The Perfect Pout: Lipstick by Rockalily London

I love lipstick. Especially red lipstick. Although I don't wear a whole lot of makeup you will rarely see me out without red lippy on. However, with a complexion nearing that of a creature of the night *and* copper red hair, I do seem to be on a perpetual quest to find just the right shade.

So I was delighted to stumble across the newly launched makeup range, Rockalily which offers three shades of retro red (plus a perfect pink) along with a rather handy guide for finding the perfect shade to suit you.

I plumped for the Rockette Red, a wonderful long lasting matte shade that proved to be the perfect choice for my complexion. After many years, it takes a heck of a lot for a lipstick to really impress me but, by jove, this one really has.

I was also incredibly impressed by the friendly and efficient customer service. They were more than happy to offer advice about shades and delivery was super speedy so no mournful gazing at the postie required.

The lipsticks cost £14 each and available direct from Rockalily.

Sluttishly Easy: Raspberry Jam

When I think of vintage recipes I think of simple, wholesome food and lots of it. Which is what you get with Exciting Cooking by Jean Balfour, a vintage cookbook I picked up at my local charity shop. Published in 1953, the recipes range from the simple to the obscure including a whole section on household hints...Bicarbonate of Soda basically being the fifties housewife's best friend!


So, how about some vintage cooking? My mission (dons pinny) - to cook my way through the book.

Starting off simply (adopts 'BBC English' accent) I decided to make raspberry jam. I've never made jam before and was a little scared that I'd either a) break the glass jar while sterilizing it or b) burn the jam (I tend to burn food a lot). I'm pleased to say I did neither. The recipe is so simple (two main ingredients) and takes no time whatsoever. If you want to end up with jars and jars of the stuff, follow the quantities specified. To make enough to fill a Kilner jar, adjust the quantities to 450g of each ingredient.


Pop some twine and a 'Happy Summer' tag around it and there you have it! Ta-da! I swear by the Brogues on my feet and the ribbon in my hair this is the yummiest jam I've ever tasted. Brew up and cut yourself a crusty piece of bread or, if you're like me, grab a spoon and enjoy....courtesy of Jean.

Now then, what's next? Stewed tripe anyone?...

This was a guest post by Lisa of the wonderful Matilde Heart Manech. We're going to pop to hers for tea very soon. You should pop and read her blog.

Dream Dress: Miss Selfridge Striped Dress

With spring comes florals. That's a given. But really, it's a bit boring isn't it? Same goes for polka dots (although that might be a habit harder habit for me to kick). So instead of same old floral prints, I've become smitten with candy stripes instead.

This is such a beautiful striped dress, and bloomin' perfect for spring. The weather is still unpredictable, and I haven't really decided if we're in tights or no tights weather (it's always the opposite of whatever I choose). This dress is a little longer than my usual style, so it'll keep me covered if the sun goes in. And while I've always felt that midi dresses have magic leg-shortening powers, the stripes on this number will make you look very tall. I'm really liking the plaited belt too. The model looks effortlessly cool.

This is the prettiest dress I've seen this spring, and rather unsurprisingly it's from Miss Selfridge. The most surprising thing is the price - it's just £40.

Seen any pretty dresses for spring? Tell us in the comments so we can all have a nose.

Wallpaper Wednesday: Themed Leisure Bespoke Wallpaper

There might be some very pretty wallpapers out there for the choosing, but wouldn't it be fun if you could create your own? Themed Leisure let you do just that.


They'll create a bespoke digital wallpaper for you, of anything you fancy!


No, I don't think I want creepy insects in Sluttery HQ, but it does look cool, doesn't it?


What about butterflies?


My favourite is actually this bullet design. It just looks like swirly circles, but there's an edge to it as well.

I can't imagine Themed Leisure wallpapers being very cheap, but if you really can't find your dream wallpaper then it's a very cool option indeed.

Sluttishly Easy: Sunshine Granita

The sun has well and truly got his hat on, and it looks like he's going to stay that way right over the bank holiday weekend. So there's really no excuse to sit around on the sofa, in your pants, scoffing hot cross buns. You should be out and about in the sunshine. With shades on. Eating a lovely bowl of this sweet and citrussy granita.

Granita sounds posh, but is in fact the simplest ice-cream-like substance known to woman. Easier than parfait. Easier than sorbet. Easy. Peasy.

You don't any electrical equipment (well, except the freezer). You don't even need an ice cream maker. Just a little patience, a fork and a timer to remind you that you need to stir it every now and then while it's freezing. You'll end up with a lovely flaky, sweet, icy treat that's perfect for cooling you down, pepping you up and generally tasting like the sunshine.

Sunshine Granita (makes about 1 litre)

You’ll need:

• 700ml water
• 200g icing sugar
• Juice of 1 orange
• Juice of 1 pink grapefruit

Make it!

• Stir together all the ingredients until the icing sugar dissolves.
• Pour the mixture into a plastic tub and put it into the freezer.
• After 30 to 40 minutes, stir with a fork, bringing the frozen ice around the edge of the tub into the centre.
• Keep stirring every 30 minutes, until the granita is frozen. This will take a couple of hours, depending on the size of the tub (bigger = quicker).

Domestic Tartery: Caramelised Onion & Goat's Cheese Tart

Unless you are incapable of cooking onions, you seriously cannot muck this recipe up. It is the simplest, quickest, tastiest thing to make, and if you slice it up and whack it on a plate next to a handful of rocket tossed in a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar, it's the perfect accompaniment to the Clive Owen DVD and bottle of wine your girlfriends are bringing over on Friday night (not that I'm suggesting you are a cliche). They will be impressed, and you will have spent about 15 minutes in the kitchen.

You'll need:

• Puff pastry (from a box in the freezer section! Don't even THINK about making that sucker from scratch)
• About 60g goat's cheese
• A couple of red onions
• A handful of pinenuts

Make it!

• Preheat the over to 180 degrees.
• Slice the onions and slowly pan-fry them in a little oil or butter on a low heat.
• Spread the onions out over a sheet of the puff pastry, leaving a border of a couple of centimetres around the edge.
• Crumble the goat's cheese over the onions.
• Toast the pinenuts by frying them in a clean, dry pan for a couple of minutes, tossing regularly so they don't burn - you want them to be golden, not black or brown.
• Once they're done, sprinkle the pinenuts over the onion and goat's cheese.
• Fold over the edges of the puff pastry.
• Pop it in the oven for about ten minutes on a medium heat - keep an eye on it so the pastry doesn't burn. Again, you want it to be a light golden colour.
• And that's it! This is one of my favourite things to make. It's so fast, easy and delicious.

Flickr image from maureen lunn's photostream.

Shoe Porn: New Look Floral Wedges

I've never kept it a secret that I'm not a fan of espadrilles. There's something about a rafia heel that really doesn't do it for me. But as soon as the sun comes up, they're all over the shops, taunting me.

But then I saw these floral wedges on the New Look website, and I have to admit that I like them. Perhaps it's because the straw bits are kept to a minimum. The rest of the heel is cute in the floral fabric, and while I'm not usually a white sandals girl, I think New Look have go the balance right with these. They're cute and summery, not tacky.

They might not have won me over to the espadrille cause entirely, but they're £19.99 and that might just do it.