tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22816285928702790212023-11-16T06:41:43.421+00:00The Postcolonial RabbitA whimsical wander through postcolonial literature, fashion, fantasy fiction, and more...The Postcolonial Rabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05264728770572661572noreply@blogger.comBlogger264125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281628592870279021.post-33763820226319078122014-09-17T11:49:00.002+01:002014-09-17T11:49:51.891+01:00Gateway to a potentially fascinating museum: A review of Seacity Museum, Southampton<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I've been meaning to visit Seacity in my hometown of Southampton since it opened but as is often the case with these things, it was only the arrival of family from India this month which actually prompted my visit. In the two years since it opened, the "Gateway to the World" gallery has become British-Museum vast in my imagination, so excited was I, avid researcher of lascars, at the possibilities the exhibit might hold. Southampton, the city that the P&O sailed eastwards from since the 1840s, always cropped up in my archive searches for lascar material (a future research project is brewing away there) but I have never had time to explore further into the entwined histories of migration and maritime labour that characterise Southampton as a city. "Gateway to the World", well it sent a thrill through me when I first read of it.<br />
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I've come away with mixed feelings. I'm surprised at how moving and engaging the Titanic Gallery was, as someone who's always refused to watch The Film and who's always been a little bemused by the fanaticism the historical event inspires in some. But the Seacity's take on was to read the Titanic tragedy through the lives of the local Southampton people who worked on it and on how the city was impacted so profoundly by the tragedy. One exceptionally moving feature was a large map of Southampton that spread below our feet, on which all the Southampton lives lost were marked with dots. So many dots, from my old house in Inner Avenue, to the Shirley fields then on the outskirts of the city, and beyond. The scale of the ship - so hard to comprehend - told through cutlery and food stores. And I loved that we saw the second class berths - which looked tiny - rather than the exaggerated opulence of the first.<br />
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But I did speed through the Titanic galleries, impatient to get to the Gateway of the World. With such anticipation, it was always going to disappoint. My favourite element of the "Gateway" theme ended up being the map of the naval routes that papers the walls outside the exhibit. As bits of this map are folded over cornices and the like, a full flat version - or even a large globe - would have been wonderful at the beginning of the exhibit.<br />
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Instead, the two and half room exhibit features a chaotic mixture of stories of travels to and through Southampton - Roman, military, medieval and some more recent. No direct mention of the P&O, and not, alas, a single picture or account of lascars working the Southampton ships.<br />
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I found the way in which Southampton's twentieth century diasporas have been represented in the exhibition most problematic. These little boxes of migrant history are possibly the worst way to render the rich and diverse multiculture that makes up Southampton, segregating each separate ethnic community in space and time. There's no suggestion of intersections between kinds of identity or of the experience of communities living together, of the city's annual interfaith peace walk, for example, or of the kind of neighbourly activism that has given television producers such a hard time recently when they tried to make an inflammatory ant-immigration documentary in the city. Or the fact that many of the ethnic communities featured have links to Southampton that date back further than the assigned "decade"on the box. The boxes - so slight and stereotyped in their content, so tokenistic in approach, made me feel quite sad.<br />
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I do think the curators were faced with a huge challenge - and a small space. Southampton's migration and naval history is such a long, multilayered one, like East London it resists easy chronological tellings. I can see the intention behind the way things are arranged - to view different empires, worldviews, forms of travel comparatively. But when different voices and sounds shout at you from the sides of a relatively small room, when there's no map or dates to anchor you (pardon the pun) it all gets rather overwhelming.<br />
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But it's a young museum at just two years old, and I understand that the larger portion of space has to be devoted to the city's Titanic story for pragmatic reasons alone. The space is visually exciting, and makes what could seem dull - maritime history - seem both <i>lived</i> and living. It's great to have such a modern, vibrant celebration of the city at the heart of it's developing new "cultural quarter". So whilst I wasn't entirely satisfied by my trip, I can also see Seacity gradually evolving, remaking itself, much like Southampton continues to do.<br />
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<br />The Postcolonial Rabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05264728770572661572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281628592870279021.post-5178257942907533552014-04-16T20:31:00.003+01:002014-04-16T20:31:58.209+01:00Nine Months of Roshan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hello again. I am emerging from the other side of sleep deprivation, blinking in the light, after Roshu had his FIRST NIGHT OF UNBROKEN SLEEP last night. EVER. After a couple of months of sheer torture when he regressed to waking hourly which led to him sleeping next to me and drinking a sip from his bottle every hour all night, we resorted to controlled crying. As hard as it was, particularly the first night, it worked and Roshu is so much happier and more settled for it. As am I. I felt like I was going mad for a while, but that is simply what intense sleep deprivation can do. I remember a woman in Ikea telling me that she was loving being a mum to a baby the same age as Roshu, and my heart broke because I realised at that point that I couldn't say the same thing. Now I understand that I was just utterly, utterly exhausted.<div>
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Anyway, six months have passed since my last update on Roshu. He is still the brilliant, happy, sociable baby I wrote about then. If anything, he's happier and more sociable! He is simply a delight to be around and he loves and is loved by all who meet him. We are still little (we remain snugly on our 2nd centile) and at nearly 10 months, just transitioning into 6-9month clothing with some 3-6 month stuff (M&S your sizing is HUGGGE!) But he's got chubby, rosy cheeks, and is very, very strong (he was kicking on his change mat so hard that he hurt my ankle earlier). </div>
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Roshu's weaning story goes up and down, he does get bored of food quite easily and prefers to move, play and talk rather than eat lots and lots. But in the last couple of days he's started vocalising his enjoyment of foods - particularly oranges, hot cross buns and yoghurt, which are his favourites. But mealtimes have to be accompanied by mummy singing (I have invented many, many verses for The Wheels on the Bus and Old MacDonald has branched out into zookeeping) and many toys as well as finger foods to keep his attention. When he gets a cold (which is often) he goes completely off his food which is understandable, but always stresses me out a bit. I must remember that it sucks to eat when you can't taste anything!</div>
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He is chatting away all the time now, with hand gestures and frequent raisings of his highly expressive eyebrows. We are treated to "mama", "bababa" and "da" sounds most frequently, and he definitely says "mama" when he wants something or isn't happy (I suppose I am the person who "fixes" him!). His voice has a unique, rather duck-like quality, with the odd dinosaur/monster growl and very high pitched squeal thrown in. In the last two weeks he has learnt to shake his head, but it's a proper "Indian" head shake accompanied by much smiling as though I'm attempting to haggle with him and offering a ridiculously low price. I love love LOVE the fact that sometimes he hugs me back with his tiny arms around my shoulder, nuzzling into me. We still have no teeth (I feel rather embarrassed about getting excited at the drooling and chewing at 3 months now), but crawling is imminent as he is flipping onto his stomach and pushing himself forward and backwards all the time now. He is also standing quite confidently against furniture. I'm really proud of him for his mobility given that he has spent so much of his young life with his legs braced together, flat on his back, because of the talipes.</div>
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He is so brilliantly used to his boots and bar now, though it does concern me how deeply focused he becomes when I strap his little feet into them, as if he is trying to work out how to undo them! His feet are perfect now but need the brace to stay that way, and I have built the boots into his bedtime routine so solidly that I hope he'll just think that boots = bedtime when he's older. Fingers crossed!</div>
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Roshu loves books - if you give him a bunch of toys and one book, he'll reach for the book. It's so much fun reading with him and watching him follow my mouth and expressions and eagerly turn the pages. That said, he loves interactive toys, my phone and my netbook with a passion and spends ages just opening and closing the "baby laptop" my mum got him. He loves his jumperoo too but requires an appreciative audience while bouncing in it, which rather defies the point of it. So there's much mumbling of "that's brilliant bouncing, Roshu" that goes on while I try to squeeze some work into my crazy, busy days.</div>
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He also LOVES to go out. He gets ridiculously excited when I start to put his coat on, as he knows this is the signal that An Adventure (possibly involving Trying Foods One Shouldn't Really Eat or Making New Friends or BOTH) is about to begin. I've started using the proper seat that comes with my Urbo rather than the car seat facing towards me as he is much more interested in seeing the world than his mum now. On the downside, the view is so very interesting from his buggy that it takes an absolute age to get him off to sleep in the buggy, if at all. (It's so very flattering that I was so boring in comparison!) He loves going on swings (and going alarmingly high) which suggests to me a thrillseeker daredevil type in the making which he definitely does not get from me. When out, he will do his level best to befriend EVERY person in a 10 metre radius, and gets a little irked if they resist his many, many charms. </div>
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Over the last few days I have really found myself enjoying life so much more. I've loved Roshu and enjoyed being with him from day one, and even before, but with the alopecia (I now have no hair whatsoever), the pain and symptoms from my tear, the talipes and the sleep issues, I was finding it so unbelievably difficult to cope and get through each day. I felt like each day was a battle, that I was just scrabbling to keep my head above water. I'm so glad I had family support and friends to get me through (thank you, grandparents and Hipp Organic formula, combined you have given me many nights of precious unbroken sleep), and a sensible health visitor who enabled me to take steps I needed to get Roshu to sleep better. Because it's sleep that we both needed to get to this happy place, and sleep we are now getting. Finally.</div>
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So nine months of Roshu. It feels a strange milestone, I was pregnant for nine months, he's been in the world for the same length of time. We've had so many challenges, and we're overcoming them one by one. He's tough and hardy, so resilient and cheerful even when ill and exhausted that he inspires me to be strong and bright too. He is a magical child who, true to his sunny name, continues to light up the lives of those around him, and I'm so glad I am his mum.</div>
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The Postcolonial Rabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05264728770572661572noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281628592870279021.post-58734681511385129222013-10-28T16:23:00.001+00:002013-10-28T16:23:29.168+00:00FOTD: Twinkly kingfisher blue and peachThank you all so much for your support, kindness and love regarding my previous post. I don't want this blog to become a woe-laden space of wailing - so here's a face of the day from last week where my hair didn't look so bad (H&M, your braided headbands have saved me!)<br />
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The main shadow shade is a beautiful dusty kingfisher shade by Marks and Spencer Autograph, following a recommendation by that most enabling of enablers,<a href="http://www.lipglossiping.com/2013/05/inexpensive-beauty-find-ms-autograph-gunmetal-eyeshadow/" target="_blank"> Lipglossiping.</a> I purchased the taupe she recommended and this shade. The shadows are creamy, impressively pigmented and excellent quality for £6. I've also patted on the prettiest microglitter shadow I've come across, Ellis Faas Lights on E301, a beautiful white gold sparkle, over the turquoise. I really love Ellis Faas, the packaging is annoying but the products are incredible - especially the lip shades. I have the driest lips in the world, and the only matte shades I've been able to wear comfortably are EF ones.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #400058; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">Base:</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #400058; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #400058; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">L'Oreal True Match concealer in Cafe Creme under eyes</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #400058; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #400058; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #400058; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #400058; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">Eyes:</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #400058; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #400058; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">Urban Decay Primer Potion (Original) as base</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #400058; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #400058; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">M&S Autograph eyeshadow in Kingfisher all over lid</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #400058; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><span style="color: #400058; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20.796875px;">Ellis Faas Lights in E301 over Kingfisher</span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #400058; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #400058; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">17 Lacquer Liner in black for upper lid lining and flick</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #400058; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #400058; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">Avon Supershock pencil in black on waterline and to tightline</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #400058; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #400058; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">Maybelline Colossal Mascara</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #400058; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><span style="color: #400058; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20.796875px;">Rimmel brow pencil in dark black-brown</span></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #400058; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #400058; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #400058; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">Face:</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #400058; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #400058; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">NARS Taos blush</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #400058; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #400058; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">NARS Albatross as cheek highlight</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #400058; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #400058; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">Rimmel Stay Matte powder in Translucent</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #400058; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #400058; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #400058; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;"> Lips:</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #400058; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #400058; font-family: Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20.796875px;">Clinique Chubby Stick in Mega Melon</span></div>
The Postcolonial Rabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05264728770572661572noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281628592870279021.post-85460502731097202122013-10-26T18:05:00.001+01:002013-10-26T18:05:22.268+01:00RIP, Mane: Alopecia Arreata and Me<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMAUC7epKhyphenhyphenlCZS12sLkfWGSqY1pxI9u08XBlwcYLnvNVmDhpVKYlx-usz71MKVVjkmpiWk4s5koPPw4UU2kYDpPHBouPAVe9nA0vRnRNarnL-vYOeIVz2gPgaYOBMGTpZ8oBh1lC5qA/s1600/P1020215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioMAUC7epKhyphenhyphenlCZS12sLkfWGSqY1pxI9u08XBlwcYLnvNVmDhpVKYlx-usz71MKVVjkmpiWk4s5koPPw4UU2kYDpPHBouPAVe9nA0vRnRNarnL-vYOeIVz2gPgaYOBMGTpZ8oBh1lC5qA/s400/P1020215.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Today, I finally had an appointment I've been mired in an eighteen month battle with my GP, medical secretaries and NHS booking lines for. It was with a dermatology consultant, regarding the hair loss that has slowing been chipping away at my self esteem, sense of identity and confidence. (Hence no beauty or fashion posts from me for a long, long time).<br />
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It confirmed what I already know: that I have severe alopecia arreata, a little understood, barely researched and underfunded condition where (it is believed) that my immune system has attacked my hair follicles, meaning that I have now got large clumps of bald areas all over my head, as well as complete loss of all arm and leg hair (I never thought I'd miss that stuff, but I do, I really do). Along with the physical symptoms, the unknowability of it, and the fact that it affects a part of your appearance crucial to most people's sense of their selves (recall your last bad haircut, or even bad hair day, and think about how it made you feel), it's been fairly harrowing. Every morning, waking up and brushing out the knots caused by hairs detaching themselves overnight, looking down into the sink and seeing a mass of blackness, stomach sinking. Every day, artfully arranging remaining strands to try to cover the bald patches, only to realise in precious photos of me with Roshan that it didn't hide anything whatsoever. Slowly chopping my once waist length hair shorter and shorter in order to lessen the daily strain of witnessing the sheer masses I'm losing. Tears, so many, many tears.<br />
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I'll be the first to admit it: I've always been really vain about my hair. I was blessed with a thick, unruly mane, and since the age of fifteen, there's probably only been two or three (accidental scissor-happy hairdresser related) incidences of me having even mid-length hair. It's always been long, it's always been very thick.<br />
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But now I'm facing the prospect of it never returning - I have a 1 in 10 chance of a full recovery. And that's very, very hard to take. The problem with alopecia is that you never feel like you have the right to be really upset about it - most people (with the best will in the world) keep reminding me that I could have it so much worse, that it's only hair. But as I await a wig-fitting appointment, I'm struggling to put a brave face on this. I miss my hair. I just don't feel pretty without it.<br />
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As traumatic as it has been, the process to even get the appointment confirming my diagnosis has almost been as stressful. After seeing doctor after doctor at my surgery who dismissed my concerns ("there's nothing to be done, sweetie", "it's probably just stress, relax and it'll come back", "it's your pregnancy" - the last completely illogical given it began before I was even pregnant), I finally hit upon one that actually listened to me and agreed to refer me. That was in July. A month later I finally received an appointment - for December. Ringing the dermatology department, I was told that was simply the earliest appointment they had. My GP was outraged (finally found a good one, there) and immediately expedited my referral as urgent. Since then, I've been engaged in a merry (read: not merry AT ALL) dance with rude, huffing medical secretaries who jobshare and don't speak to each other, a bookings department that doesn't ever seem to be able to receive a fax, and GP secretaries who promise to fax things and then don't. It's been hell. I simply do not understand why it has to be this way - the NHS must be the only organisation still running predominantly through faxes (how many of us when on work experience many moons ago used to feel a little ill when handed a bundle of documents and phone numbers, knowing hours of frustration and earpiercing whistles of fax-sendings, or rather, failings, awaited?) Why can't emails suffice? Surely they're more secure, efficient and easy than bits of paper flapping about for anyone to see or intercept?<br />
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So after two months of phoning almost every day, I finally got given an appointment for this morning - I think in part because the bookings line manager understood that sheer incompetence had ensued. But again, another harrowing experience awaited me, as the very sympathetic, but entirely helpless consultant informed me there's very little treatment that works, and that the NHS doesn't fund much research into this area because failure is so high. This strikes me as a deeply flawed logic, a horrible catch-22 for anyone suffering from a condition that has been deemed a waste of NHS time. Perhaps I'm not very, very physically unwell - but the emotional impact of losing all your hair as a 34 year old woman is - well, I can't even put it into words. And here, I've really tried.<br />
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But I'm considering my options. I've never been able to do fancy 1940s hairstyles, so I've treated myself to this number in order to vintage-up my style. The bonus of having jet-black hair is that it's easy to choose wigs and know that it won't look too fake. I've been using hairbands and braided false hair-headbands, but now it's getting a bit too bad for that, but they've been invaluable and I think will also look nice with wigs. I might venture into the world of coloured hair, which I've always been tempted by, but never had the courage to do. I'm awaiting steroid injections to the scalp (fun!) and my consultant and my sister are looking into research trials I might be able to join. Who knows, I might be that one in the ten who's lucky. But I can't hide away forever and I can't sob my life away if not. So I'm going back to posting beauty and fashion - and my face - here, even if I might look a little different to how I used to.<br />
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<br />The Postcolonial Rabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05264728770572661572noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281628592870279021.post-66517783710102323962013-10-11T15:10:00.005+01:002013-10-11T15:10:48.972+01:00Three months of Roshan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIBBg_TT5UJw17af9t11eoZwDpXIWpxG-nCnc-RiGbJk3GJQv5tHH9duPr28v34eXwGoi44OsICzuYFDiN0fk4cxTulf3PsaOk_nec-kny8QfmtL84jp7vs8t1Zks4MfsZF1qpUGuZAE/s1600/20130622_172533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIBBg_TT5UJw17af9t11eoZwDpXIWpxG-nCnc-RiGbJk3GJQv5tHH9duPr28v34eXwGoi44OsICzuYFDiN0fk4cxTulf3PsaOk_nec-kny8QfmtL84jp7vs8t1Zks4MfsZF1qpUGuZAE/s320/20130622_172533.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I've been a mum for over three months now. I can't quite believe Roshan's a quarter of a year old! It's certainly been a rollercoaster and I would say the first month or six weeks were the toughest of my life. But since we've sorted feeding and since Roshan's adjusted to the boots and bar that he needs to wear to treat his clubfoot, things have been going really well and I've been really loving motherhood.<br />
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Roshan's now laughing, smiling and regularly chatting away in his gurgling-a-gooing language. He is always, always in motion (even in sleep) - flapping his arms, kicking his feet, always a little out of breath with at least one limb blurry in all photos. He loves his jungle play mat and actively flicks the toys and follows the lights. His favourite way to fall asleep is resting vertically against my chest, with his little arms wrapped about my neck (what I call koala bear or froglet style). He looks really, really cute in dungarees. Whilst he hates wearing most hats (ruins the hair dontcha know), he doesn't mind a hood (obviously, because he's DJ Gangsta Sparrow). He still doesn't give me more than 5 seconds to get a bottle into him, but I've got fairly good at reading the signs as to when that moment of intense hunger approaches. He likes to smack his top lip really loudly, and suck his whole fist but he's getting less interested in dummies.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZM4ARmlWFtEt00jAHR5F_-CPQsaNuMfIBvMvz5yJnJ42URHfioONcIeMptZrQ1Bl5K1ICh5LtjiuztinKwhr9bv3S4gNPu128Y6UyH96tIdij__7GC92N8E7Y2KbXIUA8ltLSyRxWREE/s1600/20130806_085716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZM4ARmlWFtEt00jAHR5F_-CPQsaNuMfIBvMvz5yJnJ42URHfioONcIeMptZrQ1Bl5K1ICh5LtjiuztinKwhr9bv3S4gNPu128Y6UyH96tIdij__7GC92N8E7Y2KbXIUA8ltLSyRxWREE/s320/20130806_085716.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Within a week of getting them on, he got enough strength in his little legs to kick his 1/3rd of a kilo boots and bar right up in the air. Sometimes he gets to overwhelmed with joy and laughter he has to flap his arms as he laughs, it's the most delightful thing. His voice reminds me a bit of the aliens from Toy Story, a bit of ET. When he's worn out he lets out the most plaintive, tearless cry, like he's weary of the world. He can stare at me for minutes on end without blinking, and follows me around the room with his gaze. My heart soars each time.<br />
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He's truly a delight to everyone who meets him and gets a lot of attention any time we're out and about (I've found that middle aged men are surprisingly soft when it comes to cute, cheeky babies). He's very sociable but knows who his mum and dad are and saves his best smiles for us. He's on the small side (though he's chubby now!) but so are we. His name means light and they are his favourite thing - he'll gaze up at a lightbulb for hours. In the last couple of days he's become tickly though I haven't quite identified where the spot is, it is somewhere around his neck or shoulders as he giggles uncontrollably when I change his top.<br />
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When he looks up at me and smiles, there's no better feeling in the world. I can see him developing in alertness and he's so interested in the world, I feel quite proud that I'm able to help introduce it to him. He now gets up once in the night, drinking his bottle and falling straight back to sleep most nights. The only major issue I have with him now is that he can't fall asleep on his own but needs lots of rocking and cuddling even when he's totally exhausted. But he's a brilliant, happy, happy baby, and I'm so proud to be his mum.<br />
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<br />The Postcolonial Rabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05264728770572661572noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281628592870279021.post-51302136993742181702013-09-14T21:27:00.000+01:002013-09-14T21:27:05.745+01:00Formula feeding - my story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27HNqRJMY7NYQAieJW8b1h1InK_bmG6UtWoCOLsX_ZFkUnz-xAwGI9BiFi2TYi0I3lzoagGAEwRdKbPbQbg1deI6bUz9qGgSS3kZERcle7wUpBbfsi4RzYLFHRYU5ktQkNFMAXdTCoak/s1600/20130914_193220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg27HNqRJMY7NYQAieJW8b1h1InK_bmG6UtWoCOLsX_ZFkUnz-xAwGI9BiFi2TYi0I3lzoagGAEwRdKbPbQbg1deI6bUz9qGgSS3kZERcle7wUpBbfsi4RzYLFHRYU5ktQkNFMAXdTCoak/s320/20130914_193220.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Please help. I have six packs of Boots Breast Pads taking up
room in Roshan’s nursery and I don’t have a clue what to do with them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And that’s because despite best intentions (as pregnancy
bulk buying of above breast pads should indicate) and a lot of effort, Roshan
is a formula baby. I am a formula mum.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I started a version of this post with a guilt-laden, confessional
tone. And then I scrapped it. Because, you know what, there’s far too much
guilt and judgement of formula mothers as it is. It’s suffocating. And last
week, at the health visitor clinic, I mentally turned a corner. The HV asked me
how Roshan’s feeding was going and I apologetically shrugged my shoulders and
said “well he’s a formula baby now”. The HV responded “oh that’s fine! But how
is he doing on it?” – and I realised that she wasn’t interested so much in what
he was feeding, but the quantity and quality of his feeds. I realised that I
was loading the guilt onto myself, projecting the judgement of others onto
myself when sometimes there was none (though many times no such projection is needed).
And then I decided – no longer. I’m not apologising for bottle feeding anymore,
to others, or to myself.<o:p></o:p></div>
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For every mother I know that has sailed through exclusive
breastfeeding (a term I really hate with a passion, designed to make us “lesser”
mothers feel like we’re being refused admittance to some elite club we’re too
rubbish to be part of) I know of at least four who’ve struggled, mixed-fed or
formula fed. There’s plenty of support for mothers to facilitate breastfeeding
in the form of groups, lactation consultants, community breastfeeding
assistants and so on. But that support network is ripped away when you decide
to formula feed – and there’s nothing in its place. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So I wanted to write a post that’s, as controversial as it
might seem, positive about formula feeding. I want to write down the things I’ve
learnt, two and a half months on, mostly through trial and error, for other
women in my situation – things I wish I’d been told in the many, many classes
and workshops I attended during my pregnancy but which were never spoken of for
fear of inciting women to formula feed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Incitement to formula feed. The present climate in the UK
regarding breastfeeding is such that any lone voice that comes out in support
of formula does indeed seem like a pariah. But really, is formula such a big,
so very moral, deal? As <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/mother-tongue/9877692/Breastfeeding-may-be-best-but-bottles-of-formula-milk-arent-the-end-of-the-world.html" target="_blank">Anne Maxted points out in what I found to be a saviour of an article</a>, in the developed world, not really. So
why the fuss? In my opinion, the hysteria around breast/formula is just an
another way for women to judge one another, to load even more pressure on each
other, to create another impossible to achieve goal of perfection for us all to
strive towards and endlessly beat ourselves up about.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Don’t get me wrong – I think breastfeeding is fantastic. I
was deeply committed to it throughout my pregnancy – I set up cosy nursing
places, bulk bought those wretched breast pads, and was generally so excited at
the prospect of nurturing and nourishing my child.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Two and a half months on, on formula 100%, I am doing that
still – but just not in the way I anticipated, visualised, dreamed of. But
Roshan’s thriving now, crossing centiles, getting stronger, longer and louder
and we are both so, so happy.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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It wasn’t always this way. When I say I tried to breast
feed, I don’t think I could have done anything more to try to establish it for
Roshan. To the extent that I almost put his health at risk. And it still didn’t
work out. And what they don’t tell you in those pregnancy breastfeeding
workshops is that sometimes that just happens. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve written about my frankly terrifying birth experience. After
all of 5 minutes of “skin to skin” (continually interrupted by paramedics
trying to keep Roshan alert), I ended up being apart from Roshan for over nine
hours due to my surgery. So, it wasn’t surprising that it took some time for my
milk to come in and when it did, that it came in tiny, tiny amounts. But I
persevered and I mastered latching Roshan within a couple of days. But he
couldn’t get much from me, and as I’ve found out, he’s not the most patient of
babies even when he’s happy. He began to get so very hungry he’d work himself into
a complete state, so much so that he couldn’t feed, flapping his little arms,
delatching himself in complete fury. I would sit with him latched for an hour
at a time, as he would fall asleep after five minutes of drinking. One night, I
recorded my feeding and I had had him latched for a total of five hours
overnight. But though he latched, he would fall asleep and stop suckling almost
immediately, and then he’d wake up and delatch in hungry fury. It was a
terrible, emotionally devastating cycle. He ended up losing 1/6<sup>th</sup> of
his birth weight, going from 6lbs to 5lbs. He looked like a little prune, drawn
and shrivelled, and he couldn’t sleep for more than half an hour at a time
because of his gnawing hunger.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In retrospect, I can’t quite believe I held on with the
breastfeeding for as long as I did. He did have the odd decent drink, and when
I wasn’t around in the intensive care unit, he was given formula with a cup or
syringe. But he still wasn’t putting on weight, and when we were discharged I
was left with a starving, dehydrated, sleepless baby who couldn’t feed and
couldn’t settle. Add my pain from my tear into that mix, and the first two
weeks were the hardest of my life.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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My health visitor ended up basically ordering me to
mix-feed. I also started to express, to help my frustrated, cross little baby
consume the “good stuff” he refused to take by breast. But as Roshan was a demanding
baby during this time, this meant that when I wasn’t feeding/settling I was
expressing and I had simply no time to do anything else. After five weeks I
made the decision to stop mixed feeding and switch Roshan to EXCLUSIVE formula
feeding. Given that by this stage he didn’t like the taste of breast milk and
wouldn’t take from the breast at all (too much hard work!) he didn’t complain
at all about this.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But it wasn’t plain sailing – even on bottles, he’d
struggle, wriggle and take in lots of air so he was full of wind and in lots of
pain from it. It took a switch to Hipp Organic (I feel like such a Hampstead
yummy mummy feeding my child an organic formula!) and anti-colic bottles for me
to get the happy, smiley and THRIVING little baby I have now. But looking at
him now, all chubby cheeks, bright eyes and flapping, strong limbs, I know I
made the right decision and we’re all brilliantly happy. So I’m not going to
apologise anymore for what was right for Roshan and right for me.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Things I’ve learnt – you can master all the techniques of
breastfeeding, but if you don’t have an easy/simple birth experience and/or your
baby doesn’t have the right temperament, then it might not work out. Don’t
underestimate the power of switching formula – I was sceptical, having read
that all formulas now are pretty much the same, but I’ve seen a dramatic change
in Roshan’s ability to digest his food. We have no back arching, no pained
crying, no hours of coaxing burps out of him anymore. Infacol is a useful thing
if your child is colicky. So are wide necked bottles – but for me, Tommee
Tippee ones ended up drenching Roshan because of leaks (googling I found this
to be a common issue) so we’re using Avent Natural. Teats also make a huge
difference – some bottles come with teats for older babies, but don’t make it
clear on the box that this is so. If your baby is spluttering out milk – check if
the teat’s right. Formula dispensers are ace if you have a crazily impatient
child like I do (Roshan would work himself into a frenzy before I’d measure
eight scoops into a bottle if I dared to do that when he’s hungry). Burping is
important. Some babies don’t like bibs – muslins are softer and more easily
tucked into chubby neck rolls (neck rolls! We have neck rolls!) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The benefits of formula? I know how much food Roshan takes,
when, which reassures me given his weight struggles. He feeds regularly, and in
consistent quantities, so we’re getting close to having a schedule established.
He stays over at his grandparents’, giving me time to sleep and time to do
other things (gosh, that makes me sound less than devoted, doesn’t it? But it’s
important too, I think, for Roshan to have a happy, rested, and fulfilled
mother). I feel we – me, Bartimaeus, grandparents, uncles and aunts – co-parent
Roshu by all of us being able to feed him. And whilst expressing worked, it
(literally) sucked so much time from my day, I couldn’t even play with Roshan
between pumping, feeding, settling him and housework. He’s developing
brilliantly now I can actually give him proper attention.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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So here we are. Happy
Roshan, happy me. On formula. Exclusively.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Any tips on how to use up those breast pads would be more than welcome.</span></div>
The Postcolonial Rabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05264728770572661572noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281628592870279021.post-87201142024831521252013-08-12T12:50:00.000+01:002013-08-12T12:53:25.967+01:00A Rather Unusual Delivery: My Birth Story<style>@font-face {
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The spot</td></tr>
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Much has happened in Poco Bunny Land over the last few
months, most obviously the arrival of the mini Bun at the end of June. To say
we’ve been on a rollercoaster of emotions during this time would be an
understatement. There’s been profound joy, but it’s also been incredibly
challenging, physically and emotionally. In part that’s because of how the mini
Bun R actually arrived in the world. One of the first questions you’re asked
during medical exams as a new mum is “did you have a normal delivery?” By which
they mean, did you have a c-section or not? I didn’t have a c-section. But I
also didn’t have a normal delivery, by any means.</div>
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<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt;">Roshan
Arjuna Pathak was born on Friday 21st June at 14.52, exactly a week before his
due date, weighing 6lb1.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt;">In the
weeks running up to my due date, friends told me that just before he’d come, I
would get a huge instinctive drive to organise and nest. Both Bartimaeus and I
scoffed at the very notion that I would ever have the urge to organise anything.
And yet on the Wednesday and Thursday prior to his arrival that’s exactly what
happened. I even cajoled my father in law into building a chest of drawers for
me so that I could finally sort out our clothes storage and Roshan’s. So when
on Thursday afternoon back pain presented alongside the sciatica in my hip I'd
been suffering from in the last week, I didn’t think anything of it, and
carried on writing my draft conference paper sitting on my gym ball.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt;">At
about 4.30 in the morning though I woke up with some twinges and cramps and
thought that was rather intriguing so downloaded a contraction timer. The
contractions were 20 min apart so I tried to sleep and didn’t wake Bartimaeus.
At about 7 the cramps were starting to annoy me and I’d read you have to use
your TENS machine early on so I woke Pathik up to set it up for me (I’d only
ordered it on Wednesday and received it earlier that day! Which is lucky as it
ended up being the only pain relief I got throughout the process until my
spinal anaesthetic for my stitches).</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt;">I kept
timing my contractions but they were erratic – some were 16 min apart, some 5.
I called the hospital at 9 and they told me it was far too soon to come in and
to wait until the contractions were regular and 3-4 min apart. I wandered about
eating cream crackers and telling Bartimaeus to leave me alone. At 12 I started
to feel the urge to push and called the hospital again but my contractions were
still all over the place and the nurse said the pushing was probably just “the
position of the head” and not to come in. (When I recounted this to my midwife
her eyebrow shot up and she rolled her eyes, so I’m guessing this was wrong
advice.) I was in a fair bit of pain during the contractions and the times I
wanted to push (I threw up a couple of times) but I kept thinking it’d get
worse because I’ve never given birth before and it wasn’t unbearable (in
hindsight, it may be that I share my sister’s incredible and slightly
problematic uber-high pain threshold). I figured it’d get a lot worse before I
was done. I do remember feeling quite tired at about 1 and telling Bartimaeus
that if this was going to go on for another three days I didn’t think I could
handle it because I wouldn’t have the energy to keep going, and that I would
need the epidural I hadn’t originally ever wanted. (ha!)</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt;">Then at
2pm my waters broke and I rang the hospital again and they said that I should
come in now. But I was upstairs (and unbeknownst to anyone, actually in full
blown labour) so it took me 20 minutes to get down the stairs. My father in law
arrived to take us to the hospital but by the time I got into the car, I had a
huge urge to push and he crowned. I was totally bewildered and had no idea what
was happening. My mother in law and Bartimaeus were shouting that he was on his
way and that I needed to push again so I did, and he was born, in the back of
my father in law’s car, just outside our house. I was screaming at them to make sure he was ok and for
them to give him to me. Bartimaeus gave him to me, wrapped in a towel whilst in
the process of also ringing 999. The ambulance arrived in minutes and we were
“bluelighted” to the hospital, sirens and all. It was all very dramatic. Roshu
was breathing erratically and very blue because it was such a shock entry into
the world, and the paramedics were looking concerned all the way there which
really terrified me. From the time he crowned to when we arrived in hospital, I
didn’t feel any pain. I was just praying to God for Roshan to be ok all the way
there and couldn’t think of anything else. He, subanAllah, heard my prayers.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 12pt;">When we
got to the hospital Roshan was rushed to intensive care and I was rushed to an
exam room. I was fairly distraught at being separated from Roshu and not
knowing what was going on with him but I was examined and sent for surgery for
the severest degree of tear (the price of not having a midwife about to tell
you when and when not to do things!) But the surgical team were very reassuring
and kept checking on him for me throughout my surgery so I could stay calm.
Once I was stitched up and stabilised, after 11pm, having spent over 7 hours
apart from my tiny beloved son, I was actually wheeled in my bed into ICU to
see my Roshu, beautiful, tiny, and asleep in his incubator, needle pricks all over his tiny hands and heels, and wires everywhere. I stretched out my
hand and held his perfect little fingers (mirrors of mine) in my hand and I
cried, a lot. Happy, shaky and overwhelmed tears.</span></div>
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Roshu
spent the next few days in ICU and I spent them on a ward healing up a bit,
with Bartimaeus wheeling me down to see him and spend time with him for hours
on end. But he got stronger very quickly, and we finally got discharged after 6
days. Coming home was the best feeling ever – whilst the neo natal nurses are
AMAZING I had both great and hideous care on the wards and I was desperate to
go home to the point I was just going to walk out if they didn’t discharge us
that night (more on that in another post). </div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0.1pt 0cm;">
I’m
still in a fair amount of pain (especially if I overdo things) and I face the
prospect of having any further children by c-section (which is a shame, to say
the least, because given how quick my first labour was there’s a good chance I
would have had very easy natural births). All this, because as a first time
mother, the signs my body was giving me weren’t taken seriously by the midwives
on the labour ward. They assumed that all first time births take a long time,
that as a first time mother I was bound to be overreacting, that I had no idea
what my body was doing. I wish I had been in the right headspace to have just
gone in anyway, but my mind was a blur (hell, I was in full labour without pain
relief!) and I trusted the midwives implicitly. I think back to all that might
have gone wrong that didn’t, and I’m thankful – but it was a trauma I’m still
recovering from and one which made the first month of Roshu’s life very, very
hard for us to enjoy.</div>
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Now,
though, we are just revelling in our beautiful, wonderful boy. I see the joy he
has brought to both our families, how much younger all his doting grandparents
seem since he has arrived, and how every day he delights and amazes us in new
ways, and I just feel so very blessed to be his mother. Roshan, which means
light/sunshine, born on the summer solstice, the bringer a beautiful sunny
summer to us all, the light of all our lives.</div>
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The Postcolonial Rabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05264728770572661572noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281628592870279021.post-80239271312553716072013-03-31T15:22:00.000+01:002013-03-31T15:24:32.945+01:00Easter Mini Egg NOTD<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Hope everyone is having a lovely Easter weekend! Bump and I are currently propped up in bed with lots of cushions, (I'm typing this before I have a nap, the pregnant woman's prerogative) I have a Lindt bunny and a little Milky Bar egg next to me and Vanity Fair which I've just begun on my Kindle. Bliss!<br />
,<br />
The mini egg themed mani has been doing the blogger rounds of late, and I too have joined in on the sweet pastel fun this weekend. I think I've worn the L'Oreal Confetti topcoat on top of almost every mani I've done recently, I love it! I think it's because the glitter is so matte and the perfect size (not too big and no bar glitter either, I hate it!) and it lies so smoothly on the nails. If only all glitter was of this grade! My favourite colour to layer it over has to be duck egg blue though. It's such a pretty and delicate combination.<br />
<br />
Time to bite off the bunny's ears! (So very wrong of me, I know!)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small; text-align: start;">From thumb to pinkie: Ciate Bon Bon, Mavala Lagoon, Max Factor Diva Violet, Max Factor Juicy Plum, Essie Navigate Her, all topped with L'Oreal Confetti.</span></td></tr>
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<br />The Postcolonial Rabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05264728770572661572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281628592870279021.post-60383201307617036142013-03-25T19:00:00.001+00:002013-03-25T19:00:47.524+00:00All the small things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sometimes it isn't a massive haul of hugely expensive stuffs that makes you smile, but a few, small, carefully chosen treats. I took myself off with just over £10 in my pocket last week to indulge myself a bit after a couple of gruelling but rewarding days catering a workshop.<br />
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Above is what I "hauled" - mostly items that made for the loveliest, most indulgent bath ever, plus a little fashion pick me up: discounted deep pink roses from Waitrose, £2.99; purple butterfly tealight holder from Poundland, £1 (obvs); Yankee Candle votive in Vanilla Cupcake, £1.70; Ferrero Rocher, Poundland, £1; Lush Yuzu and Cocoa Bubbleroon, £2.95; and H&M mint headband, £2.50.<br />
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The Yuzu and Cocoa bubbleroon from Lush is my favourite Lush product - and my favourite bubble bath product ever. It's got such a comforting sweet chocolatey scent, and despite being really softening due to cocoa butter (it's much more moisturising than a standard bubble bar) it produces a decent amount of bubbles even in my hard water area. It's conveniently made up of two half-domes stuck together so you can pull them apart and make them last for two baths! On this particular night, I was very achy and exhausted from being on my feet and cooking all day, and so I used my bookchair to prop up a copy of Grazia in the bath, lit my little Yankee Candle votive (it smells amazing!), watched the butterflies on the tealight holder flicker prettily, ate a couple of my Ferrero Rocher and listened to Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald's duets (I can't say I didn't sing along). It was HEAVEN.<br />
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I also picked this headband up in H&M - I have a small, oddly square head so hard headbands don't really fit me and I find them horribly uncomfortable, but I love wearing headbands as they accentuate my fringe. I always like pastel accessories in spring (spring? ha!) because I do like the sweetness of muted pastel shades, but full block pastels look hideous on my skintone. This has perked up lots of dark wintery outfits!<br />
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This was so immensely satisfying to do - I thought quite carefully about how I was going to spend this £12, much more than I have done in the past, and I love everything I did get for it. It's the little things, as they say.<br />
<br />The Postcolonial Rabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05264728770572661572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281628592870279021.post-65446188275891373652013-03-19T21:52:00.001+00:002013-03-19T21:52:31.670+00:00<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/981734/?claim=yyjgczt9j2y">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>The Postcolonial Rabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05264728770572661572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281628592870279021.post-55518641534977948092013-03-19T21:29:00.001+00:002013-03-19T21:29:35.523+00:00Bejewelled Tuesday: People Tree<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The ethical brand People Tree is going from strength to strength, I think - the Orla Kiely and other designer collaborations, beautiful organic cotton frocks, lovely block prints and affordable prices for great quality ethical pieces means it's a brand loved by many. I especially love that so many pieces are produced in Bangladesh and use traditional techniques like block printing and embroidery. <br />
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But did you know that they do some lovely jewellery? I'd never really paid attention to their jewellery before, thinking it might all be a bit too chunky for my tastes. But they do some lovely, lovely jewels.<br />
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Some of these pieces remind of me of the much pricier NW3 at Hobbs jewellery range, with their whimsical charms and bright colours. The hoop earrings and star necklace would look so amazing with a bright coloured maxi dress, they make me dream of summer. My favourite, though, is the brass charm bracelet. I just love the colours and the quirky little forest themed charms.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0w11iag93qCPOI9f_cDA4Jo1hsEK9IIBHEY4JrBmZI4yRGkrWQ8eQNCcy5qlUsQmC1f0cYu6-Kc9bkegYR10wEd_FcNJSGKRydlQOMaEAT9rgTzdOOhgBfxRS249FK_eNthb09JgNrH8/s1600/bird-earring-11ee1d4ec9dc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0w11iag93qCPOI9f_cDA4Jo1hsEK9IIBHEY4JrBmZI4yRGkrWQ8eQNCcy5qlUsQmC1f0cYu6-Kc9bkegYR10wEd_FcNJSGKRydlQOMaEAT9rgTzdOOhgBfxRS249FK_eNthb09JgNrH8/s320/bird-earring-11ee1d4ec9dc.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.peopletree.co.uk/womens/jewellery/bird-earring" target="_blank">Bird earrings, currently £6.40</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.peopletree.co.uk/womens/jewellery/cream-collar-necklace" target="_blank">Cream collar necklace, reduced to £9.60</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.peopletree.co.uk/womens/jewellery/brass-charm-bracelet" target="_blank">Brass charm bracelet, £8</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT5WayfvGgKxkU6hPk4SlHVZfjrNeXGTE6m7DhpDOfF4V4AwjZnvTlJ3GkqBqlfm8xvSK4NEPHIjxzbkVo6J9t0rtO3MB3aOFbQ5bFlY1-1ZjHb4EpR2io1Y8Rj9VfSL1BK6OSG7rF0eM/s1600/palm-bangles-in-blue-2daa42339741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT5WayfvGgKxkU6hPk4SlHVZfjrNeXGTE6m7DhpDOfF4V4AwjZnvTlJ3GkqBqlfm8xvSK4NEPHIjxzbkVo6J9t0rtO3MB3aOFbQ5bFlY1-1ZjHb4EpR2io1Y8Rj9VfSL1BK6OSG7rF0eM/s320/palm-bangles-in-blue-2daa42339741.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.peopletree.co.uk/womens/jewellery/palm-bangles-in-blue" target="_blank">Palm leaf bracelets, £6</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-OUq_OImVWZhT0taxoyJHi0Lvr71Aevs9RedUdBkhE66ERiu10RGbZt1nfaQM2yo1b8NtOhhZCkrUHz2O6KbCxh6q7klTsZwRu2CeD9p0S8N81n9QWAy4QZREK2wRqdymoGha5nIFIg/s1600/brass-star-necklace-50239368224b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-OUq_OImVWZhT0taxoyJHi0Lvr71Aevs9RedUdBkhE66ERiu10RGbZt1nfaQM2yo1b8NtOhhZCkrUHz2O6KbCxh6q7klTsZwRu2CeD9p0S8N81n9QWAy4QZREK2wRqdymoGha5nIFIg/s320/brass-star-necklace-50239368224b.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.peopletree.co.uk/womens/jewellery/brass-star-necklace" target="_blank">Brass star necklace, £26</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span id="goog_1096224451"></span><span id="goog_1096224464"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1096224474"></span>Beaded hoop e<span id="goog_1096224461"></span><span id="goog_1096224462"></span>arrin<span id="goog_1096224470"></span><span id="goog_1096224471"></span>gs, <span id="goog_1096224467"></span><span id="goog_1096224468"></span>£12<span id="goog_1096224475"></span></a><span id="goog_1096224452"></span><span id="goog_1096224465"></span></td></tr>
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<br /><span id="goog_1096224453"></span><span id="goog_1096224454"></span><span id="goog_1096224476"></span><span id="goog_1096224477"></span>The Postcolonial Rabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05264728770572661572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281628592870279021.post-55121117520344941302013-03-13T14:00:00.000+00:002013-03-13T14:00:08.372+00:00Maps... they don't love you like I love youAh, the song lyric blog title cliche!* But it's true, both Bartimaeus and I love maps. They are fascinating representations of the world - but they also structure how we think about space and others. We have both used The Peters Projection and this, our favourite West Wing scene, in our teaching in order to get students thinking about how maps have always played a role in global power relations. Did you know how tiny Britain actually is in comparison to the African continent?<br />
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So when I saw this scarf on ASOS I couldn't but love it immediately! I already have a<a href="http://thepostcolonialrabbit.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/friday-frock-scarlet-safari.html" target="_blank"> spinning globe pendant</a> that's one of my favourite charm necklaces, but an actual map on a scarf? Amazing.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.asos.com/Warehouse/Warehouse-Map-Print-Scarf/Prod/pgeproduct.aspx?iid=2897395&SearchRedirect=true&SearchQuery=map%20scarf" target="_blank">Warehouse at ASOS, £22</a></td></tr>
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Then I had a google and came across these beautiful, but much more expensive chiffon map scarves. Though I think that limiting the designs to Europes, the States and Britain is somewhat parochial - especially given the rise of the Asian designer consumer!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-yYgyRHQUdGGTPZnPZrO_72roQRr-vZUKU9lwlCq-pprVJ8xx4LnSLeXN5vkFUDqIsylOM82CnvyQ0KMKgvOVKrZLmBd2DZdg9I2U41roVq0Pg31XjSvJCJGSpkVJqVmiYhC2Ur-IUA/s1600/10319807_1718816_1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE-yYgyRHQUdGGTPZnPZrO_72roQRr-vZUKU9lwlCq-pprVJ8xx4LnSLeXN5vkFUDqIsylOM82CnvyQ0KMKgvOVKrZLmBd2DZdg9I2U41roVq0Pg31XjSvJCJGSpkVJqVmiYhC2Ur-IUA/s400/10319807_1718816_1000.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.farfetch.com/shopping/women/faliero-sarti-british-scarf-item-10319807.aspx" target="_blank">Faliero Sarti, £222</a></td></tr>
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Actually, these map scarves from Korea are my favourites of the bunch I think - I love the range of colours and the generous size. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261065974851?var=560138465252&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649" target="_blank">Ebay, £11.41</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261065974851?var=560138465252&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649" target="_blank">Ebay, £11.41</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*Actually I was rather disappointed to find out that <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIIxlgcuQRU" target="_blank">this song</a> isn't really meant as a tribute to all things cartographical but as a somewhat needy plea to Karen O's musician lover of the time who was leaving for a tour. Whatever. It's about maps to me.</span>The Postcolonial Rabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05264728770572661572noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281628592870279021.post-83518590366467881652013-03-05T17:30:00.000+00:002013-03-05T17:30:02.947+00:00Bejewelled Tuesday: Oscars highlightsAlthough I love awards ceremonies and all the glamour of the gowns, to be honest, this year's Oscar offerings generally left me cold fashion-wise. Too. Many. Pale. Pastels. Yawn. Why are Hollywood actresses in general so afraid of colour?<br />
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Anyway, I thought a different take on the usual dress deconstructions might be to take a look at some of the jewels, because there were a few very pretty sparkly accessories going on. Here are my favourites.<br />
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I think in terms of dresses, Olivia Munn and Jennifer Garner were two of my favourites, each opting for rich, luxe, bold jewel tones in a sea of eau-de-meh. Their jewels didn't let them down either.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6Ay64C7MhLO208cSfxScPg2NWfbGD7bPaQk3iaNXoivNWZpaac2OjWzPFuTC6ouny33STQQEn-LW9IQSDieJdAO6OfVZCuc5b0BFXgo3nZ_1BYJ6uu886kC56bWcwkugYZ_WA0zXeF8/s1600/9593f2edc1ea8f7db0f0a121385c9cb8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH6Ay64C7MhLO208cSfxScPg2NWfbGD7bPaQk3iaNXoivNWZpaac2OjWzPFuTC6ouny33STQQEn-LW9IQSDieJdAO6OfVZCuc5b0BFXgo3nZ_1BYJ6uu886kC56bWcwkugYZ_WA0zXeF8/s400/9593f2edc1ea8f7db0f0a121385c9cb8.jpg" width="347" /></a></div>
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Olivia Munn's little gold studs PRECISELY demonstrate why I think this size of stud can be so very flattering for the face. With her baroque gold and rich burgundy gown, they were just enough in terms of accessories, allowing the dress centre stage but framing her gorgeous face perfectly too.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwawmY0DZ9XrxJnokXtF2bFDl59zW_BdyQFyNqre_DP0qaLP_Ce0UjLl7FttnvOskrCGO5i1PHspUfuvtgT2fbA2WKxRG9fQhT6_bhaN1F-IMfEUGr9GF3brnnDN7GYFPpWffLL6emR8/s1600/e7402c07acc4cad162ad94fd48115660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZwawmY0DZ9XrxJnokXtF2bFDl59zW_BdyQFyNqre_DP0qaLP_Ce0UjLl7FttnvOskrCGO5i1PHspUfuvtgT2fbA2WKxRG9fQhT6_bhaN1F-IMfEUGr9GF3brnnDN7GYFPpWffLL6emR8/s400/e7402c07acc4cad162ad94fd48115660.jpg" width="312" /></a></div>
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Ah Jennifer Garner, I love thee in so many ways as it is. But really, a pewter (possibly blackened rhodium?) and diamond set paired with a rich violet gown? I swoon at the combination.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW19dMouGeid_V5d4wSsGWfzDEOhUjbQTj5oOGbNHK1cIy-tO_qf0fdkId4PCkmvNm6XJoJad_kHF6TQBR76hyphenhyphenJ13eA7-5TFFvP8eRgFvYqjStVg7TC-fXL_p6t2_5qdfCgFM6N9gMGp8/s1600/bc14904691a1778e1391ae3be1fe2a31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW19dMouGeid_V5d4wSsGWfzDEOhUjbQTj5oOGbNHK1cIy-tO_qf0fdkId4PCkmvNm6XJoJad_kHF6TQBR76hyphenhyphenJ13eA7-5TFFvP8eRgFvYqjStVg7TC-fXL_p6t2_5qdfCgFM6N9gMGp8/s400/bc14904691a1778e1391ae3be1fe2a31.jpg" width="306" /></a></div>
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Now here's a pair of statement earrings courtesy of CZJ (I wasn't a fan of her dress much, there's always something a bit to "cabaret" about her gowns that's very aging). I adore the jumbled pave setting (look closely and you can see pearls adding dimension to the gems) and think a pair like this would be a beautiful modern option for an Indian bride.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifDoGtkiGrczxAbX_eyxhXr1Hk-mN4fr3R2J3G48HzCg7VJrqoanUcttjDyyag23Q2CRtNlNo6BAYO91ZEOQ4N2s_QdwwmgG1VRg85fI_zBydrnsCeH7flDn71hKVEpSr0oAUAxKBIps/s1600/67056a544165d18a979f3dfff39d1c01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifDoGtkiGrczxAbX_eyxhXr1Hk-mN4fr3R2J3G48HzCg7VJrqoanUcttjDyyag23Q2CRtNlNo6BAYO91ZEOQ4N2s_QdwwmgG1VRg85fI_zBydrnsCeH7flDn71hKVEpSr0oAUAxKBIps/s400/67056a544165d18a979f3dfff39d1c01.jpg" width="341" /></a></div>
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Winner Jennifer Lawrence. People are divided on both the dress and the award, but what I really adore is the delicate gemstone necklace draped across her decollete and down her back. It's just breathtaking. I'm not as keen on the chunky round leverback earrings which don't seem to go with it, in my opinion but the necklace with the simple yet statement gown was stunning, fresh and delicate. <br />
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<br />The Postcolonial Rabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05264728770572661572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281628592870279021.post-47108638038343448262013-03-03T09:55:00.000+00:002013-03-03T09:55:51.830+00:00Rabbit Recipes: Chilli Paneer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSs2_vG0W6fsa8NvZT-9srV1Kr7lN3LSnxQQZCdhHdfHoKoHxq0suTPJt0YTR8y4I3dp-QzCoh4AVkWSAzv7XdRpXJADLuxwMs8oa-F4xIQ3hcZaOKMqANhKEO4wY3pib7VWQRaPNwaXc/s1600/20130218_193454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSs2_vG0W6fsa8NvZT-9srV1Kr7lN3LSnxQQZCdhHdfHoKoHxq0suTPJt0YTR8y4I3dp-QzCoh4AVkWSAzv7XdRpXJADLuxwMs8oa-F4xIQ3hcZaOKMqANhKEO4wY3pib7VWQRaPNwaXc/s320/20130218_193454.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is Bartimaeus' favourite dish, and the recipe is here as requested by the <a href="http://wonkymonkeymusings.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Monkey</a>. I make it two ways - of late I've been doing it this way which is quicker, and I actually think, tastier than the long-winded recipe I used to use (where you coat the paneer cubes in a mix of ginger, garlic, egg and cornflour, fry, set aside and then add to the veg at the end). This is actually crispier (the egg coating actually slides off the cubes when you re-add them to the pan, leaving them soggy and without flavour). Some versions call for vinegar and tomato ketchup - they also make the dish soggy, and they just overpower all the zinginess of the chillies and ginger so I have always left them out.<br />
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This is a dish from a curious cuisine known as Indo-Chinese (I'll post up my recipe for non-deep fried "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wq4lJhp9gSc" target="_blank">vegetable Manchurian</a>" another day) which is basically an <a href="http://www.sakonis.co.uk/" target="_blank">Indian take on Chinese food</a>. That said, there is a distinct Indian-Chinese cuisine that developed in Calcutta as a result of Chinese migrant workers who lived there, as I found out from attending a presentation by a <a href="http://www.geog.qmul.ac.uk/diasporacities/" target="_blank">fascinating anthropology project </a>- but I don't really know if this authentic Indian-Chinese fusion food bears any resemblance to its wildly popular Indian counterpart. There's also <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunan_cuisine" target="_blank">Chinese cuisines that use chilli</a> and spices that are more reminiscent of India - basically, there's a lot of crossover going on!<br />
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Ingredients<br />
1 red onion, sliced<br />
1.5 tbsp minced ginger paste (I grate frozen ginger, it's much easier to work with)<br />
1.5tbsp minced garlic<br />
400g paneer block cut into cubes (I love chopping up paneer, it's so satisfying)<br />
1 fat red chilli and 1 fat green chilli, sliced into rings (deseeded if they're too spicy for you - have a nibble at one to check!)<br />
1/2 green pepper and 1/2 red pepper, sliced<br />
2 tbsp dark soy sauce<br />
5 spring onions, chopped<br />
handful chopped fresh coriander<br />
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1. Add 3tbsp of sunflower or vegetable oil to your wok and heat until quite hot.<br />
2. Add cubed paneer and fry untill golden brown on all sides and crispy.<br />
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3. Turn heat down to medium.<br />
4. Add sliced red onions to the pan and fry briskly until a bit softened. Then add 1tbsp of each of the ginger and garlic, and the chillies, and mix thoroughly and fry off for a couple of minutes.<br />
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5. Add sliced peppers and turn up heat, frying them briskly. Add the remaining ginger and garlic. Add soy sauce so it sizzles, and then salt to taste. Allow peppers to char a bit. There should be a nice dark brown glaze by now, if not, add a bit more soy sauce.<br />
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6. Toss in spring onions and coriander, stir through, and take off the heat.<br />
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Recently, I've been serving this with spiced noodles, but I actually also really like this served with plain basmati rice - the cleanness of the rice and the savouryness of the paneer is just lovely. The proper Indo way would be to eat this alongside a couple of other dishes (like the above veg Manchurian) with a stack of fried puffed breads called puris. The Postcolonial Rabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05264728770572661572noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281628592870279021.post-35222574534366856512013-02-24T10:00:00.000+00:002013-02-24T10:00:03.037+00:00Songs for my unborn #2: Gabriel (Lamb)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Lamb are one of those groups who are iconic for a certain part of the generation who went to university when I did, I think. (see also: U.N.K.L.E., Tricky, Massive Attack).<br />
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I was obsessed with their album Trans Fatty Acid for my second and third year and I still consider <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Bwy2XSbk3Q" target="_blank">Gorecki</a> one of the most perfect epic love songs ever written. (It's so very recognisable that when my friend mentioned a particular track that came on as the first dance at a wedding she attended, I immediately knew that it was Gorecki).<br />
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Then all went quiet on the Lamb front. After a year or so, towards the end of my MA, I was in Topshop Bluewater with my sister, and a song stopped me in my tracks. There's no mistaking Lou Rhodes' voice - it's deep, thick, guttural and there's something quite primal and raw and yet so beautiful about it. I just knew it was them - but I raced to a monitor to check. Sure enough - and the song was Gabriel. I loved it from that moment, when in the most unlikely and least spiritual of places, it raised the hairs on my arms with its magic. When I first found out that I was pregnant, I just wanted to hear it again.<br />
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For me, pregnancy is a miracle, one I have prayed for all my life, and a gift that I have been given that I am thankful for everyday. The lines resonate so much for me now. My little boy is that light that I crave (and indeed, the name we have chosen means light), and even though I know have I managed in my life until now. everything is better, enhanced, and I am stronger, knowing that he, our Jibraeel*, is going to be in our lives in a few short months.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">*not his actual name!</span><br />
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<br />The Postcolonial Rabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05264728770572661572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281628592870279021.post-12791748133018686792013-02-23T10:30:00.000+00:002013-02-23T10:30:01.353+00:00FOTD: Interview Makeup feat. MUA Undress Me Too palette and MAC Plumful<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's been a while since we've seen my face around here, isn't it? Luckily we're getting some lighter days now so I can actually take some makeup pics that look ok.<br />
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For job interviews, presentations and the like, I nearly always wear a version of this look. It's polished, pretty (the last thing you want to be in an interview, unless it's for a makeup artist or other creative post, is edgy), and just makes me feel confident.<br />
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I can't quite believe that before <a href="http://www.lipglossiping.com/2012/04/because-i-need-another-taupe-like-a-hole-in-the-head/" target="_blank">Charlotte's post</a> drew my attention to an inexpensive taupe shadow, which I then snapped up. that this colour was totally lacking in my eyeshadow collection. It's the perfect soft shade for brown eyes, and goes really well with purples and plums. Suffice to say, I'm obsessed with the colour now. I've always thought Elizabeth Arden makeup was boring and poorly pigmented but after seeing Charlotte's swatches and finding out it was THREE POUNDS FORTY NINE PENCE I ordered it. It's more purple in tone than MAC's Satin Taupe and is a beautifully soft, pigmented and high quality shadow. <a href="http://www.directcosmetics.com/detail.cfm?ref=FR1204&code=34823&ref=WEBG" target="_blank">It's still in stock, too!</a><br />
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I managed to pick up the new <a href="http://www.muastore.co.uk/index.php/undress-me-too-palette" target="_blank">Makeup Academy paletty Undress Me Too</a> which is generally agreed to be an Urban Decay Naked 2 dupe. I passed on both Naked palettes and the MUA take on the original Naked because I have a lot of eyeshadows, am drawn to colour more than neutrals and the first Naked palette and its dupe had far too many grey-toned shadows for me to use. If there's a guaranteed way to kill my skintone dead and make me look tired, it's a dark grey eyeshadow. (Taupe, on the other hand has warmth to it which means it works with my skintone rather than against it).<br />
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The Undress Me Too palette is just lovely - the shades are all warm and wearable for me, and I'm so, so impressed with the textures of the shadows in this £4 palette. I thought the shadows might fade but after eight hours they looked as good as when I applied them. It's absolutely incredible value - and I'll be job-lotting this as gifts for my aunts and cousins the next time I go to Bangladesh.<br />
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I've waffled about Plumful before but now you get to see it on me. HOW pretty is it? It's now my most worn lipstick and one of few I would actually repurchase when I finish the tube.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWbwST7FvDnWqXI0-XHXMf9vfwFEa5lQkLI0cxZdgHooS_AKUPityVEngUXFKtRfKjYnb9cGbYr9UzbgiTLO4TXP-gZUyms1TrCGMp19XDRj4oBJgkELRVa3X6xxA5BM_B8Q06jiwW9Q/s1600/20130222_113326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNWbwST7FvDnWqXI0-XHXMf9vfwFEa5lQkLI0cxZdgHooS_AKUPityVEngUXFKtRfKjYnb9cGbYr9UzbgiTLO4TXP-gZUyms1TrCGMp19XDRj4oBJgkELRVa3X6xxA5BM_B8Q06jiwW9Q/s400/20130222_113326.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Base:<br />
L'Oreal True Match concealer in Cafe Creme under eyes<br />
NARS Sheer Glow foundation<br />
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Eyes:<br />
Urban Decay Primer Potion (Original) as base<br />Elizabeth Arden shadow in Smoke all over lid<br />
MUA Undress Me Too shadow in Obsessed (cool matte brown) blended in socket and outer corners <br />
MUA UMT shadow in Reveal (cool silvery shimmer) on inner corners of lids and on brow arch as highlighter<br />
17 Lacquer Liner in black for upper lid lining and flick<br />
Avon Supershock pencil in black on waterline and to tightline<br />
Maybelline Colossal Mascara<br />
MAC Brow pencil in Spiked <br />
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Face:<br />
Sue Moxley blush in Breath of Plum<br />
NARS Albatross as cheek highlight<br />
Rimmel Stay Matte powder in Translucent<br />
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Lips:<br />
MAC Plumful (Lustre) lipstick <br />
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<br />The Postcolonial Rabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05264728770572661572noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281628592870279021.post-79043292271329713322013-02-19T21:06:00.001+00:002013-02-19T21:06:59.321+00:00Bejewelled Tuesday: OreliaAs I have documented, I love delicate, dainty, girly jewellery. There was a period when Urban Outfitters was doing the cutest little charm necklaces (including tiny wishing wells!) but generally, the daintier the piece, the harder it is to come by at high street prices.<br />
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My favourite brand of costume jewellery has to be Orelia. I stumbled across a stand in Topshop Oxford Circus (I think it's also stocked at the Westfield branches) and just fell in love with the delicate, pretty range.<br />
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You can also find it on <a href="http://www.asos.com/search/orelia?hrd=1&q=orelia#parentID=-1&pge=0&pgeSize=-1&sort=-1" target="_blank">ASOS</a>, and their own <a href="http://www.orelia.co.uk/" target="_blank">website</a>, which currently has free delivery and stocks a host of other lovely accessories.<br />
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Here are my favourite of the new season's range, which features beautiful green and seafoam stones, colours I'm a complete sucker for.<br />
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I love the tiny facets on the stones of this beaded bracelet, and it would look lovely and delicate on its own and pretty layered.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/550x/01/40/1a/01401ae4996111d95c50898e4d21f50d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/550x/01/40/1a/01401ae4996111d95c50898e4d21f50d.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.orelia.co.uk/foxglove-bracelet.html#" target="_blank">£10</a></td></tr>
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I love the tiny facets on the stones of this beaded bracelet, and it would look lovely and delicate on its own and pretty layered.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/550x/42/9d/29/429d299f999f6aedd2cbb8b25aa84a23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/550x/42/9d/29/429d299f999f6aedd2cbb8b25aa84a23.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.orelia.co.uk/catalog/product/view/id/1525/s/solitaire-stack-ring/category/57/#" target="_blank">£18</a></td></tr>
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And these earrings just exude vintage glamour:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.orelia.co.uk/jewellery/earrings/pixie-earrings-1.html#" target="_blank">£18</a></td></tr>
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<br />The Postcolonial Rabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05264728770572661572noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281628592870279021.post-19602111306415984492013-02-18T18:00:00.000+00:002013-02-18T18:00:02.103+00:0050 Random FactsThis tag has been doing the rounds and I thought I would take part, mostly in order to cheer poor <a href="http://www.lipglossiping.com/2013/02/50-random-facts-about-me/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=50-random-facts-about-me" target="_blank">Charlotte</a> of Lipglossiping up who is recovering from pneumonia. Feel better soon!<br />
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1. I grew up wanting perfect teeth and had them for a bit, before they all moved about leaving a gap on one side. But now I love that gap.<br />
2. There's a novel in me, but I need to make time to write it.<br />
3. I love to cook but would live on cornflakes and toast if I lived on my own.<br />
4. I have forgotten how to ride a bike.<br />
5. I had many different nicknames as a child, including Polly. It's a Bengali thing.<br />
6. My favourite chocolates in the world are Ferrero Rochers.<br />
7. I used to collect gemstones and still know quite a lot about them.<br />
8. I look rubbish in all shades of blue (teal and turquoise excepted), and white.<br />
9. I was bullied at school for being short and brown. <br />
10. I predicted my sister was a girl, my brother a boy, and my baby a boy. Just call me Mystic Meg. <br />
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11. I passed my driving test on the fifth time but I have a social phobia of driving which means I haven't yet used my licence.<br />
12. When I was fifteen I could sit on my hair and it made a plait I couldn't get my fingers round.<br />
13. I've been able to do a perfect eyeliner flick since I was 17.<br />
14. I have always had a secret dream to be a jazz/blues singer.<br />
15. I can't swim.<br />
16. When you come to my house you will be offered a myriad of different hot beverage options.<br />
17. I own about 150 bottles of nail polish.<br />
18. And three bedside cabinet drawers of makeup.<br />
19. My sister is my best friend. But I love my bro too.<br />
20. But I'm also blessed with a small circle of friends I've had for years now. There was a time I didn't have any at all.<br />
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21. I hated everything except learning at school.<br />
22. I used to be ambidextrous but was told off at school for showing off when I used to write with both hands.<br />
23. My chilli paneer is better than Sakoni's, Wembley (legendary).<br />
24. I once cried because the heather in the New Forest had made the whole landscape purple and I was overwhelmed by how lovely it was.<br />
25. Bartimaeus and I have a rather wistful, romantic love story that one day will be made into a Bollywood film.<br />
26. Said film would star Saif Ali Khan and Konkona Sen Sharma.<br />
27. I'm meaner than I seem.<br />
28. Having a medic sister means I'm not very squeamish.<br />
29. I could be tidier.<br />
30. But I'm awesome at finding things people have lost and I never forget anything.<br />
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31. Once most of my makeup was high end (MAC, NARS) but now it's probably 75% high street.<br />
32. I live opposite a tiny synagogue and consider myself its out of hours guardian.<br />
33. I have a high squeaky speaking voice, but my singing voice is alto. It means the only songs I can sing along to on the radio are ones sung by dudes.<br />
34. I used to never be able to watch horror films but really like (non-gory) ones now. <br />
35. I am a fantasy and sci-fi nerd, and PROUD.<br />
36. But I've never got into computer games because I'd get too addicted.<br />
37. I'd rather have a glass of Coke than wine.<br />
38. I love my Kindle even though I spent years debating getting one. <br />
39. I'm not a very fussy eater but I am a slow one.<br />
40. Most of my books are still at my mum's because there's just so many of them and I wouldn't know where to put them all. <br />
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41. I think there are two types of people in the world - Burger King and McDonalds. I am the latter, and I judge the former.<br />
42. If I'm scowling at you, the chances are I'm grinding my sensitive tooth.<br />
43. I'm a real scaredy cat.<br />
44. I have the most pathetic veins ever and only specialist nurses and doctors can manage taking blood from me.<br />
45. My mum was obsessed with me not being under five foot tall. Luckily, I just made it over.<br />
46. Six years on, I am still completely fascinated by everything my sister's cats do.<br />
47. I do appreciate a nice biscuit.<br />
48. I don't look like me without a side fringe.<br />
49. I loved my uni years.<br />
50. I've always wanted to be a mother and am so excited that I'll soon be able to fulfil that part of me. The Postcolonial Rabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05264728770572661572noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281628592870279021.post-8577365257556545612013-02-15T20:02:00.003+00:002013-02-15T20:04:54.929+00:00Friday Frocks: 500 Days until SummerI had to reference one of my favourite films there, sorry. It's been a gorgeously bright and sunny day here in Southampton - but frosty as hell too. But there are green shoots in my garden, daffodils on my table and that suggests to me that spring is perhaps nigh. And after spring, comes summer, no? A lot of online shops are getting their summer collections in even though it'll be months before we can wear them without being drenched/suffering hypothermia, and you know summer dresses are my absolute FAVOURITE. Even though this summer I will most be in a mumu/PJs/maxi dress and won't be sporting any of these, who am I to keep you away from all the loveliness? Let's hope it's not 500 days until we get weather warm enough to wear one, eh.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.peopletree.co.uk/image.axd?src=%2fproductimages%2fwomen%2ffrancesca-bow-dress-in-bicycle-print-1d7b49d8a45f.jpg&width=500&height=700" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.peopletree.co.uk/image.axd?src=%2fproductimages%2fwomen%2ffrancesca-bow-dress-in-bicycle-print-1d7b49d8a45f.jpg&width=500&height=700" width="285" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.peopletree.co.uk/womens/dresses/francesca-bow-dress-in-bicycle-print" target="_blank">People Tree, £60</a></td></tr>
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Rai of the fabulous <a href="http://www.blarglefargle.com/" target="_blank">Blarge Fargle</a> drew my attention to this charming People Tree frock - I love the colour and the elegant cut, as well as the fact that it has bicycles on (even though, ahem, I can't ride a bike...) plus I know from my beloved Orla Kiely for People Tree teacup frock that their organic cotton is absolutely exquisite to wear, especially in summer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/550x/55/f4/82/55f4829fdbcaddb4f288e33b8bec0657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/550x/55/f4/82/55f4829fdbcaddb4f288e33b8bec0657.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.feverdesigns.co.uk/bibi-dress-black.html" target="_blank">Fever Designs, £7</a>5</td></tr>
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I can never resist a rich floral on a black background - there's something so flattering and alluring about them. Especially if you're dark of hair, I think. This is courtesy of Fever, one of my favourite frockmakers, who feature twice here.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/550x/87/f7/2e/87f72ec8fd9c62603ce2f40507362fc0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/550x/87/f7/2e/87f72ec8fd9c62603ce2f40507362fc0.jpg" width="280" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.yumidirect.co.uk/women/dresses/polka-dot-dress-2.html" target="_blank">Yumi, £45</a></td></tr>
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Yumi/Uttam/Mela 9whatever they are called) can also always be relied upon for a sweet little dress. This polka dot confection is no exception (I'm rhyming!) It would be just gorgeous with some red accessories.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/550x/20/f0/b7/20f0b74617a2bdaabec3eaa18eb27eb8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://media-cache-ec6.pinterest.com/550x/20/f0/b7/20f0b74617a2bdaabec3eaa18eb27eb8.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.feverdesigns.co.uk/rosemary-prom-dress-rust.html#" target="_blank">Fever Designs, £85</a></td></tr>
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And finally, a second bout of Fever. I have been on a hunt for the perfect black broderie anglaise 1950s frock for TEN years (I really have), and it's just not happened yet. Alas, this comes in navy, rose, white and this fabulous rust shade, but not black. Rust looks gorgeous with sunkissed skin though, and this would be beautiful with a cream cardigan and a burgundy or maroon beaded necklace.<br />
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Le sigh.
Now, don't forget to wrap up warm when you go out...The Postcolonial Rabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05264728770572661572noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281628592870279021.post-35953339327802345642013-02-14T21:47:00.003+00:002013-02-14T21:47:59.460+00:00Songs for my unborn #1: Here Comes the Sun (Nina Simone)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our baby is due at the end of June, a summer baby, like me, and this song has been played a lot in our house of late. I've always love Nina Simone's version of Here Comes the Sun. To me, it's more reassuring and optimistic in tone than the Beatles' original, simply because of the gentleness and warmth of Nina Simone's voice. When she near-whispers "it's all right", it's almost as though she's speaking just to you, and you believe her.
I've had a tough year emotionally, and have learnt a lot about myself. The darkness descended last winter, and I feel like I'm only just emerging from the dark and the cold. I can't wait for our ray of sunshine to come into our lives - our sun. The Postcolonial Rabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05264728770572661572noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281628592870279021.post-17131425382721597752013-02-05T21:53:00.002+00:002013-02-05T21:53:55.801+00:00Bejewelled TuesdayI have a confession. I'm not <i>really</i> a rabbit. Nope. I'm a magpie. I have so much jewellery. It's an affliction I've inherited from my mother, as I've mentioned before. But especially now that most clothes are off the menu, I'm really enjoying all my necklaces, earrings, bracelets and baubles. I've only just come up with this as a weekly feature - but I thought I'd start profiling some of my favourite pieces, both in my collection and things I've seen on my virtual and real life travels.<br />
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Two of my most precious, cherished pieces are Alex Monroe necklaces given to me by my lovely sister. Here I'm wearing them layered - one is the tiniest butterfly with an even tinier green sapphire droplet, which she gave me for my Ph.D. graduation. The second piece was a pre-wedding gift, a charming little scene of branbles, a curious little mouse and a book. I wore it for my vintage afternoon tea-hen do.
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Alex Monroe's pieces are everything I love most about jewellery - delicate, whimsical, pretty beyond words. There are so many pieces I love, it's hard for me to even pick some, but the piece I would dearly love to add to my collection next is one that has particular emotional resonance for me with my own little family in the making:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.alexmonroe.com/images/4205258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.alexmonroe.com/images/4205258.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.alexmonroe.com/m5/Rings/p431/Birds+Nest-Ring/product_info.html" target="_blank">Birds and Nest Ring, £135</a></td></tr>
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All this means I'm very excited that Alex Monroe is collaborating with Evans on a costume jewellery collection titled <a href="http://www.evans.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CatalogNavigationSearchResultCmd?catalogId=33054&storeId=12553&langId=-1&viewAllFlag=false&categoryId=968491&interstitial=true&intcmpid=alexmonroeaboutpghome" target="_blank">Miss Alouette</a>, inspired by William Morris' nature designs. Of course, the daintiness and detail of his fine pieces is hard to replicate at high street prices, but this is still some of the prettiest fashion jewellery you will find out there. I'm impatiently awaiting the launch date to be announced! The Postcolonial Rabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05264728770572661572noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281628592870279021.post-44877615801321307512013-02-04T11:00:00.000+00:002013-02-04T11:00:07.129+00:00A tribute to the best olives ever<div style="width:400px;margin:0 auto"><div style="position:relative;"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.polyvore.com/nocellara_olive_green/set?.embedder=416942&.svc=copypaste&id=70901838"><img width="400" alt="Nocellara [Olive] Green" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/iivPLYf2RB4CXRJTR9ycA/cid/70901838/id/VV7tO_vfR22oaBjlzQV0nA/size/c400x295.jpg" title="Nocellara [Olive] Green" height="295" border="0" /></a></div></div><br/><div style="text-align:center"><small><a target="_blank" href="http://www.polyvore.com/nocellara_olive_green/set?.embedder=416942&.svc=copypaste&id=70901838">Nocellara [Olive] Green</a> by <a target="_blank" href="http://nazneen372.polyvore.com/?.embedder=416942&.svc=copypaste">nazneen372</a> featuring <a target="_blank" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cluster_earrings/shop?query=cluster+earrings">cluster earrings</a></small></div><div style="width:400px;margin:0 auto"><small><div style="padding-top:16px"><p style="clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=416942&.svc=copypaste&id=70025334"><img width="50" align="left" hspace="4" src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/70025334.jpg" style="border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;" height="50" /></a><div style="margin-bottom:8px;text-align:left;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=416942&.svc=copypaste&id=70025334">Cluster earrings</a><br/>£33 - anthropologie.eu<br/><br style="display:none"/></div></p><p style="clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=416942&.svc=copypaste&id=61925984"><img width="50" align="left" hspace="4" src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/61925984.jpg" style="border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;" height="50" /></a><div style="margin-bottom:8px;text-align:left;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=416942&.svc=copypaste&id=61925984">Monsoon Blair Bow Back Shrug</a><br/>£38 - monsoon.co.uk<br/><br style="display:none"/></div></p><p style="clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=416942&.svc=copypaste&id=75805119"><img width="50" align="left" hspace="4" src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/75805119.jpg" style="border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;" height="50" /></a><div style="margin-bottom:8px;text-align:left;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=416942&.svc=copypaste&id=75805119">Womens Casual Shoes - Henderson Band in Dark Tan Leather from Clarks...</a><br/>clarks.co.uk<br/><br style="display:none"/></div></p><p style="clear:both;margin:0em;padding:0px"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=416942&.svc=copypaste&id=70024777"><img width="50" align="left" hspace="4" src="http://ak1.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-thing/size/s/tid/70024777.jpg" style="border:1px solid #cccccc;margin:0 8px 8px 0;padding:2px;background-color:#ffffff;" height="50" /></a><div style="margin-bottom:8px;text-align:left;"><a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/thing.outbound?.embedder=416942&.svc=copypaste&id=70024777">Darling Edie Frame Bag</a><br/>darlingclothes.com<br/><br style="display:none"/></div></p></div></small></div>
No, I'm not yet eating them with ice cream or anything so ridiculous. But I need to tell you about Nocallera del Belice olives.I am partial to a good olive, and stumbling across these stunning, bright jade green olives in Asda a while back, I've developed something of an obsession with them.<br />
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The olives are not like many you've probably tasted. They're buttery, creamy, rich, rather than bitter or aggressively piquant. They are exceedingly, exceedingly, moreish and I urge thee to get thee down to thy local Asda, Sainsbury's or Pizza Express to try some.<br />
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I can't quite capture nor describe the beautiful green colour of these olives. But they're pretty much the same shade as this dress. Which is funny, because when I showed the olives to Bartimaeus the first thing I said after breathlessly cooing about their tastiness is the fact that I'd love a dress this colour. Clearly the designers at Louche have a CCTV camera somewhere in my kitchen.<br />
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In tribute to the prettiest dress I've seen in a while, I put together this moodboard. It's such a beautiful, simple design, letting the colour speak volumes, with such a lovely neckline detail, that in contrast to my usual add-unpredictable-colour-to-the-mix approach to dressing, I've kept it very simple with tan, cream and a little pop of complementary citrus. (Olives and lemons, born to go together, by the way). That said, I can also see this dress working with magenta, violet, fuchsia...
The Postcolonial Rabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05264728770572661572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281628592870279021.post-88381436315222187782013-02-01T18:00:00.000+00:002013-02-01T18:00:07.773+00:00Hopping back<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Well helloo there! Much has been going on over the last couple of months at Rabbit-Bartimaeus HQ. Most significantly, we are, as the above image suggests, expecting a new arrival in June!
I've generally been struggling with sickness, nausea (er, I'm well into the second trimester and I am supposed to feel "amazing" now?) which partly explains yet another blog hiatus, but other than that I am well and we are so excited.<br />
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I've not yet gone crazy with baby purchases but I did have to pick up a couple of things from the Peter RABBIT collection for Baby Gap. I used to read the story of Peter Rabbit to my brother when he was a baby (it began a lifelong dislike of chamomile tea, which was unfortunate as I used to have to drink it for my migraines, bleurgh). I especially like the babygrow, because, being the spawn of Bartimaeus, there's a good chance the Mini Bun is going to add substantially to my grey hairs.<br />
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I've been reigning in the clothes spending, for obvious reasons, but I am really enjoying makeup at the moment so expect nail posts and pictures of my mug coming up soon. I've also been putting together a compilation of songs for the baby, and have been reading a lot more, so reviews and bits of music may also find their way here.<br />
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How are you all?
The Postcolonial Rabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05264728770572661572noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281628592870279021.post-64767495247586909502012-12-11T11:00:00.000+00:002012-12-11T11:00:02.564+00:00Rabbit Recipes: Bengali White Chicken Curry (Rezala) - the original korma? And a waffle on Bengali history...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I think this dish might be the origin of the British chicken korma. I can't say for sure, because I've never eaten one - curry snob, me - but the creaminess and gentleness of the flavours (and the fact that it comes from the region most "Indian" chefs in Britain come from - suggests to me that it might be the inspiration.<br />
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I'm always intrigued by the dual personality of Bangladeshi cuisine, which I think might be related to the history of Islam in Bengal. One aspect of Bengali cuisine is almost East Asian - having more in common with the flavours of Vietnam and Thailand than the "curries" we know of in Britain. The flavours are hot, sharp, pungent, with thin broths, a lot of vegetables, fish and seafood rather than meat, and pounded chilli and fish pastes. But then, another aspect is very rich, fragrant and reminiscent of Persian cuisine. I think it's a difference between what's been identified as the atraf and the ashraf sections of the Bengali Muslim population, a division that goes back to the early nineteenth century as historian Richard Eaton has written about - the former, the agragrian, rural population, and the latter, the urban, middle class and notably, for a time, Urdu-speaking section of the community. It would make sense, right? The hot thin broths, wholesome and hearty, eking out precious harvested supplies for as long as possible; the Persian inspired foods created for a wealthier population always looking to aspire to the cultural heritage of Persia and Afghanistan. (Still ongoing - both my sister's and my name are Persian in origin). Now, both cuisines are eaten by most sections of the population - though with obvious regional differences. But rezala reminds me a lot of Persian food, and I wonder if it was eaten by the ashraf as they read their ghazals and dreamt of (and up) their Iranian and Peshwari ancestors. <br />
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It doesn't look that special, does it? (My amazingly rubbish photography skills aren't helping it, though, to be fair). But trust me - it really is. This is my sister the spice-weener's favourite curry, and also has made it onto Bartimaeus's short list of "Bengali curries that taste nice to a Gujarati palate" (hmph). It's definitely one for the spice-shy - but that doesn't mean it's not full of flavour. It's rich, made with a base of softened grated onions, creamy and sweet from the greek yoghurt and brown sugar, and aromatic, scented with saffron and cardamom. In Bangladesh, it's usually eaten as a special occasion dish with a buttery pilau or to accompany a biryani, but I made it yesterday, just cos. <br />
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My recipe is inspired by one on <a href="http://www.mysaffronkitchen.com/2010/10/chicken-rezala.html" target="_blank">My Saffron Kitchen</a>, but simplified a lot and adapted via how I know my mum makes it. I have to say, in all my attempts to replicate my mother's cooking, this has come closest! Whilst there's a lot of aromatics involved in place of spice, making for a long ingredients list, this is actually a ridiculously simple curry to make, but tastes like a lot of effort has gone into it!<br />
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Whilst you can serve it with pilau for a truly indulgent dinner, I served it yesterday with basmati - just simple, clean, pure. Cream on snow white prettiness. (Just to clarify, we then had spinach dal - there's not a meal in the Rabbit-Bartimaeus household that doesn't feature vegetables! But I always eat my dal last, as is customary.) Either way, rezala makes for a comforting, soothing, winter dinner.<br />
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This is yet another recipe that requires 24 HOURS marinading if possible (though yesterday I made it on the spur of the moment, and left it for an hour and it tasted fine). I think if you wanted to make this an easy two-pot meal, chucking in some frozen peas or some spinach a few minutes before it's done would be fine.<br />
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1 800g pack of chicken thighs and legs (chicken breast if you wish, but it's generally not good in curries I think as the bones impart so much chickeny flavour)<br />
1/2 400ml pot of real full fat greek yoghurt (none of this "greek-style, fat free, full of sugar" malarkey here please)<br />
2tbsp double cream<br />
2tsp fresh ground black peppercorns <br />
1 3cm stick of ginger, grated into 1tbsp of puree (if you freeze the ginger and then let it thaw ever so slightly, it's much easier to grate and keeps for ever)<br />
1 tbsp of crushed/pureed garlic <br />
2 medium onions, grated (I used my mini Kenwood processor for this otherwise tearifying job)<br />
1 tbsp ghee<br />
2 tsp garam masala<br />
4 cloves<br />
2 bay leaves<br />
1 piece of cinnamon bark <br />
1 green chilli, sliced in half, deseeded <br />
4-5 strands of saffron<br />
2 tsp rose water (not essential, couldn't really taste it in the final dish)<br />
5 green cardamom pods<br />
1 tbsp green raisins (gentler in flavour than dark ones, though you could add 1/2 tsp of those if you can't find these prettiest jewels of dried fruits - they're easily found in Asian and Middle Eastern shops though) <br />
1/2 tsp grated nutmeg <br />
2 tbsp brown sugar<br />
salt to taste <br />
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Mix the cream, yoghurt, ginger paste, garlic paste and ground pepper together into a marinade. Mix the chicken into it thoroughly (slashing the meat if you like) and marinade overnight or for 1 hour at least.<br />
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Melt ghee in a large heavy bottomed shallow saucepan on medium-low heat. Add the grated onions and a pinch of salt (to stop onions from browning too fast) and cook slowly until fragrant and a soft paste.<br />
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Add the green chilli, garam masala, nutmeg, bay leaves, cinnamon bark, cloves and cardamom pods, and fry on slightly higher heat until spices release their scent.<br />
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Add the chicken, being sure to pour in all of the cream-yoghurt marinade. Stir thoroughly.<br />
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Salt to taste. Add saffron, rose water, raisins and brown sugar, and 1/2 cup of water.<br />
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Cook on medium-high until the chicken is cooked through.<br />
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Serve to spice-weeners and spice-champs alike.<br />
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<br />The Postcolonial Rabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05264728770572661572noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2281628592870279021.post-23709755233154633282012-11-22T18:59:00.000+00:002012-11-22T18:59:18.389+00:00MoonlightingI am writing the odd guest review on the fantastic collaborative book review initiative started by Erin and Ria, <a href="http://bloggersbookshelf.blogspot.co.uk/">The Bloggers' Bookshelf</a>.<br />
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My first review got published today, and it's embarassingly light on review, and heavy on the rant - I've totally forgotten how to write reviews! My English teacher would be so disappointed...
However, if you would like to read a grumble on a book I was actually <i>embarrassed</i> I read, then <a href="http://bloggersbookshelf.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/guest-post-discovery-of-witches-deborah.html">here it is!</a><br />
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There's a whole host of fantastic reviews of a wide range of books already - perfect in the run up to Christmas and lining up the holiday reading!The Postcolonial Rabbithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05264728770572661572noreply@blogger.com4