Tara's Busy Kitchen (and other stories)

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Sicilian Night – Dinner With Friends.

7th September 2018 2400 × 1600 Sicilian Night – Dinner With Friends.

Sicilian Night - Dinner With Friends.

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taraskitchen75

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I recently read an article by @fleurbritten in @theststyle whilst eating a raspberry brioche at one of my favourite cafes that made me stop and think. The article said “Are you suffering from Toxic Positivity?” It instantly made me sit up and think that maybe I am. It started with “Do you have fear of being mean? (Yes) Do you ensure that everyone is always ‘in like’ with you?.......(Yes)...” According to American psychologists, Toxic Positivity is “the excessive and ineffective overgeneralisation of a happy and optimistic state across all situations.” These psychologists also added in a recent post on their website that “When positivity is used to silence the human experience, it becomes toxic.”
Well, it struck me that I spend quite a lot of my time acting. Acting that all is fine and dandy when of course it can’t possibly be 100% of the time. Life most certainly isn’t like that. I/we have disappointments and struggle with things but when asked if all is ok reply “yes”. Being constantly upbeat and positive about things can have a negative impact on me/you/us. It’s actually ok to feel anti something. It doesn’t make me a negative nelly. I am guilty of thinking “life’s too short to be unhappy” or saying to myself “positive thoughts only” that it’s numbing my true feelings. I’ve got to get a grip (you see, there I go again! 😂) and get my head around the fact that it’s ok not to be ok! The article goes on and is well worth a read if you can find it online somewhere. If not there are numerous other articles along the same thread that you might find interesting. It’s food for thought... 👌🏻
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#foodforthought #toxicpositivity #stylemagazine #article #teaandcake #coffeebreak #coffee #latte #mentalhealth #positivity #negativity #norightorwrong #momentoftruth #truthhurts #mindfulness #mindset #itsoknottobeok

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Three weeks ago I was living the high life in New York with my sister. It already seems like a distant memory. Time seems to be moving so fast don’t you think? In fact in another 3 weeks we will be in 2020. I am really hoping that it will be my year. 🙏🏻 .
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#newyork #newyorkcity #newyorklife #highline #meatpackingdistrict #saturday #weekending #holiday #vacation #clouds #cars #sistersquad #familytime #thepineapplethief #showtime #westchelsea #hellskitchen #weekendaway #longweekend #weekendvibes

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Pre 12/12 sunshine.. then things got pretty shady.. .
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There was something about the light in that moment. Bath you beauty..😍
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#election #generalelection #saveournhs #forthemanynotthefew #thatlightingtho #sunshine #wintersun #bath #somerset #december #arches #momentsofmine #darlingmovement #darlingdaily #daytrip #staycation #tarasbusykitchenontour #tarasbusykitchen

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Put a smile on your face and the faces of many others by shopping small this Saturday. It’s #smallbusinesssaturday everybody so get out and spend a few pounds in the not so big stores. The stores in your towns and city which are the beating heart of your community. Pounds spent in smaller, independently owned shops instantly make an impact. I have found that you always get great service mostly because you deal directly with the shop owner. Don’t forget that shopping small is more than heading to your local store. There are businesses that offer a service like @willow_wellbeing and her aromatherapy massage and reflexology or @ombexeter who offer a skill like learning to bake delicious breads and pastries. (They do vouchers btw 😉) If you find yourself out shopping for your Christmas gifts today you will find that most stores will gift wrap free of charge for you which is a win win wouldn’t you say? That’s an evening back that you would have spent Christmas wrapping that you could spend down at your local pub!! Once again putting money back into your community. #cheers 🍻
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#smallbusiness #chocolate #independent #independentbusiness #womeninbusiness #saturday #weekend #weekendvibes #christmas #christmasshopping #shopsmall #tarasbusykitchen #localbusiness #community #communityspirit #mypassion #friends #giftwrapping #elfontheshelf #highstreet photo credit @angel.wade 💗 and @chloeuptonstudio 💗 (Contains businesses that I have worked with over the years blogging. I have never been paid to post for them but have received gifts by way of thanks.)

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Lunching done right. .
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Truffles ✔️
Beetroot✔️
Cheese✔️
Greens✔️
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Doesn’t it look good? I miss girlie lunches with a cheeky glass of something cold and dry. I need to get some dates in my diary. Anyone free?💚💗💛
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#newyorkcity #eataly #eatallthefood #girlswhoeat #newyorkfood #newyork #lunch #lunchdate #italian #holiday #holidays #vacation #italianfood #food #foodie #tarasbusykitchenontour #thepineapplethief #sistersquad #usa #girls #downtown

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Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? I have never really been one to get caught up in the hype when it comes to Christmas. I tend to leave things to the last minute when it comes to decorating and celebrating. The only thing I start early is my mince pie consumption! 🤣 🥧😂 I believe that it shouldn’t be about how much we spend and what we get but about spending time with the people that are important to us. That’s why I will be gifting items that I have made, have found in secondhand and vintage stores or are made locally and sustainably by talented artisans purchased in independent stores. I don’t know about you but I would much rather open a present that someone had spent time making or searching for in a secondhand shop. Time = Love 💜
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How do you feel about Christmas? Are your decorations up? Have you just started buying gifts or are you done, dusted and wrapped? 🎁
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This is little old me doing a bit of Christmas reconnaissance through the spectacular Christmas window display at @ngngdesign 🎄
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#christmas #christmastree #wreath #shopping #vintage #secondhandfirst #homemadegifts #giving #artofgiving #throughthewindow #winter #presents #giftideas #gift #sharethelove #peaceandlove #greenery #sharethelove #special #exeter #moments #timeislove

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This time last week I was lunching in style at @osteriadellapace in and amongst the food lovers dream of @eatalydowntown - My sister and I had a delicious lunch of octopus carpaccio, pappardelle with mushrooms and truffle and a chicory and beetroot salad. Seriously great food and service with a seriously good view over downtown New York. Not a bad last meal to have in NYC! .
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#eataly #eatalynyc #eatnewyork #newyork #newyorkcity #foodie #italian #italianfood #fresh #tripofalifetime #vacation #citybreak #holiday #lastmeal #visitnewyork #timeoutnewyork #downtownnewyork #tarasbusykitchenontour #tarasbusykitchen #momentsofmine #mylife #family

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True words today of all days.. it’s freezing! 🥶 I recommend a hot chocolate and Strictly on catch up! .
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#hygge #cosy #wrapup #momentslikethese #newyork #newyorkcity #newyorkstyle #sweaterweather #hyggelife #newyorkminute #holiday #sunday #momentsofmine #darlingmovement #darlingweekend #hotchocolate #vacationmode #weekendmood #weekendgetaway #tarasbusykitchen #wintersun

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Who said it was #blackfriday ? Not here chum! 💗🧡💜
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#mynewyork #timeoutnewyork #newyork #groundzero #worldtradecentre #prettycitynewyork #vintage #vintageclothing #secondhand #borrowed #autumnalvibes #newyorker #newyorkmodel #newyorklife #newyorkexplored #visitnewyork #momentsofmine #darlingweekend #weekending #vacation #holiday #newyorkstyle #newyorkststeofmind #brooklyn #secondhandfirst

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© Tara Smith 2018