Fast and dangerous bikes

Isn't this a great bike?! This high-wheel bicycle seems to be from the 1870s and back then it was apparently more for adventurous young men because it was fast but dangerous.

Just over the weekend we were trying to remember life before the internet. What did we used to do when we wanted to check the weather or opening times of a shop?

We've come such a long way already but I wonder what life will be like in another 100, 200 years?

Looking after your handbags

This little red clutch used to belong to my mother. Cute, isn't it?

But look inside and you'll see that it's falling apart: the leather is now peeling! Like confetti. 

Isn't that sad? Don't let this happen to any of yours.

What the experts say:
"Stuff the inside of the bag with acid-free tissue."
"The best way to store handbags is to hang them from S-shaped hooks on a rod in your closet or lined up on a shelf. Be careful not to hang them too close together, or they may get damaged or entangled."

From this book by Melanie Charlton Fascitelli, mentioned first in my luxury wardrobes post.

How vain are you?

Corn on the cob - yummy, right?

The question is, do you eat it when you are at a party?

I don't. It's not very attractive, having corn stuck between the teeth. I'm too vain.

And you?

Save the environment with poo poo paper?!

Did you know that: 

"We can make about 25 large sheets of paper from a single piece (or turd) of elephant poo poo!!! That translates into about 10 standard sized journals including the front and back covers!" 

They have greetings cards...

... journals

... noteboxes

... and more, all environmentally friendly and well, different! A portion of the profits from each item goes to elephant welfare and conservation programmes, too. Read about their purpose here.

Important: they claim that the paper does not smell! 

Would you consider buying these?

Let Frankenstein be your guide

Or a shopping trolley? Or a slice of pizza? My son would love the fire engine.

Click here for more.

I'm talking about navigation systems for the car...

I decided to get a portable one that is Mini-compatible (no wires!) for several reasons. Starting with the display: it is much easier to 'read' than the integrated version which is too 'dark' for my liking:

It's also a touch screen, costs about a tenth of the price and the look of it can be personalised. So instead of having an arrow to tell you which way to drive, you can replace it with one of those funny characters / objects.

Of course, I'll be downloading a Mini.

Speaking of which... today is the big day! I can't believe it. I get my Mini this afternoon! Yayyyyyyy!

1, 2, 3

A Thai weekend in Europe

I often wish I could fly to Asia for the weekend - think of the great food - but unfortunately it's too far.

This weekend I actually felt like I was on holiday in Thailand. Not only was it sweltering (like a real Thai summer!), I got to enjoy some Thai food that seemed pretty authentic to me.

The papaya salad, for example, was mixed together using this huge wooden pestle and mortar. I admit that I went twice this weekend and the first time I ordered just a 'normal' papaya salad, which was so spicy I started to sweat profusely, my nose became runny and my tongue and lips were on fire! The second time I was quite the wimp and asked for one without extra chillies.

I like the way they used banana leaves as bowls.

I also made the mistake of drinking a cocktail too many in the heat. I collapsed when I got home!

The hot papaya salad made me wonder if Thai children can handle the spiciness. I'm thinking they were probably fed spicy breast milk...!

Can you eat spicy food? Is that because you ate it as a child?

Affordable Armani

I am really into bright nails this summer. I recently picked up these two colours from Armani. The one on the left is pink (#45), the one on the right is coral (#46).  

I wanted to wear both colours, so starting from the top: coral, pink, coral, pink... I felt rather immature but cool doing this :-) It's not very noticeable, though (unfortunately?).

Still, I'm happy to own two "Armanis" now and the quality is good: not streaky and nicely pigmented (could perhaps get away with just one coat; I applied two). And I got some samples... yay!

As you've seen, I don't have nice nails. For over a year I went to a nail salon every 2-3 weeks for gel nails. But my own nails became paper thin and started to hurt so I had to stop. Have you ever had this experience?