What She SaidAutumn/Winter

What She SaidAutumn/Winter 2014

Editor in Chief: Rachel Sneddon

Editorial Team:Joanna CummingsJonny McIntoshBecky Brown

Contributors:Catiy KitsenCarolyn McKennaAnna HafsteinssonVanessa HindshawElly Liyana Ruslan

Designer:Rachel Sneddon

Photographers:Or HiltchChris FordRalph ThompsonMaga SotoNicola BortoliBrittanie Pendleton

Cover image © Brittanie Pendleton.All images are copyright of What She Said unless otherwise stated.What She Said is for non-commerical purposes only.

EDITOR’S LETTER

Welcome to Issue 2 of What She Said. This issue is focused on the theme of HOME as winter is fast approaching and it’s time to hibernate under some chunky knits. Those on the other side of the pond, where everything is heating up, we’re sure you’ll still find things in here to tickle your fancy and get you excited for autumn when it comes.

Inside you will find our favourite cosy fashion from this sea-son’s lines, perfect for snuggling up indoors or escaping out on winter walks. We have a run-down of all the best Etsy shops for great gift ideas (all home-made too!). The Clapton Pot, London’s most welcoming supper club, have given us the low-down on the best way to host your own neighbourhood soireé this winter & Vanessa Hindshaw and Elly Liyana Ruslan let us privy to their incredible creations and tell us what inspires them.

Thank you to all the contributors and photographers for being involved, A+ for all of you. And of course thanks to the readers - please get in touch with any enquiries at whatshesaidmagazine@gmail.com.

Rachel

CONTENTS

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This season’s fashion must-haves

Photography - every day moments captured on film

Books - what to read this winter

The Clapton Pot tells us all about their supper club success

This month’s recipes - comfort food to get us through the winter

Store-cupboard beauty treats to try

Home Comforts - Great Etsy gift ideas for a cosy abode

Some meditations on what it means to be home

Vanessa Hindshaw talks to us about her work

Feel inspired by the beautiful illustrations by Elly Liyana Ruslan

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the wake of summer

Out with the old, in with the new.

Autumn and Winter are a fashion lover’s paradise. With layer upon layer on offer, the possibilities to reinvent looks again and again are truly endless. We here at What She Said believe these are the most beautiful seasons - although often a bit volatile. So here’s the run down of our top picks from the High Street to build a wardrobe not only fashionable but functional. Think big cosy coats, tall leather boots and snug scarves. If you’re feeling particularly festive, why not layer it all up and track down a piping hot mug of mulled wine.

Zara – £89.99

Topshop – £89

Zara – £69.99

COS – £150

Zara – £159.99

Zara – £75

H&M – £24.99

Topshop– £85

H&M – £34.99

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Melancholy were the sounds on a winter’s night

– Virginia Woolf11

H&M – £19.99

Accessorize – £22

Office – £110

Topshop – £36

Topshop – £18

Vagabond @ UO – £160

Zara – £19

Zara – £39

H&M – £6.99

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Top Picks

This combination of cool and warm tones is a perfect way to prepare for the changing season. Top it off with a pair of dark

skinny jeans and a classic fur cossack (go faux like this Topshop favourite at just £22) and the look is complete.

Images © Zara, Office, Topshop, H&M, Accessorize, COS, Urban Outfitters

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NATuRE’S GIFTSThe kitchen cupboard is a gold mine for natural beauty secrets.

Why spend hundreds of pounds each year on shop-bought “natural” products when everything you need can be found at your local

supermarket? People have been using these tricks for centuries, so why not give them a try yourself?

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Avocado

The trusty avocado. This little fruit is packed with all the good stuff, which works wonders when eaten or used as a beauty product. Slices of avocado rested under the eye will help with dark circles and bags, but you can also just mash it up and use it as a cooling face mask. The texture of the avocado works perfectly as a natural moisturiser.

Green tea is a miracle worker. Every time I come down with a bug, I drink pints of the stuff and swear by its healing properties. My favourite use for green tea is to remove pesky dark circles and puffiness around the eyes. You can either use the teabags (cold, of course) and pop them straight over the eyes for five minutes, or you can make little green tea ice cubes which are fantastic for soothing sore, puffy eyes.

Everyone knows about the magic of coconut oil. It is one of the healthiest fats going and makes a delicious healthy alternative to processed oils such as vegetable oil and sunflower oil. It also smells amazing, which is why it works so well on hair. It makes the perfect hair mask, and is super easy to do. Just melt a few tablespoons of coconut oil in the microwave and wait for it to cool down. Then apply it to wet hair like a normal hair mask, and let it soak in for 5 minutes. But make sure to rinse well with warm water!

Not just the food of the gods, but the face-mask too. Honey is an incredible cleanser and moisturiser. Get some runny honey and gently apply to the face (don’t lick it all off). Let it sit for a few minutes and then rinse with warm water. Your skin will thank you after, trust me.

Banana

Banana is also terrific for hair. Add mashed banana and egg whites to your coconut hair mask and you’ll have the shiniest, healthiest hair ever. The pro-tein in the egg whites works to strengthen the follicle while the banana and coconut oil work to moisturise and create shine. But for this one - RINSE IN COLD WATER or the egg whites will cook in your hair. Yuck.

Green Tea

Coconut Oil

Honey

HOME COMFORTSthe best from the web

With winter fast approaching more time will be spent indoors, so why not perk up your interiors with some of our top picks from independent

retailers and crafters on Etsy. com

GABRIELLE VARyWe can’t get enough of these gorgeous knitted tex-tiles from Gabrielle Vary. All finished by hand in the finest locally sourced lambswool, each item is completely one of a kind. We particularly love these patterned pillows and soft knitted throws.

KNOB CREEK Who doesn’t love a good set of book ends? These quirky and eye-catching sets from Knob Creek in Louisville, Kentucky are bound to look fantastic on your bookshelf. The designs range from humorous to beautiful, and there is a style to suit everyone. What’s better is that they offer to create custom and personalised designs, so these would make the perfect gift.

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POMME FRITESNothing beats reading a book on a frosty evening by candlelight. These scented candles by Pomme Frites, based in LA, are all ethically made using soy wax in their home-studio. They smell absolutely divine and we particularly love “Amber and Moss” for the festive months.

TExTuRABLE DECORWhat is fabulous about the internet is that you can source things world-wide. Texturable Decor is based in Uruguay and brings some much needed South American charm to our lives. Their ethically sourced and dyed yarn is spun into cosy blankets and pillows, ready to curl up in on a cold winter’s night.

OH, LITTLE RABBITOh, Little Rabbit is apparently a saying that means “Oh my Goodness!” and this is how we felt when we found this shop on Etsy. All hand-drawn and printed, these little works of art make a fantas-tic addition to any home.

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EMILy BEAuTyColour-magpies look no further than Emily Beauty’s shop on Etsy. If your house looks like a rainbow or you’re looking to inject some more colour, we love these bright, patterned cushion covers. We particular-ly love the world-map design, which would be a perfect gift for any traveller.

MARy KILVERTMary Kilvert’s colourful animal patterns bring a big dose of fun into the household. If you’re in the Somerset area, check out her shop in Frome for some quirky patterned mugs and fun cosy cush-ions. Everyone else can find her on Etsy.com.

ROCKy TOP SOAPThese fantastic soaps promote the simple way of life - no essential oils of fragrances are ever added. In-stead what you have is a simple and effective block of soap, made in the heartland of Maine. These are the perfect gift for people who suffer from allergies, as their straight for-ward formulas won’t irritate the skin.

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meditation we ask some nomads and settlers to meditate on home

You’re twenty-four years old.

You’re in a different country than the one you were raised in.

Your family is 13,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean.

And you haven’t been able to make a distinct connection with anyone from around here just yet and you are uncertain of the reasons why.

Perhaps your humour is just different from the others.

Perhaps you don’t have the energy for meaningless, superficial small talk anymore.

You often think about moving back home, a place where you are familiar, known, welcomed, noticed.

But among the few years of travelling, you’ve come to realise that with every return trip more and more has changed. Even going back to your parents’ house wouldn’t feel like home any longer.

One.

Being on the road isn’t as comfortable as it was a few years ago when your sense of wanderlust was leading the way.

Sometimes you worry you are stuck in this moment. Stuck in this limbo between travelling and the unfamil-iar and being at home.

Take a deep breath in, exhale.

Perhaps home isn’t a place at all. For if it was, would it be this hard to find?

Perhaps growing up with the boun-tiful family that you have been blessed with and the mix of travel-ling solo for a few years has led you to define home as being able to live within your own skin, to be at ease and in a serene state of mind.

But be wary of confusing this with happiness. No, you don’t believe home is just meant to be a happy place.

Maybe to be home is to find com-fort even in the most uncomfortable situations.

Meditation within traffic.

God willing, you still hope to pack up those bags and continue travel-ling, seeking out new experiences and interests while growing within yourself. You have been doing this for quite some time now.

Maybe that is what it means to be home, to connect with those kindred souls who live all over this world.

For they say home is people, not

places. And with each person you connect with you are able to con-sider them your very own little pieces of the home you’re forever building within yourself.

You’re twenty-four years old.

You’re in a different country than the one you were raised in.

Your family is 13,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean.

But you are still home.

Images - Nicola Bortoli and Brittanie Pendleton

- Catiy Kitsen.

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© Chris Ford

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You stand in a field surrounded by family. Light falls from the proper angles, wind blows from the proper direction, shadows are composed of friendly shapes. Home. Simple nourishment, harmonious rhythms. A fertile tomb where the spirits of ancestors brood over the unbroken seeds of the future. Long green waves swell and ebb across time. The rustle of relatives is a melody. The weather is kind. Nothing will ever change.

Wright, Stephen; Meditations in Green.

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Three.In a second-hand, vintage frame which is poised strategically by the front door, an embroidered plaque reads a much recognisable little ditty to remind me that “Home is where the heart is”. I’ve taken some time to ponder over this phrase that is so often penned onto greetings cards, tea towels, and novelty mugs to reflect upon what home means to me. What makes home, home?

Currently I live in a small beach town on the east coast of Australia, on the other side of the world from where I was brought up. My par-ents and brothers live in one place, myself in another. I have done so since I was eighteen, spanning three different countries and almost more houses and apartments than I can count on my fingers.

Last year it was with slight trepida-

tion that I crammed the essentials into my mum’s 70’s hiking rucksack and left what was familiar behind. I came across to Australia to take a look around so to speak, though it didn’t take long before I settled in one place. I figured that if I was going to move, I might as well set off to a destination as far away as possible and make my way back. I certainly needed to shake things up a little, and I think we all need to find it in ourselves to take a big leap into the unknown. Now this paradise where I live is where I call home. I’ve learnt to embrace the new, and I continue to take regular little leaps in the hope that jumping around will ensure I make the most of my time here. Soak it all in, and give it all you’ve got, it won’t be home forever. There’s a whole world out there I need to take in before I can let myself sit still.

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Toying with the simple phrase that home is where the heart is I’ve found a different wording that I prefer: “home is not a place, it’s a feel-ing”. I’d rather see that phrase as a reminder, written in beautiful callig-raphy of course, framed, and hung by my door, because for me it sings with more truth to the way I live my life right now.

I can’t define any one place as my home, for starters it must sound as though my heart and body are too busy leaping around on mini adven-tures to stay put for too long, but I do like the thought of home being somewhere that I feel connected to. I think that home is somewhere we should feel happy, and where we can be ourselves. I think that we can feel at home in more than one place because there is something instinc-tive in our nature which encourages

us to connect to our surroundings. We try to make a place feel like home, and if it doesn’t quite meas-ure up, we move on until we are content to stop for a while.

Essentially, I believe home is a sense of self. I think there are elements of our selves which blossom bright-est under certain conditions and in specific places, and that by moving from place to place, I am continually learning about who I am in the pres-ent, and who i will become when thetime comes to pack up and move on once again.

- Carolyn McKenna

images © Chris Ford

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To Kill a MockingbirdHarper Lee

What really is there left to be said about this book? Nothing you’ve not already heard. It’s a hugely important novel and should be read by everyone. If you wer-en’t forced to read it at school, now is the time!

“When a child asks you something, answer him, for goodness sake. But don’t make a produc-tion of it. Children are children, but they can spot an evasion faster than adults, and evasion simply muddles ‘em.”

What She Read

All the Pretty HorsesCormac McCarthy

It took me a while to get to grips with McCa-rthy’s narrative style (there are no speech marks) but once you get over that, you are left with an incredible read. Absolutely loved it. It made me want to become a cowboy almost immediately. Where’s my hat?

“They rode at once jaunty and circum-spect, like thieves newly loosed in that dark electric, like young thieves in a glowing orchard.”

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell

Susanna Clarke

At 800 pages this book was a challenge, but a rewarding one at that. If you hate historical fiction then veer away from this one, but don’t let the historical aspects put you off entirely. It’s an enthralling com-bination of fantasy, history and magic, and Susanna Clarke does a great job at keeping the reader’s attention throughout.

“To be more precise it was the color of heart-ache.”

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The BookshopPenelope Fitzgerald

This is a funny little book. It’s very short and an easy read to race through. Penelope Fitzgerald is a fan-tastic writer and her prose reads beautifully. However don’t expect this to be a pleasant portrayal of parochial british life, for this little book about a village that doesn’t want a bookshop is much more complex than this.

“Morality is seldom a safe guide for human conduct.”

The StandStephen King

If you like Stephen King, you won’t be disappointed by this book. For those who have yet to read one, this is definitely a good place to start. It’s horror and fantasy at its finest, and is widely acclaimed to be one of his best works. I still worry that the gov-ernment will release a virus onto the world which will kill us all - if you do too then maybe don’t read this.

“That was an act of pure human fuckery.”

One DayDavid Nicholls

A much read, much loved book. Every time I reach the end of this tale of fate and love I want to hurl it across the room and hide under my duvet for the day. A beautiful book for anyone who likes a love story without the sickly conventions of the romance genre.

“Cherish your friends, stay true to your princi-ples, live passionately... Experience new things. Love and be loved, if you ever get the chance.”

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28 VANESSA HINDSHAW

How would you describe your design style?

► I would say that my design style is both illustrative and com-positional. My prints often combine con-versational imagery alongside expressive mark making and are

also influenced by colour relationships. My designs tend to be quite varied as I enjoy work-ing with bold pattern ideas as well as illustra-tive imagery. However I’d like to think that these two visual genres are brought together through my own aes-thetic style.

Where does your inspiration come from?

► My most recent work was inspired by a collection of personal travel photography taken throughout Scot-land. I like to translate a range of shapes, colours and textures

within my printmak-ing so using travel photography with a range of visual media really appealed to me. Scandinavian design has also been a huge influence. I love the use of colour and shape applied there as well as a more sustainable attitude and approach towards production. British textile designers such a Lucienne Day working in the post-war period have also had a huge influence on my work. Their innova-tive approach towards design and utility continue to motivate my own practice within printmaking.

Our designer of the season is Vanessa Hindshaw, a new grad-uate from Glasgow School of Art destined for big things. See her work at:www.cargocollective.com/vanessahindshaw

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all images © Vanessa Hindshaw

30 Why were you drawn to textiles over other forms and expressions of art and design?

► I think what drew me towards textiles was the idea of working with something that allowed me to translate a personal visual lan-guage but also offered the idea of functional-ity. I always felt drawn towards the practicality of screen-printing as I really enjoy the physi-cal making side of print design. I also like the idea that textiles can be interpreted and used differently for a whole range of functions, often

over time they develop significant meaning to their owners.

What process do you go through when you create a new piece of work?

► Lots of drawing! At the start of a project I like to use a whole host of drawing and hand printing techniques and then I refine a lot of my ideas through collage and digital approaches. Some of my favour-ite processes include pencil line drawing as well as expressive ink painting and lino print-ing. Colour also plays an important role, I use

gouache paint to create colour swatches and palettes which help to inform and develop my print designs.

What would be your dream commission?

► I would love to work for the Finnish design brand Marimekko. They have such an exciting history within printmaking and their aesthetic style and design ethos have definitely influenced my own approach. I would say that above all I value quality design which has been made to last and has also

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31been produced using sustainable and ethical methods. Working with a company such as Marimekko which share these values would be amazing.

Who are your favourite designers just now?

► One of my favourites right now has to be the illustrator Claire Softely. I find the contemporary use of mark making and collage in her illustra-tions really exciting. I also recently discovered a beautiful series of vin-tage book covers from the 1960s designed by Mario Dagrada. Also the

fashion brand Minä Per-honen always produce really wearable and timeless clothes with a focus on quality print-making.

What would you say is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

► A friend and fellow designer once told me to persevere with my own style in my final year at art school. I think a lot of people feel the need to heav-ily commercialise their designs in order to sell more but its important not to lose your per-sonality within your

work. Also there isn’t a right or wrong way of making work, people develop ideas differ-ently but that’s what’s exciting!

Lastly, what are the top three items from your home that you could not live without?

► My digital radio as I love to listen to music while I work. I’d also have to include my growing collection of plants and flowers in my bedroom as they really brighten up the space and lastly my blue patchwork quilt that my mum made for me!

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33ELLy LIyANA RuSLAN

How did you get into illustration?

► When I was 17, I stumbled upon a Livejournal community where people would share their art jour-

nals and that’s how I got really interested in drawing almost every-day. That was 10 years ago.

Where does your inspiration come from? Do you have a favourite subject to paint or draw?

► Everything. In sto-ries, movies, dreams, music and people. It’s often connected to how I feel towards something. Sometimes ideas come at the most unlikely times though. Mostly when I am about to sleep, I would get

random ideas going through my mind. So, I always have a notebook beside me to scribble down those passing thoughts. The subject matter that I seem to be attracted to are people in a sense of predicament. That look when someone is in the midst of deep thought appeals to me. There is something beautiful about captur-ing that very moment.

What is your favourite medium to work with and why?

► I love working with

Elly Liyana is our Illus-trator for Autumn and Winter. Her beautifully intricate drawings perfectly encompass the feeling of a cold winter’s afternoon and we can’t help but get a chill when we see her work.

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pencil the most because I have learned to be more in control and precise with it.

Do you experiment with dif-ferent styles and mediums or do you tend to stick with what you’ve found to work in the past?

► I like learning new things and mixing them up. I’ve cre-ated some different variety of things throughout the years. I’ve worked with ink, thread, digi-tal and oil. Sometimes, I would watch tutorials on Youtube just to figure out how to do a tech-nique. Never too late to learn something new. I don’t really have one particu-lar style in my work because I’ve changed as time goes by and naturally my work changes too. There were times I would think a completely different person could have done some of the work I did.

Some of your pieces are so intricate – how long does it take to finish one of your more detailed drawings?

► It takes about 2 - 5 days to complete a more detailed drawing with 10hrs each day. It also depends on the size of the work and my attention span. The internet can be so distracting sometimes with all these silly cat videos!

What’s your favourite project

to have worked on or been involved in?

► I’ve been fortunate enough to be involved with Secret 7” for Record Store Day UK since it started in 2012. Illustrating vinyl sleeves for a good cause with proceeds going to charities like Teenage Cancer Trust and War Child. I’ve illustrated one of a kind vinyl sleeve designs for some musicians like Ben Howard, Florence + the Machine, Black Sabbath and Bombay Bicycle Club.

You post a lot of music on your blog - what are your top choices for music to listen to while you work?

► I love listening to music while I work and my neighbours probably hate me because it will be on maximum volume all day. Sometimes it would influ-ence me in my work, giving me some random ideas to add on in the composition. I go through a different phase every week. My recent choices for music the last month or so are Arcade Fire, Daughter, Ta-ku and at the moment I’m being accompa-nied by soul soothing vibes by Nujabes.

What is the last book you read?

► The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. Such a wonderful book. I highly recommend it to every-

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one. It is one of the most inspiring books I’ve ever read. Anyone can relate to it. In fact, I plan to name my future cat, Santiago.#

Lastly, this issue is all about home - so what does “home” mean to you?

► Home isn’t just one particular place, it is made up of many different things. Home is where my heart is and a bit of my heart is left in all the places I’ve been to and all the people I’ve met in this life.

► For more information on Elly’s work and to purchase prints and other beautiful products, visit - www.ellyliyana.com

all images © Elly Liyana Ruslan

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MEMORIES MADEFadeFor this issue, we looked for photography which portray those moments of in-between. The little snippets of time which pass almost unrecognised as we go about our daily lives. These moments make up the most of our life so we’ve decided to celebrate their beauty.

Photographers:

yulya BalaevaMaga SotoRalph ThompsonChris Ford& Or Hiltch

MEMORIES MADE

© yulya Balaeva

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© Maga Soto

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© Ralph Thompson

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© Chris Ford

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© Maga Soto

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© Or Hiltch

© Or Hiltch

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© Maga Soto

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© yulya Balaeva

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© Maga Soto

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Firstly, what is the Clapton Pot?

► The Clapton Pot is a free dinner party that I run once a month with my good friend Violaine Verry. We both live in Clapton, North East London, and alternate between our respective homes for each event. I moved to London two years ago and have lived in Clapton since then. Although it’s within easy reach of central London, it feels a bit like a little village here. I love the feeling of community and I think I’d struggle to find anywhere else in London I’d rather call home.

Where did the idea for a free supper club come from and how did the Clapton Pot actually start?

► Violaine founded the Clapton Pot early in 2013 with a friend who also lived in the area. Whilst food is undeniably an important part of its DNA, the main impetus behind The Clapton Pot was to create a relaxed way of meeting new people in the area. I had attended The September Clapton Pot on 2013 and, having been quite inspired, wrote a little blog post contemplating the idea of starting my own event. Violaine then wrote to me a few months later after her previous partner could no longer host and floated the idea of joining forces. And the rest is history!

Breaking Bread

The colder seasons are perfect for evenings in with food, wine and friends. But what to do if you’re not friends with foodies, no one has room in their poky flat for a dinner party, or you’re new to an area? We spoke to Anna from Clapton’s own free supper club, The Clapton Pot, for the perfect solution to these dinner party woes.

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Dinner is free because we want guests to arrive free of expecta-tion. Most proper ‘Supper Clubs’ in London charge upwards of £30 for dinner. Charging guests would mean that we’d feel a certain pressure to deliver a meal worthy of the price-tag – and that’s not the point of our events. We liken the The Clapton Pot to a casual dinner with friends, only the guests at the table are generally strangers! We aim to cook hearty and tasty food that you’d be happy to eat around any friendly kitchen table.

How does the evening work? Do you keep a stash of party games close by in case conversation goes stale?

► No we don’t – but that is a pretty good idea! I do love a good game

of Articulate. When guests arrive at our dinners they’re usually a little bit apprehensive. Turning up at an unknown house for a dinner with people you’ve never met is, of course, a slightly strange experience. Vio-laine and I have learnt to stop what-ever we’re doing in the kitchen about half an hour before guests arrive and make sure the table is set and there’s some music on the go. This creates a welcoming atmosphere and helps guests to feel like they’ve come to the right place! Once all the guests have arrived, done introductions and had a glass of wine everyone tends to relax into the evening. We keep everything as informal as possi-ble and encourage guests to help themselves to wine and pass food around. We want everyone to feel at home and to be able to get to know each other in a relaxed environment.

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This approach has seemed to work well so far – we generally enjoy a night of lively and varied conversa-tion. Violaine and I have often talked about how interesting it is to put a bunch of strangers around a dinner table. unlike dining with old friends you don’t have gossipy conversation to fall back on. Topics covered have been varied, ranging from the sub-lime to the ridiculous. From Tinder, to ‘Chamois-Panties’ (discreet padded underwear for lady cyclists) to opin-ions on the rapidly changing local area – we’ve covered a lot of ground!

Have you been surprised at how successful your supper clubs have been so far? Why do you think people are so eager to come along?

► yes and no. I think from an outsid-

er’s perspective, London can seem a bit of a cold and unfriendly place where people aren’t really interested in experiencing things beyond their comfort zone. I’m sure there are thousands of Londoners who live lives like this. I think there are these amazing little pockets of London that have got a real sense of commu-nity about them where people are always looking to meet new friends or even collaborators for different projects. Clapton is definitely one of those areas and I think that’s why The Clapton Pot has been successful so far. It was through attending one dinner that I ended up co-hosting The Clapton Pot and meeting a lot of other interesting people along the way, so it goes to show that meeting a room full of strangers can often lead to something quite exciting!

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Have you had any unlucky eve-nings or mishaps along the way?

► There’s one dinner that we return to when we get asked this question. It was a world-cup month and we hadn’t had a chance to do much for-ward planning. Not because we were watching loads of football, we were both just very busy. Nonetheless we ploughed ahead with our ‘Brazil-ian’ menu which had been hastily cobbled together via email. Black beans that wouldn’t soften, a literal flop of a meringue – it was definitely an unlucky evening in the kitchen! To make matters worse there were some proper ‘foodies’ attending that night … At the end of the day, though, its free dinner! So we don’t beat ourselves up when these things happen – we just carry on with a smile and get on with enjoying the

night (and guests tend to do the same!).

What’s been your favourite Clap-ton Pot supper so far and why?

► The one that sticks in my mind is a dinner we hosted in my base-ment. I realise that sounds terrify-ing, and our guests were indeed a little apprehensive being led down the rickety stairs, but the den-like atmosphere with fairy lights and candles aplenty delighted them all! The underground setting fostered a real sense of magic that night and most left in the wee hours still reeling from the great conversations and stories shared.

What advice would you give for someone considering setting up a supper club in their town/city?

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► Firstly, I’d decide what you want to get out of it. We run The Clap-ton Pot to meet new people and enjoy some good food in a relaxed atmosphere. Some run Supper Clubs more as a way of testing out their culinary skills so it’s something more akin to a ‘pop-up’ restaurant. Others run their events as a way of raising money for a charity. All reasons are worthy! But once you know why you’re doing it, it will be easier to figure out who the kind of event you want to put on, what you’ll need to do it and who you’re marketing it to. It’s always worth scoping out whether anyone else is doing some-thing similar in your area. If they are, talk to them and try to get a feel for how things have worked for them so far and, ultimately if there’s room for another similar event. Other than that I’d say ‘enjoy it’ – cooking and

socialising with new people is fun, so don’t take things too seriously.

Lastly, how do you go about sign-ing up to be a dinner guest and can anyone apply?

► you don’t have to apply to be a guest! We usually launch tickets on twitter and facebook around ten days before an event and they’re allocated on a first come, first served basis. All you have to do is enter your name and email into our booking website and the free seat at The Clapton Pot will be yours!

For a sneak peak into what goes on at our dinners check out our website and blog www.theclaptonpot.com

all images © Anna Hafsteinsson and Violaine Verry

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Everyone can bake. With the right recipes, even the biggest kitchen-phobe can rustle

up a warm winter treat. Here are some simple and tasty recipes for those who want to bake but maybe don’t have the skills or even the time to prepare something on a grand scale. These rustic treats don’t need to look beautiful - it’s all about taste!

Miam Miam!

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For the pastry250g/9oz plain flourpinch of salt140g/5oz hard margarine or butter6 tsp cold water

For the filling3-4 large Bramley cooking apples, sugar, to tastecaster sugar, to serveCinnamon (optional)

Method► Chop and stew the apples with sugar for sweetness until softened but not mushy.► Add cinnamon to the stewed apples if desired (we think it adds a festive kick!). ► Allow to cool.

To make the pastry:► After sieving the flour and salt into a mixing bowl, use your fingers to rub in the margarine until the mix is the consistency of fine bread crumbs. ► Add the cold water and mix until the pastry is a good colour and consist-ency for rolling.► Cut the mixture into two and roll the first out so it covers the base of your dish comfortably (around a 20cm base) then trim the edges.► Add the filling and sprinkle with sugar if needed. ► Take the second half of the pastry and roll out. Moisten the edge of the bottom layer of pastry before placing the second on top and sealing with fingers. Trim edges with a knife. ► Using the extra pastry from the trimmed edges (if any) make a cute detail like the leaves on our pie!► Prick the surface of the pastry with a fork before putting in an oven of 200°C for 20-30 minutes. ► Allow to cool then sprinkle with caster sugar to serve.

Miam Miam!

Apple Pie

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Scottish Oatcakes

230g oats65g whole-wheat flourPinch of bicarbonate of soda65g butter1 tsp salt1/2 tsp sugar65-80ml hot water ► ► ► ►

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Gypsy Creams► In a large bowl, mix the flour, oats, salt, sugar and bicarbonate of soda. ► Rub in the butter until the mixture has the consistency of bread crumbs.► Make sure the water is hot when you add it to the mix. Add a little at a time to form a thick dough, you don’t want to over-water the mixture so be careful (the amount of water depends on the type of oats used).► On a work surface sprinkle some flour and oats before rolling out the dough to around half a centimetre in thickness. ► Use a cutter or glass to form the dough into circles. ► Bake on a baking tray at 190°C for 25-30 minutes.► When the oatcakes are golden brown, remove from oven and allow to cool.

1 Teacupful Rolled Oats4oz Plain flour3oz sugar2oz Margarine2oz Lard (this can be substituted with a Veggie alternative like Trex)1tsp Baking Powder1/2 teaspoon Bicarbonate of soda1 tsp of syrup melted in 3 of water1/4 teaspoon of vanilla essence

► Cream the fats and sugar to form a smooth paste. Add the vanilla essence, then fold in the flour, bicar-bonate and baking powder, stir in the syrup and lastly add the oats. ► Roll into marble sized balls and place on a baking tray lined with baking paper.► Bake at 160 degree for 15 mins.► Make a butter icing and sandwich two of the sides together. Et Voilà!

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m mentsome ing

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This recipe was passed down to me from my mother who used to use this as a good recipe for cooking with children. It’s so simple that even the most inex-perienced baker can make these without worry. Not only that, but they are the most delicious cheese scones ever. Try them as a replacement to bread beside a piping hot bowl of soup this winter.

Ingredients (makes 10-12)

► 360g Self Raising Flour► 90g Margarine (We like Stork)► 90g of Grated Mature Cheddar ► A Good Pinch of Salt and Pepper► Good Splash of Milk to Mix (around 150 ml)

Method

► Sieve together the flour, salt and pepper in a big bowl. ► Using your fingers, rub in the margarine.► Add the grated cheese.► With the milk, mix to a soft dough, making sure it is neither too dry or too sticky while saving a little milk for later.► Pat the dough out to around a 2cm thick-ness.►Shape the mixture into scones. If you have a scone cutter, this will come in handy but otherwise you can use a wine glass as a make-shift stencil.► Place scones on a lightly greased baking tray and brush tops with remaining milk.► Bake for 10 - 15 minutes at 220°C. ► Allow to cool on a wire rack before eating with lashings of butter!

Children’s Cheese Scones

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merci.

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