live | a classic night out

This was so unconventional.

Pink dress, playboy, ballet-style cameras, old guy in gold tracksuit
and opera??

Opera, and a story drawing on a very negative picture of materialism, sex and the media. The show explored societal politics in immense depth. The opera of 'Anna Nicole' is based on a true story, that of the tragic life of Anna Nicole Smith, a Playboy model, actress and TV personality. In short, this was a woman perpetually under scrutiny from the eyes at our end of the camera. Constant demands from the media being central to Anna's life, the media were expertly given a dominant position in the show - in the form of figures in full-body black artfully moving around the stage, bearing large images or models of film cameras on their heads.

In fact, Sarah and I found this portrayal of the power of the media to be one of the most memorable things about the show.  At the end of the day, Anna steps into her own body-bag, but it's the anonymous looming black cameras that zip her up.  Literally.

When you think about the story of Anna Nicole Smith, you obviously don't immediately think of opera.  But on further pondering, I realised that her life was actually quite apt to be captured in this art form.  She had dreams - she was like a modern-day Marilyn Monroe.  As a single Mum, 'struggling on the low wage', working in Wal-Mart in Texas and surviving from one pay cheque to the next, she felt the only way out of her mess was to get some money.  Quickly.  How was one to get money? Well, when you've got nothing else, I guess you resort to the one thing we all have - our bodies.

It actually saddens me a lot to think that there are other women out there like Anna Nicole, who are really stuck.  As such, even though the operatic scenes in gentlemen's clubs weren't really our style, I felt the opera did have a big impact on me, and made me think about the way society values people.

I'm reading a book I have loaned from one of Sarah's friends, Chloe, at the moment.  It's by Jared Diamond: 'The World Until Yesterday'.  (Absolutely great read by the way, thank you Chloe!)  Diamond is constantly drawing comparisons between the way people live in the West and the East and probing us to think: what can we learn from these other cultures?  I think we've got a lot to learn.  One of the things I've noticed so far is that people are not trying to get more stuff in traditional societies.  They are trying, instead to keep good relationships.  These relationships are the ways they are fulfilled, and the ways they can keep trading for the essential things they need.  Our outlook in the West is so focused towards needing more things to be happy.  I am totally guilty of this (I just spent £90 in the H&M sale...) BUT we can all try to realign ourselves to what will actually make us happy - other people.  After all, even after we get the stuff we think we need to be happy, like Anna, we will probably discover that we're still the same unhappy person, just with more stuff!

Anyway, if you fancy a night out at the Opera, but you don't go in for all the high-falutin' operatic overtures etc.  Then this might be up your street! I enjoyed it!

Plus - being a student and going on the student night meant the tickets were only £1! Good news all round, right?! Have a look at their website if you think you might like to join.  They regularly email you with loads of good offers.

The Royal Opera House itself was an absolutely amazing venue.  I have walked past it in Covent Garden so many times, but I hadn't gone inside, or realised how big it was! It's beautiful, and Sarah and I were, to be honest, really underdressed.

Speaking of dress...

Leather jacket: Miss Selfridge, Scarf: Gift (Thank you cousin Steph!), Bag:
Accessorize, Jumper & Blouse: Primark, Jeans: Topshop
Boots: Cotton Traders (can you believe it?!)

Do you like my 'zing' necklace? It's from H&M and comes with every letter so you can personalise it!
If you know me, you'll know that 'zing' is, to use Danielle LaPorte speech, one of my
'core desired feelings'.  Please, if you haven't yet, read 'The Desire Map'.  Amazing.

Jacket: Tesco, Stripey Top: River Island, Rings: Vintage & France (thank you Barbara!!)

We went to Pizza Express before hand for a quick bite to eat.
Loving that Padana...
(goats cheese, spinach, caramelized onions, salad in the middle)

Whilst I got in there with some Pollo ad Astra love
(chicken, peppadew peppers, red onion, mozarella, salad in the middle)

The Royal Opera House is so beautiful, isn't it!

Jacket: Tesco, Bag: Topshop, Stripey Top: River Island,
Skirt: Primark, Boots: Next

We had a great night out - classic, but not quite so classic as you would at first think!

Enjoy today!!

- rosinaviolets    x

read | the ten books challenge

Crappy iPhone picture... sorry!
Also - couldn't find all the books on my list
I am clearly less tidy than I thought...

The other day I was tagged in a Facebook post to list ten books that have stayed with me in some way.

So, naturally, I thought, why not make a blog post!

My ten books are probably not exactly what you would expect, but one thing is true - they have definitely stayed with me over the years!

OK... so let's kick it off!

1.  'The Rainbow' D H Lawrence
If you know me, then you'll know this is so obviously going to be my number one choice.

Basically, this book has informed my opinions on everything to do with religion and spirituality.  I actually cannot get enough of D H's (this is the way I refer to him in my head - it kills the magic when you realise his name was actually David Herbert) descriptions of nature.  His books and poetry have changed the way I look at the world.  He saw so much beauty and made it his mission to show us what he saw.  As you can see, my copy is very dog-eared.   I've read it a lot!


2.  'The Power' Rhonda Byrne
Many of you out there will turn your noses up at such 'self-help', but I actually found 'The Power' to be a really great help and a wonderful way to aspire to live your life.  It's basic mantra is that love is the all-powerful force of life.  Give out positivity through giving love, and you will recieve back positivity.  A great little read that reminds you that life is meant to be great and it is going to be great!


3.  'Far From the Madding Crowd' Thomas Hardy
My favourite Hardy novel!  Sadly, I couldn't find it!! We've been having a massive reshuffle at home, so most of our books are packed up in the garage.  But this book is such a lovely read.  It reminds me of all the wonderful parts of England.  I actually read it on a beach in Spain, and even though I was in a bikini and it was really hot, I was reading about a snowy field in the Dorset and I was there.  Totally transporting.

As a side note, Gabriel Oak is my classic hero of choice.  Can't be doing with all those moody Mr Rochester's and Mr Darcy's.  It's strong, straightforward, positive Mr Oak all the way.


4.  'New and Selected Poems' Mary Oliver
If you have never read any Mary Oliver, then I strongly urge you to do so.  She writes so very beautifully and touches what is real and true about life.  When you don't feel like trawling your way through something overtly complicated, or archaic, read Oliver.  When you feel like you need a pick-me-up, read Oliver.  When you feel so unbelievably confused about what the heck you're feeling, read Oliver.  She's like a soothing salve for the soul.

I'll give you a taster...

I don't know exactly what a prayer is.  
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down 
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass, 
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields, 
which is what I have been doing all day.  
Tell me, what else should I have done? 
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon? 
Tell me, what is it you plan to do 
with your one wild and precious life? 

'The Summer Day' Mary Oliver

Doesn't that last line just get you!? So direct.  What is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?


5.  'Wise Children' Angela Carter
Probably one of the zanier books on here.  But I love it! I studied it as part of my A-Levels, and I loved it then.  It's incredibly life-affirming and confidence boosting.  Things are OK as they are - and you are OK as you are.  We've got to accept ourselves, love life, and really go out there and live it.  Things are going to go wrong - they inevitably do - but that's all part and parcel of this rich experience called life.  One refrain stuck with me especially: 'what a joy it is to dance and sing!'  Isn't she right?!!


6.  'It's All Good' Gwyneth Paltrow
I know this is a cookery book, but it was probably formative in showing me how to enjoy food and how to cook it for myself.  I thank you Ms Paltrow, for showing me that I can eat a peanut butter cookie, I can make a peanut butter cookie, and I can enjoy it.  Also, for showing me that that peanut butter cookie is actually good for me, and for my soul.  Thank you.


7.  'Noughts and Crosses' Malorie Blackman
This was a childhood classic for me.  Not sure how many times I read this series through! I remember being totally obsessed with it.  It's your classic Romeo & Juliet tale, but with added spunk and lots of relevant issues like race relations and terrorism.  Absolutely great story!


8.  'Romeo & Juliet' Shakey 
Yes, I do have a nickname for Shakespeare.  I am an English student at heart! I studied this for my GCSE's.  Just at that age when you are pining for your own Romeo.  There are passages of such great beauty in this play, and the emotion is so very vivid.  How could you not love it?  I remember at one point I think I pretty much knew the entire play off by heart as I had read it so much.  At the end of the course we watched the Leonardo di Caprio version of it, and after that my fate was sealed.  It's great!


9.  'Little Women' Louisa M Alcott
Another childhood classic for me.  I loved Jo so much, and really wanted to be her.  But I knew that on the surface people would never think I was like her.  A classic case of having all this 'you' underneath, but everyone having a separate picture of 'you' that you feel you need to conform to.  

The book has also got some great messages in it about family and life.  I remember reading it several times and trying so hard to get those messages into my life.


10.  ????
And then I was stuck! There are so many more books I have read, but none that take a place in my memory as much as these.  I was dabbling over 'Rebecca' by Daphne du Maurier, and 'Eat Pray Love' by Elizabeth Gilbert... and then there were several more.  But I guess I will have to keep this one open, for whatever new and exciting books I will read in the future!


What are your top ten reads?

Enjoy today
- rosinaviolets    x

[Emily!]

make | zippy maca bars

Happy Wednesday afternoon everyone!

And so, here is our first make post after our hiatus! I warmly introduce you to my friend, maca.

What is maca?

Maca is a plant grown in South America.  It looks a bit like a turnip (it's related to turnips and radishes), and in South American countries it has been eaten as a vegetable for years.  In fact, it was eaten by the Incas before they went into battle to give them strength and endurance.  That's why these bars are 'zippy' - they'll give you lots of energy! 

Is maca good for me?

Maca's nutritional value is super high.  It's got a great mix of carbohydrates and protein which are responsible for that go-getting energy! It's super rich in calcium (for your bones) & potassium (to break down and use your carbohydrates and make muscle).  It's got good levels of iron (for your blood), zinc (great for anyone young who's growing, for fertility and for the immune system) & manganese (to break down and use your fats and carbohydrates & to help the body make hormones).  

Even more than this, maca has loads of different amino acids (proteins) which contribute to it's biggest and most widely known health benefit - it's fantastic for balancing your hormones.  If you suffer from PMS or zits then try introducing a little maca into your diet. It's important to go slow at first, if you suddenly add tablespoons of maca into your diet your hormones won't know what's hit them! But if you add a teaspoon into your porridge, or use it to make these bars you'll have loads of energy and feel really balanced.  

But what does it taste like?

I personally love the taste of maca, so I guess I am biased.  It took Mum and Sarah a little more getting used to, but everyone agrees that it's got a kind of burnt-caramel-like taste.  It's definitely sweet - you wouldn't want to put it in anything savoury.  But there's also a slightly acidic twang to it too.  Almost gingery? 

In these bars, the maca just enhances the gorgeous caramel flavour of the dates and adds a little spiciness.  Honestly delicious :) 

How much does it cost?

Maca isn't really cheap - I won't lie.  But I think in light of all that's happened, my outlook is now to save money on things that don't matter so much.  Food matters.  What you eat is going directly into your body - why skimp on that? 

Maca can be bought in good health food shops, or you can get it on the internet for around £10, but you can scout around for the best deal! 

So what about these bars, then?

Yes, on to the recipe! 

These bars are fudgy, caramelly, nutty, and satisfying (yet moreish!) 

What's more they are SO easy to make.  They only have 4 ingredients (or 3 if you don't use maca)! There's no excuse not to try them - right? 

You'll know with every bite your getting lots of long lasting energy, fibre and lots of nutrients.  Happy faces all round.  

Even if you don't want to buy maca, please do try these bars without it - they still taste good! Maybe add a little cinnamon?  

Enjoy today!    

- rosinaviolets    x 

Zippy Maca Bars

Makes about 16 bars 

- 2 cups oats 

- 2 cups dates (use either medjool dates, or soak normal pitted dates in some boiling water for 20 minutes before you use them) 

- 1 cup walnuts 

- 2 dessert spoons maca powder 

- enough water to bind it all together 

This recipe is seriously so easy... all you have to do is: 

• Preheat your oven to 180C

• Get a food processor out and whizz the walnuts until they're finely broken up.  

• Get out your blender and whizz the dates to make a smooth paste.  

• Put the dates and the walnuts into a bowl.  Add the oats.  

• Add the two spoons of maca powder.  

• Mix it up! Add enough water to make it all stick together nicely.  

• Line a square brownie pan with baking paper. (We use one that's about 8in x 8in).  Squash the mixture into the tin and pack it down.  I used a fork (that's why you can see the striations on my bars!)  Put the whole lot into the oven for about 25 minutes - but watch it so it doesn't burn.

 

• When it's done, leave it to cool for a bit in the tin, then turn it out onto a rack to cool completely before cutting into bars - have them whatever size takes your fancy! We went for 16.  

• Enjoy that zippy energy!!