30.6.11

Driverless Cars


I can't make my mind up about the concept driverless cars in the future.
On the one hand wouldn't it be great to be able to jump into your own vehicle and watch your favourite programmes on T.V. on your way into work. Or read the paper. Or send those emails you were supposed to send yesterday. In that respect it would give you 'more time'.
Also, no having to queue for expensive taxis after a night out, or worry about if you've had to much to drink when it comes to driving home. I like the idea of travelling in the comfort of your own transportation pod and not having to travel on public transport (I HATE public transport), being able to stop when you like and take a detour when necessary, or even turn and go back if you've forgotten something.
Not to mention the energy saving they claim you will make with a driverless car = cheaper and better for the environment and of course the safety claims of eliminated human error in driving.
So, yes, I can see the benefits.
However, I LOVE DRIVING! I absolutely adore my little car and love driving around and being in control of the vehicle and going a little bit too fast and breaking a bit too late and feeling ALIVE! 
I grew up being taken from car show to car show, reading car magazines and watching Top Gear. Cars are EXCITING! What could we possibly replace the act of driving with, if the future threatens its existence??? Any ideas??? What will replace that sound of a purring petrol engine when we have all been forced to have electric vehicles???
Who knows what the future holds, but I say make the most out of driving while we still can!



29.6.11

Amazing Street Art

Just came across this website which is a collection of street art - some of it is so good! 



Learning to create Photo-Realistic visuals


I have just finished the second year of my degree, during which I started to learn how to use photorealistic rendering programmes for some of my design assignments. By first constructing the building and interiors in Google Sketch-up, I then used rendering plug ins to create these finishes. 
I started off using a free demo version of a program called Twilight Render, and then a managed to get hold of a copy of V-Ray. As a complete beginner I'm very pleased with the results (especially as I taught myself and had no help!), and hope to continue to improve.
These are some of the images I created. Feel free to critique!!








Summer at the Barn


So far this summer I've been having a lovely time staying with my Aunt and Uncle and cousins in Suffolk. Just some pics I've taken so far in the garden....









TRY THIS.......

I have a tooth for all things bad - chocolate, biscuits, cake, pastry, batter, etc., and most food that is supposed to be healthy and good for you tastes incredibly boring to me.
However, this recipe for the healthiest meal ever (it's a medium curry) is really tasty and definitely worth a try!

World's Healthiest Meal

INGREDIENTS (serves 4)
FOR THE CURRY
  • 20g coriander, chopped
  • 200g fresh or frozen blueberries
  • 2 tbsp freshly grated ginger
  • 3/4 tsp salt or to taste
  • 500g low-fat Greek yoghurt
  • 4 cloves of garlic finely chopped
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 1tsp chilli powder
  • 500g of chicken breast, cut into bite-sized chunks
  • 1 tsp garam masala

FOR THE PILAU RICE

  • 2 tsp cumin seeds
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small onion, sliced
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1 grated carrot
  • 1 cup Basmati rice
  • 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
  • 50g goji berries
  • Handful of peas

METHOD
1. Blend the chopped coriander, blueberries, ginger and salt with 500g of low-fat Greek yoghurt, and set aside.
2. Place the chopped garlic into a saucepan with the olive oil and heat on a low-medium flame until the garlic starts to turn brown - this should take no longer than one or two minutes. Add the turmeric, mix well and heat through for 20 seconds. Mix in the ground cinnamon and chilli powder and cook for a further 20 seconds.
3. Add the chopped chicken breast, and seal, stirring frequently - this should take no more than five minutes. Now slowly pour the yoghurt mixture, mixing into the chicken, and bring to a simmer on a low heat. Simmer for 10 minutes uncovered, stirring from time to time. Mix through the garam masala and garnish with extra coriander.
4. To cook the pilau place the cumin seeds and olive oil into a saucepan and heat on a low-medium flame until the seeds begin to pop - about three minutes. Fry the onion and cook until soft. Then add the turmeric powder, stir and heat for 20 seconds and add one grated carrot. Cook for two minutes.
5. Place the onion mixture, basmati rice, pinch of salt and the 1 3/4 cups of boiling water into a large microwaveable bowl and mix with a fork. Cook uncovered in the microwave for 4 minutes (700W), 3 1/2 minutes (800W) or 3 minutes (900W). Mix and cook for a further 4 minutes (700W), 3 1/2 minutes(800W) or 3 minutes (900W). Finally cover and continue to cook for 4 minutes (700W), 3 1/2 minutes (800W) or 3 minutes (900W).
6. To finish add the goji berries and peas and let stand covered for 10 minutes. Fluff the pilau with a fork, and serve.

24.6.11

Biscuiteers

Have you heard of Biscuiteers? My Aunt told me about them yesterday. They make really scrummy iced biscuits in really pretty boxes which make ideal gifts for all different occasions. Everybody likes biscuits! So if you are having trouble finding a present for an occasion, these may well be perfect. I have it on good authority that they are really delicious.
I noticed on the website, if you buy certain biscuit boxes they donate up to £5 to Great Ormond Street hospital, which makes them all the more worth buying. 
These iced cat biscuits are SO cute!! They also do wedding favours and occasion cards with a biscuit on them which are a cheaper alternative to the biscuit boxes. YUM!

23.6.11

Kitchen Bull by Toro Legno

Check out this snazzy little bull from Toro Legno. Perfect for space deprived kitchens, it combines a knife block, book stand and chopping board for cooks in need of inspiration.....
Would you have one in your kitchen? I certainly would. That is....if I HAD a kitchen!!

ITEM MOST WANTED

Francoise Nielly is an artist from Paris. She grew up in the South of France and her father was an architect. She uses an oil and knife technique to create her work, resulting in an  passionate explosion of colours. These vivid colours combined with the expressive eyes of her portraits really draw me in, I love her work. 
Of course, I would love to own one of her paintings...but these scarves are really cool!