a subtle hint of tangy strawberry, and a creamy filling of champagne truffle encased in milk chocolate – you can’t really go wrong buying a box of these for your loved one. I think classic is the word I’m looking for. 16 chocolates for £20 is about right, I think, for boozy infused truffles but I think if you only gift a smaller box (£10 for 8) that would be perfect too.

Hotel Chocolat have a lovely range of chocoloate for Valentine’s Day suiting all purses and tastes. Take a peek!

Thank you Hotel Chocolat for the lovely treat.

Do you have anything planned for Valentine’s Day?

♥

Tote of the week: Motel Tote Bag in Badger Print

Lisa — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:57:30 +0000

This Badger tote from Motel (£9) pleases me so. What a dapper bag to store my library books in! I do like a nice badger, especially one that wears a red bow tie. Happy sigh.

So as the cold is working its magic outside, I’m planning a few things for the weekend. Cue the bullet points!

Going to see my gorgeous nephew and family

Eat Nigel Slater’s Tea-time mackarel

Walk in the snow (if it descends), followed by a tasty roast dinner cooked by friends

Read more of Caitlin Moran’s book, How to be a Woman

Make a card for my Valentine…

Watch The Artist

Finally, a lazy lie in, perhaps?

What do you have planned? Happy Weekend!

♥

Happy February, hello fringe!

Lisa — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 07:00:45 +0000

Pinch and a punch for the first day of the month! My oh my how is it February already? Looking back, January has been OK. A few ups and downs but OK. It has taken me most of last month to feel creative and motivated but I’m just about there. I decided to not put myself under too much pressure as I could feel my health suffering a bit thinking of all the things I should be doing (diagnosed with asthma too- boo!). Anyhoo, I’m looking forward to this month and all it brings.

In other news I have a fringe! I was bored and watched a few YouTube videos on how to cut straight bangs and the rest, my friends, is history. Don’t look too closely (I’m not sure if they are super straight) but hey-ho I like my new look, I think it’s given me some new energy, ooh-la-la!

Here’s to a happy, healthy, productive and creative February!

♥

P.S Look out for my Natural History blog post after 4pm!

Phases.

Lisa — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:27:34 +0000

I go through phases with food and drink. Once I get something in my head (chocolate cream eclairs are a reoccurring phase) I’ll eat/drink it until I can’t stand it no more. This doesn’t bode well for the humble can of tuna and the sweet nectar that is Ovaltine; my two latest phases. Not used together, you understand, but sitting quietly apart ready to taunt me with their tastiness. Oh tuna. Plonk a jacket potato in front of me with a big spoonful of the fishy good stuff with mayonnaise and black pepper and I am a happy lady.

So in an effort to give tuna a lifeline I found a few tuna recipes and succumbed to this bad boy – Tuna, Leek and Bacon Dauphinoise. The recipe is meant to be a side dish but I was feeling greedy and turned it into a main (by dolloping three extra spoonfuls on my plate). My defence? It has cream and bacon in it – you would do the same. I didn’t take a photo but trust me, it is amazing. Comfort food like no other.

If like me, you’re a tuna lover, check out some tasty recipes here.

Now where’s my Ovaltine?

♥

Lately.

Lisa — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:00:05 +0000

BBC adaptation of Sebastian Faulk's Birdsong - ruddy brilliant.

Lana Del Ray - catching what I can on the radio before her album is released next week. Love her voice.

Thai Chicken Noodle Soup - comforting, spicy and easy peasy to make.

Anything hot. Preferably with chocolate in it.

This 1970s felt hat via Thriftola, £15.

Reading the Great Gatsby has me thinking of New York. Can't wait to go back one day.Image uploaded by user via Pinterest.

♥