Putting the Great back into Britain!

Support our boys in Slovakia having a bit of fun admittedly but trying to win a medal for Great Britain at the European Advanced Aerobatic Championships doing something they all love passionately.
http://aerobaticteamgbr.blogspot.com/

Care in the community at 11

Lily is my friend's new collie puppy who is in training to be a "working" (in a fair trade, nice home, lots of cuddles, loved by her mum way) sheep dog. I get regular updates on how its going, being her "dog" mother and this is the latest I had to share...
A while ago I took her on a walk and let go of the lead, and she followed me all the way! Great. So the next day I took her off the lead completely, and she went ahead of me and then wouldn't come back. She did lie down when told to, but then as I approached she would run away. She ran back home but on the way came face to face with 6 boys on bikes. They were brilliant. I ran up and asked them to stop. The leader of the pack, probably about 11 yelled to the others, "stop! There's a really scared dog here!" They all stopped and waited whilst I managed to get her back on the lead. They let us by and I thanked them, they said "that's what we're here for". Bless the little darlings.

FESTIVAL JEWELLERY

Look and feel great from the "mosh pit" to hanging around the camp site in one (or two) of our brightly coloured leather wrap around bracelets
http://www.plumandivory.co.uk/leather-wrap-around-bracelet-782-p.asp

Glastonbury 24-26 June * Hard Rock Calling 24-26 June - Hyde Park * House Festival 7July Chiswick * T in the Park 8-10 July Kinross Scotland * Latitude 14-17 July Southwold Suffolk * Lovebox 15-17 July East London * Big Chill 4-7 August Herefordshire * Rewind Festival 19-21 August Henley * V Festival 20-21 August Essex/ Staffs * Reading & Leeds 28-29 August * Creamfields 26-28 August Cheshire * Bestival 8-11 September IOW

EASY PEASY BANANA LOAF

Ideal for using up bananas that you've kept for a bit too long?!



2oz softened butter
3oz sugar (any type)
4oz self raising flour
1 egg
1-2 ripe bananas

Heat oven to gas mark 4; 180C
Grease a loaf tin
Mash the bananas with a fork
Cream the butter and sugar together then mix in the egg
Mix in the mashed banana
Mix in the flour
Pour into loaf tin and bake for 30-40 mins

Et voila!

Sorry no picture as never hangs around long enough in our house to photograph!

Let's hope this is the start of something big Down Under...

"i am so excited my poncho finally arrived today! it is absolutely stunning!!!!! thank you so so much....once again its so beautiful"
"Hi Lorna, I received the poncho! I love it! So pretty! Wearing it with black leggings now! Very excited! Thanks again! Goodluck at the trade fair! I'm sure they will be a hit!"
2 customers from Oz who bought lilac ponchos last month!

REAL OR FAKE?

Would you buy fake flowers online?...if they looked like this?

PIMMS CAKE by Jo Arnell TRIED & TESTED BY PLUM & IVORY

Just like the drink, you want more and forget how naughty it is because it’s so nice!
The baking cooks away the alcohol to leave just the taste of Pimms and a lovely moist texture…oh and don’t be put off by the cucumber and mint buttercream because it works so well!

Cake * 200g (c 8oz) softened butter * 200g caster sugar * 200g self raising flour * 3 eggs *1 small grated apple * 6 capfuls Pimms * lined or buttered baking tin (2 ideally but we used 1 and then cut the cake in half once half cooled)

Mint and cucumber buttercream filling * 100g cucumber (about ¼ cucumber) * a handful of fresh mint * 100g soft butter * 250g icing sugar * sliced fresh strawberries

Lemon icing for top of cake * 150g sifted icing sugar * lemon juice

1. Preheat oven to gas mark 4/ 140c. Whip the butter and sugar together until smooth, then gradually add 2 eggs.
2. Add the flour and 3rd egg, apple and Pimms and fold together with a spoon. Put in cake tin(s) and bake for approx 30 mins (or longer if using just one tin)
3. While the cake is cooking and cooling, whip together the icing sugar and butter to make a stiff buttercream.
4. Make a puree with the mint and cucumber in a hand held blender and mix into the buttercream adding more icing sugar if it is too runny and then place in the fridge.
5. In a separate bowl combine lemon juice and sifted icing sugar until the right consistency is reached.
6. When you have 2 cake halves spread the minty buttercream over the bottom half of the cooled cake. Add a layer of strawberries then place the other cake/ half on top and ice with lemon icing.
7. Garnish with fruit or as desired! Result: 10/10

HELP SUPPPORT A GOOD CAUSE

With every key ring plastic bag holder sold (just £5) we are donating £1 to Hearing Dogs for Deaf People so please help support this good cause http://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/about_us

CASHMERE PONCHOS WERE A HIT AT SPIRIT OF SUMMER FAIR

Our new own label cashmere ponchos went down really well at the Spirit of Summer Fair. New size, new colours all received well and the compliments we received on our quality and attention to detail made us very proud.

AS FEATURED IN...THE FIELD JUNE 2011

AS FEATURED IN...COSMOPOLITAN UK 30 March 2011

http://www.cosmopolitan.co.uk/fashion/shopping/new-in-store/new-in-store-shopping300311-16#fbIndex16

AS FEATURED IN...Real Travel Magazine

Our cashmere eye masks have been featured in Essential Gear - the latest gear and innovations designed for world travellers in Real Travel Magazine April 2011!