Festive Fuzzy Feels

December 29, 2020

Merry Christmas babes! It’s certainly been an unusual one this year as we’ve all had to sacrifice celebrating with loved ones in order to stay safe during such uncertain times. Whilst plans have had to change and our usual festive traditions around this time of year have been scuppered, I decided it was all the more reason to embrace those jolly festive vibes and soak up the magic of Christmas.

Since early December I’ve been making my way through all the Christmas movies in an attempt to escape the reality of this mad world right now! On Christmas day itself I always like to watch The Snowman and Father Christmas to get me fully in the festive spirit and feeling like a kid again before the fun and games begin. Thankfully I am very lucky to be back home this year and blessed with the company of my closest family and boyfriend, who spoilt me rotten.

One of the more unusual traditions in our household at Christmas is my Dad’s pride and joy of barbecuing the turkey. I know, it sounds a little nuts on a cold winters day in England to be firing up the BBQ, but this is a super quick method of cooking the bird and produces the most succulent meat too.

To accompany our turkey dinner we did crispy roast potatoes, honey glazed carrots and parsnips, sweet red cabbage with apple, brussel sprouts sautéed with chestnuts, stuffing balls, lashings of gravy and my favourite for this time of year, bread sauce. It was quite the feast, so I could only manage some chocolates for pudding and of course a few glasses of Baileys later in the evening 😉

We had a wonderful day sharing our prezzies, listening to Christmas music, enjoying our drinks and indulging in all that yummy, naughty food. And I always like to dress up for the occasion, so this year it was a sixties style Topshop mini dress with long socks and my favourite Windsor Smith chelsea boots. Champagne coupe in hand, I was ready for a party at home!

Following a healthy helping of turkey and all the trimmings, soon enough I found myself changing back into PJs for the evening and excited to try on my new Victoria’s Secret set from Santa. Then when it comes to Boxing Day it’s all about stylish comfort, so I wore my new Stradivarius long split cotton skirt with a vest and my super cosy Zara polo knit arm warmer.

So whilst we haven’t been able to celebrate quite in the same way as we’re used to, it has most definitely made me more grateful than ever for my amazing family and friends. We may not be able to see our pals down the pub for a drink this Christmas, but I haven’t let that dampen my spirits and I’m optimistic that we’ll be back smiling in each other’s company before we know it.

Cote Brasserie; A Little Piece Of Paris

December 17, 2020

So we may not be able to travel abroad at the moment, but indulging in some delicious cuisine from our European neighbours never fails to tantalise my tastebuds and remind me of my love for travel.

Cote Brasseries have always been a favourite of mine for high quality food and sophisticated dining atmosphere without the expensive price tag. With their new Christmas menu and Prestige set menu at only £16.95 for two courses, we decided to treat ourselves to a midweek dinner at Cote in Farnham.

I was keen to sample the Espresso Martini as my Aperitif for the evening – a hit of coffee, sugar syrup and strong liquor, you can’t go wrong with this classic cocktail! To follow, we dived straight into our mains and I simply couldn’t resist ordering an old favourite of mine, the Plates Rapides of Steak Frites and side salad. This thinly beaten minute beef cut is served pink for the most succulent taste, alongside classic french fries and dijon mustard as the perfect accompaniment.

My boyfriend chose the Roasted Pork Belly served with gratin potato, braised savoy cabbage, apples, thyme and calvados jus. The meat was beautifully cooked to a pulled texture, whilst the sweet bed of cabbage provided a contrast of flavour to the salty pork belly.

To pair with our meal we chose a bottle of the French Lagarde Rouge 2018, a medium bodied and smooth red to compliment our meaty yet refined dishes. As I savoured every last bite and sipped on my red wine amongst the bustle of the brasserie, I felt transported from that dark rainy winters night in Surrey to a cosy corner of Paris.

Delivering authentic French cuisine alongside excellent service, Cote is always a good idea for anytime of the day. Inspired by the brasseries of Paris, this relaxed all day dining culture with cosy booth seating will have you booking a trip to the city of love in a heartbeat ❤

Winter Date Night; Cheese Platter Goals

December 9, 2020

It’s always fun to mix things up when it comes to date night and being in the events industry, there’s nothing I love more than playing the part of hostess of course! Taking a cosy corner of my bedroom, I lay down a fluffy throw, scattered plenty of cushions, setup my fairy lights, lit some candles, got the chilled tunes playing on Spotify… and voila, the cutest setting for an evening with the boyf. ❤

Whether it’s a night with the girls, entertaining family at Christmas or relaxing with your partner, a cheese board is the perfect winter essential to share and enjoy amongst friends and family.

Having had plenty of practice making numerous grazing platters on the weekly at my old PR agency in Australia, I have become quite the pro at putting together a good spread. The concept is pretty straight forward – take your board and ensemble starting with the basics: a variety of cheeses of your choice, crackers and biscuits, chutney, fresh fruits including grapes, dried fruits such as dates, olives, pickles and a sprinkling of nuts.

Now the benefit of doing this at home is that you can personalise everything to your taste, so feel free to swap and change accordingly and embellish your board however you wish. My favourite cheese this time of year is the Wensleydale with Cranberry and I’ve also recently discovered the delicious combo of honey with cheese, a must if you have a sweet tooth! The key is to fill your board as much as possible and then have extra little bowls or platters for anything which doesn’t quite fit on.

Our wine of choice had to be a French red Cotes Du Rhone to perfectly pair with all the cheese. We felt super cosy and festive as we sipped our wine and indulged in the wonderful platter packed full of so many different tastes to savour.

So grab your boyfriend, housemate, sister or whoever you live with, and treat them to the ultimate night-in together featuring wine, cheese, nibbles and even a snuggly den for those aesthetic goals.

Comfy Casuals and Cosy Cuppas

December 1, 2020

December dawn has broken and we’re officially on the countdown to Christmas. I love the festivities during this time of year and I enjoy nothing more than cosying up with a yummy hot drink in hand, ready to watch Christmas movie classics – The Holiday, Love Actually, Elf, The Grinch – just to name a few!

I’m sure I’m not alone in admitting loungewear has definitely been my daily uniform during lockdown. These super soft Zara camel track pants are my current obsession along with a hair clamp for a fuss-free, stylish home hairdo.

Despite that brisk cold chill in the air outside, I find bright fresh flowers in my bedroom always cheer me up and bring a bit of colour to the greyest of days. So embrace those beautiful blooms, snuggle up in your comfy casuals and grab a warming cuppa to soothe your soul during these dull winter months.

My Bubble Bath Moment

November 27, 2020

Now more than ever, self-care and prioritising our own well-being is crucial to surviving what has been a pretty rubbish year for us all. Whilst I’ve maintained a basic daily routine and kept active everyday in lockdown, I’ve also learnt to let myself rest, relax and just chill the hell out for once in my life!

When it comes to having a daily routine, it’s unattainable to be so strict and aim to live that perfect life every single day, something I’ve often expected of myself. This just results in further stress and disappointment when you’re not feeling up to it and can’t reach ambitious goals set upon yourself. Instead, aim to work towards a simple structure each day and make sure to have a little treat to look forward to too.

I’ve been loving baths lately as they aren’t something I usually have the time to enjoy properly. I set the mood with some scented candles, flowers and my Spotify ‘Chilled Tunes’ playlist for ultimate relaxation. My drink of choice is often a glass of wine as a weekend indulgence, otherwise a comforting mug of tea or hot chocolate is just perfect too.

A truly wonderful winter warmer, this is my heavenly bubble bath moment and I love every second of it ❤

What will be your self-care moment?

Lockdown Diaries; Recapturing Childhood Magic

November 25, 2020

Happy Humpday Babes! It’s halfway through the week and finally looks like there’s an end in sight for this second lockdown here in England. I’ve embraced the time off after a hectic couple of months working this summer at the hotel as it’s a perfect opportunity to rest. It’s been fun taking life back to basics and enjoying the simple pleasures of things like baking and visiting the sweet shop, just like when we were kids.

Each week I’ve been making sure to get a couple of longer walks in and exploring new places in my local area has kept it interesting. Me and the boyfriend decided to investigate a local walking trial on Basingstoke Common last week and we were excited to discover a playground with a zip wire too!

Walking through the woodlands, it was stunning as the sun low in the sky cast long shadows off the trees. This takes me back to childhood memories of Christmas time walks with my family on our local heath; life was a lot less complicated in those days.

Another local gem we visited on this week’s walk was Odiham Castle which is just a short walk down the canal. We’ve been lucky with the winter sun recently too which has been taking the brisk chill out of the air, a blessing as I really do hate the cold.

I’m so lucky to live in a village surrounded by countryside and plenty of places to explore. My mum, sister and I particularly enjoyed indulging our childhood dreams and treating ourselves at the local sweet shop after our walk the other day. Just like the traditional old school candy stores, sweeties are sold ‘pick n mix’ style in jars for you to create your own personal bag. I also couldn’t resist getting one bag purely of white chocolate Jazzles, a true bag of happiness this is to me 😀

Unlike the first lockdown in the UK when I got stuck into lots of projects and longer term jobs at home, this time I’ve been focusing more on self-care and maintaining my mental well-being. I’ve found that being a bit like a kid again by indulging in what makes me happy in mind, body and soul, keeps me sane during such uncertain times. So go on, recapture the magic of childhood and enjoy the little things which make you smile in each day.

No Guts, No Glory!

November 18, 2020

Back in furlough once again with all this time on my hands, has my brain ticking into overdrive and I can’t help but dream up my next project to keep me busy. I’ve been inspired by so many people using lockdown as an opportunity to start their own businesses from home utilising the numerous online platforms we now have at our fingertips to help build a brand. My Auntie over in Australia has even branched out alongside a work colleague to launch their very own PR consultancy. With years of industry knowledge and expertise, I don’t doubt these two powerful business women will be unstoppable as their tagline perfectly sums up –

‘No Guts, No Glory!’ (https://brangwinandmoore.com)

This simple yet punchy quote resonates on a number of levels and got me thinking about my own career path. Whilst my training in professional Dance and Acting only saw me in the industry for a short while, my move to Australia for two years led me to discover an ability to adapt my skills into many different roles. From promoting the latest skincare product in the middle of Sydney’s Central Business District, to becoming Receptionist at one of Australia’s largest brand companies WPP AUNZ, my work ethic and guts to give anything a go got me to those awesome places. Not to mention it took quite some guts to get me over to Australia on my own in the first place, undoubtedly the best decision I ever made as it helped me to grow and changed my perspective on life.

Now I find myself back in the quaint little village I grew up in about to move in with my boyfriend and working at the prestigious Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire in my dream role as Events Assistant. Whilst this isn’t the path I expected my life to take, I believe it’s a gutsy attitude and need to succeed which has driven me throughout. I continue to find inspiration from those around me and feel motivated to expand my prospects and fulfil my creative passions. Then who knows, maybe one day I’ll own my very own supercar and even run my own business…it just takes some guts to reach that glory!

Winter Warmer; Pumpkin Soup

November 13, 2020

With the shorter days and cold winter nights drawing in, there’s nothing like a comforting bowl of soup to warm the soul. As pumpkins only seem to be readily available around halloween in the UK, I’ve made the most of it this year and made a large batch of delicious pumpkin soup to share with family and freeze to enjoy well into the winter months.

Using my own twist on an old Jamie Oliver recipe, I kept it simple on ingredients to let the pumpkin flavour do the work. You will need:

  • 1/2 large pumpkin
  • 1 large onion
  • 1 large carrot
  • 4 cloves of garlic
  • 750ml of vegetable stock
  • 200ml of soya milk
  • 1 teaspoon of chilli flakes
  • Olive oil
  • Salt and pepper

The first step is to cut the pumpkin into large segments, keeping the seeds for roasting later, before placing the chunks on a baking tray and drizzling with a generous glug of olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast in the oven at 170celsius for about an hour until soft and the skin caramelises.

Meanwhile chop the garlic, onion and carrot and cook in a large saucepan until softened. Once the pumpkin is ready, add to the pan along with the stock, chilli flakes, salt, pepper and soya milk before blending with a handheld stick blender.

Continue to blend and combine the ingredients until a smooth, creamy consistency is reached. Add a little more stock if required and taste to adjust seasoning accordingly. I made this batch with a little kick as I decided to add more chilli at the final stage also.

I served my soup up in a coconut bowl for that wholesome aesthetic and finished it off with a swirl of light yoghurt and more chilli flakes. Other extras you may want to try are crispy kale, toasted pumpkin seeds or even just fresh sourdough bread on the side for dunking.

Using the ingredients as listed above made a very large batch of soup enough to feed the family and freeze leftovers for later. There is so much more you can do with the rest of the pumpkin too; roast the seeds for snacking and topping salads, add the chunks of flesh to a curry, or roast up in large steak size pieces and enjoy in a wholesome salad perfect with quinoa, feta and hummus. Colourful, sweet and nutritious, I only wish pumpkins were in season all year long!

Heads High in the Clouds at Sky Bar

November 6, 2020

Happy Friday! It may not be the usual weekend ahead here in the UK as we find ourselves back in lockdown for another month; but regardless I’m sat here sipping my Friday night G&T looking back on an awesome Sunday sesh with my work friends last weekend.

With my work wife and work husband by my side, we got started early with cocktails at The Aviator from 2pm. This place has become my local favourite for an indulgent drink date with a fancy twist, a little more special than another trip to the pub.

It was the ultimate opportunity to get all dolled up for those picture perfect Instagram snaps with my girl. We were definitely channelling those 70s Clueless vibes with our outfits too, myself in the flared jeans and checked blazer, alongside Ella with her polo neck layered under a velvet mini dress.

The extensive cocktail menu at Sky Bar always makes it fun to try and test different concoctions every time I visit. I started with the Mile High Club which I’ve been lusting after for ages, as it features a soft white chocolate foam on top, yum!

A few cocktails knocked back and we were ready to get some fun shots walking down the grand staircase with its spiral art deco ceiling design. It was a long awaited day off with my work colleagues following a busy summer at the hotel, so you certainly couldn’t wipe the grins off our faces.

Our afternoon continued into the early evening as Alex kindly treated us girls to a bottle of champagne and we stayed for dinner too. A delicious spread of grub was served including chicken caesar salad and a creamy rigatoni pasta… much needed to soak up those cocktails.

What a truly special Sunday spent with wonderful company sipping stunning cocktails and expensive bubbles to celebrate the occassion. I feel so lucky to have met such awesome friends through my workplace who share my passion to work hard and play hard 😉

Fall Fashion; Sweater-vest Season

October 25, 2020

As we adjust to the autumnal weather and cloudier days during fall, I always get so excited to dig back into my wardrobe for those timeless knits and my favourite cosy coats. This season has seen a throwback to the 90s as the oversized sweater-vest becomes the style staple for layering this fall.

It would seem the sweater-vest is truly having its day again as trending fashionistas across social media show us how its done.

I remember the days my older sister would wear these with a hipster denim skirt and gold hoop earrings – super 90s kid vibes! Or even for those F.r.i.e.n.d.s fans out there, how could we forget Chandler’s knitted vest obsession!?

Now the way to wear the trusty sweater-vest is layered with an oversized shirt paired with a short skirt and chunky military or chelsea boots. Accessorising with a statement necklace and show-stopping knee high boots could take this look to new levels of sophistication.

After a root around my own wardrobe I was thrilled to find I still had a few of these old-school vests, so it was time to give them some love once again. I pulled together a cute outfit using this oversized knit from Zara, along with a man’s check shirt from Zara, layered over a little shift dress – again from Zara!

This combo is the easiest throw together outfit for fall 2020 and is sure to score you style inspo points instantly with minimal effort. Who knew channelling those Grandad vibes would be such a fashion statement!?