crueltyfree

Superdrug B. Clay Face Masks

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Anyone who knows me knows I love a good face mask (usually because I post a selfie everytime I use one!) As a teenager I loved picking up a couple of individual sachets for a sleepover and nowadays I love relaxing with one after a long week.

As UK based vegans know, Superdrug are fabulous for reasonably priced, cruelty free and clearly marked vegan options.

A couple of weeks ago I was at Boxpark Shoreditch visiting Superdrug’s vegan pop-up shop and picked up a single use mask and loved it so much I bought a full size version at the weekend. Lucky for me they were on “buy one get one free” so I bought two pots for £6.99!

I especially love clay masks, it’s one of the only thing that can make me lay still. If I have a bath with Epsom salts (which you have to soak in for at least 20 minutes to get the benefit) I am constantly checking my phone to see how many minutes there are before I can get out! But slap a clay mask on me and I’ll happily lay there feeling it drying out until I can’t move my face anymore!

The first mask I’m going to talk about is the B. Purified clay mask. The blurb says –

“Use B. Purified Clay Face Mask for a deep purifying cleanse. It will effectively draw out dirt and impurities and give instant refreshment.

The benefits –

Deeply purifies pores – rich in Kaolin, a natural clay that absorbs impurities, without over drying the skin.

Gives a mattified, clearer complexion – contains a blend of oil absorbing ingredients and eucalyptus extract.”

This mask wasn’t as thick as others I have used, which means there’s many more applications in the pot! It went on really nicely and my skin felt fabulous afterwards.

The other mask I have tried from the range is the B. Detoxed clay mask.

“Use B. Detoxed clay face mask to liven up dull, fatigued skin. It absorbs accumulated dirt and debris and helps to minimise the appearance of blemishes and pore size within four weeks.

The benefits –

Instantly refreshes and brightens. The rich clay formula, combined with detoxifying benefits of charcoal powder draws out built up impurities.

Minimises pore size and blemishes – absorbs excess sebum without over drying the skin and prevents pores from getting clogged.”

No underestimation the is the best face mask I have ever used! (And I have tried a lot!) My skin just felt so clean and soft after using this mask and left me feeling glowing for days afterwards.

After I have worn my mask for 20 minutes I remove it using my reusable pads. I bought these a few years ago and have been using them ever since, they are flannel like pads which you can use for cleansing and makeup removable. Once you’ve used them (there’s quite a few in the pack) all stick them in the bag and put them in the washing machine with the rest of your wash. So much better for the planet than wipes or cotton wool.

There are two other masks in this range B. Glowing and B. Hydrated take a look and see which one is most suitable to your skin needs.

Have you tried any of the Superdrug B. face masks? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below.

Plumes x

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Superdrug B. Clay Face Masks

Lush Vegan Evening

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On Thursday I attended an event at my local Lush store with my Mum. I was really excited when I saw this event pop up on Facebook as my little suburb of London isn’t the most vegan-friendly.

The details on the event page were – 

We believe in fresh handmade products and making them using only vegetarian ingredients. It’s a value we’ve always held because it’s important to us, and to our customers.

With around 80% of our products also being Vegan, we’d love to give our customers the opportunity to meet up for some fresh ideas, recipe and knowledge sharing, and also a bit of a pamper. So whether you’re a life long Vegan, brand new to the diet change, or just thinking about adopting a Vegan or Vegetarian lifestyle, we’d love to invite you along.

When we arrived we were given a sticker for our name and how long we’d been vegan or vegetarian. They had a table with some cookbooks and magazines to look at for recipe ideas as well as some vegan refreshment laid out in the way of oreos, fizzy sweets and chocolate.

There was also a game to play or attributing the vegan quote to the correct celebrity (our group did rather well at this!)

We also took the opportunity to have a proper look through all their vegan products and Mum got a sample of their coffee face scrub. We was really nice just having a browse and seeing what they had as I usually just go for the same products when I’m in there.

I wasn’t in need of much so I just bought a bath bomb each for my Husband and me, I was slightly disappointed we weren’t given a discount at this event but that was the only thing I think that would have made it better.

I thought this was a great event for Lush to put on and have been a long time customer of them due to their cruelty free status and ethical campaigns. If they went 100% vegan it would be the icing on the cake!

Have you been to a vegan event a Lush? If not I would ask your local store if they’d consider putting on an event like this.

What are you fave Lush products? Let me know in the comments below.

Plumes x

Lush Vegan Evening

Round up of the week’s food 160911

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I’ve still been feeling under the weather this week. I’ve been very tired and had anxiety issues so I am going to see my doctor.

My Husband and I have been discussing how we can make small changes that will help our mental health. I think we are ok at planning our main meals but we definitely snack too much. I also buy the majority of my lunches out at work and I don’t have a regular breakfast routine. So hopefully we can save some money as well improving our health.

I swim most weeks and walk almost everywhere. I did do the Couch 2 5k a few months ago but felt it hard going in the heat of the summer and have let it slide so I hope to pick it up again as we get into autumn. I did feel it helped with my mental health and general wellbeing and I need to keep it up.

On Monday we started with a vegetable stir fry. I like this at the beginning of the week to get a good injection of veg.

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On Tuesday I went to a supper club hosted at Black Cat Cafe by vegan clothing brand Ethics and Antics with my Sister-in-law. I did feel really tired on Tuesday and could have easily gone home to my bed but we had prepaid and I was glad I went. We paid £35 each for a three course surprise menu with a goody bag.

The goody bag was laid out on our place settings when we came in and I was impressed by what we were given, including two full size drinks, two snack bars, crisps, chocolate, superfood powders and some discount vouchers.

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For starter we had a raw pad thai. This was really fresh and the peanut sauce was great.

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For main we had a sweet potato lentil dhal with rice, kale, roasted chickpeas and half an avocado. The curry was quite mild but tasty and filling. I wasn’t quite sure what the avocado added to the dish and thought it could have presented better.

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For dessert we were served a chia pudding. This was nice and light after the curry although I usually see chia pudding as a breakfast rather that an dessert!

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I did enjoy the food but if I had seen the menu before I don’t think it’s something I would have left at. I do like a supper club and I think it’s a great way to try new food.

On Wednesday I had a Linda McCartney quarter pounder with sweet potato fries and salad. I didn’t really have much appetite so hadn’t eaten much in the day but I did enjoy this.

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On Thursday we had a simple pasta dish with aubergine pesto and veg.

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We were cat sitting on Saturday so on Friday we decided to get a takeaway so we take the leftovers and wouldn’t have to cook while we were there. I had vegetable noodles and sea spice beancurd (my favourite!) Unfortunately it took nearly an hour and a half to get to us so I had well and truly stuck in before I thought to take a photo!

I’m looking forward to making soups and stews in the autumn and winter and feeling really nourished by vegetables.

Hope you have a good week.

Plumes x

Round up of the week’s food 160911

Round up of the week’s food 160904

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Can’t believe it’s September! Autumn is my favourite season, I think due in part to it being when I met and married my Husband. I’m looking forward to lots of stuffed squashes and stews in the coming months!

I haven’t been feeling too well this week but I’ve still had some great food.

On Monday we had a simple stir fry which has become a weekly staple in my house, I think it’s an easy way to get a decent amount of veg!

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On Tuesday I was very ill and had to come home from work, I managed some plain spaghetti for dinner. On Wednesday I stayed at home and had some salad for lunch. My Mum made me dinner and it was stir fry again, this time with some tofu from the Asian supermarket.

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On Thursday I was still after simple food so had gnocchi with a dairy free pesto, this was ready in under 10 mins and was really tasty!

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On Friday I was up for something more adventurous but still tired so we decided to get a takeaway. I had aubergine with potatoes, chickpea masala and lentils with spinach. I love getting a few vegetable dishes and this lasted me for dinner on Saturday as well and tea on Sunday!

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On Saturday I went to Primrose Hill in London for Pup Aid a charity dog show against puppy farming. I also helped on  the SaveABulls stall, a campaign set up by Sister-in-law and her veterinary nurse colleagues against the Breed Specific Legislation aspects of the Dangerous Dogs Act (1991) which I wrote about previously here. We had a great day, I saw loads of lovely dogs, did a bit of celeb spotting (!) and spoke to lots of people about Breed Specific Legislation. We had three exempted dogs who had been deemed pit bull “types” on the stand, giving a great example of how lovable and friendly these dogs can be.

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My Brother and I went to the top of the hill and had a lovely look down at the event and across the London skyline.

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We took a break and walked down the canal to Camden for lunch. I stopped at Club Mexicana at Kerb food market. I’ve tried their jackfruit burrito before so I went for their to-fish tacos which were lush. I thought they might be a bit messy to eat but I managed it quite well!

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Hopefully I’ll continue to recover this week and get a bit more energy!

Have a good week!

Plumes x

Round up of the week’s food 160904

Round up of the week’s food 160828

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I haven’t taken as many food pics this week so this post will be a little shorter than usual.

On Monday I used up my other pizza base I had bought for this olive and mushroom pizza.

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On Wednesday I went round my Grandparents with my Brother. My Grandma made me a salad with a side of peanut butter and crackers and we ate put in the garden.

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On Thursday I went swimming with Mum, we had a lovely salad with some nut luncheon from Holland and Barrett. The ingredients are only peanuts, water and salt. I thought it would taste too peanutty but it was really mild.

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As it was pay day on Friday I treated myself to lunch from CookDaily in Shoreditch. I had “Le Garden” with tofu and vegetables in a garlicky sauce over brown rice and quinoa. I also got a coconut bubble tea with tapioca and lychee jelly from Milk Tea & Pearl.

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On Friday we went to my in-laws for the weekend and I had this lovely sausage casserole.

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On Sunday coming home we stopped at Yo! Sushi at Westfield Stratford for dinner. We on stalls at the conveyor belt, elbow to elbow with other diners so it was difficult to take photos. I had the tofu katsu curry, the tofu was the crunchiest I’ve ever had it. I also had the vegetable tempura which was also very crispy but a bit difficult to eat over such a small bowl. I also had a seaweed salad. They do 25% student discount (Sun – Thurs) and some restaurants do a Sunday offer of 10 plates for £20.

Hope you’ve had a good week.

Plumes x

Round up of the week’s food 160828

Vegan Kind Beauty Box 8

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Last week I received my quarterly beauty box from The Vegan Kind. For £18.50 including postage and packaging you receive 6-7 skincare/makeup products that are completely free from animal ingredients and are not tested on animals either!

Starting with the top left we have The Konjac Sponge Company Ltd French Pink Clay Facial Puff Sponge  (RRP  £8.99). This looks like a really interesting facial sponge, I’ve eaten konjac before but never used it to wash my face! The Sponge is mineral rich and cleanses, exfoliates and detoxifies skin.

Next there is Vitala Spa Chakra Balancing Compassion Bath and Body Oil 100ml (RRP  £8.50) this smells amazing and is really relaxing in a long, hot soak!

Figs & Rouge evAcalm Perfect Calm Moisture+ AM PM Cream 50ml (RRP  £24) is up next. This goes on the skin lovely and can be used pre makeup in the morning or before you go to bed.

Finishing off the top row is Weleda Almond Sensitive Skin Travel Size Body Wash 20ml (RRP  £1.95) and Hand Cream 10ml (RRP  £2.25) the hand cream is a good size for your handbag and the body wash will go in my overnight bag. I tend not to take my own toiletries when staying with friends or family but then I don’t like using non cruelty-free products so this is great rather than taking full size products.

On the bottom left we have Sheila’s Natural Products Face Cream Deluxe Sample (RRP full size £27.50) this is another nice face cream, so I’ll be in stock for a while.

Lastly we have Spectrum Collections Tapered Finishing Brush (£7.99). This has a feel to it and is really soft!

This box retails in at over £50 (!) So for £18.50 you can’t go wrong. As always 20p from every box goes towards Dr Hadwen Trust which funds research into alternatives to animal testing.

My box this time seems a little cream heavy with no makeup items. It may just be a case of what is available at the time but I feel a bit of planning to get a good cross section of products would be more appealing.

I was also surprised that only the konjac sponge had any markings noting vegan or cruelty free and these were only on the leaflet inside the packet and not on the outside. Nevertheless it is great being introduced to new products and cruelty free companies.

Have you used any of these products? What did you think?

Plumes X

Vegan Kind Beauty Box 8

Round up of the week’s food 160821

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After watching the Olympics over the last two weeks I was sad to see it come to an end. But we do have the paralympics in September and hopefully Rio will put on a good games despite the cut backs.

On Monday I met my Sister-in-law at The Gallery Cafe for dinner and a catch up. If you have read my previous review I haven’t had great times there but thought I’d give it another chance. I wasn’t disappointed with my matcha latte this time and I enjoyed this giant burger with some gorgeous relish.

My work are trialling daily vegetarian options for lunch and are monitoring take up to see whether they’ll keep with it. On Tuesday I got this spicy bean burger and wedges for just £3, can’t really go wrong!

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On Tuesday evening I made spaghetti with aubergine pesto and vegetables. Such a quick easy dinner.

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On Wednesday I had lunch with a colleague at Bavarian Beerhouse. I’ve been a couple of times for drinks after work but I was pleasantly surprised when I saw they have started serving vegan options a couple of months ago. I went for the currywurst which was about £5 on the lunchtime menu. I don’t really drink beer but thought the soft drinks were quite expensive at £3.60! I enjoyed the meal and will definitely head back to try the other options.

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I went swimming with my Mum in the evening and had sausages again with beans, onion and sweet potato fries.

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On Thursday I made a pizza using a ready made pizza base, Bute Island’s Greek Style Sheese, olives and capers. The Greek Style Sheese is really flavourful and very close to feta in my opinion.

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On Friday I had a simple supper of jacket potato with houmous, olives and a bit more of that Sheese.

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On Saturday I made a lovely Indian meal. I made some tandoori tempeh using provamel coconut soya yogurt which I bought in Holland and Barrett. This is a yogurt with absolutely no sugar unlike alpro’s plain soya yogurt so is perfect for savoury dishes. I also made curried aubergine and green rice and bought a vegetable bhaji from Sainsburys.

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Yesterday I had leftovers while I binge watched Stranger Things. Let me know if you’ve seen it and what you think?

Hope you’ve had a good week!

Plumes x

Round up of the week’s food 160821

Review – Afternoon tea @ Terre a Terre

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My cousin Katy and I enjoy spending time together in Brighton so when she said she had never been for a full afternoon tea we decided we must go for her birthday celebration and Terre a Terre hit the spot.

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I had visited before for dinner with my Husband in February for my own birthday which you can read about here.

We were seated in the front of restaurant rather than the main dining room so we could feel a little bit of a breeze on a very warm Sunday afternoon.

We both had the vegan afternoon tea, which started with the savoury plate.

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The Thai rice balls were definitely the most flavourful and not like anything I’ve tried before. I do love a good Chinese bun and this marinated tofu one did not disappoint!

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For our first dessert tier we had –

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I loved the sorbet, an unusual addition on an afternoon tea and the sweet dukka really set it off.

On tier two there was –

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The alcoholic milkshake was a lovely addition and Katy was really taken by the peanut caramel truffle.

Lastly we had –

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The scones were really nice, not dry at all – helped I assume by the tea soaking! The coconut cream tasted quite acidic to me, almost like coconut yogurt. We had this all washed down with some very fragrant Jasmine tea.

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The service was a little bit slow on getting our savoury course out but we did overhear our waiter complaining to the kitchen so we were assured this wasn’t standard. At £22 each I think this was great value for money. We had our taste buds tantalised and we were well and truly full by the time we left and managed to roll ourselves back up the hill to the train station!

I would definitely recommend this tea for any celebration or just a fab day out!

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Plumes x

Review – Afternoon tea @ Terre a Terre

Round up of the week’s food 160814

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I’ve had a great week watching some amazing Olympic performances and enjoyed some lovely food.

On Monday I was planning on trying Fry’s falafel burger as I had bought some the week before. However I soon discovered my Husband had scoffed the whole packet so I had to settle for a traditional burger instead!

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On Tuesday I went swimming with Mum and she had made a lovely lentil shepherdess pie served with asparagus.

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On Wednesday my brother came over and we had sausage and mash. My brother said he really enjoyed these Dragonfly Foods Soysages and he’s not great love of soy/tofu based stuff so this was a high accolade indeed!
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On Wednesday we had a lazy dinner of bits and pieces as we were feeling really hot.

On Friday we had arancini made with a red pepper risotto. I usually have panko breadcrumbs in the cupboard and they give such a good crunch.

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On Saturday I met my cousin Katy in Kent with my Mum to visit the FRIEND Animal Sanctuary which you can read all about here. We stopped in at Lakeside shopping centre on the way home to get some lunch. We had pie and mash from Sainsy Pie and Mash they do a root vegetable pie and a soya mince pie. We all went for the soya mince one. Katy and I both love bubble tea so we were pleased to see an outlet at Lakeside. I got a pina colada which was lush!

For dinner I made a teriyaki and ginger vegetable stirfry, I also got a pear and lychee cider from Aldi by Swedish brand Alska which are clearly labelled vegan.

Today Katy and I headed down to Brighton to have afternoon tea to celebrate her birthday tomorrow. I will write up a full review later but here’s a taster!

I am now very tired and have felt very emotional watching Max Whitlock win two individual gymnastics titles (Floor and Pommel Horse)!

Hope you have a good week!

Plumes x

Round up of the week’s food 160814

Round up of the week’s food 160807

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I’ve had a lovely week spent with friends and family.

On Monday my Husband and I had lunch at Zizzi when we were in town shopping.

I’ve had the vegan pizza a few times and this one was quite disappointing, I went for butternut squash, artichoke and peppers. The toppings didn’t feel that warm and there were only three peppers on there. I was also served a thin a crispy one when I had asked for a classic. We had a long wait for our mains so I didn’t feel like dessert in the end. I had a 40% discount and I don’t think the food we had would have been worth the full price.

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On Tuesday I headed down to Bournemouth to visit my friend Karen who I have known for a long time. She used to work for a broker I dealt with when I first joined my company over 9 years ago. We had to speak multiple times a day and clicked straight away.

She made this lovely pasta dish served with this accidentally vegan stone baked garlic bread from Asda.

On Wednesday we had bubble and squeak with some chard picked fresh from the garden. I don’t eat mashed potato very often as my Husband doesn’t like it so this was a real treat!

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Karen has an amazing vegetable garden and gave me some freshly picked, organic vegetables to take home with me. I’m really excited about the corn cob and the purple carrots!

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Here’s some more pics of her fab garden.

My Brother came over for dinner on Friday and I made a tofu stirfry. When I get the stirfry veg, noodles and sauce from Sainsburys I usually just add a few frozen soya beans and that does it for my Husband as me but as there was three of us I used this marinated tofu my Mum picked up for me in Lidl which was only £1.50. I bulked out the veg with the peas and purple carrots from Karen’s garden.

My cousin and his Wife came to stay with us at the weekend. I had bought some tinned jackfruit a week or so ago and wanted to try something different to the usually bbq wraps I do. I saw this recipe from Leicester Veggie for vegan “crab” cakes that fitted the bill perfectly. The homemade tartar sauce was pretty special which I’ll definitely make again. I served it with some sautéed chard from Karen’s garden.

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Today we went out for a pub lunch. The curse of the brioche bun reared it’s ugly head but I was able to sub it for ciabatta which I saw on the menu was used for the sandwiches. I had a sweet potato and bean burger with chips.

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I tried some of Amanda’s coconut and lime cider from Brothers. I wasn’t too sure about it, I might need a whole one to make up my mind! I think all of Brothers ciders are vegan I picked up some toffee apple flavour in Aldi for the weekend and they are clearly labelled suitable for vegans.

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I’m looking forward to watching lots of Olympic events over the next couple of weeks hopefully my cooking doesn’t suffer!

Plumes x

Round up of the week’s food 160807