Christmas Gift Guide 2019

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are out of the way so I thought I would share my Christmas Gift recommendations so you can finalise all of your Christmas Shopping.

From fashion with big fluffy parkas to a standing desk I have you covered to either request to have it under your tree or buy for a loved one.

SHOP THE POST
1 | Bluebell smart baby monitoring system, £299

2 | Hari and the gang, Black hello cowl neck hoodie, £49

3 |  blackspade, Long sleeved PJ's, £53.95 

4 | The Little sensory box, from £11.97

5 | POLAROID POP 2.0, £164

6 | Shapewear, MIRACLESUIT INSTANT TUMMY TUCK, £47.50

7 | varidesk, height adjustable standing desk. £275

8 | HELLY HANSON, W SVALBARD PARKA, £250

9 | ALFA ITALIA AMALFI VIAGGIO TRAVEL DRYER AND STYLER KIT, £44.95

10 | LUSH, SANTA'S GROTTO GIFT SET, £38

11 | cHICCO NEXT2MOON - CRIB PROJECTOR, £43.57

12 | ROYCE LINGERIE, MATERNITY BRA, £32

13 | BABY EINSTEIN, HAPE, INNOVATION STATION, £75.64

14 | PAVILION BOOKS, THE BOMPAS & PARR COCKTAIL BOOK: RECIPES FOR MIXING EXTRAORDINARY DRINKS, £7.19

15 | MATCHSTICK MONKEY, CROCODILE, £22.92

16 | LAKELAND, CHRISTMAS SNACK BOWLS, £14.99

17 | LAKELAND, BORGO DE' MEDICI ITALIAN BLACK TRUFFLE DINNER GIFT SET, £39,99

18 | jIMMY CHOO MAN BLUE FRAGRANCE GIFT SET, £46

19 | BENEFIT, SWEET RIDE GIFT SET, £26.50

20 | FIREBOX, GLITTER CRANBERRY SAUCE, £9.99

View Full Post

Become the perfect Aperitivo hostess

The Aperitivo is derived from Italy, “beverage that is alcoholic which is consumed prior to a meal with the intention to simulating the appetite”

This popular tradition comprises food and drink and who can resist, this should be a firm UK staple and a firm staple in my home so I thought I would share some tips and recipes on how to become the perfect Aperitivo hostess, complete with a shopping list to make life that little bit simpler.

Perfect time for Aperitivo: 

7pm - 9pm.

What to drink

The classic aperitivo usually includes a cocktail with a bitter base commonly using Aperol or Campari mixed with a great fizz, such as Mionetto Prosecco and I have some recipes that you can create with ease, so it won't take you away from your guests.

You could even put the ingredients on the side on a bar cart with the recipe and let everyone create there own 'Pimp your Aperitivo'

The Mionetto Aperol Spritz

A refreshing Aperol Spritz, perfect for a chilled drink in the afternoon under the sun to start your Aperitivo with friends.

• 75ml chilled Mionetto Prosecco DOC Treviso
• 50ml Aperol
• 20ml Chilled Soda
• Ice Cubes
• Orange Slice

1. Grab a balloon or wine glass.
2. Fill with cubed ice (in this weather it would be a crime not to have this in your freezer)
3. Combine 75ml of Mionetto Prosecco DOC Treviso with 50ml of Aperol
4. Add a splash of Soda
5. Garnish with a slice of fresh orange

Arancia Spritz

• 85ml chilled Mionetto Prosecco DOC Treviso
• 55ml San Pellegrino Aranciata
• 30ml Campari
• Fresh Mint
• Orange Slice

1. Mix all the ingredients in a wine glass - leave the Mionetto Prosecco till the end.
2. Add ice, then stir to chill.
3. Top up with prosecco.
4. Garnish with mint and a slice or orange.

Mionetto Italian Honeysuckle

• 75ml chilled Mionetto Prosecco DOC Treviso
• 1 slice of jalapeno 
• 15 ml lime juice
• 15 ml sugar syrup
• 30 ml Blanco Tequlia

1. Muddle the jalapeno slice and the lime juice.
2. Add the sugar syrup, Blanco tequlia, ice - then shake.
3. Strain into a glass, add the Mionetto Prosecco DOC Treviso
4. Add a jalapeno slice to finish off your cocktail

Food

Transport your guests over to Italy for your aperitivi and create some delicious nibbles. You do not need to go wild but put on a small spread of some different items and use your creativity. In Italy each bar presents Aperitivi in a different way so feel free to mix it up in any way you would like.

Crostini

More fondly known as, ‘little toasts’ mine are the ones that come in a packet but if you want to go all out grab a ciabatta and baste in olive oil, garlic and roast some vine tomatos. 

Pasta Salad

In a large bowl, toss together fusilli pasta, mozzarella pearls, salami,

bell peppers, spinach, tomatoes and olives. Prepare a simple dressing with

olive oil, vinegar, garlic, Italian seasoning, parsley, and chilli fakes and add

to the bowl. Season with salt and pepper and refrigerate before serving.

Roasted Vegtables

To add some beautiful colour to the table use a range of vegetables, I went for courgettes and vine tomatoes. I just covered with a bit of olive oil, basil and

oregano. Roast for 10-15 minutes.

Olives and more olives

You can't go to Italy and not have olives so create a medley of them - you can't go overboard.

Italian Cheese and Prosciutto Board

This is always a winner, grab a wooden serving board and place a selection of regional cheeses (my favourites are Reggiano Parmesan and slices of Pecorino with some chilli jam) and lots of prosciutto.

Ambiance

The key is to make the afternoon as relaxed as possible and a bit of sun never hurt anyone. So simplicity will help you here, don't over complicate it - you're not hosting a dinner party and everyone wants a stress free afternoon and hosts also need to be stress free.

Choose great friends to join you to eat and drink your perfect Aperitivi with great conversation.

For the decor you can add some Italian vibes with greenery and oranges - my little trees are from Ikea, which add to the simplicity of the afternoon.

 

This post is in collaboration with Mionetto.

View Full Post

Valentine’s Day Cocktail – Candy Floss Fizz

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and before I let you see my gift guide I thought I would share an easy recipe for the perfect Valentine's cocktail if you are having VDay at home. Although this cocktail would also be perfect for a party. 

It is sweet, girly and romantic all in pink. Also this cocktail is a super easy recipe!

Ingredients:

·         20ml:  Rhubarb vodka from Chase Distillery

·         As much as you desire:  Candy Floss

·         Enough to fill the glass: Champagne or Prosecco

Method:

1.       Add the rhubarb vodka to a champagne flute.

2.       Depending on how pink you want the cocktail add half a glass of Prosecco for a lighter colour then add in a small amount of Candy Floss – watch it fizz and change to pink.

3.       Top up your glass with Champagne or Prosecco.

4.       Add enough candy floss to sit across the glass.

Voila, a Candy Floss Fizz

View Full Post

5 Secrets to a Good Morning

When you have a good morning it not only helps you have a positive and productive day but impacts those around you, when you are in a good mood it reflects positively, which is great especially if you work in a team. Have you ever got in, in the morning and you have a conversation with a colleague who is grumpy and then you feel in a bad mood?! I know I have. 10%* of brits say they have never had a good morning, which is so sad, so I am here to help with five tips to have a good morning in collaboration with belVita who have just launched a ‘Good Mornings’ campaign to get everyone to have, well a GOOD MORNING and set themselves up for the rest of the day.

1.    The Breakfast: Breakfast is going to provide you with the energy you need to have a good morning and a good day; it is my number one tip. Whenever I skip breakfast I end up feeling groggy and hungry by 11am and then snack on crisps, red bull and a chocolate bar or two (currently hating myself for how true that sentence is). Having a good breakfast improves your performance as it basically gives your brain fuel and essential nutrients which also helps you fit into those skinny jeans as you’re not going to snack (as much). The most important thing though is by being fuelled up, you will be happier.

Make sure the breakfast is right though and not just a quick cup of tea. You need something that is going to fill you up, why not try belVita with natural Greek yogurt and fruit you could go crazy if it’s the weekend and add poached eggs, avo smash on toast!

2.    The Night Before: I have to say I am not a morning person, I do love to lie in my bed even when I am awake just to be toasty…especially when the weather is like this…the SNOOZE button becomes my best friend. The answer to this problem is you need to prep the night before. I always make sure the kitchen and lounge are looking tidy before I go to bed, in the morning if everything is a mess it pushes my stress levels sky high and I just want to run out of the house. When you wake up and your outfit is ready and the house looks pristine it’s so much easier to make time for breakfast and enjoy a packet of belVita with some yoghurt and fruit ensuring you have a balanced breakfast.

3.    The Extra Hour: Now you are all prepped for the morning, use your time wisely, make a snazzy breakfast to keep you fuelled like in the pics do a spot of meditation, I sometimes use the Headspace app it only takes 5 minutes and can help your prepare you mind and body for the day ahead.

4.    The No Work Zone: I know it is near impossible but do try and not look at your email, Instagram, Facebook until 9am. You will get sucked into the digital landscape and forget all about having some time to yourself and getting ready – you will end up running out the door with no makeup and feeling hungry!

5.    The to Do List: As mentioned in tip 3, being mindful will help you relax so you can organise your mind by writing down your to do list for the day. I usually pick about six key things I want to accomplish in the day, anymore and it will make your mind fizz. If you do more than that, great but 6 items are enough. Now another tip is to look at those six items and do the hardest one first (the one you would rather not do) once it’s out of the way the day becomes a whole lot easier and your morning is not plagued by stress and you have achieved something in the first few hours of the day.

Why not try these 5 secrets and see how it impacts your day, I know you will feel more relaxed, happy and ready to face the day in a more positive light and you will also notice that you are more positive which will affect the people around you.

Do you have any tips for a good morning?

*2,000 adults were polled by One Poll in December 2016

The post is sponsored

View Full Post

How to create the Best Hot Chocolate

“Oh, the weather outside is frightful…”

So why not make an amazing mug of Hot Chocolate?

Well why not and I have a brand swanky new kettle that has a Brita filter…what more could you want for Christmas. I love my Brita filter water literally tastes completely different from the tap, I am not even sure how it can taste so much better, it make me worry what is in the normal drinking water.

Anyway more about my new Jazzy Morphy Richards Brita FilterKettle in a bit. Now as you may know all my recipes are usually quite simple as who has the time to make hot chocolate from scratch when Cadbury's make a pretty perfect powder and these ingredients will last all Christmas.

Ingredients

·         Cadbury’s Instant Hot Chocolate 

·    BRITA Filtered Water

·         Milk, Cooking Chocolate (Any will do)

·         Whipped cream (tastes best when done by hand)

·         Edible Glitter (Because, why the hell not?)

·         Marshmallows (Tiny ones)

How to make (Although I am sure you can work it out!)

1)    Put three heaped teaspoons of the instant hot chocolate in your perfect mug

2)    Pour boiling water…feel free to add milk if that’s your thing.

3)    Whip up some cream or use some from a can (I won’t tell, honest!)

4)    Grate some chocolate and add some edible glitter and voila.

TheMorphy Richards Brita Filter Kettle

This fast boiling kettle is the best way to ensure your water is pure for the perfect cup of hot chocolate, tea or coffee. When you look in other kettles lime scale builds up quick and it does make me worry about how it actually gets filer before it hits you.

Don’t worry about knowing when to change the BRITA Maxtra filer as the kettle will tell you. This baby is around £37.49 usually £49.99 at the moment and can make around  cups in a single service.

Using the kettle for a few weeks now the flavour of the water definitely tastes better more full of flavour, if water has a flavour.

I quite like the steel finish as well its add a modern touch to the kitchen along with the blue illuminated water gauge. If you are thinking of purchasing this you get a filter included so no need to worry about that for a while.

For more hot chocolate excitement visit Mums Savvy Savings for 13 boozy versions or Culinary Travels for a Peanut Butter version - YUMMY

Sponsored Post

View Full Post

Restaurant Review: Brother Marcus, Balham

Calling all London foodies, I have a tasty place for you today and it is so close to where I live so it comes with an added bonus, for me anyway. Say HELLO to Brother Marcus the new brunch place to rival Milk in Balham. Milk has stolen my poached egg heart for the past 12 months BUT now Brother Marcus has landed I may not bother with the 20 minute queue. Although don’t be fooled Brother Marcus is just as popular with people streaming in and out the door all the time.

If we take it back a notch the story behind Brother Marcus is quite inspiring for a dreamer entrepreneur like me. The concept was born from three school friends: Alex Large, Arthur Campbell and Tasos Gaitanos looking to bring good quality ingredients and fabulous coffee to you lovely lot. From getting the keys to their new abode they opened three days later (not sure how this is possible). They were also on a limited budget to turn the venue around and actually made quite a lot of everything you see inside – it is my dream to build a successful business and it’s great to see you don’t need £13434534 and years to get it done right!

As you enter the space there is a relaxed atmosphere with a quirky school vibe with plants gracing every wall, along with the outside space this maybe why it is coined ‘Balham’s Garden Café’.

Coffee is truly King here at Brother Marcus with the funky logo in a coffee cup and the first things you get asked, which you can also get if you have to wait…I am pretty sure you can pop in for a takeaway one as well. As I am not so much of a coffee lover I took my friends words that is was a good cup of coffee and decided to be typically me and choose a drink with a kick of chili to it. I even think the food did but that may just be the drink lingering but it was bloody tasty. The portions were also huge which is great because some of these new hipster places try to be Michelin  star and no one wants a leaf and quails egg for brunch! I am usually a salmon kind of brunch gal but decided to venture to a fritter and my god I am glad I did, it was avo heaven and the poached egg was cooked to perfection, it will be hard for me to choose something new after this.

What I had…

To Drink: Mango, Cayenne Pepper, Apple & Ginger Smoothie

To Eat: The Step Sister: Courgette, Beets & Feta Fritter, Avocado, Spinach and a Poached Egg.

If you are an early riser or stayed out a little too late the night before, it’s okay because Brother Marcus is open from 8am-3pm to cater for all your brunchin’ needs.

You can also get Marcus’ take on a Full English and the Sister Special, avo on toast with spinach, bacon and poached eggs. I was really full but I also have heard great things about the Sugar Daddy, French toast covered in berries, maple syrup & mascarpone….ooo just writing this makes me regret not trying one!

There is also some salad options sounding ultra-healthy and sandwiches if brunch ain’t your thing. You can also pop down for dinner which has a fusion theme going on with Loaded Buns such as: ‘Shroom of Doom’ A garlic and thyme Portobello Mushroom with grilled goats cheese, rocket with a honey mustard dressing topped with parmesan crisps for £8. Oh and the cocktails sounds divine. You can have access to this deliciousness from 6pm – 11pm so I will be definitely be heading back if you are still not sold there is a little eye candy as well with the waiters, so you really don’t have any excuses not to go!

Cost: All in all my brunch cost £12.50 which is a bit of bargain.

Address: 9 Chestnut Grove, SW12 8JA

Nearest Train / Tube: Balham

View Full Post

9 ideas for the perfect day at home

So what does a gal do, when her boyfriend keeps leaving every weekend? for a stag do and now training in Manchester. Do I...go partying...re-live uni life or just Netflix and chill. Hello I am an old Woman and Netflix and chill sounds like the best idea in the world, so I am going to share how you can have the best day at home by your self and treat your self to a bit of luxury at home and indulgence - sounds good right?!

1. Stock The Fridge

Getting a takeaway is great and everything but when you are on your own and being conscious about whats inside your meal. It is best to just make some pretty sexy looking food for breakfast, lunch and dinner from scratch and throw in some indulgent snacks. Oh HI Häagen-Dazs new stick bars, you little slice of heaven, you.

Breakfast: Green Smoothie Bowl

Lunch: Steak with Avocado Salad

Dinner: A Mexican feast for one see my Cinco De Mayo inspired recipes for inspiration.

2. Get Comfy

This is one of the most important things when you are spending the day at home on your own. I will grab my UGG slippers, it doesn't matter how hot it is along with some comfy PJ pants and maybe one of my boyfriends t-shirts (not because I am missing him and cant cope for 24 hours without him) because why are men's t-shirts more comfy than womans?! Or go crazy and buy some new Pyjamas from Primark.

3. Book A Home Spa Treatment / Do It Yourself

Hello Missbeez, come back and give me a manicure. You only need to click a few buttons on your iPhone and its done and pretty cheap as well. Or grab your pamper pack: face masks, foot spa, gel manicure set and do the work yourself.

4. Prep The TV

If you are a Sky lover make sure leading up to your evening on your own, you have your fave TV. For me at the moment is would be: Celebrity Big Brother, House, Don't Tell The Bride, 16 & Pregnant oh and I have finished it but if you have not you need to turn on Netflix right now and watch STRANGER THINGS..ONE WORD...AMAZING.

4. Indulge

When I want to indulge at home especially when its hot, ice cream is the best medicine and for me Häagen-Dazs wins every time and is a true moment of indulgence instead of swallowing it whole like most other treats. Its what's inside that matters and the new stick bars have the best high-quality real ingredients with Vanilla Caramel Almond, Salted Caramel and White Chocolate & Almond. (I am currently eating the salted caramel one whilst writing this lol).

5. Turn off the internet

The world will not come to an end. I am an iPhone obsessive and a social media addict but sometimes it is good for your sanity to spend the day or evening away from the bloody thing. You will feel chilled and refreshed.

6. Activities

Okay so what do you do with no blooming internet. Do not go crazy, try one of my fave past time activities: Adult colouring book, Puzzle - my fave is Wasjig. OR if your boyfriend has the old school playstation get on Crash Bandicoot - why have PS4 not released a new one its so depressing or Spyro.

7. Sneaky Cocktail

So alcohol has not featured anywhere on my list but has its gets into the night of your great day in and especially when you own a bar cart its kinda a must. So pre night in do some research on Pinterest for the prettiest looking cocktail you can find then have a go at making it - maybe something in a pineapple? if your out of ideas you can try some cocktail recipes on another post.

9. Bath

A bath is not for everyone but for me grab a magazine and a glass of prosecco and fill the tub with a million bubbles and I am a happy gal. Its simple luxuries in life.

I hope this list of ideas for the perfect day in by yourself is helpful it certainly is what I have been doing for the past two weekends!!! Any ideas or tips let a gal know.

This post was created in collaboration with Häagen-Dazs to celebrate the launch of the three new stick bar flavours, available from most convenience stores, Tesco Express and Co-op shops.

View Full Post

Cocktail Recipe: The Sloe Spring

Afternoon lovelies it is the start of a new week and with the sun coming out most weekends I thought I would share a fun twist on one of my fave soft drinks: Appletiser and turn it into an easy to make cocktail. 

You may have seen an article recently where I was mixing cocktails with Appletiser at Ascot (you can see it here) and they tasted delicious, I never knew how good Appletiser tasted with different mixers. When I found a spare weekend I decided to make my own and after lots of 'mistakes' I have perfected the 'SLOE SPRING'. The core component of the drink is of course Appletiser with blackberries. 

Blackberries are usually only talked about in the Autumn but they are looking ripe and juicy at the moment and still very tasty. So mix both of these with sloe berries and you get a dreamy drink for Spring or The Sloe Spring.

50ml Sloe Gin

Appletiser

2 x Tbsp Sugar
100g Blackberries + Extra to decorate

Sprig of Thyme

Ice

Method:

1. Make a blackberry puree: Blend or mash 100g Blackberries with the sugar.
2. You will need to sieve the puree to remove any seeds.
3. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice then add 2 tsp of the blackberry puree
4. Add 50ml of Sloe Gin (if you are feeling really wild you could create your own Sloe Gin)
5. Shake well
6. Fill a glass with ice, strain mixture into the glass.
7. Top up with Appletiser 
8. Decorate as you wish I went for blackberries on a cocktail stick and then a sprig of Thyme as it compliments the flavours perfectly. 

To see this recipe on the Appletiser Moments page head here.

 In collaboration with Appletiser but all thoughts and love for delicious cocktails are my own.

View Full Post