The Dictator

I went to see 'The Dictator' tonight. Straight away I can tell you this is no where near as funny as his previous incarnations as 'Bruno' or 'Borat'. I had hoped that as this film had more of a plot, it would be even greater. I was left feeling a little disappointed with it.
 What let it down was the fact that the funniest parts had already been shown in the trailer for the film. I saw this a few weeks ago when I saw 'American Pie: The Reunion'(go see that, much funnier). So many films do this and I just don't understand why. Leave the cinema goer a few hidden gems, please editors.
 Sacha Baron Cohen does make a great point towards the end of the film. About how easily a democracy could turn into a dictatorship under the influence of media and wealth. I think.
How on earth he persuaded Sir Ben Kingsley to appear as his uncle, I don't know. Or Megan Fox. The number of celebrity cameo's were a bit sickening as the film went on.
Hang on, let me find something positive to say about it. Oh yes, two words; Anna Faris. I don't think I could ever not love her in a film. Ever.
There's also unexpected Alan Cox too.

Overall I found it entertaining.

Sorry I suck at reviews.

J x

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Sunshine Dresses.

The weather in the UK is supposedly going to be a bit more seasonal this week. Due to the huge amounts of wet and miserable weather we've experienced recently, my winter wardrobe is still in use. Add to that fact I've become heavier since Christmas (partly due to not wanting to run because of the rain), summer dresses haven't really been on the agenda when out shopping. A quick perusal of some high street websites has come up with three that I could possibly get away with. 

From Debenhams - Red Herring we have this shell print dress.

The clinched in waist and short sleeves are quite in with my usual pick of dresses. As I'm larger chested, I need to show off my smaller waist a bit. It's £20.80 in the sale. Sizes 8-18.

Next up is a Dorothy Perkins Coral Spot Peplum Dress 

I quite like the look of the peplum. I just haven't dared try it out yet. This one is £39.50 and is only available in a size 20/22 or a 6. So whoever has this dress, let me know what it's like, please.

Lastly, and quite possibly my favourite, New Look Tokyo Doll Retro Print Tie Dye Dress

After having a body scan done a few months ago, I was advised that chiffon is my best friend. I have a dress from Primark quite similar to this one. I like it in both colours. My mum's been sat next to me whilst writing and her view is it's too short. Good job I like my legs more than my chest then. I may be short, but they're not bad.

It's £24.99 and comes in size 10-16.

They are all lovely but I think my heart is with the last. 

Now to sort out a fake tan and a pedicure. Bring on summer sun!

J x

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Capital idea! - London Notebooks

Hello, my name's Jayne and I have an addiction to buying notebooks. At the last count it was around 30 but it may be more by now. The worse thing is, I don't even fill them. They lie empty on the shelf or piled on the table in my room. It's quite a sad story really, especially when you add in the fact I carry about three of them round with me 'just in case'. So that I'm ready for when inspiration strikes. Very rarely does it do this, normally it just gives me shoulder ache instead.

Paperchase is my enabler. Their current stock is very 'Jubi-Lympics'. London adorns most of the notebooks. Such as red buses, Big Ben, the London Eye and the Union Jack. It's all just too lovely. I really wish I could have it all but I made do with these at the weekend.

The padded journal on the left (£7.00) is so cute. It's huggable! And the linen flexi cover (£8.75) notebook on the side is really beautiful. I am determined to write things in both of them. 

If these aren't to your tastes then maybe you'd like to take a look at KatyNJune. I have spent a few hours browsing the site tonight and there's nothing I don't like the look of. Their ideas are really original and modern. They certainly give stationery a nice fresh feeling. The travel card holders make great gift ideas as do the memo pads for desks. 

They also have a London themed notebook and this is it 

This one has such an old school text book feel to it. The site says it's quite flexible so it can be rolled up and popped in a bag or pocket. Just like an exercise book. Sweet. Especially for £3.50. Bargain.

Others of 'note' are Urban Outfitters London Notebook and Cavallini London Pocket Notebook from The Paperie.

I just want them all. Yay for London themed Stationery.

J.

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Diamond Jubilee - 36 Days to go!

The Diamond Jubilee is happening June 5. So now's the time to get thinking about party ideas. This seems to be something every single shop in the UK is cashing in on. Red, white and blue, everything.

I love a party. I love the Royal Family. I love Jubilee bank holiday weekends.

60 years of one reigning sovereign is a good enough excuse to have an extra day off work and enjoy some cream cheese and cucumber sandwiches (crusts cut off) and lots of CAKE!

But what do you go for? One 'hu-age' Union Jack cake or a stand full of cupcakes? Maybe even both. Actually yes, both. With gallons of gin.

The BBC Good Food website has a recipe for a Union Jack Battenburg cake. It does say from the start that it's a bit complicated. Just a bit. It would help if there were more images of how to 'construct' it. The descriptions aren't exactly helpful enough.

The company run by The Middletons actually have a Union Jack cake kit available on their website. This looks really fun and it takes all the hassle of trying to get everything together for baking. The price may seem a lot for a cake kit but looking at the contents, we think this is really good value for money.


There's always the option of having someone else make the cake for you. One firm offering this service is 'Cakey-Licious' . Prices start from £20. Another company who have previously featured on 'Dreaming' when we first started out is 'Star Bakery'. They can provide full cakes or a selection of cupcakes. Their prices start from £2 per cupcake, £1.50 per cake pop and from £50 for special occasion cakes.

But how do you put those cupcakes on display in the middle of your street party/picnic/dinner party? You'll need a cupcake stand. Our favourite is from Urban Outfitters. There's a Union Jack and a crown. It's perfect. £10.00 (worth it for the crown)

And then after what do you do with all the left over cake which always tastes that tiny bit better the next day (especially after copious amounts of gin!). In a cake tin of course. In keeping with the Jubilee theme, John Lewis have one available for £6.50. It's by Emma Bridgewater and it's lovely crown print trim is adorable. any cake would do well to be housed in this.


All the above have got us even more excited for the Diamond Jubilee (mug post due anytime soon). Now to go hunt down a bunch of tea towels and napkins. God Save the Queen! Chin chin!

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Last try.

I've done it again. I've neglected my little blog and it's suffered. Nobody ever wants to read a content that isn't up to date. This could be something really great, the only thing stopping it is me. The ideas I want to post are swimming round in my head yet I lack the confidence to think they're good enough to go up. The quality of the writing for a successful blog needs to be excellent and my lack of self belief means I think I cannot do it. I look back at previous posts and although people are coming to look at them, they don't stay or subscribe. This needs to change. More posts hopefully equate to more traffic and more people coming to share in 'DoaD'. (Do I need a new name?)
From now on I want to post something everyday. Every single day. I promise. If it doesn't work this time, it never will.

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This week I have mostly been eating...

Another Sunday evening, another chocolate free week has passed. The toughest part of giving up the sweet stuff seems to be actually remembering I can't eat it. I can avoid the whole bars of chocolate but I forget and find myself going to eat a pain au chocolate or a yogurt with Smarties in. My skin seems to have worsened since I quit too. So I'm refusing to believe that it was the reason behind getting spots. I am more inclined to think that the amount of white wine I've consumed on 3 nights this week is more to blame. Going to be using my Sanctuary 5 Minute Thermal Detox mask a couple of nights in the week to come. It certainly seems to five life to my skin when it's feeling a little under the weather.

Not eating chocolate has meant my diet has been slightly improved and varied. No more McDonald's and KFC. More M&S Spanish chicken and Carluccio's Niçoise Salad.

Tonight I took the bull by the horns and tried cooking something new to me. Sea Bass. I picked up a whole one from the supermarket this afternoon. After a few deep breaths and much research using YouTube videos, I gutted it. I scaled it. I just didn't do it well. One of the fins actually made me bleed after it caught my thumb. Then I couldn't remove the guts behind the gills. So I just chopped off it's head. I didn't want to do it that as it looks more impressive with it's head. But by now it was just awful and hacked to bits. 

I then slashed the top of it and put in some chopped lemon grass. Inside I put a layer of Maldon salt and put ground black pepper over the top of it. I chopped up some garlic finely and once the fish was sat on an oily piece of foil, I threw the garlic over and in it. 

After placing it on a baking tray I added some sweet potato and carrot around the edge. More oil thrown on and it's in the oven for 20 minutes @ 200c. In the last 5 minutes start the sauce. A knob of butter, some crushed garlic and a good glug of lemon juice. Heat the butter gently then add the garlic. When that's taken add in the lemon juice. 

Remove the fish once the 20 min is up and leave it to rest for 5 minutes. 

Chuck it on a plate and this is what it should be like.

Go careful as the bones are still in it. I wasn't sure whether to remove the spine or not. I now feel full up and sleepy. Especially after the slimline G&T that accompanied it. 

I'm not an amazing chef but this is what I like to try and eat. It was yummy if a little too garlic-y. 

I intend to try and get on the scales this week. I don't feel like I've lost a pound so I could do with a kick up the backside. More cardio less couch! 

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What's 'Dairy Milk' again?

HELLO!

I am very happy that February 2012 has been the busiest ever month here traffic wise. This has made me realise that the more content I put up, the more everyone will come and read it. Well, that's only if I get better at writing it. I'm trying. I just don't want to post any old thing if my heart's not in it. I'll do my best though.

It's been a week since my the last bit of chocolate. Those first few days really hurt. I've had a couple of wobbly moments since. That bar of 'Bubbly' is still on a plate in the fridge. I'll give it a few more days and then I'm throwing it. I don't really remember what chocolate quite tastes like. I seem to remember it being nice. Very nice indeed. Not eating it hasn't made the pounds drop off either so surely it wasn't doing me that much harm. The belly is still there. I'm far too impatient with losing weight. And not entirely motivated to get fantastic results.   Just got to keep trying.

I will get back to doing some crafty things soon. I've come across some people who are much better at it than me and I'll feature them.

But keep coming back, it'll be worth it and don't forget to 'like' the Facebook page and share the link...I need your help

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dreaming-of-a-Design/194300217282809

Thanks x

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