Jeans: ASOS
Shoes: Kurt Geiger London via Shoeaholics (sold out)
Jacket: Zara (old)
T shirt: GAP
Sunglasses: Erika by Ray Ban
These ASOS trousers are my first 'adventurous' purchase in a while. They are light enough to wear on a warm summers eve, without getting too hot and bothered. Plus, they are so comfortable and, I loved styling them with heeled sandals and a crop top which, I haven't worn since I was in my teens.
These will definitely be a staple piece in my wardrobe for AW14.
Tissues at the ready. This is my final post in my Abel & Cole series.
Preheat the oven to 180C/Gas 4/fan 160C. Oil and line the bases of two round cake tins with baking parchment.
Grate your carrots. This is the most annoying part of the recipe so, if there's some spare hands in the house, get them involved as well.
Tip the sugar into a large mixing bowl, pour in the oil and add the eggs. Lightly mix with a wooden spoon. Stir in the grated carrots and orange rind.
Mix the flour, bicarbonate of soda and spices, then sift into the bowl. Lightly mix all the ingredients - when everything is mixed in, stop! The mixture will be fairly soft and almost runny.
Spread a thin layer of the frosting on each cake and, sandwich together. Then frost the top.
Goes very well with a nice hot cuppa.
In my salad box, there was a bunch of carrots. Now, all my friends and family know I love a good cake. So, instead of creating something savoury, I decided to make a delicious carrot cake.
You will need
175g light muscovado sugar
175ml sunflower oil
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
140g grated carrots (about 3 medium)
grated zest of 1 large orange
175g self-raising flour
1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 tsp ground cinnamon
Mix in the grated carrot.
Pour the mixture into the prepared tins and bake for 40- 45 minutes, until it feels firm and springy.
Cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then tip them out, peel off the paper and cool on a wire rack.
Now, this is where I do a bit of 'cheating' although, I don't really like calling it that. To be honest, Mrs Crocker is always going to be the winner when it comes to frosting.
A couple of weeks ago, I decided to bite the bullet and get my haircut. I was starting to resemble Wurzel Gummage (For my international readers, google him!) and my hair was taking on a life of its own.
Not a good look but, bearing in mind I'd had my haircut a year ago, I couldn't really blame anyone but myself (or the hairdressers I last visited and was told by one of their top stylists I was loosing my hair-VERY distressing and a good enough reason to not go back!).
Picking a new salon I'd never been to before was a tricky decision. After meeting a few of the team at the Brighton branch of Trevor Sorbie a couple of months back at a blogger event, I decided to book in with them and, I'm so glad I did!
Straight away, they put my nerves at ease and, instead of wincing at my hair when I took it out of my top knot (Past experience again!), they got straight to work and asked exactly what I wanted out of my cut and colour. After a browse of their amazing Refreshment menu, Jade the super lovely colourist sat down with me and we had a good old chat about the type of colour I wanted (not too unnatural).
Whilst the colour was working itself on to my locks, I went and had a manicure and colour with Kim, their beauty therapist. Trevor Sorbie Brighton have recently started doing beauty treatments including Manicures, pedicures, HD Brows and a whole load of other treatments. Perfect for when you're in the salon for a couple of hours or, if you just fancy a little treat.
Next up, was my cut. I decided that I wanted to take quite a bit off. Mainly as the ends felt hideously dry and....blergh! Robyn, the stylist who was cutting my hair listened to exactly what I wanted and, she cut it perfectly.
I'm already thinking about when I can book in with them next. Which, is a first for me. Maybe I've got over my fear of going to the hairdressers? Let's hope so!
But after my success with the co-ord trend I had to try this one out and see if I could pull it off.
Behold, the kimono. Something I never thought I'd see in my wardrobe but, after doing a little research (and falling in love with a fair few of them) I decided to go for this ASOS beauty (now sold out) and see if I could style it my way.
Kimono's seem to be everywhere this season and, I saw a fair few of them when I was looking over the 'street-style' photos from Glastonbury and Coachella. They're coming in various styles as well - from cropped to fringed to full-length - a must have for Spring/Summer apparently.
What I like about this ASOS kimono, is that it's actually made from a heavy jersey material. Plus, it's actually really versatile and because of this, it hasn't really left my back since I got it!
Kimono and Dress: ASOS (sold out), Necklace: Present in the Laine, Boots: Topshop (ancient), Sunglasses: Rayban
A few weeks ago, I was invited by the lovely girls at Propellernet to The Front Row Society meet up. Which, this time round, was in my lovely hometown, Brighton.
Along with 13 other fashion bloggers, we hit up Hotel du Vin for a little prosecco and lunch whilst discussing the wonderful world of blogging.
It was so great to be surrounded by lots of my favourite bloggers who I'm influenced by every day. Some I'd already had the pleasure of meeting (Olivia, Tamara and Atosa) and some I hadn't but, had seen them around (Shout out to Jai'me, Prince Cassius, Kristabel, Maddie and Sarah!). We could've happily chatted all afternoon and, all the discussions we had - from going international to how us bloggers like to work (and how we don't) were so interesting and helpful.
As well as our round table discussion, we also had a chance to book in a 20 minute SEO clinic at their offices which, I jumped all over - I definitely came away with a few tips! They also set up a treasure hunt round Brighton, finishing with cocktails at Dirty Blonde.
Thanks to the Propellernet team for a fab day and night - I can't wait for the next one!
Another recipe for my Abel & Cole series.
In my Marvellous Meat Box, I got a pack of lamb mince. Now, I rarely cook lamb but when I do, it's usually for a roast. (check out my spring lamb recipe here) the first thing that came to mind when thinking of what to make with it, was lamb burgers.
I love baking so this was the perfect excuse to bake some bread rolls as well.
You will need
Lamb mince
A few sprigs of Rosemary, finely chopped
Salt & Pepper
2 small cloves of Garlic, crushed
Blue cheese or Halloumi
For the buns:
50g Bird's Custard Powder
550ml of milk
25g unsalted butter
2tsp sugar
750g strong white flour
1 sachet instant dry yeast
2tsp salt
a beaten egg for glazing
sesame seeds (optional)
First off, preheat your oven to 200 degrees. Mix the milk into the custard powder and pour into a saucepan. Bring to the boil. Once thickened, take off heat and add your butter and sugar. Leave to cool completely.
Divide the dough into pieces and, using a little flour shape into balls and then flatten slightly with a rolling pin. Place on a lined baking tray, cover and leave for about an hour, or until they've doubled in size.
Now for the burgers!
Now for the messy part - get your hands into the mince and make patties with them. Place on a plate and brush them with a little olive oil.
First off, heat the grill and then get out a griddle pan.
Once the pan is hot, place the burgers in and cook for around 8-10 minutes. Then, shove them under the grill for 2 minutes each side before getting them out.
Put the cheese on the lamb and then place under the grill for a minute before building your burgers.
They went down a storm with the male's in my household.
Although I don't tend to buy into every trend each season, the co-ord trend has left me quite intrigued - mainly because I'm not sure if I can pull it off!
This one from Warehouse stood out for me. For a start, it wasn't a bodycon style which, seems to be what most of the co-ords I've seen on the high street are. Aside from the reaction I got from 'him indoors' ("Are they supposed to look like pyjamas?") I actually enjoyed wearing it and, I think this would be a great outfit for a special occasion such as a wedding.
Co-ord: Warehouse
Clutch: c/o: Beyond Retro
Shoes: Zara
Sunglasses: c/o: Firmoo
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