Final March Outfit

This will have to be the last coral themed outfit before it becomes an obsession! Its such an great inbetween colour for spring! I sort of made this casual outfit up around the shoes & cami, using browns to warm it up! The Mulberry bag is such a classic which goes with anything & sharpens an outfit up! I'm in love with it all over again!

• Cami
• Cardigan
• Bag
• Shoe
• Trousers
• Belt
  
• Ring
• Nail Polish
• Lip Gloss
  

Mozzarella and Fig pizza

Let me introduce the new baker on the block - Lorraine Pascale - she is quite simply amazing! Her summery personality & no fuss approach turns baking what may seem the most complicated dishes into something doable!
Normally, the idea of making a pizza sounds like a lot of work & mess - I think the last time I made one was in secondary school but after seeing this recipe I thought I could give it a shot!
I did take a few short cuts though - I used a ready made pizza base mix ... & I replaced the prosciutto with bacon. It still came out pretty scrumptious! It took no time at all to make which is always a bonus when you are hungry!

Bohemian Deluxe

Its fair to say, Gisele could make anything look fab, but when the clothes she is modelling are this accessible & affordable, its all the more exciting. I've ordered myself some pieces from the range {here} before they sell out!

Third March Outfit

I'm away from corals (for now) & totally fell for this tribal print wrap skirt this week - it also comes in indigo & as a dress! Perfect for this time of year. Keeping everything else pretty simple so not to take away from the fabulousness of the skirt - a fitted jacket, structured handbag & neutral shoes. Other bits that I'm loving this week - Damsel in a Dress Top, Giorgio Armani scent, At First Sight OPI nail lacquer,

Cera @ Villeroy & Boch

In keeping with my recent tableware obsession, I am going to share another design I am loving!
I treated myself to a couple of glass gourmet plates from the Cera range at Villeroy & Boch.
I love the whole range but really don't need / can't justify buying white plates when I have plenty! However, that doesn't include glass plates!
I came across these side-plates a while ago & could just imagine how I would put them to use. They are great to serve a small dish on {as seen here}, or a desert & are also useful as a elegant way to present cutlery. Next on my list is the salad plate!

Jacket Potato & Tuna Salad

I love jacket potatoes but sometimes struggle finding a filling I like (other than baked beans & cheese)! I recently threw together a tuna salad filling with bits I found in the fridge & surprisingly it has become quite a regular on the menu! It is simply a 185g can of tuna, lettuce shredded, 1 celery stick (cut into small chunks), finely grated cheese, sweetcorn and mayonnaise mixed together and salt and pepper to taste! Add some walnuts & dried apricot chunks if you want to make it a little more exciting! Serve with lettuce, cherry tomatoes & olives! Super quick, healthy and really scrummy!

Second March Outfit

In keeping with the coral, spring-like theme, I've been loving these pieces this week.
There are some gorgeous dresses around at the moment & I strugled to choose just one for this outfit but I have had my eye on this shift dress for ages ...
I love how a trench coat makes an outfit look pulled together & elegant & is one of the few things that won't go out of fashion! The raspberry Mischa Barton bag would bring out all the muted colours in the dress & tie the outfit together.
I wouldn't normally go with this style of shoe but think it really works for this outfit!
Accessorize: corsage {oasis} alice band {accessorize}

Daisy is 2!

My little dog Daisy is 2!

Here are some of my favourite pictures of her from the last year :)

Apple Streusel Cake

To me there is nothing better than a steaming cup of tea and a piece of freshly baked cake! Especially when apple & cinnamon are involved! I was looking through a recipe book which was full of hearty old fashioned recipes & I noticed the Apple Streusel Cake! So, yesterday I gave it a go! It was a really dull, cold day & after putting it in the oven & going for a walk, I was greeted by the smell of cinnamon coming from the oven when I came in! I can't find the recipe online, but you can see the book here!

Apple Streusel Cake
Grandma's Best Recipes book

115g /4oz butter, plus extra for greasing
450g / 1lb cooking apples
175g / 6oz self-raising flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
pinch of salt
115g / 4oz caster sugar
2 eggs
1-2 tbsp milk
icing sugar, for dusting
for the streusel topping
115g / 4oz self-raising flour
85g / 3oz butter
85g/3oz caster sugar

1. Preheat the oven to 180^oc/350^of, then grease a 23cm/9inch spring-form cake tin. To make the streusel topping, sift the flour into a bowl & rub in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the sugar & reserve.

2. Peel, core and thinly slice the apples. To make the cake, sift the flour into a bowl with the cinnamon & salt. Place the butter & sugar in a separate bowl & beat together until light & fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs, adding a little of the flour mixture with the last addition of egg. Gently fold in half the remaining flour mixture, then fold in the rest with the milk.

3. Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin & smooth the top. Cover with the sliced apples & sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour, or until browned & firm to the touch. Leave to cool in the tin before opening the sides. Dust the cake with icing sugar before serving.

My Outfit Lust of the Week

As it is starting to feel springlike, the sunny weather makes me want to pack away my heavy winter clothes & get into some of the seasons fresh new colours... One thing, it is still so cold when the sun disappears. I fell in love with this All Saints Playsuit - the corals/yellows/mottled blues are colours I associate with Spring but silk material defiantly needs some help so it is wearable while it is still chilly!
I came up with the Quilted Leather Biker Jacket & Coral Pashmina. The Western Boots sort of go with the theme of the outfit. Oh & I just love the Vintage Mini Bag!

Serving food on Slate...

It's not very often that I see something & have an "I have to have that" moment - no ifs or buts {or asking the husband} - and this is exactly what happened when I found The Just Slate Company! I'm always looking household items which are unique/rustic/one of a kind - right now I'm taken up with table wear!
The Slate Cheese Board is my first purchase - it turns out it has more uses than just as a Cheese Board! I made some Fruit Jellies last week & it was a great serving platter! I love how it makes serving deserts or cheese that little bit more fun :-)