29 September 2012

the coat

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Mac - Topshop I Top - H&M I Jeans - H&M I Shoes - New Look I Bag H&M



Although I am a little sad to see summer go (hang on, what summer) I am SO excited about wearing, and buying all the yummy A/W pieces. This jacket is actually a couple of years old now, but I love it and couldn’t wait for an excuse to wear it. It's time for the layers to come out people :)

Have a lovely weekend x

27 September 2012

oops




Forgive my lack of post this week friends. I’m going to be honest and tell ya that I have spent the week in Si’s old clothes, as I have been painting up a storm in the house, a white storm. I may have pinterest to blame for it, but since we have found out we are staying put for at least another 2 years I am determined to get the house finished pronto, so we can enjoy it all before we sell (if we sell, who knows?)

So it’s Thursday. I have one white room ready to be made homely and the rest of the house a tip, as I can never seem to just start one job at a time. I could win a medal for the amount of projects I’ve started, and got bored half way through, to then start another. I’m a nightmare.
Happy Thursday people (one more day to go, one more day to go goooo)
 
p.s this picture is of the gorgeous Brighton lanes early one sunny morning (my favourite place)

24 September 2012

i made a cake

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and I would like to share it with you...

Yesterday's weather called for, pj's, snuggles and cake and today's weather is even worse. So I have your remedy.

It's cake.

Chocolate cake.

with white chocolate frosting,

Okay, have you stopped drooling? Here is the recipe,

cake mixture
140g - self raising flour
175g - castor sugar
175g - margarine
40g -  cocoa
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
2 tbsp boiling water
2 tbsp warm milk

White chocolate frosting
500g - icing powder
220g - margarine
300g - white chocolate
1 tbsp - vanilla essence
1 tbsp - milk

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1. Pre-heat your oven to 160 degrees
2. Measure all ingredients out ready to use
3. Place the margarine in the bowl and warm to slightly melt the butter (can be done in the oven or microwave) this makes it easier for mixing, and avoiding lumps.
4. Add in the castor sugar until smooth

5. mix the flour, baking powder and cocoa together and sift into the mixture
6. Add the 3 eggs, vanilla essence
7. Whisk away until you have a smooth, lump free mixture.
8. Use 2 cake baking trays, and spoon out the mixture evenly between the 2

9. Place your cakes on the middle shelf of the oven to bake for 20-25 minutes
10. To check they are done, place a skewer in the middle. If there is no mixture on the skewer when you pull it out, then you are good to go.


Whilst your cake is cooking, you can make your icing.

1. Melt the chocolate
2. Mix the icing sugar, margarine, essence and milk together with a whisk
3. Fold in your melted chocolate

Once your cake has cooked, leave to cool for at least 10 minutes.

Slop on your icing, grab a cup of tea and try not to feel guilty.

 

23 September 2012

weekend snaps

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1. Early breakfast in Brighton town
2. Painting the spare bedroom
3. New shoes
4. Brighton Lanes
5. A visit to the farmers market
6. sweet delights at the farmers market
7. Walking through the Brighton Lanes

I hope everyone had a lovely weekend. (now we have just got to get through 5 days until the next one...)

21 September 2012

to the weekend

 
 
We have nearly made it to the weekend friends, not through trying to make the week go quicker.  (Which my advice would be, to just forget about the weekend, and it soon comes quick enough) My weekend looks a little like this. Decorating, pizza, farmers market, decorating, rugby (watching, not playing) friends, take-away, boot-sale, decorating, baking and a home-made roast.
 
I am taking inspiration from pinterest again, as to cut a long story short, we are staying put in our house for another 2 years (at least) so It’s time to get the paintbrushes out again, and spruce up the place. So if you need me I will be the one listening to One directions new song on repeat, and learning this dance routine. Oh, Talking of cute things and paint.  
Happy weekend guys!


20 September 2012

Happy Birthday {to my blog}

(unfortunatley this isn't my picture, as I didn't have time to make a cake. Maybe tonight though?)
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It was one year ago today, I jumped into the big, bad blogging world. It’s been a journey, and I am still trying to find my feet. I {think} I have loved every minute of it. Some weeks I totally lost my rhythm, and didn’t really see the point, but the majority of the time I have enjoyed documenting my adventures, travels, style and ramblings. I have loved stretching my creativity, and practicing my photography {although I still have a long way to go} so I hope to improve on what I have built already.
Of course I have to thank all you lovely people that have joined me along the way, and there is nothing better than reading your comments, and getting to know people through the blogging world.

So THANK YOU again for joining in. To those that have been there from the start and to all the newbies. :)

p.s If I have time tonight I may just make a proper cake, and then eat it all to myself.

p.p.s if you want to start from the beginning, then here you go

19 September 2012

next time

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Top - Topshop (similar) I Jeans - New Look (similar) I Shoes - New Look I bag (similar)


I don’t know if it is just me, but nearly 2 years after living with Si, we still haven’t got into any routine. But last night I nearly cracked it. Dinner was made (by Si may I add) then we took quick stroll round the village to wind down, then onto a very intense ‘insanity’ work out, a clothes wash was done, the kitchen cleaned, an episode of New Girl was watched. I just didn’t quite have time to finish cleaning the rest of the house. There’s always next time, right?

18 September 2012

epic burgers

{bacon and cheeseburger with a twist}

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Now I’m not the biggest burger fan. I normally go with pizza for my junk food fix, but yesterday I was craving a big, fat meaty burger. As it was shopping day, I was able to grab all the ingredients and scurry home to whip up the burger. I had never made my own burgers before, and wasn’t sure how it was going to turn out. So I went with it and hoped for the best, and boy was it worth it.

I won’t lie, these are not the healthiest, but compared to buying burgers, they are by far a lot better for you. So you will need,

1 pack of mince (600g)
1 red onion
1 egg
Pack of bacon
Cheese
1 tsp Coriander
Salt & pepper (to season)
Tbsp Maple syrup (optional)
Burger buns

This recipe makes 4 large burgers. I only made 2, but placed the others in the freezer for a later date (they can be used within a month of freezing)

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1.       Cut the onion in half, and finely chop one half
2.       Place the mince in the mixing bowl, and add the onion, coriander, salt & pepper, egg and maple syrup (this was a spur of the moment thing, and I’m not even sure it made any difference, but it was so tasty I may just have to recommend it)
3.       Mix it all together
4.       Divide into 4 sections
5.       This is the time to freeze the burgers you are not using, buy wrapping in cling film or a sandwich bag
6.       This is where the twist comes in. Break off a small section (this will be your lid) (below)
7.       Mould the remaining mince into a burger shape, and create a crater in the middle (below)
8.       Now add in your grated cheese (as much or little as you want) (below)
9.       Now use your excess mince to make a flat lid, and mould it all together. (below)
10.   Now wrap the bacon around the burger (as much or little as you please) I used 2  rashers (below)

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11.   Now place in a pre-heated oven at 180 degrees
12.   I placed the burgers on a cooling rack over a tray, so the fat can drop off, so your burger isn’t swimming in grease.
13.   Cook for 30 minutes, turning half way
14.   You can place under the grill for the last 5 minutes to crisp it up a bit.


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The bun is just as vital as the burger it’s self, so whilst the burger is cooking, prep your buns.
This is my perfect burger filling
 
Slice of red onion
Slice of tomato
Handful of salad leaves
Guacamole
Ketchup
 
You can choose anything to accompany your epic burger, but I just have to say it's a must to have it with home cooked sweet potato. To follow this simple recipe head on over here.
 
Now sit back, relax and be amazed at how fresh and good this burger tastes. Enjoy
 
 

 

15 September 2012

5 things this week

a yummy scrummy dinner, using this recipe


a new jumper, with an Owl on it. Everyone needs an owl in their life
{and it was only £14}


catching the last of the summer in my mums garden, because mine sucks.


to randomly jumping in a field 


and finally, going live with a little project I have been working on with the guys from Allium B dresses
They have launched a brand new lifestyle blog to accompany their brand. I would love for you to pop over and follow along...here


have a great weekend guys
x

11 September 2012

The new forest

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Si and I escaped for the weekend into the heart of the New Forest for a spot of camping and exploring. We were so lucky on the weather front, and just about got the last rays of the summer. (Although I don’ think I have ever been so white in my life) We made the most of the weather and spent the day pottering around on the bike, stopping for picnics and obligatory pints at the local pubs. It was honestly one of the best weekends I have had in a long time. I can’t wait till next year...

oh and a little vid




10 September 2012

My picks: winter jackets

 
3. Mango
5. H&M
6. H&M
 
Yes, people it’s nearly time to go out and pick your winter jacket (Is anyone as excited as me?) I love this time of year, although I am sad to see summer go, but let’s face it, we didn’t even notice it had come anyway, so roll on a proper excuse to go out and shop. Here are a few of my picks (ATM) I’m heading in the direction of Topshop for my pick I think, how about you?

6 September 2012

last of summer

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Top - Zara / Jeans- Zara / Bag - H&M / Shoes - New Look
 
 
I’m making the most of the last dribbles of sunshine, as I am certain that after this weekend this poor excuse for summer is going to be over. But I am also looking forward to go winter shopping, for some new boots a coat and plenty of scarves. Us Brits do like to moan, but we really to love the changing seasons. (honest)


4 September 2012

fave

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My favourite picture from the weekend (doesn't he look dashing in that suit) infact, my favourite for a while.
p.s I made a little video of my friends wedding, why not have a look?!?

3 September 2012

Tuesday?

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Jumper - Next / Trousers - Miss Selfridge / Shoes - Primark / Bag - New Look

I find myself sitting here, only just being able to blog at nearly 9 at night, and it's TUESDAY tomorrow. The days are just flying by over here. I had a lovely weekend celebrating the wedding of a close friend, and this is what I wore to the rehearsal dinner (maybe leopard print wasn't invented for the church, but I beg to differ) it was one of those weekends where one minute I am on one end of the glamour Richter scale. New outfit, freshly blown hair, fake lashes-the works, and the next I’m scrubbing the bathroom with a facemask on, in my sweats. I can't complain though, was a great weekend.