25.12.2011- Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you all have a wonderful, peaceful day filled with delicious food, fantastic company and beautiful memories.

Cara Delevingne by Sølve Sundsbø, Vogue China December 2011.

Have a brilliant day!

(Image credit: fashiongonerogue.)

24.12.2011- Make It Yourself Christmas: The Hummingbird Bakery's Grasshopper Pie

This recipe is another really great alternative to the traditional Christmas desserts- and even if you don't get round to making it for tomorrow, it's a great way to use up leftover sweet treats which you might have as presents. (Also, I hasten to add that this isn't made from actual grasshoppers!)

The Hummingbird Bakery's Grasshopper Pie
Serves 10-12

Ingredients

For the biscuit base:
250g double chocolate cookies
175g unsalted butter (melted)

For the filling:
180g large white marshmallows
180ml whole milk
1/4 teaspoon peppermint essence
1/8 teaspoon green food colouring
700ml double cream
Chocolate shavings to decorate

To make the pie:
1) Take the double chocolate cookies and crush into a fine crumb by placing in a food bag and hitting with a rolling pin.
2) Gently melt the butter in a heat-proof bowl over a saucepan of water.
3) Pour the biscuit crumbs into a bowl and add the melted butter, mixing together until the crumbs are covered.
4) Pour the mixture into a medium sized pie/flan dish, ensuring it is pressed firmly into the base and sides. Pop into the fridge and leave to cool for thirty minutes.
5) Whilst the base is chilling, make the filling. In a saucepan over a low heat, melt the marshmallows into the milk. Once the marshmallows have melted fully, remove the pan from the heat and add the peppermint essence and green food colouring. Leave to cool for approximately ten minutes.
6) Pour 300ml of the cream into a large bowl and whip. I found it's just as easy to do this by hand, but feel free to use and electric whisk if you want to.
7) Fold the cream into the marshmallow mixture and then pour into the biscuit base. Don't worry if you have too much filling (I always end up with some excess), just make sure not to overfill the dish.
8) Pop back into the fridge and allow to set completely for about two hours.
9) Once set, whip the remaining 400ml of cream and spoon onto the top of the pie. Decorate with chocolate shavings and serve.

And there you have it! A really simple treat, with no actual cooking involved. Perfect!

Are you prepared for Christmas?

(Image credit: Sarah Farrell, please do not reproduce without permission.)

22.12.2011- Make It Yourself Christmas: Mary Berry's Chocolate Roulade

In my opinion, one of the best things about Christmas is Christmas Dinner. I'm a big fan of a Sunday roast at the best of times, so the opportunity to pile my pate high with turkey and plenty of my favourite vegetables is one I look forward to every year. However, in my house there is invariably the post-turkey dilemma of what to have for dessert; there's always someone who loathes Christmas pudding (that'd be me!) and year after year we end up stockpiling a mountain of different options for afters- meaning I'm still tucking into Vienetta at Easter. This year, however, I've come up with an ingenious plan: I'm going to be making all of the pudding options myself (excluding the Christmas pud of course!) Whilst this might sound like a recipe for a stress filled Christmas Eve (and believe me, I'm drawing up hour by hour plans as I type this!), I'm actually really looking forward to it. One of the desserts I'll be making is Mary Berry's Chocolate Roulade, as showcased on The Great British Bake Off. Similar to a chocolate log but without the fudge frosting on the outside, this is a perfect alternative for any chocolate lover this Christmas:

Mary Berry's Ultimate Chocolate Roulade
Serves 8-10

Ingredients
175 plain chocolate (such as Bourneville)
175g caster sugar
6 large eggs (separated)
2 tablespoons of cocoa powder, sifted
300ml double cream and icing sugar (to finish)

To make the roulade:
1) Preheat the oven to 180 degrees (fan)/160 degrees (gas 4).
2) Lightly grease a swiss roll tin and line with greaseproof paper or non-stick baking parchment, ensuring it is pushed firmly into the corners.

3) Break the chocolate into small pieces over a bowl over a pan of hot water. Make sure that the bowl doesn't touch the water or the chocolate is likely to overheat. Place the pan over a low heat until the chocolate is melted.
4) Measure the sugar and egg yolks into a large bowl and whisk with an electric whisk until light. Mix in the cooled chocolate and stir until evenly blended.
5) In a different bowl, whisk the egg whites until stiff but not dry (you should be able to turn the bowl upside down without the eggs running out.) Stir a large spoonful of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture. Mix gently, then fold in the remaining egg whites. To fold in evenly, I found it easiest to work the mixture in a figure of eight motion around the bowl and be sure not to stir too vigorously though or the egg whites will sink.
6) Sieve to cocoa powder into the mixture and stir through evenly.
7) Bake in the preheated oven for approximately twenty minutes, until the roulade is firm.
8) Whip the cream until it holds its shape and refrigerate if necessary.
9) Remove the cake from the oven, leaving it in the tin. Cover with a dry tea towel and leave to cool.
10) Dust a large piece of greaseproof paper with sifted icing sugar and place on a clear worktop.
11) When cool, turn out the roulade and peel off the paper from the reverse. Spread with the cream.
12) Score a mark approximately 2.5cm in along the short edge, and roll up very tightly like a swiss roll. Use the greaseproof paper to help you, but don't worry if the roulade cracks- according to Mary, a good one should!
13) Dust with icing sugar and serve.

Time permitting, I'll hopefully share some of my other creations with you over the next few days! Are you looking forward to Christmas dinner?

(Image credit: Sarah Farrell, please do not reproduce without permission.)

21.12.2011- Blogger's Christmas Cocktail Party

You may remember back in April I took part in the Blogger's Royal Wedding Celebration. As a celebration of the festive season, Sarah has once again set us the challenge of coming up with two outfits for a very special Blogger's Christmas Cocktail Party. The brief is exactly the same as before- one outfit has to be the designer look of your dreams and the other a selection of the best that the high street has to offer:

Fern Silk-Chiffon and Embellished Tulle Gown, £2,200, Temperley London, Tri-Star 18 Karat White Gold Drop Earrings, £12,100, Solange Azagury Partridge, Harriet Clutch in Beige Spongy Patent Leather, £350, Mulberry, Star Diamante Embellished Headband, £276.50, Matthew Williamson, Rouge Pur Couture Lip Colour, £20.35, Yves Saint Laurent, Come to Bed Red Nail Varnish, £12, Butter London, Double Lily Ring, £125, Alex Monroe, 1960 Crystal and Leather Bangle, £78.02, House of Harlow, Glitter T-Strap Platform Sandals, £445, Miu Miu.

This outfit is my take on a really sophisticated festive look. This stunning Temperley gown was my starting point, and I tried to keep the rest of the look as co-ordinated as possible. I love the embellished details on the dress as they add an understated touch of sparkle which is continued in these amazing Miu Miu shoes. The Harriet clutch bag from Mulberry is a perfect match for the dress, and just I love how simple it is. As far as jewellery goes, I couldn't resist these stunning earrings by Solange Azagury Partridge (even if the price tag does make my eyes water!) and this beautiful ring from Alex Monroe is so elegant. The House of Harlow bangle ties also the look together perfectly, and the Matthew Williamson headband is the perfect festive touch to complete the look. As far as makeup goes, you can't go wrong with classic red lips and nails and these gorgeous shades from Butter London and Yves Sant Laurent are very reminiscent of a certain Mr S.Claus, don't you think?

Half Pleat Midi Dress, £68, Warehouse, Sequin Gold Collar, £15, ASOS, Gold Skinny Bow Belt, £6, Miss Selfridge, Sequinned Flower Hair Clip and Pin, £1.27, Forever 21, Gold Pearl Flower Cap Stud Earrings, £6, Debenhams, Pearlescent Chain Bracelet and Scalloped Shield Bracelet, £4.96 each, Forever 21, Lipstick in Inhibition, £8, Topshop, Nail Varnish in Heart of Gold, £6, Topshop, Killion Gold Slippers, £50, Aldo.

There really is no point in me pretending that I found it easy to put together my high street outfit after spending so long looking at beautiful designer dresses. After searching high and low for a frock which could compare to my high-end choice, I trawled through style.com's archive for some inspiration. Oddly enough, it was Marc Jacobs' SS11 collection which provided me with the starting point for this look- the deep reds and flower corsages gave me an idea of the kind of outfit I wanted to created. I adore the deep burgundy colour of this dress from Warehouse, but added the gold Miss Selfridge belt and sequinned collar from ASOS to make it feel a bit more festive. This hair clip from Forever 21 is the perfect shade of winter white, and it would look great worn in wavy hair. Once again, I tried to co-ordinate my jewellery choices as much as possible, incorporating a touch of classic pearl to keep things classy. The lips and nails for this look are a little bolder this time around, but again I think they set the look off perfectly. Finally, the standout item from this outfit for me is this amazing pair of glittery gold slippers from Aldo- perfect for a walking high-heel hazard like me!

Once again, a massive thank you to Sarah for asking me to take part! Be sure to have a look how she and the other girls, Becky, Tass, Hannah, Michelle, Lucy , Hannah, Sophie, Lucy, Jo and Amy got on with the challenge!

What do you think of my looks? And which one do you prefer?

 (Image credit: polyvore.com and Sarah for creating the banner.)

20.12.2011- Festive Dress Guide Part Four: The Little Black Dress

The final edition of my Festive Dress Guide focuses on that classic wardrobe staple- The Little Black Dress. A versatile item which is a failsafe year in year out, and which is perfect if you're still stuck for outfit inspiration:

I spied this dress from Zara online a few weeks ago, and was amazed by the £25.99 price tag- the lace sleeves and collar detail make it look so much more expensive, don't you think? This 60s inspired flared design from French Connection is a real classic, and the empire line cut is a really flattering option (especially if, like me, you're prone to overindulging!) This polka dot number from Topshop could be a double for a Stella McCartney design, and I love the bow tie on the neckline. True Decadence's take on the flapper style is another standout design, and with the 20s set to be big style news for next season, it's the perfect frock to invest in if you want to stay ahead of the crowd. And last, but by no means least, this stunning design by Claudie Pierlot is my dream LBD- I adore the embroidered collar and the oversized shape captures an understated elegance which I just love.

Have you got your festive outfits planned? And have you enjoyed this feature?

(Image credit: Zara, French Connection, Topshop, Oasis and Urban Outfitters.)

19.12.2011- Monday Must-haves: The Christmas Countdown

With less than a week to get those last minute pressies, this final installment of my Christmas themed Monday Must-haves focuses on gifts which are at the more luxurious end of the spectrum. Extra special presents for extra special people, if you will (or indeed if you're feeling guilty about leaving everything so late!)

Mulberry's book, created to celebrate their 40th anniversary is the perfect present for a fan of the label, and is a great coffee table title. This clutch bag from ASOS is a lovely shade of Christmas cranberry, and the ideal gift to complete any festive outfit. I adore this wall light from Habitat, and it's a really unusual present- if you're buying for someone who has just moved into a new house or flat, it'd be fantastic. Alternatively, I think it's a great option for someone who wants to redecorate or add that special touch to a room. Patrick Demarchelier's recently released book, Dior Couture, showcases some stunning images, and would be a dream present for anyone looking for some fashion inspiration. I've only just come across this amazing Christmas gift set from Liz Earle, and with the cold weather here to stay it's a really lovely treat to pamper someone with- it's certainly one of the items I'm hoping to find under the tree on Christmas morning! This Sonia Rykiel scarf is an instant classic, and the star print keeps it feeling festive. I've included the Westfield gift card as it would make a brilliant stress-free last minute present- they can be ordered and delivered up until Christmas Eve, and can carry any amount you choose. I was lucky enough to win one myself after entering the Westfield Style Notes Blogger Competition, and it can be used across the majority of luxury and high street stores in any Westfield shopping centre, so is perfect for someone who wants a splurge in Topshop or who might be saving up for a luxury treat. Finally, this gorgeous star ring by Swarovski is a stunning keepsake, and I think it's a really special present to give someone who deserves to wake up to a bit of sparkle on Christmas morning.

(Image credit: Mulberry, ASOS, Habitat, Amazon, Liz Earle, Net-a-Porter, Westfield and Swarovski.)

15.12.2011- It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

I have to confess, I'm a little bit behind with my Christmas preparations this year. All of my presents are bought, but my cards are yet to be written out and the tree is still waiting to go up. I'm slowly but surely feeling more festive, and am confident that the decorations will be finished this weekend. After watching this video of the beautiful Lanvin tree being installed at Claridge's Hotel, I'm feeling pretty inspired to recreate some of Alber Elbaz' quirky Christmas magic in my own front room:

I can't work out whether the video is amazing or a bit creepy (considering I've got a lifelong fear of ventriloquist's dummies, the animated faces are a bit scary!), but the tree itself is stunning. And I'd love to go for afternoon tea with mini-Alber...how amazing does that raspberry macaroon look?

Are you prepared for Christmas? And what do you think of the Lanvin tree?

(Video credit: Youtube.)

12.12.11- Monday Must-haves: The Christmas Countdown

My pick of Must-have Christmas gifts this week focuses on presents which fall under a £50 price tag. Whilst this array of gifts may be a touch more expensive than the under £20 picks I posted last week, I've tried to choose a selection of things which will last and which I think make for really special presents:

Whilst this lovely little lot might appear more than a little make-up heavy, Christmas always feels like the perfect occasion to invest in some appropriately festive cosmetics! This gift set from Nails Inc. consists of three beautifully glittering shades, and at £25 is pretty good value considering that their individual varnishes retail at £11 each. The Chanel eyeshadow has become a really coveted product, and I think this shimmering white shade is gorgeous- the perfect luxury treat for a make-up obsessive or someone who needs spoiling this Christmas. This set of eyeshadows from MAC is another really great value item as the six shades which are included are really versatile- it's also perfect for throwing in your handbag for emergency en-route make-up application, so I think it would really suit someone who's always in a rush. After spending the last six weeks entranced by Frozen Planet, I can think of nothing better than re-living the series again, and this book and DVD gift set (which is exclusive to Amazon) is amazing value- surely the perfect present for the infamous 'difficult to buy for' relative. This adorable set of cake tins from Cath Kidston are a fantastically practical present, and are ideal for someone who wants to develop their skills in the kitchen in 2012. Alternatively, this collection of Luxe City Guides is a great gift for someone resolving to broaden their horizons next year, encompassing top tips on a range of global cities including New York, Paris, Dubai and Sydney. I'm tempted to buy it for myself and work through a book per year! This stunning wall art from Urban Outfitters would make a really unusual present, and again is something which would last for ages. Finally, these Marc by Marc Jacobs earrings are amazing value at only £30- perfect for any fashion conscious friend.

Would you pick up any of these presents? And are you looking forward to Christmas?

(Image credit: Nails Inc., Amazon, Chanel, Cath Kidston, MAC, Urban Outfitters and my-wardrobe.com.)

05.12.11- Monday Must-haves: The Christmas Countdown

With less than three weeks to go until Christmas Day, it seems fitting that the Must-haves posts which I'm putting together for December should have a festive theme. I'm winning the war against my Christmas shopping at the moment, with only a few more things to pick up before I can sit down and enjoy a mince pie (or three!) However, as I've been browsing the shops over the last few weeks, I've been feeling quite uninspired by what I've seen and have found that the pennies don't seem to be stretching as far as I'd like them to. So, with this in mind, I've put together a little gift guide- this week featuring a whole hosts of items which come in at £20 or under- to offer a bit of thrifty present inspiration:

These cupcake moulds may just be my ideal present, combining two of my greatest loves in life: tea and cake. Perfect for a baking aficionado or a happy amateur (like me!), and a really cute present. I think this ring from Urban Outfitters is lovely too- it's a really great way to give a personalised gift without breaking the bank. I included this beautiful notebook from Topshop as I think it's a perfectly practical gift, whether it's for someone who loves making lists or who has a long list of resolutions which they intend to conquer in 2012. My Week with Marilyn (the book by Colin Clark upon which the recently released film is based) would be a brilliant present for any Marilyn fan, or for anyone who has had their curiosity sparked after seeing the film. This ring from Accessorize is beautifully ornate, and would be a lovely finishing touch to any festive outfit (and perfect for a jewellery magpie like me!) Again, no party season would be complete without the perfect red lipstick, and this offering from Paul and Joe is the perfect shade of Christmas cranberry. Speaking practically once again, this adorable jewellery holder from Forever 21 is an ideal gift, which I'm sure would prove invaluable all year round. This Whittard cup and saucer set is a beautifully ornate present for any tea obsessive- although I almost think it's too pretty to use! Finally, this Yves Saint Laurent colouring book is a steal at under £5, and is the perfect way to incorporate a touch of (affordable!) high fashion magic into Christmas.

How are you getting on with your Christmas shopping? And what do you think of my under £20 picks?

(Image credit: Amazon, Urban Outfitters, Topshop, Accessorize, Paul & Joe, Forever 21 and Whittard.)