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‘personal’ Category

  1. Sublime Online has launched!

    May 18, 2012 by peasoupeats

     

    mango salsa recipe – post: ‘choose organic. change the world’

    I feel a little bit like a duck on water at the moment – calm on the surface whilst furiously paddling away underneath. Don’t get me wrong, it is great (GREAT!) to be busy, although I can’t help but feel peasoupeats is suffering as a result. This new work juggling act (assistant one day, blogger the next, intern another) is all very new to me (i was an actor for pete’s sake) and I’m still finding my feet – and ways to keep some equilibrium. It’s not easy but it’s also kinda exhilarating because I reeeaaaalllly don’t do well not doing anything. I think the phrase I’m looking for here is ‘stir crazy’ – too much downtime sends me a little bonkers, as my poor Hubby and Family can testify.

    Now though, I can finally reveal what I’ve been working on and whilst there are still some teething problems, I hope you agree (when you click on the link – CLICK ON THE LINK!) that it’s looking pretty impressive (toot toot!). A little something for everyone….. at least that is the aim.

    I talked a bit about Sublime here but to break it down for you again, it’s a sustainable lifestyle magazine, available bi-monthly either via subscription or in selected shops. It’s international, so even if you live outside the UK you should still be able to get your hands on it.

    I’m involved with the online side of things and have been working on posts and also finding appropriate contributors – in fact, if you are interested in contributing a little sumpin’ sumpin’ we’re on the lookout for like minded individuals who have a vested interest in all things sustainable. Shoot me an email (address in the about section) and we can talk it through.

    chinti and parker heart striped tee – post: ‘the real price of cotton’

    Unsurprisingly my interests lie between food and fashion although I am branching out and writing posts on other topics too. So far, I’m feeling challenged (always a good thing in my book), terrified (you put me in charge? say wha?!) and also somewhat fulfilled (my blog got me this gig – true story).

    Please, please, please give me any feedback on what you think of the site (it’s the latest section only) – I really value your opinion, I have the best followers ever, so intelligent, savvy and stylish, I totally trust your opinion. We’re trying to appeal to a wide spectrum of people, which is tricky but maybe there’s something you’d like to see covered. If so, let me know and I shall endeavour to make it happen.

    By the way, there is a totally awesome craft post coming your way very soon (via Sublime), which was kindly contributed by the super talented Cariad (she makes stuff, owns a shop in Wales, and is generally all kinds of awesome). Check out her website for an array of pretty gifts, stationary and more…ooh, and like her facebook page too!

    Watch THIS space!

    poola kataryna necklace – post: ‘ethical fashion with a POP!’

     

    Category personal, Vegan, Vegan Fashion, Vegetable side dish | Tags: | 4 Comments

  2. Spitalfields Summer Dresses!

    May 14, 2012 by peasoupeats

    You’d think I’d be a Spitalfields regular by now seeing as I’ve been in London on and off for a decade and currently live about a 30minute journey away – for those outside of the Capital, this is considered relatively ‘near’. Truth be told though, I’ve only been to the place a handful of times and have never actually bought anything there. Shock, horror!

    However, on my way to work the other day I was running early and decided to pay this famous Market a visit, not planning on spending a penny and ending up with two very sweet vintage dresses that are perfect for the summer.

    In fact, I’ve been on the lookout for dresses like these for quite a long time but haven’t had much luck. I’ve tried etsy, ebay, searched many, many vintage stores/charity shops both here and in Cornwall all to no avail – it would seem vintage summer dresses of this sort are in shortage. So, as soon as I seen this adorable red one and its blue counterpart (I’m sure I’ll take a photo of myself in that one too at some point) I couldn’t resist and promptly made a double purchase.

    I won’t deny going in for a bit of hard haggling, which meant I almost got two for the price of one but times are hard and money (my money) is tight. You gotta do whatcha gotta do, right? I’ll definitely be back to the guys stall (he was super nice too, facebook page here) at some point in the future anyway so he’s made a customer for life – he had way too many cute clothes for me not to return.

    What I love most about these dresses are the sleeves. Whatever happened to sleeves? I think sleeves are the biggest downfall in current fashion. They’re just not given enough consideration, wouldn’t you agree? Nowadays, dresses, for the most part, aren’t made for real women with shape – I don’t have stick thin arms nor do I have tiny hips. Vintage dresses seem to accommodate my figure so much better than ‘modern’ dresses – unless you’re prepared to spend a small fortune at Anthropologie or some such place and whilst I’d love to have the funds to dress myself from these mid market establishments, that is currently not a reality.

    Besides, what is more fun than finding a pre-loved garment and giving it a whole new lease of life. For me, that really is something money cannot buy.

    Category PeaSoupWears, personal, Vegan Fashion | Tags: ,,,,,, | 2 Comments

  3. Hooked on Instagram – heck, who isn’t?!

    May 11, 2012 by peasoupeats

     

    Before you even say it, I totally realise this is a copycat post – I don’t know any blog that hasn’t done a ‘my week in instagram’ installment, so here’s my unnecessary offering.

    I succumbed to instagram quite a while ago actually (if you follow me on twitter you’ll know this already – by the way, i’m @AineCarlin if you do wanna follow…) and have pretty much been hooked for several months now. How very predictable, right? Ach well, it is what it is.

    I do love the way it can capture a moment so perfectly and I can’t deny it makes life look just that little bit more wonderful. Of course, most of my images are of food – again, yawn – but I can’t help it. Some things just need to be immortalised photographically and I sure as hell ain’t lugging about my Canon even if I do happen to own a very cute case for it.

    What exactly did I instagram then? Starting at the top, it goes a little sumthin’ like this…..

    1. the best soya latte (greenwich market) and vegan banana cupcake (ruby tuesdays) 2. vintage summer dresses from spitalfields market 3. dinner table all set for our guest 4. incredible sandwich from TROYganic with vegusto vegan cheese and salad. 5. me and the boy – at the behest  of his nibs, I’ve replaced this with a shot of the sugar free coconut lime polenta/almond cake I baked:) What can I say, he’s a shy one!

    …..oh yeah, and if you seen the first time I posted the coconut cake photo, that wasn’t my instagram one. Duh! My brain is so not working tonight, I dunno….

     

     

     

     

    Category personal, Vegan | Tags: | 2 Comments

  4. What to wear when you don’t know what to wear

    May 6, 2012 by peasoupeats

    We’ve all been there. Blankly looking at a full to bursting wardrobe with not a single clue what to to wear. Talk about first world problems.

    Like most girls, the way I dress is totally dependent on my mood and my mood of late has been all over the place – hence my lack of inspiration in the outfit department. It hasn’t been helped by the unpredictable weather here in London at the moment, which is also seriously messing with my ability to dress myself.

    Do I dress for rain? What if the sun decides to grace us with its presence? What if, what if, what if….

    This brings me to another issue. Living in London means walking and I do A LOT of walking, therefore heels are out the window for the most part.

    skirt-new look  jacket-h&m bag-primark  scarf-borrowed from my Mum  shoes-toms  tights-tabio  hair scarf-vintage  glasses-specsavers  red lippy-bodyshop

    Back to the problem at hand.

    What exactly do you wear when you don’t know what to wear?

    Well, day one of the Bank Holiday Weekend, I went for sheer comfort in a maxi skirt and bundled myself up in a thick scarf, as we were going to watch a firework display and I didn’t want to feel the inevitable chill. I wasn’t in the mood (there’s that word again!) for bright colours so I kept to a more muted palette.

    pleated skirt-charity shop  navy blouse-charity shop  stripey tank-primark  tights-tabio  pumps-coolway

    And today I was not only uninspired but unfortunately feeling a bit worse for wear (I should NOT have ordered that second margarita….) and in definite need of cheering up, which came in the form of a stripey tank and lemon pumps – I just discovered the coolway shoe brand and am now completely obsessed. They have about a dozen pairs I need immediately in my life (somebody slap me please), especially their amazing selection of low heeled clogs and summer sandals.

    Sitting here now I can sense tomorrow will be yet another ‘i don’t know what to wear’ day. Feeling a bit blah, a bit hmmph, a bit whatever – know what I mean?

    If clothes are supposed to reflect your personality then what the heck does mine say? Split personality?

    The one thing I know for sure is that a slick of red lippy makes a girl feel good (even when her mood is more ‘ugh’ than ‘ey’) and when you’ve got a day at a cobble stoned market planned, always wear flats. That’s the best piece of advice you’ll get from me today. Over and out.

     

     

    Category outfits, PeaSoupWears, personal, Vegan Fashion | Tags: | 2 Comments

  5. this and that…

    May 5, 2012 by peasoupeats

    We’ve been planting. Flowers, asparagus and herbs. It seemed silly to put the herbs in the garden when I’d need immediate access to them – not that a two minute journey is such a hardship but anyways. Not shown here is the basil and chive plants, which are further over on the ledge….

    I like cocktails. You probably know that already – strawberry margarita anyone?I’ve been using my giraffe cocktail sticks a lot lately – freebies from, not surprisingly, Giraffe. I like to keep plastic cutlery because I fear it will end up in a landfill when they are all perfectly reusable….

    I acquired a jug that I happen to LOVE. Bonus that it cost me only 2 pounds in a charity shop and it fits right in with all my other kitchen acoutrements. Oh and we finally converted our Dualit toaster (we had to change the elements, yawn) so we can now have toast in two minutes flat. This is kind of (very) exciting…..

    The NSPCC left a bag for us to fill with clothes and fill it I did. I donated numerous pieces I haven’t worn in ages and as it was for a good cause I didn’t hesitate for a second. It also made me realise I have an embarrassing amount of clothes I wear far too infrequently if indeed ever. This dress/top (I’m not brave enough to wear it as a dress) is one such garment, which my Mother bought me in St.Ives, Cornwall. I thought I’d don it for a recent trip to the supermarket and it definitely brightened up my day….

    My herbs, spices and oil collection is reasonably big (I would love more oils but they’re so expensive!). Cooking is so much more fun when you have all these flavour combinations at your fingertips – cumin might be my favourite spice closely followed by smoked paprika….

    Category Cocktails, Home Decor, personal | Tags: | 2 Comments

  6. The sun had his hat on. Briefly.

    May 1, 2012 by peasoupeats

    If you don’t dwell in the UK, you probably won’t know the weather of late here has sucked. Big time. I think it’s pretty much rained like a mofo the entire month of April until yesterday when we had a brief hiatus before the skies opened yet again and we endured a crazy thunder storm to boot.

    Again, if you’re not living in this small(ish), usually grey (but not always!) Island you may or may not be aware that we are currently in the midst of a drought. During such times you are not permitted to use your hose pipe nor are you allowed to shower for more than 5 minutes at a time (I made that last bit up), so you would think a bit of the wet stuff might be welcome. And I guess it is. The farmers are jumping for joy no doubt whilst the rest of the country have taken to hiding in their living rooms waiting (praying) for spring to return.

    Truth be told, I don’t mind it so much. I am the proud owner of a pair of wellies (rain boots to my American chums) and a red raincoat (which, according to my friend resembles licorice) so I’m prepared for any weather eventually.

    Puddles?

    No problem.

    Hail?

    Got ma hood, suckers!

    Wind?

    Plastic is my friend.

    See? It’s not so bad when you’ve got the gear. So, next time I hear anyone moan about the rain – unless you’ve got the necessary (essential and ‘don’t you know where we live’?) equipment – I don’t want to know.

    Have a think before you buy that new pretty chiffon top or you decide you definitely need a new pair of strappy sandals but still (how long have you lived here?) haven’t made the above purchases (I repeat – wellies and raincoat, wellies and raincoat). Should you fail to do so and end up sodden for the umpteenth time this year please don’t be upset when I give you zero sympathy. Mkay? Mkay.

    Heads up on the wellie front – Seasalt do the best rain boots on the market, made from natural rubber with mega cute designs and so comfortable. Not a sweaty foot in sight.

    Category outfits, PeaSoupWears, personal, Vegan Fashion | Tags: | 7 Comments

  7. Sublime

    April 29, 2012 by peasoupeats

    I thought you might like to know of a little development in my work life. I’ve just embarked on a new, very exciting, internship at a wonderful magazine called Sublime. A cut above the rest, it describes itself at a publication for ‘creative thinkers and inquiring minds’ – like, hello! How perfectly suited am I to this place?

    Take a gander over to their website to get an overview for yourself what they’re all about….talk about inspiring, they cover every possible angle when it comes to obtaining that not so illusive sustainable lifestyle. Unlike many magazines, which are gender specific, it appeals to men and women alike with some seriously interesting features as well as superb fashion spreads.

    In my first week there, I was given this gorgeous signature tote bag made from vintage fabric. So sweet and the perfect size to roll up in my purse – I always carry a bag like this with me to avoid ever having to use plastic and this one is just about as cute as it gets.

     

    Category personal, Vegan Fashion | Tags: | 3 Comments

  8. Hello Sailor!

    April 27, 2012 by peasoupeats

    Birthdays usually equal gifts and whilst I don’t expect them, I’m always thrilled to receive something especially when it’s as cute as this sailor top. Given to me by my Sister, it’s from the H! by Henry Holland range at Debenhams – I have a silly amount of stuff from this range already, I really adore all the designs. Knowing me only too well, she chose perfectly seeing as I’m all about the nautical.

    Probably not helped by living, albeit briefly, in arguably the ultimate coastal town – I’m talking about Penzance, of course -my nautical inspired dress sense has only become more out of control. Even when we visited recently I managed to pick up an awesome anchor clad vintage bag and the most adorable red sailing boat pin brooch from a fabulous vintage store in Marazion called Fine & Dandy.

    I’m not just crazy about nautical clothing though. I am generally a sea crazed nut. This even extends to me happily watching giant wave videos on youtube for hours – mostly ones being surfed, I’m entranced by that too. So, you see, I really do like to be beside the seaside. I’m an ocean gal through and through.

    For now though, until we make our way back down to the waves, sand and dreamy views, I’ll make do with traipsing round London looking like I’m a Sailor girl on shore leave. Maybe I’ll pick up a few hookers while I’m here……

    p.s. please don’t judge me on that last ‘joke’, I’m easily amused today:/

    p.p.s. these photos only highlight my critical need for a haircut.

    Category outfits, personal, Vegan Fashion | Tags: | 5 Comments

  9. Vintage Finds

    April 24, 2012 by peasoupeats

     

    Things that have happened lately:

    I had a Birthday.

    My 31st Birthday.

    Yikes.

    I visited Cornwall.

    It was. Amazing.

    We went snorkelling.

    It was freezing.

    But beautiful.

    We saw starfish.

    And a sea urchin.

    Oh, and a spider crab.

    Yeah. It was amazing.

    I bought stuff.

    Pretty stuff.

    All of it pre-loved.

    Now I get to love it.

    I’m 31.

    It feels…..good.

    Category Home Decor, personal, Vegan | Tags: | 4 Comments

  10. Uke Time

    April 13, 2012 by peasoupeats

    Something you may or may not know about me is that I come from a musical family.

    My Dad is a fantastic bass player and has spent most of his life in bands, even touring all over the world in his younger years. His talents also extend to acoustic guitar and keyboard although there’s nothing I like better than to hear him rocking out on the bass – the man has serious rhythm, s’all I’m sayin’!

    Likewise, my Mother was a long standing member of a very well renowned Irish choir called The Colmcille Ladies. They’ve performed for the President of the United States, don’t you know! So you could say music is in our blood and in our bones.

    Growing up my Sister and I attended music lessons several times a week – I play violin, piano and I sing whilst my Sister is a truly awesome recorder player (superb tone) as well as being pretty damn good on the old pi.a.no. Of course, her main gift in life is her kinda amazing voice. We’re not the only ones who think so because the record label peeps snapped her up sharpish when she graduated from music college and she’s just completed her first album(it’s called Songbook and you can pre-order it here). It’s all very exciting.

    I myself went on to study music at Goldsmiths College and ended up staying for five years (God, I loved that place) racking up several qualifications (bmus, mmus, pgce) resulting in me taking up a teaching post at an all girls secondary school. Whilst I knew in my heart it wasn’t the career for me I nether the less enjoyed some of my time as a music and drama teacher – let’s just say working with the kids was the easy part….ahem.

    Anywho, in recent years, after music literally consuming my life – I’ve performed since I was very small – I somehow misplaced my passion. I acted, I wrote, I blogged but there was something missing. Something that had given me immense pleasure for the majority of my increasingly not so short time here on planet earth. Making music.

    I was drawn to the ukulele because of it’s size (always a sucker for a portable instrument) and it’s childlike charm. Of course, being a string player meant I was able to pick it up fairly quickly and easily although I’m nowhere near as good as I would like to be but practice was not something I was willing to put in and I’ll tell you why….ukulele time was not going to turn into a strive for perfection and being a hopeless perfectionist this was and still is actually quite difficult for me.

    Nope, the uke is for me and me alone. I strum, I hum, I sing, I play. For me. This is not performance driven. This is pleasure driven. I never thought such a dinky little instrument could give me back my music mojo but it has and for that alone it deserves a mention.

    Currently playing: Up On The Roof

    Currently wearing: 

    turquoise skirt: charity shop 

    horse print tee: H! by Henry Holland

    metallic cardi: zara  

    tights: tabio  

    faux suede wedges: next

     

     

    Category outfits, personal, Vegan, Vegan Fashion | Tags: | 5 Comments

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