Rapper's Delight: The Hip Hop Cookbook

What: Book Launch: Rapper's Delight: The Hip Hop Cookbook

The Price: £9.99

Where2Buy: www.rappersdelightcookbook.co.uk, Amazon

 

As we grow up friends and family will start to achieve things, accomplish life goals and just do something a bit crazy. When one of my close university friends told me he was bringing out  a book I couldn't quite believe him especially when he told me it was a cook book inspired by the rap industry!?!? Unsure how he even thought of the idea but I couldn't wait to read it!

 

So without further ado 'Rapper's Delight: The Hip Hop Cookbook' is out today . The authors of the book are Peter Stadden, Joseph Inniss & Ralph Miller as has been published by Dokument Press.

Put your favourite tunes on and start making these step-by-step recipes which have detailed preparation and humourours parrallels between food and hip hop like 'Tiramisu Elliott. Be inspired through thirty different recipes from starters, mains and deserts from the likes of the inspired names of 'Wu-Tang Clam Chowder, Run DM Sea Bass and Busta Key Lime Pie'.

So Pete come round and make me a recipe from your book - nom nom!

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London Fashion Week: Fashion International

During London Fashion Week, I had the pleasure of being invited to Fashion International. 

There was a glistening line up of British International emerging designers for Spring/Summer 2015. Including Daniel Syiem, Delina Poonawalla, Lenie Boya, Omar Mansoor, Sharon M Osbourne, Vladini Angels & Wajahat Mirza.

Founder, Geoff Cox made a statement: 'After the success of last season's show, I am very excited to return to London Fashion Week as we have some really exciting designers showing this season! The fashion international show project is an integral part of a larger, long term plan, offering cost effective, top level professional show opportunities to designers of all levels during a tough economic climate.'

Each designer presented the culture of their brand through their usage of colours, prints and fabrics. It was a true pleasure to be able to travel the globe through each unique trend, mood and detail that was presented to us on the catwalk.

Above all, one designer stood out to me, Delina Poonawalla. 

Her usage of charcoals and soft pinks mixed with her heavy embellishment was truly outstanding. She paid specific detail to revealing the back on the majority of her garments, showing a subtle sexual tendancy to her collection.

Other highlights from the catwalk were:

           Group shot for valdini angels

                       Lenie boya

              Omar mansoor collection 

What collection is your favourite?

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Autumn Inspired Living

As the months get colder we look at making our house more cosy and here are some of our favorite items from Country Baskets a beautiful Vintage homeware and accessories website.

Natural Gingham Cushion

(two designs)
The Price: £7.29

As you may know our lounge is one of the first rooms we decorated and we are slowly adding more and more items to make it a cozy place to chill. These vintage cushions are the perfect addition to be used on there own or against larger cushions like these spotty beauties from Ikea. The cushions have two different designs but each are very similar so sit nicely together.

Chloe Metal Trinket Box
The Price: £6.47

My bedroom is currently all white and the this trinket box fits perfectly on my bedside cabinet keeping all the random items that make there way onto my side table like nail polishes etc. I think its good to use an odd number of key items on any table to create a feature.

What do you reckon?

Natural Gingham Cushion Two Designs

Natural Gingham Cushion Two Designs

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Autumn Lingerie

The Product: Precious Savanna Lingerie Set 

The Price: £41

Where2buy: Very.co.uk, Littlewoods ASOS, www.bycaprice.com 

Autumn has arrived and the 'Precious Savanna’ lingerie set designed By Caprice is the perfect edition to your lingerie drawer and I don't think your partner would be complaining either ;-)

This seasonal update is available in sumptuous purple, set against a back drop of beautiful lace detail. 

Obviously I would not be showing you a photo of my bod but here is a model so you can see the two piece.

It fits beautifully and the bra gives the right amount of lift to enhance your assets. The bottoms have removable hold up straps perfect to turn your set into something a bit more fun.

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Cooking with Saco

When in a serviced apartment it can be easy to just say lets go out for dinner, but you can make a beautiful meal using all the utensils on offer especially from Saco Serviced Apartments. 

Below is how to create a beautiful two course meal:

Items from a Saco kitchen used:

- Oven

- Hob

- Frying pan

- Kitchen knife

- Glass chopping board

- Dinner plate

- Oven pan 

Starter

Goats cheese and sticky onion tart

Ingredients

• Goats cheese - £1.19
• Puff Pastry Roll - £1.60
• Lemon thyme to garnish (optional)

For the Sticky Onions:

• 4 onions - £0.80p
• Tsb Sugar
• 50g of butter- £1.00

Cost PP: £2.28

How to make the sticky onions: 

- Chop the onions roughly on the glass chopping board.
- Melt the butter in a frying pan, when melted add the onions and coat. Leave on a low heat with a lid (if no lid use another pan as I did) for 10 minutes.
- Take off the lid and add the sugar, cook for a further 15 minutes whilst stiring, until golden brown and the liquid had been absorbed.
(If you have any left over, the sticky onions can keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.)

Goats Cheese and Sticky Onion Tarts:

- Unroll the pastry and you can make these as large as you want for your starter. I halved then halved again and use two slices.
- Place on foil or use some butter on the oven pan so they won't stick.
- Use the kitchen knife to score the pastry 1cm from the edges.
- Place the sticky onions inside the scoring.
- Slice the goats cheese and place it on top of the sticky onions.
Optional (use a few sprigs of lemon tyme and place on top)
- Place in the oven for 15 minutes
Then VOILA

You can garnish with a bit of greens if you wanted to make it more of a meal.

• Main Dish

Duck Breast with Blackberry Sauce

As we move into the colder months this a perfect seasonal dish for two.

Ingredients

- 2 duck breast - £6
- 150g blackberries - £2
- 1tbsp caster sugar
- 1/2 Shallot - 0.20p
- 100ml Red Cooking Wine - £1
- 100ml Vegtable Stock- 20p
- 2 Lemon Thyme Sprigs
- 5 New Potatoes - £0.80p
- Sprigs of Rosemary (Optional)

Total cost PP - £5.10




Oven should be set at 180c

-  Score the skin of the duck breast in a cross-cross pattern. Place them skin side into a cold frying pan. On a medium heat for around 20 minutes (remember to tip excess fat out of the pan as you cook).
- As the duck is cooking par boil the potatoes and place the blackberries in a saucepan with the sugar - simmer for 5 minutes, crushing the berries with the back of a fork.

- When the potatoes are tender place when in a oven tray with a splash of oil, salt, pepper and Rosemary and place in the oven for 25 minutes.
- When the duck fat has turned golden, turn over and cook on the flesh side for 2 minutes. Then transfer to a oven tray and cook in the oven for 8 minutes. Then remove from the oven and cover in foil for 5 minutes to rest.
- Spoon all of the excess fat except for 1 tbsp from the pan and cook the shallot, for 2-3 minutes until softened. Then add the red wine, lemon thyme, and stock. Simmer for 5 minutes on a high heat until reduced and syrupy.
- Stir in the blackberries and any resting juices from the duck and simmer until warmed through.
- Slice the duck and serve with the potatoes. 

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September's Restaurant: Shaka Zulu

Name: Shaka Zulu
Where: Camden, www.shaka-zulu.com
Average meal cost: £26-£40
The Gossip: Step into Africa and take your taste buds on a journey, with the likes of Crocodile and Zebra.

Walking in to Shaka Zulu was like walking into another world a bit like Disney but darker. African themes run throughout with gold leaf and Zebra hide coating the seats and walls. 

After getting over the ambience we had a lovely warm welcome and were guided to our table.

First on the list to try was the Biltong Selection this was a first for me and I was not sure if I would like the taste but I was pleasantly surprised. On the plate there was Droewords, Sliced Beef Biltong and Chili Snap Sticks which come with a lovely cooling dip. I think my favourite was definitely the original Sliced Beef Biltong as it was something you could keep snacking on throughout the meal. But I did have a soft spot for the Chili Snap Sticks, although tough to get though the kick you get is quite intense - and for those that know me, I love a bit of spice.

For starters you will want to share with your friends to experience the different tastes offered. We went a bit wild and got Crocodile Cigars as the name suggests YES it was Crocodile! The 'Cigars' had crocodile fillet with onion & coriander wrapped to look like a spring rolls with harissa mayonnaise - NOM NOM. This starter was so beautifully presented I felt bad scoffing it down but in my eyes this was a brilliant starter and perfect to share.

The next appetizer (yes we were greedy) was Ham Hock & Wildebeest - after being poached for four hours the pork knuckle and fillet of wildebeest was served alongside a sweet papaya salad.

After the lovely array of starters we had a lovely break in between not being rushed and not too long so we could have a chat and let our food go down!

Now for the main meal I stuck with traditional Fillet,  which was served with Bearnaise sauce, straw potatoes and confit cherry tomatoes. I also had Peppercorn Jus to complement!

My partner stuck with the theme of trying something new and went with Ostrich Fillet, which comes with red wine jus, straw potatoes and confit cherry tomatoes - it actually looked pretty similar to duck but beautifully tender.

Again Adam was a bit more adventurous than me and went for traditional trio of South African Creations with Merktert, Koeksisters and Dom Pedro (which is a shot of Whiskey and Kahlua very sweet).

By dessert, I was about to pop so I went for the selection of Home Made Ice Creams which came with a variety of flavours:

• Banana & Thyme
• Caramel & Honeycomb
• Cardamon
• Mango & Passionfruit
• Vanilla
• Dark Chocolate & Chili

Each one served in a mini cone - cant get much cuter!

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Mani Monday - another Beaute from Paul & Joe

The Name: Red Stiletto

The Price: £12
Where2Buy: Paul & Joe Beaute 

We recently covered the beautiful nail collection from Paul & Joe - Mata Hari and Saffron Yellow can be seen in one of our recent posts and today we have another beautiful colour from the current collection.

Again the bottle is beautiful and vintage which I love and the colour Red Stiletto is a perfect strong colour for date night or a pedi colour for a last minute summer holiday.

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In The Style: Nostalgia Collection by Charlotte Crosby

Happy 1st Birthday In The Style! This online fashion house has acomplished many things over the short time they have been on the scene, especially with some notable celeb collections.

On of the newest collections is from one of our faves Charlotte Crosby most known from the reality series, Geordie Shore. The new collected is titled Nostalgia with prices ranging from: £16.99

This oversized vest is one of our favourite items from the collection. Its simple natura and casul tee look looks chic in slouchy boots! RRP £18.99

http://www.inthestyle.com/nostalgia-oversized-black-vest/

This boho maxi skirt is also on our list of must haves, using Autumn inspired patterns and any last minute holidays you have planned. £33.95 http://www.inthestyle.com/nostalgia-baroque-print-maxi-skirt/

Again this simple Mottle Jumpsuit is perfect for the day or night with a good pear of herels. RRP £38.99

http://www.inthestyle.com/nostalgia-mottle-print-jumpsuit/

At In The Style's Birthday / Launch of Nostalgia we wore:

Skirt & Top: Topshop

Shoes: Jimmy Choo

And we also got to meet the beautiful Charlotte although I look like a white beacon - fake tan anyone !?! 

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Ibiza Baby

Ibiza would not naturally be the top destination of choice for a Summer holiday and I won't make the mistake I made by not having another more relaxing location booked for after!

This review is not about seeing the beautiful sights of Ibiza Old Town but the party lifestyle which brings revelers from all over the globe including the 8 Girls from the UK and Jersey who I went with.

Packing advice:

• You don't need heels - sandals and even high top trainers all the way
• Handbag you say - NO most people are wearing the fashion faux pas of a BumBag, but this is a good move as you will need to take lots of money out with you just to buy your self a Vodka Soda Lime - I wouldn't request anything with Redbull or you bank account will dry up a lot quicker!.
• Swimsuits all the way - although you will end up with some funky tan lines.
• This is not the holiday to whip out your designer dress but to keep it casual with the like of Topshop and H & M.

The Airport 

Start off your trip in style with booking into the Aspire Lounge from Holiday Extras from just £16. You can get cream tea, nibbles and a good Gin & Tonic to settle any pre-flight nerves or just for a pre-drink and for the prices you pay for food and drink on flights these day - this is a bargain.

In Ibiza

Outfits

Top: River Island

Skirt: Topshop

Sun Glasses: H&M

Sandals: New Look

Sunglasses: Toms

Dress: Mango

Bag: New Look

Kaftan: Primark

swimsuit: ASOS

sunglasses: Toms

Top Destinations

Ushuaia - this is the perfect place to start a night out, with live music in an outdoor location, pools and acts like reenacting out UP the Disney film was definitely a winner in my eyes.

The Ocean Beach Club - This was a bit pricey but such a nice place to chill with girl friends and for Celeb spotting, we spotted some dude from Corrie - GO US! 

If you think about it the prices of a club and drinks there actually the prices even out but go for a deal so get all your drinks at the same time or you will be spending  300 euros a pop on champagne.

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The smell of the Caribbean

What2Buy: Caribbean Island Wild Flowers Eau de Toilette

The Price: £39, 100ml

Where2Buy: Crabtree & Evelyn

The Gossip: With  notes of the Caribbean,  who would not want to smell like this?!?

Top Notes: Bergamot, Mandarin, Sea Air Accord

Heart Notes: Spider Lily, Night Blooming Jasmine, Passion Fruit

Base Notes: Plum, Driftwood, Tolu Balsam

Crabtree & Evelyn always produce clean, fresh and classic fragrances and Caribbean Island Wild Flowers is no different.
Caribbean Island Wild Flowers is actually not a brand new fragrance, just newly names to showcase the fragrance. The old name and loved fragrance was 'India Hicks Island Living  Spider Lily'. The flowery blend of fruity notes headlined with Spider Lily and tropical citrus' like Orange blossom and night blooming jasmine. By adding palm leaves and a touch of sea air you really smell the Caribbean.
This is definitely a perfect every day fragrance especially when it's a dreary day to brighten up your senses.

Check out the rest of Crabtree and Evelyn's exotic Caribbean Island Wild Flowers collection with body lotions and hand creams. 

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More Wine Please...

Last week I was lucky enough to go to Tesco's very own wine tasting at the South Bank Centre!  We were presented with a display of 100 different wines to taste, ranging from champagne to port - I had been presented with a challenge and I have graciously accepted!

Each wine had been hand selected from Tesco's finest range.

When we entered, a booklet was handed to us which had a page dedicated to each bottle of wine. We were then told to write down three key words that we felt best described that specific wine. These could have been the flavours we tasted, smells or even memories the wine reminded us of.

The aim of the evening, was from tasting to help create new 'Wine Words' to create wine clouds (as seen below), which will be used in upcoming marketing campaigns - so watch out. 

They explained to us, that usually wine labels are created by those who are wine connoisseurs, and something's it's not really clear what they are trying to say when saying a Fruity wine make a whole lot more sense.

This wine tasting was a great new way for Tesco to create new descriptions from people with a more down to earth view. 

Keep a look out for the new Tesco's finest range, you know never know, some of my memories and tastes could have had a influence!

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