Yearly Archives: 2012

Mid-week munching

20th June 2012

Just over a year ago I reviewed Total’s new split pots and when they announced they were launching a new flavour and offered to send me some I jumped at the chance!

Newly launched Raspberry and Pomegranate promises fat free smooth and remarkably creamy yoghurt with a hefty dollop of smooth and fruity raspberry and pomegranate compote. With under 145 calories per pot and packed with protein these make the perfect snack for any time of day!

I’m not actually a pomegranate lover…the seeds make me cringe. I do love the flavour though so the fact that this is smooth was a real winner for me. Raspberries have long been a favourite fruit so I knew that side of the combo was going to be a winner!

These yoghurts did not dissapoint. I’ve tried many a brand of UK Greek yoghurts and Total will forever be the one I return to. Check out your nearest supermarket for these babies and let me know what you think…they get a Daisy rating of 10/10 and endorsement as the perfect summer snack!

Are you a Total fan?

xxx

Posted in snacking

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Burgundy

20th June 2012

Dress: ASOS via ebay, Tesco tights, New Look boots.

Burgundy is a new colour for me, and if it wasn’t for the cape back detail, I’d probably not have bothered bidding for this dress…but then when a dress costs £3.99 inc postage, does one really care what colour?
The black tights and boots make it a bit out of season, but I wasn’t too sure what to pair with it at first. I’m looking forward to experimenting though!

My parents are back from their holiday, all tanned and relaxed…it’s making me super excited for my Spanish adventure with Ellie (6 weeks 2 days, not that I’m counting!) I haven’t been on holiday for almost eight years, so this is a well deserved break!

This week is full of hope. I’m feeling motivated and excited by the prospect of change and considering some exciting adventures for my future.

How is your week going so far? What would you pair with burgundy?

xxx

Posted in life, outfits

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Party Perfect with Phase Eight

19th June 2012

I often think Summer should also go by the name “The Wedding Season”. All of a sudden invites are popping through the post, and we all know at least one person who has a fancy affair to attend to. I hadn’t actually been to a wedding for years until my friends Louise and James tied the knot last month, and when shopping for an outfit I was at a bit of a loss. Phase Eight Collection at House of Fraser have a stunning array of wedding perfect dresses and although I didn’t shop there myself, I am kicking myself for not looking there on my hunt.

The three dresses at the top of this post are my personal favourites (Top to Bottom- Kells, Pero and Rhona (currently sold out)). The first two happen to be in the sale right now too, so I suggest snapping them up fast if you have an event to attend! I chose fairly classic shapes and colours as my picks as I think dresses should be purchased with more than one occasion in mind, and I’d wear all of these several times over!

What do you think of Phase Eight? I know I’ll be looking there next time a friend announces their engagement (Congrats Hazel and James!)
Which of their gorgeous dresses is your favourite?

*post written for House of Fraser*

Posted in dresses

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Oh Deer

19th June 2012

The second I saw this dress in the “new arrivals” of Lavish Alice I didn’t even think before submitting my order,
The only downside I have found so far is that it’s a bit too big, butttt I have plans to change that (change me, that is, not the dress) so all in all it’s a win win situation.

I took it for it’s debut wearing Saturday evening when I got together with some of my favourite girls for a birthday celebration…teamed with Tabio suspender detail tights and New Look shoe boots.

I’m a sucker for anything printed with animals but own shamefully little. Operation Wardrobe Zoo is ON!

What’s your favourite animal? How many animal prints do you own and where sells the best?

xxx

Posted in outfits

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Easy Baking; Malt loaf

18th June 2012

I shared this picture during last week (if the title doesn’t give it away, it’s a homemade malt loaf) and quite a few people expressed an interest in having a go too, so I thought I’d share a quick and easy recipe for making it yourself…

Actually, my recipe was probably quicker and easier than most as I had a bag of malt loaf bread flour that simply required yeast, salt, sugar, butter/oil and some raisins in the bread machine, but you don’t need a special flour, or a bread machine to do this and I trawled the web to find a tried and tested recipe to share.

I settled on this recipe from Baking Mad which doesn’t even use yeast so negates needing time (great for those as impatient as myself!) I haven’t tried it personally, but I have tried many of their recipes with great success…

110 grams Sultanas
110 grams Raisins
40 grams Butter
145 ml Water
175 grams Self Raising Flour (Allinson Nature Friendly)
0.25 tsp Bicarbonate Of Soda
Salt
110 grams Dark Muscovado Sugar (Billington’s)
1 Happy Eggs Large, beaten
1 tbsp Malt Extract

  • How to Make:
  1. Heat the oven to 180C,350F, gas 4. Grease and flour a 450 g|1lb loaf tin.
  2. Put the sultanas, raisins, butter and water into a pan. Bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool a little.method tip
  3. Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda and salt into a mixing bowl. Stir in the sugar.
  4. Pour in the warm fruit mixture and add the beaten egg and malt extract. Mix well until blended.
  5. Pour into the prepared tin and bake for for 35 – 45 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean. Leave in the tin for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool.method tip
  6. Serve sliced and spread with butter.

If you do give this recipe a go, let me know! Once I’ve used up my massive bag of malt loaf flour (which you can order online, I found mine in a local garden centre with a good food hall) I’ll be giving this a shot!

xxx

Posted in baking, recipes

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