Nutty about this roast!

Okay, so 4pm on Christmas day is not the best time to cook a dish for the first time (ready to be served at 6pm!). However, this was the situation I found myself in. Unbeknown to them, my converging relatives were the guinea pigs for a nut roast recipe that I had my eye on. It was my way of giving the vegetarians a mainstay, while the meat-eaters feasted on their bird. The ingredients involved an onion, grated carrot, a clove of garlic, brown rice, cheese, 2 eggs, sliced mushrooms, breadcrumbs, chopped mixed nuts, sage, basil, parsley, salt and pepper. The whole concoction was then packed tightly into a loaf tin and cooked for an hour (if you really want to brown it, keep it in longer). I'm delighted to say that the gamble paid off and my humble nut roast received no end of compliments. It was tasty, meaty and filling and the real seal of approval was people taking slabs of it home in doggy bags. I'll definitely be going back to this next year!

Before it headed to the oven...

The finished article...

No soap and drama here...

    If you've read my earlier posts, you'll know I'm a fan of natural soap. I recently stocked up (I like to buy in bulk) and thought I'd blog about my latest purchases.

    The packaged bar on the left is the one that I use on my body (banana and honey). Typical soap dries my skin out and makes it itchy and flaky. This is 100% natural and contains other nourishing ingredients like Shea butter and coconut oil.   The one on the right is my hair soap. It's a Butter Bar that contains mango, Shea, cocoa butter, almond and Jojoba oil. The company says that it's ideal for dry and coloured hair. The ingredients sound so divine and nourishing - almost edible!

    If you're curious about what it's like to use a product like this, I can say that it takes a bit of getting used to (in a good way). Typical shampoo from a bottle lathers up a storm. However, this natural hair soap produces no lather whatsoever. That's because it's free from chemicals like sodium lauryl sulfate. This seems to serve no purpose, other than to create the foaminess that consumers wrongly equate with effectiveness. This is more about changing a mindset though. I also like to leave the product in my hair for a few minutes, to boost the positive impact. As well as this, your hair won't feel silky to the touch after it's been washed out. Typical bottled shampoo contains silicone that coats and lubricates your hair so there is still product left in after the rinse. When you have washed the natural shampoo from your hair, it feels clean. I mean really, really clean of product and gunk.

   The final points in favour of my Funky Soap purchases: less hair disappearing down the plughole and the value for money. One hair bar goes much further than a bottle. So I dare you - make the switch if you're brave enough!

(Un) stuck on you...

It can be a challenge to foster independence and resilience in students. How do you equip them with the tools to seek out solutions for themselves, rather than raising their hands at the first hurdle? In my school, we have a system where we encourage the learners to seek help from three other sources, before coming to the teacher. It's a fantastic way of making pupils more autonomous and they feel a real sense of achievement when they've worked things out for themselves. Here's an example of my 'I'm stuck' station. It is linked to a unit of work that I'm delivering on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream:

In order for it to be used successfully by students, the suggestions have to be pertinent and tangible. For that, you need to put yourselves in the students' place. In other words, if I were a student, what would be a useful source of help in this particular unit? I use the help stations more frequently with the younger students as they tend to be needier. By cultivating their ability to overcome their own blocks in learning, we're fostering important life skills. I'm not saying it will free you up to sit at your desk with a hot drink but it does allow you to target the lower ability learners in the class.

All wrapped up...

    Here's another lunch idea that I'm trying out and like all new recipes, it's been promoted to my current favourite! It's a very simple but filling wrap that can be eaten at the desk, on duty or on the move (or even in the communal staff area - there's a thought). The filling involves Quorn Chicken Tikka slices, sliced mushrooms, spinach and a condiment of your choice (I add a little Mayo but you can add Sweet Chilli, Chipotle, mustard or whatever your taste buds crave). It's an idea that is ripe for personalisation. The following ingredients would be right at home in a wrap: sliced peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, sliced hard boiled eggs, salmon, Chorizo, rocket, sliced avocado, chicken, thinly sliced carrot, grilled veg, hummus, turkey, tuna, tofu, white beans...

    The list is gloriously endless which means you can put together new and colourful combinations each week. It can also be made the night before, leaving you precious minutes in the morning to nurse a cup of coffee/tea. See? Chic Teacher thinks of everything.

Cracking up...

If you're like me, you'll find yourself cracking up at this time of year. I am, of course, referring to the toll that wintry weather can take on the skin (not the exhaustion brought on by this never ending term - I don't have the solution to that just yet!). I find that the area around my knuckles and fingers is particularly partial to cracked and sore skin. Gloves and lashings of hand cream are no good so I've turned to these gems to combat the problem. The Calendula Cream is a winter must-have in my eyes. It is so rich and helps to restore my skin to it's natural texture. I apply it generously before bed and at other points in the day, when a top-up is needed. I use Elizabeth Arden's eight hour cream on my lips, though it can be used to combat minor skin irritations. It is a lightweight formula that supposedly protects the skin for eight hours. These two are my go-to products in a season where we need to take extra special care of our minds and bodies...

In solidarity...

Now, more than ever, I truly appreciate my job as an educator. Education drives out ignorance, bigotry and intolerance. Like many of you, I am struggling to make sense of the horrific events that unfolded in Paris yesterday. I am full of so many questions and I know my youngsters will be too, on Monday. It is our duty to present young people with the facts and the facts are simple: no religion encourages bloodshed in its name. However, that doesn't stop people from using their faith to push an agenda, even a destructive one. The way to stop them from succeeding, from creating a culture of distrust and conflict among different religions and races, is to stand in solidarity. It. Is. That. Simple.

I needed an outlet for the many emotions that were welling up inside, so I created this. Friends have asked if they can use it on various social media platforms. Feel free to use as you please...spread the message far and wide.

A boot to suit...

It's no secret that I love an ankle boot (or two). I saw this luscious pair on the Oasis website and had to snap them up. They arrived promptly and were even better in reality. They have a chunky heel, making them infinitely more comfortable when running around (something that is synonymous with teaching in the current climate). The exterior material is a two-tone suede and leather combination. They are easy on the feet and I can already tell that I'll be wearing these to death. Not a problem though, since they'll keep my tootsies warm and dry in the colder months ahead.

 

Fair is foul...

I'm sure English teachers everywhere did a little jig when they heard that a new interpretation of Macbeth was hitting the big screen. Would there be a fresh take on this centuries old tale? How would it differ from the well known adaptations that already exist? More importantly, would it pave the way for some very welcome 'DVD lessons'? I must say, it defied all of my expectations - from the awesome opening battle sequence to the fiery finale (and I'm not someone who is easily impressed). The landscapes were raw and unforgiving and the cinematography was simply stunning, but deeply affecting. Michael Fassbender was born to play the title character and Marion Cotillard's Lady Macbeth was captivating (though not as ruthless or darkly ambitious as previous incarnations). The director, Justin Kurzel, took a fair few liberties that paid off but I won't write too much in case you want to see for yourself. I will tell you what has been omitted though. Gone are the famous witchy incantations and the porter scene has been done away with completely. There's also a Donalbain-shaped hole in the story but these changes work in this adaptation. Furthermore, the couple's childlessness is a prominent vein that runs throughout  and gives the film splashes of humanity every so often. To conclude, this is a very, very dark reworking that mesmerizes and shocks in equal measure. I certainly can't show the whole film to my class but some carefully chosen clips would definitely hook them (especially the boys). 

All hail indeed!

Get shirty...

I think long shirts are fantastic; they can be dressed up with a pair of skinny jeans/trousers and killer heels or dressed down with leggings and flats/canvas shoes. I wear these floral beauties to work with smart, slim trousers and heeled ankle boots. They're so fun and my students can spot me a mile off (is that a good or bad thing?). Anyone who is a regular reader will know that if I really like something, I'll buy it in several colours.  These were purchased from Warehouse where you can find many timeless, well-made pieces that are good quality too. So join me and dare to wear these vibrant shirts that are popping up all over the place!

 

All animals are equal?

It's always a pleasure to rediscover the joy in something as it's even better the second time around. This is certainly the case with George Orwell's Animal Farm. I first studied this as a student of fourteen, many moons ago. I had pretty much forgotten everything about it, bar the fact that it was a cracking story about revolutionary animals. The reason I've become reacquainted with this classic allegory is because it is a new text that I am teaching to my older students. My English department has changed exam boards this year, which means a host of new literature texts to choose from (yay!). Since this forms part of a GCSE qualification, I have to make sure that I'm up to speed on every aspect of the novella. This is where the joy comes in; my in depth research has woken me to its sheer brilliance. I'd forgotten what a wonderfully woven satire it was and how cleverly Orwell ridiculed totalitarianism and communism through it. The shenanigans of the pigs (so brilliantly named), as they go about betraying their own revolutionary principles, makes for fantastic reading. It also paves the way to teach youngsters the importance of democracy and integrity (as well as riotous activities like recreating the Battle of the Cowshed!). Last but not least, Orwell is responsible for crafting some of the most famous quotes, derived from literature. I certainly hope my students enjoy studying it as much as I enjoy teaching it.

 

A jewel of an idea...

'Row of hooks' and 'beautiful' don't usually go in the same sentence but this piece from Sass and Belle nails it. The item was  a present from my sister and the perfect opportunity came to finally put this up. I redecorated my bedroom recently and didn't fancy putting nails into the pristine, painted walls. I got round it by attaching the  hooks to the side of my wardrobe instead. It's pretty, practical and in the perfect place for me. I've accumulated so much jewellery that a humble box just doesn't cut it anymore! 

Why not peruse their website? They've got so many stunning ways to store and display your jewels.

All about the base...

There are certain products that I'm reluctant to change, simply because getting them right is a pain/labour of love. Switching to a new foundation is definitely up there because finding the right shade is a holy grail type mission. I decided to wave goodbye to my powder foundation and go back to a liquid after many, many years. I have skin that gets a sheen as the day goes on so I wanted something that worked on this. More importantly, I wanted something that didn't clog pores or exacerbate my problem areas. I decided to go with Clinique and so began the painstaking journey! I initially got given a sample pot in Beige (Stay Matte range) and that was far too light for my skin tone. I then tried Sand which gave me an instant light tan (not the effect I was after). Not to be defeated, I went back to the counter and declared that a shade between these two would be perfect. There was nothing suitable in this range, so the helpful assistant suggested Fresh Honey in the Anti-Blemish Solutions range. If something has 'anti' and 'blemish' in the title I'm all over it! This was the best fit so my voyage of discovery was over. I'm happy to say that I've stuck with this shade and if it copes with most situations, conditions and time frames, I'll be a loyal customer (until the next change!).

Guess who's back...

After a month abroad, I'm back in the blog bosom and keen to update you all. I survived without the internet and social media (a conscious choice) for all that time and am none the worse for it. I must say, it does you good to disconnect yourself every so often. It certainly forced me to immerse myself more in my surroundings and soak up the local customs and traditions. Instead of sharing snaps of the scenery or what I wore, I thought I'd do a more practical post. Here is my Go To List - items that I used repeatedly during my time abroad:

A thousand apologies for the poor picture quality. It looked a lot better on my phone that it does here! I'll try my best to guide you through the items.
1. Some magazines and books (in my opinion, still the best way of passing the time).
2. Burt's Bee's lip balm to keep my smackers nourished in the intense heat.
3. Organic Rose Hip oil and Geranium & Orange hand cream (Neal's Yard) to tackle dry patches and dry hands.
4. Nuun hydration tablets (they're dissolved in water and helped me stay hydrated when my energy was being sapped by the sun and heat). Thanks to my big sis for bringing these into my world.
5. Prada sunglasses
6. Citronella incense sticks (a natural mosquito repellent).
7. My Ipod
8. Almond milk powder (just add water to magically turn into milk! I'm unable to have cow's milk and this was my way of ensuring that I was covered if no other kind was available, which it wasn't).
9. Pure organic Argan Oil for my hair.
10. Aloe Vera gel for rough skin and mosquito bites.
11. A hair styling bun ring (I kept my hair up 100% of the time).
12. A cross body bag from Mango (a fabulously practical present from a good friend).

Holiday reading...

     I am a week into the glorious summer break and now wrestling with suitcases and packing. As ever, it's a David vs Goliath type battle as I try to condense a mountain of items to fit the airline requirements. I am going on a month-long vacation abroad with my family and as usual, I am taking plenty of reading matter.

     In my trove of literature I have the much talked about 'The Girl on the Train' by Paula Hawkins; John Green's 'Paper Towns' (because I surprised myself by enjoying 'The Fault in Our Stars'); the intriguingly titled 'The Hundred-Year-Old Man who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared' by Jonas Jonasson and Harper Lee's 'To Kill A Mockingbird' (not pictured) and 'Go Set a Watchman'.
     The eagle-eyed among you would have spotted two DVD box sets. I am using the time away to catch-up on series that I neglected during term time. I discovered Supernatural and Arrow way after everyone else so will be playing catch-up until the series come to their respective ends (perish the thought!). I will be packing season 2 of Arrow and season 8 of SPN.
     I don't know about you but I find un-cracked book spines and pristine box-sets irresistible. I can't wait to crack and unwrap! 

Starry eyed...

The end of the academic year is tantalisingly close! When I'm in the midst of the continuous whirlwind that is teaching, I wonder how I'll make it to the end. Yet make it I do, as do countless others, again and again. It's at this time of the year that the Gold Stars come out. Our Principal invites us to take as many as we want, to give to other staff members. They're big enough to write a message of appreciation on or can speak volumes when given on their own. We constantly praise and reward our students but it's nice for the staff to acknowledge this in one another too. I received a gold star from one of my incredibly thoughtful colleagues, with a cone of popcorn attached! Since I can't eat cakes or chocolate (food intolerance), she made me something that I can ingest. The effort and thought that went into it is what makes it really special.

Letting your colleagues know that they are appreciated, inspirational and fabulous is a small but monumental act. A massive thank you to the one who put a huge smile on my face with the above. Consider this idea stolen!

The post with the most...

I'm a huge fan of Post-it notes in the classroom. They are a quick and easy way of getting a snapshot of the students' ideas in relation to a particular topic. In this activity, I asked students to write down what they learned about a character in a novel we've been reading. They had to stick their ideas inside the outline; a nice reflection of the internal aspect of a person. The students needed to be succinct and precise. This meant that I could reel off each comment quickly, praising and correcting misunderstandings where relevant. There are so many uses for the humble Post-it note in the classroom - I'm sure you'll hear plenty more from me on this subject!

Pomp and prom...

Our leavers had their prom this week and it was a truly lovely occasion. They ate, danced and enjoyed the camaraderie for the last time before they went their separate ways. The boys donned suits, looking incredibly dapper in the process and the young ladies sparkled and wowed. Not to be outdone, us teachers made the effort too. I wore this very elegant floor-length navy gown. The laced and lined bodice was a perfect fit and the floaty layered skirt moved gracefully. The waist sash/belt did a great job of bringing these two components together. I received so many compliments and felt a bit like a red-carpet diva. I hope I have many more occasions to wear this beautifully understated gown.

 

Nailing the natural...

I'm always on the hunt for products that are kinder to the hair, skin and nails. This led to me Scotch Naturals, a nail polish brand that believes in leaving the nasty chemicals out of its lacquers. Their polishes are water-based and without the same chemicals that cover cars! I love the bitter 'n' twisted shade; it goes on very easily and has immense staying power. There is no overpowering smell during application and because it's water-based, it is a lot easier to remove. So come on ladies, coat your nails in something kinder - they'll thank you for it!

Till we meet again...

It's that time of year when the oldest students leave the school, marking a significant milestone in their education. As a  personal goodbye gesture, I write my classes a poem that charts the times we've shared in the classroom. It's always met with surprise and joy; a poem crafted just for them! Some years (when I'm feeling particularly adventurous) I dedicate a line to each student, highlighting a memorable habit, characteristic or quirk. I am always touched by the very positive reaction the farewell poem receives. I deliver a reading of the poem after handing each student a copy as a keepsake. I somehow  manage to make it to the end without bursting into tears!

Here are excerpts from various poems written over the years:

Your Of Mice and Men accents made us laugh and cry

but we couldn’t agree on whether Lennie had to die.
Eddie Carbone had us somewhat perplexed
and his treatment of 'B' left us terribly vexed.
You were a sea of bafflement with Dickens’ words  
but rejoiced at the change that Scrooge had incurred.

~~~~~~ 

It’s time to rewind and go back to the start

of the GCSE dawn;  the very first part.

You cautiously shuffled up to my door,

wondering what horrors I had in store.

You looked at me with expressions of dread;

“A colourful bunch,” I quietly said.

Extroverts, introverts, big mouths and small,

the class of ’09 just had them all!

  
~~~~~~

You lived through the pain of subordinate clauses,

my ‘evil’ looks and expectant pauses.

We got to grips with papers one and two-

It was painful at best but you got through.

Ms. _______ and I, what a dynamic pair!

Between us we made sure that you were prepared.

You could count on her to keep out the gloom,

and constantly lose her keys in my room.

~~~~~~ 

As GCSE fledglings you came through my door,

unaware of the horrors that I had in store.

Through two years of poems, texts and plays,

you have made me smile in so many ways.

~~~~~~

You got stuck in to the weekly writing tasks

where some talent emerged; it’d been unmasked!

For some of you though it showcased the bizarre;

writing ridiculous things that left me quite scarred.

Your competitive natures saw you excel;

you wanted to be better and do everything well.

As a result, most are working at their best

and will surpass themselves in the final test.

~~~~~~

Our time together draws to a close

so here are some verses that I have composed.
They chart the highs and lows that we’ve shared,
so make yourself comfy – I hope you’re prepared.

~~~~~~ 

Conclusions end essays and this poem too;

I’m incredibly proud of each one of you.

It’s time to leave the ‘nest’ so go ahead and fly

and with a heavy heart, I must now say Goodbye.