Forever Festive!

Christmas is by far my favourite time of the year.  From buying presents for your loved ones, to gorging on delicious food, to just spending time with your nearest and dearest.  It is the one time when everyone is together in the same room and one that we always cherish.

So to get my room into the Christmas spirit, I purchased some multicoloured lights from Primark for only £5, which was a total bargain!  They are LED lights, which means that they don't overheat when turned on, and they came with a plug rather than batteries, making them last even longer!  I really like the colours (red, orange, green, blue) as they are super festive and make my bedroom really cosy!

From my secret Santa at work, I received these beautiful moroccan lights.  They are made up of silver lanterns with white LED lights incased within.  These are so elegant and chic, so I decided to place them on my shelf to give a nice finish to my ornaments.

When it came to finally wrapping all of the gifts that I bought for my family, I went for a traditional colour scheme.  I chose green wrapping paper with orange ribbon and red with gold wrapping paper with red ribbon.  This year I was particularly proud of my wrapping skills, because for once the presents looked really good!  After an hour of solidly wrapping, I was finished and I just couldn't wait for everyone to unwrap them!

M x

Bills buffet!

The other day it was my work Christmas party and this year we all went to our local Bills restaurant on the Thames!

I always enjoy our annual Christmas parties, because it's the one time that all of us are together.  It's quite sad when I say that, but we all have such differing shifts that we are never in the same place at the same time!

Once we were seated I couldn't resist to grab the opportunity for a group photo with some of the girls at the table.  I always love how photos can capture great memories and almost freeze them in time!

I was given two drinks with my set menu.  One was a glass of prosecco with a strawberry as a garnish and the second was a delicious cocktail called 'Hedgerow Fizz'.  It consisted of sparkling white wine, elderflower cordial and a frozen raspberry in the bottom.  It was so delicious and sweet!

For my starter I opted for the prawn cocktail salad.  I always have prawns for my starter on Christmas Day at home so choosing that was a no brainier!

For my main course, instead of choosing the traditional option of Turkey, I felt like a change.  Instead I went for the feather blade of beef that was slow cooked and melting in the mouth.  With that I had parsnip mash and handmade parsnip crisps with gravy, roast potatoes and vegetables.  It was so delicious and a real treat to have!

When it comes to pudding (as you all know I can't get enough of it!).  So for my chosen dessert I went for  the classic yet incredibly satisfying sticky toffee pudding.  This one was particularly lovely as it was crunchy on top and was accompanied with banana ice cream.

As a tradition, we always do secret Santa amongst us all.  I received the most cute presents from my secret Santa.

I was given an adorable pair of Rudolph slippers as well as a gorgeous set of Moroccan lights for my bedroom.  (I have been on the search for lights like these in such a long time and so I was ecstatic when I unwrapped them!)

Overall the night was so splendid and we all had such a laugh together.  But what was so amazing was the stunning view of the boat houses on the Thames that were decorated with multicoloured lights.  The reflections on the water was stunning and really got me in the Christmas spirit!

M x

My new Luxury Winter Coat!

Jigsaw, one of my favourite brands has always been in my eyes one of the best stores for buying coats.  They always seem to get it right every season and their coats last for more than ten years!  They really are such great quality!

The other day I made a naughty splurge on a coat from Jigsaw,  (even though I am supposed to be buying Christmas presents and yes I have left it that late)!

I went for the 'Soft Cocoon Coat' and to be honest I had been eyeing it up for three months!  It is a little high in price as it is £298, but it is definitely an investment piece, because I will wear it all throughout winter and then for many years to come!

The composition of the coat is made from wool and mohair, meaning that it is incredibly warm... Perfect for the wintery nights!  Also, because of the wool and mohair, the coat has a really nice weight to it and you just know that it is such great quality!

The cocoon shape, helps to make the coat very modern and contemporary as instead of being tight and restricted, it is loose and flowing!  I love the wide lapels on the front... V neck coats are always so versatile as you can simply wear anything underneath them!  This style of coat makes any outfit look so effortless, and that is why I wanted it!  You can simply drape this piece over your casual or evening wardrobe for the perfect finishing touch!

I'm so thrilled with my new coat and already I have worn it twice.  Many people have even stopped me in the street, because it is so unique and striking.  It's not your usual coat that you see everywhere.  It's different, it's quirky and is definitely one of a kind!

M x

A New Balance all the way!

For such a long time now, I have been on the lookout for the perfect trainers for comfort and style.  Although I adore my endless supply of vans and converse shoes... They don't offer me enough support, for when my feet have given up after a long ten hour shift!

I have seen so many people walking around in 'New Balance' trainers... Either wearing brightly coloured ones or ones of a more muted tone!  They look so stylish and comfortable that I really wanted to try them on for myself to see if they would make the cut!

I went into JD Sports and tried on what I thought was an adults size 4.  It turns out that I had accidentally tried on a junior size 4.5, which just so happened to fit me like a glove!  I couldn't believe that I was able to get away with wearing a children's size!  The best part of it was that instead of them being £60 they were £31!  I literally jumped at the chance to have them!  (Who wouldn't want trainers at half price)?

Since buying them, I have worn them religiously for travelling to and from work... They have literally cured my aching feet!  I wear a lot of high heels for my job and so to have the comfort of a decent pair of trainers is such bliss!  The fact that they are black, white and grey also makes them very smart as they simply smarten up any outfit!

Go and check out their range in your nearest store!

M x

Enchanted Earrings!

I think it's safe to say that I have a serious addiction to earrings and most importantly buying them!  Ever since I got my ears pierced three years ago.... I haven't been able to walk past a pair of earrings without purchasing them!  I definitely have a problem and a stylish one at that!

H&M has fast become my favourite 'go to' for jewellery and over the seasons I have spotted some amazing finds!  This month, there has been lots of sparkle, crystals and pearls... All which are ideal for Christmas parties and festive gatherings!  I very naughtily purchased five pairs of earrings, which I know will keep me going right through to the new year!

1. Pearl and black - These really are the most 'Chanel' inspired earrings.  They are incredibly cute and I love how simplistic the design is.  When they are worn, the pearl sits behind the ear and dangles down... It gives great dimension and makes the earrings a little more sophisticated!

2. Crystal claws -  I originally bought these with Halloween being my main priority, especially with the fact that they are shaped into a claw.  However, I have worn them daily ever since and I love overall design.  The crystals give the earrings a feel of elegance rather than fright and I love how light they are when worn!

3. Pearl -  Again I purchased another pair of earrings which had a curtain design to them.  (At the back of the earring the small pearls hang lower than the main stud so it adds texture to the look).  I love these studs, because they are ideal for both day and nighttime due to how versatile pearls are.  I can't wait to start wearing these!

4. Marble and gold - These are by far my favourite of the lot!  I think that it is the combination of marble stone with the gold fringing that just makes them so appealing!  They are incredibly versatile in colour and the triangular shape makes the earrings really stand out!  It's always so nice to have earrings with a bit of texture!

5. Black and nude drops -  I purchased these because they came in a pack of two... What could be better?  I love the simplicity of these earrings and the design screams evening wear to me!  I will definitely be teaming these with my sequinned dresses and formal wear for nights out and other various gatherings!  I am always a sucker for sequins and sparkle and these earrings really sparkle!

I'm so glad that I chose all of these earrings, because they each bring some form of character to any outfit and they are so versatile!

M x

Outfit picked by him!

I absolutely love creating outfits and experimenting with the clothes in my wardrobe.  I know what colours work well on me and what shapes I should stick to etc.  But I was so curious as to what my fiancé would pick out for me if I let him have full entry to my wardrobe.

I had seen a couple of videos from my favourite bloggers, where they allow their partners to choose what they should wear etc and the results were so interesting!  I know that Perry loves the way I dress, but I really wanted to see what he would pick!

When he accepted the challenge that I had set, he went through my clothes and by a process of elimination, came to the conclusion of an all black outfit!  (Which isn't what I thought he would choose at all but he said that I look attractive in black, so I let him off!)

He picked a sparkly black top, accompanied by a wool black pencil skirt, black and silver necklace, leather jacket and high heeled ankle boots.  We were going to a food festival that evening and so he wanted to pick an ensemble that would be smart casual.

I was thoroughly impressed by the overall look, because the items were so perfect for my body shape and I felt so comfortable.  I was smartly dressed but not too much... It's safe to say that the boy did good!

M x

Rose Jam!

What is a Bubbleroon?  Well, let me tell you.  It is simply a bubble bar, but because of its similarity in shape to that of a macaroon, it has therefore been given the title of bubbleroon!

Now that we've cleared that up, let's talk about this pretty in pink 'Rose Jam' product!

Firstly, the design is absolutely stunning!  It has recently had a revamp in both shape and colour and I think that Lush have done so so well!  I love the candy pink colour and the fact that it is shaped into a rose.  Also, because it resembles a macaroon, there is a great of weight to the bubble bar... You just know that it's going to last a long time!  And as always with Lush bath products... It wouldn't be right without some added glitter on top... It makes the bubble bar really glisten and look so magical!

The main ingredients of this product are: Rose and geranium oil, coconut oil and lastly Shea butter... All components that will help to nourish and moisturise your skin whilst you are soaking away in total bliss!

Now I know that everyone has their own way of using bubble bars, such as crumbling it under a running tap or simply placing some inside a sieve and putting it under a running tap.  However, if you are like me and choose to use the entire bubble bar in one go (I'm greedy I know!) then that's fine also!

Pink baths just look so elegant and feminine!!!  I sometimes wish that water could come out pink when you are wanting a bath... That would be rather amazing!  But I think bubble bars and bombs with just have to do!

I hope you are all having a relaxing Sunday... After having had this bath I now can tell you all that I too will be!

M x

Pizza Perfect!

Pizza..... I don't know what it is about Pizza, but I can't get enough of it!  I'm either having it at home, going to my local pizza express or treating myself to a luxury Homeslice pizza!  Talking of which, Homeslice always create the most unique and delicious pizzas and I wanted to try and attempt to make one of my own.  So here is my recipe for making a classic pizza, however I will be adding some topping to make it even more scrumptious!

For the base:

* 300g strong bread flour
* 1 tsp instant yeast from a sachet or a tub
* 1 tsp salt
* 1 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for drizzling

For the tomato sauce:

* 100ml passata
* handful fresh basil or 1 tsp dried
* 1 garlic clove, crushed

For the topping:

*A handful of Chorizo,
*Some chicken breast that I have already cooked
*A handful of Mozzarella cheese
*Some Coriander

Method:

* Make the base:  Put the flour into a large bowl, then stir in the yeast and salt.
* Make a well, pour in 200ml warm water and the olive oil and bring together with a wooden spoon until you have a soft, fairly wet dough.
* Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 mins until smooth.
* Cover with a tea towel and set aside.  (You can leave the dough to rise if you like, but it’s not essential for a thin crust).

* Make the sauce:  Mix the passata, basil and crushed garlic together, then season to taste.
* Leave to stand at room temperature while you get on with shaping the base.
* Roll out the dough:  If you’ve let the dough rise, give it a quick knead, then split into two balls.
* On a floured surface, roll out the dough into large rounds, about 25cm across, using a rolling pin.
* The dough needs to be very thin as it will rise in the oven.
* Lift the rounds onto two floured baking sheets.

* Top and bake:  Heat oven to 240C/fan 220C /gas 8.
* Put another baking sheet or an upturned baking tray in the oven on the top shelf.
* Smooth sauce over bases with the back of a spoon.
* Scatter with mozzarella cheese, chorizo, chicken, coriander and then drizzle with olive oil and season.
* Put one pizza, still on its baking sheet, on top of the preheated sheet or tray.
* Bake for 8-10 mins until crisp. Serve with a little more olive oil.
* Repeat the step for remaining pizza.

And there you have it... A chicken, chorizo, mozzarella and coriander pizza inspired by my favourite Pizza place 'Homeslice!'  All that's left to do now, is to eat it!  Bon appetite!

M x

November Favourites!

It is official.... November is finally finished.  And that means one thing and one thing only... It's 'November Favourites' time!

1.  Givenchy live irresistible perfume - This perfume has been such a treat to have!  Not only does the bottle and packaging look so exquisite, but the fragrance smells so feminine and romantic!  It's a perfect scent for Autumn/winter, because although it has the light floral/fruity notes going through it, it also has a lot of spices that give the perfume warmth and depth!  If you want to hear more about my review on it, head over to my post "My new Perfume Givenchy Live Irresistable".

2.  Shellac nail polish in safe scarf  - November was all about green nail varnish... Well at least that's what every big fashion magazine was stating.  I of course wanted to follow suit and try out the latest trend.  I chose Shellac's new shade "Sage Scarf", because it was a gorgeous khaki/mint colour that was so flattering to my nails!  A lot of my wardrobe is made up of autumnal colours and so this green co-ordinated perfectly with my outfits!

3. Dynamo live at Apollo - Earlier this month I was so lucky to have been given the opportunity to see one of my favourite magicians, Dynamo!  He is currently touring at the moment all over England!  The show that I saw was at the Hammersmith Apollo theatre in London and it was just breathtaking!  I recommend everyone to see him live because what he does is truly magical!

4. H&M gym gear - I absolutely love H&M clothing and was so excited to hear that they do gym gear as well.  I've recently been increasing the number of gym sessions I do a week and so with that comes a great need of motivation.  I found that motivation through my new gym outfit that I purchased from H&M.  The grey and black tee is brilliant for fitness as it is made from a quick drying material and the leaps red print leggings add a pop of colour!  I have been wearing these constantly through my workouts... I will definitely be buying more gym stock in the future!

5. Baking: Cookies and Victoria sponge cake - This month I have managed to squeeze in a couple of baking sessions.  I always find baking to be so relaxing and stress free.  I decided to make chocolate chip cookies and a Victoria sponge cake... Just so I could further my knowledge with baking.  It is always so rewarding when you make something delicious for friends and family... I definitely want to do some Christmas inspired bakes this upcoming month!

6. Bonfire night - I know that some of you might be thinking "this isn't a monthly favourite!" And you are right!  However, bonfire night is my favourite thing about November, because the fireworks are so beautiful and it always gets me so excited for the run up to Christmas!

7. 'Shoot for the Stars' Lush bath bomb - This has to be the best bath bomb for evening baths and top to toes!  I love how it turns your bath into a glittery midnight sky!  It leaves your skin so soft and is ideal for when you've had a stressful day at work and desperately need to unwind!

So that concludes my monthly favourites for November!  I hope you have all had an amazing month and all I can say is bring on the countdown to Christmas!

M x