Nail Art (Done Well!)

Recently I've become increasingly interested in the world of nail art - I'll blame my cousin and those lovely contributers to http://www.hellogiggles.com/ for this! While there's been a trend for the obscene when it comes to nails (yes, I mean those stilletto nails that GaGa wears - v.v.v scary!), my own interest has come from the interesting and intricate nails people have been coming up with - find a few of these designs below and feel free to add your own!

Converse Nails - While I think the ship may have sailed for me getting away with these, I LOVE them!

Retro Design Nails - I adore all the turquoise/aqua around at the moment and these nails would go amazingly

These pink ombre nails are a great way of heading into summer and could be done with a variety of colours

Show your patriotic side for the Olympics and Jubilee with these Union Jack nails - stylish support!

Loves Me, Loves Me Not Nails - HELLO?!?! These nails are FABULOUS!

Dansette Vintage Record Player

Oh my, I have been neglecting posting fabulous things to this blog - apologies all round! I have been busy  searching for and buying my first car after passing my driving test at the grand age of 30 and have been spending time crusing up and down Central Scotland trying to get to grips with Fergal, as I have called my lovely Toyota Aygo. Why Fergal? Well, it means "brave man" in gaelic, which is quite fitting if you saw my driving!

Anyway, back to all things fabulous - please find above a picture of my latest obsession, the Dansette Tempo Portable Record Player from the 60s. Scan through eBay and you'll find a good number of Dansette record players for sale, some cheap, some not-so-cheap, some working, some nothing more than a pile of parts - Dansette portable record players, if listed, are probably near the top of the pile in terms of desirability, with a few bids already placed for it. I began to want one of these badly after re-watching "Secret Diary of a Call Girl", where Belle has a retro record player in her house in Series 4, and since then and doinf my own research, one of these babies became top of my "NEED" list........I just can't wait to get out all my Dad's old 70s rock LPs to play on it!

Calajanara Restaurant, Conca Azzurra Hotel, Amalfi Coast, Italy

While the weather has been improving, I'm somewhat impatient when it comes to the changing of the seasons, wishing I could wear my linen capris and espadrilles combi already! Thoughts of what I hope will be the summer to come automatically makes me think of my time in Italy last year and the places I have still to visit, leading to this post of the Calajanara Restaurant on the Amalfi Coast.

The Restaurant is part of the Conca Azzurra Hotel situated in a small fishing village on the Amalfi Coast - it has it's own private lido and is a mere 20 metres from an amazing cave, Grotta dello Smeraldo, which has on the floor an underwater nativity scene made from ceramics produced in the nearby town of Vietri.

The Calajanara has an amazing sun terrace used during the summer months, as seen above, with marvellous views of the coast and Capri and serves an variety of locally-sourced seafood and delights. Of special mention is the restaurant's olive oils, made from olives from trees on the grounds of the hotel.

Later inn the evening, guests can gather in the glass-roofed Winter Garden, enjoying an aperitif or leisurely after dinner-drink beneath the star specked sky. Smokers have the chance to indulge in a puff of the finest tobacco in the Cigar Bar. The perfect place in which to pick up that special souvenir or gift item, La Conca Azzurra's Art Shop Caffè stocks an exquisite selection of coral jewelry and artistic ceramics. I wish I had a chance to visit this restaurant on my travels, but that just gives me all the more reason to go back!

Sweet Home-made Treats!

With the recent surge of baking programmes (my favourite being Great British Bake-Off, which is mostly due to the silver fox that is Paul Hollywood (http://www.paulhollywood.com/)), I have been trying out my own baking skills at home with mixed results. I have been finding it hard to resist adding my own touches to recipes as I often do when cooking meals and as Mary Berry will tell you, baking has to be precise to get results. Rather than being disheartened by my lack of baking prowess, I've been searching for recipes even I haven't been able to mess up and found I am great at knocking together a tray bake or refridgerator cake! I love the simplicity of these little morsels and with most having very little baking, I can play around with the recipe as I go along. Below I've posted a few pics of the next recipes I'll be trying after finding them on the net and wanting to take things to the next level:

Triple Layer Fudge Mint Oreo Brownies - oh yes!

Homemade Snickers Bars

Peanut Butter Pretzel Bites

Food shouldn't have to be complicated to be tasty so try out a recipe for yourself today!



Howl Clothing Chanel T-Shirt

In honour of the launch of http://www.karl.com/ I've posted a t-hirt first released in 2009 by Howl Clothing which I have often admired. 'P*ssing everywhere isn't very Chanel' is a quote attributed to Karl Lagerfeld which hangs on a notice in the men's bathrooms in the Chanel HQ, and as most women will tell you, is a life lesson most men could learn from! The tee is was also available en français, as Karl would have wanted s'il vous plaît:

Vionnet Colour Block Heels

I'm a sucker for a statement shoe and these Vionnet pumps would look amazing with a smar or more casual look. They are a great way of introducing the neon trend into your wardrobe without being too full-on, but would equally look amazing with just a black dress and coloured clutch for a event.

Diet Biscuits by Fonderia

We are now into Lent and am sure, like me, most of you will have overdosed on pancakes yesterday in 'celebration'!

For most people, this spells the beginning of a period of giving up vices - therefore these biscuits from Fonderia may provide the discouragement from sweet treats you are looking for.......



Courtesy of http://fonderia.tumblr.com/

Cambridge Satchel Company Bags

Yesterday I celebrated my 30th birthday - tragic I know, but a big bonus of such a feat was the awesome presents I received, my favourite of which was a Cambridge Satchel Company Music Bag from my little brother therefore I have made this post all about my new bag.....thank you Gareth!

Sweetpea & Willow 'Sweet Amberley' Sleigh Bed

So I've recently become obsessed with home decorating programmes, to such an extent that I now worship at the alter that is Sarah Beeny, but a healthy second love has developed for finding amazing design and furnishing ideas on the net - this bed from Sweetpea & Willow (www.sweetpeaandwillow.com) is now on my 'must have' list.

It reminds me of the amazing bed Belle had in her flat in the second series of ITV2's 'Secret Diary of a Call Girl', although in being in the sleigh shape rather than the Louis style she had. I adore the pink blush velvet fabric of the bed - much more flattering than a cream on our skin tones, lovelies!

Personal Trainer Business Card

Recently a friend of mine has started her own business and has been tirelessly working on marketing and advertising strategies - this made me go on the web hunt for new or original methods being used to promote a brand or service, which is where I found this fantastic piece of advertising from a personal trainer.....the stretchy business card!

Eggs Benedict

The most fabulous Sunday breakfast in my opinions is Eggs Benedict - a dish consisting of a halved English muffin, topped with ham or bacon (I prefer thick cut smoked back bacon), poached eggs and smothered in Hollandaise sauce. There are several variations to this recipe, including Eggs Florentine substituting the ham for spinach or Eggs Royale with smoked salmon instead of ham, but I prefer the piggy version. This is the perfect breakfast if you have spent a night on the sauce, filling the stomach but not too greasy and in an ideal world would come with a side order of hash browns.......hungry now!

Azzedine Alaia Full Skirt Coat

Alaia is well known for pieces that focus on perfectly fitted fabrics that embrace the body and expose the chic and sensuality of his customers, a trait this coat highlights perfectly. As winter has been given it's second steam, more down south than here in Scotland surprisingly, this coat shows that warm and functional does not have to mean drab and bulky.....now to work on getting a waistline that shows the pieces to perfection!

Strada Custom Bike

Seems like Central Scotland is the only place not been it with snow over the past few days and on a crisp day like today, I love to go for walks just to get out the house and clear the cobwebs. However, I feel my attempts at a health kick would become much easier with a custom built Strada bike!

With bikes built to your specifications in a variety of available colour, including being able to chose the colour of the grips, chains and crank, the end rsult will be a unique and exciting piece. Check out http://www.stradacustoms.com/ and play about your own colour combinations on the 'build + buy' section!

Avtovo Station, St Petersburg

Everyone has a list of places they want to visit and I am not exception - top of my list is Russia and in particular Saint Petersburg. Often described as the most Western city in Russia, Saint Petersburg is home to the amazing Hermitage Museum, which I would visit to see the Golden Peacock Clock alone:

My main photo is from Avtovo Metro Station which features highly ornate feature columns covered in ornamental glass. Although glass was originally supposed to be used on all of the columns in the station, white marble was substituted on some due to time constraints. This marble was supposed to be temporary, but it has never been replaced. The beauty of the station is a great testiment to the opulent history of the city and puts the public transport stations of other cities to shame - I think the only comparible is that of City Hall in New York City, a now unused station but here's a tip......if ever in New York, go on the 6 train and stay on as it loops on its return journey. Passengers used to have to get off the train at the Brooklyn Bridge stop and hop on the adjoining platform, but if you stay on, you can view this amazing station as it turns around.

City Hall Subway Station, New York

'Cut This Way' Necklace

Now, I don't often wear jewellery but I make the exception on the odd occasion if something different comes along - which is why I like to check out pieces being sold on Etsy* (www.etsy.com) for the quirky and unusually, leading me to the above necklace. I love the concept of how the piece has been put together and it is definitely a talking point!

Not sure I'd take it as far as the zombie stitch version below, tho:

*Etsy is a great site which focuses on handmade or vintage items, as well as art and craft supplies. These items cover a wide range including art, photography, clothing, jewelry, edibles, bath & beauty products, quilts, knick-knacks and toys. Many individuals also sell craft supplies like beads, wire, and jewellery-making tools.

Lace Dress by Givenchy

The drama of the styling of this dress made this a clear winner in a sea of lace options from different designers this past, in my eyes. Givenchy has had inconsistent seasons following the appointment of Riccardo Tisci in 2005, but I feel the designs are at their strongest when Tisci lets his apparent fascination with gothic touches run riot!

Below I have posted a few other gorgeous lace pieces I've spotted on the web, but it is definately all about the dress :)



Dolce & Gabbana



Charlotte Rouge





Arfango Firenze heels

I first became aware of the Arfango brand on my travels around Italy, after seeing a style of shoe by the brand in their store window in Florence. Imagine my delight in turning the shoe over to see a inspiring quote on the sole - beautiful shoes and top tips to boot!

The brand was founded in 1902 and named after a white owl - as a symbol of good luck, the logo is on every shoe, whether it be the sole or the leather insert. Check out their amazing driving loafers also; more pretty that Tod's in my opinion. And if you need anymore convincing, the shoes don't come in a box, but in a CAN :)

Froot Loops

I woke up this morning with a hankering for this cereal, and it also shows that this blog isn't just about the unachievable.

I would buy these every time I visited London, from a store called CyberCandy in Garrick Steet (also online www.cybercandy.co.uk) and while I know they are just sugar in a bowl, sometimes nothing but a sweet treat will do......also makes a great pet name for someone!

BMW Isetta

Nicknamed "the rolling egg" this Italian designed microcar was built under licence by several different companies in different countries during the post-WW2 years when cheap short-distance transportation was needed. The Isetta was made in Germany and Britain by the firm BMW and were only made in this country for a period of five years. At one point, the NHS started providing these vehicles for wheelchair users so they could drive in their wheelchair due to the dimensions of the car, but the project was deemed unsuccessful.

I've lusted after this car since I saw it on an episode of Top Gear, where Jeremy Clarkson showed how impractical they can be to get out off........I often rebel against Jeremy's opinions!

Keaton Music Typewriter

So I'll start as I mean to go on with the Keaton music typewriter - few individuals actually own this machine and very little is commonly known about it - for example, no-one can actually say how many were made or still exist, but I ADORE this!

This machine was first marketed in the 1950's and sold for around $225 - it was patented by Robert H.Keaton from San Francisco, California. The machine types on a single sheet of paper lying under the typing mechanism and at the time made it easier for publishers, educators, and other musicians to produce music copies in quantity.

(thank you to musicprintinghistory.org for information on this fantastic piece)

"From small beginnings come great things"

After starting (but not keeping up with - ooops!) a blog while on my travels around Italy during last Autumn, this is my second attempt at a blog.

That's me.

This photo captures a moment, fuelled by my friend Caroline's French Martinis and generally on good form one Easter weekend.

My name is Jeni, I'm a few weeks off 30 and dreading it and I currently reside in central Scotland, following an unsettled few years in Bristol.

But, what I really want to share with you through this blog is fabulous things that I would love to have in my possession - it could be a piece of clothing, a particular food, a mode of transport.......you name it, if it's something I cover, I will post it on this blog. Hence "adoregasm"....... the feeling that you get when you see something you MUST have in your life!

Having worked in both high street and high end retail, I know that a little of what you fancy does you good and as long as you keep within your means, the odd "but I NEED this" purchase can really give you a boost. The great thing about this blog is I don't need to go bankrupt making ridiculous purchases, but can do a window shop web-equivalent.

So read, enjoy, post your own comments or links to your own delectable morsels and hopefully we can open each others eyes to the adorable!